Good quality KB w/ normal illuminated keys and volume control?

[SpatiallyAware]

I'm looking for a good keyboard with illuminated keys (preferably white or blue) and easy to use volume control..

A friend suggests the G15 (I can reprogram those keys on the left for volume and media controls right?).. But I'd like to try one of the 'quiet' mechanical keyboards like a filco..

Maybe I need to look for a good seperate media control pad or something. I have one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-1100-P...2111613&sr=8-1

but it doesn't play nice with windows 7..

 

[Anubis]

http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Eclipse-II-Keyboard-PK02AU/dp/B000H6AY6M

 

[terentenet]

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Illum...2165838&sr=1-1

 

[corkyg]

Another vote for the Logitech. I had a Saitek Eclipse and replaced it with the Logitech - ever so much better in every way.

 

[alfa147x]

Are you looking to sell your griffin powermate?

 

[dighn]

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Illum...2165838&sr=1-1

another vote for this. this keyboard is awesome. great key action, quiet, great build quality, looks classy, and of course it's got volume control (which works pretty well for me).

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I found geekhack.


Now I have a Filco 87 key (blue clickety clack switches) on the way, along with their nice leather palmrest.

I know, I know, it doesn't have ANY of my requirements - but I was able to get my powermate working (and no, not looking to sell but I recently purchased mine on amazon) and found my media center remote which allows me to change iTunes songs.

I realized I couldn't get a non-rubber dome keyboard that was illuminated..

 

[konakona]

good that you are getting a real quality over bling bling, you won't regret it
Mine has brown-axis switches in them, but same as yours otherwise.
Don't forget you will have to connect to ps/2 if you desire n-key rollover (usb limits it at 6 simultaneous inputs, no way to get around it)

 

[MisterDonut]

$35 for the Saitek Eclipse (not II or III)

 

[SpatiallyAware]

good that you are getting a real quality over bling bling, you won't regret it
Mine has brown-axis switches in them, but same as yours otherwise.
Don't forget you will have to connect to ps/2 if you desire n-key rollover (usb limits it at 6 simultaneous inputs, no way to get around it)

Well, it arrived today.. It's absolutely excellent for typing, as I expected. It's going to take a bit of getting used to, I'm not used to the clickiness at all.

However, I discovered something unexpected. It's unusable for me in FPS. Since I'm used to the rubber dome style keyboard I trust that the key activates at the bottom of the stroke. Therefore I tend to hover, with a key half-pressed (which would be 'off' on a dome keyboard but 'on' on a mechanical..) as I'm strafing around. It's hard to explain, but that style won't work with any mechanical keyboard other than maybe a capacitive topre board.

I believe I'm going to try changing my style up, maybe I'll eventually get used to it?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I also found this:

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/product_info.php?products_id=95

It's an illuminated mechanical keyboard. However, I believe it has Cherry white/clear switches which will still have my 'hover' problem.

 

[konakona]

interesting... I see where you are getting at, but haven't had the same problem myself. While I do play some casual FPS time to time, my main focus is on 2d fighters where I had better luck with these than any other keyboards. Maybe they will grow on you for gaming as well? Hopefully so

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Are you looking to sell your griffin powermate?

I also want to add that this powermate is a great device.. It was around $40 at amazon, and I don't have any of the odd disconnect and other bugs that people talk about. I'm running 7 x64, installed the latest drivers, setup my config and have had no problems at all.

I do wish the wheel clicked, and it could be a bit smoother. Also the led flickers when you turn it up and down, which is really my biggest complaint.

The only keys on my mx5500 that I used often were the volume and iTunes control. I have the powermate setup to easily pause, vol up, vol down, next track, and iTunes pause.

(can you tell I'm enjoying this keyboard.. lol..)

I do miss the 'tenkey' section though, I might pick up their external 10 key if this ends up working out. I also often reach for the far right Enter key.

The wristrest is nice but you need a good bit of room to use them both easily.

 

[alfa147x]

I also want to add that this powermate is a great device.. It was around $40 at amazon, and I don't have any of the odd disconnect and other bugs that people talk about. I'm running 7 x64, installed the latest drivers, setup my config and have had no problems at all.

I do wish the wheel clicked, and it could be a bit smoother. Also the led flickers when you turn it up and down, which is really my biggest complaint.

The only keys on my mx5500 that I used often were the volume and iTunes control. I have the powermate setup to easily pause, vol up, vol down, next track, and iTunes pause.

(can you tell I'm enjoying this keyboard.. lol..)

I do miss the 'tenkey' section though, I might pick up their external 10 key if this ends up working out. I also often reach for the far right Enter key.

The wristrest is nice but you need a good bit of room to use them both easily.

That's great, I'v always wanted to get one. what do you use it for?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That's great, I'v always wanted to get one. what do you use it for?

quick press - iTunes play/pause (formerly master mute)
long press - iTunes next track
turn left/right - vol down/up
hold turn turn left/right - prev/next track in iTunes


Next track is duplicated, but I like to easily skip to the next track and the hold turn turn actions are too cumbersome to use often. I'm considering getting a second so I can easily seperate iTunes and master volume.. It's too bad they no longer make the anodized black version