By the Ask Ergo Works Specialist Team | Certified Ergonomic Specialists | 30+ years recommending accessibility keyboards for low vision, macular degeneration, and visual impairment | Palo Alto, CA
We get this question regularly: "I need a large print keyboard — should I get the Bluetooth one or the ASTRA 2?" The honest answer is that it depends on two things: your lighting environment and how you use your devices. Get those two factors right and the decision is straightforward.
I've been recommending LogicKeyboard products to clients with macular degeneration, low vision, and visual impairment for years. Here's how I actually think through the choice in an assessment.
What They Have in Common
Both keyboards share the core feature that makes LogicKeyboard products worth recommending: key labels that are 4x larger than standard keyboards. The characters are printed at 10mm x 10mm — large enough to read without leaning in, squinting, or guessing. For clients who've been hunting and pecking on standard keyboards because they can't read the keys, this alone is transformative.
Both use high-contrast printing. Both have a full-size layout with function row, number row, and arrow keys. Both are compatible with PC and Mac. Both are built to LogicKeyboard's quality standard, which in my experience is consistently reliable.
The differences are about connectivity, lighting, and use case — not about which keyboard is better in an absolute sense.
The LogicKeyboard Large Print Bluetooth Keyboard
The Large Print Bluetooth Keyboard is the choice for users who want wireless freedom and work in reasonably lit environments.
Key specs:
- Bluetooth 3.0 wireless — no cable, no dongle
- Compatible with PC, Mac, iPad, and iPhone from a single keyboard
- Black-on-white high-contrast printing
- Powered by 2x AAA batteries (included) — no charging required
- 78 keys (PC) / 79 keys (Mac)
- 12-month warranty
Who this is for:
The Bluetooth model is the right choice when wireless connectivity matters — whether that's for a cleaner desk setup, multi-device use (switching between a Mac and an iPad, for example), or simply the freedom to position the keyboard wherever it's most comfortable without cable constraints.
It's also the right choice for users who work in normal office or home lighting. The black-on-white printing is high-contrast and readable under standard fluorescent or natural light. If you can see the keys clearly in your current lighting, you don't need backlighting — and the Bluetooth model's battery-powered design means no charging to manage.
I recommend this keyboard most often to clients who are managing macular degeneration or low vision in a standard office or home environment and want the simplicity of a wireless setup that works across multiple devices.
The LogicKeyboard ASTRA 2 Backlit Large Print Keyboard
The ASTRA 2 Backlit Keyboard is the choice for users who work in low-light environments or need illuminated keys for any reason.
Key specs:
- Wired USB connection — plug and play, no pairing required
- LED backlighting with adjustable brightness
- White-on-black high-contrast printing — the backlight illuminates white characters on a black background
- Full-size layout with numpad
- Compatible with PC and Mac
- USB powered — no batteries required
Who this is for:
The ASTRA 2 is the right choice when lighting is the primary challenge. If you work in a dim office, a home office with poor overhead lighting, or at a workstation where the ambient light varies significantly throughout the day, backlit keys make a meaningful difference. The white-on-black printing with LED backlighting is highly visible even in near-darkness.
It's also the right choice for users who prefer a wired connection — no batteries to replace, no pairing to manage, no wireless interference to troubleshoot. For users in clinical or institutional settings where wireless devices may be restricted, the ASTRA 2 is the practical choice.
The ASTRA 2 also includes a full numpad, which the Bluetooth model doesn't. For users who do significant data entry or work with spreadsheets, this is worth noting.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Large Print Bluetooth | ASTRA 2 Backlit |
|---|---|---|
| Key label size | 10mm x 10mm (4x larger) | 10mm x 10mm (4x larger) |
| Print color | Black on white | White on black |
| Backlighting | None | LED, adjustable brightness |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 3.0 wireless | Wired USB |
| Device compatibility | PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone | PC, Mac |
| Power | 2x AAA batteries | USB powered |
| Numpad | No | Yes |
| Best for | Normal lighting, multi-device, wireless | Low light, wired, data entry |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
The Decision in Plain Terms
If I'm doing an assessment and a client asks me which to get, here's how I frame it:
Get the Bluetooth model if: You work in normal lighting, you want wireless, or you use multiple devices (especially if you switch between a computer and an iPad or iPhone).
Get the ASTRA 2 if: You work in dim or variable lighting, you prefer wired, you need a numpad, or you're in an institutional setting where wireless is restricted.
If you're genuinely unsure about your lighting situation, I'd lean toward the ASTRA 2 — backlighting is always available when you need it, and you can simply turn it off or dim it when you don't. The Bluetooth model can't add backlighting after the fact.
A Note on Setup
Both keyboards are genuinely easy to set up. The Bluetooth model pairs in under two minutes. The ASTRA 2 is plug-and-play. Neither requires drivers or software installation. For clients who are less comfortable with technology, this matters — and it's one of the reasons I recommend LogicKeyboard products specifically over other large print options that require more configuration.
If you're setting up either keyboard for a family member or client with low vision and want guidance on the full workstation setup — monitor distance, font size, contrast settings, and keyboard positioning — our specialists can walk through that in a virtual assessment.
👉 Book an Accessibility Workstation Assessment — Virtual or Palo Alto Showroom
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bluetooth keyboard good for macular degeneration?
Yes — the 4x larger key labels and high-contrast black-on-white printing make it significantly easier to locate and read keys for users with macular degeneration. In normal lighting conditions, most clients with macular degeneration find the Bluetooth model fully readable. If your central vision loss is more advanced or your lighting is poor, the ASTRA 2's backlighting provides additional contrast.
Can I use the Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad?
Yes — the Bluetooth model pairs with iPad and iPhone via Bluetooth 3.0, in addition to PC and Mac. The ASTRA 2 is wired USB and works with PC and Mac only.
Which keyboard is better for low-light environments?
The ASTRA 2 Backlit is the clear choice for low-light environments. The LED backlighting illuminates the white-on-black key labels and is adjustable in brightness. The Bluetooth model has no backlighting and relies on ambient light to make the keys readable.
Do either of these keyboards work with screen magnification software?
Yes — both keyboards work with any screen magnification software (ZoomText, Windows Magnifier, macOS Zoom, etc.) because they're standard HID keyboards. The large print keys reduce reliance on screen magnification for key identification, which many clients find reduces cognitive load during typing.
Is the ASTRA 2 good for post-stroke recovery or neurological conditions?
Yes — the ASTRA 2 is recommended by occupational therapists for clients with neurological conditions that affect visual processing or fine motor control. The large, high-contrast, backlit keys reduce the visual search time required to locate each key, which is particularly helpful for clients with processing speed challenges. The wired connection also eliminates the need to manage Bluetooth pairing, which can be a barrier for some clients.
Can I order these keyboards for a clinic or organization?
Yes — Ask Ergo Works supports B2B and institutional purchasing for healthcare, education, government, and corporate clients. We supply both models to low vision clinics, rehabilitation centers, and corporate accessibility programs. Contact us for volume pricing.
Do you offer an assessment to help me choose the right keyboard?
Absolutely. Our certified specialists can assess your specific vision situation, lighting environment, and device setup to recommend the right keyboard — and configure the full workstation for maximum accessibility. Virtual assessments are available nationwide; in-person assessments at our Palo Alto showroom by appointment. Book here.
About Ask Ergo Works
Ask Ergo Works is a Bay Area ergonomic consulting and product company with 30+ years of experience recommending accessibility keyboards and workstation tools for clients with low vision, macular degeneration, and visual impairment. Our certified specialists work with individual clients, low vision clinics, rehabilitation centers, and institutional buyers nationwide. In-person assessments available at our Palo Alto showroom by appointment.
