Keyboards with Backlit Keys

[originalgadgetguy]

I was looking for keyboards for use by my blind friend, not necessarily for the purpose of gaming. Though the G15 has 3 brightness levels, it only has one color, if I am not mistaken. If I can't yet mod a board for a brighter color, I wanted something that would have very high (insanely) bright contrast. So though the G15 may be great for gamers, I wasn't looking at them in this article for that purpose. (I know, hard to understand).

I was only looking at two keyboards, and this wasn't intended as a comprehensive review. I added the MS keyboards as a lark at the very end.

AS far as durability, I have heard of reports of Saitek (I) not II - colors flaking off, but that apparently has been fixed. My Saitek I has been in nearly constant use for nearly two years, (I pound a lot as I don't touch type) and there are very few scratches on the silver. So far, no other keyboard has any paint coming off, but I have only used the Saitek II and Merc for 2 -3 months. I have only had the MS keyboards for a month or so - too new. I have had paint wear off other keyboards, however, so I guess the Saitek I, so far, is impressive. I hope the others are at least as good. And I probably won't use the Reclusa. I did think the action on the Saitek, and esp the Merc was very good.

Obviously the MS 8000 is not for gaming: the action on this slim keyboard is 1/2 the travel, and the styling is not gamer or heavy typing friendly. It is designed to control media appliances, and work portably. I take that to mean the couch or my lap. But the backlight was the best of the bunch, and has all sorts of portable controls that most other remote/portable keyboards miss. So MS is showing what can be done, if you put your mind and some dollars to it.

Valid questions about the G15, though. I will see if I can get one to review and hope my editor lets me post an addendum.

Hope this answers some of your concerns,

Doug

 

[leakingpaint]

All I can say is damn the computing world - I bought the Logitech G11 fresh off the shelves and then a fart later the G15 came out..grrr...Gaming keyboards are cool but really, if I'm honest, I don't think they justify the large prices.

The biggest problem with the G11 is that you have no way of remembering what keys do what for what games + It's not a great FPS board.

The Optimus Maximus keyboard...love love love love love love love

 

[Guest]

"There is only one backlit color, which is blue, and only one brightness level. The jog dial to the left would only turn the backlight off, and worked inconsistently."

Funny thing is, i've had the Reclusa keyboard for 3+ months now, and there is no option to turn off the light.

Did this actually get tested or did you just make this stuff up?

 

[Guest]

What is with the obsession of astronomy? Like any ?gamer? is really out in a ?morning dew? filled field with any one of these bloated, back light keyboards. Gimmy a break. And no G15 pfft. Lame.

And I appreciate your cause in aiding your blind friend but to write and article specifically on ?which keyboard is the best to modify so my blind buddy can use a computer? is sort of ?. Dumb.. Unfortunately most ?seeing? people don?t care!

 

[originalgadgetguy]

To address some questions: Yes, I tested the Reclusa and 8000. I did not have as much time with the MS products, as they were added late. I do not and never will make stuff up. My jog dial would turn off the backlight, but wouldn't always turn it in. After further investigation, and looking at a Reclusa in the MS press tent that was connected the same way I did (through a powered hub), I suspect that there was something wrong with my sample. I thought the Reclusa action was a little heavy, though the wrist pad is one of the better ones ( I tossed the Saitek pad). (And that was before I took the Reclusa apart 🙂)

After checking with Microsoft, it appears that the 8000 samples that were dark gray were actually converted 7000 models that had 8000 guts. The action on the 8000 is very good for a compact keyboard - one of the best IMHO - and though it is not a gaming keyboard, it is"ergo friendly." At CES, I met several people who find the 8000 keyboard almost as good as the natural keyboard, at least for short stints.

I checked with Logitech, and I will be adding an addendum on the G15 after they send one out.

As far as astronomy goes, and my blind friend: no obsession, but my blind friend was the inspiration for the backlit theme. You want ugly? Try looking at one of those "large print" keyboards. Paper bag ugly. Now try typing on those large keys. No? Heck, even my blind friend can't type on it. Our keyboards evolved to the standard current size for a reason. With backlight, spouse/girlfriend/coworker can use the same keyboard.

I was also looking for "dual-use" peripherals to make life easier - so what gaming devices can we use - create a wider market - for something else? The larger the market, the cheaper gaming devices become, and the more gaming devices come to market. Gamers are and have driven lots of PC development - but I'm preachin' to the choir.

Hope this answers your concerns, and please write if you have further suggestions.

 

[Guest]

I think the truly awesome part of this keyboards feature-set is that it can be recharged. I am desperately in need of a wireless keyboard/mouse solution, but batteries seem to be a MAJOR drawback in my opinion.

I have trouble understanding why there are only a few models available out of all the wireless units that offer a rechargeable keyboard. Even stranger is the Logitech diNovo...that is ONLY a rechargeable keyboard and does not include a mouse.

 

[Guest]

An Article on gaming keyboards and no information about their simultaneous keypress ability? Research, Research....research.....or not.

 

[jfergie]

[citation][nom]Spikke[/nom]No Logitech G15? The best keyboard I have ever owned.[/citation]

Yeah, I like them too. I see the G19 now, with a color display and sideshow support in Windows 7. Gotta get one of those now.