Saitek Eclipse Review

Overall Rating

Nice black outline with Silver keys
The keys are laser etched to show letters clearly
Adjustable key back lighting
Volume buttons and Bright/Dim/Off selector
Nice, easy key strokes
Durable, and has lasted me years with no defects or glitches
Nice cosmetic looks (stylish design)
Heavy keyboard with rubber pads, prevents slipping.
Detachable and adjustable wrist rest
No annoying Power off buttons!!

No multimedia buttons (play, pause, stop, etc)
No wireless option (if you like wireless)

The Saitek Eclipse Keyboard (not the Eclipse II), is an outstanding keyboard, It has been a pleasure to have owned this keyboard, and I still have the same keyboard connected to my secondary computer, satisfied to say, its working as well and looking just as good as it did, when I first tried it!

I have tried various keyboards over the years, bog standard cheap-o keyboards, to the Creative wireless keyboard which was not very successful- missing characters, and required you to change the batteries too often, however this Eclipse keyboard by Saitek has none of those faults, it feels perfect to type with (smooth keystrokes, none of that sticking and cheap clunky feeling that other keyboards can have), doesn't miss a character, great for gaming!, This keyboard has an exceptional build quality (no creaking sounds).

The background lights show through the laser etched letters on the keys (fantastic for using during dark condition), the background lights can be dimmed to three different setting (bright, low, off), and is available in two different background light colours, Red and Blue, the background light prevents clumsily fumbling around trying to find the right keys when playing games in a low light conditions.

The wrist rest can be removed and is adjustable, this is useful if you spend a lot of time typing, or just simply you don't like the rests you can remove and store it away. The keyboard does not come in a wireless version, but to me I don't really see the point as they are fiddly devices which can cause interference with some electronics, plus as stated above requiring recharging or new batteries on a regular basis, (depends if you like wireless or not).

Unfortunately this keyboard does not include any multimedia function buttons such as 'skip, forward, back, stop' this can be a slight pain for those who like these functions on a keyboard, thankfully they have added these to their latest keyboard the "Saitek Ecipse II" which I will be reviewing shortly. There are no other buttons such as email, desktop short keys, etc, and most importantly no Annoying Power Off buttons! - as this keyboard is aimed at the computer gaming market, such keys just get in the way and are extremely annoying when pressed during the heat of a battle! - To me it was a good decision by Saiteks, not to include such buttons. (This may put off some people, but trust me this is a quality keyboard and you soon learn to compromise, for such a quality feel)

The keyboard is heavy which is a good thing, as it combines weight with rubber feet, these aspects prevent the keyboards from moving around your desk, another nice touch by Saitek!

This keyboard is simple to install, plug it in and away you go!

Conclusion:

I am extremely impressed with the Saitek Eclipse Keyboard and in fact I have purchased their second edition the "Saitek eclipse II" which is a remarkable improvement!

During my years of using this keyboard, not once has a key got stuck, or fallen off, the keyboard has remained in position during gaming and hasn't let me down yet!, the feel when pressing the keys is pure heaven, soft, gentle but not so much that you don't know you have pressed it.

I now consider Saitek to be a fantastic computer keyboard manufacturer which caters for computer gamers, and gives them exactly what they want and more importantly, nothing they don't!

I would recommend this keyboard to anyone who wants a quality, well made gaming keyboard, that said, I would advise that you spend a bit more and upgrade to the "Saitek eclipse II"!