Eclipse Wireless Litetouch Keyboard with LCD Review

by Lori Cunningham

Have you tried a wireless keyboard yet?  One came with my HP computer years ago and it works pretty well.  About every month or so I need to change the batteries.  With rechargeable batteries, it works pretty well, but when the batteries run out, I can be in the middle of typing a sentence and then suddenly, nothing types onto the screen.  This typically happens at the most inopportune times.

MadCatz has recently come out with a new wireless keyboard called the Eclipse Wireless litetouch Keyboard.  I have been using it for the past two months*.  The Eclipse Wireless litetouch Keyboard is a full sized keyboard, yet it has a very slim profile and is more compact than my HP keyboard.  It is wireless, but it comes with a charging cord – no more wasted batteries!

What intrigued me about the keyboard was its large 2 x 3 1/2 inch LCD touch panel on the right side of the keyboard, where the 10-key number pad usually is.  I’ve never seen a keyboard like this before.  With the LCD touch panel, you have three button modes:

1. MyEclipse – which allows you to program in your fave websites or files/programs on your computer, etc.
2. A number pad
3. Media controls – has shortcuts to
   • My Computer
   • search (on your computer)
   • calculator
   • your e-mail
   • your Internet home page
   • default media player
   • file manager
   • My Pictures
   • My Videos
   • My music

These are very handy shortcuts.  For example, when I click on the media player button, my iTunes program starts.  Once I start a playlist, I can control the music from my keyboard.  I can pause, skip, stop or mute the music.  This is a great feature – now I can continue what I’m doing without having to switch back and forth between the program I’m using and iTunes.

Another great feature I like is that it has volume right on the touch pad.  With a slide of my finger I can easily adjust the volume.  No longer clicking on the adjust volume icon on my computer.

Customizing  the Eclipse Wireless litetouch Keyboard is easy.  Just press the prog. button on the myeclipse menu and the software pops up on your screen.  Click on the icon key you want to program and you can either type in the URL, search for the program on your computer, or you can Drag & Drop the URL directly onto the button you want to program.  I dragged and dropped all the URL’s and had my keyboard programmed in no time.  The software on my monitor even showed recognizable icons from the sites I added.  Unfortunately, these icons do not transfer to your keyboard LCD.  The keyboard LCD has pre-programmed icons.  But if you forgot what you programmed on a key, you can pull up the software using the prog. button to see what you assigned it.

Pros:

• The keyboard uses a plug or USB to charge – very versatile
• it’s size is slim and compact – does not take much room on the desk
• It operates on 2.4 GHz technology range and provides control up to 30 ft. away
• It has a backlight so you can see the keys in low lighting
• the keys are low profile and as a result tend to be quieter than other keyboards
• you can easily program the keyboard using the Eclipse software and test out your shortcuts to ensure you added them in correctly
• Includes a precise tracking mouse and two buttons – can be used in conjunction with your full-size mouse
• Programming is easy.  Just press the prog. button on myeclipse

Cons:

• The 10-key number pad is on the LCD panel.  If you are used to 10-key number adding by memory, this feature throws you off since you don’t actually depress a button
• The keyboard charge only seems to last 2-3 days
• the logos on the buttons on the LCD part of the keyboard cannot be changed.  You have to remember what you put for the shortcut with the heart, tennis racket, suitcase, etc.

A Mom’s Perspective

For the most part, the Eclipse Wireless litetouch Keyboard performed similar to other keyboards I have used.  However, the customizable LCD and 2.4 GHz 30ft. changes create a noticeable difference.

I have used other programmable keyboards, but at most they only offered 4-6 customizable buttons.  And it was not as easy to program as the Eclipse.  I did program them, but I never used the buttons.  I simply forgot to use them.  Admittedly, it is a process to remember to use programmed buttons – even on the Eclipse.  When I want to open a website, I typically just type in the URL.  But I have found the myeclipse programmed buttons to be highly useful and fast.  I can get to websites and programs on my computer faster.  I listen to music more on my computer  now that it’s easier to get too.  Facebook and Twitter are just a click away.  I also love the calculator shortcut button.  It is so handy to calculate some numbers while working in another program.  No more searching for my calculator in my drawer.

As handy as this keyboard is for my office, I foresee that the Eclipse Wireless litetouch Keyboard would be great for the family room as well.  With Internet/Connected  TV’s becoming more prevalent, having a slim, compact, wireless keyboard with included mouse would be very helpful.    In the next 4 months, we will be buying an Internet enabled TV.  I’ll be sure to try out the Eclipse Wireless litetouch Keyboard with it and let you know how it works.

The Eclipse Wireless litetouch Keyboard can be purchased at selected Best Buy stores or BestBuy online for $99.99.

*I was sent an Exclipse wireless litetouch keyboard in exchange for my honest review.