Bring on the Saitek Eclipse Backlit Gaming Keyboard.
So lets get started shall we. Now this keyboard is a good keyboard, but it is also not the best gaming keyboard. The reaon for this, is that there are no programmable G-Keys. This is not imperative for every gamer, but more advanced gamers and high end games require programmable keys for complex macros. This is a very good keyboard if used mainly for everyday usage as the keyboard is ergonomically designed. It has a zero tilt design and adjustable wrist wrest which is great for everyday typing. In a nutshell it is a gamers keyboard mainly because of the backlighting but is more towards everyday usage with a little extras.
This keyboard is still a great buy and can be bought through this link here.
This is who the keyboard is best suited for:
- Those that do alot of typing
- Those who use their keyboard more for everyday usage than gamers
- Amateur gamers who want a little difference to their gaming experience
Now let me show you the features of the keyboard and discuss them after.
- Black finish and silver keys with laser cut lettering for true illumination through the keys
- Zero-slope design and adjustable wrist rest for ergonomic comfort.
- Three lighting levels, volume control and mute buttons.
- 104 key keyboard
- Plug and Play USB Design. Windows 98, SE, ME, 2000 and XP compatible.
Ok so lets break it down shall we. Compared to most standard keyboards this keyboard is great as the black finish and silver keys really stand out and make your workstation look presentable. The backlit keys are also a great asset. However depending on the brightness of your monitor and how close it is to your keyboard, the backlighting might not be so prominent as you would like. The brightness is strong and visible alone, especially in lower lighting areas. Also, when you are in a normal sitting position in complete darkness you can’t quite make out the keys. This is on the brightest setting in a completely dark room. I’m not sure about you, but I don’t work or play games in complete darkness so this doesn’t really bother me. It will for some people though and this is perfectly acceptable, each unto their own. I wouldn’t bother too much about this issue but it is still a decision you would have to make. Again this is totally dependant on certain people and how they view the colours. Everybody’s vision is different.
With a zero slope design to the keyboard it allows for comfort typing as opposed to a keyboard with a built in slope. It is comfortable on the wrist as they can remain in a naturally straight position. This is important for people who do alot of typing. Another great feature is that the wrist rest is adjustable. Again, this will depend on certain people and how they like to support their wrist. Some might even find the wrist rest uncomfortable all together.
Although there is only one backlighting colour (blue), it is adjustable with three different levels of brightness. The strongest level is very bright and easy on the eyes. It stands out very nicely through the keys and doesn’t have a reflective shine on the rest of the keys.
With Plug and Play USE design intergrated into the keyboard it makes for easy peripheral connections when required. The keyboard is compatible with Windows 98, SE, ME, 2000, XP, all versions of Vista and Windows 7. The software is easy to install and has no compatibility issues with other software.
So guys as you can see this is a great keyboard, but not the best for average and advanced gamers. I would recommend this keyboard to those who want a more than just a standard keyboard and those that want to change the look of their workstation
Here is a video review of the keyboard so you can see exactly what it is all about.
So why not take a look at the keyboard going for a great price on Amazon. Check it out.
Here is the PROS and CONS of the keyboard in my opinion.
PROS
- It has a really comfortable design for extensive typing and game playing
- There are no software issues with the keyboard and works great on any Windows operating system
- The wrist rest is adjustable unlike most standard keyboards
CONS
- Backlight brightness can vary depending on ambient light
- No programmable keys for macros
Below is a review of a current owner of the keyboard for your consideration.
Herschel,
I decided to own this keyboard for a few weeks before writing my review. I have owned the Saitek Eclipse keyboard for about a month. I am going to break this review into two parts – a keyboard for gamers and a keyboard for normal typing. Since this keyboard is marketed towards gamers, I will address this issue first. What makes this a “gamers” keyboard is the blue glow around the keys and through the symbol on the actual key itself. However, even at the brightest setting, the glow is far from perfect. In addition, when compared to other keyboards that claim to be for “gamers,” there are no additional programmable buttons. For this reason, I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars. However, as a typing keyboard, this thing is fantastic. When compared to my old keyboard, these keys are super soft and require very little effort to press. I have actually increased my typing speed. I like the fact that the keyboard is straight forward (no extra buttons I will never use), full sized and aesthetically pleasing to look at. I do like how the keyboard looks in full light compared to low light – the keys change from grey to black depending on the light. The glow is just enough to see the buttons at a glance. The bottom line is that the keyboard is less of a “gamers” keyboard and more for everyone who wants a simple and functional keyboard that has the added benefit of a cool blue glow to help type at night. Regardless, it is still a cool feature. I really like the way the keyboard feels and how my fingers move quickly between the keys. Overall, I recommend this keyboard and I think people who use it will be happy with it as an everyday keyboard.
Review paraphrased fo size – Read this guys full review here.
A great accessory to go with this keyboard is below for your convenience. I own this mouse and it’s great.
