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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Ericsc on Mon, 17 November 2008, 22:17:58

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: Ericsc on Mon, 17 November 2008, 22:17:58

Can anyone recommend a programmable keyboard that:

1. Retains its new programmed settings even when plugged into a different PC with no special drivers or software installed.

2. Has good key switches


The keyboard from http://www.comfortkeyboard.com/ meets criteria 1 but I think I read somewhere that they use rubber membrane switches.

Thanks

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: skriefal on Mon, 17 November 2008, 22:20:47

Avant Prime or Avant Stellar (http://www.cvtinc.com).  Be prepared to pay $150+ for one, though...

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: bhtooefr on Mon, 17 November 2008, 22:21:42

I think you mean http://www.cvtinc.com/ ;)

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: fkeidjn on Mon, 17 November 2008, 22:56:51

Or if you're willing to splurge, this keyboard (http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/) will do (hint: Cherry MLs).

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: Ericsc on Mon, 17 November 2008, 23:54:28

Do both the Avant Keyboards use white ALPS?

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: skriefal on Tue, 18 November 2008, 00:35:25

Alps has stopped making keyswitches, so CVT may need to purchase their switches from some other source.  You could call or email them and ask.

An alternative would be a used Northgate Omnikey from eBay.  These are the keyboards on which the Avants are based.  You can sometimes find the later models -- e.g. Omnikey 101P w/windows keys -- for under $100.  Even less if you use the 25% off cashback deal from Microsoft & PayPal.  These keyboard will be at least 10 years old, but they're battle-tanks and will last a very long time.  If you do decide to try one of these, make certain that you buy one that still has the BIOS chip installed.  Getting the old programming software to work might be a bit of effort, though...

Update: Here's some info on manually programming the Omnikey boards without the use of the old software -- here (http://groups.google.com/group/alt.folklore.computers/msg/9c8d638fc3de12a0?hl=en).  Haven't tried it yet.

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: fkeidjn on Tue, 18 November 2008, 00:35:43

Quote from: Ericsc;11590

Do both the Avant Keyboards use white ALPS?

As far as I know, Alps switches are no longer being produced by the original manufacturer in Japan.  My best guess is yes, but clones of the original, made somewhere else, most likely Taiwan.

Title: Programmable Keyboard
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 18 November 2008, 06:07:05

If you go the Northgate route, do not get the Evolution. The programming features of that particular model are poorly documented (at best), and there is known bug with the programming chip where, for whatever reason, is spazzes and the whole 'board is unusable until you reboot and rest the kb (which resets your programmed keys).  The "spazzing" out happens more than would like, too.