MaxKeyboard Nighthawk X8/X9 Mechanical Keybaords

[fuller2002]

Guys looking at getting my first mechanical keyboard and having a look on the first page of the keyboard thread and there is no mention of the Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8 or X9 so thought I would post and ask. Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on these? From the few reviews I can find they sound awesome.

These seem to be awesome keyboards but just really unheard of.

More info about the company; They run the websites ergo geek.com and max-geek.com and specialise in industrial keyboards, these two models are their first entry into the consumer market.

Price
Its $149.99 for the X8 or X9 model plus $50.55 for international shipping

Or if you get the customised one in the pic it comes to $166.99 and same price for shipping but with 20% discount it works out to be $184.14 shipped. If you stick with the basic all blue or red (X8/X9) its not a bad price really at $166.54 shipped with 20% discount. (which you get from a 10people group buy which is happening on a few forums and easy to get codes for so you can assume a 20% discount)

Here is a really good video review but i can't work out how to embed so if someone could tell me how that would be great
http://youtu.be/H_srjKys2UE

Here are some specs for comparison.

. Cherry MX BROWN mechanical key switches (soft tactile)
. Individual backlit keys for enhanced visuals
. Backlight setting memory
. 4 level backlight modes (pulse mode on level 4)
. 128k on-board memory
. Laser engraved keycap
. N-key rollover (full NKRO on USB, any combination)
. Embedded multimedia keys
. Built in 2 high-speed USB 2.0 hub (max 100mA each)
. Built in headphone & microphone jack pass-through
. Heavy duty braided cable
. Gold plated connectors
. Tilt legs
. Windows key disabled function
. Wrist pad for maximum palm comfort
. US ANSI 104-key
. Programmable macro keys (optional downloadable software)

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
. Soft matte black upper enclosure with heavy duty braided cable
. 2 downstream USB 2.0 hub (max 100mA each)
. Individual blue color LEDs
. 50,000,000 actuation on key switches
. 45g actuation force
. Keyboard dimension: approx 17.5in x 5.7in x 1in
. Keyboard weight: approx 3 lbs
. Cable length: approx 6' foot

Here is an in-depth review

And their website



Basically Im looking for a mechanical keyboard that has mic/audio ports (usb in bonus) and backlit, and with mx-browns. I want the tactile feedback without the noise! and from what i can see this seems to have everything the Steelseries 7g has plus backlighting and full speed usb 2.0 ports not 1.1

Would love to hear peoples thoughts and opinions on this unit, i personally think it looks great just a little concerned that I have not really heard of it or see any around.

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/images/de.../X8C-1-800.png

You can also customise the keyboard with different colour LED configurations, the above image is an example of that. Plus gives you an idea of what it looks like

Also comes with a nice memory foam rist pad which i think nice.

http://cdn.custompcreview.com/wp-con...review-014.jpg

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[ravescar]

The keyboard frame looked very similiar to Xarmour U9BL:
http://blog.controlspace.org/2010/08...inated_11.html

except U9BL only comes in MX blue switch to my knowledge.


your picture got me excited as i thought someone finally manufactured a board with multi-coloured LED but nope, seem to be still 1 color only.

They can apparently customize the colour of LED for ESC/Window/FN/WASD/Arrow clusters when buy from their own site, the colour choice available is Green,red,orange,yellow,white. better than nothing i guess.

their site:http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keybo...-keyboard.html

[fuller2002]

Originally Posted by ravescar

The keyboard frame looked very similiar to Xarmour U9BL:
http://blog.controlspace.org/2010/08...inated_11.html

except U9BL only comes in MX blue switch to my knowledge.


your picture got me excited as i thought someone finally manufactured a board with multi-coloured LED but nope, seem to be still 1 color only.

You can actually customise the keyboard with whatever colours you want. Thats an example that a customer had done. I think its $2.00 a key for different colour LED's.

Check their Facebook page they have some cool examples of what people have ordered.

If you email them apparently you can get them to customise whatever you like about the keyboard obviously at a cost though.

EDIT: posted before you update your post, but yeah what you said you can customise the important keys basically. You would be the only one at the LAN with this keyboard and with a custom colour scheme, if thats what you digg.

[Huggy_Bear64]

Looks ghey.
Buy my ducky shine

[Bertross]

Originally Posted by Huggy_Bear64

Looks ghey.
Buy my ducky shine

hehe i like the look as well.

[fuller2002]

Originally Posted by Huggy_Bear64

Looks ghey.
Buy my ducky shine

I was looking at the Ducky shine originally until i found this, if we get 10 people that want to buy this i can organise a group buy and get everyone 20% off

[ravescar]

i seem to recall reading somewhere that U9BL was having some quality problems, but maybe they resolved that now.

Unlikely that i will buy this anyway as i already got a Ducky Shine with White LED, I will just wait until they manufactured a board with multi coloured LED.

Yep i like bling.

[fuller2002]

Originally Posted by ravescar

The keyboard frame looked very similiar to Xarmour U9BL:
http://blog.controlspace.org/2010/08...inated_11.html

After looking closely at the two frames they are identical, the feat are the same, the grove pattens on the underside are the same, the rubber grips on the underside are the same, the top right hand corner labels and light up indications are the same.

The Nighthawk has different keys and a different layout, also the nighthawk replaced the scroll lock with the gaming mode which turns off the windows keys.

The nighthawk also replaced the windows key with a macro key and an FN key although i believe the macro key works as a windows key but as with the Nighthawks other function keys its customisable. However the XArmor has more brightness settings but does not offer the nice "pulse" setting that the Nighthawk has.

The nighthawk also has all bradded cables which looks of higher quality than that of the XArmor while still being gold plated.

Nighthawk cables

http://cdn.custompcreview.com/wp-con...review-009.jpg

XArmor Cables


Nighthawk Top right

http://cdn.custompcreview.com/wp-con...06-588x389.jpg

XArmor Top right


Also the Nighthawk keys seem to be over a high quality and better ascetic.

http://cdn.custompcreview.com/wp-con...05-588x389.jpg

XArmor key quality


Looks like these two boards come from the same mould, except the Nighthawk is obviously a superior quality board with more features.

Ok so I emailed Max keyboards about the similarities to the Xarmor unit, and they wrote back within 30mins!

This is the reply

We are not affiliate or have any relation with XArmor. We design our board with all the features and material.
For your reference, below is quick comparison between XArmor and Max Keyboard product:
Xarmor - (No) onboard memory, (No) software, (No) braided cables, (No) resistor on all leds, (No) full usb nkey roller, 2 usb cables instead.

Max Keyboard - Onboard memory (yes), Software to program macro (yes), braided cables (yes), resistor on all leds (yes), USB full nkey roller (yes), memory form wrist pad (yes), only 1 USB to power everything, customize Leds (yes)

Ps: Xarmor uses green color Printed circuit board, Max Keyboard uses red color Printed circuit board (double layer)

I hope I have answers all of you questions, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have more question.
Thank you.

Best Regards,

Kent Chang
MaxKeyboard

Interesting stuff, this is definitely the keyboard I'm going to buy, such a quality unit, has the majority of all the features that any mechanical keyboard offers and in some cases they are done better. Once i get it i will let people know my thoughts.

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[Huggy_Bear64]

Originally Posted by fuller2002

Ok so I emailed Max keyboards about the similarities to the Xarmor unit, and they wrote back within 30mins!

This is the reply

We are not affiliate or have any relation with XArmor. We design our board with all the features and material.
For your reference, below is quick comparison between XArmor and Max Keyboard product:
Xarmor - (No) onboard memory, (No) software, (No) braided cables, (No) resistor on all leds, (No) full usb nkey roller, 2 usb cables instead.

Max Keyboard - Onboard memory (yes), Software to program macro (yes), braided cables (yes), resistor on all leds (yes), USB full nkey roller (yes), memory form wrist pad (yes), only 1 USB to power everything, customize Leds (yes)

Ps: Xarmor uses green color Printed circuit board, Max Keyboard uses red color Printed circuit board (double layer)

I hope I have answers all of you questions, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have more question.
Thank you.

Best Regards,

Kent Chang
MaxKeyboard

Interesting stuff, this is defiantly the keyboard I'm going to buy, such a quality unit, has the majority of all the features that any mechanical keyboard offers and in some cases they are done better. Once i get it i will let people know my thoughts.

You're defiant because... it's a gimmicky piece of crap?

[fuller2002]

Originally Posted by Huggy_Bear64

You're defiant because... it's a gimmicky piece of crap?

definitely* why do you think its a gimmicky piece of crap? Compared to what? The Ducky shine? The Xarmor? the Steelseries 7G?

On paper its as good if not better than any other backlit mechanical on the market and the build quality is fine, the customer service is meant to be great i don't see the downfalls ?

Elaborate please

[Huggy_Bear64]

Originally Posted by fuller2002

definitely* why do you think its a gimmicky piece of crap? Compared to what? The Ducky shine? The Xarmor? the Steelseries 7G?

On paper its as good if not better than any other backlit mechanical on the market and the build quality is fine, the customer service is meant to be great i don't see the downfalls ?

Elaborate please

Compared to a filco, or a das, or a leopold, or a ducky.

I'm not a fan of backlighting for one thing. Plus why does it need a USB hub? it's a keyboard. Why would you need different coloured lights in your keyboard? Are you going to a rave?

[fuller2002]

Originally Posted by Huggy_Bear64

Compared to a filco, or a das, or a leopold, or a ducky.

I'm not a fan of backlighting for one thing. Plus why does it need a USB hub? it's a keyboard. Why would you need different coloured lights in your keyboard? Are you going to a rave?

It doesn't need a USB hub or Audio or Mic jacks but many keyboards have them, its a convince and a nice feature some would say. Quick access to usb ports is handy. Again you don't NEED different coloured lights in a keyboard, you don't need lights at all in a keyboard but sometimes they add to the asetics of the keyboard but this comes down to personal preference.

I really think you are basing your statement on personal preference and nothing actually factual, if so I would like to see it because after all, i am in the market for a mechanical keyboard that is feature rich and of good quality which is exactly what this thread is about.

I mean really "why does it have all these extra features" is usually a good thing if anything, why have you decided its suddenly bad to have a USB hub and backlighting? You can turn the lighting off, you don't have to use the usb ports but they are there and not in your face.

If you could recommend me a backlit mechanical keyboard please do because right now I'm taking everything into consideration before i purchase anything and want to be sure I'm buying a quality product. Also drop the attitude down a notch, no need for it really.

[Huggy_Bear64]

Originally Posted by fuller2002

It doesn't need a USB hub or Audio or Mic jacks but many keyboards have them, its a convince and a nice feature some would say. Quick access to usb ports is handy. Again you don't NEED different coloured lights in a keyboard, you don't need lights at all in a keyboard but sometimes they add to the asetics of the keyboard but this comes down to personal preference.

I really think you are basing your statement on personal preference and nothing actually factual, if so I would like to see it because after all, i am in the market for a mechanical keyboard that is feature rich and of good quality which is exactly what this thread is about.

I mean really "why does it have all these extra features" is usually a good thing if anything, why have you decided its suddenly bad to have a USB hub and backlighting? You can turn the lighting off, you don't have to use the usb ports but they are there and not in your face.

If you could recommend me a backlit mechanical keyboard please do because right now I'm taking everything into consideration before i purchase anything and want to be sure I'm buying a quality product. Also drop the attitude down a notch, no need for it really.

Everything is personal opinion... Mine is just louder than others

I had a das keyboard with a USB hub, I never used it and got sick of the 2 cables running across my desk, that one has 3 cables...

The backlighting makes it hard to find better keycaps, and you can't get PBT ones with the tranparent/translucent letters.

Maybe I just prefer to buy good quality, purpose built products. Instead of buying something that does 8 things badly, I'd prefer something that does one thing superbly
Also brown switches are the devil

Edit: Also wtf gold plated USB. Wtf no PS/2. Wtf 128k onboard memory???????

[Metana]

Fuller, I scanned this thread looking for the $ price but didn't see one.

How much is it?

Ducky Shine isn't be all end all btw. Its just us in Australia that are lacking the options available overseas.

[fuller2002]

Originally Posted by Huggy_Bear64

Everything is personal opinion... Mine is just louder than others

I had a das keyboard with a USB hub, I never used it and got sick of the 2 cables running across my desk, that one has 3 cables...

The backlighting makes it hard to find better keycaps, and you can't get PBT ones with the tranparent/translucent letters.

Maybe I just prefer to buy good quality, purpose built products. Instead of buying something that does 8 things badly, I'd prefer something that does one thing superbly
Also brown switches are the devil

I doubt i will use the USB hub also, but the audio and mic jacks will be useful to me.

Also it only has one bradded cable it splits at the end into 3 so only one on your desk which is good.

The reason Im going brown switches is because i don't want a loud clicky keyboard but still want that tactile feedback, i don't think any other colours do that?

As for key caps why would you need to buy better ones than the ones that come with any mechanical keyboard? Surely they are good enough as is no? If not wouldn't you just buy a better keyboard that comes with them such as Torpe etc?

I don't see how its a bad quality keyboard and i fail to see how you could make that judgment without actually having held one/used one to gauge the quality of it, just like any product.

I agree PBT caps would be nice but like you said its a no go with backlit so doesn't bother me, i highly doubt i will ever need to replace a worn key and if it comes to that stage it would have been such a long period of time that i would be happy to buy a different keyboard thats on the market that i probably like better at the time or just change things up.

What colour switches are you using? And what keyboard are you using? Also you hear anything about people putting o-rings on keys to quiet them down?

Originally Posted by Metana

Fuller, I scanned this thread looking for the $ price but didn't see one.

How much is it?

Ducky Shine isn't be all end all btw. Its just us in Australia that are lacking the options available overseas.

Hey mate,

sorry never posted a price, its $149.99 for the X8 or X9 model plus $50.55 for international shipping

Or if you get the customised one in the pic it comes to $166.99 for the custom LED's and same price for shipping but with 20% discount it works out to be $184.14 shipped which is pretty exy

but if you stick with the basic all blue or red (X8/X9) its not a bad price really at $166.54 shipped with 20% discount.