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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: lancre on Sat, 11 June 2016, 18:40:56
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New member from Nottingham, UK. Here are the keyboards I own:
Dell AT102W
CM Novatouch (Olivette doubleshot ABS keycaps)
Topre Realforce 104UW (currently being replaced due to a broken case)
I used to have a Qpad with Cherry blues that I sold to a work colleague the other week.
I just got the Dell AT102W the other day. It's in like-new condition, boxed, with leaflets, no shine to the keycaps, and still had its plastic protector on the lock light panel. It's... well, it's okay. Maybe the Alps need breaking in a little. I doubt it's dusty, it looks entirely fresh, like it was picked off the shelf a day or two ago. The mounting plate is certainly very clean, no food crumbs whatsoever. This is the first Alps board I've tried so maybe I need to get used to it. It's a fast keyboard though. I type maybe 10 or 20 wpm faster on it than the Topre boards.
I'm mostly into vintage boards recently, I have to thank chyros and his YouTube channel for that. The next one I'm looking out for is probably an Omnikey or a Zenith - although I also feel I need a 60% board at some point.
If you asked me what is my dream keyboard, my answer would change as soon as the world realises that a modern manufacturer needs to sell Honeywell Hall Effect switches for cheap money.
I look forward to giving my input on the forums in the future.
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A lot of people have mixed feelings about the Black ALPS on the AT101, they are kind of rough switches.
Also, KBparadise makes 60% matias/alps clone boards, you could buy one and do a switch swap with a board you like more.
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Yeah, I looked at the KBParadise board a few months ago. It's nice, certainly one to consider. Alps, being fun and wobbly and fairly stiff, might feel a bit odd on a really small board? I was actually thinking about the Leopold 660 with the Cherry MX clears. Although that is neither Alps nor a 60% board. But it's very nice :D
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Welcome to Geekhack!
chyros (https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=42609) links his videos from various threads here sometimes - always entertaining and informative!
What do you think of buckling springs? One of the better known vintage mechanical keyboards :)
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Yeah, I can't seem to stop watching Chyros' videos, it must be the voice.
His videos are the best on YouTube for vintage boards.
The only maddening thing is where he finds his boards.
"I got a tenkeyless industrial Model M Hall Effect Unobtanium-plated capacitive Japanese keyboard for 10p from the recycling centre that also included 10,000 new old stock blue alps and a box of Pringles"...
Where is this mythical place???
I'm looking to buy a Northgate Omnikey Ultra and a Zenith ZKB-2 in the next 6 months or so as a direct result of his reviews.
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I have no idea how people find these keyboards so cheap. I've been looking for years and only found one old Apple keyboard (rubber dome).
There is already a thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=82799.0) about the popularity of chyros' videos :))