Product Description
The
Zboard Base has an auto recognition feature for any keyset you insert.
Just switch keysets & play your favorite games.
It comes
with:
USB Hub with 2 USB connectors that supports low voltage
devices (up to 100mA) such as mice, joystick or memory sticks.
9
Hot Keys allow you to instantly return to a pre- selected destination,
such as a file, folder, program or web page.
7 one-touch
Multimedia Control buttons: play/pause, stop, next/previous track,
volume up/down and mute.
Additional LED indicators; it has
additional 3 LEDs to indicate Zboard enhanced functionality (Pad Lock,
Bar Lock and Enable).The Gaming keyset was designed for
First/Third Person Shooter and Action games. It provides a better gaming
experience, advanced layout and built-in technological advantages.
Most
commonly used game commands are labeled right on the keys to help you
start playing new games faster.
Up to 7 simultaneous key-strokes
- Jump, move forward, lean left, change weapon and shoot at the same
time!!
Large "butterfly" keys are enlarged and sloped to help
keep fingers comfortable through hours of gaming.
Unique domed
action keys give gamers the responsive feel.
Pre-defined key
layouts from the list of game titles supported by your Gaming Keyset or
create your own key layouts using the Z Engine software which allows you
to easily drag and drop to remap all keys.
The Standard Keyset
is based on the traditional 108-key layout for regular everyday use.
Product Details
- Color:
Black/Silver
- Brand: SteelSeries
- Model: PW1USE1-B3ZBD01
- Released on: 2004-06-23
- Platform: PlayStation2
- Number
of items: 1
- Dimensions: 4.00 pounds
Features
- Box
Content - USB Keyboard Base, Gaming Keyset, Standard Keyset, Wrist
Rest, Installation CD, and Documentation
- USB Hub - Your Zboard
Base is equipped with 2 USB (bus powered) connectors
- Hot Keys -
A set of nine hot keys launch common functions such as E-mail,
Calculator and My Computer or allow you to instantly return
- Multimedia
Control Buttons - Play/pause, stop, next/previous track, volume up/down
and mute
- Additional LED Indicators - Standard 3 LED (Caps,
Scroll and Num lock) and Zboard enhanced functionality (Pad Lock, Bar
Lock and Enable)
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Zboard
is the first keyboard system of its kind, designed specifically to meet
the needs of PC gamers by delivering unparalleled speed, action and
control while gaming. In addition to a base unit, the Zboard comes with
two keysets, one for gaming and one for everyday use. Additional custom
keysets are available for the hottest titles, offering unprecedented
control over the games you love.
See the Zboard video (requires
Flash).
The Zboard base
A Zboard Base has an auto
recognition feature for any keyset you insert. There's no need to
install any additional software. It is the brain behind the brawn. Just
switch keysets and play your favorite games. The Zboard Base comes with
these standard features:
 | USB
hub: The Zboard Base is equipped with two USB (bus-powered)
connectors. This hub supports low voltage devices (up to 100mA) such as
mice, joystick or memory sticks. Now you can plug devices directly to
your Zboard without the hassle of crawling down to your PC. |
 | Hot
keys: A set of nine hot keys launch common functions such as
E-mail, Calculator and My Computer or allow you to instantly return to a
pre-selected destination, such as a file, folder, program or web page. |
 | Multimedia
controls: A set of seven one-touch multimedia control buttons:
play/pause, stop, next/previous track, volume up/down and mute.Additional
LED indicators: In addition to the standard three LEDs (caps,
scroll and num lock), Zboard has additional three LEDs to indicate
Zboard enhanced functionality (pad lock, bar lock and enable). |
The
Gaming Keyset
Designed for first/third person shooter and action
games, the Gaming Keyset provides a better gaming experience, advanced
layout, and built-in technology advantages. It comes loaded with a
selection of mod files for over 70 of today's hottest games. Features
include:
 | "Butterfly" movement keys: Enlarged and sloped
"butterfly" movement keys keep fingers comfortable and accurate! |
 | Labeled command keys: Commonly used command keys
for FPS/action games are labeled for faster and better performance in
game.Dome-shaped keys: Unique domed action keys give gamers
the responsive feel that they demand. |
 | Control zones: Players can easily access more
critical commands with the one hand control zone.Technological
advantages: Registers up to seven simultaneous key-strokes, in
comparison to 2-4 on most other keyboards! Jump, move forward, lean
left, change weapons, and shoot at the same time! The gaming keyset also
features standard QWERTY keys for chatting without interrupting the
action. |
The Standard Keyset
The
Standard Keyset is based on the traditional 108-key layout, but it's
also packed with Zboard enhanced features. It is specifically designed
to optimize the use of Microsoft Windows and applications, including
Internet Explorer. The The Standard Keyset includes:
 | Control and Windows labeled commands: The QWERTY
typing zone has two sets of commands common to Windows applications
labeled for your convenience. |
 | Special "macro" keys: The activation of the "bar
lock" and "pad lock" keys reassigns the numerical keys and the function
keys to advanced functionality inherent to Windows applications. |
 | Windows quick commands: The Windows Pad includes
16 commands for frequently used Windows features such as
Minimize/Maximize, My Computer, Show Desktop, and more.Internet
Explorer quick commands: The Internet bar includes 12 commands for
frequently used Internet Explorer features such as Home,
Backward/Forward, My Favorites, and more.
KeyTips: Zboard
KeyTips is an interactive help application that allows you to quickly
and easily test and verify the different labeled key functions of your
Zboard Standard Keyset. |
What's in
the Box
Keyboard base, gaming keyset, standard keyset, wrist
rest, installation CD, and documentation.
Customer Reviews
nice keyboard, horrid website
First let me say that thier
is a P/S version and a USB version of this keyboard. The P/S is the one
that stinks like last years socks and only comes with the standard
keyset.(it also REQUIRES you to buy a keyset for every game). This
version sold here is the USB version and comes with 2 keysets. The
standard is very sturdy and comfortable to type on. The keys are firm
and resistant to presses(which I like myself) I have no problem typing
on the standard. The gaming keyboard is just that, it is for games. I
love it! It is for any game. It has a left hand controll keyset for most
FPS but I have found that it also works in CRPG's like Neverwinter
Nights(which a keyset was once avalible for but is no longer) and even
old infinity engine games like Icewind Dale- set your keys to: W=select
all q=quest journal e=inventory and s=return as well as spells in
A(wizards) and D(clerical) R to default(stats) and F=attack and your set
to be carpel tunnel free.
my gripe(and 4* rating) is the lousy
website that requires you to register personal info to get
support(Mother's maiden name and all that) as well as the Zboard.com
website not loading on dial-up connections. Just because some of us use
dial up does not mean we don't have a life, we game too(hacker free
becasue of disconnect.)
Great board!
The zBoard is sweet. The ease
of the keysets and the keysets that are available (like the World of
Warcraft one) make it a worthwhile buy. The keyboard is comfy and feels
good on the fingers. And it has TWO low-power USB ports on it for
accessories like your mouse. If you are into gaming and looking for a
good keyboard to use, this is one to look at. I am quite picky when it
comes to keyboards and I love the zBoard system. ^_^
If you
decide to buy one, buying from Amazon.com will save you a few bucks. BUT
BE FOREWARNED! As someone else has already mentioned here in feedback,
when I received my zBoard, it came with the OLD version of the standard
keyset. I have been told by [...] support that that keyset is not even
produced anymore so why (and how?) Amazon.com is shipping them with the
new zBoard base and gaming keyset is beyond me?? FYI, the current zBoard
model is ZBD101.
Amazon.com did offer a replacement if I wanted
to send the zBoard gaming system back in, but I really don't want to
wait on shipping. lol Plus, I bought mine for gaming mostly anyway so no
big deal as I won't be using the standard keyset much. Amazon.com did
offer me a 20% refund, though, since I didn't choose to return the item.
(So yay! I saved even more money. ^_^) In case you are wondering, the
new version of the standard keyset has colored-coded labels (green,
blue, white) with more keys/shortcuts labeled. The old version (which I
was sent) has all white labels with fewer keys/shortcuts labeled.
The
zBoard is a 5/5 for me.
Note: You will want to get the newest
drivers from [...]. I have had a problem in the past with updating the
driver and had to contact zBoard support to have them tell me all the
registry keys that I needed to remove before I could suceessfully
install the newest version. I have never again experienced that problem,
though. ;)
EDIT 2/4/05: I was contacted via e-mail by [...]
support again. They're going to replace the old version standard keyset
that I received from Amazon with the new version. I think this is very
nice of them, especially considering I never asked for a replacement.
Just some food for thought since a couple people here have had problems
with [...]/Ideazon.
EDIT 2/21/06: Well, it has been a little over
a year that I've had my zBoard. I've had no problems with it - with
exception of the wrist rest tabs breaking off, but that's because that
part is cheap and the zBoard got knocked off a table twice by my cat.
The zBoard base and keysets are very durable, however, (it's been
knocked off the couch a few times, too. lol) and work fine. ;)
The
gaming keyset IS very awkward to type on like others have mentioned.
Usually, I have my World of Warcraft keyset in, though, and have no
problems typing. (My boyfriend hates it -lol- and complains until he
snaps in the standard keyset.)
Easy, durable, functioning, feels good
on the fingers.... Those all describe the zBoard.
Still 5/5 after a
year.
Great Idea -- Bad Execution!
The Good:
When I first
heard about this board I was incredibly excited. I have been playing BF2
(Battlefield 2) for almost a year now and still continually find myself
stumbling over the keys. So it was a godsend to be able to purchase
something like this directly intended to help me be better at my game.
The
interchangable keysets for different games and applications is quite
intriguing -- the first that I have seen. But the price for each is kind
of high but well worth it.
The Bad:
The board is constructed
well but don't expect this to replace your home keyboard. The "Windows
Keyset" that comes standard with this board has all the keys as any
run-of-the-mill keyboard but it is awkward to type with (I might be
biased since I have a MSoft ergonomic split keyboard).
In-game
typing is difficult at best (with the gaming keysets). With most of the
gaming keysets the keys on the left 1/2 of the keyboard are laid out
like your home keyboard but on the right 1/2 side they are all vertical
(not staggered.. like U,J and M keys are 90 degrees vertically on top of
each other). The keys feel a little "cheap" .. When you push them down
they don't bounce back as much.
The Ugly:
About 2 weeks after I
purchases this board (and the BF2 keyset) 9 keys went completely dead. I
tried to reinstall the software, reboot and even resinstalled a fresh
copy of Windows XP to no avail.
I contacted support and it has
taken us 3 weeks to finally reach the decision that I have a faulty base
unit. DUH! They are "reviewing my warranty" but most likely it will not
be covered because it has been longer than 30 day. Maybe this post is
premature but I don't think I am getting a new base unit.
Conclusion:
The
expression "Great Idea, Bad Execution" holds true here. My opinion:
Don't buy this board. Ideazon has too many issues, not enough support
staff and a website that doesn't do anything but look good.
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