Check out my new keyboard!

[Mountain Man]

I just picked up a Saitek PC Gaming Keyboard (http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/gamerskey.htm). The first time I saw an ad for one in PC Gamer, I fell in love with it.

Here's what it looks like according to my crappy PDA camera:
http://img110.exs.cx/img110/7040/photo12kk.jpg

Here's a nicer picture from 3DXtreme.net:
http://img208.exs.cx/img208/7910/img02172az.jpg

Here's a close-up of the keys with all the room lights on (my pic):
http://img208.exs.cx/img208/7379/photo40lo.jpg

And here's another look with all the lights off (again, my pic):
http://img208.exs.cx/img208/7130/photo52tc.jpg

As you can see, the backlight (which has two brightness settings and can be turned off entirely) is largely cosmetic and doesn't illuminate the keys themselves, but if you're familiar with the QWERTY keyboard, just having the outlines of the keys illuminated is enough to reorientate yourself. But I suppose in the end, the backlight is one of those vanity features that looks cool (and does it ever!) but doesn't really add a lot of practical value to the product.

The feel of the keyboard is excellent. The keys have a fairly short travel distance and feel nice and responsive as a result. I spent about an hour playing Half-Life 2 Deathmatch and was pleased with the keyboard's overall responsiveness.

One of the more unusual features, and I suppose it's why Saitek feels justified calling it a "PC gaming keyboard", is the 9 button accessory pad (technically, is has 11 buttons; there are two smaller "shift" buttons underneath the main keypad). This can be programmed for up to 27 different functions (one unshifted and two shifted) and it seems pretty flexible. Basically, you program macros--that is a series of commands--and with the touch of a button, the macro is executed. I've not played much with this feature, so I'm not sure what value it will have, but I'm sure somebody could think of something.

All in all, I'm happy with this keyboard.

[Kevin Wolff]

Nope. Sorry.

It isn't this keyboard (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9241/subcatid/0/id/129227). You lose.


.....


http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Your new thing looks pretty damn cool.

[Jeff]

Looks nice. I'll stick with my PS2 keyboard for now.

[Wooloomooloo]

It's a shame that they don't have any ABNT2 (Brazilian layout) keyboards. I'd kill for one of those.

[Mountain Man]

Kevin Wolff said:
Nope. Sorry.

It isn't this keyboard (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9241/subcatid/0/id/129227). You lose.


Ah, the clicky keyboard! Well, my computer room is right next to my bedroom, and I do most of my computing at night after my wife goes to bed. If I had a clicky keyboard, she'd probably have killed me a long time ago!

[Wamplet]

Mountain Man! We must be related! o/\o
I saw the ad/review in PC Gamer a few months back and picked one up myself. That keyboard kicks true ass.

I currently don't use the little hot-key pad, though. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/redface.gif


Got the keyboard for the same reason, as well. When I type or play games, it sounds like a machinegun when I press the keys. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[TerminX]

Kevin Wolff said:
Nope. Sorry.

It isn't this keyboard (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9241/subcatid/0/id/129227). You lose.


.....


http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Your new thing looks pretty damn cool.


Say, do I (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/desk.jpg) win (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/closet.jpg)? I figure eight of them should be enough to win something.

[Kevin Wolff]

TerminX said:
Say, do I (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/desk.jpg) win (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/closet.jpg)? I figure eight of them should be enough to win something.


Naturally. You *are* missing a Caps Lock key, though. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Where do you hoard yours from? Such a shame that most people just give/throw them away.

[TerminX]

Kevin Wolff said:

TerminX said:
Say, do I (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/desk.jpg) win (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/closet.jpg)? I figure eight of them should be enough to win something.


Naturally. You *are* missing a Caps Lock key, though. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Where do you hoard yours from? Such a shame that most people just give/throw them away.


I am missing nothing. (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/capslock.jpg) As for where I get mine.. a couple of them I got from someone on Ars for the price of shipping, one of them came from Hudson, and the other five are from a local electronics store that had a big pile of them.

[Kevin Wolff]

TerminX said:
I am missing nothing. (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/capslock.jpg)


Hmm...looks like a pic you'd post when some idiot is posting all caps. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Jeff]

I can't find something like that here, but this (http://www.memoryexpress.com/ProductDetail.php?DisplayProductID=5295) should please any Doom 3 fan. That's a modded keyboard from my local shop.

[TerminX]

Kevin Wolff said:

TerminX said:
I am missing nothing. (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/capslock.jpg)


Hmm...looks like a pic you'd post when some idiot is posting all caps. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


That's not a bad idea. I should make one of those image macros out of it.

[MobileGamer]

Got one.

I like it as well.

Had mine since XMAS and works great, just remember you need a PS2 board to get to Win XP Safe Mode on Boot UP

[Phait]

I'm thinking about getting this as well except the keys aren't lit. Now, I'm a very good typer and seldom need to find a key less it be a non-letter key, like pageup/down or something on the keypad. So, I don't really need a $60 lighted keyboard, but they are kinda cool, and I can find one used on eBay.

After doing some searching though it seems theres only a few truly illuminated keyboard makers, and most of them don't have full-size, which is a requirement for me.

With the Saitek you get the pad and 2 year warranty (others I've seen just 1), so it probably is worth it, but it really is nothing more than fluff. I'm contemplating it.

*EDIT*

$30 http://www.xoxide.com/logisys-streamline-illuminated-keyboard-black.html

[Mountain Man]

I paid $49.99 for mine at Best Buy.

And, yeah, I know the backlight is a mostly fluff feature, but I still like it. Besides, my 6 year old Logitech that I only paid $10 for was getting a little grungy. As for the keypad, I'm thinking of using it to quicklaunch my favorite programs, assuming I can figure out how to get Linux to recognize it.

[Phait]

I bought the Saitek Eclipse some days ago from Circuit City for $60. I returned it because I could not get it working with XP. There was no driver CD, and when I plugged it in (USB), it would light up, but no input feedback from the keys - useless.

I even tried a USB > PS2 adapter. Nope. I checked Saitek's site. Nothing. When it installed it put in numerous USB drivers apparently straight from the keyboard, I assume. Is that even possible. Maybe it was from a CAB on the hard drive. Anyway, there was a gaming controller, HID, USB.. yada yada.

It was a cool keyboard, the blue was brigher than it's modeled as (I like the package photo blue more...), but wouldn't work.

[tony]

I want one where only the letters light up; but have yet to see one made like that.

[Gatinater]

I seriously considered buying that a while back, but I purchased a Microsoft Wireless mouse and key set. I don't know what model is, but the sceem is black, grey and silver.

[Hudson]

TerminX said:

Kevin Wolff said:
Nope. Sorry.

It isn't this keyboard (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9241/subcatid/0/id/129227). You lose.



Say, do I (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/desk.jpg) win (http://envision7.com/~rich/pics/closet.jpg)? I figure eight of them should be enough to win something.



I'm with these guys http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Model M FTW! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/love.gif

[Gatinater]

And the generic keyboards take the lead!! Look (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?image=23-109-131-07.jpg,23-109-131-02.JPG,23-109-131-04.jpg&CurImage=23-109-131-07.jpg&Description=Microsoft%20S51-00001%202-Tone%20USB%20+%20PS/2%20Ergonomics%20Keyboard%20Mouse%20Included%20-%20Retail) and know what true jealousy is. AHAHAHAHAH!!

[Ecmaster76]

I have a couple Model Ms in my closet. Not sure what I am going to do with them.

Any how I am using a MS Office Keyboard USB now. Looking to get the Saitek Eclipse (no extra keypad, but it does have the lasered out key lables).

[SgtFly]

Saitek makes one without the separate keypad that has lit keys.

[Gatinater]

Now those be some boobies. Now I no longer care to discuss keysets. I now ponder big boobies. That avatar will disrupt many of threads.

[8IronBob]

Gatinater said:
I seriously considered buying that a while back, but I purchased a Microsoft Wireless mouse and key set. I don't know what model is, but the sceem is black, grey and silver.



Yeah, that's the typical color scheme for most wireless desktops, and most keyboards and mice made these days (say good bye to that old-fashioned beige, or off-white from days past). Logitech, Microsoft, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, etc... All seem to like that same scheme. It's a sign of the times, I guess. Of course, a lighted wireless desktop wouldn't hurt, a lot more than just the laser eye on the optical mouse, maybe make the whole bottom of the mouse and the scroll wheel light up or glow in the dark, that would be cool. I think Alienware's got a keyboard and mouse that lights up for their higher-end configs, wouldn't be a bit surprised.

[Kevin Wolff]

Ecmaster76 said:
I have a couple Model Ms in my closet. Not sure what I am going to do with them.


You'r going to split them between me and Hudson before TerminX comes for them. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Speaking of keyboards...here's a new one, called "Das Keyboard" - www.daskeyboard.com (http://www.daskeyboard.com) It's been featured at Slashdot, too. Not my thing, though.

[Ecmaster76]

Sure, provided the price is right. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Wamplet]

Saitek just made a new model where the keys actually light up.

Here is the old one:

http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/gamerskey.htm

Here is the new one:

http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/eclipse.htm

Personally, I like the non-lit key version, which i have. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I may get the lit-key one for my other computer though, just to try out.

[TerminX]

Ecmaster76 said:
Sure, provided the price is right. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif


Send them to me and I promise not to be a dick to you for the rest of my life. You won't find a better deal than that anywhere. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Kevin Wolff]

TerminX said:

Ecmaster76 said:
Sure, provided the price is right. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif


Send them to me and I promise not to be a dick to you for the rest of my life. You won't find a better deal than that anywhere. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


"My [New Year's] resolution is to be less of a dick. Hahahaha, yeah right." -TerminX

Rest assured, Ecmaster, that's a damn good deal. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In all seriousness, I don't have much money right now; I could give you $20 for it for sure.

[TerminX]

Kevin Wolff said:
I could give you $20 for it for sure.


Would that even cover shipping?

[Night Hacker]

Kevin Wolff said:
Nope. Sorry.

It isn't this keyboard (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9241/subcatid/0/id/129227). You lose.


.....


http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Your new thing looks pretty damn cool.




Holy crap! I was just about to post a picture of my keyboard and that is it! heheh.. I went to the computer store last month and they were selling those exact keyboards, the old IBM industrial models. I love them, I bought two of them just to make sure I have one if this one buggers up. It wieghs about 5 pounds. I love the clicky feel of the keys, SO MUCH better than the newer keyboards, and NO WINDOWS KEYS! WOOHOO! heheh... no power keys, just the original IBM keys. I missed using these and never thought I would see them again. Now they're selling them for $4.99, they're NEW with PS2 cords so they can be used in modern systems. It's so well built, it'll probably last a very long time I think.

Here's a picture of it anyhow, it's late at night here so the pic is kind of dark but you can see it fine anyhow.

Edit: Am I the only one actually USING one of these old keyboards? Mine is new, not in the closet. I'm tempted to buy a couple more I love these models so much. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TerminX, if you want one of these NEW, they're $5 here, just have to pay for shipping (which, if it goes by wieght, could be a bit! heh)

[Steve]

^ I find those to be the most comfortable http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[TerminX]

Night Hacker said:
TerminX, if you want one of these NEW, they're $5 here, just have to pay for shipping (which, if it goes by wieght, could be a bit! heh)


Hehe. I have quite a few of that variety (typically, the ones with a blank area around the num/caps/scroll lock lights were produced in 1999, whereas those with brown/tan in that area are older). In fact, I have one of them attached as a backup to my secondary machine now.

How many do they have?

[Ecmaster76]

Yeah, I'm not sure how much it would cost to ship. Its quite hefty and fairly long.

Whats your zipcode? I can get a ballpark figure for ya.

TerminX: You are tempting me. Do you really need one? I am going home this weekend, might even have one or two more up there in addition to the two I have in my room here.

I appreciate the clickyness of them and the quality features such as detachable cable, but I really don't need them. I don't really type, and I prefer my keyboard with it built in wrist rest and cool scroll wheel.

[Night Hacker]

When I talked to them the sales guy said they had alot of them. I bought two of them anyhow, heh, man I love these keyboards. If someone wanted to swap me that newer, lit up keyboard for this, I would decline.

They're all new (or at least in new condition), in the box with a PS2 connection. The date on the bottom is 1996.

The area around the num lock, caps lock lights is blank, just the lights and the words, no other coloration.

Well, here's a slightly better pic of it, a little brighter (I need a better camera!)..

[TerminX]

Ecmaster76 said:
TerminX: You are tempting me. Do you really need one? I am going home this weekend, might even have one or two more up there in addition to the two I have in my room here.


I'm becoming somewhat of a collector. Are either of the ones you have dated in the 1980s, with a completely grey IBM logo (no blue at all)? Also, if either of them have a square, shiny silver IBM logo in the upper right rather than the oval one in the upper left I am very interested.

[Kevin Wolff]

Yeah, I'm not sure how much it would cost to ship. Its quite hefty and fairly long.

Whats your zipcode? I can get a ballpark figure for ya.


33321. It should be much less than $20, as I had an item that weighed much more than a model M shipped to me from North Carolina for $14.

[Kevin Wolff]

Oh, and Night Hacker, yours isn't the industrial model. Those were made around 1990 and come in military drab brown.

[Night Hacker]

No? Okay. I wasn't sure. All I know is it wieghs a ton, is very clicky with no windows keys or power keys and I love it. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I used to search for these used, grab the broken ones and build one good one from them I liked them so much better than the ones they sell now a days.

[Ecmaster76]

Both of them are dated 1984. They have the all grey oval logos.

Item '1'
part no 1391401
id no 2703730
date 06 May 88
plt no f2
model M

Item '2'
part no 1391401
id no 2544168
date 04 Jan 88
plt no f4
model M


They are a little dirty from use, but the lettering is not worn in the least bit. Both have the detachable cables, free of damage. No frays, no bent pins. PS2 connectors

'1' has undersized blanks replacing the ctrl keys, and the num pad *. 2 has an undersized blank on the left alt. 2 is missing one of the rubber feet, but both have the extendable legs.

Oh and to ship it to 33321 would cost ~$10 (for the shipping). Final price will have to be negotiated.

[TerminX]

Those aren't blanks, those are missing pieces. All of the keys have key caps that cover the actual keys.. you just happen to be missing a few.

[Ecmaster76]

Oh, I though they had just been stuck on there to have something to hit. I haven't tried taking the good keys apart so I didn't realize they were built like that. Damn, those things were engineered to last forever.

[TerminX]

Ecmaster76 said:
Oh, I though they had just been stuck on there to have something to hit. I haven't tried taking the good keys apart so I didn't realize they were built like that. Damn, those things were engineered to last forever.


The later models (blue IBM logo) have drainage canals that allow the keyboard to operate immediately after you spill your beer, too. All you have to do is tilt it forward and it all runs out four conveniently placed drainage holes under the front lip of the keyboard.

[Ecmaster76]

Not needed if you drink liquor. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just tilt your keyboard back and let the vodka clean the gunk out for ya.

[8IronBob]

Night Hacker said:
When I talked to them the sales guy said they had alot of them. I bought two of them anyhow, heh, man I love these keyboards. If someone wanted to swap me that newer, lit up keyboard for this, I would decline.

They're all new (or at least in new condition), in the box with a PS2 connection. The date on the bottom is 1996.

The area around the num lock, caps lock lights is blank, just the lights and the words, no other coloration.

Well, here's a slightly better pic of it, a little brighter (I need a better camera!)..



Yeah, I have a keyboard similar to that, dated back in 1990-1991. This was with an old PC that I had bought from a local company (yes, there was a small local computer company here in the Cleveland area way back in the early to mid-1990s), and that was the style of keyboard that was provided with it, and it was awesome. Just wish that they would've built that to be used for today's PCs, tho. The connection's probably not the same, but I'm quite sure that adapters are not that expensive, and you can find one at almost any Radio Shack on the planet.

[Night Hacker]

Yeah, they still sell adaptors for the old keyboards. I know I have one laying around somewhere.

I've went through so many keyboards because they're built so shoddy these days I was glad to find this.

I never noticed those drainage holes before TerminX, that's kewl! I just looked, four of them on the front. If you have the legs flipped open in the back you won't need to tilt the keyboard, it should drain on it's own, at least the majority of any liquid should.

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

If you go to just about any auto parts store they use the old ibm keyboards... Even newly built stores still use the ibm keyboards.

[Wamplet]

Just picked up the new version of the Saitek keyboard for my other computer:

http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif



http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7069469&type=product&id=1108126082332

Nik would be quite proud of me. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[8IronBob]

Night Hacker said:
Yeah, they still sell adaptors for the old keyboards. I know I have one laying around somewhere.

I've went through so many keyboards because they're built so shoddy these days I was glad to find this.

I never noticed those drainage holes before TerminX, that's kewl! I just looked, four of them on the front. If you have the legs flipped open in the back you won't need to tilt the keyboard, it should drain on it's own, at least the majority of any liquid should.



What would be the odds of finding those old IBM keyboards at a garage sale, thrift shop, or flea market (outside of eBay or Amazon, not the web flea markets). I'm quite sure that you could find an old IBM keyboard at one of those in mint condition for less than a couple of bucks, maybe even a $0.50 IBM keyboard would be worth a find at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store, if it's in good enough condition.

[Ecmaster76]

I hope you didn't pay that much for it Wamplet; it cost $45 at newegg I think.

[Wamplet]

Ecmaster76 said:
I hope you didn't pay that much for it Wamplet; it cost $45 at newegg I think.



Why not? http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

With taxes it was around 64 gold. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/redface.gif It was worth 20 more gold for me to have the keyboard today. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I will be needing it for this weekend when we all play Swat 4 at my house. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Ecmaster76]

Oh, I didn't know it was an emergency. I understand (remembering time I paid $54 for Star Wars Trilogy DVDs)

[Ecmaster76]

By a strange twist of events I now have my very own Eclipse. It is sweet. Quieter and more space effcient than the MS OFfice keyboard and it glows. THe keys also seem to have some very subtle ergonomic qualities to them. They have a very slight wave in height from left to right. That is to say that 'q' is low and 't' is the highest and the bottoming out at 'i'. Maybe its my imagination.