The first thing I noticed when I took the Saitek Gamers Keyboard out of the box was the weight. Most keyboards now are so light the mouse weighs more than they do. This keyboard weighs a good 5 lbs., not including the separate keypad.




Keyboard Features:

• Comfortable, adjustable wrist rest with exclusive patented design and angle adjustment feet for maximum comfort and enhanced game play
• 104 key keboard
• Blue LED backlit with Bright/Dim/Off selector through licensed patent

Extras:

• Sleek contemporary design
• Programmable command pad
• Adjustable LED backlighting
• Compatible with any pc environment
• Smart technology software
• Programmable command pad adds extended functionality in all game genres (and applications)

Keypad Features:

• Programmable pad for left- or right-handers adds extended functionality to keyboard game play in all game types
• 9 Easy-access buttons
• Shift buttons provide up to 27 programmable commands
• Backlighting enhances keypad for play in low light environments

The Keyboard:


The 104 gaming keyboard has keys that are quiet when used. So no 'clacking' noise when you are typing, or playing games. The wrist rest has several different positions, one to suit every taste. Or you can even remove it completely.


The keypad, and the entire keyboard has been given a blue backlight, which perfectly accents the whole key array. The key characters themselves do not light though. You can now turn off the room lights, and play the way games were intended. With the monitor light, and the keyboard only.


A dimmer for the keyboard light controls the backlight. In addition to the light button, theyÂ’re three other buttons located above the number pad. These are for on / off, up and down volume / sound buttons.


The Keypad (Command Pad):

This is a separate device with 9 number buttons, and two mode buttons. This plugs into the back of the keyboard with a 2 foot long cord. This is what separates this keyboard from others. The pad is completely programmable to suit each gamerÂ’s needs, games and preferences.




Software Setup:


The set up and software are easy to understand. The interface is user friendly, and completely changeable. The pad is programmable and has two shift modes, giving it the ability to issue up to 27 commands.

Load the software, and a screen comes up listing each button and the command it gives. To change it, highlight the button, and then press the keyboard key you want it to represent. You can also program multi-key or multi-action macros into a single key. This works for both simple games, and those with complex key combinations.





Once you program the keypad, you are not locked in forever due to complexity. You can have all your games with itÂ’s own separate .dat file for that particular games commands. Simply go into the Profile Editor, select the game, and it is running. When not in use the icon can be closed in the Systray easily by right clicking to shut down.

However, this keyboard is not only for games. It can be programmed to work with any application or program. The only downside is that while the keyboard works with any computer with a USB port, the software is only compatible with Windows 2000 and XP.


Pros:

• Provides an excellent keyboard that is top quality.
• Easy to use, and get accustomed to quickly.
• Gives a whole new avenue to gaming, and program applications.
• Has loads of options without being so complex that anyone can set it up.

Cons:

• Lettering on the keyboard does not far too well with regular use.
• The time it took to receive the product from Saitek.

Personal Ratings (scale of 1 - 5, w/ 5 being best):
*Ease of Installation – 4
*Cost vs. Worth – 5
*Documentation – 4 (Online Manual was far better and easier than paper instructions that came in *package.)
*Support – 1 (Explaination in conclusion.)

Conclusion:

This is a product that I would recommend to everyone who games. While I have tried many products this one is by far the easiest to use. This in conjunction with a good mouse can do all the functions of any bulky keyboard. In fact while playing, unless you are doing in game chat the keyboard can be moved out of your way.


The only problem I had with the Saitek Gamers Keyboard? I ordered it from Saitek. Never again will I order any of their products from them.

The order was placed on November 21^st. The items shipped on November 30^th, and I received it on December 6^th.When I emailed Customer Support at Saitek to inquire about the long delay, no reply was ever made. Had I ordered it from anywhere else (NewEgg.com, BizRate.com, TigerDirect.com, etc.), I could not have saved a few dollars, but it would have gotten to me in a matter of days. Not weeks.


So if I should need Customer Service or Support for this product, I feel that I would be out of luck. Which is something I will consider when looking at purchasing another Saitek product.

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Interesting Foe, nice review
I personally dont think that i'll ever use something like this. I dont even use my normal keypad when gaming let alone have another one that's programmable. In the heat of battle, taking my hand off the keyboard or mouse to hit a programmable button seems kinda wierd lol.
Must say though, the ability to have 27 programmable buttons on the keyboard is nice.....wonder if they'll release a split keyboard :-p

I've been looking at this keyboard, since its a relativly cheap illuminated keyboard, and it looks pretty cool and would match my system well. My question though. Are they normal full height keys? Is it a normal keyboard action too? Right now i have this. And it illuminates well and all, but the keys suck. Its not even that they're short, that i dont mind so much, but if you dont hit the keys close to center, they just wont go down, so keys on the outside tend to slow me down since im hitting the edges more and have to press harder or press again to get them down. Is this a normal keyboard keywise? Like the kind included with any sort of dell or compaq, or any other normal keyboard you'd buy?

Sweeeet review.......10/10
The detail in the review is top Notch

Nice review Foe! Now if I can verify that it will work with RTCW: ET then I will be on the way to the store soon.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bane Interesting Foe, nice review I personally dont think that i'll ever use something like this. I dont even use my normal keypad when gaming let alone have another one that's programmable. In the heat of battle, taking my hand off the keyboard or mouse to hit a programmable button seems kinda wierd lol. Must say though, the ability to have 27 programmable buttons on the keyboard is nice.....wonder if they'll release a split keyboard :-p

You use the keypad instead of the keyboard while playing. In fact I move my keyboard completely out of the way while gaming. Makes for more space to get that all important frag.

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyno01 I've been looking at this keyboard, since its a relativly cheap illuminated keyboard, and it looks pretty cool and would match my system well. My question though. Are they normal full height keys? Is it a normal keyboard action too? Right now i have this. And it illuminates well and all, but the keys suck. Its not even that they're short, that i dont mind so much, but if you dont hit the keys close to center, they just wont go down, so keys on the outside tend to slow me down since im hitting the edges more and have to press harder or press again to get them down. Is this a normal keyboard keywise? Like the kind included with any sort of dell or compaq, or any other normal keyboard you'd buy?

The keyboard alone is worth the money. It is a good weight, and the keys are quiet. And yes it is a standard keyboard in size a s well as layout. The Price range: $46.00 - $59.99 currently.

Thank you Thrasher!

godfoot
Yes it works with RTCW: ET. So far I have found no games or applications you cannot configure it to work with. And the separate profiles for each makes it simple to select.

How can you play with just 11 buttons on the keypad?
I use so many when playing any game such as Counter-strike, or WoW.
Pretty much any game I play requires more keys than that.

If it only came in a natural version. Good review, Foe.

Quote: Originally Posted by fatsobob How can you play with just 11 buttons on the keypad? I use so many when playing any game such as Counter-strike, or WoW. Pretty much any game I play requires more keys than that.

fatsobob
The keypad has 9 number buttons, and two mode buttons. This can be utilized to issue up to 27 commands. If you use more than 27 keys on the keyboard then you are extremely talented!

Thanks BA! Coming from you that is most definately a compliment.

Well with WoW, you have 12 hotkeys across the top from 1 to =.
That right there is 12.
Than there are the various keyboard shortcuts and the wsad to control and the q and e for turning when you dont wanna use your mouse.
In the end, there are more than 27 for WoW.

Knew there was more than one reason I did not play that game, or any other MMO.

It is a very fun game, but if you arent willing to accept the consequences of playing them, such as no social life, no fresh air, no human contact other than people bugging you, than I do not advise this game.
And most of all, DO NOT play this game with infants, theres plenty of proof of that.
Right now, I play so much because it is summer and I always have 1 mmo game to occupy my summer to make it more fun.
WoW was a good choice for me.

Very nice review, they also improved on the lighting in the next version, but no extra keypad.

If you looking at getting this keyboard for the illumination check out their eclipse version, the light actually illuminates through the symbols on the Keys as well as around: also on sale at newegg for 39+shipping!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823175103

Quote: Originally Posted by PokenHopen Very nice review, they also improved on the lighting in the next version, but no extra keypad. If you looking at getting this keyboard for the illumination check out their eclipse version, the light actually illuminates through the symbols on the Keys as well as around: also on sale at newegg for 39+shipping! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...C-pr1c3grabb3r

While that is true of the lighting on this it is only the keyboard, and not the Gamer's keypad set.

Quote: Originally Posted by PokenHopen Very nice review, they also improved on the lighting in the next version, but no extra keypad. If you looking at getting this keyboard for the illumination check out their eclipse version, the light actually illuminates through the symbols on the Keys as well as around: also on sale at newegg for 39+shipping! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823175103

Does it come in silver?

ordered one yesterday after reading your review from newegg. order's already done processing so should be at my apartment when I get back from the Navy

Quote: Originally Posted by Enko ordered one yesterday after reading your review from newegg. order's already done processing so should be at my apartment when I get back from the Navy

Awesome Enko! I think you will be pleased with this product.

just got the shipment email. glad i saw your warning and didn't order it from saitek.

Quote: Originally Posted by Enko just got the shipment email. glad i saw your warning and didn't order it from saitek.

I never order from the OEM if i can get it from the egg. Or even frozencpu or xoxide.

i went and picked one up at Compsa yesterday for 59.00.

ya this baby does have some good weight. i wish there was some type of better color scheme to choose from. guess im going to have to do some modding.

great reveiw. i havent played with the mod settings yet. dont know if i will, but it is a great KB.