geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sixty on Fri, 31 July 2009, 20:41:05

Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: sixty on Fri, 31 July 2009, 20:41:05
I was just browsing for the daily Keyboard porn on kbdmania and came across these interesting Filco models. While I was only kidding when I mentioned a possible new Filco corporate identity (http://t.oomuch.info/src/1248729747412.jpg), this stuff actually gets pretty close!

I am assuming what we see below might be considered as the sins of the Filco youth, since both boards seem to be at least 10 years old.

Filco SMK-8851
(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1249089538964.jpg)
(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1249089569141.jpg)
(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1249089602151.jpg)

This board is without a question the most awesome Filco product ever. The guy who bought it was saying that its really annoying to type on since the shape of the dinosaur always gets in your way while typing and the tiny spacebar shifted to the left left makes it impossible to use for him since he hits space with his right hand.

Filco FKB-97S
(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1249089687565.jpg)
(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1249089754204.jpg)
(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1249089793459.jpg)
(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1249089719753.jpg)

Now this one is more interesting.. it might be Filcos only dedicated Mac product? This one uses real ALPS whites and even uses a font similar to the original AEK font. The buyer was saying that despite the Japanese layout its really nice to type on.

I think the board looks very close to the clear Macally 96 model.. maybe that was a Diatec/Filco OEM after all? I would probably attempt to hunt down the 2nd board since it looks like a decent board to use on my mac.. if only it wasn't for this bright pink color!

All credit for the pictures goes to chu uk (추억) from KBDMania.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: D-EJ915 on Fri, 31 July 2009, 22:08:45
I want that clear keyboard now, RIGHT NOW!!!  Anybody have any idea where I could buy one?  Aside from a few key differences the layout is the same as the MK96


Also the bottom row on that dino keyboard scares me.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: rdjack21 on Fri, 31 July 2009, 22:46:14
Yea if it was not for the bottom row on that dino board I would go out and see if I could find one of those. My son would love it.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: msiegel on Sat, 01 August 2009, 01:05:15
real ALPS?!
those are crazy, man! craaaaaazy!! XD
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 01 August 2009, 09:06:43
That somehow seems like a waste of a perfectly good 'golf ball'...
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: Mercen_505 on Sat, 01 August 2009, 09:38:19
A White ALPS Filco?! WoooOW... color me surprised.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: JulienC on Sun, 02 August 2009, 19:55:01
Why would a dinosaur eat itself ?
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: Rajagra on Sun, 02 August 2009, 20:05:49
Quote from: JulienC;106280
Why would a dinosaur eat itself ?


Out of self-loathing, because of its tiny ... space bar.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: timw4mail on Sun, 02 August 2009, 20:15:50
I want those translucent keycaps...
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: lal on Mon, 03 August 2009, 02:49:00
Quote from: ripster;105998
OK, so for you Alps fans, are these so called REAL (original) complicated Alps switches still being manufactured or not?


No, Alps has been out of the switch business for quite some time already.  Search for Chloe's posts about Alps history and related companys for some deep insight.  I've forgotten most details.

Quote
Where did Filco get them from?


Either this pink keyboard was made when Alps was still producing them or they used leftover stock.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: sixty on Mon, 03 August 2009, 03:23:52
Quote from: lal;106343
No, Alps has been out of the switch business for quite some time already.  Search for Chloe's posts about Alps history and related companys for some deep insight.  I've forgotten most details.

Either this pink keyboard was made when Alps was still producing them or they used leftover stock.


Yep. As stated in my original post both of these boards seem to be at least 10 years old, probably older (judging by the MacOS logo.. and the promotion of Windows95).
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: namelessguy on Mon, 03 August 2009, 08:52:45
Quote from: sixty;105958
I would probably attempt to hunt down the 2nd board since it looks like a decent board to use on my mac.. if only it wasn't for this bright pink color!

I've just seen a used FKB-97S (green) on sale at a Japanese online used PC store, in case you are really interested in that old ADB board.
URL:  muraoka.ocnk.net/product-list/50
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: sixty on Wed, 05 August 2009, 22:08:51
Now check this out!

(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/freeway775/KB-1/Dragon-AS1.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/freeway775/KB-1/Dragon-S20.jpg)

I wonder now which was the original.. Filco or the Taiwanese one? FCC ID reveals its a Strongman OEM.
Pictures from alps.tw
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: Rajagra on Thu, 06 August 2009, 10:10:59
Quote from: sixty;107355
Show Image
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/freeway775/KB-1/Dragon-AS1.jpg)


Am I the only one who thinks that board has a great wrist rest, and the handle is genius? Combined with the different coloured keys, I'd say that makes a better gaming keyboard than 90% of keyboards sold for gaming.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: JBert on Thu, 06 August 2009, 18:19:27
Quote from: Rajagra;107462
Am I the only one who thinks that board has a great wrist rest, and the handle is genius? Combined with the different coloured keys, I'd say that makes a better gaming keyboard than 90% of keyboards sold for gaming.
I wonder what those feet would for your wrists when you put them to rest on it.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: Bollwerk on Thu, 06 August 2009, 18:21:53
Wouldn't it look awesome, if the case would be like the current black Filco-Boards instead? I somehow like all the colors.^^
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 06 August 2009, 19:43:21
Has anybody actually found one of those for sale? That would be an amusing addition to anyone's keyboard collection.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: Bollwerk on Fri, 07 August 2009, 02:27:13
Going on LAN-Party with that would be the best. xD
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 25 December 2009, 16:04:56
Quote from: JulienC;106280
Why would a dinosaur eat itself ?


That's no dinosaur, it's a baby Ourobouros, midgard serpent, the WorldWyrm, and it was aiming for its tail.

(http://turistaafricana.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/ouroboros.jpg)
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: sandy55 on Sat, 26 December 2009, 16:33:06
Filco is not a keyboard manufacturer. They buy boards from Strongman , Costar, Ortec and other manufacturers.
These dinosaur boards were made by Strongman.
Don't know about translucent board. Whites on the board are your beloved Fukkas with alps logo, most likely.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: maxlugar on Sun, 27 December 2009, 01:24:16
Quote from: sandy55;145418
Filco is not a keyboard manufacturer. They buy boards from Strongman , Costar, Ortec and other manufacturers.
These dinosaur boards were made by Strongman.
Don't know about translucent board. Whites on the board are your beloved Fukkas with alps logo, most likely.


Sandy, Fukkas may be beloved to some of the geekhackers, but not to everyone.  I believe the Fukkas are clearly inferior to the original complicated ALPS key switches.

There is simply no comparison to the typing feel between Fukka key switch boards like the Filco Zero or the DSI ASK-6600U next to my 20 year old Northgate Omnikey 102.  The Fukka boards are clicky, but the keystrokes feel hollow and unsatisfying.

On the other hand, the 20 year old Omnikey 102 is very ugly, but it is a pleasure to type on.  The superior typing experience is probabaly a combination of the genunine complicated ALPS key switches and solid build quality.  I believe the key caps are double shot also.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: sandy55 on Sun, 27 December 2009, 07:25:35
Webwit, did you receive rely from me?
I sent an reply msg to you and ch_123 but I can't find those PMs in my sent box.
Wondering if those messages were actually sent or not.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: sandy55 on Sun, 27 December 2009, 09:49:51
Quote from: webwit;145540
Yes, got your reply :) First your hard disk, now geekhack pm's...it must be some sort of conspiracy against you!

Checked my option setting. Mine was wrong actually.
It was my fault unless anybody forced me to do so with his psychokinetic power.
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 27 December 2009, 10:31:58
Quote from: webwit;145572
pout Ok, I shall no longer change sandy's settings using psychokinesis. Bah, I think I'll focus instead on the rivets of your ibm mini.


Um, then why do you use a keyboard any more?
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: Rajagra on Sun, 27 December 2009, 22:06:24
Quote from: webwit;145579
They would never suspect a crippled man.

Show Image
(http://beta.premiere.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/list/the-25-most-shocking-moments-in-movie-history/13.-the-usual-suspects/574405-1-eng-US/13.-The-Usual-Suspects_imagelarge.jpg)

I did because I knew who had won the Oscar by the time I watched the film.

Think about that. They gave him an Oscar for convincingly acting as character A when he was really acting as character B pretending to be character A. Such genius.

In fact, he just acted as character A.
D'oh! :doh:
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: ak_nala on Mon, 28 December 2009, 02:01:42
Quote from: webwit;145574
Btw, Sandy did you ever try a beam spring keyboard? I wonder how you'd rate it compared to, say, a Model F. I think it shames the later IBM switches :)


I absolutely agree. Beam springs are sublime.

M's are workmanlike, F's are delightful, but beam springs (E's?) are in a league of their own.

They very much feel like a no-compromise mechanism - the momentary keyswitch perfected. Even the sound is near pitch-perfect - no real ping (there is a slight noise where the ping would be, but barely there) and the click is much lower pitched than an F or M. I don't have original hardware to hook it to, so can't say what it would be like with the speaker powered up, but at the purely switch level they are also much quieter.

They just feel and sound "right".

And love the cupped, double-shot, smoothly sculpted keys :)
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 28 December 2009, 06:03:32
I think you can hear them towards the end of this video -

Link. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXQHacn3M34)
Title: WTF - What the F.....Filco!
Post by: keyb_gr on Mon, 28 December 2009, 07:09:54
Sounds like a cross between a Model M and a PS/2 P70 keyboard.