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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: keyboardlover on Wed, 22 September 2010, 20:38:05

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 22 September 2010, 20:38:05

What on earth is this (http://cgi.ebay.com/VEECO-KEYBOARD-/190438614436?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item2c5706a5a4)?

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: chrs on Wed, 22 September 2010, 21:44:27

It's a keyboard for a $15k (used price) instrument used for measuring thicknesses of thin-film layers deposited on ICs  (http://www.culverequipment.com/DEKTAK3.html) with a resolution of 0.5 nm, a model that came out in 1999.

As for whose keyboard it is and what keyswitches it uses, I'm afraid I have to leave to people with better recognition skills than I.

I do like the colors but the special legends aren't very helpful if you aren't using it with that instrument!

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: didjamatic on Wed, 22 September 2010, 22:00:02

I believe it's a Unicomp custom.  Look at key profiles, spacing, overall layout.

(http://www.ecrunch.com/eBay/images/preview/Veeco-Keyboard_1.jpg)
(http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/pckeyboards_2101_1094716)

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: didjamatic on Wed, 22 September 2010, 23:02:49

Yes but no "keytronic tabs" around led panel.

Someone could ask them to pop a cap and post a photo of the back.  Their asking price warrants them going the extra mile.

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: didjamatic on Wed, 22 September 2010, 23:42:37

Well, it definitely wouldn't be the first time I have mistaken a Keytronic for something else.  Usually it's after I buy a keyboard and it arrives in the mail.

Looking at LED placement, you may be right.

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 23 September 2010, 05:05:49

A coiled non-removable non-flat AT cable on a 42H1292-style Model M? Ehh-err.

Also, assuming it's the same keyboard as the one in that link of the measuring instrument, it's definitely not a Model M, the keycap profile is all wrong.

Furthermore, on 104-keys Unicomps, the Alt, Win and Context keys are the same size, but the Ctrl keys are bigger. You can spot that on the Customizer pic above. On that keyboard, they are all the same size.

Kishy is also right, the 'padding' around the actual keyboard is wider on a Model M than it is on that keyboard.

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 23 September 2010, 19:21:40

I asked them to pop a cap off and send a pic...we'll see what they say.

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 23 September 2010, 19:47:47

The Caps Lock key on that keyboard's a little different than a Model M one as well. It could very well be a Key Tronic as Kishy said.

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: aegrotatio on Thu, 23 September 2010, 22:53:09

My vote is for OEM KeyTronic.
However, I suspect it could also be a DSI/Solidtek custom OEM job, too.

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 24 September 2010, 11:38:38

He didn't take a pic but he told me it's a waterproof membrane keyboard and non-mechanical. I suppose it's probably a KeyTronic then.

Title: Vecco keyboard
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 25 September 2010, 13:31:37

I'm sure that whatever it is, it ain't worth $200.