A product that covers modifications in it's warranty? Your dreams have come true. Packing individual LED lights in each key and a slew of other features; the DECK keyboard is designed to BE modified. Check out our review of the DECK keyboard and see if its Tech enough for you!

DECK Keyboard Review

Provided By: ThinkGeek
Retail Price: $120.00
Review Date: 4-24-05
Review Author: Rusty Newton

 Just when you thought keyboards were boring...  DECK by TG3 Electronics has come out with a keyboard boasting very unique features and even covering custom modifications in the warranty. 

IN THE BOX

Packaging:

 The DECK keyboard comes well protected. Decked out(haha) in a cardboard box with the curiously suggestive phrase "You've got a big DECK" planted on the outside....

What's Included?:
• 1 x DECK Keyboard
• 1 x Attached USB Cable
• 1 x Instruction Pamphlet
• 1 x Skull N Crossbones Keycap

DESIGN & FEATURES

Big Hands & Flimsy Wrists Not Allowed:

 One of the first things you will notice when examining the DECK keyboard is the very compact size and unusual weight(especially for a small keyboard).

 I found out that DECK is a product line of TG3 Electronics. TG3 produces all the keyboards for a large majority of squad cars, firetrucks and rescue vehicles all over the world. This DECK keyboard is just a modified version of the common keyboard designed for use in those vehicles, hence the small size.

 The keyboard sits high, a little less than an inch off the desk or surface. With no wrist rest or tilt feet this can be bad. Even so, the key arrangement is oddly comfortable for typing and the keys are very responsive with great feedback.

 Using the DECK for several days we have found that the small size and lack of tilt feet make for plenty of wrist strain. Though if you are buying the DECK for modification purposes; it will likely turn out different depending on your mod. Our results were from using it in it's out of the box form.

Built Geek Tough:

 We all know that tougher, more durable equipment is necessary in the evolution of electronics and computer gear. Geeks can sometimes be abusive to their computer peripherals, especially when the computer refuses to cooperate and trys to start a mutiny among the components. The DECK is an exception to the common feeble accessories we see day to day.

 The DECK keyboard has a built on Aluminum Diamond Plate bottom. This adds weight to keep your keyboard in place and strengthens the whole unit. Now the formerly humble keyboard can be quite dangerous if you choose to smite something. The reflectivity of it just adds to the sweetness. =)

 Besides the bottom plate being tough, the plastic case is also very thick. The circuit board wasn't left out either; it is built of FR4 fiberglass PCB material then the double-sided plate was reinforced through holes with a black solder mask.

 Even the keys are tough! TG3 used a sublimated negative printing process to drive the transparent ink into the keycaps at 525 F. Basically your keys cannot wear off.. Ever, you will probably be dead before your letters could ever possibly wear off.

It was Born to Mod:

 You could say that the main feature of this keyboard, is the lack thereof. Instead of just including lots of features you may or may not use, (i.e. media wheels, quick keys, etc) TG3 considered that many geeks now will modify their own peripherals and components to their liking, so they decided to design the keyboard so that you can easily drill, hack, saw, maim or attach stuff on the DECK.

 Basic mods are even covered in the warranty! As long as they are not "destructive".

 Only takes a few screws and the Diamond Plate bottom comes off. After removing the bottom plate you can see that the USB cord is plugged into the circuit board instead of soldered. This means you can switch it out with any USB cord, even a glowy flashy one like you know you want!

 A few more screws and the keyboard casing pops off. This makes a modification so easy that it's almost like your not even modifying it, I mean if it's made to be modified, then is that really modifying?;or are you just using a feature?

 When we take a closer look at the surface of the circuit board, you can see that not only did TG3 leave extra solder joints for LEDs or other things; they also labeled the joints in readable english!

  The keys are also designed to be replaced. All that is needed is to pry the key from the bottom using a bent paper clip or similar device and it pops off! Only one extra keycap(jolly roger) is included with the DECK keyboard, but TG3 supposedly will be bringing out several sets of keys later on.

 This is definitely made to modify, heres the ready to modify features:

• Case removeable, easy to drill or cut through
• Bottom Diamond Plate removeable.
• Replaceable Keycaps
• Non-Soldered USB cable
• Perimeter LEDs and LEDs under each key

Light it up!:

 Ah, now we shall take a look at the glorious lighting system this keyboard is endowed with. TG3 has included One or More LED lights underneath each and every key! I've had plenty of experience with EL backlit boards and other technologies, but this individual LED lighting seems to be the best for sensitive eyes and for looks!

   
Click the pics, you need to zoom in for these =)

 It makes a SWEET lighting effect! Better than any I have seen! The unusual font they chose for the keyletters adds to it even more.

 If it's too bright for you, then you can use their variable lighting feature to turn it down! There is 7 levels of brightness, adjusted by either using the "Fn" key along with up or down arrows or using the "Fn" key while pressing 1 - 7 (1=lowest,7=highest or 0 for off ).

 This is the first keyboard I have seen with variable lighting so if you want to see what the different levels look like yourself, you can download a video below showing the lighting scale.

 (deckboard.wmv 976KB)

SUMMARY

 The DECK keyboard is Expensive, but well worth the money for the features and modifiability. That is, if you can handle their being no tilt feet or wrist rest with the board being nearly an inch off the desk.

 Individual LED lighting is the best feature of the DECK. With intensity and variable levels it is unmatched among other keyboards.

 To a geek or modder, the smooth typing and many modding features will probably outweigh the wrist discomfort.

PROS 
• Designed for modification
• Intensity of LEDs and variable Lighting is unmatched among competition
• Non-Destructive mods covered in warranty
• Great feel to the keys
• Comes in four colors, blue,green,gold,red

CONS
• Some will not like the compact size, lack of numpad
• No tilt-legs for tilt adjustment
• Due to the size, several keys are smaller or in odd positions

FINAL RATINGS

Thanks to  ThinkGeek for providing the DECK Toxic Green keyboard for review!
If you are looking to purchase a DECK head to ThinkGeek , they always have great prices and carry
lots of other geek gadgets and peripherals.