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Author Topic: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?  (Read 3738 times)

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Offline Ethan87

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Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« on: Thu, 13 October 2016, 14:51:11 »
So I picked up an Omnikey Ultra T today, and i've never heard of them before, nor have I ever heard of the supposed Alp switches it has. It seems to be in good codition, but needs cleaning due to the keys being difficult to press, also it has the original cable, which seems to be some 5 pin, PS/2?

I need to take the keys off to begin cleaning the board, but they are extremely difficult to take off, do I need a keycap puller? How can I take them off without damaging the board. Thanks!
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Offline chyros

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 13 October 2016, 15:47:27 »
The switches are most probably Alps SKCM White. These switches are excellent as long as the board is in excellent, clean condition, and the chassis is built like a tank. Unless it costs a fortune or it's in dirty or bad condition it'll probably serve you very well :) .
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Offline Ethan87

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 13 October 2016, 16:03:01 »
Awesome, now only if I could clean it, Do you know how to take of the key caps without damaging the keys? I don't have a keycap puller
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Offline chyros

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 13 October 2016, 16:09:37 »
Quote from: Ethan87 on Thu, 13 October 2016, 16:03:01
Awesome, now only if I could clean it, Do you know how to take of the key caps without damaging the keys? I don't have a keycap puller
Alps switches use a type of mount that is particularly tenacious the first time they're pulled. You need a keypuller, I'd recommend wire ones. Just get them, they're only 1 GBP shipped from China :) .
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 13 October 2016, 16:39:04 »
You can make one if you can't wait, but the store-bought ones are better.
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"The Trump campaign announced in a letter that Republican candidates and committees are now expected to pay “a minimum of 5% of all fundraising solicitations to Trump National Committee JFC” for using his “name, image, and likeness in fundraising solicitations.”
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Offline Ethan87

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 14 October 2016, 12:10:57 »
I've come in contact with someone interested in buying the board, The only reason i'm considering selling it is because I want to buy the unicomp ultra classic keyboard, Is it worth the hassle to try and restore the Omnikey or just get the updated Model M?
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Offline chyros

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 14 October 2016, 12:26:13 »
Quote from: Ethan87 on Fri, 14 October 2016, 12:10:57
I've come in contact with someone interested in buying the board, The only reason i'm considering selling it is because I want to buy the unicomp ultra classic keyboard, Is it worth the hassle to try and restore the Omnikey or just get the updated Model M?
In my opinion, a Model M offers a comparable switch quality to white Alps, and inferior build quality. I'd prefer the OmniKey.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 14 October 2016, 13:17:09 »
Quote from: chyros on Fri, 14 October 2016, 12:26:13
Quote from: Ethan87 on Fri, 14 October 2016, 12:10:57
I've come in contact with someone interested in buying the board, The only reason i'm considering selling it is because I want to buy the unicomp ultra classic keyboard, Is it worth the hassle to try and restore the Omnikey or just get the updated Model M?

In my opinion, a Model M offers a comparable switch quality to white Alps, and inferior build quality. I'd prefer the OmniKey.

I would recommend going the other way. But if you are already a hobbiest and like to tinker with things and try to restore them to their original vintage glory - then go for it.

If you want a good solid dependable keyboard to plug and play immediately, with no drama, then buy a brand new Unicomp with native USB cable and warranty and start typing. If you decide to "get into" keyboards at any point in the future, there are thousands (millions?) of worthwhile old ones out there waiting to be "fixed up" when you have the time and inclination.

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“Any split that is higher than 5%,” the letter states, “will be seen favorably by the RNC and President Trump's campaign and is routinely reported to the highest levels of leadership within both organizations.”"

Offline Kagusaki Wolf

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 18 October 2016, 08:07:25 »
I have both Model M (IBM and Unicomp) and Omnikey Ultra T.  I would probably prefer the Ultra T mainly because the build quality of the case is so much better than the Unicomp's ver of the Model M.  The plastic case on the Unicomp Model M that I own has a really bad shine from the previous owner's palms.  My Unicomp was built in 2009 so I don't exactly know if they changed the plastic materials used for the case.  I would keep the Ultra T and save up for a Model M.  Model Ms can be found on eBay for a good price. 
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Offline blackriver

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 18 October 2016, 08:23:28 »
Quote from: Ethan87 on Thu, 13 October 2016, 14:51:11
Which seems to be some 5 pin, PS/2?

Its known as DIN 5, you will most likely need a converter if you are using a modern pc.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 18 October 2016, 08:57:12 »
Quote from: blackriver on Tue, 18 October 2016, 08:23:28
Quote from: Ethan87 on Thu, 13 October 2016, 14:51:11

Which seems to be some 5 pin, PS/2?

Its known as DIN 5, you will most likely need a converter if you are using a modern pc.

The original cable is mini-DIN6 (aka PS/2 but only 4 wires are active) at the keyboard side and DIN5 (AT) at the computer side. You can use a AT-to-PS/2 adapter with that cable, or get a straight-through male-male PS/2 cable (mini-DIN6).
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"The Trump campaign announced in a letter that Republican candidates and committees are now expected to pay “a minimum of 5% of all fundraising solicitations to Trump National Committee JFC” for using his “name, image, and likeness in fundraising solicitations.”
“Any split that is higher than 5%,” the letter states, “will be seen favorably by the RNC and President Trump's campaign and is routinely reported to the highest levels of leadership within both organizations.”"

Offline blackriver

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Re: Found an Omnikey Ultra T - Worth it?
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 18 October 2016, 20:51:03 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Tue, 18 October 2016, 08:57:12
The original cable is mini-DIN6 (aka PS/2 but only 4 wires are active) at the keyboard side and DIN5 (AT) at the computer side. You can use a AT-to-PS/2 adapter with that cable, or get a straight-through male-male PS/2 cable (mini-DIN6).

Interesting, either way I definitely agree with Wolf. Alps switches are great and from what I've heard reliability is on point too.
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