Logitech Keyboard Elite Black

Submitted by zen on 8 October, 2005 - 17:08.
Logitech Keyboard Elite Black
Model967234-0403
MadeLogitech
MediaElectronics
CatalogCE
Sales Rank16615
List PriceUS$39.99

Goto Amazon.com

Pros
Everything you want for a good keyboard: comfortable, functional and features-riched.

Cons
Function Keys mess up by default (F-Lock can't set to default)

The Bottom Line
Excellent keyboard for "Email and Word Processor" users. F-Lock key feature is extremely annoying. If you use function keys, avoid this and any keyboards with F-LOCK.

Full Review
What's Good?

1, It has an excellent sets of 9 accessories keys. They are labeled as webcams, emails, shopping, home page... etc They are useless by default (who needs a "shopping" button?) but can be easily programmed to user assigned programs like word, excel, or whatever.

2, It has a "deluxe feeling" for the keys, not too hard, not too soft, just right, feels much better than cheapy keyboards.

3, It has an excellent volume dial to control the volume of the computer (That's a major feature I'm looking for).

4, The iTouch software (version 2.15) seems to be functional and convenient (except for the f-lock key, more later). You can easily configure the accessory keys to a web page, a menu, an internal function or a user program.

5, Multi-media keys works as expected (play, stop, forward, backward). It seems to function for most media players.

6, It looks good.

So what's wrong?

The major issue is the function keys (F1,F2,F3... etc) don't act as function keys by default and it is by design and can't be fixed.

Each of the function keys has stupid pictures on it, like New ,send, forward, reply, undo, redo etc.... and F1, F2, F3 are printed in small letters at the bottom.

I could live with those stupid pictures. The only problem is they act like those stupid pictures by default (and sometimes random), unless you press the "f-lock" (which is reset every time the computer is off or suspended).

So, by default alt-f4 dosn't close the window, F1, F2, F3, F4 all have unexpected and arbitrary functions depends on what programs you use.

Well, if all you use is only outlook and word (or any email program and word processor), then the keyboard is perfect for you. But Logitech (and Microsoft too) seems too stupid to realize that a computer can be used much more than emails and word processors. There are millions of programs out there and this keyboard only works for two types of programs by default. So the function keys don't work or working only partially on many programs I use (e.g. dreamweaver, vb, java, photoshop, many utilities etc)... Doesn't even work well with Microsoft Explorer. The "reply", "send", "forward" labels seems ridiculously stupid when using programs other than emails. And those undo, redo keys are pretty meaningless to experienced users (doesn’t everyone use Ctrl-Z?)

The most horrible thing is this is not a bug. It is a "feature". It works the same on all new Logitech and Microsoft keyboards. It seems a consumer can't avoid this "feature" unless they buy a cheapy keyboard.

So, every time I boot up my computer (or bring up from suspend), I have to press the F-lock to disable those stupid "features". Logitech's itouch allow the keys to be programmed as "pass-through" so they are supposed to behave as normal function keys. But they don't. Most keys works as normal when set as "pass-through", but some keys don't, namely the alt-F4 doesn't work. The only way to make it work is to press the f-lock. That's one keystroke too many. I have configured my computer to bring it up by one keystroke (all new motherboard support power up by keyboard keys), now is down to two keystrokes. That's way too much work (and the F-Key is in a very inconvenient upper left corner, the same size and color as other "accessories keys").

It's extremely inconsiderable for Microsoft (I think Microsoft is to blame, Logitech is just a stupid follower) to force this f-lock stupidity on users and leave them no choice (disable by BIOS, registry or driver would be nice). This is not a software configurable keys, so no driver fix seems to work. The support in Logitech think it's a nice feature and never wants to fix it. There's a registry hack to disable the f-lock feature on Microsoft keyboards. Logitech keyboards have a similar registry hack (using XP and 2k keyboard scancodes) but not compatible with iTouch software.

So bottom line? I probably will refund the keyboard just because the function keys don't work as function keys by default and might do it multiple times (buy, refund, complaints, buy refund complaints...) as a protest unless I can find some ways to configure that key.....

Other minor complaints (that I can easily overlook).
1 User key seems to be too close to "escape" key and f-lock key.
2 Media key is kind of useless and can't be configured.

Reviews:

Rating 4.0/5 from 56 reviews
Nice Keyboard
Rating: 5/5 2007-05-17
it is a nice keyboard with great features. The volume on the keyboard is also rely nice. Good keyboard for your money.
Pretty nice keyboard
Rating: 5/5 2007-01-16
This is actually a really nice KB. It has media buttons and volume dial. If it gets dirty, like most keyboards, you can pop off each key with a screw driver and wash them in soapy water. For the actual KB, you can wipe the inside down with a damp rag and use wet Q-tips to get in the cracks. It's a rubber sheet so you don't have to worry about getting the water into the circuits, unless you get it in the holes.
Keyboard sticks after one month!
Rating: 1/5 2006-10-26
I purchased this wireless keybaord from Best Buy. Within one month the keys were sticking and now it's completely unusable. It's the second Logitech keyboard I've bought and the last.
sticky keys hard to press & bug with shift key
Rating: 1/5 (1 out of 1 think this is helpful) 2006-09-25
after a while, of owning the keyboard, the keys stick and you have to press certain keys at the correct angle in order for them to go down. be prepared to use a little bit of force on shift key, and hit the space bar at the correct angle without pressure.

second problem, in the ie web browser, the right shift button on my keyboard gets reprogrammed on its own to behave like the back button. to solve that, unplug the keyboard for a week or two to make sure the memory is gone and the shift button will work as a shift button normally in ie. notice, i am not typing with any capital letters. that is because if i do use shift, i will go back to prior page of writing this review. funny huh.
Sticky Keys When It Ages
Rating: 3/5 2006-06-02
It's a good keyboard, but the keys which are wider than standard such as SHIFT, ENTER and BACKSPACE all tend to get sticky as the keyboard gets a little older. I have had three Logitech keyboards (all wireless and all expensive) and all three exhibit the same problem. Logitech's no help, so just plan on learning to fight the SHIFT key when your keyboard gets to be a year old or more.

Editorials:

Product Description
This new keyboard provides the expert controls to optimize what you do when you want to do it. The enhanced function key commands bring new efficiency to the things you do all of the time. They allow you to instantly access your email, instant messenger, favorite files, pictures, music, and websites. Plus, you can quickly navigate around the web, applications, media files, and documents. Simplify your life and go Elite.
Amazon.com Product Description
The Logitech Elite keyboard provides expert controls to optimize what you do, when you want to do it. The enhanced function key commands bring new efficiency to the things you do all of the time, allowing you to instantly access your e-mail, instant messenger program, favorite files, pictures, music, and Web sites. Plus, you can quickly navigate around the Web and your applications, media files, and documents, and installation and setup are easy. In addition, the stylish Zero Degree Tilt flat-angle design feels good on your hands as you type. Simplify your life and go Elite.

Features:

  • Ultra-flat, "Zero Degree Tilt" keyboard design for increased comfort
  • Nine customizable keys for one-touch access to favorite web sites and applications
  • iNav buttons and scroll wheel for keyboard-based web navigation
  • Multimedia keys to control audio and video directly from the keyboard
  • Windows and Macintosh compatible