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AURAVISION EluminX Illuminated Keyboard ? Black Case / Sapphire Illumination

AURAVISION EluminX Illuminated Keyboard ? Black Case / Sapphire Illumination

List Price: $79.95
Your Price: $65.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: impressive!
Review: At first glance it looks like a conventional keyboard, though slimmer and slightly more compact, but the feel of the keys is simply outstanding. It has great tactile feedback and feels very solid. The electroluminescent glow is terrific for working on those late night papers and term projects in dim light. This is the same EL technology used on military hardware! On the downside, there is no on/off switch for the illumination, and no tilting legs found on standard keyboards. My typing speed and accuracy has actually improved using the Eluminx keyboard. There are many cheap imitation illuminated keyboards on the market, but this product is definitely well worth the few extra dollars. If you're a college student and crank out a lot of papers, this keyboard should be your first choice!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: impressive!
Review: At first glance it looks like a conventional keyboard, though slimmer and slightly more compact, but the feel of the keys is simply outstanding. It has great tactile feedback and feels very solid. The electroluminescent glow is terrific for working on those late night papers and term projects in dim light. This is the same EL technology used on military hardware! On the downside, there is no on/off switch for the illumination, and no tilting legs found on standard keyboards. My typing speed and accuracy has actually improved using the Eluminx keyboard. There are many cheap imitation illuminated keyboards on the market, but this product is definitely well worth the few extra dollars. If you're a college student and crank out a lot of papers, this keyboard should be your first choice!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Nice keyboard, but not for everyone.
Review: Before buying this keyboard through Amazon, I researched two other models, and based on what I read, I determined that this would be the best of the three due to its higher-quality build construction and larger keys and overall larger layout. After having used it every day for 4 months now, here are my impressions:


This keyboard took some getting used to. While the keys and layout are larger than a laptop's, the feel of the keys is very similar to a laptop's as far as how the keys feel when depressing them. Not a bad thing really, but I much prefer the feel of a regular standard keyboard. Unfortunately, as of this writing, there are no standard-type keyboards available with illumination.


And speaking of illumination, I am extremely satisfied with the illumination provided here. It's not terribly bright, so you won't really notice it when you have other room lights on. But when you're in a dark room, this thing looks just stunning and for my purposes, it provides just the exact right amount of light. If it were much brighter, it would be more of a distraction. The illumination is nice and even, and I've gotten several comments on how beautiful it looks.


I've read elsewhere about electrical interference and a high-pitched buzzing. I worried about this until I actually got mine. I noticed absolutely none of that interference or noise, so I can't imagine what the problem might be for those folks. I've used cordless phones nearby and have played games through the PC speakers, and got none of the whine I'd heard of. It's still functioning perfectly, and there have been many times I've left it on for days at a time.


The keyboard derives its power right through the PS2 connection. You install it simply by plugging it in as you would any other keyboard. That's it. There's no on/off switch, but then again you don't really need one. The manufacturer claims 10,000 hours lfe expectancy for the illumination, and I've got no reason to doubt it. There is no drawback that I can see to having it lit all the time. It never gets warm. I've just never had a single problem with this thing, other than the getting used to it part, which took me about 3 weeks of daily use until I got used to the amount of pressure required on the keys. It's about as sensitive as a regular keyboard, but you don't have to push down as far on the key. The entire board lays completely flat. So to sum up, I think once an initial adjustment has been made, I think most folks will grow to love this board, and if nighttime illumination is important (I play games like "Thief: The Dark Project" at night with all the lights off, which was my personal motivation for buying this), this board is the best there is. And it adds a stunning look to your system as a side-benefit. It is not cheap, but it has never malfunctioned, and is not cheaply made. It feels the same today as when I bought it new 4 months ago. I'm very pleased with it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Emits too much electrical interference
Review: I bought this keyboard just to try it, but I had no idea I'd face the problems I've seen. First, the board emits a high pitched whining sound, almost like a very high speed fan, but it doesn't have one of course. This does get annoying, believe me. Beyond that, I CANNOT type on this keyboard and be on the phone with a headset (very important for me). At first I didn't understand why I was getting a horrible buzz on the line until I moved my hands off the keyboard! This keyboard leaks so much interference (or whatever you call it) that just having my hand within its field was, literally, electrifying. Horrible electrical engineering design on this board.

Finally, the layout is very odd. 1) There are two "\" keys; one in the normal place above the ENTER key, but the other is right under your thumb next to the space bar (where the ALT key is normally placed). Instead, the left ALT key is this tiny little key with a "\" key next to it for absolutely no reason. This make one-handed copy/paste/undo operations very uncomfortable. 2) The right ALT key is right where it should be: next to the space bar, but that's inconsistent with the other ALT key. 3) The "INSERT" key is next to the right "CRTL" key, which means you'll be entering "insert" mode far more often than you want. Very annoying. Bottom line: There's no logic behind the layout of this board!

The board is *physically* comfortable to type on, but it's no where near worth the hassle, bad layout, buzz and electrical interference. It's going back ASAP!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Emits too much electrical interference
Review: I bought this keyboard just to try it, but I had no idea I'd face the problems I've seen. First, the board emits a high pitched whining sound, almost like a very high speed fan, but it doesn't have one of course. This does get annoying, believe me. Beyond that, I CANNOT type on this keyboard and be on the phone with a headset (very important for me). At first I didn't understand why I was getting a horrible buzz on the line until I moved my hands off the keyboard! This keyboard leaks so much interference (or whatever you call it) that just having my hand within its field was, literally, electrifying. Horrible electrical engineering design on this board.

Finally, the layout is very odd. 1) There are two "\" keys; one in the normal place above the ENTER key, but the other is right under your thumb next to the space bar (where the ALT key is normally placed). Instead, the left ALT key is this tiny little key with a "\" key next to it for absolutely no reason. This make one-handed copy/paste/undo operations very uncomfortable. 2) The right ALT key is right where it should be: next to the space bar, but that's inconsistent with the other ALT key. 3) The "INSERT" key is next to the right "CRTL" key, which means you'll be entering "insert" mode far more often than you want. Very annoying. Bottom line: There's no logic behind the layout of this board!

The board is *physically* comfortable to type on, but it's no where near worth the hassle, bad layout, buzz and electrical interference. It's going back ASAP!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: the light is kinda cool....
Review: I bought this keyboary about 6 months ago from a different website. Its pretty cool and the light function does work, however its almost impossible to see the keys light up with any kind of ambient light in the room. In other words, its very dim. This didnt really bother me because I do most of my gaming and typing in the dark (one of the reasons i bought it in the first place). Also, the keyboard is very small, like a laptop keyboard, so it will take some getting used to when typing. Ive used it for day to day typing and gaming and at first you have a tendency to hit the wrong keys but with use it becomes more natural.
Im not using it anymore though, with heavy day to day use and the round the clock gaming I do this keyboard has become quite dirty. And it is damn near impossible to clean. Some of the keys have begun to jam up because of it.
Still, if you want a keyboard that lights up for your LAN party or showpiece rig, its a decent keyboard. I dont recommend it for heavy day to day use though.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great for ambiance junkies..and for smaller work areas...
Review: I had this on my Amazon wish list just for fun. Since it was the only thing on my wish list for less than $100 (OK, for less than $600..why do you think it's called a wish list!), I scored it from a kind relative at Christmas.

It's a very good performer on all counts. Be advised that this is not a full size keyboard: it's probably somewhere between a standard keyboard and a laptop keyboard. I have big hands/fingers, and it accomodates them comfortably...more comfortably than a laptop keyboard does.

The light is very cool from an atmosphere perspective. The light is a soft blue-white, and just looks nice. Lighting power is provided by the PS2 connection, nothing extra required.

Ours resides on a small desk in a small spare bedroom, where an older computer sits for use by guests. It's smaller total footprint is appreciated in this workspace where real estate is at a premium.

It may cost about twice as much as a name-brand wired keyboard that is not illuminated...but it's easily twice as cool:-)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best lighted keyboard
Review: I have had this for about three months now and it is an amazing keyboard. Everyone that sees it is impressed with it. It is very quiet compared to most keyboards and feels much like a laptop keyboard. The only problem I see with it is there is no on/off switch for the lights. However, it does automatically dim down to off after fifteen minutes of inactivity.

If you want a lighted keyboard to be able to see in the dark, impress your friends, or match your modded case, this is the one for you. Right now it comes in silver or black with blue illumination, but if you want they are going to come out with other illumination colors.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 1 Year Old Eluminx
Review: I recieved this keyboard as a gift in Nov 2003. This keyboard is the s**t, no doubt. Haven't had anyone dislike it yet, everyone falls in love with it at first glance. Soon I am to purchase the matching Auravision Mouse, also with Sappphire illumination. Only probs with this thing is the laptop style keys, which are flat instead of being raised with a groove on top like a normal keyboard. Also it flickers when idle for ~10 minutes and my system is on. I belive it is the sub causing the problem. Barely audible whine from the EL setup, kinda like a watch, can only hear in totally silent room (which the silence will drive me crazy before the whine).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best illuminated keyboard I've seen!
Review: I'm personally very happy with this keyboard. it takes some getting used to but in the end is a winner!

The layout is a bit difficult to get use to at first. As was stated by previous reviewers it is bigger then a laptop keyboard, but has a similar feel, and layout. But after a couple days you should be able to get used to it.
Another thing that may bother some is the lack of travel on the keys, and the fact that there is very little "click" with each key stroke (again, similar to a laptop keyboard)...

I actually have found that I prefer the slimmer profile, and smaller amount of desk space taken up with this setup.

The illumination is great, which was the main buying point for me. It gives a nice nightlight like glow when burning the midnight oil to hit those deadlines (or when spending too much time, on your day off, being a late night caffeine burning computer geek).

Also of note: I've had no problem with the "hum" or "buzzing" that some speak of emitting from the unit, and I have plenty of odd electronic gadgets on my desk top that seem to cause no cross-interference for me (wireless, blue tooth, wi-fi, etc, etc.)

In summary. If you want an illuminated keyboard, right now, this is the best one I've seen. If you think you'll have problems adjusting to a bit of a different layout, a slightly smaller keyboard, along with the lack of key travel and "click". then you may want to stay away till someone makes a standard full-sized light up unit.


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