INTRO:
The BTC RF Wireless Keyboard is marketed as a gaming wireless keyboard, but when push comes to shove it is better suited as an extension of your HTPC than fragging zombies? Is this “gaming” wireless keyboard a hidden gem for the budget minded HTPC & homebrew PVR enthusiast or do you need to pony up for something like a Gyration keyboard for quality couch computing?
PRODUCT INFORMATION/SPECIFICATIONS:
Model: 9019URF
Wireless: Dual channel (255IDs)
Cordless technology: Radio frequency
Frequency: 27 MHz
Number of Keys: 87
Switch activation mechanism: Membrane
Travel distance: 3.5 +/- 0.5 mm
Peak load before make (normal key): 55 +/- 20 g
Keyboard dimension: 461(L) x 186(W) x 42(H) mm
Keyboard weight(including batteries): 0.9 kg
Effective distance: 3 m/9.8'
Battery Life: 1.5 months (4hrs/day)
Input power: 3 Vdc (2 x AA)
Receiver Input power: 5 Vdc, 100 mA (via USB)
Connector: USB connector plugs
Dimension: 85(L) x 64(W) x 34.5(H) mm
Weight: 0.1 kg
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS/PACKAGING
The BTC 9019URF comes with a wireless keyboard, receiver, driver CD, user’s guide,
quick installation guide, and batteries (2 X AA). I’m not a battery brand snob, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the BTC was packaged with Duracell brand batteries instead of generic industrial AA’s. Nice touch on BTC’s part.
BTC 9019URF is made of an attractive black plastic and feels sturdy. It survived several coffee table height drop tests and the accidental foot administered structural integrity tests. It’s made of plastic and certainly not indestructible but seems pretty solid with only a minimal amount of flex. The only part that does not seem as rugged is the top row of Internet & Multimedia buttons. These buttons don’t seem to be of as high a quality as the rest of the keys. The buttons respond fine, they just don’t feel as nice or as solid as the rest of the keyboard.
The BTC 9019URF is pretty compact, and as you might have noticed has built in handle/grips. The keyboard is smaller than a full size keyboard, yet slightly bigger than a laptop keyboard.
