Author Topic: NEC HPC-412, $35 (Read 4965 times)

nubbinator · « **on:** Sun, 08 February 2015, 12:47:58 »

It's not working properly, but someone may want to try and repair it or may need parts to repair on they have.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-NEC-Keyboard-APC-H412-PS-2-Made-in-Thailand-Rough-Shape-Parts-Repair-/371254256859?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56707a64db

klikkyklik · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 05 April 2015, 17:29:01 »

I've never known of or seen that board before this morning, but I instantly fell in love with the look of the keycaps and the sound of the click on the couple of YouTube videos I saw. NEC blues? Didn't know they even existed before today.

I picked that one up. I'm good at electronics so if I can't repair what's there, I'll put a converter in it, depending on how good the switches feel. I like both Alps and Cherry blues, so this is probably right up my alley.

Plus, I just felt sorry for the old boy.

Thanks, Nubs -

engicoder · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 05 April 2015, 19:57:19 »

I was watching that board for weeks, but could never pull the trigger. I liked what I read about NEC blues, but it always fell into the interesting but not *needed* category. Glad someone here picked it up.

jacobolus · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 06 April 2015, 00:18:40 »

Please take some pictures and document NEC switches on the Deskthority wiki, if you get the chance.

NEC switches are kind of interesting; HaaTa has a couple of NEC boards, and they’re pretty fun/nice to type on. I haven’t ever tried one actually plugged into a computer, but from what I understand, they actuate a bit before the click point, similar to Omron B3G-S or clicky Hi-Tek space invaders, but even more pronounced.

rowdy · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 06 April 2015, 03:21:06 »

I have an NEC APC H4100E keyboard with NEC blue switches. I more or less learned many of my programming skills on a similar keyboard many years ago.

The interesting thing about these switches is that they actuate just BEFORE the click, so it is possible to type almost silently on them.

klikkyklik · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 06 April 2015, 08:47:42 »

It would be my pleasure to take pictures of it and document what I can both on my keyboard blog and Deskthority, time permitting. Sure hope I can get the thing to work.

rowdy · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 06 April 2015, 17:22:07 »

Quote from: klikkyklik on Mon, 06 April 2015, 08:47:42

It would be my pleasure to take pictures of it and document what I can both on my keyboard blog and Deskthority, time permitting. Sure hope I can get the thing to work.

FWIW mine is AT, and with an AT to PS/2 adaptor, and a PS/2 to USB converter, works on my Mac!

If that combination works, almost anything else should

klikkyklik · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 06 April 2015, 18:31:26 »

Thanks, rowdy- I think I read somewhere that troubles were had with the blue cube PS2-USB adapter, so the first thing I'm going to do is plug it into a machine with a real PS2 port, to ensure that wasn't the original problem and go from there.

rowdy · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 06 April 2015, 21:30:45 »

Quote from: klikkyklik on Mon, 06 April 2015, 18:31:26

Thanks, rowdy- I think I read somewhere that troubles were had with the blue cube PS2-USB adapter, so the first thing I'm going to do is plug it into a machine with a real PS2 port, to ensure that wasn't the original problem and go from there.

I use PS/2 to USB adaptor from ID Innovations, like this one: http://techkeys.us/collections/accessories/products/usb-to-ps2-serial-multimode-adapter

klikkyklik · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 07 April 2015, 08:38:38 »

Excellent info - thanks again!

klikkyklik · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 10 April 2015, 10:41:51 »

I'm one lucky bastard. Keyboard performs flawlessly.

https://klikkyklik.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/risk-rewarded/

Touch_It · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 10 April 2015, 10:59:11 »

GRATS! I would really love to own one some day. I love obsecure old clicky switches. I'm actually typing this on a Futaba switch keyboard. Clicky all the way!

jacobolus · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 10 April 2015, 15:03:33 »

There’s another on ebay, though not quite as cheap, if you really want one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311333915222

rowdy · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 06:15:17 »

Quote from: klikkyklik on Fri, 10 April 2015, 10:41:51

I'm one lucky bastard. Keyboard performs flawlessly.

https://klikkyklik.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/risk-rewarded/

Congrats

I'm beginning to wonder whether these keyboards are indestructible! My similar NEC keyboard was used as a footrest, and still works (apart from the missing left arrow)!

chyros · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 07:54:29 »

Nice review! Will you be making a typing video?

klikkyklik · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 08:45:59 »

Quote from: chyros on Sat, 11 April 2015, 07:54:29

Nice review! Will you be making a typing video?

Thank you! Likewise, I always enjoy your reviews and vids too.

I've been really tempted to do videos for a while. If I can muster the time and find a quiet enough spot, I'll give it a go and post back here.

klikkyklik · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 11:49:23 »

Video quality isn't the best, but hopefully the audio is OK. First keyboard vid I've ever done.

chyros · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 12:31:03 »

Quote from: klikkyklik on Sat, 11 April 2015, 11:49:23

Video quality isn't the best, but hopefully the audio is OK. First keyboard vid I've ever done.

Nice and clicky

. From here, it sounds a little bit like a mid-point between Alps and Cherries, is that accurate?

nubbinator · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 12:32:07 »

Is it just me or does it sound like it bottoms out pretty harshly?

klikkyklik · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 13:06:50 »

Yeah, I would say a combo of Alps and Cherry blues would be a good way to put it!

The audio is admittedly a bit harsh; I cranked the audio level a bit so it could be heard better. I suppose I should do another recording, maybe just audio with an SM57 mic positioned about the same level as my head. The backspace key does have quite a thonk. The normal keys aren't near as loud as that backspace!

I'd say that if you turned the audio down to the point where you can't hear the background white noise, it's more accurate as to real life.

A Realforce 55g uniform for comparison.

There are links to a few others, including an Omni Key/102 and a Corsair K70 with reds on my blog if you're interested. https://klikkyklik.wordpress.com/

chyros · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 11 April 2015, 13:47:22 »

Quote from: klikkyklik on Sat, 11 April 2015, 13:06:50

A Realforce 55g uniform for comparison.

Haha, that sounds a bit like standing under a thin metal roof in heavy rain xD .

Quote

There are links to a few others, including an Omni Key/102 and a Corsair K70 with reds on my blog if you're interested. https://klikkyklik.wordpress.com/

Hmm, interesting. Your Omnikey sounds a bit shallower and more high pitched than my blue Alps board, but I suspect that's the camera or its placement. The AT101W sounds pretty much exactly the same though. Nice page!

XMIT · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 22:21:32 »

klikkyklik said something about not wanting to pull key caps on this board on account of possible damage. Well, it is a real possibility, but it is also possible to pull key caps cleanly.

Here is my first keyboarding video, showing my procedure of rolling off a key cap. I use a very similar procedure for Space Invaders boards.

rowdy · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 25 June 2015, 22:44:46 »

Something else that can break the plastic rivets in the switches is to use the keyboard as a foot rest and regularly kick it.

And you're right - the switches do not go back together easily.

chyros · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 26 June 2015, 03:07:01 »

Quote from: XMIT on Thu, 25 June 2015, 22:21:32

klikkyklik said something about not wanting to pull key caps on this board on account of possible damage. Well, it is a real possibility, but it is also possible to pull key caps cleanly.

Here is my first keyboarding video, showing my procedure of rolling off a key cap. I use a very similar procedure for Space Invaders boards.

Nice video

. I hope I get one of them someday. So both the 412 and 410 have blue ovals, then?

rowdy · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 26 June 2015, 05:25:30 »

The APC-H4100E has those switches too.

XMIT · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 26 June 2015, 06:02:59 »

Thanks Chyros!

Yep, the APC-H410E, APC-H410EAU, and APC-H412 are nearly identical.

The first time I pulled a key cap on one of these boards I destroyed a key switch. I always start with a less useful key like F10, F11 or Pause/Break. At this point I will definitely have a spare parts board. So, I'll get some nice disassembly photos and offer spare switches for sale at some point.

chyros · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 26 June 2015, 07:03:47 »

Quote from: XMIT on Fri, 26 June 2015, 06:02:59

Thanks Chyros!

Yep, the APC-H410E, APC-H410EAU, and APC-H412 are nearly identical.

The first time I pulled a key cap on one of these boards I destroyed a key switch. I always start with a less useful key like F10, F11 or Pause/Break. At this point I will definitely have a spare parts board. So, I'll get some nice disassembly photos and offer spare switches for sale at some point.

Cool, I'll get some switches off you at that time

.

rowdy · « **Reply #27 on:** Fri, 03 July 2015, 05:53:08 »

Quote from: XMIT on Fri, 26 June 2015, 06:02:59

Thanks Chyros!

Yep, the APC-H410E, APC-H410EAU, and APC-H412 are nearly identical.

The first time I pulled a key cap on one of these boards I destroyed a key switch. I always start with a less useful key like F10, F11 or Pause/Break. At this point I will definitely have a spare parts board. So, I'll get some nice disassembly photos and offer spare switches for sale at some point.

I have a broken APC-H4100E which looks the same too - same switches.

I need a spare switch or two (one has been kicked completely off and broken beyond repair by the keyboard's previous owner who was using it as a foot rest).

XMIT · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 03 July 2015, 07:50:55 »

rowdy, I'll have some extras, just send me a PM and I'll put some in a padded mailer for you when the time comes.

I posted a link to all of the photos I took over on the DT version of this thread. I still have to sort through them to tell a nice story.

Chryos: The sliders are symmetrical at first glance, I'll confirm this more thoroughly and with photos ... eventually.

XMIT · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 08 July 2015, 16:26:36 »

Anyone still looking for blue ovals? There are two on eBay at the moment:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371376161753
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311394174663

chyros · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 08 July 2015, 18:26:50 »

Quote from: XMIT on Wed, 08 July 2015, 16:26:36

Anyone still looking for blue ovals? There are two on eBay at the moment:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371376161753
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311394174663

****ing hell. The BIN one doesn't ship to the UK. The US needs to learn more international trading!

XMIT · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 08 July 2015, 19:34:17 »

I can proxy if you want, or just sell you one of mine. Shoot me a PM.

False_Dmitry_II · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 14 July 2015, 21:37:09 »

Mine now. More obscure clicky switches.

XMIT · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 15 July 2015, 12:43:15 »

Congrats. Don't be surprised when you get this board and discover that actuation happens *before* the click. Shoot me a PM if you need parts.

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Author Topic: NEC HPC-412, $35 (Read 4965 times)