Merc Stealth. Is it worth the 80 bucks?

[reaverclan]

Manufacturer: Ideazon
Product Number: Merc Stealth
Product Page: Ideazon™ Precision Gaming Tools [Merc Stealth Illuminated Gaming Keyboard]
Price: $79.99 @ Bestbuy
Availability: Now

Table of Contents

Into
Features
Packaging
Design
Back Lighting
Software
Conclusion

Intro


I was in the market for new keyboard when my Microsoft Digital Media Pro was falling apart after 7 years of use. Then I had heard about the Zboard before, but it didn’t fit my needs, and changing out keysets was not my cup of tea. Then I came across the Merc and fell in love with it. For its usefulness but hated its looks. Well it’s now 2007 and I need keyboard that will go well with my new system, and had heard about the G11 (Logitech), Tarantula (Razer), and loved how they had back lit keys and macros. But I still wanted Merc, with diff. looks. Then it came to me. Ideazon released this October the revamped version of the Merc the Merc Stealth.

Product Features

Illumination: Perfect for gaming in the dark

• Astounding three color illumination in RED, BLUE and PURPLE
• Choose your level of brightness (Subtle, Ambient, Intense, Off)
• Illuminated characters on every key

Dedicated Gaming Terrain: Amazing touch and response for hours of comfortable gaming

• Rubberized movement keys for superior response
• Tilted 11 degrees to match natural wrist position
• 34 gaming keys labeled and positioned for ultimate precision and control
• Simultaneous key stroke response — no need to worry about phantom keys in the heat of the battle

Z Engine Software: Industry leading software allows gamers to easily customize every gaming experience

• Programmable with easy-to-use drag-and-drop macro editing
• Over 125 pre-defined key mapping layouts

Control Center: Rule all your PC gaming peripherals from one hub

• Two USB 2.0 ports to plug in mice and other peripherals
• Gold plated audio jacks for headsets and microphones
• Multimedia controls for in and out of game use

Packaging



Design





Back Lighting



Software

The real brain behind the Merc Stealth is the Z-Engine. Hardware is useless without software. It allows you to put macros/hotkeys on any button on the keyboard. The macros can have time delays between any of the keys if desired. You can also make custom profiles for your games and the software works with the game exe’s making it so that you don’t have to change any controls in the games or software like Photoshop ect. Just load the profile and play/work away. Its that easy. Making a profile is easy if its game, just choose the game you want find the exe for it and start setting the keys for your liking. It also comes with over 150+ profiles for games well known already. And Ideazon is constantly updating their software with new profiles.




Conclusion

This is one of the best products to come form Ideazon yet! With its fully customizable keys, non ghosting system(allows up to ten keys to be pressed at once without locking up), macros that can have as many keystrokes your comp can handle, butterfly key setup with full keyboard still included, full back lighting on every single key, and its sweet looks.

PROS
- Performance
- Software
- Macros
- Ease of use
- Design
- Lighting

CONS
- Price
- USB cable and audio cable on one wire

[Supergrover]

Well I have the original MERC on my main and for gaming I love it it's fast and responsive. The gaming key's, are perfect for my hands can play for hours without discomfort, for typing it alright, I hate how the number pad is designed but if you are buying it to game, and if your not look elsewhere, then this is a damn good KB. The software can be a pig sometimes when you are trying to update a new game, 2 out 5 times it will hang, but I only have had the software crash twice on me in 10 months.
I wouldn't ever use the USB or headphones on it as I like as much bandwidth as possible.
There is literally a ton of games for it and as new games come out there on top of things.
I absolutely love mine 1st gen merc, a few of the clan have them too and swear by them.

About 2 weeks ago I just about bought the Stealth but the wife wants ideas for x-mas so I assume she will be picking me up one then ;)

[Patriote]

Can you please resize your pics?

I am on a 24" and those pics are way too large. Imagine on a 19"... :rtfm:

[omgwtf]

I have an 19" and it's killing me viewing those..
I would choose Saitek in the favor of this...

[reaverclan]

there not that big i have no idea why they're showing up so big:help:

[Babrbarossa]

Thanks reaver- I'm in the market for a gaming keyboard and I was hoping to see some boards reviewed- well done!

[ebdoradz]

Originally Posted by Patriote

Can you please resize your pics?

I am on a 24" and those pics are way too large. Imagine on a 19"... :rtfm:

lol yeah thats was exactly was i was gonna ask, you could limit your pic size to 800*600 max

[SKYMTL]

Resize Please!!!!!

[reaverclan]

I'm so sorry I forgot to click the resize box b4 uploading they're fixed now thank you for your patience

[Patriote]

Thanks a lot man but now they are 320x240 lol! Look, get a resizing images tool, resize your pics before uploading and then upload them. I'd recommend you to resize them in 1024x768. Thats what i did for my Sleeving guide and i feel it looks great.