Illuminated Keyboards -- Razer Arctosa/Lycosa, Microsoft Reclusa, Saitek Eclipse II, or Logisys KB208BK?

[WhipperSnapper]

What do people think of the Logisys KB208BK, the Razer Lycosa, the Microsoft Reclusa, and the Saitek Eclipse II illuminated keyboards? (The ones with the "laser etching" so that the light comes through the letters themselves.) Has anyone tried the Logysis?

I've read that the Razer Lycosa has a good keyboard feel to it but that the backlighting isn't all that great. I would assume that the Reclusa is the same. The knock on the Saitek is the paint on the keys will eventually rub off, allowing illumination to pass through the whole keys. I can pick up the Logysis, locally, for $32.

 

[nycdude]

get the logitech illuminated kb at Newegg $35 shipped AR now.

Best deal I ever seen for this.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: nycdude
get the logitech illuminated kb at Newegg $35 shipped AR now.

Best deal I ever seen for this.

I was completely unaware of that deal. I'll check into it. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[terentenet]

Logitech Illuminated rules. During the time I've had some backlit keyboards... Both G15's, a Razer Lycosa, a Tarantula and I worked some on a friend's Saitek Eclipse.
A few months ago, while using the G15 (amber version), I was looking at the new G19 as I planned to buy it as soon as I see it for sale. I then found the Illuminated keyboard and bought it cause it was cheap. I can't get my hands off it and I don't even want to consider the G19 again because it's keys don't press as nice as on this keyboard. The Illuminated Kb has such nice tactile feedback...

 

[575]

See my recent thread also in this forum that contains feedback on Razer keyboards. The short version is that they are 'okay' but that they don't compare keyboards that have been specifically designed for a high quality tactile experience.

 

[terentenet]

@575, true. I wish Logitech would come up with a G19 keyboard, using the same keys as the Illuminated keyboard. For me, that would be the ultimate keyboard. Nice multimedia display with nice white illuminated great tactile feedback keys.

 

[575]

terentenet- does the palm rest of the Illuminated removable?

I've had a look at the Logitech site and it looks like the switch mechansim of the keys are similar to Thinkpad mechanisms, and that the keyboard is more compact than the Thinkpads (for the, this is a good thing as I am using 2 keyboards in the one space). It looks like a good potential replacement for my Razer Arctosa.

 

[terentenet]

No, the palm rest is not removable. Regardless, you should go for it, it's a really nice keyboard. The nicest I have ever owned.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

The Logitech deal expired, so I picked up the Logisys KB208BK.

The lighting on it is very good with little color bleed outside of the letters on the keys, but so far I'm not so thrilled with some other aspects of the the keyboard or at least I'm not comfortable with it yet. I'm going to have to get used to that plastic wrist rest (which really isn't too bad) which can't be removed and I wish the Enter key were longer and I'm having some difficulty getting my finger footing set, but I think I'll like it once I'm comfortable with it. I'd also like it if the feed in the back would raise it a little higher and the cord seems too thin and delicate to me.

I picked it up locally for $31 without any shipping costs and I needed to purchase a 50ft Ethernet cable from the seller anyway, which is why I purchased this keyboard instead of a more expensive Razer Lycosa or MS Sidewinder X6 off of Fleabay. The Logisys is also marketed as the Omega Cassiopa overseas and the OCZ Alchemy Illuminati.

http://www.crazypc.com/products/kb208bk-4157BK.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7OATKn14rQ

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16823184014

 

[Rottie]

Sietak keyboard is cheaper at walmart store I can't afford to pay for expensive razed keyboard

 

[corkyg]

And, . . . the Saitek Eclipse 3 will soon be released to the street. It has gotten some good reviews. Better and more evenb backlighting that the Eclipse II, and a choice of 4 backlight colors. It will probably be out of Rottie's budget.

 

[Rottie]

And if it is out then the elipse 2 would be cheaper so it is worth to buy than to buy 3rd generation keyboard right?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Rottie
And if it is out then the elipse 2 would be cheaper so it is worth to buy than to buy 3rd generation keyboard right?

Not if you want 4 colors and even backlighting.

Cheap does not necessarily trump function in my world.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: corkyg
And, . . . the Saitek Eclipse 3 will soon be released to the street. It has gotten some good reviews. Better and more evenb backlighting that the Eclipse II, and a choice of 4 backlight colors. It will probably be out of Rottie's budget.

I have been using the Eclipse 3 for awhile now(in the UK),very nice keyboard and choice of colour backlighting is a nice touch ,its very good for the price .

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: MemI have been using the Eclipse 3 for awhile now(in the UK),very nice keyboard and choice of colour backlighting is a nice touch ,its very good for the price .

Have you noticed any rubbing of the black paint on the keys? I think that was one of the complaints people had about the Eclipse 2, which might also hold true for many other illuminated keyboards such as the Logisys that I purchased. It was definitely one of the factors that turned me away from the Eclipse 2.

 

[corkyg]

I find that paint comment strange. I have been using an Eclipse II for over a year now and my keys have no sign of rubbing or change. My only negative on the Eclipse II is that the keys are slightly closer together than the IBM board I was used to. The result is more double key typos.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

Originally posted by: MemI have been using the Eclipse 3 for awhile now(in the UK),very nice keyboard and choice of colour backlighting is a nice touch ,its very good for the price .

Have you noticed any rubbing of the black paint on the keys? I think that was one of the complaints people had about the Eclipse 2, which might also hold true for many other illuminated keyboards such as the Logisys that I purchased. It was definitely one of the factors that turned me away from the Eclipse 2.

Nope ,however the keys look like black plastic to me,had mine for quite awhile now ,its still in top condition with no wear or tear .

 

[Rottie]

Bottom line is the best cheap price than features on the keyboard is what I am looking for and you corkyg have a lot of money than I do

 

[octopus41092]

I wouldn't recommend the Lycosa, the one with the "rubber" coated keys wear out really quickly, particularly the WASD cluster if you game a lot. And by quickly I mean within a few months.

I don't have the Arctosa but my friend has one and says you get fingerprints all over the keys since its shiny.

IMO, the Reclusa and Saiteks looks ugly but if you like it that's your personal preference. Plus I think the Saitek's are overpriced for what they do.

The Logysis one looks nice but I don't know about the quality of it. I had a Logysis keyboard before and some keys stopped working which was really annoying. It also looks like the build quality is pretty bad from the reviews on Newegg.

Depending on how much you're willing to spend you might want to take a look at the Razer Tarrantula, or one of the new Logitech G15's