By:
The Traveler
I have recently had the chance to test run the Ideazon Gaming Zboard along with the World of Warcraft Burning Crusade Limited Edition Keyset for it.
The Zboard base is just as it sounds, it's a base that holds the Zboard keysets. I like the fact that it comes with two USB ports built in. In this day of the USB everything it's always nice to have additional USB connections. Currently I have one lighting up a USB Christmas Tree from Think Geek and the other connected to my digital camera. Along the top of the keyboard base are a set of multimedia controls that you will find on most of your better keyboards today along with a set of Hot Keys for accessing programs on your computer or even favorite web pages.
The Zboard base comes with two keysets: 1 - A standard keyset 2 - A Butterfly keyset
The standard keyset looks like the one you probably have in front of you know with the exception that it folds up and the space bar is split in half. Because of where the keyset folds the left side of the space bar is slightly larger than the right side. The problem with this for me is that out of habit I hit the space bar right where it's split. This has caused double spaces between words and sometimes no space at all when I first began using it. Within a week though I was adjusted to it. A nice feature of the standard keyset is that the F keys have a label below them showing what each one does in your standard web browser. I also like the fact that the number pad keys have the ability to have additional functions mapped to them.
The Butterfly keyset is a gamer's dream. If you understand what "WASD" means then this is the keyset for you. You won't want to use this keyset for everyday computing use but that's why the Zboard base comes with the standard keyset and the Butterfly keyset. On this keyset there is no number pad. It has been removed so that all of the keys can be pushed to the right so that you have space on the left side for the Butterfly keys. Run/Walk, Reload, Use, Crouch, You Name It. This section of the keyset has been designed to give you as much access to game commands with one hand as possible. Frag much? Get this keyset if you do.
Let's take a look at some of the negative aspects of this product.
1 - The Squeak! The keys develop a squeak within the first couple days of use. It will take you almost two weeks of steady use to get rid of the Squeak! each time you press a key. At least it goes away.
2 - No Mac or Linux support. I understand no support for Linux but the Mac deserves to be treated better than that.
3 - This was a big one. The install software didn't work. The program starts up, gets about half way through and then suddenly crashes. The error message makes little to no sense unless you really are a computer geek. The documentation didn't cover this particular error or anything similar to it. I finally downloaded the install software from Ideazon's website and installed using it. The software requires updated versions of Microsoft's .NET framework to run. The software that came with the keyboard simply crashed when it reached that part of the install. The newer version on Ideazon's website doesn't have that problem. By the time you buy your own Zboard the software in the packaging may be the more current version.
Ideazon has keysets for more than just one style of gaming though. You will find many games have keysets available along with keysets for programs such as: Adobe Photoshop, 3ds Max, the Macromedia family of products and Microsoft Office. Once you have the base all you need to do is add the keysets for the program you use.
I give the Zboard base and the two keysets that come with it three out of five Orc Heads.
Now we come to the World of Warcraft Burning Crusade Limited Edition Keyset. This keyset scores high on the Cool chart for looks. When you first install the keyset and it updates it works like a charm. The number pad has been replaced with keys already programmed for use in WoW. PVP toggle, Chat commands, Raid commands, Emotes, View commands, Really nice stuff. The problem is that it only works once. After you log in, use the keyset and then shut down you may not be able to use it again the same way. All of the cool functions may be gone and they keys may be non-responsive. Ideazon is aware of the problem and is working on a fix. Not all users have experienced this problem so narrowing down the exact cause has been a bit of a problem for the techs with Ideazon. I do give Ideazon credit for working to find a fix. Reading through the support forums you can see the techs working on the problem as well as putting up with posts by people that seem to have no manners. The best solution I have found so far is to simply remap the keys in game. They keyset still will not update automatically from Ideazon but at least you'll have the full function of the keys again.
I can only give the World of Warcraft Burning Crusade Limited Edition Keyset one out of five Orc Heads because of the problems it currently has.
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