Mitsumi Keyboard

[timw4mail]

Okay, I know it isn't mechanical, I used to have this old Mitsumi keyboard, probably one of the best rubber dome keyboards I ever used,

it looked like this:


Anyone know anything else about this keyboard? I'm pretty sure it isn't an ordinary dome keyboard, it had a rather light, bouncy feel to it.

[skriefal]

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.

[timw4mail]

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.

Before I discovered how good my Model M really was, one of these was my main keyboard. It was the first keyboard that I liked better than others.

[ch_123]

Im pretty sure someone around here posted about them before. As far as I remember, they are just really well made rubber dome boards, not much more.

I think it's good to have a cheapo board of choice that is reasonably quiet, and that you can bring places without fearing losing $100+ worth of keyboard. The IBM M4-1 seems to be the weapon of choice around here for that task.

[patrickgeekhack]

Sorry to ruin the party, but Mitsumi is the one keyboard I avoid at all cost.  I just hate the keyfeel (not the sound).

[lowpoly]

Some versions of the AEKII and some versions of the Zenith ZKB2 contain Mitsumi mechanical switches.

[watduzhkstand4]

just wondering, what keyboards do you currently have timw4mail?

[itlnstln]

Some versions of the AEKII and some versions of the Zenith ZKB2 contain Mitsumi mechanical switches.

I had an AEKII with Mitsumi switches.  They weren't too bad.

[timw4mail]

just wondering, what keyboards do you currently have timw4mail?

I should probably add them to my sig...shouldn't I?

Well, I've got a Model M1391401 Vintage 1987, and a iOne Scorpius M10, as far as mechanical boards go.

I've got an Apple Aluminum keyboard, and blue iMac keyboard (that one sucks).
Also, I've got a cheapo Dynex Keyboard, just for spare use, and one of those amusing, but horrid to use silicone "bendy" keyboards.

I'll have to find my camera and add pictures! (Although I can't get a picture of my Scorpius...as its at work, and they don't really like cameras in the office.)

[ch_123]

You use a Blue Cherry board at work? Your co-workers must love you...

[timw4mail]

You use a Blue Cherry board at work? Your co-workers must love you...

Well, its certainly quieter than a Model M... I haven't gotten too many complaints.

[ch_123]

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

[timw4mail]

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

I just got the cheapest tactile board I could afford (That had Windows keys, I work on a Mac), because the ones available at work were just not cutting it. I resorted to using my Apple Aluminum for a while, but that doesn't feel great for very long.

[timw4mail]

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

[ch_123]

You'd have to ask the seller to pull a keycap off and take a pic. Google doesnt say anything about them

[timw4mail]

You'd have to ask the seller to pull a keycap off and take a pic. Google doesnt say anything about them

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

[patrickgeekhack]

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.

[timw4mail]

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.

That's fine. I can't stand those stupid new weirdly-shaped Dell keyboards...yech! They are about as mushy as they come.

[skriefal]

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

Nope.  That uses a buckling rubber sleeve, similar to the IBM M4.  The one sitting on a shelf in my basement does, anyway.

[skriefal]

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.

[ch_123]

I thought those were the Blue SMKs that looked kinda like Alps switches? Or are they the same?

[alpslover]

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.

[timw4mail]

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...

[timw4mail]

Hmm...I'm definitely thinking about it then, might as well have something at home that similar to at work...

I just purchased a new keyboard! It has SMK switches!

[skriefal]

I thought those were the Blue SMKs that looked kinda like Alps switches? Or are they the same?

They're not the same.  The square blue SMKs are closer in feel and sound to Alps white switches and are compatible with Alps keycaps.  The round white SMKS are closer in feel and sound to Cherry white/blue switches and are compatible with Cherry keycaps.  Apparently SMK was copying both Cherry and Alps...

[lowpoly]

Speaking of mitsumi keyboards, is this one mechanical?

Looks like the key area is bent (in cross section). That usually means there is no switch pcb.

[smarmar]

One of my Mitsumis is like the one in the top photo. It's definitely rubber dome but I agree that it does have a "special/not-so-annoying" feel to the keys as other rubber dome kbs. It's the lightest kb in the universe, very cheap but a good backup that can be thrown into a backpack. I painted it bright yellow with a rainbow and clouds over the arrow keys and gifted it to a friend ;P

[TotalChaos]

That's fine. I can't stand those stupid new weirdly-shaped Dell keyboards...yech! They are about as mushy as they come.

Show Image

Any chance you could stack nickels on one of the keys and see how many nickels it takes to press a key down?

I really really want a light mushy rubberdome to try out.

[SpAmRaY]

That's fine. I can't stand those stupid new weirdly-shaped Dell keyboards...yech! They are about as mushy as they come.

Show Image

Any chance you could stack nickels on one of the keys and see how many nickels it takes to press a key down?

I really really want a light mushy rubberdome to try out.

OP hasn't logged in since November 2013.....thread is from 2009......:facepalm:

[TotalChaos]

I wandered into this thread because I thought it was going to be about Mitsumi Mechanical keyswitches.  AFAIK I don't know anything about Mitsumi rubberdomes.

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.  The Amiga 500 keyboard was a lot nicer than the little C64 one.  Later on, the Amiga keyboards were switched to rubberdomes by an evil "manager".

The Mitsumi mechanical switches were softer and gentler and quieter than the Matias "World's Quietest Mechanical Switch".   Mitsumi Mechanical Switches are wonderfully ergonomic keyswitches.

[TotalChaos]

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.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

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.

The only C64 keyboard I am aware of is a linear Mitsumi "hybrid" switch. The "hybrid" switch has sliders bearing a rubber block suspended on a flexible strip. This block can be small, used to press a membrane sheet against a PCB or another membrane sheet, or it can be large and conductive, for conducting electricity across a PCB or membrane. There's quite a few varieties of the design.

The Commodore 64 keyboard is PCB with conductive blocks, in every instance I've ever seen. You can see some pictures here; the guy has forgotten to include the springs under the keycaps:

http://www.the-liberator.net/site-files/retro-games/hardware/Commodore-64/commodore-64-classic-brown-england-rev-a.htm

I have a C64 keyboard, but it's incredibly filthy and needs a deep clean before it's suitable to be stripped down and photographed for the wiki.

Early Amiga 500 keyboards had NMB Hi-Tek "space invader" switches, which were also linear. These were replaced with linear Mitsumi "hybrid" switches very similar to those in the Commodore 64. Can't find much in the way of photos of the Mitsumi switches in the A500, but there is one here that might be an A500:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=31893

It's the newer Mitsumi mount design.