This one is for the Merc Stealth keyboards fans out there. I have used this keyboard dedicatedly for decades ever since I first came across them, I even got my dad hooked on them when he was still alive and we were gaming together. Of course, the Ideazon company faded and eventually Steel Series replaced them and continued to make the Merc Stealth…for a bit. They stopped making the keyboard years ago and there hasn’t really been much in the way of replacement options that are anywhere close to the Merc Stealth in terms of design. I buy used ones off eBay every now and then when I see one pop up that isn’t too expensive (there is still one seller that keeps relisting a Merc Stealth for $2000 FFS) and looks to be in decent shape. Lately there are fewer and fewer Merc Stealths showing up on eBay and as often as not they are overpriced and/or look to be in bad condition. I have a few backup Merc Stealth keyboards, but they are all used and in varying degrees of condition. My kitchen table has of late become a keyboard maintenance as I take apart the Merc Stealths nd attempt to clean them off to refurbish them what I can for use.
In my never ending search for replacements for the Merc Stealth I came across a place making custom keyboards and other devices. https://shop.custommk.com/ One of the devices they make is specifically designed to as a replacement for the Merc Stealth keyboard and it is called the ErgoStrafer. ErgoStrafer: Merc Stealth replacement – customMK. This device is designed around Fang gamepd/Merc Stealth keyboard, but with modern conveniences like mechanical switches for the keys.
I have yet to try this out because I just came across it the day I made this post. But I am going to pick order one this week and see if it lives up to my hopes. I will follow this post up with a review of the ErgoStrafer once I get one.
Please do post your thoughts upon receipt. I am interested.
I’ve never used the keyboard you’ve referenced, but I do currently use a keypad (where you can assign different key strokes to each key on the keypad) with a mouse while gaming instead of using my keyboard. I went this route years ago. It has held up to years of use at this point and so well worth it. Anyway, that experience makes me interested in your thoughts on that product.
@Arcano Thanks for pointing that out. I saw that the other day doing one of my pre-payday eBay searches for Merc Stealth keyboards, but I didn’t put in on a watch list or anything because it is too pricey for my taste. I will not pay more than $200 for a Merc Stealth for various reasons mainly because every Merc Stealth on eBay is used and I have found on average that the sellers don’t clean them up or anything. Also, despite my love of the keyboard’s gamepad layout these keyboards are fairly outdated lacking mechanical keys and other conveniences of more modern keyboards, it is just not worth it to me to pay more than $200 for a used one. I’ll take that $350 and spend it on the ErgoStrafer instead.
So I have only messed around with the ErgoStrafer a bit as I am waiting on a new keyboard to arrive. Currently there is not really enough room on my keyboard tray for my mouse, the current Merc Stealth keyboard I am using and the ErgoStrafer. My initial outlook is that I like the ErgoStrafer and I will definitely be using it. It has a nice size, a bit smaller than the Fang Gamepad (an old stand alone gamepad that is the precursor to the Merc Stealth keyboard). It has a pretty solid design and construction. The keys feel good and just a little loose, but not wiggly or weak. The unit comes with no printing on the keys, a set of stickers is included to put on the keys depending on how you set it up. The ErgoStrafer is by default setup just like the gamepad section of the Merc Stealth as far as keybindings. One of the cool features of the ErgoStrafer is is the setup and customization tools. It uses a browser app rather than installed software and the app is quite comprehensive. You can change all the keybindings and there are 32 separate preset tabs for customizing meaning you can have up separate customizations for up to 32 different games or apps. There is also a tab for customizing all the RGB elements and some of the optional switches/rotators. For those familiar with the Merc Stealth keyboard on the gamepad side there are buttons assigned to PrntScreen, Save and Load and on the ErgoStrafer these can be replaced with rotator switches that can have various functions, keybinds or macros set to function based on which position the rotator is turned to.
So far I am quite pleased with the unit and conside rit to be well worth the $350 I spent on it.
I am glad that you are satisfied so far! It furthers my interest in this device. I am hoping when you have completed your set up you confirm that you have found your ideal setup.
If you don’t mind, I have some questions from someone not familiar with the Merc Stealth this is based upon or generally a keyboard/gamepad afficionado.
What options did you select for your device? (Does it look like one of the product photos on the page you linked?)
The product page mentions optional Z and X keys and I’m not sure what that means… I counted 37 keys in one photo and all the photos seem to have the same key arrangement (other than the rotary encoders). So, I guess there could be a 35 key and 37 key version or a 37 and 39 key version… if my counting was correct?
Three of the keys can be replaced with rotary encoders, right? It looks like the three keys are stacked in the top right of the ErgoStrafer, is that right? I’m not familiar with rotary encoders but it seems to be what I would call a knob based on a quick search? Did you get one or more rotary encoders?
The key on the bottom to the far right seems different from the others, is that right?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts already and for any further responses!
Here is a picture of my device as I ordered it (I put in on a paper towel so it is easier to see as my desk and keyboard tray are black). I chose black with red linear switches because I like the keys to feel a little smoother than the really clicky mechanical switches. I also chose to have two rotary encoders and the optional Z and X keys. If you look at the picture where I circled, those are the optional Z and X keys and if you compare them to a Merc Stealth you will notice that those keys are not present on the Merc Stealth. The rotary encoders are indeed located on the upper right of the unit where the Load, Print Screen and Save buttons are on the Merc Stealth. The rotary encoders can be set so that each rotation binds to a certain key or other features I would assume like throttling for driving piloting controls or other features, I really haven’t played around with those too much yet. And yes, there is indeed an additional key on the far bottom right of the unit that is not found on the Merc Stealth gamepad section. This key is set to Left Control by default.
Here is a picture of the default mapping of all the keys on my unit pre the customization app.
And this is an image of the customization browser app itself. You can see along the top there 32 “layers”…these are the individual customization tabs that can be applied to individual apps/games.
Thanks. The images and your explanation are helpful.
I wondered why the grid in the middle did not have the ninth key… but now, knowing that the merc device they were copying only had six keys there… I guess if you are only adding two more keys (Z and X) you would leave off the ninth key.
It is most appreciated. Let us know how you like it after pushing on it some. Especially interested in uses you find for the encoders. It is a bit pricey, but it fits with what made me move to using a small keypad. (4.5 inches by 7.5 inches, with 48 keys in 6x8 grid.)
Now that I have spent some time using the ErgoStrafer in my new keyboard+mouse+ErgoStrafer setup I can say that I like the product and have reached the point where it feels very intuitive as though I am still using an old Merc Stealth keyboard.
The keys on the ErgoStrafer are just a teensy tiny bit smaller and closer spaced on the ErgoStrafer in comparison to the Merc Stealth layout. This did give me a period of a week or two where my finger/muscle memory had to adjust for the difference. The difference is so slight you can barely tell looking at the two different setups, but enough that my fingers noticed at first. Also, I got a ErgoStrafer unit with the “red linear switches” for the key which makes for lighter keys that are quieter than heavier mechanical keys and also require less pressure to use. This has positives and negatives. The keys are quieter and easier to press, but occasionally I find that hitting a certain key where my part of my hand or finger kind of hit another key it triggers both keys. For instance. I set the ‘B’ key above the spacebar key to inventory often in games so sometimes when I open my inventory I also jump lol. Or moving with the WASD keys when hitting ‘A’ or ‘D’ key I might also brush the ‘Z’ or ‘X’ key underneath those and also open a menu or something. It really only happens when things get serious and hectic in a game and I am hitting keys like crazy.
Overall I am satisfied with the ErgoStrafer and it’s a great replacement for the Merc Stealth keyboard. I got a nice Corsair mechanical keyboard to go along with it so that is a whole other experience getting my fingers to adjust to a different keyboard layout and style. I probably didn’t need to get two rotator switches on the ErgoStrafer as they control very specific things like PC volume, app volume, and can be set to control the various RGB lighting effects and colors. But I think one rotator switch would have been fine. I am planning on getting a second ErgoStrafer next year with the black tactile switches and one more key instead of the second rotator switch.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I’m glad that you’re satisfied! It really makes a big difference, imho, to the gaming experience when you find a comfortable setup. I truly understand your desire to replace your Merc Stealth. If my setup fails I may be tempted to give this a shot.
