it *looked* like an x-keys

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!

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?

http://www.technoveins.co.jp/technic...andA/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.

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.

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

You can buy it here:

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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You could try going to www.piegineering.com and download there USB X-Keys software... see if it works. (can't hurt).

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Gave that a go, unfortunately it can't see the hardware (not surprising I guess)

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

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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!

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Who writes Visual KeyMaker?

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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