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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ander on Mon, 22 June 2015, 21:14:22

Title: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: ander on Mon, 22 June 2015, 21:14:22
This seems like a dang good deal (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chicony-computer-Keyboard-KB-5181-AT-5-Pin/251998377244) for a new-in-box Chicony KB-5181, considering that used ones in good shape usually go for about as much.

No photos of the switches, but according to Deskthority (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Chicony_KB-5181) they could be:
As I've mentioned elsewhere here, I don't find the single-width Backspace key a problem, but you may feel differently. These boards also have a reputation for being flimsy, but to me they feel about the same as new Unicomps—in other words, solid enough. – A.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 22 June 2015, 22:04:37
I have had at least 4 KB-5181s and they were all Monterey blues.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: jwaz on Mon, 22 June 2015, 22:27:30
Quote from: fohat.digs on Mon, 22 June 2015, 22:04:37
I have had at least 4 KB-5181s and they were all Monterey blues.

Mine is the Monterey blue as well.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: ander on Tue, 23 June 2015, 03:59:35
Yes, and there's a very good chance this one has 'em too. But as I don't know, I didn't feel I could say that. I was trying to Be Responsible, see. Switch-wise.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: 1391406 on Tue, 23 June 2015, 21:07:16
If someone can snag it for the starting bid price, that really is a great deal.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: jwaz on Tue, 23 June 2015, 21:17:01
Quote from: 1391406 on Tue, 23 June 2015, 21:07:16
If someone can snag it for the starting bid price, that really is a great deal.
???   f'real?
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 24 June 2015, 07:37:57
Quote from: jwaz on Tue, 23 June 2015, 21:17:01
Quote from: 1391406 on Tue, 23 June 2015, 21:07:16
If someone can snag it for the starting bid price, that really is a great deal.
???   f'real?

For a new KB-5181? Absolutely.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 24 June 2015, 08:19:16
Realistically, unless you are going ground to an adjacent state, shipping a full-size keyboard is going to be $15-18 no matter what.

Factor that out, and the mid-high-$30 range for new Monterey blues is quite fair.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 24 June 2015, 08:47:19
Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 24 June 2015, 08:19:16
Realistically, unless you are going ground to an adjacent state, shipping a full-size keyboard is going to be $15-18 no matter what.

Factor that out, and the mid-high-$30 range for new Monterey blues is quite fair.


In my experience, market prices tend to average around $35 - $40 for a used KB-5181 plus shipping. If I were in the market, I'd jump on an NIB in that price range. I've seen NIB KB-5181's sell for $100+.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: chyros on Wed, 24 June 2015, 11:04:17
Quote from: 1391406 on Wed, 24 June 2015, 08:47:19
Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 24 June 2015, 08:19:16
Realistically, unless you are going ground to an adjacent state, shipping a full-size keyboard is going to be $15-18 no matter what.

Factor that out, and the mid-high-$30 range for new Monterey blues is quite fair.


In my experience, market prices tend to average around $35 - $40 for a used KB-5181 plus shipping. If I were in the market, I'd jump on an NIB in that price range. I've seen NIB KB-5181's sell for $100+.
Yeah, the price range for these and the 5981 is bizarrely huge. Not rarely do they go for a lot of money, even when used, and considering the switch I can even see where they're coming from. This, NIB, for this amount of money, really is a Great Deal.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Wed, 24 June 2015, 17:36:44
Looks like someone decided that was true.
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: calvinhousecat on Thu, 02 July 2015, 20:30:23
Hey Ander just replying to say thatnks for the link.

The board was indeed a blue alps board and was pretty much brand new condition!

Came with the plastic film on top and not a single spec of dust was on it.  :thumb:  :thumb:  :thumb:
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: chyros on Fri, 03 July 2015, 02:24:19
Quote from: calvinhousecat on Thu, 02 July 2015, 20:30:23
The board was indeed a blue alps board and was pretty much brand new condition!
I suspect you mean Monterey Blues instead xD . Congrats on the purchase, a brand new Monterey board must be really nice :) .
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: calvinhousecat on Fri, 03 July 2015, 03:06:45
Quote from: chyros on Fri, 03 July 2015, 02:24:19
Quote from: calvinhousecat on Thu, 02 July 2015, 20:30:23
The board was indeed a blue alps board and was pretty much brand new condition!
I suspect you mean Monterey Blues instead xD . Congrats on the purchase, a brand new Monterey board must be really nice :) .

Thanks and yea thats what I mean haha

I love it its my favorite board. Its just a lil flimsy
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: chyros on Fri, 03 July 2015, 12:24:39
Quote from: calvinhousecat on Fri, 03 July 2015, 03:06:45
Quote from: chyros on Fri, 03 July 2015, 02:24:19
Quote from: calvinhousecat on Thu, 02 July 2015, 20:30:23
The board was indeed a blue alps board and was pretty much brand new condition!
I suspect you mean Monterey Blues instead xD . Congrats on the purchase, a brand new Monterey board must be really nice :) .

Thanks and yea thats what I mean haha

I love it its my favorite board. Its just a lil flimsy
Haha yeah that's exactly what I concluded at the end of my video review too; the board is nothing special but the switches in it are xD .
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Sat, 04 July 2015, 00:42:38
Which is why I don't understand that every single custom board just uses boring cherry switches. If you're going to put that much effort into it, why not something else? Like these?
Title: Re: NIB Chicony KB-5181, $53 shipped
Post by: ander on Sat, 04 July 2015, 01:25:37
Quote from: calvinhousecat on Thu, 02 July 2015, 20:30:23
Hey Ander just replying to say thatnks for the link... The board was indeed a blue alps board and was pretty much brand new condition!...

Glad to help. I feel somewhat redeemed.  ;?)