Customer Reviews

Glowtype Virtually Indestructible Keyboard Illuminated Silicone Flex USB 109KEY

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I'm on my third one. I wore the first one out(not an illuminated one). It took about two years, all day every day use. The second regular one got moved to another workstation when I found this illuminated one. I would have given it an unqualified five, but it does occasionally turn its illumination on and off by itself -- a kind of whimsical quirk. It's quiet, it gets moved out of the way on my desk when I'm not using it, and I like the illumination (when it decides to let me turn on the switch). I have a piece of thin plexiglass cut to its exact size underneath it so I can slide it under my monitor easily. I am a touch typist, and a pretty fast one; but once I got used to the touch of this keyboard, I didn't have the problems other people talk about in these reviews. And, when it gets dusty and dirty, I just unplug it and go run it under the faucet to clean it, and rub it dry with a towel. Since I eat at my desk, this gets done more often than you'd imagine.

I can't believe the negative reviews of the Grandtec keyboards. I have been using the regular edition for over a year. It's a real steal for the current price too, I bought it locally and spent a lot more. Anyway I just ordered the glow version for another computer and it's basically the same with the glow feature added which can be turned off or on. Many times people complain about products (mice,keyboards,software,etc.) which cause all kinds of nightmares on their computers when in reality they have a messed up computer which needs to be wiped clean and windows reinstalled. That's way to much trouble for many people so they would rather put up with constant issues and curse a lot. I've used the regular edition on all three of my computers without ANY problem. A friend hooked up one of these keyboards and had it not respond at first but I advised them to simply unplug the USB cable and then plug it back in while Windows is running and from then on it worked perfectly and they also now love it as much as I do. Be warned anything this radically different will have a learning curve since it lies very flat and does have a different feel for sure. I got used to it quickly and think the pressure is designed to feel just right. Since it't made from silicone the board I've had for over a year still looks brand new and can be easily cleaned and of course is spill proof etc. I think it's kind of like the split ergo keyboards in that you have to get used to it and maybe it's a love it or hate it thing. I suspect many give up on this keyboard before giving it a chance.

I think another reviewer stated it correctly when he said you either hate it or love it. I love it, yet my partner hates it. But, my partner types at up to 170 wpm and I type at about 35-40 wpm. If you type really fast, it will slow you down, making sure you hit each key with enough pressure. But, if you are a slower typist, like me, that's not a big deal. I also like the illumination, even during the day. Much easier on the eyes. And yes, you can easily and quietly type in the dark. I would have given it 5 stars, but knocked it down one star for my partner. :)

I've beenusing this keyboard for over a month. I was looking for a totally quiet keyboard that I could use while watching TVwith my family withut annoying them with the clicking sound most eyboards mae. This is really cool because I can also use it in darkness since the keyboard glows. however, the keys are difficult to use. You have to push stright don on them with a fair amount of pressure, or they don't register. I'm a good typer and speller, but I carefully typed this paragraph without looking at my screen andyou cansee the missed keystrokes caused by this keyboard. I'll use it when I need to be quiet but otherwie I plug inmynormal non-Flex keyboard so i don'thave to correct so many typos.

I bought this keyboard even though it has received mixed reviews, and I am sorry that I did. The keys are too difficult to strike correctly; if you do not press them down directly in the middle you will not get a keystrike and instead hit a 'glancing blow' that produces no result.

And the ultmate deal breaker: The ON/OFF switch for the light is exactly where the CTRL key should be! I only used it for an hour and in that hour I must have turned the light on or off 6 times when trying to copy/paste.

Please, unless you have perfect finger control, save your money and look elsewhere for a lit/backlit keyboard.

I got this keyboard based on the good reviews it got. Let me tell you this is exceptional piece of ...... . The only good thing about this keyboard is that its foldable and easy to carry with you. The only way you can type on this keyboard, is if you looking down on the keys and firmly press on each key. If you like me, who types without looking on the keyboard, this keyboard will drive you nuts as you realize that you mistype because you didn't press the key hard enough. Also instead of one Shift / Enter keys, there are two small keys next to each other. I never saw that kind of setup, and I hate it.

If you looking for lighted keyboard get Saitek keyboard. Saitek is $10 dollars more but 100 times better.

First, I have to say that I am a hunt & peck typist, although fairly proficient. That said, I've had this keyboard for over 2 months & it's one of those rare purchases that was better than I expected. It worked perfectly, right out of the box. The dim glow (like one of those green plug-in nitelites), is unabtrusive & great for nighttime work. It's just enough light to see the the keys. I'm ordering another as a back-up, just in case, but I certainly wouldn't be ordering another as a back-up if I weren't totally impressed with the first. Now I can throw out the 3 old keyboards I've spilled things on and have held onto with the idea that someday I'd find the time to clean them out.

I am addicted to the fluency of movement that my laptops encourage. The inherent advantages of this mobility makes any necessary trade(s) for minor deficiencies in product design relatively easy to overlook save one; the keyboard. I am a much faster typist (higher word count with fewer errors) when using a keyboard whose keycaps are the correct shape (I prefer a cylindrical curvature), and slightly textured. This light texture along with an asymmetrical keycap taper keep my fingers reliably on the correct keys.

The laptop I am using to write this excels in all things, the standard features and options fit my requirements to the letter. The price was absurdly reasonable. My trade for all that I like about this laptop is it's keyboard: the keys are perfectly flat, smooth and have no tactually appreciable separation between them making typing extremely difficult for me. To amend this I began using the Virtually Indestructible Keyboard made by GrandTec.
Immediately I found the texture of GrandTec's silicon-based keycaps (This terminology might not be considered correct in this instance as there are no `caps' per se, rather the entire keyboard is constructed of two single sheets of silicone, sandwiching a flexible circuit board between them)ideal. This silicone material provides flexibility, durability, and nearly silent keystrokes. While the tops of the keys are perfectly flat the non-slip nature of the material captures the pads of my fingers perfectly, abetted by a very clear separation of the keys resulting in very few slips. I noticed initially a tendency to over- strike the keys, assuming that extra force was required because of the unique design of board and keys as one unit. Once I normalized my key-strike I found that strike errors were reduced to nothing.

It is quiet, fold-able, easily cleanable, made of a uniquely textured silicon-based material that welcomes my fingers each time I sit to type. I use the Glowtype Virtually Indestructible Keyboard Illuminated Silicone Flex USB 109KEY at my desk as I tend to work late into the night and this board from GrandTec offers keyboard illumination (the entire keyboard lights, not just letters on the tops of the keycaps) eliminating the need for harsh lighting that is so often disruptive. When traveling I use the Virtually Indestructible Keyboard, 85-Key, USB. Being smaller, it rolls politely into a smaller space in my bag.

Between the two keyboards all my issues have been resolved and I would recommend either.

I had a period where I was taking care of a sick loved one, and I sought out the quietest keyboard around to use on a computer in the same room.

This has been wonderful -- quiet and easy to see in the dark. It does reduce my typing speed from about 100 wpm to about 90 wpm, but it gets better over time, once the keys have been used for a few weeks (more pliable).

No problems with the light going on and off, and I've had it for two years. I'm going to buy a second one for back-up, because this is the best keyboard I've ever had (no clicky noises! -- I can hear my music)

the functionality is fair, the "illumination" worked for about 2 seconds, and has not turned back on----the lighted function was a primary reason for this purchase, I have emailed the company, no reponse--tried their FAQ, and online support which was down--very disappointed, this product is going back.