This has become a hot topic lately as more options are now available for
ETC Nomad. I am a huge fan of Nomad and have spent a lot of time researching options for a nice key
layout but LX keys and cmd_key are new to me just this last week. The previous thread has some information as well.
https://www.controlbooth.com/threads/getting-started-with-nomad.46230/
I went the X-keys route and have been pleased but they are expensive. X-keys are backlit with adjustable color (red/blue) and
intensity. They are also extremely customizable and allow for any
layout. This is of great value to me. I first purchased a 60 key
unit to use with the existing
layout that
ETC has on their website. Its small size is nice but, having worked with several IONs in town, I quickly got frustrated with having to
switch layers often and not finding keys in a similar spot. (I am willing to sell this
unit for a good price if anyone is interested).
I recently bought the 128 key
unit and have customized it to a very similar
layout as that of an
ION Xe/
EOS console. I really appreciate the similarity to the original consoles and
ease of having all keys available. (
shift is used often enough in
EOS that adding "layer" to the process was exasperating). It is also important to me that my students can learn on a very similar
layout to what they will be using elsewhere. The buttons are solid, comfortable and quiet though not quite as nice as a consoles. I gave up on the nice stickers that
ETC sells for the 60 key
unit as well and created my own through a fair amount of time with InDesign and printing a quality copy on
transparency. These slip into the key caps nicely, allow the light to
pass through the text and provide total customization of size, font
etc; something that I have grown accustomed to using the
EOS family software. Customization for me is critical and backlighting is a big plus. Also, part of the customization that I was able to do with the X-keys is to use 'blank' keys to create spaces around groups of keys as they are on a
console, further adding to a similar
console experience.
I since have learned about the Cherry SPOS units and now the LX keys and cmd-key. All of these use harder, "Cherry"-type keys without backlighting. They are all significantly less expensive also.
LX Keys and cmd_key are not programmable in any way. This may be a bonus for some; not having to spend the time to program though the
system x-keys uses is very nice.
SPOS, from what I can tell are truly programmable and, appear to be the least expensive.
LX keys comes from the UK and shipping is over $50. They offer a 10% educational discount. The
layout of keys is difficult to see from their website and they did not respond with a better
image when requested.
cmd_keys offers about a 15% educational discount. I do like the colored keys, organization and their use of extra macros and snapshots. They are U.S. based and have some nice design features. I would definitely consider this one if lack of custom programming and backlighting are acceptable.
I would love to try one of the other units to be able to experience the difference in feel, but the quality and customization of the x-keys is excellent and I am very pleased.
That is what I know. Hope it helps.