geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Phaedrus2129 on Mon, 21 February 2011, 22:25:32

Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Mon, 21 February 2011, 22:25:32
As said:
http://www.amazon.com/XArmor-U9BL-S-backlit-mechanical-keyboard/dp/B004OLLXVQ


Also, XArmor's site is back up. Kind of. If you can call one page with five lines of text "up".
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: slowfreight on Mon, 21 February 2011, 22:29:02
I like this keyboard!  Too bad it comes with Cherry Browns otherwise I would buy it.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: AMW1011 on Mon, 21 February 2011, 22:33:52
Just in case, the Cherry MX Blue version is on sale at Amazon too:
http://www.amazon.com/XARMOR-U9BL-Backlit-Keyboard-Illuminated-Mechanical/dp/B003XQE040/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1298349198&sr=1-1
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: slowfreight on Mon, 21 February 2011, 22:43:26
Quote from: AMW1011;299145
Just in case, the Cherry MX Blue version is on sale at Amazon too:
http://www.amazon.com/XARMOR-U9BL-Backlit-Keyboard-Illuminated-Mechanical/dp/B003XQE040/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1298349198&sr=1-1


Damn!  I have an OCN Ducky on its way.  Must resist!  My wife is going to kill me.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Mon, 21 February 2011, 23:02:48
Well that's strange. The link AMW1011 posted seems to show a board with two Windows keys, while the link Phaedrus2129 posted shows one with the left Windows key replaced with a function key. Which should it be?

[Edit]Actually, one is a U9BL and the other is a U9BL-S. Is that it? Added functions in the S version?
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: AMW1011 on Mon, 21 February 2011, 23:05:03
Well my U9BL had 2 windows keys as well.  Perhaps its a new feature that they added.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: ricercar on Tue, 22 February 2011, 00:33:03
The newer model has a function key so you don't need to press Control or Shift to achieve special actions.

I have a U9BL Cherry blues with two Windows keys I'd trade for a backlit cherry brown board. Cherry blue hysteresis kills me when gaming, and bugs the **** out of me when surfing.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: AMW1011 on Tue, 22 February 2011, 00:48:08
Quote from: ricercar;299196
The newer model has a function key so you don't need to press Control or Shift to achieve special actions.

I have a U9BL Cherry blues with two Windows keys I'd trade for a backlit cherry brown board. Cherry blue hysteresis kills me when gaming, and bugs the **** out of me when surfing.


Umm... then sell your U9BL?  I sold mine for $100 shipped on OCN recently.  Note that I didn't have a hysteresis problem, but rather a noise/late night gaming/girlfriend problem.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: vynn on Tue, 22 February 2011, 03:00:20
bought! thanks. hope I'm not disappointed but it appears to meet all of key features I've been looking for. :)
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: Rally Man on Tue, 22 February 2011, 09:50:02
Finally!  A brown MX version.  That's the one I was waiting for cause I know the blue would of been to loud for my wife & baby.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: turbocharged on Tue, 22 February 2011, 10:28:09
When you go to the XArmor website all it says is warranty info and the url auto-links to "http://www.xarmor-usa.com/store_closed.html"

So is the store closed then?
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Tue, 22 February 2011, 11:19:11
Quote from: ripster;299337
There's still inventory in the channels.

But if they ARE still open I'd fire their website developer.

Maybe he moonlights for Unicomp, Fentek, Signature Plastics or CST?


I think we've got him:
http://www.crownmall.com/webking/
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: runeazn on Tue, 22 February 2011, 11:21:22
their webdeveloper must suck pretty hard..
i would've fired him...

all the site says is the e-mail for warranty....
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: Unicorn Fandom on Tue, 22 February 2011, 11:25:16
Got this in my inbox yesterday:

Hi xxxxxxxx,

Our website will now only take warranty and support related issue.
If you are interested in getting XArmor product please purchase directly from our partner such as buy.com / amazon.com

Thank you
XArmor support team

...so I'm doubtful about whether they plan to develop the site beyond its current state. What this also probably means is that we're not getting any more student discounts. I've emailed them to confirm that and am awaiting a reply.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: vynn on Tue, 22 February 2011, 12:14:48
I noticed a few differences between the U9BL and U9BL-9. They replaced the right Win key with a Fn key for the media and brightness controls. The legends on many of the keys are also modified to look better with backlighting, for example backspace is simply a backarrow since "Backspace" was lit unevenly on the original keyboard. They're also using a horizontal line on the spacebar rather tan a circle.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: Dr.Pepper on Tue, 22 February 2011, 12:26:16
Student discounts... that would be so nice, because at $135 it's close enough that I would rather just buy a Déck in green. Bescides, I have been wanting to try Cherry Blacks, and I have never head of any soldering problems from Déck. The Razer BlackWidow is also out of the question because I had 2 of them. The first had control key issues. The second had issues where it would cut out, and I would need to restart the computer for it to work, ( sometime unplugging it would work too ) even on different computers. That's when I bought my Das. So happy after that. But no pretty lights :(

I can't wait to hear about if we can get student discounts.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: AMW1011 on Tue, 22 February 2011, 12:34:29
The U9BL-S does look like a much unproved board over the U9BL.  Sadly, the website thing kills any chances of me purchasing one, I don't trust the support.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: vynn on Tue, 22 February 2011, 13:47:27
Quote from: AMW1011;299386
The U9BL-S does look like a much unproved board over the U9BL.  Sadly, the website thing kills any chances of me purchasing one, I don't trust the support.


This makes me nervous as well, ErgoGeek (the Amazon seller) has a pretty solid  rating and the U9BL received overall favorable reviews, so I pulled the trigger on it. I'll post a follow-up about how long shipping takes and my impressions of the U9BL-S.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: De4dSpace on Wed, 23 February 2011, 01:50:51
"Max Geek, LLC shipped the following item(s) in your order <#>, placed on February 21, 2011."
"Delivery Estimate: February 25, 2011 - March 02, 2011"

I ordered from Amazon and it's fulfilled by ergogeek.  But shipped by Max Geek.
"Looked up ergogeek on google maps they have the same address as Max Geek.  I'm beginning to wonder about future support issues, so far so good.  Being shipped out of Cali via UPS!  I wonder if they used the "UPS Store" next door to them.
UPS Tracking says it's scheduled for delivery on Monday Feb 28, 2011.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: vynn on Wed, 23 February 2011, 02:14:02
received mine as well:

"Max Geek, LLC shipped the following item(s) in your order, placed on February 22, 2011.
Delivery Estimate: February 28, 2011 - March 03, 2011"
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: bxt on Wed, 23 February 2011, 05:36:09
I would try one, but it will be loong time till i see one avalaible in Europe i suppose.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: abso on Fri, 04 March 2011, 16:56:09
Anyone receive theirs? Would love to hear some impressions/reviews..
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: BucklingSpring on Fri, 04 March 2011, 17:04:47
Quote from: slowfreight;299142
I like this keyboard!  Too bad it comes with Cherry Browns otherwise I would buy it.


FYI You can get it with blue as well.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: vynn on Fri, 04 March 2011, 20:13:55
Quote from: abso;305169
Anyone receive theirs? Would love to hear some impressions/reviews..

All of the impressions are posted in a separate thread.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=300609#post300609 (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=300609#post300609)
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Fri, 15 April 2011, 02:27:08
Guys I'm wondering if any of you are from Canada and if you found a way of getting your hands on this board? I'm tempted to order from the US Amazon website, but I'm unsure how much I'll have to pay in duty fees and other servitude to the government taxes.

I Googled till my fingers bled but I wasn't able to find a Canadian retailer that carries this keyboard, nor was I able to find a seller here that has one and is willing to ship it to Canada.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: popol on Fri, 15 April 2011, 02:33:56
again this generic rebranded and ugly overpriced keyboard. Same one as Tessoro and Qpad ones. Such a price for a ugly keyboard only because of the jacky backlit. ewww
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Fri, 15 April 2011, 02:40:21
Quote from: popol;331204
again this generic rebranded and ugly overpriced keyboard. Same one as Tessoro and Qpad ones. Such a price for a ugly keyboard only because of the jacky backlit. ewww


At the moment it's either this or the Razer BlackWidow and hmm I'd rather stay away from Razer. I dunno dude, I don't think it's that ugly. It definitely is not as bling bling and "stylish" as some would/might like it to be, but I think it's overall "ok" looking.

I'd really prefer a Das Keyboard S but with backlighting...however I don't think Das Keyboard is going to come out with that any time soon.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: The Solutor on Fri, 15 April 2011, 04:06:58
Quote from: popol;331204
Such a price for a ugly keyboard only because of the jacky backlit. ewww


In the the world of the mechs where you can find keyboards sold  in the range of 100 to 250$ w/o the leds or w/o the legends are you really complaining about a 130$ backlit keyboard ?
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: popol on Fri, 15 April 2011, 04:29:31
Quote from: The Solutor;331224
In the the world of the mechs where you can find keyboards sold  in the range of 100 to 250$ w/o the leds or w/o the legends are you really complaining about a 130$ backlit keyboard ?


rebranded repackaged. That's making all the difference. XArmor = QPAD = Tessoro...
this keyboard is way too much expensive for the lack of development work on it. Plus it's ugly but that's only my opinion for this statement.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Fri, 15 April 2011, 04:58:42
Quote from: popol;331227
rebranded repackaged. That's making all the difference. XArmor = QPAD = Tessoro...
this keyboard is way too much expensive for the lack of development work on it. Plus it's ugly but that's only my opinion for this statement.


I'm curious to know what you'd recommend.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: The Solutor on Fri, 15 April 2011, 05:07:38
Quote from: popol;331227
rebranded repackaged. That's making all the difference.


Features are making the difference. Durability, ergonomics, tactile feeling makes difference, not the logo printed on an object.

Actually this keyboard it the one that gives more value for money.

Who cares if it's called Xarmor, Tessoro or @@%^$$*#&@ ?
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: BucklingSpring on Fri, 15 April 2011, 08:52:49
Quote from: The Solutor;331234
Features are making the difference. Durability, ergonomics, tactile feeling makes difference, not the logo printed on an object.

Actually this keyboard it the one that gives more value for money.

Who cares if it's called Xarmor, Tessoro or @@%^$$*#&@ ?


As long as the QC is there. I'm happy.

So far I'm very pleased with the XArmor.

Yesterday I teared it apart and I noticed how dangerously close the unprotected wires of the main cable runs from one of the screws holding the frame together. Once in its place there no movement there so no big deal. Just something to be carful when assembling and disasembling the keyboard.

Pic from Phaedrus' review
(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/225/2/5/u9bl_16_by_Phaedrus2401.jpg)

I'm starting to get used to the stairs. This XArmor has the biggest steps of all my collection which is my biggest grip against the keyboard. Certainly not the ideal design for boob clouding.
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=16183&stc=1&d=1300398764)
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Fri, 15 April 2011, 09:00:35
Hmm my Das Keyboard Pro S has stairs as well, but I'm curious to know if the U9BL-S is more raised than it.

I thought though that raised keys are supposed to be superior to perfectly flat ones from an ergonomic point of view.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: The Solutor on Fri, 15 April 2011, 09:07:39
Quote from: BucklingSpring;331324
As long as the QC is there. I'm happy.

So far I'm very pleased with the XArmor.

Yesterday I teared it apart and I noticed how dangerously close the unprotected wires of the main cable runs from one of the screws holding the frame together. Once in its place there no movement there so no big deal. Just something to be carful when assembling and disasembling the keyboard.

Pic from Phaedrus' review
Show Image
(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/225/2/5/u9bl_16_by_Phaedrus2401.jpg)


My PCB is quite different, the Phaedrus one is a preproduction model, I haven't any active components soldered on the lower side of the PCB and the cable is also routed on the upper side of the PCB.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: BucklingSpring on Fri, 15 April 2011, 11:31:16
Quote from: The Solutor;331332
My PCB is quite different, the Phaedrus one is a preproduction model, I haven't any active components soldered on the lower side of the PCB and the cable is also routed on the upper side of the PCB.


As for the cable you can route it on top or below. I didn't notice where it was when I took the cover off. But it was "safer" to run it below with least risks of pinching the wires while staping back the cover together.

BTW: Have the second revision with the line on the spacebar (not the dot) I know the cabe setup looks the same but I don't remember if the boards are the same.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: BucklingSpring on Fri, 15 April 2011, 11:50:22
Quote from: allinvain;331328
Hmm my Das Keyboard Pro S has stairs as well, but I'm curious to know if the U9BL-S is more raised than it.

I thought though that raised keys are supposed to be superior to perfectly flat ones from an ergonomic point of view.


The DAS III is at my girl friend's place. I don't know if the III and the Pro S look alike. But I will check how the XArmor compares with the III.

I never noticed the stairs before. In term of ergonomy I guess too much is like too little. No doubt the XArmor is leaning toward the too much. I found it annoying in gaming and touch type exercises where I use the pinkies. I keep tripping the middle key(s) when moving from lower to top.

Ie from "/" to "0" will hit '"' and "[" and when on the arrow pad for gaming I use the pinky for "0" and will hit "1" way too often.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: BucklingSpring on Fri, 15 April 2011, 12:06:33
Quote from: ripster;331463
They are.  I can assure you IBM did a LOT of research on this.


Good picture. I'm not challenging IBM R&D at all. We're getting used to whatever we have with best results on one design vs another.

Excuse my English - While looking at your pic I see that the keys are more rotated than stair leveled. If you put a ruler on them (like you use to do), I think there will be a nice slope with very little gaps between the keys. Pretty much all XArmor keys are plain horizontal (as opposed to rotated).

I don't expect XArmor to win any Nobel Price for its ergonomy nor innovation.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: RebelExtrm02 on Fri, 15 April 2011, 12:54:07
Quote from: popol;331204
again this generic rebranded and ugly overpriced keyboard. Same one as Tessoro and Qpad ones. Such a price for a ugly keyboard only because of the jacky backlit. ewww

Opinions are like ass holes....

Too bad I don't agree with you. I love the look of this board, very classy in person.  The price over value is spot on as well, if not below the average price. But again, opinions are like ass holes...
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: The Solutor on Fri, 15 April 2011, 12:59:58
Quote from: ripster;331474
I'm just glad iOne/Xarmor didn't make the Mionix keyboard.

What a stupid idea that would have been.


Surely less stupid than a pointless crusade, against xarmor...:biggrin:
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: popol on Fri, 15 April 2011, 14:48:50
Quote from: RebelExtrm02;331491
Opinions are like ass holes....

Too bad I don't agree with you. I love the look of this board, very classy in person.  The price over value is spot on as well, if not below the average price. But again, opinions are like ass holes...


Yep I prefer original keyboards. That's my opinion.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: bionicroach on Fri, 15 April 2011, 15:04:17
Indeed.

Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Sun, 17 April 2011, 15:59:17
Hmm, why do I have the distinct impression that some of my posts on this thread are missing. Someone delete them? Overzealous moderator?
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: HoboBob on Sun, 17 April 2011, 16:00:51
Rollback occurred for the vB update.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Sun, 17 April 2011, 18:13:58
Quote from: HoboBob;332337
Rollback occurred for the vB update.

Oh I see. I figured all they changed was the theme. OK, well at least I now know.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Sun, 17 April 2011, 20:57:44
Well I just pulled the trigger on a purchase of this keyboard :) I hope I will like it. I am a big fan of my Das Keyboard Professional S so if it's exactly like it (with LED - which is what I wanted anyways) then I'll be very happy.

I read somewhere that the sound is very slightly different on this keyboard compared to the Das Keyboard or the Filcos with MX browns. Is this true?
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: neo on Sun, 17 April 2011, 22:15:51
Recently announced QPAD MK-80 (http://www.corporate.qpad.se/modules/news/article.php?storyid=238) looks strangely familiar.
Title: Xarmor U9BL-S available
Post by: allinvain on Sun, 17 April 2011, 23:23:01
I wonder how many sub-brands this company has.Or is it just those 3 ripster mentioned.