INTRODUCTION

   Technologically speaking the Computer Keyboard has gone a long way since its inception back in the early 1970s but no matter how one sees it its design has remained virtually the same ever since. Microsoft was the one to start the keyboard design "evolution" with their natural/ergonomic keyboard lines back in the 90s but it wasn't really up until roughly a decade ago that we witnessed the gaming peripherals revolution which really changed the way we see keyboards. Even so although gaming keyboards featured several aesthetic and performance additions which aimed to improve efficiency/speed while gaming the design remained pretty much the same. Mad Catz is perhaps the only manufacturer that really pushed the envelope when they released their truly unique S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 adjustable gaming keyboard several months ago but unfortunately although impressive both in terms of quality and features its price tag was set higher than what most people can afford. Well Mad Catz thought of that as well when developing the S.T.R.I.K.E. keyboard line and so today with us we have it's less expensive but equally impressive brother the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 adjustable gaming keyboard.

   Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (“Mad Catz”) (NYSE MKT: MCZ) is a global provider of innovative interactive entertainment products marketed under its Mad Catz® (gaming), Tritton® (audio), and Saitek® (simulation) brands. Mad Catz also develops flight simulation software through its internal ThunderHawk Studios™; operates flight simulation centers under its Saitek brand; publishes games under its Mad Catz brand; and distributes games and videogame products for third parties. Mad Catz distributes its products through most leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com.

   Like it's "elder" brother the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 is a high quality feature-rich special engineered membrane based keyboard that simulates the tactile feedback and responsiveness of the keys found only in mechanical gaming keyboards. I still don't know why Mad Catz opted for a membrane design especially since mechanical designs are not really that expensive anymore (besides the S.T.R.I.K.E line is not exactly cheap) but I’m pretty certain they had their reasons. That aside the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 has one major difference with its elder brother and that's the lack of the V.E.N.O.M. TFT LCD Touchscreen which has been replaced with the smaller (and naturally less expensive) E.Y.E OLED Display that can be used for the same things but in a slightly smaller degree. The good news is that the rest of the keyboard is identical and so once again we see 7 modules which can either be combined into a single keyboard or into two separate ones. Taking a closer look should make things easier for everyone so let's move forward with our review of the S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 adjustable gaming keyboard by Mad Catz.