Octopus Overlords

Any one have this keyboard? I got one for christmas and it's been great except for the spacebar. It only works when you hit the spacebar in the center. if you hit the outer 1" on either side it will not work. Is this a defect or normal.

Going to take it back tomorrow and get another one unless someone tells me this is normal for this keyboard, then I may try a different keyboard.

I'm interested in this board also, primarily for its backlighting.
I've currently got an EluminX and I love it to death, but I'd rather have a full-size board.

Is the Saitek board full-size? Do the keys feel like a normal keyboard or laptoppy like the EluminX?

And is the backlighting actually useful? From the photos I've seen, it looks like the light goes AROUND the keys rather than through them, so I'm thinking you still might not be able to look down and see what key you're pushing...?

Please let us know how the new board's spacebar works out. I'm seriously considering getting one of these, but if the quality is not up to par, I'll have to reconsider.

The backlighting actually interferes with seeing the keys clearly if the room is dark. You have to have some light shining on the keyboard since the keys are black with light gray lettering. The keys feel like normal keys with the exception of the spacebar. It is a fullsize keyboard.

I like it because of the programmable keypad that comes with it.

Giles, I was seriously considering this keyboard until I read some reviews which pointed out that the backlighting was basically a gimmick; it apparently doesn't actually help you see the keys in the dark (the primary reason why I wanted one).

I then went off in search of a full-size, illuminated keyboard, and this was the only one that I was able to find (it also comes in silver). I'll probably order this one soon as part of a system upgrade in a month or so, unless anyone has any better suggestions.

That one looks cool, Bertran. $30 isn't too bad.

Thanks, that's what I'm thinking. As I said before, it's the only full-size, illuminated keyboard of which I'm aware; I did a bunch of searches to confirm this.

It's really too bad that the Saitek isn't better lighted- I was thinking about this the other day when in my car at night; the buttons to my CD player are black, but with the letters on them in some sort of translucent material so the lighting shows through very nicely. If they had just done the Saitek like that, it probably would have been perfect- you would have been able to see all of the keys perfectly, without too much ambient light.

If any Saitek reps. are reading, please get on this as soon as possible.

Yes, it is a gimmick. Looks good at night but you can't see the keys. I got it for the programmable keypad though. I'm still not sure I'm going to keep it though.

The backlighting is indeed a gimmick, but it's a pretty solid keyboard overall. I like it a lot.

You mean you folks can't touch type? Don't need no stinking light!

Y'all might also want to check out the Nostromo n52.

I'm still not completely comfortable with it, but I have friends that cannot play games anymore without using it.

Kasey Chang wrote:You mean you folks can't touch type? Don't need no stinking light!

Yes I can but I like to look down at the keyboard on occasion to see if I'm still in the right position. But mostly during gaming I tend to look at the keyboard a lot.

But to update: I returned the keyboard and got another and the spacebar works great on this one. So the previous one was just a defect.

Glad to hear this keyboard getting such good reviews. If my Gateway2k Anykey keyboard ever bites the dust (and it's threatened to a couple times) I'll need to either pick up a used one on eBay or find a current-day programmable macro keyboard to replace it (and there aren't many).

Quick question...how do you setup the macros on the extra pad? Is it something you do in a separate applet, or is there a way to record keystrokes as you're performing the action?

Gedd wrote:Quick question...how do you setup the macros on the extra pad? Is it something you do in a separate applet, or is there a way to record keystrokes as you're performing the action?

It's a seperate apllication that runs in the system tray. You program it and save it. So you can save a different setup for each game. Before you start the game you just click on the symbol in the system tray and then select the saved configuration you want to use. Then start the game.

I looked at this keyboard at E3 and liked it a lot, except for one major issue: it doesn't come in wireless. Maybe next year...

FWIW, PC Magazine gave it 5 stars, Editor's Choice.

Lassr wrote:It's a seperate apllication that runs in the system tray. You program it and save it. So you can save a different setup for each game. Before you start the game you just click on the symbol in the system tray and then select the saved configuration you want to use. Then start the game.

Thanks for the answer. That sounds like it falls in the both good and bad category for me. I really like being able to program macros by recording keystrokes as I'm doing the action (like I can do with my Anykey), but on the other hand, having multiple "profiles" could come in handy as well.

I read that you can turn the light off on the keyboard as well if you don't want it on...that's correct, right?

yes, there is a button on the keyboard that cycles from bright to dim to off.

Smoove_B wrote:Y'all might also want to check out the Nostromo n52.

I'm still not completely comfortable with it, but I have friends that cannot play games anymore without using it.

I just got one of these and I loved it...the first time I used it. Ever since, it does not work with my game. The thing lights up when I boot my computer but no games accept it. Am I just being completely stupid?

The 'manual' is way less than helpful and I really haven't tried too hard yet, but this place is always full of people with experience so I figured it is good to ask here.

msurby wrote: I just got one of these and I loved it...the first time I used it. Ever since, it does not work with my game. The thing lights up when I boot my computer but no games accept it. Am I just being completely stupid?

The 'manual' is way less than helpful and I really haven't tried too hard yet, but this place is always full of people with experience so I figured it is good to ask here.

You know...mine stopped working last night too. I wonder what's going on. I'll poke around a bit and let you know.

Lassr wrote:Any one have this keyboard? I got one for christmas and it's been great except for the spacebar. It only works when you hit the spacebar in the center. if you hit the outer 1" on either side it will not work. Is this a defect or normal.

I got one for Christmas, and my spacebar works fine in the outer corners

wonderpug wrote:

Lassr wrote:Any one have this keyboard? I got one for christmas and it's been great except for the spacebar. It only works when you hit the spacebar in the center. if you hit the outer 1" on either side it will not work. Is this a defect or normal.

I got one for Christmas, and my spacebar works fine in the outer corners

It was a defective spacebar. I got a new one and it works great!

I have one of the Saitek gamer's keyboards, and I like it a lot.

I don't think the backlighting is a gimmick as long as you're just using it to relocate your hands on the keyboard (you can't see the lettering on them, just the locations are made clear by the light).

It's got nice and quiet responsive keys that are soft and not clicky at all. It's got a good solid base and some weight to it so it doesn't slide around as well, which is a plus for me.

The N52 though... I bought one and hated it. It seems like a great idea, but with stiff keys and a programmability that only works when it feels like it I didn't get much use out of it. It's a little too big for my hand and isn't adjustable, so it was uncomfortable to boot.

msurby wrote:The 'manual' is way less than helpful and I really haven't tried too hard yet, but this place is always full of people with experience so I figured it is good to ask here.

Figured it out last night. There's two modes - manual and automatic. If you reboot your computer in the n52 is in manual mode, all the settings are flushed from the loadout manager (that little blue box that sits in your tray near your clock).

HOWEVER, once you slap it into automatic mode, the loadout manager automatically (clever, eh?) loads your profiles.

Additionally, there seems to be some issue with the n52 and USB hubs. For whatever reason, it likes to be directly connected to a USB port, not a hub. Every now and again, it could make the n52 act wonky.

It isn't about touch-typing - it is about hitting F5 instead of F4 in the dark when you're trying to quicksave, especially when you're using a secondary controller, like a joystick or Speedpad. Touch typing doesn't work when your hands aren't on the keyboard. I use a regular keyboard (this Belkin), plus a Battle Lamp for hunt-and-peck gaming.

I also have the N52 that I use for most games. Since my trackball doesn't have a wheel, it has been an ideal match. I've been running my it off of a powered USB hub now for several months without a single issue, and I have yet to find a game it doesn't work in.

Make sure you have a default profile specified in the loadout manager (file/new or /open, program a basic set of controls, then options/set as default loadout), make sure the loadout manager is set to run on Windows start, and make sure that there is nothing in the 'associated game' box on the right side of the window for the default profile (or it will only work with that game).

Personally, I keep the ESDF profile that I use for 90% of my games in the unshifted mode. The D-Pad is set to keyboard strokes for jump/crouch/prone/?. The first shifted mode (red) is set to WASD for those few games that won't let you remap. The orange thumb button is a momentary hold-down shift for green, which has the keys set to the number keys. That lets me change weapons, select groups, and so on without going to the keyboard. I just hold down orange with my thumb, then hit the key; I release orange and I'm back to my controls. The blue shift is generally free (although it is currently set for the helicopter controls in Joint Ops.)

Thanks, Smoove and Blackhawk. Seems to have revived my expensive paperweight

Bertran wrote:Giles, I was seriously considering this keyboard until I read some reviews which pointed out that the backlighting was basically a gimmick; it apparently doesn't actually help you see the keys in the dark (the primary reason why I wanted one).

I then went off in search of a full-size, illuminated keyboard, and this was the only one that I was able to find (it also comes in silver). I'll probably order this one soon as part of a system upgrade in a month or so, unless anyone has any better suggestions.

Thanks Bertran.
For that price, I believe I'll give it a try.
I may also get the Saitek though, as the feel of the keypresses is important to me also, and the one you linked to *appears* like it would feel sort of laptoppy, like my EluminX does.

If I get both though, this 'illuminated keyboard' experiment of mine could turn out to be expensive if I end up owning 3 of them. On the other hand, I do have enough computers to make use of them all.

Glad to be of help. If you do end up buying that keyboard, I'll be interested in hearing any impressions. Sorry to leave you as the early adapter, though - I won't be buying any new components for at least a couple of months (give or take), at which point I'll be doing a complete system rebuild.

One question, though - what do you mean by "laptoppy"? What sort of keypress feel do you prefer? I don't like laptops either- but more for the cramped size of the keyboards; I haven't used them enough to have a real feel for their keypress characteristics. For what it's worth, several of the reviews of the Saitek that I read mentioned that they did like the feel of the keys a lot. If you do a Google search on "Saitek gamer's keyboard," a bunch should pop up.

LINK to a few different varieties of illuminated keyboards

A different LINK to a few different varieties of illuminated keyboards

My limited skills keep me from linking directly to the page, for some reason the links end up at the storefronts, but the direct links are http://shop.store.yahoo.com/directron/ledkb.html
and
www.xoxide.com/keyboards.html

Saitek showed off a new version of their gamers keyboard at the CES show last week. It looks like they got rid of the external pad device but they did redo the lights and keys so that the lettering is illuminated from behind now.

They called it the Saitek Eclipse and should be out within a few months.

Credit to Tom's Hardware for the info.

Thanks Rich; it looks like someone was listening to what I was saying in this thread. Or at least talking to Saitek about it, as opposed to just bitching on some random messageboard.

Anyhow, here's the write-up that Rich referenced on Tom's Hardware; it does look pretty cool, and very much like my ideal keyboard (now we just need a better estimation on ETA...)

Bah, they got rid of the pad, which makes me wonder how long they'll be supporting the current version (software updates and such). Kudos for the lighting change, but I wish they would have kept the macro pad. The good news is that the current model will probably get heavily discounted at some point just before the new version releases. Might have to pick one up then.