Once you push the 'EL ON/OFF' key (see below) the keys all glow a nice blue color. Even in a bright room I've found it's easier to see the keys when they are lighted. As for the caps lock, scroll lock and num lock lights, they are all blue led's and not the usual green color. And they are bright!

*notice the EL on/off key to the left of the led's, in blue letters

I love having a key pad. As you can see in the pictures above (click them for closeups), the EL on/off key has blue letters to make it stand out better. Plus it's in a good position that's easy to remember. Guess I've been spoiled by keyboards that have a larger enter key, the one here is smaller than I prefer. But, that's me.

What makes the keys light up? This from Hampton Technologies:

The Zippy EL-715 USB keyboard is a notebook-style full-size keyboard with a twist-with the flick of switch it will glow blue. Behind the 105 translucent keys is a flat sheet of electro-luminescent material-the same stuff that puts the glow in "indiglo," which lights up watch faces around the world.

Now the main feature is, of course, the 'indiglo' light effect. It is the same technology as those indiglo watches use. You control the EL light with the on/off key so you can turn it on or off anytime you wish. With the light on, the EL-715 is easier to read than any non-lighted keyboards. Even in the daytime. It isn't as bright as the original Zippy EL-610, nor is it as easy to see the keys in the dark. With the EL-610 the light made most of each key light up, while this newer EL-715, the light is not only dimmer, but there is no light in the center of the keys. *click the above pics to see a close-up of what I mean

No ps2 adapter comes with the Zippy so you'll need a free USB port. I was told that a simple usb to ps2 adapter should work, but I don't have one here to test. And how long will the lighting last? Hampton Tecnologies spoke with an engineer and were informed that if the light were to be left on for 24hrs per day 7 days a week for 2 years, that was the estimated lifespan.

There are no levers on the bottom to raise the keyboard. Instead Zippy made the EL-715 in a way that it's always slightly raised. In each corner there are rubber spacers to protect your desk from being scratched when you move the kb around. Something I do alot of.

The Zippy EL-715 has a very nice sleek look to it. It's built well, but is also lightweight. The keys are raised on their scissor-style connectors and do provide a pleasant tactile feedback. A soft click if you will. Being raised, though, means if you eat around your work area then be careful about crumbs. They can and will get under the keys. It goes without saying to be extra careful with any beverage.

Maybe I was spoiled from the first Zippy lighted keyboard. This EL-715 would have been a major winner had it used the exact same keys and lighting as the EL-610. As it is, it is still easier to see than any non-lighted keyboard. And it is full-sized unlike the EL-610 which is more laptop sized. And has no num pad. The keys are white colored with bold black letters and numbers so it is easy to read in the bright room when no keyboard lighting is necessary.

• It lights up, easier to see in the dark
• On/off key
• Simply plug it in any USB port
• Has a number pad
• Soothing blue light
• Blue leds
• Hi-Tech look
• 1 year warranty

• Center of the keys is dark and not lighted
• Small enter key
• *Some of the keys don't have a consistant smooth click

It isn't perfect, but then what is. The main thing is the Zippy EL-715 does what it is intended to do. If you are a gamer then having lighted keys can help make your gaming experience much more enjoyable, and error free. Same goes for anyone that types either in the dark (like me) or for those who use a keyboard during presentations.

As for the things I didn't like about it like it not being as bright as the previous Zippy and that the keys are not lighted in the center, those things would not have bothered me had I not already used the earlier model EL-610. Take those issues out then you have yourself a fine keyboard and one that you can easily use in the dark or in any dimly lit room. Striking the wrong key and making a new foreign language is now a thing of the past!

Many thanks goes out to the friendly and very helpful guys at Hampton Tecnologies for making this review possible. Direct Link to the Zippy EL-715.

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