Introduction
Revoltec
is a German company, a subsidiary of Listan, specialising
in creating very cool enthusiast PC equipment.
Although a rather new found company, Revoltec
have became well known in the European market
during the past few years. A few years back, Revoltec
introduced a keyboard with EL backlight, the Lightboard
XL. The Lightboard XL was one of the first full
size 107 key keyboards which featured backlight,
and still the Lightboard XL series are of the
few full size keyboards with backlight available.
Only recently Revoltec introduced the second version
of the Lightboard XL, the Lightboard XL 2. There
aren’t any significant changes between the
two versions. Minor differences include better
quality, USB connection support and shortcut keys.
Manufacturer
specifications
Colour:
silver
Dimensions (L/W/H): 465 x 200 x 28 mm
Weight: 1 Kg
Layout: 104 + 6 Hotkeys
Connection: USB with PS2 adapter
We
received the silver version of the Lightboard
XL 2, but Revoltec also offer it in black and
white. Silver and black should cover most desktop
PC colour variations and the white keyboard could
be an interesting alternative for Mac users.
Packaging
and bundle
The
packaging of the Lightboard XL 2 is mostly clear,
something which is not common for a typical keyboard.
There is even a small hole on the clear plastic
top of the package for the potential buyer to
feel the keyboard keys before buying it. Revoltec
appears to be very sensitive concerning their
customers or extremely confident that the keyboard
has a great feeling. The bundle you will get with
the keyboard is tiny, you will only receive a
small manual and a drivers CD for users who are
using Windows 98.
The
Lightboard XL 2 looks much like a common full
size multimedia keyboard, save the clear white
keys. At the top of the keyboard, the Revoltec
logo and ‘tribal’ look shapes are
decorating the keyboard. The keyboard features
an USB connection but also has an USB to PS2 adapter.
The keys are shorter than those of a common keyboard,
rivalling x-type keyboards in terms of height
and stroke. We found the keys of the Lightboard
XL 2 excellent, providing a feel which an x-type
keyboard would very difficulty offer. The stroke
of the keys may be a millimetre or two longer,
but the return strength of the keys is one of
the best we’ve ever seen. This may make
you feel like you will need more strength to type
at first which would quickly result in tiredness,
but your fingers will get used to it after a day
or two in use. The return strength of the keys
makes them more responsive, a very good thing
for fast typing and gaming.
The
Lightboard XL 2 has six shortcut keys. They control
basic multimedia functions only. The three keys
to the left control the audio (up, down and mute)
and the three keys to the right control the playback
(play/pause, back and forward). There is also
a key to the right side of the keyboard, but this
is not a multimedia key, it is meant to turn the
keyboard lighting on and off. A nice detail of
the Lightboard XL 2 is that the three LED lights
at the top right side of the keyboard are blue
instead of the common green, which enhances the
overall appearance of it.
The
lighting of the Lightboard XL 2 is fantastic.
It is even throughout the whole keyboard area,
unlike cheap constructions which are brighter
at some areas and darker at others. Using the
Lightboard XL 2 in dark rooms and during the night
is going to make the end user love it.
Final
words and conclusion
The
Lightboard XL 2 is a superb keyboard overall.
The keyboard depth of play is excellent and the
backlight makes it even better in poor light conditions.
I used the Lightboard XL 2 to type for over 6
hours straight during a night and I had no strain.
The Lightboard XL 2 provides great value too,
since it costs only about 25€ throughout
EU countries. There is only a single negative
aspect that we could find about the Lightboard
XL 2, the keyboard chassis. The plastic chassis
feels too soft and weak and the keyboard makes
squeaking noises if forced. If someone tries to
twist it, it bends and could be damaged if forced.
That said, an aluminum chassis would make the
keyboard very expensive and a sturdy plastic chassis
would make it too thick and heavy, so the present
chassis is probably a good compromise between
the two.
We
present the Lightboard XL 2 with our Editor's
Choice Award, due to the extremely competitive
pricing.
What
do these awards mean?
