Looking for a good backlit mechanical keyboard
- Thread starter erazor51
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Got a Gigabyte Osmium a couple of months ago and I really love it. I don't have any experience with other mechanical keyboards so can't compare to those but it is a marked change from my old G15.
The volume wheel is actually one of the reasons I went for this one as using function keys etc put me off other keyboards. It works great although just like middle mouse button clicking the mute function is easier just assigning to a macro key. The backlight wheel works as you would expect.
The only issues I have had is one of the LEDs went out after a week or so, if it was a common key I would have got it exchanged but it is the * key on the keypad so I don't even notice. The backlight also doesn't turn off on the keyboard when my PC is powered off so I need to remember to turn it off before shutting down (you can't turn it off when the PC is off), if anyone knows a solution for this let me know
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The only thing I have done in the macro software is assign audio functions (play, next, mute etc) to the macro keys (which i don't think is possible on some other keyboards macro software) so i don't have to use function keys.
The volume wheel is actually one of the reasons I went for this one as using function keys etc put me off other keyboards. It works great although just like middle mouse button clicking the mute function is easier just assigning to a macro key. The backlight wheel works as you would expect.
The only issues I have had is one of the LEDs went out after a week or so, if it was a common key I would have got it exchanged but it is the * key on the keypad so I don't even notice. The backlight also doesn't turn off on the keyboard when my PC is powered off so I need to remember to turn it off before shutting down (you can't turn it off when the PC is off), if anyone knows a solution for this let me know
.The only thing I have done in the macro software is assign audio functions (play, next, mute etc) to the macro keys (which i don't think is possible on some other keyboards macro software) so i don't have to use function keys.
...The backlight also doesn't turn off on the keyboard when my PC is powered off so I need to remember to turn it off before shutting down (you can't turn it off when the PC is off), if anyone knows a solution for this let me know
I have had this happen twice since I've owned the Aivia Osmium, but on all other occasions the backlight has switched off automatically. Most motherboards still provide power to USB when switched off to support wake from USB. However I think the keyboard should be able to detect the shutdown and switch off the backlight. It would seem that, depending on your system/configuration, this does not always happen. On at least one of the occasions it happened to me, Windows was installing updates during the shutdown, which may be a factor.
My previous backlit keyboard, the BlackWidow Ultimate, never left the backlit on and so it would seem that the issue is with the shutdown logic/detection on the Gigabyte. When it happens the only workarounds are; switch of your PC at the PSU or socket, or to disconnect and reconnect the keyboard.
I have asked the Gigabyte Rep on this forum to take a look.
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Got a Gigabyte Osmium a couple of months ago and I really love it. I don't have any experience with other mechanical keyboards so can't compare to those but it is a marked change from my old G15.
The volume wheel is actually one of the reasons I went for this one as using function keys etc put me off other keyboards. It works great although just like middle mouse button clicking the mute function is easier just assigning to a macro key. The backlight wheel works as you would expect.
The only issues I have had is one of the LEDs went out after a week or so, if it was a common key I would have got it exchanged but it is the * key on the keypad so I don't even notice. The backlight also doesn't turn off on the keyboard when my PC is powered off so I need to remember to turn it off before shutting down (you can't turn it off when the PC is off), if anyone knows a solution for this let me know
The only thing I have done in the macro software is assign audio functions (play, next, mute etc) to the macro keys (which i don't think is possible on some other keyboards macro software) so i don't have to use function keys.
switch the PSU off and the keyboard will turn off. I had this issue with my Crosshair 3 formula and the rog symbol lighting up through the window while I was trying to sleep, I turned it off at the PSU after shutdown and it cuts all power to the system
Soldato
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I still have my Qpad occasionally not switching on its back lights.
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Yes, just a huge pain to do every time the PC is shut down as the power sockets aren't easily accessible. I have contacted Gigabyte about it and they said it was working as intended (my G15 managed to turn itself off each time by itself).switch the PSU off and the keyboard will turn off. I had this issue with my Crosshair 3 formula and the rog symbol lighting up through the window while I was trying to sleep, I turned it off at the PSU after shutdown and it cuts all power to the system
Hmmm, I wonder if they intend mine to switch off most of the time, but not all.
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Would anybody say that this keyboard is suitable for use for playing certain types of games such as MMO's as well as for media playback?
Also, what's the length like when it comes to the cable on it as I was originally planning on buying a media player keyboard for my HTPC project which came with a built-in touchpad, but there doesn't seem to be any that's suitable for my needs.
Also, what's the length like when it comes to the cable on it as I was originally planning on buying a media player keyboard for my HTPC project which came with a built-in touchpad, but there doesn't seem to be any that's suitable for my needs.
Well the Gigabyte has a bank of 5 dedicated macro keys which are switchable through 5 profiles, so it depends if that is enough for you. I know some MMO keyboards have many more dedicated macro keys.
The keyboard doesn't have dedicated media keys, but instead just basic controls through a function key combination. The cable is a lengthy 2m but it is very thick and rigid.
For a HTPC I would say you want a mini wireless keyboard for light typing duties. I use the Lenovo N5902A on mine which is a palm sized backlit model which includes an optical touch sensor and scroll bar. No good for gaming though.
The keyboard doesn't have dedicated media keys, but instead just basic controls through a function key combination. The cable is a lengthy 2m but it is very thick and rigid.
For a HTPC I would say you want a mini wireless keyboard for light typing duties. I use the Lenovo N5902A on mine which is a palm sized backlit model which includes an optical touch sensor and scroll bar. No good for gaming though.
After a month and a bit of a false start, Gigabyte Support actually came up with a solution to the backlight issue.
They suggested locating the ErP/EuP Ready setting in the BIOS and changing it to Enable. From what I have read this allows the motherboard to drop into a very low power standby mode when switched off which effectely cuts power to the USB ports.
Since enabling this I have not had the backlight remain on after switch off and I have not experienced any other side effects.
They suggested locating the ErP/EuP Ready setting in the BIOS and changing it to Enable. From what I have read this allows the motherboard to drop into a very low power standby mode when switched off which effectely cuts power to the USB ports.
Since enabling this I have not had the backlight remain on after switch off and I have not experienced any other side effects.
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I need to try this, thanks.