@solutor:
If you think slight light bleed is a break down in functionality, and backlighting is an essential part of a keyboard, well...in the case of the deck, it's purely aesthetic. I had to look quite closely in the pictures the OP posted to even notice. Though, I'm sure if I had just purchased a very expensive item, I would also be quite nitpicky. But it surely does NOT impede its functionality, as you seem to think. Certainly not a "sqaure stone tire". More like a tire whose lettering you think is ugly.
Already replied on the message above to this, I think.
While I won't deride anyone for wanting one, I have never actually used the backlighting on my keyboards that have it. In fact, after the novelty factor wore off, I haven't even turned it on.
So you have discovered the difference, you can turn off the light on a Deck with a touch of a finger, while you need a tank of gasoline and a lighter to turn on a (say) filco.
I think the former option is better.
There are 2 basic reasons for this: I rarely ever look at the keyboard while typing or orienting my hands (that's what the FJ nubs are for) and if you're using your keyboard, the odds are high that you're using your monitor(s). You know, that thing that is basically a lightbulb? I'm sure this isn't true for everyone, but my monitors put out enough light to read by without squinting, so I can surely see my keyboard if I so desire.
My monitor is suspended to a Pixar lamp style arm so is about 30cm (1ft) recessed from the desk border, while my keyboard is in its own extensible tray, also the IPS monitors tend to not bleed light on the side as the cheaper TN ones are used to.
So the monitor lights won't help at all.
Now, there are definitely use cases for backlit keyboards. For instance, for non-touch typists. Knowing nothing about Mopar except that he's a member of this forum and German (the latter is useless for this discussion), the odds are high that he is at least partially a touch typist. I mean, it's a keyboard forum. This is likely the case with the overwhelming majority of our membership. Also, based on the market, I would assume they are useful for gaming as well, but that brings me back to the monitor argument.
I'm sorry but I find the argument "keyboard forum = touch typist audience" the weakest you talked about.
Do you really think that a car forum should be only directed to Gran Prix drivers ?
BTW I use computers since 1982, and typewriters since 1974 or so, so I'm fast, but I'm not a touch typist. Obviously I don't have to look at kb on every single keystroke, but I find still useful to have a reference when I start to type after doing something else, and I'm sure I'm not alone, because I face daily a great number of PC users, because this is my work.
Most of people don't ask for a backlit kb because they are unaware they exist, mechanical or not.
Also, admittedly, if you're taking pictures of your computing setup, taking one in the dark with a backlit keyboard does look quite slick.
My own computer looks good, but I really don't care about the look, although I obviously prefer a good looking and functional computer, If I have to choose between an ugly looking but functional one and a good looking but uncomfortable, i choose the former option.
Can you imagine if the Model M was backlit?
I'm surely will manage to mod one of them, at least with the uv frontlight, will be great.
I know LEDs last a long time, but 25 years?
This requires a long discussion as much of the infos about the LEDs are just misleading, but be sure that a normal working LED will last longer than any keyboard ever built.
Sure, they would likely still be kicking out light, but they would definitely be doing so at different lumen levels.
It depends
It depends on the kind of led (plain or phosphor based), the led quality, the average driving current and so on.
Most of the leds used on BL keyboards are driven at less than a quarter of the power they can manage, so their life will be greatly improved.
Basically, I think we shall never "have more to discuss."
I'm sure you're wrong.
Just two months ago we had just three BL mech keyboards: Xarmor, BWU and Deck, now we have also mionix, ducky and Qpad, wait one year and you will see how many boards will start glowing...
