Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[kmiller8]

I found this at the volunteer organization I've been working for to clean up Moore. It's an old church's gym and it Had an oooold Internet cafe that we cleared out.

It stuck out to me because of the ISO layout with short right shift and the fact that it felt better than a membrane. Initially thought it was because the back was all metal so I figured the plate was making it sturdy. Just got home to check it out and pulled a cap off. To my surprise...AND the caps are MX compatible. It's a Packard Bell 5131C.

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. Black bears are omnivores with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in search of food. Sometimes they become attracted to human communities because of the immediate availability of food. The American black bear is the world's most common bear species. It is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, due to the species' widespread distribution and a large global population estimated to be twice that of all other bear species combined. Along with the brown bear, it is one of only two of the eight modern bear species not considered globally threatened with extinction by the IUCN. American black bears often mark trees using their teeth and claws as a form of communication with other bears, a behavior common to many species of bears.

[remedyhalopc]

Is there a question here that I'm missing remodyhalopc?

Yikes. That's what 15 hour work days do to you.

It was indeed missing my question. I was asking if they were early ML switches or just the sliders on a membrane. Question has been answered. Thanks!

[linziyi]

Where can I buy a keycap set for egrodox?

Or is there actually anyone selling it?

[Meijiera]

Hey do you know if White PBT caps will turn yellow or any unwanted changes?

[IvanIvanovich]

I have yet to see yellowed PBT keycaps, even on ancient 30 year old keyboards.

[CPTBadAss]

Where can I buy a keycap set for egrodox?

Or is there actually anyone selling it?

Retro DSA

[CommunistWitchDr]

Is there a question here that I'm missing remodyhalopc?

Yikes. That's what 15 hour work days do to you.

It was indeed missing my question. I was asking if they were early ML switches or just the sliders on a membrane. Question has been answered. Thanks!

I think you mean MY, not ML. I'm pretty sure yours is just slider over dome though.

[linziyi]

Where can I buy a keycap set for egrodox?

Or is there actually anyone selling it?

Retro DSA

Is there any other choices? Not sure if I like DSA...

[CPTBadAss]

Where can I buy a keycap set for egrodox?

Or is there actually anyone selling it?

Retro DSA

Is there any other choices? Not sure if I like DSA...

You'll have to buy like 4 of the same set since I think you need a bunch of 1.25 mods and other random caps that are normally not included in normal sets.

[linziyi]

:O Thanks very much for the super fast reply!

[CPTBadAss]

:O Thanks very much for the super fast reply!

No worries

[Melvang]

What is this "potato" pic i keep hearing about?

[CPTBadAss]

What is this "potato" pic i keep hearing about?

It's a picture taken with a cell phone camera. It's like saying the phone is barely better than a potato or something. Low quality picture warning pretty much.

[nubbinator]

What is this "potato" pic i keep hearing about?

I is a professional potagrapher.  I help explain.



You get?

[Melvang]

I got thanx guys.  Also nuby why would they use a Canon Rebel for that potato pic?  The Rebels aren't that bad of cameras. Just not in the same realm as the 1dsMarkIII

[dndlmx]

The Trope switches have tactile point very high like membrane keyboard right?

No, to me, the actuation point felt like it was in the middle. Very much where the Cherry actuation point is.

I played with mine, after having read this. At first I was sure it's closer to the top.

Now I feel like it's somewhere between the top and middle, "slash" not even sure anymore. 

[Photoelectric]

62g Korean springs vs 65g Korean springs: is the difference that noticeable?  Are either of them more "springy"--in other words restore to their normal shape after a keypress more quickly (which is not just a function of the spring constant--more of the shorter relaxation time).

[CPTBadAss]

62g Korean springs vs 65g Korean springs: is the difference that noticeable?  Are either of them more "springy"--in other words restore to their normal shape after a keypress more quickly (which is not just a function of the spring constant--more of the shorter relaxation time).

Yes there is a difference. Check out the review in my signature for my thoughts.

[nubbinator]

62g Korean springs vs 65g Korean springs: is the difference that noticeable?  Are either of them more "springy"--in other words restore to their normal shape after a keypress more quickly (which is not just a function of the spring constant--more of the shorter relaxation time).

I notice a difference in the feel of the return in Clears between 62g and 65g.  There's a tiny, barely noticeable difference in the feel on the way down to me (which could just be me wanting there to be a difference), but the return has less hesitation and returns quicker with 65g springs than 62g springs.

[CPTBadAss]

62g Korean springs vs 65g Korean springs: is the difference that noticeable?  Are either of them more "springy"--in other words restore to their normal shape after a keypress more quickly (which is not just a function of the spring constant--more of the shorter relaxation time).

I notice a difference in the feel of the return in Clears between 62g and 65g.  There's a tiny, barely noticeable difference in the feel on the way down to me (which could just be me wanting there to be a difference), but the return has less hesitation and returns quicker with 65g springs than 62g springs.

I also agree that the 62g springs are a bit slugggish and stick when put into most switches besides the Clears.

[Photoelectric]

Thank you, I continued this discussion here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44749.msg931885#msg931885
As I would like to know asap (for ergo Clear mod, ordering springs now)

[Tym]

Sorry if its been asked before, I did look.

What switches are on the AT102W I'm looking at purchasing a cheap one currently, also what would you value it at?

[nubbinator]

Sorry if its been asked before, I did look.

What switches are on the AT102W I'm looking at purchasing a cheap one currently, also what would you value it at?

Usually black Alps.

[CPTBadAss]

What switches are on the AT102W I'm looking at purchasing a cheap one currently, also what would you value it at?

Please read the OP. We have a thread for asking for prices already and it's not this one. Please and thanks!

[kenmai9]

if ordering from SP's blank keycap inventory, what size do I use for the numpad's plus and enter?
Also, if I wanted to upgrade the USB ports on my HPE 104 (they're crappy) to USB 2.0 or 3.0.. is it possible? Would I be able to desolder the old USB and add a new one? Or is it more complicated? I have no experience on the matter.

[Tym]

What switches are on the AT102W I'm looking at purchasing a cheap one currently, also what would you value it at?

Please read the OP. We have a thread for asking for prices already and it's not this one. Please and thanks!

Read the OP with regards to what? and I thought the questions went hand-in-hard really, not meaning to be rude, but it was a simple question.

[CPTBadAss]

What switches are on the AT102W I'm looking at purchasing a cheap one currently, also what would you value it at?

Please read the OP. We have a thread for asking for prices already and it's not this one. Please and thanks!

Read the OP with regards to what? and I thought the questions went hand-in-hard really, not meaning to be rude, but it was a simple question.

This isn't the pricing thread and I say in the OP to please not ask questions about pricing or to do any buying or selling here.

[Tym]

Oh, thought you were referring to the switch answer, which hurt my head; my apologies.

[SpAmRaY]

if ordering from SP's blank keycap inventory, what size do I use for the numpad's plus and enter?
Also, if I wanted to upgrade the USB ports on my HPE 104 (they're crappy) to USB 2.0 or 3.0.. is it possible? Would I be able to desolder the old USB and add a new one? Or is it more complicated? I have no experience on the matter.

It's a lot more complicated than that. They should already be usb 2 and going to usb 3 involves different chipsets, power requirements and different cabling depending on the devices used.

[Melvang]

if ordering from SP's blank keycap inventory, what size do I use for the numpad's plus and enter?
Also, if I wanted to upgrade the USB ports on my HPE 104 (they're crappy) to USB 2.0 or 3.0.. is it possible? Would I be able to desolder the old USB and add a new one? Or is it more complicated? I have no experience on the matter.

It's a lot more complicated than that. They should already be usb 2 and going to usb 3 involves different chipsets, power requirements and different cabling depending on the devices used.

Yup the USB 2.0 plugs have 4 leads while 3.0 has 9 leads in it.

[SpAmRaY]

I'm sure this is mentioned in one of the reviews but my quick search fu and scanning hasn't gotten my info so I'm asking here.

On the FC660C can only one dip switch be activated at a time? Say I want to swap FN and WIN and also swap WIN and ALT (which would actually be swapping FN and ALT), is this possible? tl:dr dip switch 2 and 3 activate at the same time?

Also can one acquire the springs found under the spacebar to add to the rest of the keys?

[therecorder]

Jocelyn and others talk about these things before, on, and after page 16 of:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42300.msg905968#msg905968

[SpAmRaY]

Jocelyn and others talk about these things before, on, and after page 16 of:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42300.msg905968#msg905968

Thanks! I knew I had read that somewhere before!!

[Flyersfan1]

Are Cherry MX green switches nice for a balance of typing and gaming(WoW, CS:GO, BF3)? Switches that I have used prior are Blues and Topre 55's. Am thinking about trying them on the upcoming ducky pro pbt models.

[CPTBadAss]

Are Cherry MX green switches nice for a balance of typing and gaming(WoW, CS:GO, BF3)? Switches that I have used prior are Blues and Topre 55's. Am thinking about trying them on the upcoming ducky pro pbt models.

Subjective, it's personal preference. There's no such thing as "good for typing" vs "good for gaming". Just what you like.

[Flyersfan1]

Thank you for the quick reply, I figured this would be the response. I need to stop being so indecisive and just pick one. 

[kenmai9]

Thank you for the quick reply, I figured this would be the response. I need to stop being so indecisive and just pick one. 

Try it, and if you don't like it, sell it. Surprisingly, keyboard turn around rate is very fast, in my experience. I've bought 4 total keyboards, got rid of the first two quickly to make room for my last two. They sell fast if you know where to sell them. Also I've tried browns and blacks. I was thinking of doing ghetto greens because from what I've heard, it uses black spring and blue stems, which means that it'll be clicky like a blue, but have a stronger spring like the blacks. Does this comparison help?

[Flyersfan1]

Thank you for the quick reply, I figured this would be the response. I need to stop being so indecisive and just pick one. 

Try it, and if you don't like it, sell it. Surprisingly, keyboard turn around rate is very fast, in my experience. I've bought 4 total keyboards, got rid of the first two quickly to make room for my last two. They sell fast if you know where to sell them. Also I've tried browns and blacks. I was thinking of doing ghetto greens because from what I've heard, it uses black spring and blue stems, which means that it'll be clicky like a blue, but have a stronger spring like the blacks. Does this comparison help?

It does very much, thank you.  I think the only thing scaring me away from trying greens is the actuation force. I think it's a good opportunity to try them though.

[remedyhalopc]

Greens are very nice to type and game on. I play counterstrike competitively, and used a board with greens for a few months.


Who has made blank OEM PBT caps? Imsto's are cherry profile.

[knotra]

How heavy are topre capacitive switches in comparison to cherry mx switches?

Ex. 45g cherry mx (browns) switch with 45g topre switches on RF.

Do topres get lighter through use?

[kenmai9]

Does anyone know how similar WAN and WFJ are? Also do you know when SP typically updates their stock? Hasn't been updated in over 10 days.. I don't wanna order and get it cancelled.

http://keycapsdirect.com/images/colors/pbtWhites.JPG

[CPTBadAss]

1) Does anyone know how similar WAN and WFJ are?
2) Also do you know when SP typically updates their stock?

1) WAN looks like a brighter, "whiter" shade of white. WFJ looks a bit off-white. Just look at them for yourself and compare?
2) I don't know, but you can ask Melissa (SP Saleslady) if you email them.

1) How heavy are topre capacitive switches in comparison to cherry mx switches?

Ex. 45g cherry mx (browns) switch with 45g topre switches on RF.

2) Do topres get lighter through use?

1) First off, MX switches are rated in centi-Newtons (cN) or ounces of force (oz), not grams of force (g). Typically cN numbers are from Deskthority and those are the 45 cN numbers we're used to. But the Cherry Corp data sheet gives actuation in oz. If we look at raw numbers, 100 cN = ~102 g. So technically, 45 g > 45 cN. However, I found it hard to compare Topre actuation forces to MX switches when I tried them.

2) Don't think so but I don't own a Topre.

[linziyi]

Does "thick" PBT feels any different from normal PBT keycaps? Or are they just thick?

[CPTBadAss]

Does "thick" PBT feels any different from normal PBT keycaps? Or are they just thick?

I've tried three thicknesses of PBT caps: Vortex's stock thin, Leopold's "Thick" PBT which I feel are medium-thickness, and Imsto's thick PBT caps. They all felt different. ABS caps will feel different depending on thickness as well.

[Halverson]

Anyone know the part number for Cherry plate mount stabilizers? Also, do they make 7x plate mount stabs?

[FuriousGeorge]

Are there any options for replacement 4.5 spacebars? I have a Tex Beetle, and I think the new Pure 2 may use the same size.

[SpAmRaY]

Anyone know the part number for Cherry plate mount stabilizers? Also, do they make 7x plate mount stabs?

Shoot WFD a PM, he can probably hook you up!

[CPTBadAss]

Anyone know the part number for Cherry plate mount stabilizers? Also, do they make 7x plate mount stabs?

Shoot WFD a PM, he can probably hook you up!

Pretty sure 7x wasn't possible for Costar but it was for Cherry. Cant remember if it was plate or PCB though. I remember asking about 7x stabilizers to WFD for the GH60. Waiting for lysol/Ivan to come through with Cherry knowledge bombs.

Are there any options for replacement 4.5 spacebars? I have a Tex Beetle, and I think the new Pure 2 may use the same size.

Doubt it but just because I've never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[esoomenona]

Who has made blank OEM PBT caps? Imsto's are cherry profile.

KBC, though they are thin, not thick like imsto's.

[SpAmRaY]

If you accidentally 'marked forum as read' is there any going back?