Ideazon MERC Gaming Keyboard Review
[b]MERC Layout and Programming[/b]The MERC on the other hand does not have the benefit of exchangeable keysets and has to make do with one generic layout along with the mapping of functions in game via the game titles controls menu. Ideazon did include in the Z Engine software for the MERC featuring pre-configured layouts for a number of current top selling game titles. The Z Engine software is also set up to allow you to download updates directly from Ideazon including new game profiles for the keyboard.
Size wise the MERC is a large keyboard, rivaled only by the [b]Logitech G15[/b] in girth. In fact the two keyboards are almost identical in size. The main difference and the source of some of my usability problems during daily use is the location the MERC has for the insert, delete, home, page up and down and end keys. I type too fast for my own good many days and end up using the delete key frequently.
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The MERC places the aforementioned keys not between the standard QWERTY keyboard and the number pad, but makes them an alternate function of the number pad. After years of using keyboards with the delete key requiring only a single key press, moving it to a location that requires the use of shift functions to delete unwanted key strokes is just plain bad. Perhaps typists that are more accurate than me will not find this an issue, but it drove me crazy.
Also included in the layout are standard function keys as well as multimedia control keys. The multimedia keys on the MERC are the standard volume, stop, pause, play, forward and reverse fare included on any other keyboard. At the end of the multimedia keys are three additional hot keys labeled I, II and III. These are hot keys that are mapped by default to the Ideazon forums and web site. You can change them to launch sites or applications of your choice. Also situated with the multimedia keys is the red "Z" key that launches the Z Engine software with the touch of a button. The MERC Z Engine software is easy to use and allows you to manually change between layouts for different games and applications. Thanks to an on-board, programmable chip the MERC is able to sense what game or application is being loaded and automatically load the corresponding custom layout, if available. You also have the ability to program custom hot keys to launch applications at the touch of a button.
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The MERC is comfortable to use for extended gaming sessions and typing (if you can stand the layout and mediocre typing feel) thanks to the 11 degree positioning which conforms to your natural wrist position. I also have to mention the lack of a wrist rest on the MERC. Over the years, the wrist rest is something I have become accustomed to using and typing or gaming without one feels odd. Sure you could add your own wrist rest, but most quality gaming keyboards include one.
[b]Frag Time with the MERC[/b]
Gaming with the MERC was great. I always liked the layout of my generic Zboard keyset, and the MERC layout for the game pad is very similar. The keys fall right at your finger tips for easy access during your frag sessions. The only issue I had was with the location of the jump button. I found the jump button too low in relation to the butterfly layout WASD keys for movement control. My medium size hands required repositioning to comfortably reach the jump key. Lucky for me I map the jump function in game to my [b]Razer Copperhead[/b] thumb buttons, so it was not too much of an issue.
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The game pad portion of the MERC has 34 dedicated gaming keys. The red butterfly keys are the WASD movement keys and also include the "Q" and "E" keys that are often used for leaning in games. The 11 circular keys are for weapon changing and are arranged quite well to be reached with ease without having to remove your hand completely off the directional keys. Dedicated keys for crouch, use, reload, voice, run/walk toggle, jump, score, goals and voice are included. Also situated close at hand are some keys that can be mapped to various functions. Buttons labeled for screen print, quick load and quick save are located in an easy to reach position that keeps them far enough away from the action to not be hit by accident.
Another feature that I have become very accustom to on gaming keyboards is backlighting. So used to backlighting have I become, that it was very odd not having it during my testing of the MERC. I ended up having to play several games with the lights on so I could see the keys and be sure I was punching the right button allowing me to be the fragger, not the fragee. Gaming in the dark is how all the cool kids do it and the MERC does not make that an easy task. After all, how much could some translucent keytops and LEDs have added to the price?
Many gaming keyboards fall short for me when it comes to typing feel, and the MERC is no exception. The keys are very quiet and have a spongy feel to them rather than a satisfying click when pressed. The best gaming keyboard for typing feel I have used has been the Deck Legend. The second best would be the Logitech G15 with the Saitek Eclipse coming in third. The MERC would sit squarely in Fourth place for me. The keys just did not give me the tactile feedback that I desire when typing.
[b]The Bottom Line[/b]
Overall, gaming with the MERC was on par with the best gaming keyboards around. Typing and surfing the web on the other hand was not a great experience for me. The odd key layout could certainly be something you get used to, but after gaming and typing on standard keyboards for so long, why make me think about where you put certain keys. At the end of the day, gamers will like gaming on the MERC and will most likely want to type on another keyboard. If you don't mind swapping keyboards, or can get used to the MERC for general computer use you will be happy with your purchase.
By Shane McGlaun, Contributing Editor