Good backlit keyboard?

[Prisoner416]

I need a good backlit keyboard, preferably black keyboard/blue light, but anything will do.

It needs to be able to handle multiple keys, like up, left, and right directions at the same time.

It does NOT need macro keys, media shortcuts, etc.

It should feel fairly responsive and "springy", like a Microsoft Natural keyboard.

Anyone have any good cheap recommendations?

 

[reflex99]

G15

inb4Phobus: ZOMGrubberDomesSuckzorzMECHANICALorYouSuck1!1..11!1111fanboi!11!!!!11

 

[Prisoner416]

G15

inb4Phobus: ZOMGrubberDomesSuckzorzMECHANICALorYouSuck1!1..11!1111fanboi!11!!!!11

Over $100.
Ton of extras I don't need like macros and "GamePanel LCD".
Totally out of my budget.

 

[reflex99]

were are they over $100?!

That is way above even MSRP.

I got mine for like $40

Anyways, G110 is another similar option:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126087&Tpk=g110

The stupid dog pic was kinda uncalled for >.>

 

[PewPewBangBang]

Yea, you can pick up a used one for like $40 in good condition maybe even less

 

[shadows5631]

Where do you shop that makes it over $100? :mellow:

Mine was 40, last year.

Edit: Three 40's in a row. Yep, definitely not over $100.

 

[Prisoner416]

I was looking at Amazon selling price since Newegg was sold out.

 

[reflex99]

I think that they are now EOL, so that probably explains the high price.


Take a look at the G110

 

[shadows5631]

[ame]http://cgi.ebay.com/Logitech-G15-Backlit-Gaming-Keyboard-w-LCD-Display-/260747416880?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3cb5c1d530[/ame]

 

[Prisoner416]

Used keyboards always scare me. No telling what will come with them... on them, inside them...

 

[masterw3]

I liked ym Saitek brand Eclipse, i had the red backlit.. it was $50.. but they gotta be cheaper by now.
tall deep keys, less smashing two keys at once

note for ANY backlit keyboard you buy...
ESPECIALLY for gamers.. you should cut some clear tape and place squares over the WASDEC (etc) keys.. as they "blackout" color WILL wear off, leaving a big blue splotch of light, since the paint that masked the clear plastic key off to show the letter will be gone. give that 2-3 months without the tape.. WITH the tape, you can make it last MUCH longer.

Several Layers of Clear Laquer works too...

 

[Prisoner416]

I liked ym Saitek brand Eclipse, i had the red backlit.. it was $50.. but they gotta be cheaper by now.
tall deep keys, less smashing two keys at once

note for ANY backlit keyboard you buy...
ESPECIALLY for gamers.. you should cut some clear tape and place squares over the WASDEC (etc) keys.. as they "blackout" color WILL wear off, leaving a big blue splotch of light, since the paint that masked the clear plastic key off to show the letter will be gone. give that 2-3 months without the tape.. WITH the tape, you can make it last MUCH longer.

Several Layers of Clear Laquer works too...

See, the thing is, I just managed to pick up a Saitek Eclipse for free from my PC parting thing.

It seemed fine at first, although the keys needed more feedback.

Then it went berserk. It would randomly mute the volume, bring up the Windows start menu, and type gibberish, repeat letters, or fail to type.

These problems only seem to occur when the backlight is on, indicating a short somewhere. However, Google and various reviews indicate I'm not the only one who's had this problem.

 

[Mr.Game]

I liked ym Saitek brand Eclipse, i had the red backlit.. it was $50.. but they gotta be cheaper by now.
tall deep keys, less smashing two keys at once

note for ANY backlit keyboard you buy...
ESPECIALLY for gamers.. you should cut some clear tape and place squares over the WASDEC (etc) keys.. as they "blackout" color WILL wear off, leaving a big blue splotch of light, since the paint that masked the clear plastic key off to show the letter will be gone. give that 2-3 months without the tape.. WITH the tape, you can make it last MUCH longer.

Several Layers of Clear Laquer works too...

+1 for Saitek, great backlit keyboards from them in my experience.

The Saitek Eclipse II isn't that expensive either, and unlike its newer version (Saitek Eclipse III) it doesn't have extra keys (such as macros). Another feature is the "cut" caps lock key, its great so you don't accidentally hit it while gaming.

Here's a few links for the Saitek Eclipse II:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Eclipse-II-Keyboard-PK02AU/dp/B000H6AY6M"]Amazon[/ame]


Newegg

Xoxide

 

[Ph?bus]

You called?

Looking for good feedback with rubber dome keyboards is laughable, I'm sorry. They all use the same key switch mechanism, and they all suck. So unless you want to buy a good mechanical keyboard, I won't even bother recommending anything.

 

[Prisoner416]

You called?

Looking for good feedback with rubber dome keyboards is laughable, I'm sorry. They all use the same key switch mechanism, and they all suck. So unless you want to buy a good mechanical keyboard, I won't even bother recommending anything.

http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html

SO CONFUSE.

I wouldn't know where to start.

 

[Ph?bus]

http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html

SO CONFUSE.

I wouldn't know where to start.

Since you want backlit, you'll want to look at Deck and XArmor.
Upon further looking, it would appear that XArmor's site is either down, or they're no longer a company? Hm. Deck still has backlit keyboards.

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

Deck has some keyswitches that I'm not as familiar as others, and I'd probably go with the [ame="http://www.amazon.com/XARMOR-U9BL-Backlit-Keyboard-Illuminated-Mechanical/dp/B003XQE040"]XArmor U9BL[/ame] if I wanted to get a backlit mechanical keyboard. They aren't cheap, but they will last.

 

[forty2skates]

^^^What he said

I've had a U9BL for a little while now and I'm quite fond of it. Apparently the newer batches are even better, better alignment of the letters, more uniform lighting, and better coverage when the keys were sprayed.

 

[Prisoner416]

The Deck photo could be better, it makes it look like the keys aren't lit up, just a uniform light under them.

I like the overall look of this one, http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.169417900/categoryId.35156900 , but it's out of my range. The mechanical version is even pricier.

 

[Cut Chem!st]

The Deck photo could be better, it makes it look like the keys aren't lit up, just a uniform light under them.

I like the overall look of this one, http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.169417900/categoryId.35156900 , but it's out of my range. The mechanical version is even pricier.

If you had to choose between mechanical and backlit, mechanical is going to take precedence. Mechanical keyboards in general last wayyyy longer and are just insanely better to type/play on.

They are going to cost around (~$70-80), but then again a good backlit keyboard is going to cost the same, you'd have to buy an older version of a keyboard (like the g15, which I wouldn't recommend) . You just have to decide on what switches you want.

~Brown not clicky/tactile/lowest amount of force
~Blue clicky/tactile/low amount of force
~Black not clicky/linear/good amount of force

They all actuate at half press though, and tbh I wouldn't recommend blacks, kind of defeat the purpose of a mechanical keyboard.

I personally use the razer blackwidow (non ultimate, so it's not backlit), upgraded from a g15. The backlighting just ended up being more gimmicky than anything, and I personally never actually used it since I don't look at my keyboard, and I'm not trying to show it off. So I just went with the standard, since 40$ isn't worth the backlighting.

 

[eurocracy]

The backlit blackwidow is however worth it because the ink wears off on the keys like crazy on the normal so if you look at your keys then that's important. The backlit one shouldn't have that problem, so yeah. Blue's are kinda loud so if you don't like them then use browns. Blue's are the best generally for typing, black is good for gaming (though I wouldn't recommend them) and brown are good for gaming if you want something to press easy and quickly.