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| Keyboards are often overlooked when most people think about upgrading their computers. Gamers typically understand the value of a good keyboard, but often general computer users don't. The Eclipse II isn't Saitek's first foray into the keyboard market; they have also produced the original Eclipse and the PC Gamers Keyboard. How well does the new Eclipse II stand up to its older siblings and other keyboards on the market? Read on to find out. | ||
Review Verdict
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Essential Specs & Stats
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Eslipse Backlight
By Shane McGlaun, Contributing Editor
The backlighting is the most unique feature of the Saitek Eclipse II. Unlike the other backlight keyboards on the market, such as the Logitech G15, the Eclipse II allows you to choose from three different backlight colors including red, blue and purple. To further enhance the backlighting Saitek also included a full dimmer control. Normally with backlit keyboards you get to choose from one or two preset light levels, with Saitek the adjustment is infinite between full on and off. The light also comes through the laser etched keytops as well, not just the space between the keys.  This is how the Saitek Eclipse II compares to the G15 physically. Remark: Google Video did a somewhat poor job in converting the video. The backlight is evenly distributed across the keyboard.  These are all 104 keys of the Saitek Eclipse II. Saitek included a large removable wrist rest with the Eclipse II that makes working with the keyboard more comfortable. It is also easy to remove for those who don't like wrist rests at all. To further improve comfort and adjustability, Saitek included tabs to allow you to adjust the angle on the bottom of the Eclipse II. While tabs to adjust the angle are not uncommon on keyboards, Saitek went one step further and used a system of a tab inside a tab to allow you to get more or less of an angle to suit your needs.  You can easily detach the wrist rest.  With many using their computers for movie watching and music playback, Saitek also included the common media controls on the Eclipse II. You get three media keys for controlling volume, forward and reverse as well as play/pause and stop. You also get the standard 104 key layout as well.
Gaming with the Eclipse IIGaming with the Eclipse II was good. Unlike some gaming keyboards on the market, the Eclipse II doesn't have anything, other than the backlighting, that is really aimed at gamers. However, it is still a good keyboard for gaming. If you like lots of macros and gaming shortcuts, you might want to go with the Logitech G15 instead. The Eclipse II is sort of a minimalist gaming keyboard. To me backlighting is an essential component of a gaming keyboard. Like many gamers I prefer to game in a dark environment. Non-backlit keyboards make that very difficult to do. However, one of my few gripes with the Eclipse II has to do with the backlighting. Namely, I found it too dim for my tastes. The characters on the keytops just didn't glow as brightly as I had hoped they would. I also found that if I chose a color other than blue for the backlighting, like red for example, and shut the computer down the Eclipse II always reverts back to the default blue. While that certainly doesn't affect the usability of the keyboard, it was a bit irritating nonetheless. Final Thoughts on the Eclipse II After all is said and done with the Saitek Eclipse II, I like it very much. For me I see lots and lots of peripherals and frequently once I am done using them, they go into the big pile of stuff in my garage never to be used again. However, every now and then I like something enough for it to make the big leagues and wind up on my desk. I have been using the Eclipse II for several weeks now, and while I'd like it to be brighter, I have no major complaints about it. Typically I use a Logitech G15, which I have used for better than a year now. I have been looking for a replacement for the G15 as the lettering is wearing off the key tops. Currently the Eclipse II has booted the G15 from my desktop and I haven't missed all the extra stuff the G15 has one bit. I think I may have found the replacement for my beloved G15. |
 Saitek Eclipse II Keyboard Best Prices |
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Saitek Eclipse II Keyboard Best Prices |
