Saitek Eclipse II Illuminated Keyboard

[RazorBack]

I've had my Eclipse I for a couple of months now and I love it. No quality issues as of yet, but then again I don't do that much typing and no gaming.


The new keyboard looks cool, I love the way you can change the colours. I want the side lights!

This keyboard is the one I really want though: http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/

 

[Greg King]

Yup, I would kill for that keyboard. As long as it's taken to develope them and I asume eventually get to market, I am sure the demand is going to be through the roof. I will however, buy one if they are available. They just look that awesome.

Maybe program each key with a .gif porn pic.....the options are endless.

 

[Unregistered]

I saw in the review that you said the media keys work well with winamp, but I can't seem to get them to work. They work with WMP, but I never use it, so I'd like to be able to use them for more than just the volume control.

Other than that, this keyboard absolutely rocks. The blue could be a bit brighter, but it's bright enough for me since I'm usually in the dark when I'm playing games, and if I need to see keys a little more clearly, I just switch to purple!

Any help with the winamp thing would be much appreciated. Thanks!


Draconis

 

[Greg King]

Options -> Preferances -> Global Hotkeys

in the global hotkeys section, you have to manually check the enabled box to enable global hotkeys. It's simple but easy to overlook. I should have included that in the review and I am sorry for not doing so. I hope this helps.

Greg

 

[Draconis]

Hey, thanks alot. I'm an idiot, heh. It's been so long since I've had a keyboard that had media controls that I forgot about that. Plus, with just getting a new system after 6 years of the same one, totally forfot to enable it when I installed winamp.

Thanks again!

 

[Greg King]

Not a problem bro. Just glad we could help.

 

[Gunner1]

Great review! I'm definitely interested in this board but also contemplating the new Logitech G11. Have you guys had a chance to review the Logitech board yet? It's about the same price. One feature about it I would appreciate is that you can disable the retarded Windows key at any time with a slider switch on the keyboard itself.

 

[Greg King]

We have in fact reviewed the G11. The Windows disable is a nice hardware feature but can be disabled in Windows I believe. I love the Saitek Eclipse II and use it over the G15, which is just like the G11 minus the LCD screen. I love this Eclipse II and the feel of it. Ultimately the choice is yours but you have my 2 cents.

 

[Unregistered]

great review

After checking out the review I decided to go with a Saitek Eclipse. The feature set on the Eclipse II was not robust enough to warrant the extra cash, and the build quality is just as good on the older model.

The keys are still quiet after a couple of weeks use and I've yet to mis-type anything due to the sensitivity of the keys (cheap boards always seem to register every glancing keystroke as a "hit" - drives me nuts). There are more media buttons on the "II", but I've never been a fan of "extra" buttons/keys unless they directly impact gaming. The fact that these boards do not require software is a huge plus IMHO (one less thing to go wrong). The lighting is virtually the same on both models of Eclipse aside from the different colors available on the "II". Overall the Elipse I/II are great boards that can be had for less than fifty bucks.

 

[Greg King]

I would have to agree with you. The Eclipse line of keyboards are top notch. The lighting could be better but not much we can do about it now but wait and hope the next revision will be brighter... or dare I hope for individual lighting for each key?

The media buttons on the II are well done and not intrusive at all. I find myself using them far more than I ever thought I would.

 

[bildge_rat]

Speaking of the lighting on the Eclipse... has anyone noticed that the board seems to flicker in your peripheral vision when used in a dark room? I found this to be mildly distracting at first but easily remedied by turning the brightness down. Having not have used a "Deck" I would wonder if this effect might not be worse with a brighter board.

 

[Greg King]

I have not noticed this at all. Quite possibly though, I am just not attentive. Thanks for the comments and welcome to the forum.

 

[Unregistered]

what

what is the size of the keyboard?

 

[zard]

I've just recieved my eclipse II and also had the winamp probs, but luckily found the answer here reading the comments

Nice review

 

[Greg King]

Awesome! Having the ability to use the media keys is a plus. Glad we could help you out.

 

[NewEclipseOwner]

winamp fix

Yup, thanks for the winamp fix

Sorted my issue too!

GJ DarkSynergy.

 

[Greg King]

Thank you. Glad you are happy with the Eclipse II and I am glad you figured you what you needed.

 

[Unregistered]

3 Lit Function LED's At Top Of Keyboard

I just received my Eclipse II and love it so far, but I am wondering about the 3 LED's at the top of the keyboard. The are 'number lock', 'caps lock' and I cannot determine what the third one signifies. They are no discussed in the manual that comes with keyboard and I would like to know what it is.

 

[ccdarkness]

usualy it's 'num lock' 'caps' and 'scroll lock'

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks, I appreciate the answer.