I see those frequently at local thrift shops. They didn't seem like anything special, but I'll perhaps look more closely the next time I make the rounds.
Some versions of the AEKII and some versions of the Zenith ZKB2 contain Mitsumi mechanical switches.
just wondering, what keyboards do you currently have timw4mail?
You use a Blue Cherry board at work? Your co-workers must love you...
I find there's a certain "quality over quantity" thing when it comes to noise. I don't think the average person has a problem with keyboards that make a lot of noise, afterall there are loads of loud rubber dome cheapo boards around, but moreso the sort of noise it makes (that's not to say that loudness is not an issue, just not necessarily the most important one when it comes to sound).
The Model F is widely considered to be one of, if not the most loud keyboards that people around here use, yet I'd feel much less conscious of using it around people than my Blue Cherry Filco, because the Model F makes a relatively pleasing (though very loud) metallic ping, whereas the Filco sounds like you're snapping biros (ballpoint pen to you Americans out there). I'd imagine people would get annoyed by that noise far more easier compared with the noise of buckling springs.
That said, the Scorpious is meant to be the quietest Blue Cherry board out there, maybe if you had a Filco you'd have some issues on your hand :D
You'd have to ask the seller to pull a keycap off and take a pic. Google doesnt say anything about them
I should have stressed that it's the rubber dome Mistumi that I don't like. I have never tried the mechanical Mitsumi. I would not hate the mechanical Mitsumi, that's for sure.
Speaking of mitsumi keyboards, is this one mechanical?
http://cgi.ebay.com/MITSUMI-Clicky-Clickety-Click-AT-XT-Keyboard-KPQ-E99YC_W0QQitemZ270413236376QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item3ef5e28898&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A2|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
I asked the seller.
How are SMK switches? Here's a board with them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-VTECH-Clicky-Keyboard-Gold-Logo-SMK-Keyswitches_W0QQitemZ300325140087QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item45ecc5f677&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A30
The round SMKs are a lot like Cherry blue switches, but with a lower-pitched click. Quite nice actually.
yes, they're similar to blue cherries - light and crisp, but more tactile. switch actuation is closer to the end of key travel than with the cherries. 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down vs. 1/2.
Hmm...I'm definitely thinking about it then, might as well have something at home that similar to at work...
I thought those were the Blue SMKs that looked kinda like Alps switches? Or are they the same?
Speaking of mitsumi keyboards, is this one mechanical? (http://cgi.ebay.com/MITSUMI-Clicky-Clickety-Click-AT-XT-Keyboard-KPQ-E99YC_W0QQitemZ270413236376QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item3ef5e28898&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)Looks like the key area is bent (in cross section). That usually means there is no switch pcb.
That's fine. I can't stand those stupid new weirdly-shaped Dell keyboards...yech! They are about as mushy as they come.Any chance you could stack nickels on one of the keys and see how many nickels it takes to press a key down?Show Image(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Dell_L100_keyboard.JPG)
That's fine. I can't stand those stupid new weirdly-shaped Dell keyboards...yech! They are about as mushy as they come.Any chance you could stack nickels on one of the keys and see how many nickels it takes to press a key down?Show Image(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Dell_L100_keyboard.JPG)
I really really want a light mushy rubberdome to try out.
OP hasn't logged in since November 2013.....thread is from 2009......:facepalm:He is in an elliptical orbit. He will be swinging back around. Don't worry. Geekhack has a lot of gravity. :D
The best switches I ever typed on were Mitsumi mechanical switches contained in millions of Commdore 64 computers and the first few 100,000 Amiga 500s.