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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ikoma on Fri, 03 May 2013, 15:17:07

Title: What type of switch is this?
Post by: ikoma on Fri, 03 May 2013, 15:17:07

I'm a bit new and I was wondering what this switch is.
I did a bit of searching and couldn't find anything.

(http://i.imgur.com/RAo0I0X.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jKh9bZ8.jpg)

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: SmallFry on Fri, 03 May 2013, 15:18:14

Hm. Perhaps an early Cherry switch. Does it say Cherry on it?

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: ikoma on Fri, 03 May 2013, 15:20:57

Quote from: SmallFry on Fri, 03 May 2013, 15:18:14

Hm. Perhaps an early Cherry switch. Does it say Cherry on it?

Nope, it doesn't say Cherry.
It is quite similar to Cherry switches though..

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: BlueBär on Fri, 03 May 2013, 17:50:38

Pretty sure that's a Futuba switch. This one is the closest I could find: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_linear_switch (these are close as well http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_complicated_linear & http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_linear_lock )
Futuba switches mostly look like vertical rectangles and have those clip thingys on the side, any more info on the keyboard itself?

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: ikoma on Sat, 04 May 2013, 15:42:06

Quote from: BlueBär on Fri, 03 May 2013, 17:50:38

Pretty sure that's a Futuba switch. This one is the closest I could find: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_linear_switch (these are close as well http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_complicated_linear & http://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_linear_lock )
Futuba switches mostly look like vertical rectangles and have those clip thingys on the side, any more info on the keyboard itself?

It's actually from an Atari 800 XL I picked up for a couple of bucks.
(http://www.retroclinic.com/leopardcats/spareparts/atari800xl.jpg)

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: czarek on Sat, 04 May 2013, 16:35:34

Best Atari ever, grandaddy of Amigas (not the ST which was actually designed and made by people from Commodore).
Those switches are nice. Quite heavy and linear, similar to vintage cherry MX black or linear NMB space invaders (white ones, yellow are lighter).

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: mr_a500 on Sat, 04 May 2013, 16:54:40

There were 6 versions of the 800XL keyboard. According to this AtariAge thread (http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105170-600800xl-keyboard-variants/), it looks like that you have one of the AWC versions ("Type 2" or "Type 3"), but the 2nd picture you posted looks like the Mitsumi ("Type 5").

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: ikoma on Sun, 05 May 2013, 02:15:50

Quote from: mr_a500 on Sat, 04 May 2013, 16:54:40

There were 6 versions of the 800XL keyboard. According to this AtariAge thread (http://atariage.com/forums/topic/105170-600800xl-keyboard-variants/), it looks like that you have one of the AWC versions ("Type 2" or "Type 3"), but the 2nd picture you posted looks like the Mitsumi ("Type 5").

I can take an actual picture of it if you want.
The one in the picture is very close but it does seem a bit different.

Quote from: czarek on Sat, 04 May 2013, 16:35:34

Best Atari ever, grandaddy of Amigas (not the ST which was actually designed and made by people from Commodore).
Those switches are nice. Quite heavy and linear, similar to vintage cherry MX black or linear NMB space invaders (white ones, yellow are lighter).

I felt the keys and instantly knew it was mechanical with heavy switches. It's quite hard to type on but nevertheless it's pretty cool.

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: mr_a500 on Sun, 05 May 2013, 08:37:34

Quote from: ikoma on Sun, 05 May 2013, 02:15:50

I can take an actual picture of it if you want.
The one in the picture is very close but it does seem a bit different.

I knew that second picture wasn't the same keyboard. Yes, take a picture of it and we'll see exactly which version it is. (I'm guessing "Type 2")

I have an ALPS version ("Type 1") and a couple of the "Type 4" stiff nameless ones. I put pictures of the switches in that thread.

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: ikoma on Sun, 05 May 2013, 13:18:32

(http://i.imgur.com/Adu7Z5X.jpg)
Mind the dust, I have yet to clean it.
Sorry for late reply, still a bit new to GH. 

Title: Re: What type of switch is this?
Post by: mr_a500 on Sun, 05 May 2013, 14:23:02

Yes, that's the first AWC version ("Type 2"). I think that was the first 800XL keyboard produced because that's the one you see on the 800XL box and in the owner's guide.