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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: klikkyklik on Fri, 15 August 2014, 15:16:35

Title: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: klikkyklik on Fri, 15 August 2014, 15:16:35

My brother just turned up one of these, and says that the keyswitches emit a click before the keycaps bottom out.  I would have thought it had Alps white keyswitches, but the stem is a "+" style!  Are these indeed Alps white?  They wouldn't be Cherry, would they?

[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: ComradeSniper on Fri, 15 August 2014, 15:41:19

Looks like some Cherry clone due to the lack of any sort of marking on the switch.

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 15 August 2014, 15:41:48

I've got a board like this, like 95% sure it's these switches (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Aristotle_Cherry_MX_clone).

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: klikkyklik on Fri, 15 August 2014, 15:50:24

You guys rule.  Thank you!

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: jacobolus on Fri, 15 August 2014, 17:44:27

How do you like these switches?

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 15 August 2014, 18:41:13

Is your keyboard well used, and do all keys work? I have heard that the Aristotle switch does not last very long, but I might have mixed that up with them being more frail and breaking easily if you try to open them.

I had a keyboard with them, but desoldered all the switches. I like that they are more tactile than Cherry MX Blue. Unfortunately, the sliders can not be transplanted into Cherry MX housings. (I've tried)

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 15 August 2014, 20:47:20

Quote from: jacobolus on Fri, 15 August 2014, 17:44:27

How do you like these switches?

I have a whole bag of them from a genovation keypad. They are terrible.
You can see some interior shots here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dork_vader/sets/72157646364734605/

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: klikkyklik on Sat, 16 August 2014, 06:38:46

Quote from: jacobolus on Fri, 15 August 2014, 17:44:27

How do you like these switches?

I have not had the chance to use them - I'm hoping to borrow the board from my brother to see what they feel like.  The whole ordeal with this board has been fun for me because I've learned about Cherry clones, and I like learning.

I do understand however that the switch endurance/quality might not be up-to-snuff, so as far as creating a board from these switches is concerned - probably a bad idea.  Still, I want to experience them at least.

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 16 August 2014, 12:16:37

Yeh the only good thing about Aristotle switch is it pin compatible with Cherry MX. Well they are still better than rubberdomes I guess. Chicony is not bad otherwise if you can tolerate the bigass enter key and only 2KRO.

Title: Re: Chicony KB-5981 - what switch is this?
Post by: Karura on Sat, 16 August 2014, 19:05:10

I have one of these too, from 1996!