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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ecru on Thu, 24 June 2010, 03:43:14

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: ecru on Thu, 24 June 2010, 03:43:14

Today I received an Adesso MKB125B, ordered from CompSource (http://www.compsource.com/pn/MKB125B/Adesso_16/) through a buying service (International Checkout (https://www.internationalcheckout.com/login.php)).

Build quality isn't as good as Cherry, Raptor-Gaming or Filco boards I have seen, however the MKB125B is much cheaper.

Adesso advertises it as "It features an n-key rollover function permitting up to 10 keys to be pressed at the same time."  This is false.  It is 2 key rollover on both usb and the provided usb to ps2 adaptor.  Due to freight costs (apart from the hassle), it isn't worth returning the board.  Note from the photos that there is no diode on each switch.  

The keys have a slightly rough finish.  The font is excessively large compared to other boards.  The 'F' and 'J' key have a rectangular nipple.  I quite like the matt finish on the casing which is a little smoother than the keys.  The spots between the number line and the function line in the first photo are from casting, however aren't noticeable in normal usage.  The green leds are a little dim, but still fine.

It is still early, but I think the blues could become my preferred Cherry switch.  I think Model M buckling springs will remain my 'ideal'.  After evaluating Cherry Blacks in a Raptor-Gaming K1 (which arrived today too), I may swap the Cherry Blue sliders and springs into that board.  The Cherry Blacks aren't as bad as I was expecting, but I doubt I will prefer them over other Cherry types.

(http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5929/topkq.th.jpg) (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/topkq.jpg/)

(http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6867/caseoff.th.jpg) (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/caseoff.jpg/)

(http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7613/pcb.th.jpg) (http://img227.imageshack.us/i/pcb.jpg/)

(http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4957/closeupny.th.jpg) (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/closeupny.jpg/)

edit - first photo disappeared for some reason

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 24 June 2010, 15:21:32

Wow, the N-key rollover doesn't work?  This is very bad because this keyboard is specifically intended for gamers, even more so than the larger MKB-135B which internally looks not the same as this one.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: keyb_gr on Wed, 30 June 2010, 06:46:21

Hmm, the controller PCB says "SC-M10"... maybe this one is based on the Scorpius M10 internally?
The base PCB material is pretty cheap stuff btw.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: aegrotatio on Wed, 30 June 2010, 14:54:44

But, then, the Adesso MKB-125B looks nothing like the Adesso MKB-135B internally.  I can't see any similarity; even the main PCB looks different.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: ricercar on Wed, 30 June 2010, 15:59:04

Quote from: keyb_gr;197883

Hmm, the controller PCB says "SC-M10"... maybe this one is based on the Scorpius M10 internally?

The Adesso and Scorpius M10 don't share a PCB. I don't recall the thread, but it was probably the one ripster mentioned. The pics of the Adesso PCB were clearly different than my Scorpius PCB.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: Nonmouse on Thu, 01 July 2010, 12:39:30

Quote from: aegrotatio;195983

Wow, the N-key rollover doesn't work?  This is very bad because this keyboard is specifically intended for gamers, even more so than the larger MKB-135B which internally looks not the same as this one.

If you look at the bottom shot of the PCB, it's clear that it uses non-diode MX switches (only two pins) and there are no external diodes.  Kinda hard to get NKRO without diodes...

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 01 July 2010, 13:00:07

I agree with 50 cents for diodes, but what of the labor cost, or does their automatic tooling support diode insertion of diodes (if they are not hand-assembled)?
Both are not 50 cents, just saying.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 01 July 2010, 13:17:56

Yeah I saw Cherry boards with the diodes in the little slot and some are mounted on the PCB.  I bet it's a wash which one is more expensive but I thought there is more to NKRO/anti-ghosting than just diodes.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 01 July 2010, 13:30:52

Sucks...
Then I'm someone who plays Half Life 2 on a 20-year-old Model M keyboard and still wonders what the fuss is about.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: kishy on Thu, 01 July 2010, 14:01:00

Quote from: aegrotatio;198338

Sucks...
Then I'm someone who plays Half Life 2 on a 20-year-old Model M keyboard and still wonders what the fuss is about.

Half Life + Model M is an excellent combination. Although blocking issues exist if you look for them, I never actually found such an issue myself.

Do you have Opposing Force and Blue Shift as well?

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: EverythingIBM on Thu, 01 July 2010, 14:10:42

Quote from: kishy;198352

Half Life + Model M is an excellent combination. Although blocking issues exist if you look for them, I never actually found such an issue myself.

Do you have Opposing Force and Blue Shift as well?

I play all my games on my model M as well, I've come across no problems. I mostly just use the arrow keys lol... modern games don't really demand much.

But some DOS games can get really complicated and require many keys. As if anyone in this age plays them -- let alone have the capacity to understand them.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 01 July 2010, 14:55:15

I have the non-source Opposing Force but never installed it, I think it came with Game of the Year edition.

Sometimes I use WASD but if the keyboard has a numeric keypad I always use that one.

Title: Adesso MKB125B
Post by: ghost128 on Tue, 24 April 2012, 20:02:11

I know this is a necropost, but I just recieved a copy of this key board and NKRO works fine.