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Showing 1 of 1317 conversations about:
TKOP
47
Apr 12, 2015
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So, these look ridiculously a lot like Corsair keyboards. I can't really see why I should get these over theirs.
Sartorialism
44
Apr 12, 2015
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TKOPI can think of at least five reasons:
The price difference - though of course there's a reason for that. The standardised bottom row, so you can use custom keycaps. The white keycaps. Due to the above, you'll have a very hard time finding white backlit keycaps to fit the whole board of a Corsair RGB. The silver case. Presumably these blue switches replecate Cherry MX Blues - Corsair RGBs only come in browns or reds.
The price difference - though of course there's a reason for that. The standardised bottom row, so you can use custom keycaps. The white keycaps. Due to the above, you'll have a very hard time finding white backlit keycaps to fit the whole board of a Corsair RGB. The silver case. Presumably these blue switches replecate Cherry MX Blues - Corsair RGBs only come in browns or reds.
Rath
85
Apr 12, 2015
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TKOPOne reason would be price, considering at the best price point this costs half what you would pay for the K70 RGB, but I own one of the Corsair keyboards that this appears to be (outwardly) cloned from. What jumps out at me about this is while the specs state "RGB Programmable LED backlighting," I see no mention of _how_ the backlighting is configured. Software? Firmware? Both? Driver support for Mac? Linux?
Above in the description, it states "6 modes of programmable RGB lighting" which suggests to me that the backlighting is not programmable at all, but that you can switch between six pre-configured settings on the keyboard itself. Of course if this is not actually programmable then no software is required.
Even if the backlighting is actually programmable, bear in mind that 'programmable' does not necessarily mean that it can be animated, as with the Corsair, which boasts a display controller of some description which allows it to animate fluidly (more or less) without requiring the software to be constantly telling it what to do. It also allows you to save your color configuration onboard, allowing you to use the keyboard with color-lit keys on a system where you don't (or can't) have the software installed.
Not to say that the Corsair is perfect - it has a lot of bugs and strange design decisions in the software - but every key is individually programmable (and can be animated on Windows) and it works for the most part, even on Mac and Linux (which is a requirement for me since I use multiple operating systems for development).
Above in the description, it states "6 modes of programmable RGB lighting" which suggests to me that the backlighting is not programmable at all, but that you can switch between six pre-configured settings on the keyboard itself. Of course if this is not actually programmable then no software is required.
Even if the backlighting is actually programmable, bear in mind that 'programmable' does not necessarily mean that it can be animated, as with the Corsair, which boasts a display controller of some description which allows it to animate fluidly (more or less) without requiring the software to be constantly telling it what to do. It also allows you to save your color configuration onboard, allowing you to use the keyboard with color-lit keys on a system where you don't (or can't) have the software installed.
Not to say that the Corsair is perfect - it has a lot of bugs and strange design decisions in the software - but every key is individually programmable (and can be animated on Windows) and it works for the most part, even on Mac and Linux (which is a requirement for me since I use multiple operating systems for development).
JamesCobalt
35
Apr 12, 2015
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TKOPI haven't seen a Corsair keyboard with a brushed chassis, white shine-through keycaps, RGB backlighting, and numpad. If they have one, please point me in the right direction. I've been looking for such a keyboard for ages- but with brown switches.
Rath
85
Apr 12, 2015
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JamesCobaltI'm not sure if you're not aware of this or if it just doesn't completely meet your needs:
http://www.corsair.com/en/landing/k70-rgb
✓ Brushed aluminum chassis (black) ✓ Shine-through keycaps ✘ White keycaps ✓ RGB Backlighting ✓ Number pad ✓ Brown switches
http://www.corsair.com/en/landing/k70-rgb
✓ Brushed aluminum chassis (black) ✓ Shine-through keycaps ✘ White keycaps ✓ RGB Backlighting ✓ Number pad ✓ Brown switches
QuickLime
17
Apr 12, 2015
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JamesCobaltIt's a much darker, yet still brushed finish. The K70 RGB (K95 also applies but has a large macro section that's quite unappealing IMO). I'm not sure what you mean by "white shine-through keycaps", but you can always replace them if you need other ones.
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/vengeance-k70-rgb-fully-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-anodized-black-cherry-mx-brown
Sartorialism
44
Apr 12, 2015
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QuickLimeCorsair boards do not have a standard bottom row. So you can not replace the whole set of keycaps easily, let alone with a white backlight set which is rare itself. Believe me, i've tried.
Jalucian
133
Apr 12, 2015
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SartorialismNot true. I have a blue switched RBG Corsair in my closet and I got mine when they first came out. Not sure why you think Corsair doesn't offer them in Cherry MX Blues...they do. Or at least *did* at one point.
Sartorialism
44
Apr 12, 2015
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JalucianYes, they *did* at one point. A very very short period, in North America only when the keyboard was initially released. Very few were made even then due to the issues Cherry had in supplying blue RGB switches and they were officially discontinued ages ago: http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showpost.php?p=751211&postcount=86
If you don't use it, sell it and you could make a killing.
If you don't use it, sell it and you could make a killing.
QuickLime
17
Apr 12, 2015
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SartorialismI'm not saying it'd be easy, but if you order blanks from WASD you could do it through ordering individual keys or maybe as a set if they have the correct sizes available together, I've got to believe there's at least *some* demand for them, considering the popularity of them.
xWakizashi
0
Apr 12, 2015
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JalucianI may buy it from you seriously, what keyboard layout and key switch is it?
Sartorialism
44
Apr 12, 2015
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QuickLimeExcept WASD, or anywhere else, don't offer individual backlight compatible keycaps. Even if you compromised and just had some individual blank normal white keycaps from WASD for the Windows/FN keys........you still won't be able to find a spacebar that fits.
Easterhands
4
Apr 12, 2015
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SartorialismIt's funny, this keyboard looks like what I want my Corsair to look like. https://imgur.com/a/O1bkJ I don't mind the red lights or the black bottom row though.
JamesCobalt
35
Apr 13, 2015
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QuickLimeThanks, QuickLime, but from what I understand, the K70 has a non-standard bottom row, so replacement shine-through keycaps would be an issue. I'd consider it otherwise, even though I'd strongly prefer a more natural brushed steel/aluminum case. All my current components are white, chrome, or steel. Going for that hospital / anal-retentive aesthetic.
QuickLime
17
Apr 13, 2015
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JamesCobaltYeah I understand that. This one does look really great, especially for the price. GL!
Jalucian
133
Apr 25, 2015
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EleminoIt would have to be significantly above retail, because it's brand new minus 2 weeks of use and they apparently no longer make them in blue switches, so it's already a collector's item. I didn't realize they had stopped offering blue when I first posted that.
Jalucian
133
Apr 25, 2015
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tuziiApparently they no longer make them with blue switches. I didn't realize this. If that's true, that means it's already a collector's item. Someone else also asked, but I am not sure if I want to let it go if I have one of very few blues ever made.
TofuWarrior
14
Jun 30, 2015
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RathHi Rath, I'd suggest checking out this video:
Confirms that this does indeed have fully programmable key backlighting, each can be set to a different color and saved to one of the 6 modes which are controlled with Fn+the six keys above the arrow keys. Admittedly not the greatest way to accomplish it, but I personally like the idea of not having to mess around in software, this way seems more tactile. And there are indeed various modes of fade/wave/burst effects, controlled by an onboard controller as you stated. Overall the backlight control seems very akin to the Razer Blackwidow Chroma, though I of course do not know about the 16.8mil color feature on the Razer. I'd also advise taking my comment with a grain of salt, I'm simply relaying my findings. Hope this helps.
Confirms that this does indeed have fully programmable key backlighting, each can be set to a different color and saved to one of the 6 modes which are controlled with Fn+the six keys above the arrow keys. Admittedly not the greatest way to accomplish it, but I personally like the idea of not having to mess around in software, this way seems more tactile. And there are indeed various modes of fade/wave/burst effects, controlled by an onboard controller as you stated. Overall the backlight control seems very akin to the Razer Blackwidow Chroma, though I of course do not know about the 16.8mil color feature on the Razer. I'd also advise taking my comment with a grain of salt, I'm simply relaying my findings. Hope this helps.
Rath
85
Jul 3, 2015
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TofuWarriorHey, thanks for the info. Personally, I would term that 'Semi-Configurable' rather than 'Programmable' and my objection to it is mainly that they are (or were prior to that video) unclear about how it works -- it's easy to misinterpret their terminology.
My only criticism now is that programming each key individually would be extremely tedious, especially if it happens to 'forget' your settings if unplugged (at all or for any length of time). That, and the fact that you're limited to preset colors and you can't choose _exactly_ the color you want. That alone makes me prefer the Corsair, which I already own anyway.
All that said, as long as you understand what it actually does and does not do, it looks to me like it's a good value compared to other similar options.
My only criticism now is that programming each key individually would be extremely tedious, especially if it happens to 'forget' your settings if unplugged (at all or for any length of time). That, and the fact that you're limited to preset colors and you can't choose _exactly_ the color you want. That alone makes me prefer the Corsair, which I already own anyway.
All that said, as long as you understand what it actually does and does not do, it looks to me like it's a good value compared to other similar options.
Beralious
36
Jul 3, 2015
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RathI just got the keyboard in and setting all they keys to a custom color only took about 5-10 minutes max depending on how complicated you make the design, it seems tedious but it goes quicker than you would think when you start doing it.
TofuWarrior
14
Jul 3, 2015
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RathA few others on here have confirmed that the keyboard saves your config to onboard memory when unplugged, and will even remember what mode you were in. I can't atest to the tedious nature of setting the color scheme(as I don't have they keyboard yet), but I personally like the idea of setting the colors independent of any software, this way you don't have to be looking back and forth between the screen and keyboard, you don't even need your screen on. Plus, if you swap computers or do a reformat, you won't have to reinstall said software.
Rath
85
Jul 5, 2015
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TofuWarriorI don't mean to keep harping on my preference for the Corsair. I'm in favor of competition, and I'm not trying to bring anyone around to my way of thinking or make anyone feel like they made a poor choice. I originally commented on this keyboard only because I thought that the description they had for it was misleading at best, and someone might get the wrong idea about its capabilities.
In response to your comments, I installed the software for the K70 once and stored my settings in onboard memory. In the several months since then I've moved the keyboard between different computers and even had it unplugged for a week or two. I don't think I even have the original Windows installation with the software installed on it, and my color settings are still intact. I don't anticipate needing to install it again unless I want to change colors. Nor did I need to look back and forth when configuring it, since the software displays a visual representation of the keyboard and its color settings on screen. If I remember correctly you sort of 'paint' the colors onto the keys. Why you would want to configure keyboard settings with your screen off I have no idea =)
Of course if I could do all that without ever needing to install software in the first place it would be better (particularly because the software can be buggy), but it's impractical to make something as configurable as the K70 without using a software interface at all. The number of times you would need to tap each key to select an exact color would be prohibitive.
In any case, good luck with your new keyboard!
In response to your comments, I installed the software for the K70 once and stored my settings in onboard memory. In the several months since then I've moved the keyboard between different computers and even had it unplugged for a week or two. I don't think I even have the original Windows installation with the software installed on it, and my color settings are still intact. I don't anticipate needing to install it again unless I want to change colors. Nor did I need to look back and forth when configuring it, since the software displays a visual representation of the keyboard and its color settings on screen. If I remember correctly you sort of 'paint' the colors onto the keys. Why you would want to configure keyboard settings with your screen off I have no idea =)
Of course if I could do all that without ever needing to install software in the first place it would be better (particularly because the software can be buggy), but it's impractical to make something as configurable as the K70 without using a software interface at all. The number of times you would need to tap each key to select an exact color would be prohibitive.
In any case, good luck with your new keyboard!
viper474
59
Jul 5, 2015
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RathFor me, it's quite beneficial to not be required to use software to configure this. Often times companies don't code their software to be cross-platform compatible. Therefore, for someone like me using Linux as my preferred operating system, it's a plus whenever I can configure something through means of the hardware itself. While it may be tedious, it really only needs to be done once. Shouldn't be a terrible experience, but I do see the convenience for those that prefer to configure things through software means.
Rath
85
Jul 5, 2015
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viper474Agreed. I still say it's impractical though. The K70 advertises 16.7m colors. I doubt that it actually works out to quite that many actual discrete colors visually, but even if it was only equivalent to 16bit, that's still 65535 presses per key to attain all possible colors.
Incidentally, there is apparently an unofficial Linux driver available for the k70 now on github.
Incidentally, there is apparently an unofficial Linux driver available for the k70 now on github.
TofuWarrior
14
Jul 5, 2015
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RathNot at all, I don't feel you were harping on anything. I agree with you that the description can be misleading.
Interesting, I simply assumed that everything was saved in the software. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, the K70 is much higher end than the E-Element. I see what you mean by not looking back and forth. I was referring to the fact that onscreen you have a visual representation of the color scheme, but you still have to look at the keyboard from time to time to make sure the colors are pleasing to the eye once you have it layed out. Either way, I think we can both agree that the software route is better for more technical aspects and doing layouts quickly, whereas the method used on the E-Element is more tactile, as you see the colors change as you press them. As for the screen, it's purely an eventuality thing. You may not ever need to, but it's a nice feature to have. I could say the same of a heavy duty braided cable on something that rarely moves in most circumstances, but that's just me. :)
I agree with that. While I have seen that the Corsair software is extremely confusing compared to something like Razer Synapse, it has vast capabilities.
Interesting, I simply assumed that everything was saved in the software. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, the K70 is much higher end than the E-Element. I see what you mean by not looking back and forth. I was referring to the fact that onscreen you have a visual representation of the color scheme, but you still have to look at the keyboard from time to time to make sure the colors are pleasing to the eye once you have it layed out. Either way, I think we can both agree that the software route is better for more technical aspects and doing layouts quickly, whereas the method used on the E-Element is more tactile, as you see the colors change as you press them. As for the screen, it's purely an eventuality thing. You may not ever need to, but it's a nice feature to have. I could say the same of a heavy duty braided cable on something that rarely moves in most circumstances, but that's just me. :)
I agree with that. While I have seen that the Corsair software is extremely confusing compared to something like Razer Synapse, it has vast capabilities.
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