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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: terrpn on Fri, 18 October 2013, 14:47:09

Title: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: terrpn on Fri, 18 October 2013, 14:47:09
35 bux including shipping

black space invader switches

tactile with a slight click

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Clicky-Grafika-DTK-101-Key-Keyboard-5-Pin-Din-AT-Connector-RT-101-/321230562426?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4acad5647a
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: dante on Mon, 28 October 2013, 10:18:19
Your find did not go unnoticed  :-*
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: terrpn on Mon, 28 October 2013, 10:23:55
good for you!

i have the same exact board and trust me you will love it and the switches

very light tactile, click

if you try to remove a cap BE CAREFUL as the spring from the switch will spring and usually pop out, so do not lose it ;)

do me a favor...........after you get get it let us know what you think either way
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: dante on Mon, 28 October 2013, 10:40:35
Will do.  I also scored this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/350905431635

I look forward to trying them out! :D
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: do_Og@n on Wed, 30 October 2013, 00:14:08
Curse you and your NMB with windows keys keyboard. I would love one of those!
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: ComradeSniper on Wed, 30 October 2013, 00:48:59
Nice find, black space invaders are some of my favorite vintage switches. Those boards look like they're in nice shape, so the switches should be fairly smooth.
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: dante on Sat, 02 November 2013, 16:55:29
Here are the pics (you've already seen)

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33130.msg1100000#msg1100000

I received the boards in today.  I like them a lot!  I'm about to run out the door to Fry's to pick up a AT/PS2 for the DTK.

I'd have to say the Space Invaders are tied with the IBM Model M2 as my favorite clicky keyboards of all time.   My wallet is very thankful that neither are very popular.
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: terrpn on Sun, 03 November 2013, 15:59:32
 :thumb:
Here are the pics (you've already seen)

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33130.msg1100000#msg1100000

I received the boards in today.  I like them a lot!  I'm about to run out the door to Fry's to pick up a AT/PS2 for the DTK.

I'd have to say the Space Invaders are tied with the IBM Model M2 as my favorite clicky keyboards of all time.   My wallet is very thankful that neither are very popular.

i'm right there with you..................i do not own a topre, but i love my space invaders as well

congrats
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:53:00
So, now I am the owner of the DTK black space invaders board.

I gave it a good cleaning, and I like it a lot, although it may not be as crisp as I had hoped.

My question is: did I screw up putting the spacebar back on, or is it just REALLY heavy?

I see that it is a completely different switch (bright blue) but is it supposed to be approximately twice as heavy as the others?

Not necessarily a problem, I don't mind a heavy spacebar, but this seems excessive.
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: terrpn on Fri, 08 November 2013, 16:14:22
mine is heavier as well after i checked.........

http://deskthority.net/wiki/NMB_Hi-Tek
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: ComradeSniper on Fri, 08 November 2013, 17:16:08
So, now I am the owner of the DTK black space invaders board.

I gave it a good cleaning, and I like it a lot, although it may not be as crisp as I had hoped.

My question is: did I screw up putting the spacebar back on, or is it just REALLY heavy?

I see that it is a completely different switch (bright blue) but is it supposed to be approximately twice as heavy as the others?

Not necessarily a problem, I don't mind a heavy spacebar, but this seems excessive.

That's how mine is as well. You can always switch out the spring if it gets to be an issue. I have trouble typing with a spacebar that heavy.
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 08 November 2013, 18:02:20
Why do space invaders always have the same keycaps?
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 08 November 2013, 19:05:43
Why do space invaders always have the same keycaps?

The switches are very strange and there have to be a variety of mounting nubs built into the caps.

Mine has REALLY thick nice PBT caps.
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: terrpn on Fri, 08 November 2013, 23:24:20
Why do space invaders always have the same keycaps?

The switches are very strange and there have to be a variety of mounting nubs built into the caps.

Mine has REALLY thick nice PBT caps.

right............which whenever i try to remove the cap i seem to always pull off the top of the as well because of the nubs. of course everything goes back when putting in place, but still.

you are right they are pretty darn thick :thumb:

switches are different, kind of light clicky- but i like them
Title: Re: Black Space Invader Switches at a Good Price
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 09 November 2013, 12:52:51
whenever i try to remove the cap i seem to always pull off the top of the as well because of the nubs.

These are tricky. I have an IBM key puller that has a flat plastic wide piece with a very small lip. I found that using this puller sideways produced the best results by far. That is, hook under the side of the cap rather than top or bottom, and roll toward the center rather than pulling straight up.

PS - I switched the spacebar spring with Scroll Lock and it is much better now!