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geekhack Community => geekhack Media => Topic started by: BlueBär on Thu, 27 March 2014, 14:04:09

Title: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 27 March 2014, 14:04:09
[attachimg=1]

I've posted a video about this keyboard getting cleaned already (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55897.msg1258998), but I haven't actually shown much of it, so here we go.

Most Sun Type 5 keyboards are actually rubberdomes, but thanks to Haata I got aware of this one on ebay. After confirming with the seller by a switch pic that this is actually mechanical I bought it - why not? ;D
The keyboard came with the classic two-tone colour scheme and has pad-printed legends in Futura. The legends are in excellent condition and only a few keys are a bit shiny, while most of them are still very textured. The switches are MX Blacks (non-vintage) and plate mounted.

[attach=2][attach=3]

It has some extra keys on the left and on the right above the numpad. The keys on the left are some sort of commands like stop, repeat, properties,...

[attach=4][attach=5]

The cable (slightly damaged) is detachable and can be plugged in on the left and right side. It is not a PS2 cable btw.

[attach=6][attach=7]

The feet are a sort of 2-in-1 system so you have three height modes instead of the usual two.

[attach=8]

And finally a photo from the whole backside and the label.

[attach=9][attach=10]

I might use it just for harvesting the switches but I'm not too sure yet. I hope you enjoyed the photos!
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: jwaz on Thu, 27 March 2014, 14:08:40
Any chance you got it from this guy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Sun-type-5-Keyboard-Mouse-Axil-OEM-/321349730895?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad1efc24f

if so, that's a pretty solid deal.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 27 March 2014, 14:14:22
Any chance you got it from this guy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Sun-type-5-Keyboard-Mouse-Axil-OEM-/321349730895?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad1efc24f

if so, that's a pretty solid deal.

I got it from a German seller for 8€ shipped. Here is the original listing: http://www.ebay.de/itm/231172678274
According to the seller it is kinda broken though. Couldn't confirm because I have no adapter.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: mrklaw on Thu, 27 March 2014, 15:29:04
The connectors are actually serial so you could connect the keyboard to a serial port if you had the right drivers. There are also commercially available Sun to USB connectors as well as instructions on how to make your own.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 27 March 2014, 15:55:34
The connectors are actually serial so you could connect the keyboard to a serial port if you had the right drivers. There are also commercially available Sun to USB connectors as well as instructions on how to make your own.

Good to know, thanks for the info!
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: Puddsy on Thu, 27 March 2014, 16:33:16
That font is really pretty. Nice find!
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: eth0s on Thu, 27 March 2014, 17:47:50
Hey, that keyboard is in really great shape and looks really nice.  I would say DO NOT use it to harvest the MX black switches.  Either keep it in your collection, or sell it to somebody who will cherish it.  [I'm presently winnowing down my MX keyboard collection, but somebody else will want it, I'm sure.]

If you cleaned it up, you should be able to turn a small profit on a sale, and there's nothing wrong with that.  I don't think you will be able to retire off the profits, but you can make a few Euro's, at least.

But the best thing is just to keep it as a really cool part of your collection. :thumb:

You will regret destroying that keyboard if you strip off the MX black switches.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: Pacifist on Thu, 27 March 2014, 17:51:11
Keep it, its a rarity
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 27 March 2014, 18:24:02
Hey, that keyboard is in really great shape and looks really nice.  I would say DO NOT use it to harvest the MX black switches.  Either keep it in your collection, or sell it to somebody who will cherish it.  [I'm presently winnowing down my MX keyboard collection, but somebody else will want it, I'm sure.]

If you cleaned it up, you should be able to turn a small profit on a sale, and there's nothing wrong with that.  I don't think you will be able to retire off the profits, but you can make a few Euro's, at least.

But the best thing is just to keep it as a really cool part of your collection. :thumb:

You will regret destroying that keyboard if you strip off the MX black switches.

It definately is a nice keyboard but I don't know if I would ever use it. Building or buying an adapter is an option but then I would have to invest again. And I'm not sure if I just want to keep it for collection purposes...
I thought about selling it and it is actually cleaned, the problem here is that I'm located in Germany so shipping costs might kill that idea (it depends on the weight). And yes, just using it for harvesting is probably a sin :(
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: Pacifist on Thu, 27 March 2014, 18:28:03
How much did you pay for it?
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 27 March 2014, 18:31:05
How much did you pay for it?

8€ shipped.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 27 March 2014, 18:31:42
How much did you pay for it?

I got it from a German seller for 8€ shipped. Here is the original listing: http://www.ebay.de/itm/231172678274
According to the seller it is kinda broken though. Couldn't confirm because I have no adapter.

Ninjad :))
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: Pacifist on Thu, 27 March 2014, 18:37:23
Dam good deal. At that price just keep it and look at it.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: esoomenona on Thu, 27 March 2014, 20:34:53
Wieder-holen...

Best key ever.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 27 March 2014, 21:18:06
Wieder-holen...

Best key ever.

I don't get it ;_;
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: esoomenona on Sat, 29 March 2014, 16:44:42
Wieder-holen...

Best key ever.

I don't get it ;_;

You have to mispronounce it to get it. I know it's pronounced "weeder", but I said "wider" in my head.
Title: Re: Sun Type 5 Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 29 March 2014, 19:27:58
[attachimg=1]