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Looking for a backlit KB, suggestions?

post #1 of 14
10/4/12 at 9:00am
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So I have a wired G11 now, and I have never even used the programmable keys. I bought it mainly for use in a darkened room - for gaming it wasn't that important but posting in forums, web surfing etc I felt I wanted a backlit one.

A buddy of mine has a Logitech G510, and thinking of that but the programmable keys I am paying for would likely never be used. I don't play WoW anymore, and I know those proggy keys were popular for that.

I don't care about color shifting (which the G510 has), I do like the LCD that can display system info, but basically I want a backlit KB that will last. My G11 has two levels of brightness, and for some reason half the backlit keys are *really* dim, even on the brightest setting. Also, the brightness flickers - like there is a short somewhere. For the amount of use, I am disappointed with the G11, which makes me more leery of the G510.

Anyone have a suggestion? I'd prefer blue or aqua backlighting, with some adjustability...
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post #2 of 14
10/4/12 at 9:03am
The new offering from Gigabyte looks real good!
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post #3 of 14
10/4/12 at 9:13am
I have been using a Logitech Illuminated Keyboard for almost two years now and love it. Also has a button in the upper right corner with key brightness settings. Plus it looks great on my glass top L shaped computer desk.
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post #4 of 14
10/4/12 at 11:08am
If you're maybe looking to go mechanical, then you've got a few choices:

  • Cooler Master Storm Trigger (red)
  • Corsair K90 (blue)
  • Deck Legend (blue, white, red, and green)
  • Ducky Shine (white, blue, green, purple, yellow, and red)
  • Gigabyte Aivia Osmium (blue)
  • Max Keyboard Nighthawk (blue, red, and customized) and Tesoro Durandal (red and customized)
  • Mionix Zibal 60 (green)
  • Razer BlackWidow Ultimate (blue and green)


The Mionix Zibal 60 is not recommended due to its extremely poor backlighting. The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, which I don't recommend simply because it's a terrible product, is also available in three special game-themed editions that feature red or orange backlighting.

If you're not looking to go mechanical, then I've probably wasted your time.
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post #5 of 14
10/4/12 at 4:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hyp0xia View Post

If you're maybe looking to go mechanical, then you've got a few choices:
  • Cooler Master Storm Trigger (red)
  • Corsair K90 (blue)
  • Deck Legend (blue, white, red, and green)
  • Ducky Shine (white, blue, green, purple, yellow, and red)
  • Gigabyte Aivia Osmium (blue)
  • Max Keyboard Nighthawk (blue, red, and customized) and Tesoro Durandal (red and customized)
  • Mionix Zibal 60 (green)
  • Razer BlackWidow Ultimate (blue and green)
The Mionix Zibal 60 is not recommended due to its extremely poor backlighting. The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, which I don't recommend simply because it's a terrible product, is also available in three special game-themed editions that feature red or orange backlighting.
If you're not looking to go mechanical, then I've probably wasted your time.

There are also various backlit keyboards from Noppoo, KBT, and Keycool...

Based on materials, construction, and overall weight, though, the most durable backlit keyboard is probably the Deck Legend. CMS Trigger and Ducky Shine both have reputations for acceptable quality as well.

Corsair K90 has known issues and is not recommended, and Max Keyboard/Tesoro Durandal are coming from the same OEM as the Razer BlackWidow and thus also belong on the "not recommended" list.
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post #6 of 14
10/4/12 at 5:56pm
He is right, I would argue that deck keyboards are the best constructed Cherry MX keyboards... backlit or not.
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post #7 of 14
10/4/12 at 6:33pm
why not check out the new rosewill? Not a lot of reviews out but has a bit of programming and seems to be around the razer price, with hopefully better longevity.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201054

4 backlight levels $119 seems good, hopefully true. I have a very cheap mech I like but I would like some backlighting as well.
Considering,,,
Edited by P3c4h2 - 10/4/12 at 6:38pm
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post #8 of 14
10/4/12 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxWolf1 View Post

There are also various backlit keyboards from Noppoo, KBT, and Keycool...
Based on materials, construction, and overall weight, though, the most durable backlit keyboard is probably the Deck Legend. CMS Trigger and Ducky Shine both have reputations for acceptable quality as well.
Corsair K90 has known issues and is not recommended, and Max Keyboard/Tesoro Durandal are coming from the same OEM as the Razer BlackWidow and thus also belong on the "not recommended" list.

My main problem with the Razer BlackWidows is that mine was bricked by a bad firmware update, making it the second firmware-related issue I've had with Razer products. As it turns out though, the keyboard with which I replaced my BlackWidow Ultimate is a Max Keyboard Nighthawk X9, which you say comes from the same OEM but which I say is the best keyboard I've ever have the privilege of using (its backlighting is also superb). Aside from the glossy finish, I honestly don't have any issues with the physical product when it comes to BlackWidows, it's just that I hate the firmware and software. If you update the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate to the latest firmware, which I strongly advise against doing, it basically forces you to download Razer's Synapse software and be logged in at all times to even control your backlighting settings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scotttarlow View Post

He is right, I would argue that deck keyboards are the best constructed Cherry MX keyboards... backlit or not.

They also have some of the best backlighting out there, but what I dislike about Deck's offerings is that they appear to only come with Cherry MX blacks and clears, depending on whether you select one of their linear boards or one of their tactile boards. They're also extremely expensive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by P3c4h2 View Post

why not check out the new rosewill? Not a lot of reviews out but has a bit of programming and seems to be around the razer price, with hopefully better longevity.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201054
4 backlight levels $119 seems good, hopefully true. I have a very cheap mech I like but I would like some backlighting as well.
Considering,,,

I didn't know about this one. Looks like it has a nice minimalist design, though I haven't heard good things about Rosewill's keyboards.
Edited by Hyp0xia - 10/4/12 at 9:45pm
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post #9 of 14
10/5/12 at 8:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hyp0xia View Post

I didn't know about this one. Looks like it has a nice minimalist design, though I haven't heard good things about Rosewill's keyboards.

The bad connector on the Rosewill was fixed on this new model.
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post #10 of 14
10/5/12 at 9:44am
I have the CM Storm Trigger and I am loving it, backlight is bright and even, wristrest is comfortable, competitively prived, really good keyboard. I think im getting a Zibal 60 next cuz I wanna try black switches, the Trigger will still be my main KB though. And umm... Do not get the BWU, it is crap!
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