eBay Germany discussion (was: [.de] A few Cherry finds)

[Bollwerk]

Ok, I'm thinking over it.

In the worst case, we have to settle it at ebay.^^

Maybe, we aren't the only ones, interested in this anyway.

Oh, what a guy. Threw away one of them, uses the same photo for the same two boards? I don't get it.

[xyzzy]

Wow.. a G80-5000 at already 201 Euros.. 7 days to go. This is madness.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Cherry-Tastatur-G80-5000-HAADE-Ergo-5700-Numericblock_W0QQitemZ140339616781QQcmdZViewItemQQptZM%C3%A4use_Tastaturen?hash=item20ace49c0d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

It's NIB, hence the high price. If it was in ANSI layout it would probably be twice as much already.

[xyzzy]

Yes, I have my sniper set up for the g80-2550.

Looks like there's been a bit of a sniping war on this. From 1€ to 30.50€ in the last 15 seconds.

Who got it in the end?

[sixty]

not me!

[maxlugar]

Not a Cherry:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=280374208317
Not sure what this is, some early rubber dome? It's missing some keys anyway.[/QUOTE]

This keyboard was manufactured by Tandon Computers in Moorpark, CA USA.  The former manufacturing plant is now a leased warehouse with the dividing wall about 30 feet from my office desk.

At its peak in the late 1980's through the mid 1990's, Tandon employed several hundred employees and made PC clones for Tandy Corp. (Radio Shack) and was also one of the first brands of computers sold by Walmart's Sams Club warehouse chain.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the keyboard technology.  It could be rubber dome, but given its vintage, I suspect it may be buckling spring or microswitch.

[lowpoly]

Here's an MS Natural keyboard with an IBM M2 thrown in for good measure. Apparently, the M2 works, which is kind of rare.
If I didn't already have one, I'd bid on this.

-huha

Got this one for the typical 1 Euro. Thanks for posting it.

[sixty]

Usually most of the badly labelled boards end with no bids, so 1 Euro is not uncommon. I got a few model ms for a 1 euro, and the legendary cherry from my review.

Though they now have a list of "usefull german words" over at OTD it seems. No good!

[Bollwerk]

Actually, the german market is a bit strange. I think too many people know too less and are brainwashed by trends and style-products. They fall prey to brands like Logitech, Roccat and so on. So many jerks are praising the logitech Iluminated these days. THE BEST THING EVER... EVEN BETTER THAN G19!!!

What a shame... on the other hand. Usefull for those, who know more.^^

Modell Ms seem to go over the table for about 30€ recently.

[JBert]

How do you find out what models these are?

I'm looking for a Cherry with clears or browns, preferably 105 keys. But not too many sellers include this important snipet of information, so it looks a bit like a gamble.

[keyb_gr]

How do you find out what models these are?

If in doubt, ask the seller. That's how I did it with my G80-3000HAD.

I'm looking for a Cherry with clears or browns, preferably 105 keys. But not too many sellers include this important snipet of information, so it looks a bit like a gamble.

Browns? Fuhgettaboutit. You might find them in higher-end POS boards, but these are about as common as the proverbial hen's teeth. Clears still aren't too common, it was pure luck that I managed to find two boards with these (both ill-described and not specifying the type, ended up at 1€ each, so it wouldn't have been bad even if I'd only gotten something with blacks).

[Rajagra]

Browns? Fuhgettaboutit. You might find them in higher-end POS boards, but these are about as common as the proverbial hen's teeth.

There's always the MX11800.

[itlnstln]

How do you find out what models these are?
 
I'm looking for a Cherry with clears or browns, preferably 105 keys. But not too many sellers include this important snipet of information, so it looks a bit like a gamble.

DataCal.com has G80-3000s with browns.  You would have to ship it in form the US, though, and they are much more expensive then what you might find locally since these were custom 'boards for DataCal.  I paid $100 USD for mine, and I absolutely love it.

[huha]

How do you find out what models these are?

I'm looking for a Cherry with clears or browns, preferably 105 keys. But not too many sellers include this important snipet of information, so it looks a bit like a gamble.

The clears are G80-3000LQCxx-y and pretty easy to find, although not on ebay. Depending on where you live, we could point you to some online shops where you can order them.
Browns can be found in Compaq's MX11800; they're not terribly rare. One especially nice model can be found here. It's an MX11800 ([strike]in black![/strike] in white, photo is badly underexposed) with keyboard drawer. Pretty neat actually; if I didn't already have one, I'd buy this right away. The price is a bit high for those looking for a 1 Euro special, though.

-huha


edit: As far as tactile switches are concerned, there's always the odd Dell AT102DW floating around on ebay. Here is one, for example, although I don't quite believe the "slightly dusty" part of the article description after looking at the picture.

[itlnstln]

Browns can be found in Compaq's MX11800; they're not terribly rare. One especially nice model can be found here. It's an MX11800 (in black!) with keyboard drawer.

Wow, that one is nice.  I have never seen a black one before.  In that pic, it almost looks Topre-gray.

[Rajagra]

That photo is just underexposed. The keyboard and tray are white.

Those Compaq trays have a great mechanism for taking up slack in the cable, if you assemble it properly. And if it's complete.

[keyb_gr]

edit: As far as tactile switches are concerned, there's always the odd Dell AT102DW floating around on ebay. Here is one, for example, although I don't quite believe the "slightly dusty" part of the article description after looking at the picture.

Looks like the keys are from two different batches, and one of them wasn't too good in terms of plastic mix. Given how unfriendly Alps keycaps are in terms of removal, I'd guess it came like that straight from the factory, although originally with all keys being the same color. I think I noticed a bit of variation on mine as well, but nowhere near as extreme.

I'd prefer clears to black Alps by a long shot though.

[JBert]

There's always the MX11800.

Argh!
Someone just bought it right from under my nose as it must have been a steal. Of course, I still had to ask whether they could ship it outside the UK...

As for the other MX11800: sounds interesting, but the seller seemingly only ships within Germany and I'm from Belgium.


EDIT: Also, I want to mod it - the main reason I don't go out and buy a brand new Filco. New Cherry keyboards with clears also seem quite pricey, so I don't want to void their warranty too soon.

[keyb_gr]

FSC numpad - probably most interesting for folks with a KBPC E.
Tough industrial board
Cash register board
And here's one of them infamous "Mechanical Touch" boards, says new

Who snatched up these 6 boards?

EDIT: fixed

[JBert]

The "industrial board" and "cash register board" both link to the same item. That, and the linked item seems to be a chiclet or maybe even a membrane keyboard *shudder* !

[sixty]

Who snatched up these 6 boards?

I got em!

[keyb_gr]

I got em!

Show Image

Show Image

Let us know what you got there once they arrive, OK? They did look promising.

I think it's time for a Ebay Support Group, DE chapter.

Not that bad an idea actually. Or for Europe at least, or something like that. (I was considering a whole German language subforum at one time - why not if the Koreans have English language ones - but figured that traffic wouldn't be sufficient to warrant one. That would be like what, half a dozen active users or so? Then again, that's not too bad a figure.)

[sixty]

Let us know what you got there once they arrive, OK? They did look promising.

Of course! I think at least 3 of them are G80-1000s, probably with double shot keys.

Not that bad an idea actually. Or for Europe at least, or something like that. (I was considering a whole German language subforum at one time - why not if the Koreans have English language ones - but figured that traffic wouldn't be sufficient to warrant one. That would be like what, half a dozen active users or so? Then again, that's not too bad a figure.)

I had that idea once too.. it would be nice to have some language specific sub forums. We could have already arranged some mass orders and maybe save some shipping costs that way. Oh well.

[keyb_gr]

I just meant that 6 Ebay boards as a time might mean it's time for the 12 step program.

Ah, I see. Good point...

Yours truly definitely has too many. I hope I can find the space for all of the recent arrivals. Yet I'd still make some room for something with those light blue SMK switches...

You know what? MX blacks in a nice vintage Cherry board aren't that bad at all. I think I'd still prefer the G80-1000HAD over the KBPC PX (nice touch but awfully light lettering) and TDV 5010 / G84-9021 (wacko keycaps). Something with blues or clears is yet better though... blues are lighter than even the FSC overall. Blacks do get kinda tiring after a while but this buttery feel is lovely.

[keyb_gr]

Seems like I snatched up a G84-4700 numpad today. Threw in a bid of 2,50 for the heck of it, being sure that it would go higher, but got it for - 2,50. Not bad for a nice programmable numpad. Doesn't say anything about function, but things like that generally work. From the blurry label pic these are made in the Czech factory.

[sixty]

Seems like I snatched up a G84-4700 numpad today. Threw in a bid of 2,50 for the heck of it, being sure that it would go higher, but got it for - 2,50. Not bad for a nice programmable numpad. Doesn't say anything about function, but things like that generally work. From the blurry label pic these are made in the Czech factory.

Nice catch! Didn't see that one.

Btw: The G80-5000 ended today.. 584,90 EUR.

[Rajagra]

Seems like I snatched up a G84-4700 numpad today. Threw in a bid of 2,50 for the heck of it, being sure that it would go higher, but got it for - 2,50. Not bad for a nice programmable numpad. Doesn't say anything about function, but things like that generally work. From the blurry label pic these are made in the Czech factory.

Any idea if it's PS/2 or USB? I bought this one earlier, then realised it was PS/2. Still a nice item, but has limitations when you think about it.

[keyb_gr]

Any idea if it's PS/2 or USB?

It's a USB (combo) model. My dad currently uses a cheap one on the notebook so he can bang away without having to fear for the integrated one, and this might be a good replacement.

I bought this one earlier, then realised it was PS/2. Still a nice item, but has limitations when you think about it.

How does one use a PS/2 numpad anyway? I think the G80-3700 has a jack for sort of a loop-through connection.

[sixty]

One difference from the PS2 and USB model is that the PS2 model is hardware based.. it sends the keystrokes using actual keystrokes if you set a macro. The USB version only sends keys when the Cherry Tools are installed.

[Rajagra]

Ah - I should be OK. Looks like the numpad has the passthrough connector, for some reason I assumed the main keyboard had to have it.

One difference from the PS2 and USB model is that the PS2 model is hardware based.. it sends the keystrokes using actual keystrokes if you set a macro. The USB version only sends keys when the Cherry Tools are installed.

Bonus! I thought you needed the G80-3700 to get hardware macros.

[lowpoly]

Btw: The G80-5000 ended today.. 584,90 EUR.

Crazy. I just got the 5700 numpad in used condition for about EUR 10,- plus shipping.

[keyb_gr]

Anyone happen to know what a G80-5000 cost when new?
EDIT: OK, a bit of searching helped answer that one - $170 plus shipping. I would have guesstimated maybe 200..250 DM over here.

Oh, and I finally ordered a Belkin PS/2 to USB adapter today. (And a new USB hub, as mine with integrated cardreader gets pretty warm.) That should make keyboard promiscuity somewhat more easy...

[keyb_gr]

Two-shot key set again, minutes to go
Looks like a Model M, might be a rubber dome version though - ends tomorrow
AT102DW (brought up by huha I believe)

You can also buy a whole bunch of used FSC boards for PS/2 for cheap (seemingly some older model if the pic is accurate - KBPC P or so?), though it seems these guys (used IT resellers) don't do a whole lot of testing

[sixty]

Looks like a Model M, might be a rubber dome version though - ends tomorrow

Ist eine universal billig Ware ,aber was soll ich sagen für mein Laptop war das immer O.K. . Jetzt habe ich eine neue geschenkt bekommen und darum wech damit !

lol.

[watduzhkstand4]

wow those keyboards there are dirt cheap there and no one is buying it?
[no pun intended btw]

[sixty]

wow those keyboards there are dirt cheap there and no one is buying it?
[no pun intended btw]

Sadly I am buying them, most of the time. I am indeed running out of physical space.

[xyzzy]

Btw: The G80-5000 ended today.. 584,90 EUR.

Crazy... I expected it to reach a high price because it was NIB... But rather something in the range of €300, not the price of a M15 :jaw:

[keyb_gr]

Terms and conditions of the day:
Passive USB adapter

[lowpoly]

Looks like a Model M, might be a rubber dome version though - ends tomorrow

Again, 1 Euro. Had bid on it before but thanks for the link, reminded me to watch the auction. :-)

Best sales text for a Model M ever.

[keyb_gr]

My G84-4700 numpad showed up today, super quick shipping there. It''s a PUCDE made U19, i.e. 2008. No idea why anyone would sell it (it's not like you'd get rich) but anyway. Didn't know they still make these with painted lettering.
But yes, the Cherry website states the USB programmability is software based. Other USB keyboards sem to miss the occasional Num Lock indication change when it's connected.

My, lots of new USB stuff today. New hub, new stick (things don't seem to look too good for Sandisk, so I figured quality wasn't likely to improve), and most importantly a Belkin PS/2 adapter so I can connect more keyboards than any normal human being could type on at any given time.

[lowpoly]

My MS Ergo/M2 combo came today. The M2 is working.

The MS is a huge pile of plastic. Comes with a usb/ps2 cable with two plugs.

[keyb_gr]

So is it a buckling spring or rubber dome M2?

[lowpoly]

Buckling spring. But I think you mean the other auction with the Model M. I don't have that yet.

[keyb_gr]

Buckling spring.

Good catch then. I wanted to have one of these for a long time... but eventually I didn't need to and had accumulated a number of other nice boards.

[lowpoly]

Heh, I liked how the M2 appeared to be thrown in as a valueless extra. Talking about the M2, I think I'm gonna get rid of the side and front spoilers on one of mine. I don't get those. They have no function and hide this is the thinnest mechanical keyboard around!

There are two kinds of M2 cases. One is rather compact and one has those spoilers. iMav posted photos once:

Model M2 comparisons

I only have the smaller ones. I wish the nose was flat and not rounded. The case would be even smaller. But IIRC there are latches inside, not easy to mod. Black case and keys, flat front and Unicomp had an up-to-date product.

[lowpoly]

Good catch then. I wanted to have one of these for a long time... but eventually I didn't need to and had accumulated a number of other nice boards.

I just saw in iMav's post that there were rubber dome versions of the M2 as well. I didn't remember that.

[Rajagra]

My G84-4700 numpad showed up today, super quick shipping there. It''s a PUCDE made U19, i.e. 2008. ...

But yes, the Cherry website states the USB programmability is software based.

Mine arrived too, a G84-4700PRBUS /04. It's PS/2, but for the life of me, I can't find a way to program it  - hardware wise - in Cherry Tools. It seems to be a software problem, there just isn't a numpad layout that allows H/W programming.

So far it behaves exactly the same as my USB 4700. :noidea:

[keyb_gr]

Maybe try an older version of the software?

BTW, yesterday I rediscovered that my trusty old P2B-D does have keyboard powerup functionality. I'd entirely forgotten about that. You have to set a jumper to enable standby supply, which I did (after having to remove and unplug the power supply, otherwise you can't get there). Even USB keyboard support at BIOS stage works, in spite of no option for that being present (unless I overlooked it).

[sixty]

I got the lot of 6 boards today. All of the boards are extremely dirty. Will be fun (yeah right..) cleaning these up. Anyway, there has been some really weird stuff in the box. Here is what I got:

1x some cheap keytonic rubber dome -> trashed it

1x some ancient Mitsumi board, combination of membrane hammer and spring?
pics: [1] [2] [3]
This piece of crap probably feels horrible to type on. It is too filthy for me to even try. This board is so yellowed, it seriously has the colour of a banana. Trashing this.

1x Conrad Electronic Board - some type of semi clicky membrane with Cherry keycap interface. This board sports the most ghetto, yet most impressive fix of a missing keycap I have ever seen. This is an actually rebuilt keycap (and stem!) cut out of some type of plastic, combined with a lid of some small bottle. Kudos for this. Trashing this. Pics: [1]

1x Cherry G80-1000 Cherry MX Black, double shot keycaps
Pics: [1] [2]
FCC ID has been purposely(?) scratched. The label is very scratched anyway, who knows. Interesting serial number.. first in a run of 13k? Really odd.

1x Cherry G80-1212 (Huh? OEM run? Check the weird serial number too.. can't see anything special about this board though).

Cherry MX Black, double shot keycaps
Pics: [1] [2]

1x Cherry G80-3019 HFD/04
Pics: [1] [2]

Another weird serial. Is this OEM/special order too? Label has no FCC ID even though it should normally have one. Even the older G80-1000 had them (even though scratched out).

Cherry MX Blue, double shot keycaps

Closing Notes
Did you pay attention to the pictures? For some reason all of the "1" keys on all keyboards have been purposely jammed/stuck in one way or another. The G80-1000 and the G80-3019 had this done really well using a piece of rubber stuck to the keycap. This fell off on the G80-3019 and the key was therefore not stuck anymore. But anyway.. what could be the purpose of this? Whats the deal with all the stuck 1 keys, missing FCC ids and weird serial or product numbers? Anyone got any clues? Testing equipment? TÜV test equipment? Who knows. I hope one of you does, since I am clueless.

[keyb_gr]

1x Conrad Electronic Board - some type of semi clicky membrane with Cherry keycap interface. This board sports the most ghetto, yet most impressive fix of a missing keycap I have ever seen. This is an actually rebuilt keycap (and stem!) cut out of some type of plastic, combined with a lid of some small bottle. Kudos for this. Trashing this. Pics: [1]´

Got a label pic for this?

1x Cherry G80-1212 (Huh? OEM run? Check the weird serial number too.. can't see anything special about this board though).

This will need some rollover testing.

1x Cherry G80-3019 HFD/04
Pics: [1] [2]

Another weird serial. Is this OEM/special order too?

Yep. The customization might stop at the label though.

No clue about the common odditities.

[sixty]

This will need some rollover testing.

Good guess. Seems we got full nkey rollover here:




(I ran out of fingers)