IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Any of these laptops have mechanical switches?
http://imgur.com/a/1VgDw

Fourth from the bottom looks like a Nan Tan laptop.

Several years ago, I hit the jackpot and foolishly chose not to buy it. I found one with an FCC ID of something like "FMA330", and I've just noticed something — look at the writing on Sandy's keyboard PC:

http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/alps ... pro_e.html

"NTC 3301C 71-…"

So yes, the one I saw was likely the Nan Tan 3300, FCC ID FMA3300.

However, the one depicted has a different style of keyboard to the FMA3300: caps lock is not stepped and there are no integrated LEDs.

So, I can't say what keyboard it has. Some laptops virtually identical to that definitely do have Alps ultra low profile mechanical switches. The one I found, the keycaps came off readily and I saw the switch in person. I should have bought it just for its immense rarity. I can't even describe the switches, other than that they seemed very light.

That one though, seems to be a rubber dome, actually, looking at it more closely.

I've asked a couple of owners of similar machines ages ago to check their machines to see if they also have Alps switches, and neither of them ever bothered. I was only thinking the other day that I need to find some more people to ask, but I guess it's irrelevant now as Sandy's keyboard has the same model number on it that I think I saw. This was at a radio rally, and I always went expecting to buy keyboards, but I started seeing items too large to buy and hadn't been prepared ready to write down any information. I simply attempted to memorise the FCC ID, and I forgot part of it.

Of the other three pieces of equipment I saw, one was a Siemens luggable I've never found, but the switches I now feel sure were STB 21. One keyboard, for this Borg cube size/shape video titling computer, had small black cube-shaped reed switches that I figure were from FR Electronics since those have recently been discovered. Finally one had what I thought was a hollow square mount centre-lit version of what we now know as T-5 series — I do have an illuminated version but it's not the design I remember seeing!

All other computers in that gallery are likely to be rubber dome or scissor.

[mike52787]

Any of these laptops have mechanical switches?
http://imgur.com/a/1VgDw

Fourth from the bottom looks like a Nan Tan laptop.

Several years ago, I hit the jackpot and foolishly chose not to buy it. I found one with an FCC ID of something like "FMA330", and I've just noticed something — look at the writing on Sandy's keyboard PC:

http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/alps ... pro_e.html

"NTC 3301C 71-…"

So yes, the one I saw was likely the Nan Tan 3300, FCC ID FMA3300.

However, the one depicted has a different style of keyboard to the FMA3300: caps lock is not stepped and there are no integrated LEDs.

So, I can't say what keyboard it has. Some laptops virtually identical to that definitely do have Alps ultra low profile mechanical switches. The one I found, the keycaps came off readily and I saw the switch in person. I should have bought it just for its immense rarity. I can't even describe the switches, other than that they seemed very light.

I've asked a couple of owners of similar machines ages ago to check their machines to see if they also have Alps switches, and neither of them ever bothered. I was only thinking the other day that I need to find some more people to ask, but I guess it's irrelevant now as Sandy's keyboard has the same model number on it that I think I saw. This was at a radio rally, and I always went expecting to buy keyboards, but I started seeing items too large to buy and hadn't been prepared ready to write down any information. I simply attempted to memorise the FCC ID, and I forgot part of it.

Of the other three pieces of equipment I saw, one was a Siemens luggable I've never found, but the switches I now feel sure were STB 21. One keyboard, for this Borg cube size/shape video titling computer, had small black cube-shaped reed switches that I figure were from FR Electronics since those have recently been discovered. Finally one had what I thought was a hollow square mount centre-lit version of what we now know as T-5 series — I do have an illuminated version but it's not the design I remember seeing!

All other computers in that gallery are likely to be rubber dome or scissor.

I would say that it probably isnt low profile alps, as the smaller less than 1u keys on the right side are too small to have discrete switches.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Even larger keys can still be a different switch, for various reasons. The better reason is that below the keycaps you see grey plastic.

[Brot]

[Chyros]

Chicony rubber dome.

[Orpheo]

What are those switches and keycap? Caps looks a little bit like Cherry, but it's not square sharp for the outer edges. The stem looks the same though? What are those switches? Are they good to type on?




It is made in Taiwan

[gogusrl]

wiki/Mitsumi_miniature_mechanical

[Chyros]

^What he said. Cap is doubleshot MX-compatible ABS.

[Orpheo]

Thanks!
Are the Chicony KB-5161 and KB 5170 any good for their construction?
Edit: I am watching right now your video reviews Chyros!

[Orpheo]

And what are those switches?



Keycaps seems identical to the black keyboard :

[Daniel Beardsmore]

An external return spring over a snap-in guide shaft generally indicates foam and foil. In which case, that guide shaft assembly should snap right out without any desoldering. It's not something I've ever seen before.

[Harshmallow]

What are those switches and keycap? Caps looks a little bit like Cherry, but it's not square sharp for the outer edges. The stem looks the same though? What are those switches? Are they good to type on?


It is made in Taiwan

From what I hear, and from what you'll see in Chyros' video about it, the switch feels awesome on its own, but just falls apart when in actual use with a key cap sitting on it. It looks like it doesn't respond well to off-centre key presses either. As for the build quality of Chicony keyboards...not terrible, but I wouldn't say they're known for sturdy, high quality keyboards with thick materials. I have a KB-5181 with SMK 'Monterey' Blues and it rattles a little bit while typing. The case also has a lot of flex and you can tell how thin it is just by knocking on it.

[Orpheo]

I will post the boards photos when I have them, the black one is actually a keyboard I have never seen nor mentioned in a brand I like. If they really are not great I can still use some cherry profile double shots in ISO French!
I still have some little hope that with those keycaps the feel is better, will report back

[mike52787]

And what are those switches?



Keycaps seems identical to the black keyboard :

BTC Foam and Foil

[Laylie]

Hello, i finaly got the keyboard i posted here previously.(the brand is ADI Corp)


A member told me before this switch is a magnetic valve switch, i have a more clear photo now...

It's a linear switch with a high actuation force compared with my cherry mx blues and i could say its also louder.
I kinda like the feel of this one except for the fact that when i press the keys on the edge instead of the center its a lot less smooth. Its an old keyboard that seems to have gone through heavy use and was quite dirty when i got it. Could it be that it needs some kind of lubrication? Or is this just a problem of this type of switch? I would be realy happy if i could fix this problem!

[XMIT]

Yep, that's definitely a magnetic valve board, and yep, lubrication helps a lot with these!

[Harshmallow]

Hello, i finaly got the keyboard i posted here previously.(the brand is ADI Corp)

Spoiler:

A member told me before this switch is a magnetic valve switch, i have a more clear photo now...

Spoiler:

It's a linear switch with a high actuation force compared with my cherry mx blues and i could say its also louder.
I kinda like the feel of this one except for the fact that when i press the keys on the edge instead of the center its a lot less smooth. Its an old keyboard that seems to have gone through heavy use and was quite dirty when i got it. Could it be that it needs some kind of lubrication? Or is this just a problem of this type of switch? I would be realy happy if i could fix this problem!

Hi Laylie,

If you check the page just before this one in this same thread, Daniel B answered a question I had about a board on Ebay I think. It's this switch:

[wiki]wiki/USw_EXBB01[/wiki]

and about the lubing - what XMIT said!

[Daniel Beardsmore]

I was thinking earlier that it may be safe to call USw EXBB01 "ADI magnetic valve" as it seems to be specific to ADI.

BTC Foam and Foil

I don't recall seeing that variant before — got a link to an example?

[Harshmallow]

Yes, I was going to edit my post again for perhaps the third time (lol) and ask if anyone had seen it on any other branded boards. The link to the board being sold on Ebay shows a 'Prime' board, though it may have also been made by ADI.
*And all the boards we have records (photos, posts) of were made in Taiwan, including this Prime keyboard I linked - auction ended so the seller relisted at the same price: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Prime-Co ... 2221234471

[Orpheo]

Here is the foam and foil in question
[url=https://flic.kr/p/R8i64e]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/PTH6aD]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/QRMakY]

[Mr.Nobody]

I stumble upon a similar one

[Lynx_Carpathica]

Hi
I've obtained this interesting Codegen keyboard. Can you tell me about the switches?
It's clicky, but the tactility is almost not present, it feels linear,and the click is silent. But the upstroke is loud as hell. It doesn't bind, and the switches are stable. Rocking my fingers on the keyboard is silent. The switches have 3 pins, more pics when I get home. I thought it will be a F&F clicky variant. But it's not, as far as I can tell, there is no dampening

[mike52787]

Hi
I've obtained this interesting Codegen keyboard. Can you tell me about the switches?
It's clicky, but the tactility is almost not present, it feels linear,and the click is silent. But the upstroke is loud as hell. It doesn't bind, and the switches are stable. Rocking my fingers on the keyboard is silent. The switches have 3 pins, more pics when I get home. I thought it will be a F&F clicky variant. But it's not, as far as I can tell, there is no dampening

Futaba clicky

[Scottex]

Hi
I've obtained this interesting Codegen keyboard. Can you tell me about the switches?
It's clicky, but the tactility is almost not present, it feels linear,and the click is silent. But the upstroke is loud as hell. It doesn't bind, and the switches are stable. Rocking my fingers on the keyboard is silent. The switches have 3 pins, more pics when I get home. I thought it will be a F&F clicky variant. But it's not, as far as I can tell, there is no dampening

Futaba clicky

this is correct
I've read somewhere in here that you can regain some tactility by bottoming out the switch for something like 10 seconds and then releasing it
I've tried this but the results are inconclusive, some switches will gain some tactility and others won't

[Lynx_Carpathica]

thanks guys. This switch is awesome. It made me type so lightly... Amazing.. And without bottoming out, what's an achivement in itself.

[Scottex]

thanks guys. This switch is awesome. It made me type so lightly... Amazing.. And without bottoming out, what's an achivement in itself.

you should try some thick cherry doubleshoots on it, the sounds becomes orgasmic

[Lynx_Carpathica]

It has Thin dubleshoot ABS. And I Only have thin laser etched PBT on my G80-1800. It still sounds fucking gorgeous

[mike52787]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-POSITRO ... 1948341409
Anyone have any ideas? I would be willing to buy it just to find out what it is if no one here knows, but its not a bad idea to ask first.

[Lynx_Carpathica]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-POSITRO ... 1948341409
Anyone have any ideas? I would be willing to buy it just to find out what it is if no one here knows, but its not a bad idea to ask first.

hmm hey look like cherry-isch keycaps.

[Harshmallow]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-POSITRO ... 1948341409
Anyone have any ideas? I would be willing to buy it just to find out what it is if no one here knows, but its not a bad idea to ask first.

Hey Look at that, it appears to have been made in Canada! Though it looks like someone really tried to butcher the serial number label with a pair of scissors or something.