help identify and find current replacement

[turbodog]

Howdy,

I was directed over here by Marco Chiappetta. He wrote a nice column at hothardwareforums.com on mechanical keyboards.  

I have long been a fan of my mechanical keyboards.  Problem is... I know they will eventually fail or not be compatible.

I would like to find what kind of switches I have so I can buy a current replacement: cherry blue/brown or whatever.

My keyboards (I have 3 of them) all say:

model - NMB rt8255c+
part # - 120016-201 rev b
fcc - aq6-oakz15

I actually was going to look through all the pages of keyboard pics, but 50+ pages was *too* much.

Anyway, here's the pics of the board.













What switches are these?  I bought a 'model m' clone from clickykeyboards.com. It wasn't even close to the 'elegantness' of my current keyboard(s).

Ideal setup would be to find same switches or better, 101 key layout, and same enter-backslash-backspace setup.

Thanks a lot for any help.

[turbodog]

Forgot... they are all AT interface.

[cchan]

Those are black NMB clicky switches, They're pretty rare. Your best bet would be to search for another RT8255C+ on ebay.They pop up from time to time and they're usually about $50.

ETA: Here's one: http://search.ebay.com/350199056014 For the rarity of the board, it's not that bad price, but shipping is exorbitant.

[lowpoly]

Search the forum for "space invaders".

And welcome.

[chimera15]

Those are black NMB clicky switches, They're pretty rare. Your best bet would be to search for another RT8255C+ on ebay.They pop up from time to time and they're usually about $50.

ETA: Here's one: http://search.ebay.com/350199056014 For the rarity of the board, it's not that bad price, but shipping is exorbitant.

Wow, that's pretty amazing ident work considering the photos. lol

[IBI]

Wow, that's pretty amazing ident work considering the photos. lol

Or he may just have checked whether it was one of the models listed on Sandy's page.

[itlnstln]

LOL. That's the typical thread size at AVS forum.

No kidding.  It royally pisses me off, too, when I am trying to search for a solution there.  There are so many "me too" and "has anybody found a solution" posts.  It absolutely drives me up the wall.  Just read the f*cking thread, and if there is no solution posted, assume that one hasn't been found.  Oh, and nobody really cares that you have the same problem as everyone else.  The fact that there is a problem has already been established, so STFU and wait until somebody finds the solution and save us the other 49+ pages of sh*t we have wade through to find what we want.
 
/rant
 
I need a drink, now.

[MsKeyboard]

so STFU and wait until somebody finds the solution

I just LOVE this place!  Nobody's afraid to share.

I need a drink, now.

Margaritas, my house, 3 pm

[itlnstln]

margaritas, my house, 3 pm

10-4!

[itlnstln]

Sigh, my wife won't let me.
 
BTW she's a nurse and gave me "the look" when I told her your "women's arms are rotated" theory.
 
From Paul Simon's Kodachrome:

 
Hey, it's just what I was taught.  I already told you what I think of Texas schools.

[cchan]

Wow, that's pretty amazing ident work considering the photos. lol

RT8255C+ = RT8255C+. It's just that I can read.

[ch_123]

What are these switches like? Are there any "common" switches that they are similar to?

[turbodog]

What are these switches like? Are there any "common" switches that they are similar to?

Exactly...

[turbodog]

Those are black NMB clicky switches, They're pretty rare. Your best bet would be to search for another RT8255C+ on ebay.They pop up from time to time and they're usually about $50.

ETA: Here's one: http://search.ebay.com/350199056014 For the rarity of the board, it's not that bad price, but shipping is exorbitant.

Sorry. After re-reading my post I can see how I wasn't clear.

Yup, I know they're NMB 'black magic' or 'magic black' switches. I've got 3 working boards so I doubt I will weat them out.

My real concern is compatability, due to the AT plug, as time moves onward.  I've love to find a board that's similar (layout, switch feel, etc) but a current production piece (ie: USB interface).

Also, mine are getting yellow and dirty. I can clean the dirt, but the yellow remains.

I purchased a model-m clone from clickykeyboards.com but it was stiffer, louder, and key travel was longer than the one I have.

Ideas? I don't mind buying several to get the right one.  Am even ok with shipping one of mine to someone for comparision.

Thanks,

J

[itlnstln]

You could always adapter the Hell out of it.  AT to PS2 to USB is not uncommon around here.

[ch_123]

AT to PS2 to USB is not uncommon around here.

+1 using that setup right now with my Model F.

[IBI]

Also, mine are getting yellow and dirty. I can clean the dirt, but the yellow remains.

Plastics that go really yellow are pretty nice, but the ones that just change colour slightly can look a bit nasty (especially if it's different for different keys).

As for adapters AT to PS/2 is just a plug change and that'll never cause a problem so you're only converting the signal once right now, and there are plenty of decent PS/2 to USB adapters around so if you like the keyboards I'd stick with them - you're unlikely to have any problems until you start having to use two or three converters, and USB is likely to be around for at least ten years before that happens, and by that time the keyboard situation will have changed anyway.

[chimera15]

Sorry. After re-reading my post I can see how I wasn't clear.

Yup, I know they're NMB 'black magic' or 'magic black' switches. I've got 3 working boards so I doubt I will weat them out.

My real concern is compatability, due to the AT plug, as time moves onward.  I've love to find a board that's similar (layout, switch feel, etc) but a current production piece (ie: USB interface).

Also, mine are getting yellow and dirty. I can clean the dirt, but the yellow remains.

I purchased a model-m clone from clickykeyboards.com but it was stiffer, louder, and key travel was longer than the one I have.

Ideas? I don't mind buying several to get the right one.  Am even ok with shipping one of mine to someone for comparision.

Thanks,

J

As long as it's an AT board, it's not going to be obsolete anytime soon, you can easily get a 5 pin din to ps/2, then a ps/2 to usb adapter.  They sell for like $5 on ebay.  They're not going to be incompatible ever, at least until they come up with a neural keyboard. lol

[turbodog]

Plastics that go really yellow are pretty nice, but the ones that just change colour slightly can look a bit nasty (especially if it's different for different keys).

As for adapters AT to PS/2 is just a plug change and that'll never cause a problem so you're only converting the signal once right now, and there are plenty of decent PS/2 to USB adapters around so if you like the keyboards I'd stick with them - you're unlikely to have any problems until you start having to use two or three converters, and USB is likely to be around for at least ten years before that happens, and by that time the keyboard situation will have changed anyway.

I know AT to ps/2 is just a wiring/plug change, and there are no electronics involved, and that feeds nicely into a variety of USB adapters.  But... I'd really just like to find something before the people that know what I *have* are gone.

I'm hoping that if I find a good usb board I can be set for 10+ years.

Ideas?  Otherwise I'm just gonna order a crapload of boards and see what happens.

The cherry seems like a good, popular switch. Can someone point me to a cherry switched usb board. I'll buy 3 boards, one for each switch type.  I similar layout as mine would be good.


Thanks,

J

[kyamei]

Ideas?  Otherwise I'm just gonna order a crapload of boards and see what happens.

Now that you're here, this was bound to happen anyways.

[ch_123]

The cherry seems like a good, popular switch. Can someone point me to a cherry switched usb board.

Elite keyboards sell them. They're going to be stocking some Blue Cherry ones in a month or so, if you sign up to their mailing list, you'll be told when they're released.

I'll buy 3 boards, one for each switch type.

I wouldn't bother with the black Cherry switches, apparently they're not all that pleasant to type on, and are more for gaming purposes. If you live in the US you could get an ABS M1 from Newegg which have Black Alps switches.

Of course, you could always splash out on a Topre keyboard if you have the money xD

[turbodog]

Finally gave up and got a custom red filco cherry blue. Have been pounding on it for 13 years now. The red coloring's worn away in some places, but the board is hanging tough.