Overview
This is a product that is definitely aimed at the aging baby boomer population, and you can expect to see more products like this hit the market over the next decade and beyond. At first glance this may seem like something that would work to allow you to type with more accuracy, since you’ll be hitting fewer wrong keys. But the real problem is looking at the keys in the first place, not that you can’t see them clearly.
The Claim
The claim is that because the lettering on the keyboard is much bigger than conventional keyboards, and because the keys are yellow and the letters are black, you can see them more easily and type better. While this may be true for those that look at each letter before they press the key – known as hunting and pecking – those that type quickly will probably not find much use in it.
For example, if you can type 45 words per minute or faster, you’re probably spending very little time looking at the keyboard, and just letting your fingers do the work. It’s called muscle memory, and after some conditioning your fingers just know which keys to type as you think. All it takes is a little practice, and best of all, it’s free!
The Hype
They do add a little bit of sensationalism in their infomercial, exaggerating just how hard it is to see the keys, and also enhancing just how much this keyboard will help you type. If you’re still looking at each key before you press it, it probably isn’t going to increase your typing speed too much. It might help you find the keys more quickly, but
The Cost
The EZ Eyes Keyboard employs two marketing gimmicks in its ordering process. First, they throw in a mouse to sweeten the deal, and then they double the offer, but require you to pay shipping on the second set. So you end up getting forced into buying 2 keyboards and 2 mice for $31 which includes delivery. This is great if you have two computers, or if you have a friend that you know would benefit from this as well.
The Commitment
They say that you don’t have to install any software to use EZ Eyes. It’s plug and play which means you just plug it into your USB port and your computer will know how to install the necessary drivers to get it to work.
Evaluation
This is not the only large print keyboard on the market, and it is similarly priced to its competitors. By including the mouse they definitely made this a pretty good package. The fact that you can’t order just one individual set for $23 is a little off-putting for many people, but that is the way they’ve decided to sell their product, so what can you do?
They say it is ergonomically designed, but it looks like it is shaped exactly the same as a regular keyboard. There are ergonomic keyboards that have the keys split up and curved as to fit the natural hand posture, but the EZ Eyes keyboard does not have this shape, so we’re not quite sure what they mean here. They also say that it’s a joy to use because it contains all 104 keys. If it didn’t include all of the keys, who would buy it?
And although we get
the point of having high-contract colors, we think the bright yellow will be burned into your retinas after continued use at the computer, and you’d still be able to see the keyboard when you close your eyes when you’re not longer in front of the computer any more.If you’ve been having trouble seeing the keys, you can get an EZ Eyes keyboard to make them stand out more. You could also play a few typing games to get yourself used to typing without looking at the keys. The keys don’t move around, they’re always in the same place, and there’s only 26 letters to remember. Getting away from hunting and pecking will not only ease the strain on your eyes, but it will also increase your typing speed much more effectively than being able to see the keys better.
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View Comments
bought this a couple of weeks ago from Walmart. The two pack for $10. It's very likely I will reinstall my old keyboard and mouse.
I purchased this keyboard at an Ollies Bargain Outlet about 2 months ago for $2.00 I must say that was even too much. I type very fast (approximately 70 wpm) and this keyboard seems to work fine. Except for the fact that the letters have worn off. (Which I fixed with black plastic model paint and some clear coat that I put on with a paintbrush. You can purchase these items at any hobby or craft store. Now my keyboard works great until the keys start sticking as reported or not reporting the keystroke to the computer. I suggest going to walmart and buying a cheap keyboard which you can pick up for under $20.
I just ordered EZ Eyes double pack for $13.90 WITH shipping. I currently use EZ See, but after a year it sticks on certain letters, sometimes.
I don't use the PC, keyboard, and mouse like most people do. I have a 55" HDTV in my living room connected to my computer. I use the keyboard and mouse sitting on my recliner with the keyboard/mouse in my lap.
The great thing about having EZ Eyes is being able to watch TV and use my PC simultaneously with just a click of a button from my remote. The keyboard is super light, and since i have an HDTV, at night, after the sun goes down, i can see the keys while i'm typing without any light.
The whole idea of having an HDTV is using the TV like you're in a theater.
EZ SEE and EZ EYES are among of the best products, at least for me, that i have ever purchased. And did i mention it was only $13.90 for 2 keyboards plus 2 mice/mouse/mouses?
What can I say? My keyboard still works fine. None of the problems that have been reported & I've used it for about 2 years now. If it dies eventually I got my money's worth.
I bought it from a store in our local plaza. They sell just about everything that's offered on TV & they have a 30 day return & money back guarantee.
we bought these boards as well...............they ARE super cheap !!! ( actual cost to make is about $5.00 each ! ) the standard ones with yellow buttons.....
they send you two (2) because they won't last very long..............the common two issues are :
1) lettering and numbers are spray painted on...and wear off quickly
2) keys also wear out fast , even with little use........expect keys to stop functioning within 4 months to a year...........they the board is useless , so always have a spare on hand !!!
Just purchased my EZ Eyes keyboard and I must say.....all the keys work, its bright yellow as I had hoped it would be, and the price of $4.00...who cares if the letters fade and keys stop functioning - I never watch the keys when I type to start with. who cares if a letter sticks or stops working...the fact I purchased a keyboard for 4.00 and it worked for any length of time, is well worth what I paid. For those of you that thought you were getting a luxurious product for a little to no cost....never purchase stuff of television, go into a store where you can see the product, and also beat that cost of the product plus s&h. You get what you pay for, low cost usually means products were made cheaper which allows them to sell them CHEAPER!
Well, it's been over 18 month now since I got this keyboard & it's still working fine.
P.S. I really like the contrast between the yellow and the black, as my keyboard is on a pull-out shelf under my desk. I don't like to use the overhead light, and have a desk lamp instead, so the keyboard is in the shadows. The contrast works well in this situation.
Also, maybe because I got mine at a later time than most of these folx writing comments, it's had some of the glitches worked out by the company.
Howeve, there still is this driver problem, so it's not exactly an ideal piece of equipment.
Have had my EZ Eyes for at least 6 months, now, maybe longer, and don't have all the problems stated here. Didn't buy it from the EZ eyes company/website, bought it from a mail order catalogue I get and not sure if that's why mine is working ok. Didn't buy 2 @ 1, either, and it didn't come with a mouse.
However, that isn't to say there isn't any trouble with it. It's the same problem Chuck M has. My PC no longer recognizes the keyboard, so my machine won't go into hibernation mode. I have to shut the PC down and start it up every time. Not a huge problem, but it is annoying to have my PC reboot every time I want to use it.
If I leave my PC on in the hibernation mode, I get an error message that says I need to update the driver. Good luck on that. Not a driver to be found anywhere on the Internet, so it's back to the old keyboard. Thank goodness I still have it.
Oh, just FYI the L, M, N and O keys are beginning to show a little wear at the top of the letters, and occasionally the i & e will stick, but that's the extent of the keyboard problems.
Now, if I could just find a driver update.......
I love it. I type 70wpm and I am able to do that with this keyboard. I am not typing a great deal of information, just everyday use, but I love it. For the price, you can't beat it! Like Lynn said, I paid 9.99 at WalMart.