cheap cherry POS boards on eBay

[dorkvader]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181383285289

MX8100 for $25 and free shipping
"more than 10 available"

I bought two. I think these might have clears and diodes, but I'm not very familiar with this model.

edit: new link
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181388671694
Seller says they have browns on the new ones.

[ebacho]

Urge to impulse buy rising...

[Photekq]

Should have MX clears..

[Pacifist]

God dam it

stop making me buy cherry boards

[SaySo]

.

[SpAmRaY]

Urge to impulse buy rising...

^^ I have this problem way too often.

[rowdy]

Urge to impulse buy rising...

^^ I have this problem way too often.

I have found a way of coping with this urge.

Don't have any money.

[hoggy]

From memory, diodes for sure, but the switches might be either clear or brown.

Good price.

[SpAmRaY]

Urge to impulse buy rising...

^^ I have this problem way too often.

I have found a way of coping with this urge.

Don't have any money.

Yeah I'll have to sell a few more things to get some more money in paypal before I buy anything

[IvanIvanovich]

It should have NKRO since it is a PS/2 model with ISO enter. Brown switch is more likely though it might have clear. It does have the original Cherry font so the keycaps have a good chance of being the thick PBT version. Also has the cool old color Cherry logo decals which can be carefully peeled off and placed elsewhere.

[xmagusx]

Tagged one, thanks for the heads up!

[billnye]

Will this have the off center stem modifiers?

[tinlong117]

Will this have the off center stem modifiers?

LOLOL

EDIT: My bad - it does come with center stemmed modifiers. I thought you are talking about teh capslock.

[RESPRiT]

It should have NKRO since it is a PS/2 model with ISO enter. Brown switch is more likely though it might have clear. It does have the original Cherry font so the keycaps have a good chance of being the thick PBT version. Also has the cool old color Cherry logo decals which can be carefully peeled off and placed elsewhere.

Ivan bringing home the Cherry facts!

[zippox]

If anyone is buying the keyboard for the switches, I would really appreciate if I could buy some of the modifiers from the keyboard from you (more specifically caps lock, control, windows, menu, alt and spacebar). Sorry to make my ploy here, but it would be a big help!

[Dubsgalore]

I may do it for the clears and the sticker 

[mrklaw]

I just bought one for the switches. Thanks for the heads up.

[Pacifist]

can anyone confirm thick pbt?

[durandalx]

Great find!  Bought one - once it gets in I'll report the details if someone hasn't done so.

[tinlong117]

can anyone confirm thick pbt?

Can confirm. Backspace, ISO enter, both shift, "0", "+" and enter key on numpad are THICK PBT.



Seriously - if the F and J keys come with bar, it uses thin PBT.

EDIT: sorry for the potato pics

[Battou62]

Urge to impulse buy rising...

You get a stack of fury?

[legodt]

What PS/2 to USB modifiers would you guys recommend for this board? Will the el cheapo ones work or do I need the active converters used for boards like the Model M?

[durandalx]

I got clear switches on mine. The seller is actually J&R Music, which I've bought new stuff from in the past. Everything came quickly and nicely packaged.

[yuiop]

Newly added pic shows it's MX clear.  Bought 2 more
~120 mx clears, 8 cherry stabs, re-legendables keys all for 25 shipped.  great deal!

[dorkvader]

Newly added pic shows it's MX clear.  Bought 2 more
~120 mx clears, 8 cherry stabs, re-legendables keys all for 25 shipped.  great deal!

I know, I almost want to just buy more and do a clear switch GB.

Are there diodes or jumpers?

[Pacifist]

messaged the seller about shipping discounts, still waiting on reply

[E TwentyNine]

messaged the seller about shipping discounts, still waiting on reply

? Shipping is free.

[Pacifist]

messaged the seller about shipping discounts, still waiting on reply

? Shipping is free.

for buying multiple boards

[Grr8]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

[Pacifist]

caved and bought two

[Pacifist]

can anyone confirm thick pbt?

Can confirm. Backspace, ISO enter, both shift, "0", "+" and enter key on numpad are THICK PBT.

Show Image

Show Image

Seriously - if the F and J keys come with bar, it uses thin PBT.

EDIT: sorry for the potato pics

Ah. Typical cherry lasered PBT

[lightsout714]

Very tempted. Not sure why. Been wanting a board with clears again for a while.

[SpAmRaY]

so did anyone else notice these are being sold by j.and.r.music.and.computer.world

[Pacifist]

so did anyone else notice these are being sold by j.and.r.music.and.computer.world

says rnykauctions  to me

[SpAmRaY]

so did anyone else notice these are being sold by j.and.r.music.and.computer.world

says rnykauctions  to me

who did it say your payment was sent to??

mine said  j.and.r.music.and.computer.world (rnykeb@jr.com)

[nomaded]

so did anyone else notice these are being sold by j.and.r.music.and.computer.world

says rnykauctions  to me

Look at the paypay email address... assuming you used paypal.

[yuiop]

Newly added pic shows it's MX clear.  Bought 2 more
~120 mx clears, 8 cherry stabs, re-legendables keys all for 25 shipped.  great deal!

I know, I almost want to just buy more and do a clear switch GB.

Are there diodes or jumpers?

Diodes I believe.

[Photekq]

Diodes, just like 7bits UK version of this board.

[phoenix1234]

so did anyone else notice these are being sold by j.and.r.music.and.computer.world

says rnykauctions  to me

who did it say your payment was sent to??

mine said  j.and.r.music.and.computer.world (rnykeb@jr.com)

Anything related?
"April 14, 2014. J&R Music World closed for renovation"
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/04/jr_music_world.html
So they are logical

[Pacifist]

mfing diodes are annoying if the new PCB you're using doesn't use them that way...have to open every switch. But if youre lubing them its not too bad

[phoenix1234]

Only 6 available now, make it quick GHers  )

[SpAmRaY]

Wish they were jumpers :/

[strict]

God, I really didn't need another keyboard but for that price I couldn't pass one up ...

[Pacifist]

what are jumpers?

[jwaz]

God, I really didn't need another keyboard but for that price I couldn't pass one up ...

Same, one down and...

Almost Gone / 8 sold in 1 hour

edit: they gone!

0 available / 50 sold

[Sniping]

ok why did i wait to buy these

[strict]

God, I really didn't need another keyboard but for that price I couldn't pass one up ...

Same, one down and...

Almost Gone / 8 sold in 1 hour

edit: they gone!

0 available / 50 sold

Wow, I'm glad I ordered when I did! Based on the time my payment was sent I think I may very well have gotten the last one or the next to last.

So these switches have diodes in them? I guess that means 4 connection per switch to desolder instead of two? Are the switches plate mounted or PCB?

[yuiop]

PCB mounted so the switches have two extra legs.
Yes you have to desolder 4 solder joints per switch.  It's a PITA....

[SpAmRaY]

what are jumpers?

Some Cherry boards have jumpers in switches instead of diodes.

[Pacifist]

what are jumpers?

Some Cherry boards have jumpers in switches instead of diodes.

like those blank wires?

[phoenix1234]

Wish they were jumpers :/

unlikely because they have 1.25 modifiers, 6.25 off-stem space bar, Re-Legendable Keycap and a partially-programmable keymap. Likely, they will have diodes instead which are better IMO.

[Photekq]

like those blank wires?

Yeah. Blank wires=jumpers

[phoenix1234]

this one looks similar like this :

http://mykeyboard.co.uk/cherry/mx_8100/


Diodes

[yuiop]

You can use all the 2x stabs.  But the 6.2x spacebar wire is bent thus can't be used on a keyboard with plate.  You'd need to bend your own straight wire for the spacebar.

[SpAmRaY]

Wish they were jumpers :/

unlikely because they have 1.25 modifiers, 6.25 off-stem space bar, Re-Legendable Keycap and a partially-programmable keymap. Likely, they will have diodes instead which are better IMO.

I just have an older cherry board I'm trying to fix up.

[phoenix1234]

Wish they were jumpers :/

unlikely because they have 1.25 modifiers, 6.25 off-stem space bar, Re-Legendable Keycap and a partially-programmable keymap. Likely, they will have diodes instead which are better IMO.

I just have an older cherry board I'm trying to fix up.

Oh, I see, but I think these jumpers can be found easily because a lot of people will not use jumpers after they desolder keyswitches from donor boards.

[dorkvader]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

[SpAmRaY]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

i just have to keep reminding myself not to touch the cleanout rod after using it with the 808

[Pacifist]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

not with radioshack desold iron

[whiskytango]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

I have desoldered and de-dioded a cherry board like this. Even with an 808, it's still a giant pain. Probably why I have another one sitting in the corner right now that I have not got around to...

[dorkvader]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

I have desoldered and de-dioded a cherry board like this. Even with an 808, it's still a giant pain. Probably why I have another one sitting in the corner right now that I have not got around to...

I've done like 8 or 10, with the 808 and soldapullt. Good to do when watching tv.

I recommend jumpers or diodes to stabilize the switch better for PCB mount. Cherry uses them for a reason.

[Pacifist]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

I have desoldered and de-dioded a cherry board like this. Even with an 808, it's still a giant pain. Probably why I have another one sitting in the corner right now that I have not got around to...

I've done like 8 or 10, with the 808 and soldapullt. Good to do when watching tv.

I recommend jumpers or diodes to stabilize the switch better for PCB mount. Cherry uses them for a reason.

but den no LEDs

[whiskytango]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

I have desoldered and de-dioded a cherry board like this. Even with an 808, it's still a giant pain. Probably why I have another one sitting in the corner right now that I have not got around to...

I've done like 8 or 10, with the 808 and soldapullt. Good to do when watching tv.

I recommend jumpers or diodes to stabilize the switch better for PCB mount. Cherry uses them for a reason.

agreed, but if the board you want to use them on doesn't support in switch diodes, then you have to remove them. It's the combination of opening the switch to remove the diodes as well as desoldering all those little legs that I found tedious. But as an added bonus, you can reuse the diodes for something like a phantom.

It probably doesn't help that I did this while wearing this stupid brace on my left hand which prevents me from using my left thumb. Made opening the switches difficult. That's what I get for severing my tendon... oops

[dorkvader]

I recommend jumpers or diodes to stabilize the switch better for PCB mount. Cherry uses them for a reason.

but den no LEDs

LEDs are a type of diode. I didn't exclude them...

.
It probably doesn't help that I did this while wearing this stupid brace on my left hand which prevents me from using my left thumb. Made opening the switches difficult. That's what I get for severing my tendon... oops

Show Image

Lookin' good! heal up soon.

[Pacifist]

I recommend jumpers or diodes to stabilize the switch better for PCB mount. Cherry uses them for a reason.

but den no LEDs

LEDs are a type of diode. I didn't exclude them...

oh yea light emitting diode

[Thechemist]

Received my 2 keyboards, both are very dirty and lots of dust bunnies inside and around switches. I have desoldered one board and after taking the switch apart and blowing compressed air inside and out the switch looks good. There wasn't any grainy dirt in the switch to make them useless but they are very dusty.

[nomaded]

Maybe there's a better place to discuss this, so feel free to point me appropriately.

I also bought one of these keyboards, hoping to desolder the switches and reuse the keycaps. I can't remember the last time I desoldered anything of this magnitude. So, what's the suggested tools to make this easier?

Based on what I'm reading in this thread, if I wanted to reuse these switches with an Ergodox, I would need to also open up each switch to remove the diode, correct?

[Pacifist]

That fast

[whiskytango]

Maybe there's a better place to discuss this, so feel free to point me appropriately.

I also bought one of these keyboards, hoping to desolder the switches and reuse the keycaps. I can't remember the last time I desoldered anything of this magnitude. So, what's the suggested tools to make this easier?

Based on what I'm reading in this thread, if I wanted to reuse these switches with an Ergodox, I would need to also open up each switch to remove the diode, correct?

Many people use the bulb type desoldering iron from radio Shack. It's like $13. It works but it's a lot of effort. I have graduated to hakko 808 and it is amazing, but expensive @$175 new I think. I justified it because I had like 50 boards to desolder. I guess you could also use a soldapult, but that seems like a lot of work to me too. Can't answer about ergodox, sorry.

[fohat.digs]

I bought a couple of the cheap spring-loaded solder suckers on ebay. It was like $6-8 for 2 and they work pretty well, although don't expect one to last more than about 5 boards at most.

The rubber bulbs work better but are harder to use, especially if your left hand is not fairly strong.

[CPTBadAss]

Just got mine in the mail today. It indeed has clears . I'm pretty excited to get cheap clears and stabilizers. And apparently I can take this sticker off and transfer it?

I also got this 30 day money back guarantee thing from J&R Music....thought that was extra weird since J&R doesn't really have anything good keyboard-wise in their showroom.

[billnye]

If anyone would be up for selling the stabs off their board hit me up!

[legodt]

Anybody else have a slight pinging sound when they bottom out on the board?
Also, why do the keys feel kind of mushy compared to my cherry browns?

[tinlong117]

If anyone doesn't want the Cherry sticker, drop me a pm!

[dorkvader]

My four arrived (two for me and two for another GH'er)

One is a different cherry partnumber and is a little different inside, though the switch PCB is the same. it's also a little newer. You can tell by the coloured plugs.

Pictures are uploading now.

[bazh]

How could I miss this


Well the caps are interesting since they're lasered but use Cherry font, damn, 50 pcs and I just missed this, how in the hell

[berserkfan]

How could I miss this


Well the caps are interesting since they're lasered but use Cherry font, damn, 50 pcs and I just missed this, how in the hell

There's nothing special about the caps. They're not that high quality. What I like about them is that they're PBT, light colored, and therefore dye-able. You don't have to live with that color if you don't want to!

[strict]

Maybe there's a better place to discuss this, so feel free to point me appropriately.

I also bought one of these keyboards, hoping to desolder the switches and reuse the keycaps. I can't remember the last time I desoldered anything of this magnitude. So, what's the suggested tools to make this easier?

Based on what I'm reading in this thread, if I wanted to reuse these switches with an Ergodox, I would need to also open up each switch to remove the diode, correct?

I bought an old WYSE terminal board with plate mounted vintage blacks in it the other day. I used my Weller WES50 along with this Soldapullt solder sucker and was able to completely remove all 101 switches in just under an hour. Put a dab of solder on the tip of your iron, touch it to the solder joint until it becomes liquid, put the solder sucker over it and hit the button. That solder sucker gets nearly every drop of solder out of the joint 98% of the time. Its pretty easy stuff, just tedious.

I didn't realize when I bought one that these were PCB mounted components. Im not sure what Im going to do with mine yet, though my initial inclination is to rip out all the good parts (switches, stabs, caps, and sticker) and sell them to try to recover my costs. I don't currently own any boards that are PCB mount and I don't know if I ever will.

[whiskytango]

Maybe there's a better place to discuss this, so feel free to point me appropriately.

I also bought one of these keyboards, hoping to desolder the switches and reuse the keycaps. I can't remember the last time I desoldered anything of this magnitude. So, what's the suggested tools to make this easier?

Based on what I'm reading in this thread, if I wanted to reuse these switches with an Ergodox, I would need to also open up each switch to remove the diode, correct?

I bought an old WYSE terminal board with plate mounted vintage blacks in it the other day. I used my Weller WES50 along with this Soldapullt solder sucker and was able to completely remove all 101 switches in just under an hour. Put a dab of solder on the tip of your iron, touch it to the solder joint until it becomes liquid, put the solder sucker over it and hit the button. That solder sucker gets nearly every drop of solder out of the joint 98% of the time. Its pretty easy stuff, just tedious.

I didn't realize when I bought one that these were PCB mounted components. Im not sure what Im going to do with mine yet, though my initial inclination is to rip out all the good parts (switches, stabs, caps, and sticker) and sell them to try to recover my costs. I don't currently own any boards that are PCB mount and I don't know if I ever will.

You know you can just clip the plastic legs off the bottom of pcb mount switches and they are identical to plate mount. I use  nail clippers, takes two seconds.

[strict]

Maybe there's a better place to discuss this, so feel free to point me appropriately.

I also bought one of these keyboards, hoping to desolder the switches and reuse the keycaps. I can't remember the last time I desoldered anything of this magnitude. So, what's the suggested tools to make this easier?

Based on what I'm reading in this thread, if I wanted to reuse these switches with an Ergodox, I would need to also open up each switch to remove the diode, correct?

I bought an old WYSE terminal board with plate mounted vintage blacks in it the other day. I used my Weller WES50 along with this Soldapullt solder sucker and was able to completely remove all 101 switches in just under an hour. Put a dab of solder on the tip of your iron, touch it to the solder joint until it becomes liquid, put the solder sucker over it and hit the button. That solder sucker gets nearly every drop of solder out of the joint 98% of the time. Its pretty easy stuff, just tedious.

I didn't realize when I bought one that these were PCB mounted components. Im not sure what Im going to do with mine yet, though my initial inclination is to rip out all the good parts (switches, stabs, caps, and sticker) and sell them to try to recover my costs. I don't currently own any boards that are PCB mount and I don't know if I ever will.

You know you can just clip the plastic legs off the bottom of pcb mount switches and they are identical to plate mount. I use  nail clippers, takes two seconds.

I know, I had to do that for the cherry clears I used on my phantom. Since I already have way more switches than I have keyboards I would almost rather sell them to someone who might need/want PCB the mount housings. I havent decided yet, though they might be nice to keep around in case I ever build an ergodox or a JD40 

[nomaded]

I bought an old WYSE terminal board with plate mounted vintage blacks in it the other day. I used my Weller WES50 along with this Soldapullt solder sucker and was able to completely remove all 101 switches in just under an hour. Put a dab of solder on the tip of your iron, touch it to the solder joint until it becomes liquid, put the solder sucker over it and hit the button. That solder sucker gets nearly every drop of solder out of the joint 98% of the time. Its pretty easy stuff, just tedious.

Thanks. Very useful tips.

[dorkvader]

WYSE likes to bend over the lead before solderin,g which makes them a pain to desolder compared with other techniques. I think I ended up doing my last one with braid.

Here's another G80-8113, this time with a barcode reader. Starting bid $20
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221420325054

[Grr8]

damn you geekhack!

I bought 2.

I paid $53.90 for 110 clears a few months ago. But those I don't have to desolder to use elsewhere...

desoldering is half the fun!

not with radioshack desold iron

Ok, not sure if you are saying the RadioShack desoldering iron is good or bad?

Read a discussion here, and it sounds mixed:

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13236

My experience of desoldering lead-free solder has been that it's a good idea to add some extra leaded solder first, then flow it again to get it off (I used wick).

[strict]

WYSE likes to bend over the lead before solderin,g which makes them a pain to desolder compared with other techniques. I think I ended up doing my last one with braid.

Here's another G80-8113, this time with a barcode reader. Starting bid $20
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221420325054

On the WYSE board I had, they bent over the thicker pin on maybe 12-13 switches and those were spread out across the whole board. When I removed those switches, I just used the tip of my soldering iron to slightly un-bend it before using the solder sucker. It was a definite PITA but those vintage blacks made it all worthwhile ... so ridiculously smooth.

I wonder what their reason was for bending those pins like that?

[dorkvader]

On the WYSE board I had, they bent over the thicker pin on maybe 12-13 switches and those were spread out across the whole board. When I removed those switches, I just used the tip of my soldering iron to slightly un-bend it before using the solder sucker. It was a definite PITA but those vintage blacks made it all worthwhile ... so ridiculously smooth.

I wonder what their reason was for bending those pins like that?

it holds the board together. At first I asked the same question: why would they do that? Then, when I accidentally soldered a PCB on crooked, I realized.

[Boost3r]

It's been re-listed if anyone is still interested.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181388671694

[Pacifist]

Somebody with a good desoldering iron wanna run a pseduo GB for these and desolder 50 boards?

[ebacho]

Somebody with a good desoldering iron wanna run a pseduo GB for these and desolder 50 boards?

Nobody in their right mind would do this for free.

[fohat.digs]

Nobody in their right mind would do this for free.

So, the switches would need to sell in the $0.50-0.85 each, shipped, range to make it worthwhile?

[ebacho]

Nobody in their right mind would do this for free.

So, the switches would need to sell in the $0.50-0.85 each, shipped, range to make it worthwhile?

Pretty much.  Unless you're some sort of desoldering god 50 boards will take a fair amount of time.  Add in the fact you can get new clears for .50c per at MKB and it's less of a good deal.  These boards are good for people who want to practice desoldering and get some parts out of it, the way I see it.

[Lain1911]

More put up right?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181388671694
I was thinking about getting one to try clears, but could always resell if it's not for me.

[yuiop]

Warning before you guys impulse buy.

Mine came and it's got brown switches.  It seems like the seller has mixture of brown and clear boards and didn't bother checking all the boards before posting.  It's still a good deal if you like browns.

[marcusant]

Here's some pictures of mine that I got. Turns out that I don't really like clears as much as I thought that I would, so I'm not going to harvest them. I already spent several hours cleaning the board so I'm just going to keep it as a collectible.

http://imgur.com/a/qcvpr

[Pacifist]

Here's some pictures of mine that I got. Turns out that I don't really like clears as much as I thought that I would, so I'm not going to harvest them. I already spent several hours cleaning the board so I'm just going to keep it as a collectible.

http://imgur.com/a/qcvpr

By what method did you clean up the PCB?

[marcusant]

Here's some pictures of mine that I got. Turns out that I don't really like clears as much as I thought that I would, so I'm not going to harvest them. I already spent several hours cleaning the board so I'm just going to keep it as a collectible.

http://imgur.com/a/qcvpr

By what method did you clean up the PCB?

It really wasn't as dirty as it seemed, it was pretty much dust covering a perfectly clean pcb. I cleaned off the dust with a q-tip and then blew off excess dirt with compressed air; after the dust was gone I rubbed it down with isopropyl alcohol.

[sonic_the_hedgehog]

Yo!

Thx for pointing these out OP.

Wondering if anyone can help me out:

Firstly, I'm in Australia and apparently he won't ship int'l.
Secondly, I have a number of keyboards with MX Browns, I really only want one to try out MX Clears.

Did anyone grab a couple and get clears when they wanted browns or buy one for a mate who backed out or something? And could you sell it to me and post international?

Gets a bit annoying when all the good gear on eBay US won't post to Australia  )

[sockit2me]

Great find! Too bad this didnt come sooner before i bought 110 of them for 60 =(

[dorkvader]

Nobody in their right mind would do this for free.

So, the switches would need to sell in the $0.50-0.85 each, shipped, range to make it worthwhile?

Pretty much.  Unless you're some sort of desoldering god 50 boards will take a fair amount of time.  Add in the fact you can get new clears for .50c per at MKB and it's less of a good deal.  These boards are good for people who want to practice desoldering and get some parts out of it, the way I see it.

could be done cheaply with a large temperature controlled oven, I think the switches would survive.

heres pictures of some of the ones I got in https://www.flickr.com/photos/dork_vader/sets/72157644207227575/

[jwaz]

If I get browns I'm going to be so irritated. >:|

[SpAmRaY]

If I get browns I'm going to be so irritated. >:|

+1

[Pacifist]

If i actually get a tracking number or at least get the item marked as shipped Ill be happy

[xmagusx]

If i actually get a tracking number or at least get the item marked as shipped Ill be happy

I never got either. Just showed up at my door.

[whiskytango]

I just ordered. Is everyone pretty much getting clears? I saw that YUIOP got browns.

I really hope this has clears. Whole reason I ordered.

[CPTBadAss]

I got Clears on mine, but I got mine in the first lot. This second lot seems to be Cherry Browns.

[whiskytango]

FYI, just got this message from the seller:

We updated our description and photos today to indicate the remaining stock has no smart card reader, just card swipe, and no white switches, only brown switches. Please confirm you are okay with that, if not we will be happy to issue a refund. Let us know, thanks.

 

[strict]

I got Clears on mine, but I got mine in the first lot. This second lot seems to be Cherry Browns.

Damn, I would never have ordered one if I thought I would end up browns. Since my order was one of the last, if not the last, it sounds like I don't have much chance getting clears.

[E TwentyNine]

I got Clears on mine, but I got mine in the first lot. This second lot seems to be Cherry Browns.

Damn, I would never have ordered one if I thought I would end up browns. Since my order was one of the last, if not the last, it sounds like I don't have much chance getting clears.

If you were part of the first batch, which had a picture of a clear switch in the auction, complain to the seller.

Wouldn't shock me if he gave you a full discount and let you keep the board, wouldn't be worth the time to send it back and resell it.

[CPTBadAss]

FWIW, I got a sheet of paper from J&R saying there's a 30 day warranty on the board. I think you can probably rely on them to give you a discount if you're unhappy with your board. Just don't do what I did and instantly disassemble it )

[whiskytango]

I found them very easy to communicate with today. They sent me that notice about no more clear boards left, I responded that I wanted a refund, and about 10 minutes later my refund was processed through paypal. I am sure if you have a legitimate gripe with them, such as "item not as described/pictured" that they will work with you on it.

edit: especially since they don't have a lot of feedback yet, so any neg feedback is really going to affect them.

[Pacifist]

I found them very easy to communicate with today. They sent me that notice about no more clear boards left, I responded that I wanted a refund, and about 10 minutes later my refund was processed through paypal. I am sure if you have a legitimate gripe with them, such as "item not as described/pictured" that they will work with you on it.

edit: especially since they don't have a lot of feedback yet, so any neg feedback is really going to affect them.

Did they pay for return shipping or no?

[whiskytango]

I found them very easy to communicate with today. They sent me that notice about no more clear boards left, I responded that I wanted a refund, and about 10 minutes later my refund was processed through paypal. I am sure if you have a legitimate gripe with them, such as "item not as described/pictured" that they will work with you on it.

edit: especially since they don't have a lot of feedback yet, so any neg feedback is really going to affect them.

Did they pay for return shipping or no?

My order never shipped. I ordered this morning, then an hour or so later they messaged me that they only have browns left and that they had changed the product description and asked if I wanted a refund

[dorkvader]

beware: seller has listed this board as "new" but there appears to be wear on the trackpad:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181389864664

[Pacifist]

beware: seller has listed this board as "new" but there appears to be wear on the trackpad:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181389864664

also go to last pic, and look at that huge blue mark. Def not new

[SpAmRaY]

I found them very easy to communicate with today. They sent me that notice about no more clear boards left, I responded that I wanted a refund, and about 10 minutes later my refund was processed through paypal. I am sure if you have a legitimate gripe with them, such as "item not as described/pictured" that they will work with you on it.

edit: especially since they don't have a lot of feedback yet, so any neg feedback is really going to affect them.

Yeah I ordered a week ago and they just sent me the message about not having the correct boards.....lame.

EDIT: So either these guys are reading this or are being scammy...I replied to their message (no so nicely) and they magically materialized another board with clears for me...

[unfloopy]

I got my keyboard from the first batch today. It has Clears, but no Cherry sticker

[Pacifist]

got message today

no more clears. fff i wanted worn in clears

[RESPRiT]

Mine from the first batch is in terrible quality, anyone else have issues with lots of gunk on the board and staining?

[dorkvader]

I got my keyboard from the first batch today. It has Clears, but no Cherry sticker

only 1/4 of the ones I got had cherry sticker

Mine from the first batch is in terrible quality, anyone else have issues with lots of gunk on the board and staining?

This is pretty par for old, used cherry POS keyboards. All the ones I got in were very dirty with random staples, paperclips (even a penny) in them. It's all about the parts for me, so I don't mind.

[strict]

I ordered a week ago today and have yet to receive a shipping notice or a tracking number.

[SpAmRaY]

I ordered a week ago today and have yet to receive a shipping notice or a tracking number.

I would say you will be getting the message that they only have browns left.

[xmagusx]

This is pretty par for old, used cherry POS keyboards. All the ones I got in were very dirty with random staples, paperclips (even a penny) in them. It's all about the parts for me, so I don't mind.

That was your instant rebate.

[MisterZ]

I have bought from these guys many times, no problems whatsoever.

[MisterZ]

This is a total steal at $25, even for the browns. I sent them a IM to see if I can buy more as an off ebay sale. I really dont know what people are complaining about, these keyboards probably cost them a fortune when they bout them new. If I end up getting more of them, if anyone wants I will share for the same price I paid. I am going to offer to buy all they they have, wish me luck.

[SpAmRaY]

I have bought from these guys many times, no problems whatsoever.

Interesting considering this ebay seller only as 46 feedback.

[MisterZ]

I had one problem with them in the past and they gave me a full refund, if a seller gives you a full refund without hesitation, come on, you can't really complain.

I am really hoping to strike a deal with them , will let everyone know later today.

[strict]

I had one problem with them in the past and they gave me a full refund, if a seller gives you a full refund without hesitation, come on, you can't really complain.

I am really hoping to strike a deal with them , will let everyone know later today.

Purely out of curiousity, what would you plan to do with 20+ (wild guess) POS keyboards? Assuming you wanted to part out all the switches/stabs/etc that sounds like a mountain of work for not much money IMO.

[MisterZ]

I dont want to brag, but I have a HUGE collection. I have several hundred IBM branded from the 70's alone. I trade them, but for every one I give up, I get 10 more.

Hopefully, they will appreciate with time, a lot of time---)

[Pacifist]

This is a total steal at $25, even for the browns. I sent them a IM to see if I can buy more as an off ebay sale. I really dont know what people are complaining about, these keyboards probably cost them a fortune when they bout them new. If I end up getting more of them, if anyone wants I will share for the same price I paid. I am going to offer to buy all they they have, wish me luck.

I got the version of this with doubleshot caps for $25 before.

Browns this old should go for around 20 cents a switch, which takes $20 of the $25 value. But the caps aren't really worth much, and you won't really be reusing that case. For scrapping is not a good deal, if you actually use it, maybe yes, but its quite and ugly layout if you aren't actually doing POS work

[jwaz]

They just now shipped mine out :X

[strict]

They just now shipped mine out :X

Same here, got the notification a few hours shy of a full week after I ordered and paid 

[jevvix]

I know a lot of you will be salvaging them for parts but did anyone actually test theirs? My friend bought one on my recommendation and it seems quite broken. Sucks because he was actually planning on using it.

The results of a keytest (plus the trackpad doesn't work):

Judging by the pattern, there's gotta be some broken traces?

[E TwentyNine]

I dont want to brag, but I have a HUGE collection. I have several hundred IBM branded from the 70's alone. I trade them, but for every one I give up, I get 10 more.

Hopefully, they will appreciate with time, a lot of time---)

Ok.  Pics?

[Grr8]

I think we now understand why J&R created a new account to sell this stuff.

[nubbinator]

Mine came with with Browns, a singular Tactile Grey and a singular Clear.  The Grey was weird (in lieu of a Clear), but the one random Clear was really weird.

[Pacifist]

I know a lot of you will be salvaging them for parts but did anyone actually test theirs? My friend bought one on my recommendation and it seems quite broken. Sucks because he was actually planning on using it.

The results of a keytest (plus the trackpad doesn't work):

Show Image

Judging by the pattern, there's gotta be some broken traces?

I'm sure that if you complain ebay will easily give you your money back

[dorkvader]

Mine came with with Browns, a singular Tactile Grey and a singular Clear.  The Grey was weird (in lieu of a Clear), but the one random Clear was really weird.

It's the one above F12, right? That key is pretty odd. See the diode is usually not in the switch and instead next to it. I don't know why, but almost all NKRO POS boards have one there.

[nubbinator]

That would be the one.

[IvanIvanovich]

I know a lot of you will be salvaging them for parts but did anyone actually test theirs? My friend bought one on my recommendation and it seems quite broken. Sucks because he was actually planning on using it.

The results of a keytest (plus the trackpad doesn't work):

Show Image

Judging by the pattern, there's gotta be some broken traces?

I have gotten several like this in the past... what happens is the ribbon cables that connect the matrix and controller come loose during shipping. Just open it up and I am sure you will see what I am talking about, just need to get them reseated and it will probably work properly.

[jevvix]

I have gotten several like this in the past... what happens is the ribbon cables that connect the matrix and controller come loose during shipping. Just open it up and I am sure you will see what I am talking about, just need to get them reseated and it will probably work properly.

Friend dropped it off at my house today for me to inspect. At first I did try to reseat all the connections but it made no difference. I then decided to detach it all and check out the PBC. Unfortunately, it was as bad as I expected:

[IvanIvanovich]

Cracked PCB... well that sucks. I guess you should send that pictures to the seller and get taken care of one way or another. I think repairing it with wires to bridge the damage is more trouble than it's worth... perhaps someone that is parting out will send you a PCB that is good?

[dorkvader]

Yeah, I got a whole stack of PCBs. Some are even still soldered. I can send you a working PCB or trade a PCB+switches for your broken one.

Also: this is one of the many reasons I don't like the quality of cherry KBs.

[jevvix]

Yeah, I got a whole stack of PCBs. Some are even still soldered. I can send you a working PCB or trade a PCB+switches for your broken one.

Also: this is one of the many reasons I don't like the quality of cherry KBs.

I agree. I thought these things would have much higher build quality. For the first Cherry keyboard I've tried, it seems really poor quality. I want to punch whatever engineer decided that those ribbon cables (that attach the matrix to the controller board) should be like an inch long. PITA to reattach.

[yuiop]

For those of us just wanting to harvest switches and parts, cherry boards are great because they are single-layered pcb + leaded solder = super easy to desolder.  I was able to desolder entire board with 120 switches/diodes in an hour yesterday while watching a hockey game

[dorkvader]

For those of us just wanting to harvest switches and parts, cherry boards are great because they are single-layered pcb + leaded solder = super easy to desolder.  I was able to desolder entire board with 120 switches/diodes in an hour yesterday while watching a hockey game

And put them in something more deserving!

The switches, keycaps (depending on which) and cable are usually really nice. The case itself the controller design, the PCB, the PCB layout / routing / the actual controller PCB soldering / assembly are all really poor. I usually harvest the cable, switches and diodes (if available). they can be a little "big" but they make really nice mini USB cables if you can manage to properly crimp them. I recommend strain relief directly on the brained shielding and then heatshrink the outer cable to the mini USB plug. Bonus points if you can get the inductor on there as well.

[Pacifist]

POS cherry cases are complete *****es to deal with. No screws, but those tabs get pretty stupid sometimes

[dorkvader]

POS cherry cases are complete *****es to deal with. No screws, but those tabs get pretty stupid sometimes

it's not so bad to open up. Not like an HP 2760P or stupid lenovo Helix (also a POS) or whatever.

The actual case itself is thin and flimsy. That's my main gripe.

[MisterZ]

I got a couple of bad ones but they made me send them back to them. They exchanged for a few others, no problems.

[strict]

Got mine today with clear switches. The board I got was clearly very heavily used, I've shop vac'd an insane amount of dust and coin wrapper shreds out of this thing.

[SpAmRaY]

got mine as well....it looks really nasty

[strict]

got mine as well....it looks really nasty

I don't know how far you dug into yours but for mine, nasty would have been an improvement. I got everything desoldered and now I need to figure out the best way to get dust out of the inside of 100+ switches. Any existing lubricant inside the switches is now totally useless due to the amount of dust that made its way inside. I'm debating trying to find some way to run them through the dishwasher lol.

On a happier note, I was excited to find mine had a cherry gray in the space bar. I will definitely be putting that on the Phantom 

[strict]

Just to make sure I accurately convey my point about nasty, here is a picture. The entire keyboard was like this, even underneath the keys. It was literally like a carpet.

[Pacifist]

Just to make sure I accurately convey my point about nasty, here is a picture. The entire keyboard was like this, even underneath the keys. It was literally like a carpet.

Show Image

Wow, that beats both my MX8100 with doubleshots that coffee was spilled on and the dust on my recent MY8000

[ebacho]

That's honestly pretty clean.  The PCB looks decent and you can get most of the dust out by disassembling the board and attacking it with canned air.

[SpAmRaY]

Just to make sure I accurately convey my point about nasty, here is a picture. The entire keyboard was like this, even underneath the keys. It was literally like a carpet.

Show Image

I didn't have time to open mine up last night, maybe tonight.....we will see how bad it really is :D

[marcusant]

That's honestly pretty clean.  The PCB looks decent and you can get most of the dust out by disassembling the board and attacking it with canned air.

The PCB is definitely clean. But the plastic has black dots all over and the board smells weird (I would say smoking, but it's POS and I would hope not).

[MisterZ]

I  just got my 10 units, about half with white switches. Someone must have really pissed off this seller as they are not listing any more. They did a private auction for me. For $25, its a total steal regardless of the switch type and the dirt. Nothing compressed air can't fix--)

[dorkvader]

That's honestly pretty clean.  The PCB looks decent and you can get most of the dust out by disassembling the board and attacking it with canned air.

yeah, these aren't bad. I've had several non cherry keyboards that were much worse.

I  just got my 10 units, about half with white switches. Someone must have really pissed off this seller as they are not listing any more. They did a private auction for me. For $25, its a total steal regardless of the switch type and the dirt. Nothing compressed air can't fix--)

The switch is usually called "clear" to avoid confusion with this cherry switch
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_White

Also: you got TEN?

[MisterZ]

yup, they IM me and said some purchasers were being real ?sholes and demanding refunds for something they were essentially giving away, so they would not list anymore, I bought everything they had left. Real nice people, will stop into their store next time I am in the big apple.

[CPTBadAss]

I wonder if I showed up at J&R, if they would show me to this storage room and sell me other keyboards like this...that'd be cool.

yup, they IM me and said some purchasers were being real ?sholes and demanding refunds for something they were essentially giving away, so they would not list anymore, I bought everything they had left. Real nice people, will stop into their store next time I am in the big apple.

That's too bad. I had a good buying experience with them and I'm happy with the board I received.

[strict]

yup, they IM me and said some purchasers were being real ?sholes and demanding refunds for something they were essentially giving away, so they would not list anymore, I bought everything they had left. Real nice people, will stop into their store next time I am in the big apple.

I wonder if I showed up at J&R, if they would show me to this storage room and sell me other keyboards like this...that'd be cool.

yup, they IM me and said some purchasers were being real ?sholes and demanding refunds for something they were essentially giving away, so they would not list anymore, I bought everything they had left. Real nice people, will stop into their store next time I am in the big apple.

That's too bad. I had a good buying experience with them and I'm happy with the board I received.

For what I paid I'm pretty happy overall. I wasn't expecting anything amazing for 25 bucks. My biggest complaint with them was that it took 7 days after I paid for my order to ship.

[SpAmRaY]

I  just got my 10 units, about half with white switches. Someone must have really pissed off this seller as they are not listing any more. They did a private auction for me. For $25, its a total steal regardless of the switch type and the dirt. Nothing compressed air can't fix--)

That is very interesting they basically told me a week ago they only had browns left.....

[MisterZ]

looks like people threatened with negative feedback, i have had this done to me once, it was not fun, total abuse of power

[SpAmRaY]

looks like people threatened with negative feedback, i have had this done to me once, it was not fun, total abuse of power

Well I could understand why people would because the seller waited a week then started messaging people trying to sell them the brown boards because they didn't have clear boards, BUT they obviously had some because they sent me one after the fact and they sent you some.

[lightsout714]

looks like people threatened with negative feedback, i have had this done to me once, it was not fun, total abuse of power

I think that is against ebays TOS I saw someone get their whole case thrown out even though they were the buyer and in the right. Because they had mentioned they would give negative feedback if the seller didn't comply. The seller showed ebay the message and he won.

[jwaz]

For what I paid I'm pretty happy overall. I wasn't expecting anything amazing for 25 bucks. My biggest complaint with them was that it took 7 days after I paid for my order to ship.

Sale date: 04/17/14... still in transit via UPS. If I get a stupid browns board I will be so irritated. unless this vintage browns hype catches on :|

[nubbinator]

For what I paid I'm pretty happy overall. I wasn't expecting anything amazing for 25 bucks. My biggest complaint with them was that it took 7 days after I paid for my order to ship.

Sale date: 04/17/14... still in transit via UPS. If I get a stupid browns board I will be so irritated. unless this vintage browns hype catches on :|

#hypetrain #choochoomofos

[MisterZ]

if you get the keyboard you want, or they gave you a refund for something they could not deliver on, they more than met their obligation.

I dont think they are keyboard experts like we are, I dont even think they know what a switch is, let alone the significance of the color.

[SpAmRaY]

if you get the keyboard you want, or they gave you a refund for something they could not deliver on, they more than met their obligation.

I dont think they are keyboard experts like we are, I dont even think they know what a switch is, let alone the significance of the color.

Someone knows something because they specifically asked me (a week after payment) to accept a board with brown switches because that is all they had left, versus the clear switches that had been advertised and I simply told them if they couldn't deliver the originally advertised item I would accept a refund and they magically found a board with clear switches within minutes of my reply. This seems to have happened before you bought your boards and you received some of both so they obviously had some left and for whatever reason were going through them trying to get rid of the browns in place of the clears.

[phoenix1234]

if you get the keyboard you want, or they gave you a refund for something they could not deliver on, they more than met their obligation.

I dont think they are keyboard experts like we are, I dont even think they know what a switch is, let alone the significance of the color.

Someone knows something because they specifically asked me (a week after payment) to accept a board with brown switches because that is all they had left, versus the clear switches that had been advertised and I simply told them if they couldn't deliver the originally advertised item I would accept a refund and they magically found a board with clear switches within minutes of my reply. This seems to have happened before you bought your boards and you received some of both so they obviously had some left and for whatever reason were going through them trying to get rid of the browns in place of the clears.

Fortunately to me, mine was arrived to Vietnam safe and sound today after a long travel from the other half of the world
Frankly, I'm so surprised. It is Cherry MX Clear (+diode), the key cap is in good condition.
Well, at least I have no complaint about this keyboard.
Thank you dorkvader for posting this under great finds and it turned out to be a very good finds, indeed.

[Grr8]

yup, they IM me and said some purchasers were being real ?sholes and demanding refunds for something they were essentially giving away, so they would not list anymore, I bought everything they had left. Real nice people, will stop into their store next time I am in the big apple.

No, that's still seller non-performance:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/global-seller-performance.html

As an eBay seller, providing excellent customer service should be your top priority. You're expected to:

Charge reasonable shipping and handling costs.
Specify shipping costs and handling time in the listing.
Follow through on your return policy.
Respond to buyers' questions promptly.
Be helpful, friendly, and professional throughout a transaction.
Make sure the item is delivered to the buyer as described in the listing.

If they describe an item one way, that is they you should deliver.

Also, it is not professional to tell some of their buyers they don't have the item they sold, ask them to take something else, and then sell more of that item they "don't have" to someone else later on.

"Real nice people" don't tell their earlier buyers they don't have something, then sell them to a later buyer.