Review Item:

eluminX
Illuminated Keyboard

Date:
28 - May - 2003

Manufacturer:
Auravision LLC

Supplier:
Auravision LLC

Cost:
$99.95

Reviewer:
Chad

Introduction

It's now time for our 10th review, sniff, sniff, the big 1, 0, anyway jokes aside lets get on with this review. Today we have the privilege of reviewing the "Eluminx(TM) Illuminated Keyboard". Some of you may or may not have heard of it, but even if you have heard of it before please continue reading on, so I can tell you about it.

For those of you who have not heard of this product before, the EluminX(TM) Illuminated Keyboard, is a computer keyboard with internal luminescence or lighting. It eliminates the glare from task lighting, eases eyestrain, and makes the keys easy to see. It is a perfect solution for late night web surfers, gamers, and computer users (As stated on EluminX's website). Launched in the latter half of 2002 by Auravision LLC, it is the first commercially available computer keyboard that remains totally visible even in dark or low-lit workspaces. This technology was first utilized in ruggedized laptops for military use where computing efficiently at nighttime or in low-lit environments is crucial for survival. Sounds great!

The keyboard came packaged in a regular keyboard box, wrapped in bubble wrap, and surrounded on both ends by cardboard.

Here's what was included in the box:

1 - Keyboard
1 - Instruction & Warranty Manual

Now upon removing the keyboard from its box you realize a few things right away. For one it is not as heavy as other keyboards, and two, it feels a lot thinner than a regular keyboard. After removing the bubble wrap, on closer inspection, you would come to realize that the layout of the keyboard is a lot different that your regular keyboard. Everything is a lot more compact, and the space between the major sets of keys, and the top row of keys (Esc - Pause/Break), is now non-existent.

Come to think of it now, the keyboard is basically the same as a laptop keyboard in terms of the layout. The only difference there is, is that there are the number keys on the far right, just like a regular keyboard, and there are none on the laptop. Actually the more I think of it, the more this keyboard is like a laptop's keys. They are just as thin, and they make the same sounds as, well at least my laptop's, keys. The noise part can be attibuted to the shorter key stroke than that of a regular keyboard. So in more ways than one, the keyboard is more like a laptop's keys than a regular keyboard.

The keys themselves are unlike my laptop's keys though. These are transparent, which allows the light to be able to glow through them.

On the back of the keyboard there is a warning, something like the Surgeon Generals Warning for cigarettes, but this if for keyboards.
"WARNING Typing in awkward positions or for long periods may cause Repetitive Stress Injuries or related injuries". Take heed!

Features
High Quality
104 keys
12 function keys
Slim ergo curve design
Illumination Color: Aqua Marine
Fully compatible with PS2
Laser printing keycaps for longer wear
Keyboard dimension: 420(L)*156(W)*16(H)mm
Works with: Windows 95/98/2000/XP/NT/ME, IBM PC
MTBF : + 60,000 hours

Now anyone care to guess how many years 60,000 hours works out to? Well let me tell you...
60,000 / 24 (hours per day) = 2,500 Days.
2,500 / 365 (days per year) = 6.85 Years
I don't know who's computer will be on for 1 years straight, much less 6.85 years, certainly not mine.

Installation
The Instruction & Warranty Manual suggests that the computer is shut down before plugging and unplugging a PS/2 connector.

The keyboard connects to your PC using the same PS/2 port as your regular keyboard does. The manual states that the keyboard has the ability to work with a USB adapter, though it is not included. There is no special way to connecting this keyboard. Unplug your old keyboard, and plug the EluminX keyboard into the same port, and that is it. There are no additional cables to connect for the keyboard to be illuminated, the PS/2 port powers everything.

One thing that you would come to realize is that, as long as the keyboard is plugged in and the PC is turned on, the keyboard will always light up. Even if you are in a lit area, you should be able to see a subtle difference in the color of the keys, from when the pc is off, to when it is on.
Although the darker the area, the easier you will be able to see the illuminated keys.

Now as I said above, the key setup is quite different to that of a regular keyboard. So you must understand it takes some getting used to. Even though it is a bit similar to that of my laptop, it's still not the same. The most difficult part to get used to is the keys that have move, like the arrow keys, the Home, Delete, Page Up etc. Being so to the Backspace, Enter, Shift keys, a slip of the finger can do more than what you needed. So it takes a while to get used to them, as with anything practice makes perfect.

The picture above shows the light when the lights are off, but there is still a tiny bit of sunlight coming through. It looks good, but I need the sun to set a little faster.

Finally the room is in complete darkness, and the keys look great! This is perfect for those late nights surfing the net. I can see the keys, without the need for any additional lighting.

Here is a closeup of the keys

One thing that I would like to see in another version of this keyboard is for the part that holds the key to the keyboard to be made of a more transparent material. When you are looking directly down on the keys, you can partially make out the lettering on the key. Its not that you are not able to see the lettering of the key at all, it's just that it's a little difficult. This is not really an issue though. What would be a nice added feature is if the lettering is printed with a luminescent material, so when the lighting is on, the lettering glows. That would be awesome!

Just a comment: Strangely I find myself searching for the Delete key in an area where it is located on no keyboard I have ever used. Odd!

Conclusion
What can I say about this keyboard? What can't I say about it? This is a great keyboard. After a few days of use I have gotten quite familiar with the layout of the keys. The illumination feature is great. After playing around with it during the day, and finally being able to type during the night without any lighting, I adore this keyboard.

Aside for the lack of adjustable feet on the bottom, this keyboard is great. I have even come to like typing without the added height. I hope this will not pose any long term problems, I doubt it. (Obviously I am not heeding to the warning). In another version of this keyboard, I would like to see some added keys, internet keys, and other functions, making this an overall unbeatable keyboard.

I don't think I can use the word great in describing this keyboard again, but it is an excellent product. It seems very well built and after a few of my own "Wild Tests", there was not a screw loose, nor edge broken. I really do like the idea of the transparent keys, with the illumination feature. EluminX says there will be a few more different illumination colors in the future. The one being reviewed was sapphire, and as the pictures show, they look great in the dark. Other illuminated colors to come are, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Citrine, Amethyst, and Crystal, an excellent array of colors.

The future looks bright with eluminX!

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