Scott Hopkins
2004-03-23, 08:57 PM
Hardware Review: A4Tech Left-Handed Numerical Keyboard
http://www.a4tech.com/ennew/product.asp?cid=100&scid=127&id=424
I recently picked up this unique keyboard online and have been very happy with it. Its distinctive left-handed numerical key layout makes entering distances in Revit a breeze. The keyboard is wireless, comes with a mouse and is very reasonably priced.
It is basically a knock-off of the Logitech Elite Keyboard and has near identical multimedia buttons and features. Although it is a good quality keyboard it is not quite up to par with the Logitech Keyboards. The key action feels a little different and to keep it inexpensive A4Tech left out the Numlock and other indicator lights. The keyboard driver (which isn’t very good) provides Numlock and other indicators in your system trey. I recommend using the keyboard without the driver. Windows XP will recognize the keyboard just fine although it won’t recognize the keyboard’s scroll wheel.
The other unique feature is A4Tech’s proprietary “A” shaped keyboard layout. Supposedly it provides for a more natural hand-wrist alignment, but I think it is more of a marketing gimmick. It does however make the keyboard feel slightly different. At first the keyboard feels a little smaller or tighter than a traditional keyboard, but after a few hours of typing you are not conscious of the difference any more.
The wireless keyboard and mouse come with rechargeable batteries. One innovative thing A4Tech did was turn the receiver into a battery charger as well. I am told that you can go a few months in-between charges. When you do run low, you will always have batteries at the ready. I read stories on the web about the charger overcharging the batteries and causing them to leak fluid. I have also heard this problem has been corrected. I took my batteries out after a day of charging. Although the mouse that comes with the keyboard seems pretty good, I use the keyboard with my own pointing device. The latest incarnation of the keyboard comes with a slick 5-button mouse.
Despite all of its shortcomings, I am absolutely mad about this keyboard. For me it is all about the keyboard layout. With its left-handed numeric key layout, A4Tech has scored a bull’s-eye. I spent last Saturday (my wife thought I was losing it) customizing my keyboard and keyboard shortcuts so that just about all of my commands can be entered from the numeric keys. I even went so far as to write a special key customizing-program to add more keys to the surrounding area. Now with the exception of typing notes my right hand never has to leave the mouse. The beauty of the A4Tech key layout for use with Revit is that everything you need Tab, Shift, Ctrl, etc. is all clustered tightly next to the numeric keys. With your fingers sitting across the 4, 5, 6 keys your thumb falls perfectly on the ctrl key which is a very comfortable and useful position.
I played around with several different keyboard layouts. I tried to group the most used letters and command shortcuts together in logical clusters. The one I finally decided on is basically a modified QWERTY layout I have dubbed the RVT layout. (See attached photo) If anyone has this keyboard and is interested the RVT layout I would be happy to post the layout program and key labels. I am sure all of this sounds like a lot of extra work, but once you have it set up and running, working with Revit is incredibly smooth, fast and enjoyable. Even if you plan to use the numeric keyboard “as is” for the sole purpose of entering distances I would say the keyboard is still a good deal for the money. :D :D :D
http://www.a4tech.com/ennew/product.asp?cid=100&scid=127&id=424
I recently picked up this unique keyboard online and have been very happy with it. Its distinctive left-handed numerical key layout makes entering distances in Revit a breeze. The keyboard is wireless, comes with a mouse and is very reasonably priced.
It is basically a knock-off of the Logitech Elite Keyboard and has near identical multimedia buttons and features. Although it is a good quality keyboard it is not quite up to par with the Logitech Keyboards. The key action feels a little different and to keep it inexpensive A4Tech left out the Numlock and other indicator lights. The keyboard driver (which isn’t very good) provides Numlock and other indicators in your system trey. I recommend using the keyboard without the driver. Windows XP will recognize the keyboard just fine although it won’t recognize the keyboard’s scroll wheel.
The other unique feature is A4Tech’s proprietary “A” shaped keyboard layout. Supposedly it provides for a more natural hand-wrist alignment, but I think it is more of a marketing gimmick. It does however make the keyboard feel slightly different. At first the keyboard feels a little smaller or tighter than a traditional keyboard, but after a few hours of typing you are not conscious of the difference any more.
The wireless keyboard and mouse come with rechargeable batteries. One innovative thing A4Tech did was turn the receiver into a battery charger as well. I am told that you can go a few months in-between charges. When you do run low, you will always have batteries at the ready. I read stories on the web about the charger overcharging the batteries and causing them to leak fluid. I have also heard this problem has been corrected. I took my batteries out after a day of charging. Although the mouse that comes with the keyboard seems pretty good, I use the keyboard with my own pointing device. The latest incarnation of the keyboard comes with a slick 5-button mouse.
Despite all of its shortcomings, I am absolutely mad about this keyboard. For me it is all about the keyboard layout. With its left-handed numeric key layout, A4Tech has scored a bull’s-eye. I spent last Saturday (my wife thought I was losing it) customizing my keyboard and keyboard shortcuts so that just about all of my commands can be entered from the numeric keys. I even went so far as to write a special key customizing-program to add more keys to the surrounding area. Now with the exception of typing notes my right hand never has to leave the mouse. The beauty of the A4Tech key layout for use with Revit is that everything you need Tab, Shift, Ctrl, etc. is all clustered tightly next to the numeric keys. With your fingers sitting across the 4, 5, 6 keys your thumb falls perfectly on the ctrl key which is a very comfortable and useful position.
I played around with several different keyboard layouts. I tried to group the most used letters and command shortcuts together in logical clusters. The one I finally decided on is basically a modified QWERTY layout I have dubbed the RVT layout. (See attached photo) If anyone has this keyboard and is interested the RVT layout I would be happy to post the layout program and key labels. I am sure all of this sounds like a lot of extra work, but once you have it set up and running, working with Revit is incredibly smooth, fast and enjoyable. Even if you plan to use the numeric keyboard “as is” for the sole purpose of entering distances I would say the keyboard is still a good deal for the money. :D :D :D