Name those keycaps!

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

28 May 2012, 08:15

Let's see who knows their stuff.
Here are a bunch of keycaps.
  • What switch? FYI, there are only 2 MX Switches above, using it as a guess unless you are sure is just a copout...
  • Printing type (Dye Sub, Multi-Shot, Pad Printed, Engraved)
  • Full points for naming the keyboard too :D
Some of them are REALLY easy, others, not so much...

1.
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2.
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3.
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4. Honeywell Hall effect 1A8S, Doubleshot, TI Telex 58SD17-2-B
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5.
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Yes, this one is pretty much solid plastic...

6.
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7.
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8.
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9. Fujitsu Leaf Spring Switch 2nd generation, Doubleshot, Epson QX-10 Keyboard Q703C-AA
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10.
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11.
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12.
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13.
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14. Keytronic But what keyboard?
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15.
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16. Doubleshot; Atari; MX Black
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17. SMK (Circle with cross slider) Which keyboard/brand? (This one is semi-common)
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18.
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19. Amstrad CPC keyboard (which Amstrad membrane switches)
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20. NMB (Clicky in this case, but it's pretty much impossible to tell from this pic)
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21.
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22.
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23.
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24. Fujitsu Leaf Spring, Dye sub, Fujitsu -> MAI Basic Four
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25. Quotron, uses Scantlin switches
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26.
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27.
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28.
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29. BTC Foam'n'Foil
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30.
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31.
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32.
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33.
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34.
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35.
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36.
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37.
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38.
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39. Futaba Tactile, Datatrain
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40.
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41.
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42.
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43.
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If some of them prove to be too difficult, I'll post more image hints.

Edit1: Adding numbers for easier parsing.
Edit2: Updating with correct guesses
Last edited by HaaTa on 31 May 2012, 05:09, edited 3 times in total.

rodtang

28 May 2012, 09:53

1. ?, Doubleshot
2. ?, Doubleshot
3. ?
4. Honeywell Hall effect 1A8S, Doubleshot, TI Telex 58SD17-2-B.
5. Picture didn't load.
6. ?, Doubleshot
7. Picture didn't load
8. ?, Doubleshot
9. Fujitsu Leaf Spring Switch 2nd generation, Doubleshot, Epson QX-10 Keyboard Q703C-AA
10. ?, Doubleshot
11. Picture didn't load
12. Picture didn't load
13. Picture didn't load
14. Picture didn't load
15. ?, Doubleshot
16. Cherry MX, Doubleshot,
17. (Fuck the cherry mx limit), doubleshot/dye sub
18. Picture didn't load
19.?, Padprinted
20. Picture didn't load
21. ?, Dyesub
22. Picture didn't load
23. Picture didn't load
24. Fujitsu Leaf Spring, Dye sub?, Fujitsu
25. Picture didn't load
26. ?, not doubleshot
27. ?, lasered
28. Picture didn't load
29. Chicony, pad printed
30. ?, Not doubleshot
31. ?, Not doubleshot
32. Cherry M8, Blank, None
33. ?, doubleshot
34. ?, dyesub
35. Picture didn't load
36. Cherry MX, doubleshot,
37. ?, doubleshot
38. Rubber dome,
39. Rubber dome, triple/doubleshot
40. ?, doubleshot
41. ?, pad printed
42. ?, doubleshot
43. Picture didn't load

I got sick half way through so I stopped researching switches.

User avatar
7bit

28 May 2012, 10:12

[quote="rodtang"]...
14. Key Tronic
...

Some Cherrys are obvious (Amiga).

Image
This must be the 2nd Cherry.



Here is a graphic showing keyboard knowledge.

Please consider all the white background of this page to be part of the graphic.
:shock:
Attachments
the_keyboard_universe.png
the_keyboard_universe.png (105.8 KiB) Viewed 8620 times

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

28 May 2012, 10:49

rodtang wrote:1. ?, Doubleshot
2. ?, Doubleshot
3. ?
4. Honeywell Hall effect 1A8S, Doubleshot, TI Telex 58SD17-2-B.
5. Picture didn't load.
6. ?, Doubleshot
7. Picture didn't load
8. ?, Doubleshot
9. Fujitsu Leaf Spring Switch 2nd generation, Doubleshot, Epson QX-10 Keyboard Q703C-AA
10. ?, Doubleshot
11. Picture didn't load
12. Picture didn't load
13. Picture didn't load
14. Picture didn't load
15. ?, Doubleshot
16. Cherry MX, Doubleshot,
17. (Fuck the cherry mx limit), doubleshot/dye sub
18. Picture didn't load
19.?, Padprinted
20. Picture didn't load
21. ?, Dyesub
22. Picture didn't load
23. Picture didn't load
24. Fujitsu Leaf Spring, Dye sub?, Fujitsu
25. Picture didn't load
26. ?, not doubleshot
27. ?, lasered
28. Picture didn't load
29. Chicony, pad printed
30. ?, Not doubleshot
31. ?, Not doubleshot
32. Cherry M8, Blank, None
33. ?, doubleshot
34. ?, dyesub
35. Picture didn't load
36. Cherry MX, doubleshot,
37. ?, doubleshot
38. Rubber dome,
39. Rubber dome, triple/doubleshot
40. ?, doubleshot
41. ?, pad printed
42. ?, doubleshot
43. Picture didn't load

I got sick half way through so I stopped researching switches.
Heh. Pretty good, I'll point out the incorrect guess :P

16. Cherry MX, Doubleshot, <- Correct, but the shape of the keycap should make the keyboard semi easy to guess
17. (Fuck the cherry mx limit), doubleshot/dye sub <- lolol, this is one of the ones for the MX keycap masters no dye sub, but yes doubleshot
27. ?, lasered <- Nope
29. Chicony, pad printed <- Not Chicony, but it is pad printed
32. Cherry M8, Blank, None <- Wrong, wrong, wrong (this is one of the hard ones)
39. Rubber dome, triple/doubleshot <- Wrong, just a double shot :P (not nearly as hard as 32)

And please let me know if pics aren't loading...they are picasa links, all of them, so they should work.

rodtang

28 May 2012, 10:56

HaaTa wrote: 16. Cherry MX, Doubleshot, <- Correct, but the shape of the keycap should make the keyboard semi easy to guess
It would if I'd remember seeing it before.

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

28 May 2012, 10:59

7bit wrote: 14. Key Tronic
...

Some Cherrys are obvious (Amiga).

Image
This must be the 2nd Cherry.
Yes, but it isn't Amiga :P Good guess though.
I'm pretty sure I'm the only one with one of these on either GeekHack and Deskthority. Found it at a surplus/junk store in Sunnyvale California.
7bit wrote: Here is a graphic showing keyboard knowledge.
Image
Please consider all the white background of this page to be part of the graphic.
:shock:
:lol: and here's hoping I can get my hands on the rest of the blank space :P.

mintberryminuscrunch

28 May 2012, 11:00

rodtang wrote:
HaaTa wrote: 16. Cherry MX, Doubleshot, <- Correct, but the shape of the keycap should make the keyboard semi easy to guess
It would if I'd remember seeing it before.
it's some sort of Atari, wasn't aware they used cherry mx switches, need to buy one

User avatar
7bit

28 May 2012, 11:04

I didn't say the 2nd Cherry is an Atari keyboard.

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

28 May 2012, 11:07

mintberryminuscrunch wrote:
rodtang wrote:
HaaTa wrote: 16. Cherry MX, Doubleshot, <- Correct, but the shape of the keycap should make the keyboard semi easy to guess
It would if I'd remember seeing it before.
it's some sort of Atari, wasn't aware they used cherry mx switches, need to buy one
Yup! Found this one at an ewaste dump spot. Probably only the ones with keycaps like this have Cherry MX switches.

mintberryminuscrunch

28 May 2012, 11:10

HaaTa wrote:
mintberryminuscrunch wrote:
rodtang wrote:[...]
It would if I'd remember seeing it before.
it's some sort of Atari, wasn't aware they used cherry mx switches, need to buy one
Yup! Found this one at an ewaste dump spot. Probably only the ones with keycaps like this have Cherry MX switches.
can you post the model? there are so many, with different switches.

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

28 May 2012, 11:13

This one is an ATW800 US, has a 6P6C connector (telephone), it was for an Atari Workstation.

Image

User avatar
Game Theory
Mr. Despair

28 May 2012, 15:41

Didn't realize Atari made workstations. Photo of the ATW800 http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/19 ... -question/

User avatar
Ascaii
The Beard

28 May 2012, 17:43

19 amstrad CPC keyboard

ripster

28 May 2012, 17:47

Give me a hint!

Any work with a IBM PC?

<impressive server image loading performance WebWit!>

IvanIvanovich

28 May 2012, 19:26

Atari is interesting, I only remember awful feeling membrane boards. The 1040ST looks like identical keyboard, any idea if it actually is?

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

28 May 2012, 19:55

Ascaii wrote:19 amstrad CPC keyboard
正解! (Correct)
ripster wrote:Give me a hint!

Any work with a IBM PC?
Directly (AT, PS/2, or USB)? 10
Converters? 7
ripster wrote: <impressive server image loading performance Google!>
Corrected that for ya :lol:

User avatar
HoboBob

29 May 2012, 13:37

Let me guess. 15 would be the caps from a variant of the alter Tandy Color Computer. Looks like the one from a Color Computer 3.

Double shot, but the black is not true black and has a nice little smoky shade.

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

29 May 2012, 13:58

HoboBob wrote:Let me guess. 15 would be the caps from a variant of the alter Tandy Color Computer. Looks like the one from a Color Computer 3.

Double shot, but the black is not true black and has a nice little smoky shade.
Good guess! And there are a couple Tandy keyboards here. But that one...well, is pretty evil. Not sure if anyone has seen it before. Came with a "portable" computer.

User avatar
sixty
Gasbag Guru

29 May 2012, 17:51

I am guessing 17 is either some Chinese MX board (NanTan, Chicony) or actually not a MX Board but rather round SMK/inverse Futaba (Datatrain, LeadingEdge)?

rodtang

29 May 2012, 17:54

sixty wrote:I am guessing 17 is either some Chinese MX board (NanTan, Chicony) or actually not a MX Board but rather round SMK/inverse Futaba (Datatrain, LeadingEdge)?
It's confirmed MX, look up.

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

29 May 2012, 18:09

sixty wrote:I am guessing 17 is either some Chinese MX board (NanTan, Chicony) or actually not a MX Board but rather round SMK/inverse Futaba (Datatrain, LeadingEdge)?
Technically, sixty is closer :D. It is an SMK. Any guesses on the keyboard brand?

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

29 May 2012, 18:17

The keyboards with Cherry MX switches are 16 and 36. Everything else just "looks"/is compatible with Cherry MX.

As for IBM keyboards, there are 2.
Any pics with stuff other than the keycaps in it, are huge hints.

User avatar
off

29 May 2012, 22:56

I'd gamble 37 to be one of the IBMs (based on the likeness to a selectric II cap).
And another very wild guess would be on 33 being from a Commodore (based on the shapes on the cap).

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

29 May 2012, 23:08

off wrote:I'd gamble 37 to be one of the IBMs (based on the likeness to a selectric II cap).
And another very wild guess would be on 33 being from a Commodore (based on the shapes on the cap).
Nope, incorrect on both accounts.
37, definitely not an IBM keycap, though definitely very early 80's if not late 70's.

33, is evil. It's MX Compatible, but has really nothing to do with Cherry stuff at all, not even remotely close to a clone. A big hint, the switch is made in Mexico.

User avatar
Daemon Raccoon

29 May 2012, 23:19

33 is Maxiswitch, the Mexico gives it away. Also if I remember the IRC discussions the same switch has appeared under other manufacturers.

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

29 May 2012, 23:35

Daemon Raccoon wrote:33 is Maxiswitch, the Mexico gives it away. Also if I remember the IRC discussions the same switch has appeared under other manufacturers.
Ooo, didn't expect that answer.
But nope, not Maxiswitch. Truth be told, I have no idea which company manufactured the switch. But it has been seen on multiple keyboards made by different companies. I even have some "loose" switch examples that I got last year. There is also a lockable variant. And pics do exist of this switch.

REVENGE

30 May 2012, 07:48

39. Futaba. BSR / Datatrain?
25. Quotron?

ripster

30 May 2012, 14:56

Damn, 29 is the only one I think I know off the top of my head.

And HaaTa I was about to add you to my GeekHack sig as the #1 Vintage Expert On The Planet! But....well, I promised WebWit to let it go and stay ON TOPIC!
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?2966 ... post602466

Btw TEN Pc compatibles! That is what surprised me, I thought it would be TWO!

What about Apple Compatible?
http: //geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=29985
Last edited by ripster on 30 May 2012, 15:26, edited 3 times in total.

User avatar
HaaTa
Master Kiibohd Hunter

30 May 2012, 15:08

REVENGE wrote:39. Futaba. BSR / Datatrain?
25. Quotron?
Correct on both :D.

If I get a moment today, I'll update the first post with the correct guesses. By my rough count, still 25 not reasonably guessed at yet...

ripster

30 May 2012, 15:10

Damn, I just edited 39 to 29!

So is 29 a BTC rubber dome?
http: //geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=25890

Edit, damn this attachment thing. Will fix when on my PC.

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