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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Tarzan on Thu, 05 September 2013, 11:12:25

Title: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: Tarzan on Thu, 05 September 2013, 11:12:25
Just curious about these old-ish Wang keyboards on eBay, anyone know if these are rubber dome?  Foam and foil? 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-6-Wang-keyboards-725-3155US-279-2050USS-725-3099US-/140967289176?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item20d24e2158 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-6-Wang-keyboards-725-3155US-279-2050USS-725-3099US-/140967289176?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item20d24e2158)
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: esoomenona on Thu, 05 September 2013, 11:14:41
I always keep a rubber dome on my Wang.
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: Tarzan on Thu, 05 September 2013, 11:18:48
TMI, dude...  TMI.


I always keep a rubber dome on my Wang.
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 05 September 2013, 12:41:31
TMI, dude...  TMI.


I always keep a rubber dome on my Wang.
Well was not expecting that one...
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: JimByr on Thu, 05 September 2013, 14:57:03
PC-compatible Wang keyboards...
1) Wang Model No. 723 (725-3401-US)
Keytronic capacitive foam over foil switch / buckling rubber sleeve
Double-shot keycaps

2) Wang Model No. 724 (725-3770-US)
Black Alps, yellow Alps under 'Caps Lock' key (keys with LED)
PBT dye-sub keycaps

3) Wang Model No. 725 (725-7943-US)
Amber (AKA orange) Omron B3G-S
Likely ABS keycaps since Wang paid CoStar $6 each for these keyboards.

There are a few other models with similar numbers that are PC-compatible probably with the same switches.

AFAIK... None of the keyboards shown in the eBay listing are PC-compatible but might have the same switches.
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Thu, 05 September 2013, 16:23:35
I am not sure if you are joking or have insider Costar knowledge :)
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: Tarzan on Fri, 06 September 2013, 08:07:49
Thanks for the info!  Sounds like a grab bag of mostly junk, par for the eBay roulette machine.   :p

I keep an eye out for older Wang keyboards made by Keytronic, hoping to find another one with SA profile keycaps.  For Alps I'm sticking with Focus keyboards, unless I find a cheap/interesting set of Alps caps worth harvesting.

PC-compatible Wang keyboards...
1) Wang Model No. 723 (725-3401-US)
Keytronic capacitive foam over foil switch / buckling rubber sleeve
Double-shot keycaps

2) Wang Model No. 724 (725-3770-US)
Black Alps, yellow Alps under 'Caps Lock' key (keys with LED)
PBT dye-sub keycaps

3) Wang Model No. 725 (725-7943-US)
Amber (AKA orange) Omron B3G-S
Likely ABS keycaps since Wang paid CoStar $6 each for these keyboards.

There are a few other models with similar numbers that are PC-compatible probably with the same switches.

AFAIK... None of the keyboards shown in the eBay listing are PC-compatible but might have the same switches.
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: JimByr on Fri, 06 September 2013, 09:43:11
I am not sure if you are joking or have insider Costar knowledge :)
Keep in mind when Wang bought these keyboards. I have a friend who worked for Wang in the monitor group. That's where my initial collection of Wang keyboards came from. The person who negotiated the keyboard contract with Costar was a friend of his and was the source the info about what the Model 725 keyboards cost Wang. The first batch have the A/X switch. To cut the cost, later batches lack the switch and are hard-wired to be AT compatible. The first batch have a Costar warranty. For later batches, the warranty was dropped, again, to cut the cost to Wang. <g>
Title: Re: Vintage Wang keyboards - rubber dome?
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 06 September 2013, 11:25:37
Those keyboards look like they are for terminals, so they may only be interesting for grabbing switches.
Amber Omrons are clicky and quite nice, but they are not pin-compatible with Alps or Cherry MX...