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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: VentiLator on Tue, 12 October 2010, 20:31:46

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: VentiLator on Tue, 12 October 2010, 20:31:46

hi,

have been lurking long enough (4months), i just need some help identifying some boards i found on ebay:

(http://www.abload.de/img/whut9hef.jpg)

its the only pic i have, they should arrive within the next days.

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: sixty on Tue, 12 October 2010, 20:39:51

Ah.. I've seen those on eBay.de - probably got relisted like 3 times.

Nothing good in this set besides maybe the top right board.

From left to right, top to bottom:

Top left: Keytronic Rubberdome.
Top right: most likely ESCOM rubberdome, low chance of it being a black Focus 2001 with ALPS. Pic is too blurry to tell, which is why I never bothered bidding on this.
Bottom left: Mitsumi rubberdome (maybe Mac layout)
Bottom right and most bottom board: older Mitsumi rubberdome too

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: VentiLator on Tue, 12 October 2010, 20:44:30

ah, an other german :)

i got them for 1€, not a big loss.
i was especially wondering about the top left one, see those grey spots next to the arrow keys? reminded me of this
(http://www.abload.de/img/ab83345d19ae96b7183ea4jhl3.jpg)

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: sixty on Tue, 12 October 2010, 20:52:50

Yeah, I was curious too. But I'm pretty sure its a keytronic, going from the top left logo plate and the case design.

I'm not too sure about the bottom two keyboards. They look exactly like Mitsumis but their LED area is a bit different.. maybe they are not Mitsumis afterall.

If the top right one turns out to be an ALPS Focus 2001 it surely was worth it. Those are quite rare in black. Let us know what you got once they arrive :)

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: VentiLator on Tue, 12 October 2010, 20:54:20

they should arrive tomorrow, i'll post some pics :)
thanks for the reply!

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: TexasFlood on Tue, 12 October 2010, 20:55:24

I know keytronics aren't clicky mechanical but I still like the ones I have.

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 14 October 2010, 06:13:44

Quote from: sixty;233092

Bottom left: Mitsumi rubberdome (maybe Mac layout)

Mitsumi? Nah. Fujitsu 8720. Pretty characteristic shape. A rather common and not too bad-looking board, but AFAIK a rather basic rubber dome.

Quote from: sixty;233092

Bottom right and most bottom board: older Mitsumi rubberdome too

Nope, Gateway / Maxi-Switch. These very high-up indicator LEDs are characteristic.

The board pictured here (http://jope.fi/c64t/) is a Mitsumi. Note the "double bar" on top.

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: VentiLator on Fri, 15 October 2010, 07:04:47

package arrived,

those two with the red dots were boards by MaxiSwitch Inc. Tucson USA, never heard, basic rubber dome, quite heavy boards...
the one with the grey circles next to the arrow keys: Key Tronic somewhat, basic rubberdome
now the more interesting ones:

fujitsu SKB 8720:
(http://www.abload.de/img/dsc06593o5k8.jpg)

(http://www.abload.de/img/dsc06592u52t.jpg)

(http://www.abload.de/img/dsc06597juga.jpg)

how do you call these switches? they basicly feel like rubberdomes, maybe a construction like cherry my switches?!

and now, the great win, for just 1€... an Aquarius (never heard) CSK-2102

(http://www.abload.de/img/dsc06591lnt9.jpg)

sixty was right, white ALPS :)

(http://www.abload.de/img/dsc06590nuqr.jpg)

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: KillerBee on Fri, 15 October 2010, 08:03:21

these are the the great moments when you gamble and it pays off!!

congratulations

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: keyb_gr on Sat, 16 October 2010, 10:43:30

Quote from: VentiLator;234136

those two with the red dots were boards by MaxiSwitch Inc. Tucson USA, never heard, basic rubber dome, quite heavy boards...

MaxiSwitch also manufactured the first Microsoft ergos (IIRC) and a few Model Ms, and they also got the rights and equipment for the M15 in '95 but seemingly never did much with those. They made a lot of boards for Gateway 2000. If the boards are heavy, they probably have a metal backplate.

Quote from: VentiLator;234136

Show Image

(http://www.abload.de/img/dsc06592u52t.jpg)

how do you call these switches? they basicly feel like rubberdomes, maybe a construction like cherry my switches?!

Those are rubber domes with sliders. This usually makes for reduced key wobble and friction (even in the long term) plus a less mushy feel. Of course manufacturers could still cut corners by saving on stabilizers and such, but boards constructed like that tend to be among the better rubber domes.

How do you like these rubber dome catches?

Quote from: VentiLator;234136

and now, the great win, for just 1€... an Aquarius (never heard) CSK-2102

Show Image

(http://www.abload.de/img/dsc06591lnt9.jpg)

Looks like an old Acer, when they still had Alps switches. Sandy has one like that. (http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/acer_kb101a.html) (I have another board with the same case design, but using Acer's own clicky mechanism over membrane.) The label might help confirming the manufacturer.

In any case I'd think that you don't see a board in this design every day, definitely a good catch there.

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: VentiLator on Sat, 16 October 2010, 11:04:04

Quote from: keyb_gr;234729

How do you like these rubber dome catches?

i cant feel any real difference to normal rubber domes, they are just a little less wobly but you still dont really feel if you hit the key or not-.


the label doesn't say much, looks similar to the one in your link:

(http://www.image-load.net/pic.php?type=jpg&f=e8589dd79e0aa9224938dcc1426dc811) (http://www.image-load.net/)

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: keyb_gr on Sat, 16 October 2010, 11:27:22

I should have guessed it from the model number already, but in any case the invaluable FCC ID reference (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=FCC+ID+Manufacturer+Reference) says GS2 is none other than Costar. Yep, that's the same OEM making Filcos and other mechanical boards these days.

Title: Help me identifying
Post by: VentiLator on Sat, 16 October 2010, 11:31:14

thank you for that info and the link to the FCC ID reference :)