Slow input with Logitech K350 Wireless Keyboard

I have a Logitech K350 wireless keyboard and mouse (what is sold at Sam's Club) that uses the Logitech "Unifying" USB interface.

The mouse seems work OK, however, the keyboard input is slow, many times. I hit a key and have to wait for the keystroke action. It is painfully obvious on games. Just typing such as the input on this forum or in MSWord and I have to slow down as the keyboard can't keep up at times.

Is there any way to speed this up other than going back to a wired keyboard? (which I'm seriously considering).

Hiyya fireberd mate this is going to sound real dumb but have you tried shoving new batteries in it (KB) or moving the receiver closer to or in the front panel USB port? I have had this problem with mice and KB 's before and mate all they usually are is a dead / almost dead battery or if that is new it is lemon one. Just check the volts AA batteries do not need very much a of a voltage drop to not permit proper function.

In my limited experience a new alkaline AA will give out around 1.65v and anything less than 1.4v it is going home to momma , at 1.3v I usually throw them.
But there again I use a lot of rechargeable ones they are far more efficient for the duration of the charge because of the nature of their construction. .

Myself I don't think there could be anything wrong with the RF signal from the KB unless there is some form of circuitry to slow it down by default (highly unlikely) or by a design that allows that by a switching process but again I cannot see the reason for that it seems almost idiotic.

If the KB is reasonable new then I would be getting it replaced because the RF signal from the KB to the machine would be travelling at close to the speed of light which I am sure you know.

This is a new keyboard/mouse. The Logitech program shows full charge on the batteries. There is nothing in the utility for keyboard speed.

I have the small transceiver plugged into one of the two ports designated for keyboard/mouse on my Gigabyte motherboard.

I have the old wired keyboard I was using, I guess I'll plug that back in (it has a bad key) and try this wireless on another PC that I have with an ASUS motherboard and see what happens.

Update. I tried a different USB port and no change. I tried it on my other PC and same there, no change.

I've opened a trouble report with Logitech. This is my first use of a Logitech wireless keyboard. Maybe I'm asking too much of it. I have a wireless controller for my recording studio DAW but it is an older device (made for XP/Vista originally) and probably runs on a different frequency. This unit, a Frontier "Tranzport", has no problems.

EDIT/UPDATE: After working with the keyboard, I have found that it is a Bluetooth type connection and not just a straight RF connection. This may have something to do with the response problems. The Logitech support had me do a couple of troubleshooting steps, like "un-pairing" and "re-pairing", different batteries, etc.

fireberd said:

Update. I tried a different USB port and no change. I tried it on my other PC and same there, no change.

I've opened a trouble report with Logitech. This is my first use of a Logitech wireless keyboard. Maybe I'm asking too much of it. I have a wireless controller for my recording studio DAW but it is an older device (made for XP/Vista originally) and probably runs on a different frequency. This unit, a Frontier "Tranzport", has no problems.

EDIT/UPDATE: After working with the keyboard, I have found that it is a Bluetooth type connection and not just a straight RF connection. This may have something to do with the response problems. The Logitech support had me do a couple of troubleshooting steps, like "un-pairing" and "re-pairing", different batteries, etc.

Do you know fireberd I think they go out of their way to make things so incredibly convoluted - I mean what om earth is wrong with a straight 2.4Ghz RF connection.
I know this frequency is prone to interference from other sources so why not make it the 5.8Ghz to avoid that like they did with your average home cordless phones because of the RF interference the 2.4Ghz that was caused from microwave ovens for example.

Anyway rant over I am glad it's sorted for you The wireless KB I used to like was the Microsoft 1000 and then the 3000 both media boards but probably not as many features as your Logitec but had really nice soft touch, quite and flat smooth edged keys - can't stand those pineapple chunk keys LOL!! The only thing I didn't find any good was the mouse they used to come with.

I have gone wired again and my Microsoft Sidewinder x6 is just the perfect board for all media, general use, gaming etc and is backlit so if you ever think of going back to wired try one of these but they are very hard to come by. The x4 version is not as good as this KB and I keep it on my Sandy Bridge machine.
This is just a short review and as I said the only place you are likely to find an x6 is going to be Ebay. I had the chance of buying two of these at the time but foolishly didn't
Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard Review - Computer Accessories

I have noticed you often reply to audio stuff / posts and I am likewise interested in audio having spend many years when I was MUCH younger building mono and then stereo amps and tinkering with frequency control circuits and crossovers in speaker systems. Not that I am any great expert but it always fascinated me - electronics that is. Just as well cos coming on retirement and wrecking my shoulder gold prospecting has finished my bike riding and woodworking days.

Anyway I have wasted enough of your time so good luck with the KB now :)

John

John, Logitech is sending a replacement keyboard. I'm not sure its going to solve the problem, although I'll give it a try. I'm now convinced (maybe I shouldn't be) its the Bluetooth type setup. If a straight RF, as you mention, was used it probably would not have the problem.

I respond to audio, as I did that for 10 years on the Dell forum. At one time I was a guitar amplifier tech (in Nashville) and still do some amp work and consulting. I also have a home recording studio (using Sonar X2 software) so I'm still into audio. I'm a "Florida retiree", having retired in 1996. I retired from the US Social Security Administration, I was the Regional LAN/WAN Network and Hardware Help Desk Manager for the Midwest (basically my service area was all the SSA offices west of the Mississippi river to the Rocky Mountains). I used to have a Ham Radio license and a US FCC 2nd Class Radio Telephone license and worked at NASA on the Gemini and Apollo projects as a Telemetry tech and as a PCM Telemetry processor programmer. I am still an active Country Music, musician.

Jack

Hiyya Jack Well sort of guessed it was the KB mate because the last I heard radio waves don't go around the block before arriving at the destination LOL!! Besides the more they pack in the more things to go wrong too!!

I suppose in this day and age one has to be thankful for that sort of service as I find that most supports either want a mammoth amount of info about the product or take a very long time to reply and at at times still not get things resolved. At least that is what I have found with Gigabyte and Asus to mention a couple.

Me I am a registered nurse of 40 + years and am about to retire love music - just got hooked on Trace Adkins but am eclectic in what I listen to. What you did for a living sounds so very interesting and I do wish i could play music but never have been able to even though my whole family can including my ex and my son

Ah well could be worse eh? LOL!!

John

Yep Jim I think we tried that earlier - moving the receiver to the front perhaps. I had this problem two weeks ago and found the receiver worked in the front port but the battery too weak for the back port - in went a new battery and back on.

I will agree with you too that using hubs to be absolutely sure if the thing (hub) is over say three USB powered ports you are pushing the envelope and should use a powered one.

Actually I went and had a look and found this rather interesting as on page three it mentions that Blu tooth is actually a very weak signal strength to avoid interference with other frequency using equipment so the Blu tooth Jack mentioned earlier may well be the problem an surprisingly it works at very near the normal 2.4Ghz frequency ( a very small decimal point away) that other devices use.

HowStuffWorks "How Bluetooth Operates"

So what is to say that Jacks cordless phone is not interfering with his KB including perhaps the microwave which also uses that frequency. Hence why a lot of cordless phones now use 5.8Ghz as the operating frequency for clarity.