Saitek Eclipse Keyboard ( PZ30AU )
by Saitek
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List Price: Category: Personal Computer See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Saitek Eclipse Keyboard ( PZ30AU )
Customer Review: A solid keyboard for speedy typists -- but with style
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking for a new keyboard -- my old cramped Vaio keyboard was the munged-up leftover from a long-gone computer -- specifically one with a full-sized keyboard that can stand up to fast and furious typing. I type approximately 110 words per minute, and banging on many keyboards, such as the current Macintosh keyboards (an issue for me at work), means a frustrating slowdown, and even typos.
The Eclipse is the sort of solid keyboard I was looking for, with a heavy weight overall, good "key feel," home keys that can be identified by touch and includes a limited set of additional features. I don't need a dozen extra buttons to do what I can already do with software. (I know how to start iTunes and Thunderbird just fine as-is, thanks.) The only additional buttons on the Eclipse keyboard are a row of four small buttons over the number pad: Volume up, volume down, mute and cycling the lit keyboard from bright to dim to off.
As for the lighting -- and this was certainly one of the deciding factors in buying this keyboard -- for day-to-day use in a lit environment, the glowing keys will likely be hard to notice. For gaming in a dim or totally dark room (I play World of Warcraft, among other games), the keys are bright without being overwhelmingly so.
This was an excellent purchase for me, although I know people who like additional features on their keyboards might want to get one of Saitek's higher-end keyboards above the Eclipse. But for people whose desired feature set resembles mine, I'd say this keyboard is a must-buy.
Customer Review: Silky smooth keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I upgraded to this Saitek from an ancient Microsoft wireless keyboard that I had pretty much worn out. It's safe to say this is one of the nicest (if not the nicest) keyboard I've ever owned. Those complaining about the materials it is made of are being a little silly; the only part of the keyboard that isn't first rate is the plastic parts that attach the wrist support of the keyboard.
The back lighting is great and very useful in a dimly lit environment. It is on the bright side, with settings which could be described as very bright, and very, very bright.
This is a very long keyboard and perfect for someone like me with larger fingers. It is very nice to not have to be super precise all the time. I also really like the slightly concave surfaces of the keys themselves. They feel perfect under my fingertips and require exactly the right amount of pressure.
The keyboard does not have all kinds of gizmo buttons (volume control, web page star page, etc.) but you can bind the keys anyway you like and set up macros for specific functions which is pretty useful.
I've owned a few other Saitek products (joy sticks) and they have all performed admirably. I've been using this keyboard for about 4 months and love it so far. It is well made, solid, nicely designed, the baclighting works great, and the buttons are perfectly sized. I'm impressed.
Customer Review: Paradise By The Keyboard Lights
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this thing some time ago, but have not gotten to review it until now.
This lapse in time is a good thing though, and allows me to understand the keyboard a bit better.
Honestly I have nothing bad to say about this thing, and in fact I am writing this review with it.
I purchased it to help me out when I'm using the PC into the wee-hours of the morning.
My desk light is often off, this is because I am a photographer and I can't have too much ambient light when editing images.
Until I got this thing I was typing by the light of the monitor, I must say that this is a great improvement.
It's brightness is adjustable, but I just find myself leaving it on the brightest setting all the time, any dimmer and it is too dark.
Not really sure why I see it marketed as a "gaming" keyboard though, it really isn't at all good for games.
It's mostly just a standard keyboard that lights up and looks awesome, like some fancy keyboard from the control deck of a spaceship.
I've been using it for a while now, and I must say that I am very pleased with comfortable and responsive it has been.
Not much else to say, aside from that it's well worth the price.
I may even be buying another this week for my other PC...
~Rusty
Customer Review: Excellent illuminated keyboard at this price
Summary: 5 Stars
This is likely the best illuminated keyboard you will be able to find in this price range. It is constructed very sturdily--it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy and the keys have a very nice, firm feel to them. Even though the wrist wrest is made of plastic, it's shaped very well and is comfortable to rest your hands on.
The keyboard layout seems spot-on, they didn't get creative with the placement of anything and I find it's very rare than I key something I wasn't meaning to hit.
The back-lit keyboard is as useful as you would expect it to be. The keys are very readable in dim or very low lighting. If you look closely (especially when viewing the keyboard at sharper angles), you can see that the keys aren't all equally lit up because of how the back-lighting shows through the keys. However, they are balanced well enough so that this is hardly noticeable--the small differences in lighting never bothered me during use or prevented me from easily identifying keys in the dark.
If I could change one thing about the keyboard? The way the corners stick out, if you have a keyboard tray like me space is very valuable and I'd rather the keyboard take up less space instead of more. But this is just me nit-picking, I am really happy with the keyboard and would buy it again in a heartbeat.
Customer Review: Great Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm typing this in the dark using my Eclipse. No, I'm not just saying that. I think the backlit keys are absolutely great, and it gives me the perfect reason to play my favorite games in the dark.
I think this keyboard is also very comfortable, with its "zero-slope" design and standard layout. After years of using standard keyboards, I've never been able to adapt to "natural" layouts.
I've noticed some other reviewers note that the backlight isn't as bright as it should be, and I agree somewhat. I have noticed that the backlight is a bit more difficult to see when you're looking at screens with a white or bright background, such as this one, because the monitor glare shines down on it. However, if the screen (webpage, etc) you're looking at has a black or dark background, the backlight is definitely more visible.
I've had no trouble at all with my Eclipse, and while non-gamers might not see the point in getting one, I heartily recommend it to gamers. There's also a newer, red-backlight model out, but I have yet to see one in person. I imagine the choice would come down to what color you prefer.