I was reading a PC Magazine article (http://books.google.com/books?id=iYmIeqES1fYC&pg=PT280&dq=replacement+keyboards+the+write+stuff+well-designed&hl=en&sa=X&ei=wF7_U9SYDdavyAT1ooKwAg&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false) from 1992 in which they reviewed 16 keyboards, one of them being the Chicony KB-5181. In that review, they referred to the switches the Chicony uses as 'Japanese Alps', which I thought was interesting, as they're commonly referred to as Monterey Blues. The article itself is a really good and in-depth read for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, by the way. Anyway, if you have any thoughts on the reference to Japanese Alps, feel free to toss your hat in the ring.
Ok so I admit I don't have the patience right now to stop and read the article but just glancing over it, that is an awesome article!! And to think here we are discussing mechanical keyboards in 2014.
Alps Electric is also a Japanese company.
A Chicony 5181 (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Chicony_KB-5181) could have any of many different switches, including Alps, SMK "Monterey", Cherry MX Blue or even Cherry MX-clones.
Are there any pictures of the tested keyboard and its switches ... and are you sure that the image is of the specific keyboard that they tested and not a stock photo?
The article reviewed 16 keyboards though there are only images for a few(the KB-5181 isn't one of them). They list a number of stats for each keyboard, such as operating force required(in ounces), key travel distance(in millimeters), and switch type, among others.I listed the prices, but I wish I could transcribe that whole chart.
The article reviewed 16 keyboards though there are only images for a few(the KB-5181 isn't one of them). They list a number of stats for each keyboard, such as operating force required(in ounces), key travel distance(in millimeters), and switch type, among others.I listed the prices, but I wish I could transcribe that whole chart.
Check out those illustrations though!
Check out those illustrations though!Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/kFIEs5E.png)
Jeez it would suck to have to try and find a Chicony 5181 with Monterey switches in a store and avoid the cherry clones and other switches...
I tend to think Monterey blues are the dominant switch in 5181's.
I bought a KB-5181 on ebay that showed a picture of “monterey” blue SMK switches, but when the keyboard arrived it was white Alps.
Here’s one currently on ebay with white Alps:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171404921383
I’ve also seen ones on ebay with MX-mount Futaba switches.
But yeah, more than half of the ones that show up on ebay with keycaps pulled seem to be SMK switches.
The article talks about membrane switches being the most reliable of all, which I thought was interesting. I've inquired in previous threads as to the reliability of mechanical keyboards vs. membrane based switches due to the number of moving parts, and the article touches on that.I must have missed that part. I did notice at least twice where they were listing the reliability of a membrane switch and how it had improved.
On another note, I'm curious about that Tandy, as well.
To be fair, early membrane keyboards were rather better than the later ones (after cost cutting really accelerated). Membrane keyboards are more resistant to dirt, spills, improper storage, etc. than discrete mechanical switches.I dunno: hall effect keyboards are pretty resilient to dirt, spills and improper storage.
I remember that first quote. I guess the meaning I got from it was that they are much better than they used to be.
With the second quote: obviously they mean it's only a problem for higher price
My 5191 with Cherry MX Blue is actually 5191CT, but Idk whether the C stands for Cherry, or cyrillic (the keyboard has additional cyrillic printing).I bought a KB-5181 on ebay that showed a picture of “monterey” blue SMK switches, but when the keyboard arrived it was white Alps.
Here’s one currently on ebay with white Alps:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171404921383
I’ve also seen ones on ebay with MX-mount Futaba switches.
But yeah, more than half of the ones that show up on ebay with keycaps pulled seem to be SMK switches.
I'm not sure if the rebranding has anything to do with it, as most of the Chicony branded KB-5181's I've seen contain Monterey blues. I'm also not sure if the suffix in the model no. of the Hyundai (KB-5181 PT) has any bearing.
It also says the datadesk switchboard uses "japanese alps" switches, but I thought they weren't actual ALPS switches at that point. DT wiki seems to indicate it was genuine alps shells with hua-jie switchplates.
One design difference among the keyboards reviewed here is their pencil-tray depth. Typically, pencil trays on these models are anywhere from 1 to 2 inches deep, although on some units they are practically nonexistant. If space is a concern, you may want to opt for a more compact model with little space devoted to pencil-tray service.