geekhack

geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: eyesnine on Thu, 07 July 2011, 19:11:33

Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: eyesnine on Thu, 07 July 2011, 19:11:33: NIB

http://cgi.ebay.com/Unicomp-Terminal-Emulator-PS2-Keyboard-NEW-AK278AA-ABA-/330584994848?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4cf866b420
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: eyesnine on Thu, 07 July 2011, 19:12:49: Amazon says it's clicky. I can't read Unicomp model numbers.

http://www.amazon.com/Unicomp-Terminal-Emulator-Keyboard-AK278AA-ABA/dp/B0045JQXXA
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: jpc on Thu, 07 July 2011, 19:23:15: If that's clicky, that is a screaming deal. Someone could just call Unicomp and ask about the clickyness. They're friendly.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: eyesnine on Thu, 07 July 2011, 19:37:33: Same seller just listed another on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Unicomp-122-Key-PS2-Terminal-Emulator-Keyboard-UNI0T52-/370524672278?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item5644fdd116

Damn, if I hadn't just bought a KBC Poker I'd have some Paypal Dollars to play with.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: eyesnine on Thu, 07 July 2011, 19:39:25: Seems that this seller has quite a few of them for $32 on their online store:

http://www.alancomputech.com/uni0t52.html

No free shipping through the store, though.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 07 July 2011, 21:15:35: That is a stupid good deal, if that's the buckling spring and not the quiet touch, or whatever they call the rubber dome version. I wonder which version of emulator it actually is. Given that it is called a terminal emulator in the listing, that's a good sign, but the 5250 layout gives me pause, since there's also the 5250/PC version of the controller.

Anyone want to snag one, and let us all know?
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Thu, 07 July 2011, 21:27:53: They've been trying to sell these for weeks, the price has gone down 3 fold. I'm not sure I'm willing to buy one just to jack the single sized Windows and Context Menu caps though.

You know, I'm betting they'll take an offer of 3 for $45, they are really trying hard to get rid of these.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: BiNiaRiS on Thu, 07 July 2011, 21:30:09: ISO format for the fail if that is the actual picture
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 07 July 2011, 21:35:36: Ah, but BiNiaRis, that's easily fixed. All the 122-keys are in that format, for whatever reason, but they a simple bolt mod away from being totally useful and ANSI, or in my case, UNIX.

Just a few hours with a socket set and a dremel, and you have yourself what might be the best keyboard out there.

I'd be willing to do that for people, if they are interested. It would have to wait a while before getting done, though. I don't have time at the moment, but I will in the near future.

Edit: Revenge, if you want to split the cost midway, you can have the keys you want.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Thu, 07 July 2011, 22:05:05: Quote from: theferenc;375807
Ah, but BiNiaRis, that's easily fixed. All the 122-keys are in that format, for whatever reason, but they a simple bolt mod away from being totally useful and ANSI, or in my case, UNIX.

Just a few hours with a socket set and a dremel, and you have yourself what might be the best keyboard out there.

I'd be willing to do that for people, if they are interested. It would have to wait a while before getting done, though. I don't have time at the moment, but I will in the near future.

Edit: Revenge, if you want to split the cost midway, you can have the keys you want.
lol... I only need about 3 keys total: two single sized Windows keys and a Context Menu key. If you would like to sell me just those keys, I would be happy to pay you a reasonable amount.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 07 July 2011, 23:19:44: Well, I wouldn't buy more than a single one, so there would only be the 1 of each. But if I do, you're welcome to them. Ideally, you would have left shift and return keys, both in ANSI, that you would be interested in trading for them.

I'll let you know what I decide to do.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Fri, 08 July 2011, 03:36:05: Quote from: theferenc;375876
Well, I wouldn't buy more than a single one, so there would only be the 1 of each. But if I do, you're welcome to them. Ideally, you would have left shift and return keys, both in ANSI, that you would be interested in trading for them.

I'll let you know what I decide to do.
Durr, I may indeed have some ANSI sized keys I would be willing to trade you. I'm probably going to order a set of Kentucky Wildcats key caps from Unicomp to convert the 1387033 I'm getting.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: JustCallMeCrash on Fri, 08 July 2011, 11:52:24: Quote from: REVENGE;375821
lol... I only need about 3 keys total: two single sized Windows keys and a Context Menu key. If you would like to sell me just those keys, I would be happy to pay you a reasonable amount.

Do we even know for sure that this is a Cherry MX board?
Edit: Also, anybody care to enlighten me as to what this key does?[ATTACH=CONFIG]20216[/ATTACH]
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: eyesnine on Fri, 08 July 2011, 12:02:11: Quote from: JustCallMeCrash;376236
Do we even know for sure that this is a Cherry MX board?
This is most definitely not a Cherry MX board.

It's Unicomp buckling spring or possibly rubber dome.

I sent an e-mail to Unicomp to see if they could ID the keyboard with a part number, hopefully I'll hear back soon.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Fri, 08 July 2011, 12:15:35: On the 3270 layout, it's another |\ key. Not sure on the 5250, but given that it's unlabeled, it's possible that it's an extra assignable key.

It goes away on my keyboards, as soon as I can get the bolt modded, so I can't help much more than that.

And yeah, definitely not cherry.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: aggiejy on Fri, 08 July 2011, 12:41:00: Well, I bought one of them to try out. At that price, worth a try. :)

Thanks for the heads-up too.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: eyesnine on Fri, 08 July 2011, 16:16:11: Well, I tried...

Quote
James, that part number does not show up in our database. I am not
aware that it represents a buckling spring keyboard.

Hope that helps.

Don

On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 10:48 AM, James Nicholl wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have found a seller that is offering Terminal Emulators for $32 new. This
> > seems like a great deal to me!
> >
> > However, I am only interested in the Buckling Spring version. Is the Part
> > Number AK278AA-ABA buckling spring?
> >
> > Thank you for your assistance!
> >
> > - James Nicholl
> >

-- Don Bowman Development & Support Unicomp Inc.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: eyesnine on Fri, 08 July 2011, 16:21:37: Every link for the Google search "AK278AA-ABA" seems to say that it's clicky.

So, even though Unicomp can't confirm it, I guess that it's probably buckling spring.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Fri, 08 July 2011, 16:22:41: Hmm. Well, we'll see when they start arriving, I suppose.

There was another model number listed as well: UNI0T52. For whatever reason, it maps to that AK... number, so maybe this is the Unicomp part number, and the AK... number is the dealer's?
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Fri, 08 July 2011, 18:14:35: Just called Alan Computech, these are NOT buckling spring according to their sales rep.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Fri, 08 July 2011, 18:21:35: Well, we'll see when they show up, I suppose.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Fri, 08 July 2011, 18:24:24: Quote from: theferenc;376514
Well, we'll see when they show up, I suppose.
Good luck, it's entirely possible the reps haven't checked the physical product.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Fri, 08 July 2011, 18:34:12: Quite possible. It's happened to me more than once that I get something COMPLETELY different from what they claimed to be selling me. I've come out ahead more often than not, in that.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: Calvero on Sat, 09 July 2011, 18:46:55: I bought this 'board a couple of months ago--it's a rubber dome keyboard. The keys kinda have a nice chatter, but it's mush; nothing like the buckling springs. It maps fine to a PC, with the side row of keys registering as repeats of the function keys...
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: aggiejy on Sat, 09 July 2011, 19:25:03: Quote from: Calvero;377057
I bought this 'board a couple of months ago--it's a rubber dome keyboard.
Where the hell were you yesterday? lol Oh well, win some you lose some. It'll make a fun dissection project or a bonfire.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Sun, 10 July 2011, 01:25:59: I still wanna buy key caps! In search of 2 of the single-sized Windows key caps, one of the Context Menu caps.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: aggiejy on Wed, 13 July 2011, 14:12:34: I got mine today. It's certainly rubber dome, but wow... the best domes I've typed on. A strong tactile bump, awesome sound, and great feel. I consider it a steal for $32! Not sure what I'm going to do with it... don't have any PS2 port on my mac, and no adapter. But it's fun to play on. :)
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 13 July 2011, 15:38:53: Quote from: aggiejy;379643
I got mine today. It's certainly rubber dome, but wow... the best domes I've typed on. A strong tactile bump, awesome sound, and great feel. I consider it a steal for $32! Not sure what I'm going to do with it... don't have any PS2 port on my mac, and no adapter. But it's fun to play on. :)

Did it come with a single sized Windows key and Context Menu key by any chance? I'm still searching for those and would buy them from you if you're willing to part them out. :P
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Wed, 13 July 2011, 16:08:33: I think the ones on mine might be available. I will let you know.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 13 July 2011, 17:59:30: Quote from: theferenc;379719
I think the ones on mine might be available. I will let you know.
Ok, thanks.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: aggiejy on Wed, 13 July 2011, 18:27:00: Quote from: REVENGE;379700
Did it come with a single sized Windows key and Context Menu key by any chance? I'm still searching for those and would buy them from you if you're willing to part them out. :P

Here's pic... you be the judge:
(http://cl.ly/8Rm8/uni.jpeg)
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 13 July 2011, 18:38:48: Quote from: aggiejy;379812
Here's pic... you be the judge:
Show Image
(http://cl.ly/8Rm8/uni.jpeg)

Ye...Looks like the two caps on the bottom of the far left function columns are what I need.

Good looking board, I'm considering getting one just to jack some keycaps.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Wed, 13 July 2011, 19:17:00: [ATTACH=CONFIG]20721[/ATTACH]

Left is single piece buckling spring key, right is single piece rubber dome key. Both from Unicomp.

It *may* be possible to modify them to work on a regular model M, but it would be a giant PITA.

Just order them direct from Unicomp. They sell them individually.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 13 July 2011, 19:24:44: Quote from: theferenc;379853
(Attachment) 20721[/ATTACH]

Left is single piece buckling spring key, right is single piece rubber dome key. Both from Unicomp.

It *may* be possible to modify them to work on a regular model M, but it would be a giant PITA.

Just order them direct from Unicomp. They sell them individually.
Bah, well that's too bad. I asked Unicomp, and according to Jim, they don't carry any of the single sized Windows / Context Menu caps for Model Ms.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Wed, 13 July 2011, 19:29:59: You may need to ask about single piece keys. Caps to them often means the tops of the 2 piece keys. Also, try Fentek.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Wed, 13 July 2011, 19:33:20: Quote from: theferenc;379864
You may need to ask about single piece keys. Caps to them often means the tops of the 2 piece keys. Also, try Fentek.
Will do, thanks for the tip.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 14 July 2011, 15:05:30: I will be attempting to convert this to buckling springs, since I have the parts to do it. I'll let folks know how that turns out, and post something in the mods section if it works.

So maybe still a deal after all!
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: aggiejy on Thu, 14 July 2011, 16:45:35: Sounds fun! Take pictures and make an article if it works out. :) (Or even if it doesn't)
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: REVENGE on Thu, 14 July 2011, 17:49:46: Quote from: theferenc;380428
I will be attempting to convert this to buckling springs, since I have the parts to do it. I'll let folks know how that turns out, and post something in the mods section if it works.

So maybe still a deal after all!
Ooh, nice project indeed. :) Do you plan on modifying the existing caps or providing your own?
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 14 July 2011, 18:08:02: I'll put a full detailed post in the mods section, complete with pictures I took, but I wanted to let people know, it does work, but there are hiccups.

Missing rubber mat being the main hiccup.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: jpc on Thu, 14 July 2011, 18:15:35: Quote from: theferenc;380428
I will be attempting to convert this to buckling springs, since I have the parts to do it.

Caution, there are two issues you might encounter.

1- Last time I looked at a rubber dome Model M, its membranes were not identical to those in a similar buckling spring board. The trace patterns were basically the same, but the contact pads were offset by something like 1/8" to 1/4". On the rubber dome board, the contact pad is directly below the key as you'd expect, and on the BS board the contact pads are offset (as the hammers are not centered below the key.)

2- I once tried swapping the controller out of a rubber dome model M into a BS board. Somehow, it became very easy to capitalize two letters instead of one. A third of the time, THis WOuld HAppen. I looked for a quantifiable difference in the scan rate, or the latency from pressing a key or releasing a key until the event is reported to the host, and couldn't find one. Maybe I was imagining the issue. Anyway I have some doubts as to whether rubber dome controller works perfectly with BS.

Original thread about BS vs. rubber dome controllers. (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?12143-Rubber-dome-controller-in-buckling-spring-board-weirdness)

I gave away that 71G4644 controller without writing down its part number. Oops. If we had the part number, we could confirm what I suspect-- that no BS board ever shipped with this type of controller.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 14 July 2011, 18:24:24: All the keys seem to work just fine, and when I overlaid the two membranes on top of one another, while there are differences in the traces, the locations of the contacts themselves were identical, as well the stud holes.

That's a picture I hope to add tomorrow.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: jpc on Thu, 14 July 2011, 18:33:47: Thinking about it now, here's a hypothesis. The BS controller reports press and release events as soon as it detects them. The RD controller delays reporting the release of Shift by a few ms.

On an RD board, a fast typist will likely start lifting off the shift key before bottoming out the corresponding letter key. Without help from the controller, it would be easy to miss capital letters. So the RD controller stretches out the period of time that it credits you with holding the shift key, to make fast typing less error prone.

That's just a guess. It would explain the DOuble CAps when using RD controllers in BS boards. Sorry, I no longer have a Model M RD controller to test this.
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: jpc on Thu, 14 July 2011, 18:37:10: Quote from: theferenc;380544
there are differences in the traces, the locations of the contacts themselves were identical, as well the stud holes.

Are you comparing the membranes from a 122-key BS to the ones from the RD board?
Title: eBay US: Unicomp Terminal Emulator $32 shipped!
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 14 July 2011, 19:20:15: I'm comparing a 122 key rubber dome board to a 122 key buckling spring board, yes.