| WolfKing Timber Wolf Gaming Keyboard |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices | |
| Written by Darryl Greene - Edited by Olin Coles | |
| Tuesday, 02 September 2008 | |
Wolf King Timber WolfToday's PC gaming enthusiast is always on the lookout for the edge that will put him/her above other players. A performance gaming keyboard is at the top of the list of products that can certainly make a difference. Today Benchmark Reviews takes a look at what could possibly be an edge that some players are looking for, the Wolf King Timber Wolf gaming keyboard. The typical gaming keyboard is hardly more than a standard keyboard with a few enhancements. They have unnecessary software to set up profiles for multiple games, which can bring along its own issues. Multiple and fast keystroke capability are also on the list of features. Will the design of the Timber Wolf change the way you play?
The TimberWolf Gaming Keyboard is engineered to give gamers the competitive edge they need to dominate their opponents on the battlefield. Its integrated design fuses the circular Warrior FPSgamepad with a gaming keyboard to deliver the control and precision today's gamers demand. Keyboard Features:
About the Company: Wolf KingWOLFKING is a world leader in the innovation and creation of gaming input devices. Featuring broad-based PC & Mac hardware/software compatibility and a diverse selection of options in color/shape customization, WOLFKING products utilize advanced engineering and unique ergonomic designs that deliver the ultimate gameplay experience. WOLFKING is privately held and headquartered in Englewood, NJ. Closer Look: Timber WolfThe Timber Wolf comes packed in a simple but eye-catching design. Apparently it wasn't over thought, but it is enough to get one's attention.
The back of the box has snippets from various reviews of the product as well as lists the features in nine different languages.
Inside you will find the keyboard flanked by two pieces of foam and an owners manual. These are all that are required for this product.
The keyboard's design is steps away from the usual enhanced standard keyboard that most other manufacturer's use. Opting to place a keypad to the right of the main key-set.
The Timber Wolf"s game pad is ergonomically designed for ease of use. The pad contains 40 keys to use for game play which correspond to keys on the keyboard and require no software to operate them. They have been placed in a circular design that should allow a player to reach them without changing hand position.
The Timber Wolf also comes equipped with two USB ports that are located on the top edge between the game pad and main keyboard. Although the keyboard itself is USB 2.0, the ports on it are only USB 1.1. I personally don't care for the location of the ports on this keyboard. With limited desk space, it could be easy to damage them in the heat of a game. Final Thoughts: Timber WolfThe Timber Wolf is a nice change from the typical gaming keyboard. The key pad is fairly well designed and has an easy learning curve. If you are a good player using the main key set, you should have no problems adjusting to the game pad. You will have a total of 40 keys to utilize for game play and no software drivers necessary. I have never been able to play games using the WASD keys as a lot of players do and this keypad was fairly easy for me to adjust to. It has a 3 layer silicon membrane that makes keystrokes soft and quiet. I like the fact that I don't have to listen to the clicking sounds as loudly as I had before. If you are into voice communication during game play, others will appreciate that the noise level is at a minimum as well.
I think it would have been nice to have added back lighting to the keys so one could see them while playing in the dark. I don't know about how other's feel, but I do like to play at night with the lights off. Definitely makes for better immersion into the game. Conclusion: Timber WolfThe packaging is simple but attractive and certainly makes you take notice. Not a busy design but gets you interested in what the product is. The Timber Wolf is a nice looking keyboard that tells you it is designed for gaming. The keyboard's construction seems quite solid and durable. I think the only thing in question is the rubber-like coating on it. I haven't really had it long enough to discover if it will hold out in the long run. The functionality of this keyboard is quite good. The keys are well placed on the game pad. Keystrokes are quiet and have a soft feel to them rather than the clunky action of other keyboards. Then, of course, the USB ports should have been USB 2.0 instead of 1.1. At this time you can purchase the Timber Wolf through Wolf King's web site for $49.99. I don't feel that it is a bad price for this keyboard all things considered. I have come to the conclusion that the Wolf King Timber Wolf is a nice keyboard that should allow a lot of players to improve their gaming skills. There are a few things that could be addressed in a future revision, but overall it is a good buy. I paid about the same for a similar keyboard that requires drivers to operate properly and has a software program that is too overly complicated to completely utilize and crashes frequently. But, the Timber Wolf is ready to go right out of the box. Pros:
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