[IC] 10x G81-8308 NIB (240 programmable keys)

[Prelim]

Hi guys,

I'm able to get 10 units of this G81-8308LPAPO which is a rare keyboard and MX/MY hibrid (top two programmable rows are MX, rest of keyboard MY) with 240 programmable keys - 10 layers available.

Cost per keyboard will be 35€ (price for this model is about 130€). Boxed keyboard is more than 2kg (~2.4Kg) so shipping to EU is 28€ up to 67€ elsewhere (maximum do different zones): http://www.ctt.pt/correio-e-encomendas/enviar-correio/opcoes-de-envio/encomendas.html#panel1-2

The keyboard have full Cherry support, with it's specific software up to Windows 8 64bit:



Here's also some homemade photos:







one little review here: https://translate.google.pt/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=pt-PT&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerbase.de%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D600938&edit-text=

Let me know who is interested on this!

[jdcarpe]

I doubt many people will be keen to have one, as they have mostly MY switches and lasered keycaps.

[Prelim]

Yeah, I guess.

Just thought it would be nice to have a rare and programmable Cherry model... also it can be extremely useful for people who need macros for photo editing, etc

[AlleyViper]

I'm spinning this little aircraft carrier at the moment. G81 board with lasered caps on a hefty cherry case, coiled PS2 cable, MX blacks on P1-P24, two Super Black MX on the Prog and Layer keys (you'll thank for them when reaching blindly for the Esc!), old school LED indicator, a colorful Cherry sticker ....and great programming features!

Other than regular direct and easy programming ("Prog" > target  P1-24 key > type macro > "Prog") and delay settings, if you intend to customize it via software, the Cherry downloadable works fine under 8.1 x64 via native PS2 (you'll surelly won't use the provided disquettes!). Be sure to install it with the KB plugged first. Software and manuals are available at http://www.cherry.de/cid/download.php? (MultiBoard G81-8308).
First it'll update firmware, and then you can create/modify/upload or download the current config file that can use either hardware macros or Cherry software dependent macros/OS functions (longer macros, program/file shortcuts, etc). Reading or writing a file to the KB via PS2 requires a bit of patience. Unfortunately, directly pressed and unprogrammed P1-24 keys don't send unique keycodes for third party software to manage (such as Autokey).

This software also allows you to program Pkeys to send hardware keystrokes (without relying on Cherry software later) for keys not present on the board, such as f15-f24 or media keys. Either by selecting from a provided list, or via respective hex codes. Other than manually changing program layers ("Layer" > F1-F10, indicated via 1-(1)0 LED) for alternative key functions, you can also use and combine modifiers such as shift, alt, ctrl that add +1, +2, +4 to the currently used layer, making it practical to access many functions on a single key via regular (or combined) modifiers.
It comes packaged with 2 A4 sheets of pre-cut key labels, but printing your own on clear acetate sheets will surely look top notch.

Despite the lesser appeal of MYs for a typist, it's a very fine working tool if you need a programmable board for any sort of editing software.

[IvanIvanovich]

Any chance of getting any shots of the internals? I might be interested in one if it looks like I can drop in a G80-3000 PCB or similar for the main area without too much fuss.

[jonathanyu]

Any chance of getting any shots of the internals? I might be interested in one if it looks like I can drop in a G80-3000 PCB or similar for the main area without too much fuss.

http://deskthority.net/group-buys-f50/10x-g81-8308-nib-240-programmable-keys-keyboard-t9790.html

[IvanIvanovich]

Hmn... looks like it might be possible with some specific revision PCB G80-3000. I think it would get really messy real fast though... too bad this isn't USB version it would be much better. I think I will just keep my eye out for these on ebay as I have seen them with USB on there before.

[Prelim]

price correction - can get it for 35€!

[00zeRO]

That's a beast...too bad about MY switches, though.

 

[Prelim]

updated interest user list, way more to go!

[Mr. Perfect]

Refresh my memory, do MY switches and MX switches use the same PCB mounting holes? I would be a PIA, but this board would be considerably more interesting if you could desolder the MYs and put MXs in their place.

[Prelim]

Refresh my memory, do MY switches and MX switches use the same PCB mounting holes? I would be a PIA, but this board would be considerably more interesting if you could desolder the MYs and put MXs in their place.

not sure you can do that, as the MY matrix doesn't allow MX soldering IFAIK, but you can always switch for an entire MX pcb

(photos from web, not mine)

[IvanIvanovich]

Cool to see someone had the same idea as me and it works...
Would it be possible to have it sent without the MY plate part to make it lighter? If so how much would shipping to USA be then?

[Prelim]

Hi Ivan,

USA is zone3 so normal price shipping price for 2.4kg would be 47.5€ as you may check in the link: http://www.ctt.pt/correio-e-encomendas/enviar-correio/opcoes-de-envio/encomendas.html#panel1-2

I don't know if I can take apart the MY pcb as I can also damage something and don't want to have that work or responsibility, as you might understand :/

[JaccoW]

Show Image

Show Image

That's pretty damn awesome. Imagine combining this with the G80-3000 PCB from the TX1800 buy.
LCD display and backlit keys!

How much is shipping to The Netherlands? I could proxy a few as 2-5Kg is €35,95 with tracking but no insurance. Then again that would only be a little cheaper. :/
I would be willing to just dismantle the MY plate but I would need someone to take a look with me to see what can be snipped off and what can be left on.

[Prelim]

Hi JaccoW,

Shipping to Holland would be 28€ 

[JaccoW]

Now let's do a quick calculation shall we?

€45,50 / 4 = €11.40 Portugal > Netherlands (Holland is Zone 1)
€60 / 4 = €15 Netherlands > USA (Assuming 4 people get in on this and all that weighs less than 10Kg
And let's assume €10 within the USA if I proxy it to Ivan for example.

That gets us €35 + €12 + €15 + €10 = €72 for a unique Cherry board that does however require quite some work. (Instead of €102)

Shipping directly from my home would be €35 + €14 + €36 = €75 for one if I were to buy one as well. Or €65 if we took out the guts and get it under 2 Kg.

I could make this cheaper if more people get in on this and I take out the guts of the board.
Assuming taking out the MY plate could bring down the weight to 1.6Kg for example means you can fit 6 boards in a 10Kg package and pay only €10 p.p. for shipping to the USA.

[JaccoW]

Alright, colour me interested!

[Prelim]

JaccoW dont you want for you also?

[IvanIvanovich]

Without the MY plate, each board should weigh something like 1.2kg (case, controller and MX pcb, cable, caps, original box). If enough other US people want to get on these without the MY plate part I wouldn't mind teaming up with JaccoW to make some savings.

[JaccoW]

JaccoW dont you want for you also?

That's what I meant.

[JaccoW]

Without the MY plate, each board should weigh something like 1.2kg (case, controller and MX pcb, cable, caps, original box). If enough other US people want to get on these without the MY plate part I wouldn't mind teaming up with JaccoW to make some savings.

@ 1.2Kg we are looking at €60 / 8 = €7.50 for shipping

€35 + €12 + €7.50 + €10 = €65.50 per board.

[Prelim]

tell me how many do you want me to send to JaccoW. So far I've gathered 3 interested so 7 remaining available

[JaccoW]

Which means there is still room for quite a few more.

[Prelim]

just to let you guys know that the status remains the same, if I can't get more 7 interested on this in the next couple of months this IC/GB will be cancelled.

[taylordcraig]

I might be interested if someone was willing to do the mod for me... I'm not sure where to source parts though and it looks like we'd still need 6 more interested this week.

[Prelim]

thanks for the interested @taylorcraig, if Ivan and JaccoW also want it I can send the 3 keyboards to be modded. So with this there will be only 4 units left to be picked.

[JaccoW]

thanks for the interested @taylorcraig, if Ivan and JaccoW also want it I can send the 3 keyboards to be modded. So with this there will be only 4 units left to be picked.

I'm still interested. But I won't be able to do so until next month.

[Prelim]

thanks JaccoW

Anyway, I'm thinking on buying all the keyboards at my own risk (may have also a couple of friends interested).

 If I ship them without the MY plate, who is interested and how many do you want? If @Ivan is correct, the weight should be around 1.2kg which gives only a shipping cost of 14,40€ (EU) and 23,50€ (elsewhere)

[IvanIvanovich]

I'm still interested, as long as I can get it shipped without the MY plate to save money. It's super easy to open these and take them out... it's just clips. I usually use a hard plastic stick spudger tool to open the case clips so it avoid any marring. Then the mylar sheet has a clip tab on the controller PCB you unfasten and the whole MY plate just lifts out. Nice and easy.

[Prelim]

I'll see if I can make that then. Do you want only one keyboard Ivan?

[Prelim]

hi again guys,

just to let you know that I ended up buying all the keyboards, here's a little pile of few on them



however and since there were many Portuguese people interested I only have one more left available (in ANSI US layout), so /pm me who is still interested!

[Prelim]

all gone!

[doodersbrother]

Damn, saw this too late.