IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread

[Keybug]

Can anyone tell me anything about that black keyboard in the background? (I sure hope all that toilet paper next to it is still unused!)

It seems to have a coiled black DIN cable, has no Windows keys, a huge spacebar, big-ass enter etc. All good signs, but that case with the high ridge at the top end doesn't seem familiar at all. The keycaps look somewhat Cherry-ish, but with that layout...?

Thanks!

[Keybug]

Seller sent a photo of the label, turns out it's a Qtronix QX-201. Usually poor quality, I gather. Might still get it as black case vintage boards are rare and it could have interesting switches if it's not MX blues...

[rich1051414]

QX-201's can come in blue alps.

[Keybug]

Thanks! I'm getting it.

[rich1051414]

Thanks! I'm getting it.

I hope you are aware it is a dice roll. I don't condone gambling, but I wish you luck

[clickityClackity]

Any ideas on this one? I believe it's a Honeywell VIP 7705 Terminal keyboard but could be way off...





Sent from my LG-M255 using Tapatalk

[Chyros]

The caps look incredibly Futaba linear to me. But I think they were made by Comptec.

[Keybug]

Thanks. None of the possible switches would be all that bad for the price I'm getting it for. As long as it works...

Thanks! I'm getting it.

I hope you are aware it is a dice roll. I don't condone gambling, but I wish you luck

[rich1051414]

I am looking at a keyboard that looks interesting. I have researched it, but I am still not sure what kind of switch it is using.

Here is a pic:

s-l1600.jpg (261.18 KiB) Viewed 6881 times

The keyboard is a NTC 5060. I found a brochure with the keyboard listed here, but it claims the keyboard has 'NTC Mechanical Keyswitches', which doesn't even exist. Any ideas what is in here? I know it isn't alps, because they would have said so, so would it be sporting omron switches or would it just be some alps clone switch?


Edit: Update, I found an additional picture, but still unsure what it is, but I am sure someone can identify it now:

s-l1600.jpg (196.33 KiB) Viewed 6870 times

Is it Monogram SMK derivative?

[Techno Trousers]

I would say it's probably a rebranded DataComp keyboard with Futaba MA "clicky switch" with MX-compatible mount.

https://youtu.be/RH1FQc5Z7Go

[rich1051414]

Definitely not Futaba MA clicky.

[clickityClackity]

Any ideas on this one? I believe it's a Honeywell VIP 7705 Terminal keyboard but could be way off...





Sent from my LG-M255 using Tapatalk

I think I was correct - it does have the switches I was (optimistically) expecting!

[Chyros]

Honeywell Hall effect. WAY better, noice!

[snuci]

I think I was correct - it does have the switches I was (optimistically) expecting!

It shouldn't have been a surprise photos-f62/ti-micro-switch-keyboard-t15943.html

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Is it Monogram SMK derivative?

You would have to desolder a switch to be sure. I guess we can rule out Hottek as there are no mould numbers on the top, but to be sure you have to check what's written on the bottom of the switch.

[Blaise170]

Is it Monogram SMK derivative?

You would have to desolder a switch to be sure. I guess we can rule out Hottek as there are no mould numbers on the top, but to be sure you have to check what's written on the bottom of the switch.

Minus the metal bars, they look very close to the SMK(?) switches I found in some old TI-99/4A keyboards. The design is fairly ubiquitous as both Alps and SMK had similar switches around that time period. It's been awhile since I've looked through my switches though, so I'd have to check.

[rich1051414]

Is it Monogram SMK derivative?

You would have to desolder a switch to be sure. I guess we can rule out Hottek as there are no mould numbers on the top, but to be sure you have to check what's written on the bottom of the switch.

Minus the metal bars, they look very close to the SMK(?) switches I found in some old TI-99/4A keyboards. The design is fairly ubiquitous as both Alps and SMK had similar switches around that time period. It's been awhile since I've looked through my switches though, so I'd have to check.

I am not going to buy it as I am not a fan of linear, and 99% sure the switch is of linear variety as theres only one variety in that style that has tactile leafs, and chances are, this isn't one of them.

This is the ebay link though if anyone is interested in it tho.

[Blaise170]

I'd be interested if it were $50 cheaper. Too expensive for what it is though.

[davkol]

For future reference: I've just seen an auction with a black 75% keyboard labeled Escom Blackmax—I suppose it shipped with Escom Blackmax computers.



At first, I thought it looked like Strong Man SMK-85 (wide big-ass Enter), except for the half-height function-row keys (almost like Siig MiniTouch, but different).

But then I found this foam&foil keyboard with the typical BTC typeface… upon closer inspection, this one is basically the same.

[FritzVanDom]

Can anybody tell me something about these switches i found in an typewriter?
Full album: https://imgur.com/a/6cLxU

[Chyros]

Some kind of spring-over-membrane, never seen that specific one though.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

I've seen something very similar, but I forget what or where, now.

[Blaise170]

Looks to be Alps mount sliders over a membrane. Interesting in that I've never seen it, but otherwise not very interesting.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

It seems to be half way between Alps and Mitsumi mount.

[rich1051414]

The plastic retaining clips on those are... interesting. They only retain the slider on one side, which would make the slider want to tilt causing friction...

[Keybug]

That Amstrad KB6 (made in Ireland), would that be a Keytronic?

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anz ... pp_android

[davkol]

Isn't that an Alps Bigfoot?

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Nope, it has a reverse-curve case. It's more likely to be this:

http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/wang-5181.html

The original rubber dome–based internals are shown at the bottom of the page. Still Alps, but slider over dome.

[Blaise170]

It seems to be half way between Alps and Mitsumi mount.

Funnily enough, it also looks like Keytronic sliders from F&F boards.

[Keybug]

I stand amazed once more, Mr B.!

I'm getting that one anyway as it seems to have PBT keycaps (dyesub?), judging by the contrast between the spacebar and all other keys. It's only 15€ shipped.

Nope, it has a reverse-curve case. It's more likely to be this:

http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/wang-5181.html

The original rubber dome–based internals are shown at the bottom of the page. Still Alps, but slider over dome.