[ENDED] Vintage HP terminal board, beautious keys, $46 shipped

[ander]

Is this any good? It's cheap enough:

VTG HP 2629A/P KEYBOARD (USED)





$23.21 + 23.25 US shipping

[OldIsNew]

Should have  Hi-Tek and/or Stackpole switches. I have a similar one. It's OK in my opinion.

https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/hp-2623a-keyboard-t17290.html

[ander]

Should have  Hi-Tek and/or Stackpole switches. I have a similar one. It's OK in my opinion.

Cool. So, how do Stackpole and early Hi-Tek switches feel, exactly? I'm guessing there's a considerable travel length compared to newer types.

Also, did you actually get yours working? If so, did it take much reverse engineering? And even if you didn't, can't you keep something like this on display and just admire it? I could.

I have many other questions, but they're beyond the scope of this discussion.

[OldIsNew]

Should have  Hi-Tek and/or Stackpole switches. I have a similar one. It's OK in my opinion.

Cool. So, how do Stackpole and early Hi-Tek switches feel, exactly? I'm guessing there's a considerable travel length compared to newer types.

Also, did you actually get yours working? If so, did it take much reverse engineering? And even if you didn't, can't you keep something like this on display and just admire it? I could.

I have many other questions, but they're beyond the scope of this discussion.

Well I don't know exactly how you describe them - not as solid,  and more "clacky" than a lot of other mechanical switches - so maybe more "plasticy." They're really not bad though.  I haven't really noticed a major difference in the travel of these switches as compared to others, but I don't think I pay that close of attention.  I also think they are very cool looking boards - so for sure nothing wrong with just displaying one!

Like most boards,  it's not all that difficult to convert - I did not reverse engineer the keyboard protocol -  I mapped the matrix and wired to a Teensy. I wrote my own simple firmware with Arduino just because it's a part of of the hobby for me, but you could use TMK.

Here's a video of typing on it just to get a feel (I hooked up the board's piezo buzzer):

[ander]

Well I don't know exactly how you describe them - not as solid,  and more "clacky" than a lot of other mechanical switches... Here's a video of typing on it just to get a feel (I hooked up the board's piezo buzzer)...

Hey, thanks for all the details, and even a video. So that's the piezo we're actually hearing? It sounds quite natural, like a more defined Topre sound. I really like the equal (but different) return sound on switches like these—twice the clacky goodness!

I'm surprised no one bought this for the price. I sure like the colorway, and the case color. But what's up with the embedded number pad that stops at 6?

[ander]

Dunno if anyone's interested, but the same seller has listed another one here. The case isn't quite as nice, though, and they're asking a bit more dough.

[rowdy]

Well I don't know exactly how you describe them - not as solid,  and more "clacky" than a lot of other mechanical switches... Here's a video of typing on it just to get a feel (I hooked up the board's piezo buzzer)...

Hey, thanks for all the details, and even a video. So that's the piezo we're actually hearing? It sounds quite natural, like a more defined Topre sound. I really like the equal (but different) return sound on switches like these—twice the clacky goodness!

I'm surprised no one bought this for the price. I sure like the colorway, and the case color. But what's up with the embedded number pad that stops at 6?


(Attachment Link)

'Cause you've got 789 on the number row just above them.