geekhack

geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: Xonar on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:33:27

Title: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: Xonar on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:33:27
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pingmaster-IBM-6112883-Keyboard-Green-Alps-SKCC-USB-Programmable-Custom/182997586168?_trkparms=aid%3D777001%26algo%3DDISCO.FEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D49454%26meid%3Df24b86dc50fa4cc18394e9e6b6757672%26pid%3D100651%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2481888.c100651.m4497&_trkparms=pageci%253Aa3d7687e-f4f4-11e7-8fa3-74dbd1805a82%257Cparentrq%253Ad927544d1600aa479d884b55ffef8330%257Ciid%253A1

Don't miss out on this one! It even has custom labeled keycaps!! :rolleyes:

Figured people would try to turn these around for profit soon, but not this soon. NOS examples are still available from Mendelson's! Heck, you could almost buy one from Mendelson's just for what this guy wants for shipping, and then you can add your own converter from Hasu for an additional $44 for a grand total of around $90 shipped.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: JP on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:34:51
This keyboard just needs coffee.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: UsualSuspectXXX on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:41:04
Ugh, those red legends are horrendous
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 08 January 2018, 23:12:20
No backlighting?
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: JP on Mon, 08 January 2018, 23:17:36
I'd like to see pics of the inside as well. Needs led's and a vinyl wrap of course. I never really could get used to my Pingmaster though. The actuation force is too light for my tastes.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: just_add_coffee on Tue, 09 January 2018, 01:18:41
Quote from: Xonar on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:33:27
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pingmaster-IBM-6112883-Keyboard-Green-Alps-SKCC-USB-Programmable-Custom/182997586168?_trkparms=aid%3D777001%26algo%3DDISCO.FEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D49454%26meid%3Df24b86dc50fa4cc18394e9e6b6757672%26pid%3D100651%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2481888.c100651.m4497&_trkparms=pageci%253Aa3d7687e-f4f4-11e7-8fa3-74dbd1805a82%257Cparentrq%253Ad927544d1600aa479d884b55ffef8330%257Ciid%253A1

Don't miss out on this one! It even has custom labeled keycaps!! :rolleyes:

Figured people would try to turn these around for profit soon, but not this soon. NOS examples are still available from Mendelson's! Heck, you could almost buy one from Mendelson's just for what this guy wants for shipping, and then you can add your own converter from Hasu for an additional $44 for a grand total of around $90 shipped.

Some things:

The Japanese Pingmasters from Mendelson's do not include free shipping like the Chinese versions do.

The breakdown of my costs goes like this:
Keyboard: $80-ish (shipping was about as much as the keyboard itself)
Teensy 2.0: $16
Braided Cable: $10

That leaves $73 to cover other materials and equipment, my time, learning to do this, printing and cutting the labels to fit the relegendable keys, and Ebay and PayPal fees.

One other point: I believe that the way that this keyboard can be configured is a bit simpler than using an external Hasu converter, especially for people who've used an ErgoDox or ErgoDoxEZ.

One other other point: If you can do this **** yourself, then you absolutely should.  And all of us here certainly will.  That's why we're in this crazy hobby.  However, not everyone owns or wants to own a soldering iron, believe it or not.  I made this for people who don't want to or don't have the time to do it themselves, but want a really nice keyboard.

(And as I said in the other thread, I'm trying to raise some $$$ for a good oscilloscope.)

The things that some people ***** about ...

And there are plenty of ****tier ways to spend over $200 for a mechanical keyboard.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: OldIsNew on Tue, 09 January 2018, 01:19:14
Maybe a little harsh guys? After all clearly care and attention to details put into the boards I've seen him mod.  Certainly showing initiative. Once again it comes back to don't have to buy it if don't like it.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: just_add_coffee on Tue, 09 January 2018, 02:14:19
Quote from: OldIsNew on Tue, 09 January 2018, 01:19:14
Maybe a little harsh guys? After all clearly care and attention to details put into the boards I've seen him mod.  Certainly showing initiative. Once again it comes back to don't have to buy it if don't like it.

Thank you!

If anyone wants to convert a Japanese Pingmaster themselves, ordering directly from meci.com from within the US costs only $50.14.

(https://i.imgur.com/gggxfUH.jpg)
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: UsualSuspectXXX on Tue, 09 January 2018, 07:39:17
Quote from: just_add_coffee on Tue, 09 January 2018, 02:14:19
Quote from: OldIsNew on Tue, 09 January 2018, 01:19:14
Maybe a little harsh guys? After all clearly care and attention to details put into the boards I've seen him mod.  Certainly showing initiative. Once again it comes back to don't have to buy it if don't like it.

Thank you!

If anyone wants to convert a Japanese Pingmaster themselves, ordering directly from meci.com from within the US costs only $50.14.

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/gggxfUH.jpg)


It's actually cheaper from their eBay listing, $44.85 with shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/382243958765?ul_noapp=true
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: Xonar on Tue, 09 January 2018, 09:01:17
Quote from: just_add_coffee on Tue, 09 January 2018, 01:18:41
Quote from: Xonar on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:33:27
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pingmaster-IBM-6112883-Keyboard-Green-Alps-SKCC-USB-Programmable-Custom/182997586168?_trkparms=aid%3D777001%26algo%3DDISCO.FEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D49454%26meid%3Df24b86dc50fa4cc18394e9e6b6757672%26pid%3D100651%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2481888.c100651.m4497&_trkparms=pageci%253Aa3d7687e-f4f4-11e7-8fa3-74dbd1805a82%257Cparentrq%253Ad927544d1600aa479d884b55ffef8330%257Ciid%253A1

Don't miss out on this one! It even has custom labeled keycaps!! :rolleyes:

Figured people would try to turn these around for profit soon, but not this soon. NOS examples are still available from Mendelson's! Heck, you could almost buy one from Mendelson's just for what this guy wants for shipping, and then you can add your own converter from Hasu for an additional $44 for a grand total of around $90 shipped.

Some things:

The Japanese Pingmasters from Mendelson's do not include free shipping like the Chinese versions do.

The breakdown of my costs goes like this:
Keyboard: $80-ish (shipping was about as much as the keyboard itself)
Teensy 2.0: $16
Braided Cable: $10

That leaves $73 to cover other materials and equipment, my time, learning to do this, printing and cutting the labels to fit the relegendable keys, and Ebay and PayPal fees.

One other point: I believe that the way that this keyboard can be configured is a bit simpler than using an external Hasu converter, especially for people who've used an ErgoDox or ErgoDoxEZ.

One other other point: If you can do this **** yourself, then you absolutely should.  And all of us here certainly will.  That's why we're in this crazy hobby.  However, not everyone owns or wants to own a soldering iron, believe it or not.  I made this for people who don't want to or don't have the time to do it themselves, but want a really nice keyboard.

(And as I said in the other thread, I'm trying to raise some $$$ for a good oscilloscope.)

The things that some people ***** about ...

And there are plenty of ****tier ways to spend over $200 for a mechanical keyboard.

That's cool that you're trying to raise money for a good oscilloscope, and I'm not doubting that what you've put into the board makes it more valuable. I looked at your other listings and found the prices to be much more reasonable for what you were offering. Heck, that SSK with the copper plate looks really awesome, and I probably wouldn't have any qualms about paying what you're asking for it, considering the work you've done to it. 

But as other people pointed out, both the Chinese and Japanese boards can be had on eBay for just over $40. Sorry, I just don't think the Teensy, cable, and keycap labels on a used (even if only slightly) pingmaster are worth a $135 premium over the Mendelson's price. The BIN price also just honestly jumped out at me as being patently ridiculous at $350.

It seems like you put genuine time and effort into this board and others, but this one just doesn't seem like a good value while you can still get them from Mendelson's. I would say it's a different story if the pingmasters were tough to acquire, but they're not at all. If someone likes it and wants to buy it at this price, more power to them; they should just understand the premium they're paying for it.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: Glod on Tue, 09 January 2018, 14:20:46
Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Tue, 09 January 2018, 07:39:17
Quote from: just_add_coffee on Tue, 09 January 2018, 02:14:19
Quote from: OldIsNew on Tue, 09 January 2018, 01:19:14
Maybe a little harsh guys? After all clearly care and attention to details put into the boards I've seen him mod.  Certainly showing initiative. Once again it comes back to don't have to buy it if don't like it.

Thank you!

If anyone wants to convert a Japanese Pingmaster themselves, ordering directly from meci.com from within the US costs only $50.14.

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/gggxfUH.jpg)


It's actually cheaper from their eBay listing, $44.85 with shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/382243958765?ul_noapp=true

Thanks
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 10 January 2018, 01:21:04
I'm not crazy about the Star Trek legends, but the color scheme and relegendable caps make for a nice contrast.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: ander on Wed, 10 January 2018, 05:09:26
Quote from: Xonar on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:33:27
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pingmaster-IBM-6112883-Keyboard-Green-Alps-SKCC-USB-Programmable-Custom/182997586168?_trkparms=aid%3D777001%26algo%3DDISCO.FEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D49454%26meid%3Df24b86dc50fa4cc18394e9e6b6757672%26pid%3D100651%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2481888.c100651.m4497&_trkparms=pageci%253Aa3d7687e-f4f4-11e7-8fa3-74dbd1805a82%257Cparentrq%253Ad927544d1600aa479d884b55ffef8330%257Ciid%253A1

Don't miss out on this one! It even has custom labeled keycaps!! :rolleyes:

Figured people would try to turn these around for profit soon, but not this soon. NOS examples are still available from Mendelson's! Heck, you could almost buy one from Mendelson's just for what this guy wants for shipping, and then you can add your own converter from Hasu for an additional $44 for a grand total of around $90 shipped.

Hey, take it easy, guys... These, as well as some excellent other restores and customizations, are being done by a friend of ours here at GH. He puts an awful lot of time into most of them—and when it comes to esthetic choices, not everything everyone does can possibly appeal to everyone's taste. They're just choices.

It's also easy to say "You could just buy one yourself and convert it..." But most people out there who like and use MKs don't have the knowledge or skills to do something like install and program a converter. So when someone who does know how—and has taken the time and trouble to do it—offers a keeb like this ready-to-go, many people would be willing to pay a premium for that. In the long run, the market decides things like that, not us.

BTW, Xonar—and I'm not trying to be a know-it-all here, just trying to help—when you copy an eBay page link, you needn't paste in a URL so long that it needs a scrollbar (LOL). Everything from the question mark on is extra parameters eBay adds indicating your particular computer, search terms, language, location, and other stuff relating just to you. So in the case above, all that's really necessary is this part:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pingmaster-IBM-6112883-Keyboard-Green-Alps-SKCC-USB-Programmable-Custom/182997586168

It's even simpler, too, if you embed the URL in text, e.g.:

Japanese Pingmaster (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Pingmaster-IBM-6112883-Keyboard-Green-Alps-SKCC-USB-Programmable-Custom/182997586168)

...rather than using the URL itself as the text. Okay, I'll stop bothering you now.  :?)
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: JP on Wed, 10 January 2018, 06:43:16
The buy it now price is what shocks most people with this one, especially since one does not need to restore one of these. I know I'm guilty of the long eBay url's. I know better, I'm just lazy  :p
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: just_add_coffee on Wed, 10 January 2018, 12:33:57
Quote from: JP on Wed, 10 January 2018, 06:43:16
The buy it now price is what shocks most people with this one, especially since one does not need to restore one of these. I know I'm guilty of the long eBay url's. I know better, I'm just lazy  :p

The buy it now priced is ridiculous and was not set thinking that anyone uses the buy it now if there's an auction still going on.  I sure as heck wouldn't.  Or that anyone in the mech communities would be remotely interested in a vintage keyboard that is ready for action right out of the box and doesn't require any hacking.

Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: just_add_coffee on Wed, 10 January 2018, 12:37:00
Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:41:04
Ugh, those red legends are horrendous

So ... ummm ... in your opinion, what color should I have used on a Japanese Pingmaster?
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: UsualSuspectXXX on Wed, 10 January 2018, 12:42:45
Quote from: just_add_coffee on Wed, 10 January 2018, 12:37:00
Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:41:04
Ugh, those red legends are horrendous

So ... ummm ... in your opinion, what color should I have used on a Japanese Pingmaster?

Idk. Probably a similar color to the mods with a different font. Just my opinion.
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: just_add_coffee on Wed, 10 January 2018, 13:08:37
Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Wed, 10 January 2018, 12:42:45
Quote from: just_add_coffee on Wed, 10 January 2018, 12:37:00
Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Mon, 08 January 2018, 22:41:04
Ugh, those red legends are horrendous

So ... ummm ... in your opinion, what color should I have used on a Japanese Pingmaster?

Idk. Probably a similar color to the mods with a different font. Just my opinion.

No worries.  I was just trying to do something different.  Something that I hadn't seen before.  I changed my mind, but I almost included a Khaaaaan! key. :))
Title: Re: Deal of a lifetime
Post by: ander on Fri, 12 January 2018, 01:41:36

Quote from: UsualSuspectXXX on Wed, 10 January 2018, 12:42:45
Ugh, those red legends are horrendous

A bit harsh, don't you think, dude? We're all trying to help each other here, not put each other down.

Personally, I think JAC did an awesome and imaginative job. But of course they're relegendable keys, so that's just a "serving suggestion"... Whoever has the board can put whatever they wish under them.


Quote from: just_add_coffee on Wed, 10 January 2018, 13:08:37
I changed my mind, but I almost included a Khaaaaan! key. :))

LOL

How about something like this?:


[attachimg=1]


I think that's the flag they flew over WWII ships.