[Datanetics DC-50] ABT SoftKey

[zrrion]

Didn't even know this existed, but saw it on ebay the other day and had to know what was up with this one. It's made by the same folks who make the KeyPad A.


As the box says, this is a SoftKey, and a basic one at that. I'm not sure what makes it basic, don't have a manual or brochure or anything of that sort in the box to elaborate. Looks like A and B KeyPads were offered at the same time as well as a BarWand which is a barcode scanner and whatever a PadLegs is.

I assumed that the SoftKeywould be a rubber dome version or a version with lighter switches but that doesn't appear to be the case at all. These switches feel different from the ones in the KeyPad A. They feel a little lighter or maybe feel less tactile? it's hard to pin down honestly. They sound a little different so it's possible it's placebo or something. Best I can tell there's no major difference if feel so I can only assume that Soft in SoftKeystands for software. Since the keypad is nothing but relegendables I assume you'd need software on the apple to drive it. The fact that ABT sells a barcode scanner and this makes me thing they has some sort of point of sale software. I've seen other apple numpads with POS legends taped on so it's not too far out there to think that would be the intended use for one of these.


Comparing the earlier box of the KeyPad A with the SoftKey box






Honestly have no idea what's up with the tape on the cable. The pad doesn't look used so I'm not sure what could have happened to it that caused electrical tape to get involved.


switches are super clean. for as uncommon as these are I've gotten very luck with them. Very nice switches IMO.

[mmm]

Thanks for posting this, I was a bit curious about what was in it! If I had known it wouldn't have gotten away so easily

As to the switches, does the tactility/sound resemble any other switch?

[zrrion]

They're lightly tactile, think MX brown or SKCL, but unlike either of those there's hysteresis so you can't tease the tactile bump. I haven't felt a similar switch in that regard as most switches w/ hysteresis like that are clicky and are a lot sharper.

Sound is another thing too, the sound of the spring and tactile mechanism (which is also a spring, albeit not a coil spring) is present on top of the rest of the switch sound. I really ought to make a sound test for both of these pads to illustrate what I mean.