it *looked* like an x-keys

[aelfryc]

hey guys,

got a quick possible query, I bought online what looked like a 58 key x-keys pro, and ended up getting a KB58A from giga-tms (damned things look identical http://www.gigatms.com.tw/products-detail.asp?pid=78 )

Anyway it comes with some software that is sort of okay for programming it (visual keymaker, google is not much help looking this program up) but I don't suppose anyone else has made a similar mistake to me but somehow hacked the x-keys software to work for them?

any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Xzin]

My first thought was knockoff - but you know... that may be Xkeys' OEM.

Especially given the greater color choices.

Could be a cheap source of "real" X-keys.

Who writes Visual KeyMaker?

[Xzin]

http://www.technoveins.co.jp/technical/ProgKBQandA/index.htm

http://www.technoveins.co.jp/products/regkb/kb58a.htm

They even have serial versions.... and PS/2 and USB versions....

I really think these guys make product for X-keys. Maybe we could do a group buy and offer them near cost, rather than ~ $200 each.

[Wilbur]

To be honest.

I'd be willing to bet that they just buy their mouldings from the same China based moulding company. I've seen a few companies that are selling those style of keypads.

[Xzin]

http://shop.technoveins.co.jp/products/regkb/kb58a-usb.htm

You can buy it here:

http://shop.technoveins.co.jp/products/regkb/kb58a-usb.htm

29,715 Yen (?) though, which is ~ $300, retail.

[Xzin]

To be honest.

I'd be willing to bet that they just buy their mouldings from the same China based moulding company. I've seen a few companies that are selling those style of keypads.

Possible, but not sure. They have white, a serial port where the USA version COULD have but doesn't. Both PS/2 and USB, multiple other options.

Sure, they could have simply knocked it off but to this extent? This company has been around a long time too ~ '87 vs '00 for Xkeys.

My money is on PI Eng being the US distributors or the like.

[aelfryc]

You could try going to www.piegineering.com and download there USB X-Keys software... see if it works. (can't hurt).
Gave that a go, unfortunately it can't see the hardware (not surprising I guess)


If you don't mind me asking, how much was that thing?

not really any cheaper than an x-keys would be, taking into account exchange rate, it seems sourcing hardware like this in Australia is problematic!



Who writes Visual KeyMaker?
It appears to be an inhouse developed app from the giga-tms guys. On further investigation, it's not a bad program functionality wise, just ugly :)

If there's some interest I can post some screenshots