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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dankestofmemes on Thu, 19 February 2015, 08:04:53

Title: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: dankestofmemes on Thu, 19 February 2015, 08:04:53
is white uncomfortable at night or is it fine?
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: hwood34 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 08:08:03
I always thought that white was a little too bright at night, but then again many bright colors are, like cyan or light green.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 19 February 2015, 08:10:06
I like white and it's fine for me at night when I lower the brightness. Don't actually use it that often, though.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: exitfire401 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 08:14:13
Depwnds on the theme I'm going for. I have a lime/slime green on my race 2, my sprit 60% is going to have slow color changing leds, and my TX1800 is going to start off with the same leds as my race, but will change depending on what cap set i decide to have on at the time.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Dark_wizzie on Thu, 19 February 2015, 09:19:40
I prefer red or blue. I have red right now, looking to try out blue.  :)
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Jotokun on Thu, 19 February 2015, 10:26:23
I'm not much of a backlight person, but I don't mind if a keyboard has lighting as long as it's not blue. Those things are way too bright regardless of the set brightness, and I already have to cover up all the other blue LEDs manufactures are shoving into stuff for power/status indication as is.

On the opposite end, amber and red are really nice and subtle. Not retina burning at all. And with white, you can use plastic covers to change them so they're quite flexible. If a board I found an interest in just happened to be backlit, those would be my color choices, in that order.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Tempest790 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 10:55:26
Red or blue.  I really like the blue used on my Ducky Shine II with white keycaps.  It's almost a blue/ultra-violet color.  Very nice.  Red has less glare and is easy on the eyes in a dark room.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: plegnic on Thu, 19 February 2015, 11:01:47
Red/Orange is probably my favorite, especially at night. White is just fine though as long as you can adjust the brightness. If the white bothers you, you can always get some of those colored LED covers which change the color and reduce the brightness a lot.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Dark_wizzie on Thu, 19 February 2015, 12:57:25
I'm not much of a backlight person, but I don't mind if a keyboard has lighting as long as it's not blue. Those things are way too bright regardless of the set brightness, and I already have to cover up all the other blue LEDs manufactures are shoving into stuff for power/status indication as is.

On the opposite end, amber and red are really nice and subtle. Not retina burning at all. And with white, you can use plastic covers to change them so they're quite flexible. If a board I found an interest in just happened to be backlit, those would be my color choices, in that order.
Unfortunately the covers won't work with the Vortex keycaps I plan to get.  :(
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Sygaldry on Thu, 19 February 2015, 13:08:22
Cyan or Ice Blue for me. Sky Blue is okay too.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 19 February 2015, 13:26:26
I think green is a bit too harsh. But for the most part I love any backlight that matches the board. Any color can be fine as long as the brightness is right.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Eiji on Thu, 19 February 2015, 13:33:12
I've only used white backlight, and even then I usually had it on a fairly dim level. I wonder if there's any teal-ish colored LEDs out there though.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Lu_e on Thu, 19 February 2015, 14:41:35
Note: I don't have LED's but if I did;

Red, because my eyes are sensitive aaaand:

"Red is the illumination color of choice because it is the lowest wavelength light and as a result has the smallest impact on nightvision (regular nightvision, the kind without goggles or fancy equipment).  This is the same reason that hunting flashlights are red, as well as many lighting and illumination devices designed to operate at night."

http://www.quora.com/Why-are-submarine-operating-rooms-kept-dark

Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Novus on Thu, 19 February 2015, 15:40:14
Red because I'm always angry patriotic.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 19 February 2015, 16:10:19
I like Pink and Cyan/Sky blue as long as they aren't too bright as I like it when LEDs create the underglow effect on caps.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Booper on Thu, 19 February 2015, 16:24:14
No love for purple in here?! I wanted purple, but I went with white and got some color covers so I can keep my options open.
The led covers didn't fit well initially, but I sanded them down and they are fine now.

White is the most practical choice IMO since a color would limit my options when it comes to matching new keysets.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: wyatt8740 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 17:24:11
On my white backlit keyboard, a Logitech K800 (no, I did not spend that much, I obtained it from a co-worker), I can adjust the brightness. Most keyboards you can add a potentiometer (variable resistor) to let you dim the light if you find it overwhelming.

On a black keyboard, I like white backlight.
If I were to get a white keyboard that I could backlight, I'd really like to see it with a deep shade of violet light.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: daerid on Thu, 19 February 2015, 18:41:04
See sig
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Oobly on Fri, 20 February 2015, 02:32:39
Red is the least irritating for me, blue the most.

I find blue light to be very piercing and harsh, whereas red is soft and easy on the eyes.

White works well with any keycaps / board colours and isn't as harsh as you might think.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Ludovician on Fri, 20 February 2015, 02:41:32
The best backlighting is nonexistent backlighting.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: pesky brat on Fri, 20 February 2015, 14:57:50
The best backlighting is nonexistent backlighting.

Yep, backlighting is just unnecessary in most scenarios. Turn your damn lights on you cave dwellers!
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: radish on Fri, 20 February 2015, 15:48:20
i would think white + tinting stickers for various colors....

white can change to be any other color... no other color can do that.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Defect on Fri, 20 February 2015, 16:33:53
Red if you actually leave it on while typing (why?).  Low energy, least likely to **** with your vision.

But mostly its for taking photos so...any color :)
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: quake4mhg on Fri, 20 February 2015, 21:16:41
White. It really related to my job. I watch too much color on screen, need a rest  on eyes. Both at dim working environment at office or playing night maps in Insurgency or Arma 3 with lights off.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 20 February 2015, 21:57:20
The blue, purple and pink of the Ducky Mini is glorious...
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: tbc on Fri, 20 February 2015, 22:09:46
blue ftw

death to red

green looks like puke
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: dante on Fri, 20 February 2015, 22:09:52
As close to Wyse Dumb Terminal Amber as possible.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: ablooga on Fri, 20 February 2015, 22:12:17
Red is the least irritating for me, blue the most.

I find blue light to be very piercing and harsh, whereas red is soft and easy on the eyes.

White works well with any keycaps / board colours and isn't as harsh as you might think.
so firing a soft and easy red laser pen into your eyes won't hurt? I beg to differ
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 21 February 2015, 05:52:46
Not blue. Blue LEDs are generally brighter than others (may damage eyes) and blue light disrupts circadian rhythms.

Best is none though. Ambient light in the room, touch typing and optional doubleshots with a contrasting legible font FTW! Aesthetically, thick keycaps that don't let any shine through and a plate that reflects dim white/red/green light look neat.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Chromako on Sun, 22 February 2015, 07:15:35
None! Topre and Buckling Springs don't have backlighting, silly.  :D


Okay. Seriously. When there is backlight, I like white's aesthetics (I guess I've grown up around too much Apple gear), but for functionality and to lessen eye strain, preserve night vision, and not mess with your circadian rhythm, I'd go with red.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Bakgrund on Sun, 22 February 2015, 07:22:04
White is the best in my opinion, on most keyboards you can dim it so it won't be an issue at night. I think green/red/blue are too obnoxious and immature, I like to keep things clean.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Chromako on Sun, 22 February 2015, 07:25:28
Red is the least irritating for me, blue the most.

I find blue light to be very piercing and harsh, whereas red is soft and easy on the eyes.

White works well with any keycaps / board colours and isn't as harsh as you might think.
so firing a soft and easy red laser pen into your eyes won't hurt? I beg to differ


I think we're talking about comparing harshness with equal lighting intensity (cd/m2). Bringing lasers and coherent light into this is like equating rubber mallets with machetes, or apples and garlic (oranges?). Very different situations here.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: Defect on Sun, 22 February 2015, 07:39:52
Red is the least irritating for me, blue the most.

I find blue light to be very piercing and harsh, whereas red is soft and easy on the eyes.

White works well with any keycaps / board colours and isn't as harsh as you might think.
so firing a soft and easy red laser pen into your eyes won't hurt? I beg to differ

Better than a green laser that would burn through your eye.  But we are talking LED light, not laser.

Either way, scientifically Red would be least disruptive.

That's why submarines, cop cars (and Audi's), and dark rooms use red lights.
Title: Re: What is your preferred backlight color and why? Is white suitable?
Post by: spale on Sun, 22 February 2015, 07:50:56
I used to love backlight,  and could not ever imagine the keyboard without one. My favorite colour was white.

And then I entered Topre world,which does not have any kind of LEDs. Finally, after some time, I concluded that backlight is one really unnecessary thing, people  need to work in properly lighted conditions.