PC gamers recognize the mouse and keyboard as their extensions into the digital world, and as a result, a good keyboard is essential. But in a world full of marketing junk it can prove difficult to determine the wheat from the chaff. Thankfully, Mad Catz, the popular fight stick manufacturer, has crafted a keyboard that displays the same love and attention to detail as its fight sticks: the entry-level gaming keyboard S.T.R.I.K.E. 3.
You’ll immediately notice the aesthetically pleasing compact design when you remove the keyboard from its box. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 has well-defined sections that separate the number pad from the main keyboard. It’s a good design that keeps players from pressing the wrong keys, but it also accommodates gamers who use the arrow keys for movement in MMOs or other games. A large palm rest — designed with extended, comfortable use in mind — bridges the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3′s split form factor.
The S.T.R.I.K.E. 3′s double-tap keys respond to 60g actuation force and reset perfectly after each press — Mad Catz claims that this reduces fatigue during marathon gaming sessions. After putting it through a weekend marathon which consisted of Star Craft 2, Skyrim, Battlefield 4, and Borderlands 2, I can attest that the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 is extremely comfortable — more so than my Microsoft Wired 400 keyboard. Mad Catz used its R&D to come up with a custom P.U.L.S.E keyboard bed that features a smooth membrane that gives keys extra pop when pressed. You’ll definitely feel the difference if you’re coming from more traditional keyboards.
The real question is this: Does the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 help you gain an advantage over the competition? Mad Catz includes software that allows users to simplify macro set ups. Unfortunately, the software may prove extremely intimidating to novices as there’s a ton of options. There’s a dozen programmable macro keys and buttons, and three different modes that allow users to create 36 commands. If you find programming keyboards enticing, you’ll be able to share your profiles. Once programmed, the commands are saved to memory, allowing you to use them on any PC to which the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3′s connected. The keyboard is also capable of anti-ghosting allowing users to save seven keystrokes at a time (this comes in handy with MMO and RTS games).
The S.T.R.I.K.E 3 also has premium, custom RGB back lighting. In fact, there are over 15 million color variants that you can setup using the keyboard’s software. You can set up to three custom colors and switch at the touch of a button. You’ll can also lock the Windows keys with a keyboard toggle; this does away with accidental function key presses that may result in your game coming to an end. It’s a digital lifesaver, as I’m prone to accidentally pressing the Windows keys during intense gaming moments. There’s also well-placed shortcut keys that allow users to adjust the volume and other media settings.
If you’re looking for an excellent gaming keyboard and don’t want to shell out a large amount chunk of cash, give the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E 3 a consideration. It’s a well-crafted PC gaming tool that’ll up you game.
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You can buy the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard