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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ekeppel on Sun, 15 January 2017, 13:10:38

Title: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: ekeppel on Sun, 15 January 2017, 13:10:38
I don't know the going rate for a 5251 Beamspring, but since they don't come up very often, here's one that was just listed:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-IBM-5251-83-Key-Beam-Spring-Keyboard-Amazing-Condition-7362149-/152397545900

[attach=1]

Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: pr0ximity on Sun, 15 January 2017, 16:02:12
That's an extreme price, 5251's are one of the more common variants (as far as beamsprings go), a fair number came out of the woodwork in 2016. Caps look beat up on the sides too. I wouldn't pay over $300 for one. I recently sold mine for $200.

That said, it's probably my favorite beamspring layout.
Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: ekeppel on Sun, 15 January 2017, 17:49:21
That's an extreme price, 5251's are one of the more common variants (as far as beamsprings go), a fair number came out of the woodwork in 2016. Caps look beat up on the sides too. I wouldn't pay over $300 for one. I recently sold mine for $200.

That said, it's probably my favorite beamspring layout.

Thanks for that info!  Personally, I've never had my hands on a Beamspring.  But since I rarely see them come up on my daily searches, I figured it wouldn't hurt to share it.  I'm not in the market right now, but $200 sounds much more reasonable.  I guess the trick is to stay off of eBay if I ever go looking for one, lol. :-D

 :thumb:
Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: juryduty on Mon, 16 January 2017, 11:59:25
don't they tire out your hands after a while, rising 3-4" off the desk like that?  Or are they actually comfortable to type on?
Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: E TwentyNine on Mon, 16 January 2017, 12:08:23
don't they tire out your hands after a while, rising 3-4" off the desk like that?  Or are they actually comfortable to type on?

They're comfortable to type on.  You just raise your chair a little higher. :)

It's more akin to typing on a (selectric) typewriter.
Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: HighPlainsDrafter on Sun, 22 January 2017, 00:28:12
Or, use a keyboard tray under your desk (especially one with plenty of vertical clearance)
Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: E TwentyNine on Sun, 22 January 2017, 14:07:36
Holy cow, it actually sold for that price.   :eek:
Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: pr0ximity on Mon, 23 January 2017, 16:50:36
Guess I should have gouged :P
Title: Re: 5251 83-key Beamspring on eBay $495 + shipping
Post by: need on Mon, 23 January 2017, 16:58:36
At this price, I'd still take it over Korean customs any day  :))