New ION Keys!!

[soundlight]

Something showed up at work today for our IONs that got me rather excited. New keys. No, not just the TAB key to replace SWAP, but a whole set of brand new keys for each ION. I did a doubletake - why are we getting a new keycap set when we just wanted to get the consoles up to date with the latest 1.9 key layout? Then I opened up the bag and dumped them out. They're contoured.

ETC must have finally realized how much of an issue the flat, poorly designed keys that originally shipped with the ION were (that was my biggest complaint with the console as a programmer - I accidentally hit adjacent keys far too often). The new keys are of a much better design and guide your finger to only the key you want to press. They feel a lot better when programming and naturally fit to your fingers. Essentially, they're awesome.

If you have the old-style flat keys I'd recommend contacting the dealer that you purchased your console from and asking them to get you a set of the keys. I have been told that they are actually free (but don't quote me on that) but you do have to get them through an ETC dealer.

 

[sk8rsdad]

There's a thread on it over at the ETC dating back to October that documents the availability of new keycaps. I've got mine on order via ETC support, but so far no present from Santa

 

[SteveB]

Oh, Oh, THANK you for this !.

I do admit, that even though I love the console, the keyboard is not as ergonomic as I would like.

Calling Barbizon in the AM

 

[HansH]

Hey guys!

A quick note about keycaps -- have your serial number handy when you call your dealer or your local ETC office. New consoles will have the keycaps already installed.

Glad to hear you guys are liking them! We have a few swapped over in Tech Services (hence the pictures on the ETC Forums), and it's definitely a nice touch for the console.

Hans

 

[meatpopsicle]

Hey guys!
Glad to hear you guys are liking them! We have a few swapped over in Tech Services (hence the pictures on the ETC Forums), and it's definitely a nice touch for the console.

Hans

now if we can get 1024 dimmers on an Element we'll have the best movie/tv board ever.

 

[starksk]

now if we can get 1024 dimmers on an Element we'll have the best movie/tv board ever.

All Element consoles support 1024 outputs. (2 Universes of DMX).

Here is the datasheet for more info on the options.

 

[skienblack]

Are these new keys also available for the Element?

 

[starksk]

Are these new keys also available for the Element?

Yup, they sure are.

 

[WooferHound]

After you replace the keys on your console, you can use the old keys to replace all the keys on your buddies computer keyboard.

 

[sk8rsdad]

After you replace the keys on your console, you can use the old keys to replace all the keys on your buddies computer keyboard.

Mine are destined for the X-Keys keypad for our Ion client laptop.

 

[epimetheus]

Mine are destined for the X-Keys keypad for our Ion client laptop.

Let me know how that works out, I'm thinking of doing the same thing.

 

[BryanKacz]

Let me know how that works out, I'm thinking of doing the same thing.

I was inspired by sk8rsdad's post, so I dug my old key caps out of the garbage (good thing the cleaners haven't touched the booth since Winter Recess started) and stuck them on my x-keys.
Although the single keys worked perfectly, the double keys didn't quite line up, so I had to use some blanks and label them myself.
I used the keys from my EOS, then realized that some of the keys I wanted weren't replaceable on the EOS (Displays, Macro, Format, Tab) so I had to grab those from my ION, but all in all I think it came out pretty good.

 

[derekleffew]

See what you started, WooferHound? If this catches on, ETC is going to start wanting the old keycaps back, so they can resell them.

 

[metti]

Is there anything to stop you from purchasing a set of the new keys to use with an X-Keys? I do some work with a theatre where I am forced to do a lot of programming from an X-Keys and I would love to get the better/newer keys for it and the actual Ion itself. I wonder how much a key set would cost if it was not associated with an Ion serial.

 

[sk8rsdad]

Mine are destined for the X-Keys keypad for our Ion client laptop.

Back from Disney World and the key caps had arrived. Here's the X-Keys pad after the swap.

 

[chausman]

I feel rather ignorant asking but...What are X-Keys???

 

[epimetheus]

I feel rather ignorant asking but...What are X-Keys???

It's a programmable keypad that can be configured to closely mimic the Eos/Ion/(Element?) keypad. It makes using the offline editor much easier since you've got a keypad configuration much closer to the actual board compared to a standard qwerty keyboard.

P.I. Engineering

 

[Maxweisen]

Are There keys available for the Eos?

 

[bosox242]

Are There keys available for the Eos?

Yes. If you have the old style keys with the beveled edges you can call ETC or you local dealer and they will send you the updated key caps.