geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: turbocharged on Thu, 16 December 2010, 20:42:27

Title: Got a NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: turbocharged on Thu, 16 December 2010, 20:42:27
I asked a guy at a neighboring business if he had any old keyboards lying around because I've seen old computers around his place and he came back with this thing.

It has the Space Invader (tactile/clicky) switches. Feels/sounds pretty neat. Not a bad freebie if you ask me.

I just got done cleaning the key caps, but the insides could use a good cleaning. Works well though. The programmable double spacebar is a trip. Figured I would post some pictures of it.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14097&stc=1&d=1292554808)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14098&stc=1&d=1292553445)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14099&stc=1&d=1292554837)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14102&stc=1&d=1292555103)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14100&stc=1&d=1292554867)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14101&stc=1&d=1292555103)
Title: Got a free NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: msiegel on Thu, 16 December 2010, 22:24:19
cool, the split space bar is back again!
excellent freebie :D
Title: Got a free NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: laden3 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 22:53:09
is it possible to transfer these switches to a modern keyboard?
Title: Got a free NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: turbocharged on Fri, 17 December 2010, 00:27:00
Quote from: laden3;264368
is it possible to transfer these switches to a modern keyboard?

No idea honestly...ill take it apart again tomorrow and see what the back of the pcb looks like to see what the switch pinout is.
Title: Got a free NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: Mr. Fish on Fri, 17 December 2010, 19:07:39
The double spacebar action would just seem weird to me I use both my thumbs to press on the spacebar, this would just be trippy if at one time it was space and another it was...let's say 5 x space. Emails from me would take on a different tone.
Title: Got a free NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: turbocharged on Sat, 18 December 2010, 08:44:27
Quote from: laden3;264368
is it possible to transfer these switches to a modern keyboard?


Took some pictures of the back of the PCB this morning.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14119&stc=1&d=1292685004)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14120&stc=1&d=1292685026)

I don't know if any other switches use this same style pinout (someone else who knows more can chime in). All I know is that it is not the same as the Cherry MX switches.
Title: Got a free NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: user91 on Sat, 18 December 2010, 11:28:56
That is awesome!! Please carefully put that keyboard back together and use it.

I started a thread a week ago about my RT8255CW+, asking if anyone had ever seen one in the wild. I used mine growing up, and it was the best keyboard I've used. Excellent mechanical feel combined with the split spacebar, which greatly improves one's typing speed.

Here's mine:

(http://i.imgur.com/IreXK.jpg)


Here's the thread (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=13295)

Curiously, yours looks a bit different in the window for the LEDs, above numlock.
Title: Got a free NMB RT8255CW+ (Space Invader switches and double spacebar)
Post by: turbocharged on Sat, 18 December 2010, 17:41:01
Quote from: user91;265264
That is awesome!! Please carefully put that keyboard back together and use it.

I started a thread a week ago about my RT8255CW+, asking if anyone had ever seen one in the wild. I used mine growing up, and it was the best keyboard I've used. Excellent mechanical feel combined with the split spacebar, which greatly improves one's typing speed.


Nice. It's all back together and working perfectly now.

However, I really love my cherry black switches, so its just hanging out on the sidelines for now.