Several people have recently upgraded equipment and found it to work well.

1) Gaming headset with surround sound (purchased Logitec G35). Having positional audio with the surround sound helps.

2) Gaming mouse. provides higher DPI for faster movements. I purchased the Logitec G9x....lower priced version is G500. Allows you to set profile for the game the works automatically. Also allows several different DPI settings you can change on the fly. lower for sniper, higher for vehicle (turrent).

If you want to not be disadvanted against others in the wild you should consider upgrading your equipment.

For mouse, I have same mouse as Bryan and really like it. The selectible DPI allows me to slow the resolution when I am in scoped mode in Recon and it help with accuracy. I also figured out how to configure the two thumb buttons for Pistol and Gadget3, so that keeps me from having to mess with the scroll wheel to select kit.

For headset, I have this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826502011&cm_re=turtle_headset-_-26-502-011-_-Product

I like it, but have had problems with the mic volume on both Vent and Teamspeak. Not sure if the problem is with SW or Windows, but it seems to work for a while and then goes to high static. Also, these ear pads are sealed for me, but they have a mesh on the outside of the earpiece, so people in the same room can hear what I hear at a reduced level. So for people with kids who like to watch you play (like my 10-year-old), the cursing from BFBC2 will not be private.

I bought this inexpensive Plantronics headset a few months ago to use with Skype, and it's what I'm using for gaming right now. I figured that, even though they're cheap, Plantronics ought to be pretty decent.

In fact the audio quality is pretty good, even though they don't support surround sound. But a big problem... they get very uncomfortable after a couple hours. Not recommended.

Plantronics USB Headset

A question about the surround-sound headsets: Do you connect them directly to a sound card, or do you use the USB adapter? I wonder if there is any additional lag created when the USB adapter is used?

I use a Razer Carcharias, Razer eXactMat , G11, and G5. I've been using most of this equipment for a couple of years now. I find the Carcharias headset's 5.1 to be great, especially with a sound card. Huge advantage on the field (in games where you can hear footsteps). My gaming group reports the mic quality is good on vent as well.

This has apparently been going on for a few days but I didn't see it until earlier today. Both Newegg and Amazon have the Logitech G500 mouse on sale for $36, shipped free, after rebate. I've done Logitech rebates before and they process them pretty quickly:

Amazon

Newegg

(Edit 4/20 - the rebate at Newegg has gone away, but the one at Amazon will be available until 4/24.)

An alternative for the $100 7.1 or 5.1 headsets appears to be this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826279001

~$40 and the reviews seems good.

I do not have these, so I cannot personally speak to this.

We were talking today about gamepads. I use this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826169019&Tpk=n52te

I have been using it for a few years and I like being able to program keys and macros. Combined with a gaming mouse, you have enough programmable keys that you do not need to move very far to get what you need.

With all this kit, if I could only explain why I still am not very good. Hmmmm.

I play games without a keyboard. I use telepathic quantgamepsychosis to manipulate my characters... or am I manipulating yours?

and this is the reason you implode yourself with an RPG when encountering teammates....

anyways Logi G5 on a Razor pad (fast surface) with a ruling backlit low throw scissor jack KB.
plantronics full ear headphones on 2nd system for the requisite "ohhhh yeahhhh's" and "dip dip dip dip dip" SFX

The Logitech G9 mouse is currently on sale at bestbuy.com for $35 plus shipping.

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