Best Illuminated Keyboard?

[Coldkilla]

My Dad is getting old. The letters on his keyboard have all faded away, and now he cannot see what he's typing in the dark. I've seen many illuminated keyboards out on the market but what I need is:

1. Something on the cheaper side (if possible), he wont pay for a $100.00 keyboard.
2. Something with laser etched Keys so they dont fade.
3. Something that is BRIGHT in dark rooms. Many reviews from a few keyboards have all stated that the keyboard is not very bright when it comes to dark situations.

Ideas/Suggestions?

 

[Fayd]

saitek eclipse.

 

[LightningRider]

G15 probably.

 

[Cruise51]

G11

 

[Coldkilla]

He's not a gamer and will not wait to pay for the LCD that comes with the keyboard.

Is the Saitek 2 any brighter?

 

[balane]

I've owned both and in my opinion the blue on the Saitek Eclipse II is dimmer than the first model. But the red is much brighter than any of them. Purple is so-so. Blue is the dimmest on the II model. I've yet to see a keyboard brighter than the red on the Eclipse II.

 

[Synomenon]

Deck Keyboards makes some bright LED lit keyboards w/ laser etched keys, BUT they are pricey.

 

[Cruise51]

Originally posted by: Coldkilla
He's not a gamer and will not wait to pay for the LCD that comes with the keyboard.

Is the Saitek 2 any brighter?

G11 is basically G15 without the lcd.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

What about a KVM switch (for having illuminated KB on several machines). I have tried the G15 and Saitek Eclipse 2 using USB>PS2 converter, but the keyboard won't work. Also tried using the G15 on a USB peripheral switch, but the damn took too long to switch over and was unreliable.

 

[Skott]

Saitek Eclipse II. Personally, I feel the purple is better than the blue but red is the brightest of them all. Its nice they offered a third color. I have two older original Saiteks as well and IMO the newer Eclipse II has a brighter blue and red than the older original Eclipse had.

 

[Coldkilla]

Too bad they don't make white backlit keyboards, white would probably be brightest heh. Saitek Eclipse II then it is.

 

[Ichigo]

Well the Macbook Pro has a white backlit keyboard.

Yes I know that I have contributed nothing to this thread.

 

[LightningRider]

Yeah I meant to say G11 but I forgot the model number of the one without the LCD.

I have the Eclipse II and I also have owned a G15 and the G15/G11 is definitely brighter than the Eclipse II. The Eclipse blue and red I find pretty dim, though it could be worse, but the purple is not too bad.

Overall though I think the G11 is brighter and would be a better choice for pure brightness. The Saitek Eclipse II is smaller and more compact though.

 

[corkyg]

Here's another solution, but it uses a recessed shelf for the keyboard. I have the same problem as your dad. I installed a 24-in lightbar above the keyboard.

Light