Product Application:

 Gaming Keyboard

Product Provided by:

 Genius

Available at:

 GeniusEshop.com

Estimated MSRP:

$42.90

Availability:

Now

Review by:

 Joe

Edited by:

 Darren

Review date:

 June 20th, 2007

 
 

 

     Another company to appear on the horizon to capture the gamer’s dollar is Genius.  Genius makes a variety of peripherals, including digital cameras, headsets, speakers, as well as gamepads and wheels.  Today we will be looking at the ErgoMedia 500, a gaming keyboard aimed right up the alley of the Nostromo, Z-board, and Cyber Snipa gamepad. Does the ErgoMedia 500 have what it takes to challenge these well established products?  Read on and find out!

What Genius has to say about the ErgoMedia 500:

·            ErgoMedia 500 is a gaming key pad that turns you into the best game player with the most clear and simple settings that you can use in various games.

     For game addicts, the unique hand shape design helps support your palm for long time playing. Special keycap backlighting makes sure all keys are highly visible even at night; and you can even chat online with the built-in earphone and microphone jacks. Three different game settings help you quickly search for your weapon, equipment, or any desired target. An additional switch button lets you switch between games instantly.

     Become a winner in the gaming world now.

Key Features:

  • New ergonomic designed gaming key pad for ultra comfort

  • Backlighting keycap function for night gaming sessions

  • Complex macros with 11 programmable keys for customized and instant control

  • Three different game functions help you to easily dominate each level of any game

  • Built-in Microphone and Speaker jacks for easy plug in

  • 4 way direction button: up/down/right/left direction button

     Now that we have that out of the way, on to the review, shall we?

Packaging:

     The packaging features the gamepad front and center, and even allows you to get a feel for the contours of the device.  The gamepad is surround with a nice shiny rainbow holographic insert.   The package artwork depicts mighty battles being fought against horrific beasts.  Who knew that the ErgoMedia would be a vital tool in the battle against good and evil?

The back of the package has a picture of the keyboard with lots of useful information.

Well….actually it has a list of the key features in a lot of different languages.

     The contents of the box are pretty basic, the keypad, multi-lingual instruction manual, and a CD-ROM for the software.

Physical Attributes:

     On the top, the ErgoMedia 500 features 11 normal keyboard keys, as well as a scroll wheel and a switch button.  We will go into detail on that a little bit later.

Here is the “thumb” area.  Here, there is a d-pad hat control  as well as 3 LEDs for Modes A, B, and C. 

     On the opposite side, the ErgoMedia presents us with a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and a backlight on/off switch. 

     And here we have a direct comparison between the ErgoMedia 500 and the Nostromo n52. The basic shape is the same, however, the ErgoMedia looks to be a bit more ergonomically friendly, but at the same time, sports less keys.