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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: DMuk on Mon, 27 October 2008, 13:31:02

Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: DMuk on Mon, 27 October 2008, 13:31:02: Does anyone know what FTSC means? Cherry are marketing some of their keyboards using this acronym.

As found here:

http://www.cherrykeyboardsrus.co.uk/G813000+Series-Details.htm

and here:

http://www.cherry.de/english/products/keyboards_g81-3000.htm

Or is it just marketing crap - "utilizes state of the art XYZ technology"?
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 27 October 2008, 13:59:57: Unless there's a new switch type, FTSC is the MY switch.

The website is not free of errors:

Quote
Membrane contact switches with rubber-mat technology for individual use

Copy and paste error, seen on two G81 'boards. Nobody who buys a G81 cares anyway, I guess.

Edit: Here (http://www.tastaturen.com/prod/d/509.html) (site in german) they say that FTSC is the combination of a membrane switch with the mechanical MY module. The acronym means "Full Travel Sealed Contact Technology".
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: DMuk on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:02:35: Cheers lowpoly. I've got a G80-3000LSCGB coming this week, but Whiskey's happiness with the Cymotion Expert got me wondering if I would have been happy with a £35 less keyboard...?
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:23:24: I don't think so. They are non-clicky linear and the springs are too strong like the black MX. Old MY keyboards are not hard to find if you want to try one. Here's a rebranded example:

http://park10.wakwak.com/~jpspace/key/kaitai_g81.html

Nice case color on the NCR.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:31:05: Quote
I've got a G80-3000LSCGB coming this week

Mine didn't last very long:

(http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6017/cutawaybb6.jpg)

:)
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: DMuk on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:35:51: Cheers for the link. I may buy one just to try it. Oh no. I can see me ending up with a room full of keyboards! And then two rooms, and then...

Once you get used to the click, not having it seems wrong somehow. And I don't like my neighbours anyway :)
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: DMuk on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:36:43: Was that a transplant patient?
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:44:44: An organ donor, yes.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: DMuk on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:47:16: What was wrong with the Cherry in the first place? The Missus won't be best pleased if mine ends up in a cupboard due to some minor shortcoming...
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 27 October 2008, 16:57:14: Nothing was wrong, I bought it to do exactly that. Sorry, if the "didn't last very long" remark was misleading.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: DMuk on Mon, 27 October 2008, 17:03:07: Ah. Phew. That's good then.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 27 October 2008, 17:15:47: It's a very nice keyboard.

Did you order it in black?

Cherry uses some new process for the white-on-black lettering. The caps are not double injection molded in the traditional way. It looks like the white lettering is some semi-transparent paint that is applied in a few coats. However that paint seems to be made from the same plastic the caps are made from and it is inlaid a bit into the black part of the key. I tried to remove it on one key and sort of ruined the key in the process. Under normal use it will last forever.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 27 October 2008, 17:59:47: Quote
I don't think so. They are non-clicky linear and the springs are too strong like the black MX.

so how are they different from the blacks?
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: DMuk on Tue, 28 October 2008, 04:16:54: Quote from: lowpoly;9952
It's a very nice keyboard.

Did you order it in black?

No. Had to get in beige due to a massive price difference - £50 compared to £70.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 03 November 2008, 14:11:23: Quote from: wellington1869;9954
so how are they different from the blacks?

I just did a side-by-side comparison and found the MY spring to be a bit stronger. The MY switch also had a bit more wobble. Not that much of a difference. Also, the boards were from different generations with the MY being a couple of years older.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 03 November 2008, 14:28:07: Quote from: lowpoly;10172
I just did a side-by-side comparison and found the MY spring to be a bit stronger. The MY switch also had a bit more wobble. Not that much of a difference. Also, the boards were from different generations with the MY being a couple of years older.

is the MY more shallow on the keystroke depth?
Also, which do you prefer?

MY boards are plentiful and cheap on US ebay...
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 03 November 2008, 15:38:33: Quote from: wellington1869;10173
is the MY more shallow on the keystroke depth?

Didn't notice any depth difference. But it might be there.
Quote from: wellington1869;10173
Also, which do you prefer?

I think the G80 as it has the lighter springs. The material of the G80 keycaps is more solid and flexible, this seemed to be the biggest difference in key feel. That wasn't switch related though.
Title: Cherry FTSC Technology?
Post by: alexlzl on Mon, 01 December 2008, 00:53:30: I just bought a Cherry G81-1800 from ebay. It is black USB, almost like brand new (even come with a manual). However, the key is very hard to press, guess that is what FTSC/MY is about. The board itself is super heavy and feels solid though.

Similarly I have an very old G81-1800 with 5-PIN PS/2, it feels the same. Guess they are going back to ebay soon.