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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: shut up on Sun, 31 May 2015, 09:55:34

Title: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: shut up on Sun, 31 May 2015, 09:55:34
Reason I ask, is because this one is on Ebay for $30 with free shipping and from my understanding these have Cherry MX Black switches.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-USB-TG3-Electronics-Keyboard-w-Touchpad-Mouse-Buttons-KBA-nBLTA-Kiosk-Mame-/121266006222?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3c0468ce
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 31 May 2015, 09:56:46
Yes that has mx blacks, they were going for ~$21 shipped at one point. You could always make an offer of $15 and see if they'll take it.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: wafflepc on Sun, 31 May 2015, 12:25:31
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Data911-RoboVu-MDS2000-USB-keyboard-touchpad-M2C-TG3-red-backlight-/230936348764?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c4e1085c

if youre interested this one seems good.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: FuriousGeorge on Sun, 31 May 2015, 21:09:33
Not all TG3 keyboards are mechanical. They have a wide range that includes rubber domes and I think even scissor switches. Those ones are definitely mx blacks as already stated. I have that board in both the backlit and non-backlit versions. Not sure how I'd like it for actual typing, but they're awesome for HTPC controls if you don't mind a wire.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: UnwoundS3GA on Sun, 31 May 2015, 21:31:40
I might have to look into these! :)
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: shut up on Mon, 01 June 2015, 06:57:01
Ah, thanks for the heads up!

Was it easy to remove the rubber membrane?

I was planning on using it for Netflix and other Ps3 stuff.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: Snarfangel on Mon, 01 June 2015, 08:00:14
Ah, thanks for the heads up!

Was it easy to remove the rubber membrane?

I was planning on using it for Netflix and other Ps3 stuff.

It's easy to remove the membrane, though the spacebar needs some encouragement. Also (if I remember correctly) you need to unscrew the backplate, and one of the screws is hidden under the label. Finally, when you remove it, you have to be careful about the ribbon cable that comes from the touchpad , because it is connected kind of flimsily, and would be a real pain to reconnect. If you are just trying to get the switches, though, that's not a problem.

The keys themselves have a really interesting feel -- it would be fun to try the membrane with Cherry MX Reds rather than blacks. The spacebar, though, feels horrible to me with the membrane.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: Wannabe on Mon, 01 June 2015, 10:10:09
I have the non-trackpad version with MX Blacks. The membrane under the caps on the switches is really easy to remove...it's not thick at all and honestly feels like straight up saran wrap. I just removed the keycaps, poked a hole in it, and tore it out.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: FuriousGeorge on Mon, 01 June 2015, 10:46:11
The backlit cop car version has a little thicker membrane from what I remember. I haven't taken my non-backlit version apart yet to compare, but it was definitely more than saran wrap which I've heard several times for the other version.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: Wannabe on Mon, 01 June 2015, 10:47:55
The backlit cop car version has a little thicker membrane from what I remember. I haven't taken my non-backlit version apart yet to compare, but it was definitely more than saran wrap which I've heard several times for the other version.

I have the red backlit version and the membrane was really thin. I could create a hole in it with my fingernail.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: Snarfangel on Mon, 01 June 2015, 11:11:50
The backlit cop car version has a little thicker membrane from what I remember. I haven't taken my non-backlit version apart yet to compare, but it was definitely more than saran wrap which I've heard several times for the other version.


I have the cop version (partially disassembled), and the rubbery membrane is form-fitted around the keys, and you can feel a little bit of tactile response while typing with them, even with blacks.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: FuriousGeorge on Mon, 01 June 2015, 11:14:27
The backlit cop car version has a little thicker membrane from what I remember. I haven't taken my non-backlit version apart yet to compare, but it was definitely more than saran wrap which I've heard several times for the other version.

I have the red backlit version and the membrane was really thin. I could create a hole in it with my fingernail.

Interesting. Not sure how to tell what membrane you'll get. I wonder if that was a production change or if it was something you could specify when ordering. TG3 has had a lot of different options for that particular model.
Title: Re: Are all TG3 keyboards mechanical?
Post by: shut up on Mon, 01 June 2015, 15:23:47
Just bought one!

When it arrives, I'll mess around with it membrane intact and then I'll take it apart and see how it looks. I'm guessing that it'll be the rubber dome sheet, but may be the other design.