OCZ Elixir II Gaming Keyboard

Testing & Conclusion

Published: 31st January 2009 | Source: OCZ | Price: £13.92 | Author: Tom Koflach

Testing

For testing we used the keyboard for day to day office tasks, including the writing of this review. Unfortunately it didn't fare to well. First off the funny enter key was rather annoying, with an uninvited # appearing at the end of all our paragraphs. Then there was the poor key response. You have to press the keys a relatively long way down before they respond, making fast touch typing a bit of a pain. Both those coupled together lead to a rather frustrating typing experience; we didn't just have to adjust to a new keyboard but the layout also took time to adjust to.

Gaming was reasonable, the keyboard worked much better here than it did with office tasks. The relatively slow change between keys wasn't so much of an issue and the enter key was rarely used. It wasn't the most comfortable keyboard we have ever used, but it wasn't bad, especially for something of its size.

Conclusion

We have mixed feelings towards the Elixir II. The typing experience was poor and frustrating, but its small proportions, weight and reasonable gaming experience means it could appeal to gamers with limited space. It could also appeal to gamers on the move, looking for something small and lightweight they can carry around all day. However, having a num pad on the keyboard does mean it is longer than other contenders in the market, which means it is not ideally suited.

To sum it up, we're not overly impressed with the Elixir II. Unfortunately avaliability in the UK isn't great, with Aria the only retailer we could find with any in stock. Priced at £12.59, it could appeal to a small range of dedicated gamers on small desks, but to anyone else its not really worth it.

Pros
+ Relatively Small
+ Lightweight

The Mediocre
* Reasonable gaming performance

The Poor
- Odd enter Key and Long key travel make it poor for typing.

Overclock3d would like to thank OCZ for supplying todays review sample. Discuss in the forums here.

Most Recent Comments

31-01-2009, 08:27:45

Luigi

"Super slim for gamers in a tight space. But is it any good? We find out..."

http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/artic...184714311s.jpg

Read on to find out our thoughts on the Elixir II here.

31-01-2009, 08:29:03

°TheMadDutchDude°

Is it me or is the link dead?

31-01-2009, 08:32:32

AntiHeroUK

It's not you mate

I had completely forgotten that this keyboard existed..

31-01-2009, 08:35:10

Luigi

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='°TheMadDutchDude°'

Is it me or is the link dead?

I was just living the review... had a little hick-up

31-01-2009, 08:42:11

AntiHeroUK

Wasn't a keyboard I would have considered. This review makes that even more so

I suppose at the price it goes for it's not the worst keyboard, but the more expensive G11/G15/Saitek Eclipse etc are much better and worth the extra cost in my eyes.

31-01-2009, 09:09:13

BloomerzUK

It's cheap though. Looks okay, but as you said.. that '#' thing would do my head in.

31-01-2009, 09:31:41

Luigi

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='AntiHeroUK'

Wasn't a keyboard I would have considered. This review makes that even more so

I suppose at the price it goes for it's not the worst keyboard, but the more expensive G11/G15/Saitek Eclipse etc are much better and worth the extra cost in my eyes.

Totally agree with you.. I really didnt like typing on it at all

I think the original Elixir was much better, and G15 is still the king in my eyes.

31-01-2009, 09:44:53

soapsupah

i wouldn't go for it, and after the review i really wont go for it

i just need 3 things on a keyboard, anti ghosting / lights (yes my room is pretty dark all day

) and confortable typping.

31-01-2009, 13:38:32

themcman1

I need a small new keyboard - I have the G11 upstairs on a bigger desk but my new computer which will be staying downstairs on a small desk is using a little beige thing from ages ago.

As for that keyboard - it looks just about as bad as typing on a laptop.

31-01-2009, 13:40:03

HypoglossalXII

If you had to choose between the G15 and the Razer Tarantula, which would you choose and why?

-HypoG

31-01-2009, 13:44:03

themcman1

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='HypoglossalXII'

If you had to choose between the G15 and the Razer Tarantula, which would you choose and why?

-HypoG

I would go for the G15 because I have had a good experience with Logitech products in the past, although Logitech are doing a G19 fairly soon which looks just like a G11 with a huge screen on.

Link to G19 preview

31-01-2009, 14:01:01

AntiHeroUK

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='HypoglossalXII'

If you had to choose between the G15 and the Razer Tarantula, which would you choose and why?

-HypoG

G15, reason being I own one already and know how good it is.

31-01-2009, 14:34:12

HypoglossalXII

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='AntiHeroUK'

G15, reason being I own one already and know how good it is.

Haha, Good Man.

Anyways I am considering investing in a gaming keyboard and am torn between the two, so I was wondering of listening to some selling points on the g15 over the razer. I can be called a razer fanatic, considering all the razer swag I own, but i'm a very practical man

Mind selling some points on your keyboard?

-HypoG

31-01-2009, 14:58:00

soapsupah

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='HypoglossalXII'

Mind selling some points on your keyboard?

-HypoG

from the reviews i saw in other sites (and theres alot you should google them

)

razer tarantula

pros - fully programable (all keys); great antighosting; the keys feels good; you can save up to 5 profiles of key configurations;

cons - no lights; programming keys costs time and isnt a "welcoming" program

logitech G15 - revised version

pros - great antighosting; has lights (and they are easy to see at night); Stationary LCD Monitor (its not that mobile thing that sucked); its smaller than its older version; has 6 macros keys (that's could be con aswell since the old had 18, but its up to you)

cons - Stationary LCD Monitor (like the macro keys thing this could be a con depending of the person); only 6 macros (like i said)

also i never touched a tarantula mate, but i played like crazy on logitechs and all i can say is that i hate my microsoft keyb and i would trade it for a g15 anytime.

31-01-2009, 15:03:06

HypoglossalXII

1) The tarantula has lights, or at least backlights. Additionally, you may purchase the battle light add-on.

2) LCD Monitor, Honestly, how do you find this useful? Whilst fragging, I doubt I'll have time to look at the LCD screen. However if it can be programmed to show CPU/GPU Temp whilst gaming that would be a welcome addition.

As for online reviews, they give both these keyboards awesome points, and that's where the problem lies, you're gonna need opinion from the average user. Something reviews can't offer.

Maybe if there was a Tarantula vs G15 article somewhere :>

-HypoG

31-01-2009, 15:12:05

soapsupah

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='HypoglossalXII'

hmm if you like the Razer BattleLight that docks in the tarantula

for me that isnt a light but anyways its up to you.

also like i said before the tarantula has a confortable typping.

but for the G15 i dont like that thing lcd thing aswell but anyways you can see the hours (lol), so isnt so bad anyways.

edit.

also the G15 at night has nice lights like i said

31-01-2009, 15:27:11

HypoglossalXII

Sorry I am mistaken, the black light is not present on Tarantula, but are on the Lycosa!

31-01-2009, 15:29:46

soapsupah

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='HypoglossalXII'

Sorry I am mistaken, the black light is not present on Tarantula, but are on the Lycosa!

quoting you again mate, i love the lycosa! sadly here its price is the same of the G15

and it dont have a advanced antighosting (hard to explain in a better way) thats the only keyboard with laptop keys that i liked in my life hehe

31-01-2009, 17:00:52

premiumgfx

I like they Lycosa too, but it costs alot.

I think the original Elixir is better than the Elixir II. Anyone seen the normal Elixir?

31-01-2009, 17:06:44

soapsupah

yeah i know the original, first time i saw that i thougth was a bad keyb, but it was alot confortable, also my cousin has one, i just dont like its colors make it look cheap when you see in person

31-01-2009, 18:00:36

AntiHeroUK

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='HypoglossalXII'

2) LCD Monitor, Honestly, how do you find this useful? Whilst fragging, I doubt I'll have time to look at the LCD screen. However if it can be programmed to show CPU/GPU Temp whilst gaming that would be a welcome addition.

I actually find the LCD is really useful. I mainly use it for Ventrilo when I am gaming to keep track of who is currently talking/joined the server. I can monitor my FPS in games using Fraps, monitor temperatures (Everest, CoreTemp etc.) for both CPU and GPU and so many other useful programs can display information on your system.

Here's some links that will give you an idea of what can be done with keyboard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logitech_G15

http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/177949-g15-lcd-program-archive.html

http://www.g15mods.com/

http://www.g15forums.com/

http://www.smashd.de/content/view/111/115/

Hopefully this will make your decision a little easier mate

Back on topic. Elixir II is fail

01-02-2009, 05:28:10

w3bbo

Nobody considered the Microsoft (Razor) Reclusa?

OCZ Elixir II Gaming Keyboard

Testing & Conclusion

Published: 31st January 2009 | Source: OCZ | Price: £13.92 | Author: Tom Koflach

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