NTC KB-6151N AT/XT

[seebart]

I picked this up for one euro. It´s pretty beat up. The case is damaged between F8 and F9. I love the metal backplate construction. It makes sense that the metal backplate is the back and the keyboard is screwed to the case, the case then to the plate.The whole keyboard is very sturdy.The metal flip feet are the best I have ever seen on any keyboard. The switches (to be verified) are smooth as to be expected. Because of yellowing I put on keycaps from a micronorth keyboard for now. The case and caps make for a good retrobright test. The keyboard is AT / XT switchable. I might use the switches for another project in the future.

[scottc]

Awesome find, seebart. Nice switches, and the condition actually isn't that bad. Are the switches genuine ALPS?

[seebart]

Are the switches genuine ALPS?

we must consult our own Daniel Beardsmore on that, I am not sure. There is no alps logo on the switch. But they feel and sound exactly like the switches on my Focus FK-2002.

Awesome find

thanks.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Blue Alps switches only have a logo on the bottom. Those look like blue Alps switches to me. We've only started to discover the blue Alps version of the 6151.

What's interesting is that it spanners my idea that the 'N' in 6151N/EN means "Nan Tan Switch" (Alps clone, I presume, as that's what my KB-6153EN is — alps.tw Type OA2), and that the 'A' in 6151A/EA means "Alps switch". It's probably that Nan Tan weren't fussy, but the label might still say 'A' instead of 'N' (more likely to change the label than the PCB). Is there a label on the case? There should be a product label plus the A/X label for the switch.

[Muirium]

Also show us the metal feet in action, as you mentioned them Seebart.

[seebart]

There should be a product label plus the A/X label for the switch.

no unfortunately there is no other label on the back. The A/X label and a small silver label at the very edge reading

S/N 870619298

but the pcb clearly reads KB-6151N

Also show us the metal feet in action

well I can´t show them in "action" but anyway here...you can see them on the third picture from the top also

here that´s better...

[Daniel Beardsmore]

The PCB ID is often wrong. The model number on mine (KB-6153EN) doesn't match the PCB (KB 6151EA V 9.0B) or the controller chip (NTC-6351A). There are a few photos of mine here: [wiki]NTC KB-6151[/wiki] — I can't do any full keyboard pics as two switches are removed and one got destroyed, but I should take a close-up of the controller and of the PCB inscription.

[Muirium]

Mmm… metal indeed. How grippy are they on a desk? My favourite feet remember to actually do a good job. The NovaTouch has some nice rubbery ended ones.

[seebart]

How grippy are they on a desk?

well the feet themselfs are not grippy, BUT this NTC KB-6151N AT/XT has four rubber squares on the bottom metal also so it stands quite well.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

It's certainly a hefty, solid keyboard. The switches in mine are clones — not too bad, certainly usable, but when you compound my T-rex typing pose with a crammed desk from trying to jam this keyboard in front of my PC keyboard (I was using it on my Mac) the switches were just too stiff. For proper typing pose they'd be OK. Blue Alps would be a lot better, especially with all that metal to resonate.

[seebart]

oh this one has got a nice feel to it allright, but its a bulky beast in size, like a model m I would say.

[Muirium]

The metal says more like Model F. I'm spoiled by my two. Model Ms aren't quite the bruisers of renown once you've gotten used to them.

[seebart]

yeah I guess, here´s another shot of it in parts, it just does not have the looks of a M or F at all.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Hm, look at the solder holes for the switches. It almost looks like it's designed for Alps and Cherry.

[Muirium]

I'm always perplexed why some keyboards have extra switch positions there, above the inverted T. Cross-compatible or otherwise. Seems like a strange thing to hedge against: the Model M layout itself.

MX and Alps switches need a different plate geometry, if I'm not mistaken. Not only are the holes different shapes, but the PCB is closer to the plate on Alps. Right?

[Daniel Beardsmore]

4.5 mm for Alps, 5 mm for Cherry. I doubt it matters, as the plate is screwed to the case, and the PCB is free to be any distance from the plate, so long as it's within the space available in the case. Multiple plates wouldn't bother China and Taiwan as they were forever retooling — just look at the Chicony KB-5181!

(Cherry switches have the little standoff nubs that many switches have — I have no idea what they're for. Alps switches on the other hand have that weird set of recessed rectangles in the bottom.)

Oh, and those switch positions — maybe something like this:

[wiki]Focus FK-5001[/wiki]

[Muirium]

Handsome!



Checks Round 5 order…



Got it!