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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: ander on Sat, 09 September 2017, 04:52:35

Title: [SOLD] NIB unbranded Monterey K110, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ander on Sat, 09 September 2017, 04:52:35
PC keyboard old style with mechanical keys and 5-Pin DIN connector (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PC-keyboard-old-style-with-mechanical-keys-and-5-Pin-DIN-connector/282633038014)


(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KtQAAOSwgKpZqIbR/s-l1600.jpg)


(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/A8EAAOSw5ulZqIlL/s-l1600.jpg)


(http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0DwAAOSwcndZqIla/s-l1600.jpg)


BIN $35.00 + 10.41 shipping

The FCC ID indicates these are unbranded SIIG MiniTouches (https://deskthority.net/wiki/SIIG_MiniTouch), so the switches should be either Hua-Jie AK series (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Hua-Jie_AK_series) (well-regarded Alps clones) or SMK Alps mount (https://deskthority.net/wiki/SMK_Alps_mount) (AKA "Monterey" switches).

A lot of you like this type of compact layout, and these are gen-u-wine NIB vintage Alps-type boards, so they seemed worth mentioning.
Title: Re: NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch (2 available), $45.41 shipped
Post by: Belfong on Sat, 09 September 2017, 05:47:33
Kinda curious to try but seller does not ship International, does he?
Title: Re: NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch (2 available), $45.41 shipped
Post by: TalkingTree on Sat, 09 September 2017, 05:52:38
Quote from: Belfong on Sat, 09 September 2017, 05:47:33
seller does not ship International, does he?
United States only.
Title: Re: NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch (2 available), $45.41 shipped
Post by: ekeppel on Sat, 09 September 2017, 06:19:51
Several over at DT had made lowball offers of $10 and $15 and they were accepted.  I made an offer yesterday for $10 and it hasn't been accepted or declined, but there were 15 other offers pending at the time, so others must have decided to try the same thing. :-)
Title: Re: NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch (2 available), $45.41 shipped
Post by: JP on Sat, 09 September 2017, 10:26:32
Quote from: ekeppel on Sat, 09 September 2017, 06:19:51
Several over at DT had made lowball offers of $10 and $15 and they were accepted.  I made an offer yesterday for $10 and it hasn't been accepted or declined, but there were 15 other offers pending at the time, so others must have decided to try the same thing. :-)

Yep, that's precisely why I offered a few dollars more. Even at $35 this seems like a good deal.
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ander on Mon, 11 September 2017, 06:36:22
27 sold—nice.

So what switches did these have? Someone post when you get yours?
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: JP on Tue, 12 September 2017, 17:05:09
Just got mine today  ;D

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: digi on Tue, 12 September 2017, 17:44:12
DAMN IT!! I paid a lot more than that for mine, if those are Monterey Blues, that was an absolute steal.
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: JP on Tue, 12 September 2017, 17:53:36
Quote from: digi on Tue, 12 September 2017, 17:44:12
DAMN IT!! I paid a lot more than that for mine, if those are Monterey Blues, that was an absolute steal.

This seller accepted a lot of offers. Hardly anyone paid full price. I heard of one person getting one for $10. I got mine for $17 plus shipping.
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: intelli78 on Tue, 12 September 2017, 18:31:20
🙀🙀🙀😭😭😭
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ander on Thu, 14 September 2017, 03:05:53
Quote from: JP on Tue, 12 September 2017, 17:05:09
Just got mine today  ;D

(Attachment Link)

Nice score, JP!! Monterey blues are wonderful switches, IMHO—and you just got yourself a set of pristine ones. Way to go.
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: Belfong on Thu, 14 September 2017, 19:58:52
Are all keyboards Monterey Blues? I manage to get one too for $18+shipping... although I will need to ship from proxy to Malaysia which I hope is not going to cost a bomb.
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ander on Wed, 20 September 2017, 18:03:07
Quote from: Belfong on Thu, 14 September 2017, 19:58:52
Are all keyboards Monterey Blues? I manage to get one too for $18+shipping...

Heck of a deal!! This seller obviously didn't realize they were MKs.

To a. your q.: Since they're NIB, they're probably all from the same production run, so I'd guess they all have MBs... Sure wish I'd ordered one now!  :?|
Title: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: Belfong on Sat, 07 October 2017, 05:39:56
Um, stupid question - that connector seemed to big to be a PS/2 connector - from the photo, I thought it is a PS/2. I guess I will need a converter or something?

Edit: it’s an AT connector and I will need this converter.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171007/d1545764dcc4c71f6c75fcc1443f51c6.jpg)
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: chyros on Sat, 07 October 2017, 06:06:47
Quote from: Belfong on Sat, 07 October 2017, 05:39:56
Um, stupid question - that connector seemed to big to be a PS/2 connector - from the photo, I thought it is a PS/2. I guess I will need a converter or something?

Edit: it’s an AT connector and I will need this converter.

Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171007/d1545764dcc4c71f6c75fcc1443f51c6.jpg)

That's an adapter, not a converter, but as long as you can handle PS/2, a simple adapter will do :) .
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: Belfong on Sat, 07 October 2017, 06:10:43
Well, I’m not sure where I can find such adapter.

Anyway, I note that the keyboard was made in Taiwan, and base on wiki, Monterey was made in Taiwan, wasn’t it? Ugh, now I have the keyboard but have no adapter to use it.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171007/90ad3f49cb519c4af9076681f322f6d9.jpg)
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: JP on Sat, 07 October 2017, 07:08:30
Quote from: Belfong on Sat, 07 October 2017, 06:10:43
Well, I’m not sure where I can find such adapter.

There are a couple options. The cheapest route I think would require two separate adapters. You would need the AT to PS2 adapter as you pointed out earlier. You would also want an active PS2 to USB converter. These are usually less than $15. I would not recommend the cheap passive adapters, but those might work.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sabrent-USB-to-Dual-PS-2-Active-Converter-Cable-for-Keyboards-Mouse-SBT-PS2U-/361936303427?hash=item544515b543:g:FFgAAOSw4CFY1abs

You could also get one of these fancy XT/AT Soarer's converter which is on the expensive side considering what you paid for your keyboard. You likely could get this adapter a few bucks cheaper if you pm Orihalcon. There is also a PS2 variant of these as well. You could also build your own Soarer's converter if you are really into diy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-XT-AT-to-USB-Soarers-Converter-Remapping-Macros-NKRO-Support-IBM-Model-F-/282575691272

Title: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: Belfong on Sat, 07 October 2017, 08:12:30
My new Asus Z270 has a PS/2 port. I’m surprise that such modern mobo still have one, so, honestly I don’t need a AT to USB. But now that you mention it, USB will be really nice.

Thanks @JP
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ed_avis on Sat, 07 October 2017, 14:29:14
I have found that the cheaper active PS/2 to USB converters don't work with the SIIG Minitouch.  It usually works when plugged into a real PS/2 keyboard port (via a simple passive AT to PS/2 adaptor); or Soarer's converter works.
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: Belfong on Sat, 07 October 2017, 21:54:56
Yeah, I prefer the passive adaptor.  Don’t want the keys to fail to register. I located an adaptor from a seller in UK for $4 shipped, so that’s pretty reasonable to me!
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 17 October 2017, 08:46:53
Congrats on the lovely new kb!  And now that you have a AT to ps2 adapter, you can buy even more AT connector keyboards.  ;D
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: Belfong on Tue, 17 October 2017, 08:57:37
Quote from: SamirD on Tue, 17 October 2017, 08:46:53
Congrats on the lovely new kb!  And now that you have a AT to ps2 adapter, you can buy even more AT connector keyboards.  ;D
Ha ha ha, thanks. But I hope my keyboard addiction ends here. I have too many boards at this moment.
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: chyros on Tue, 17 October 2017, 09:40:32
Technically this isn't a SIIG or a MiniTouch, but a Monterey K110 instead, but I guess most people know the MiniTouch a lot better xD .
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: SamirD on Tue, 17 October 2017, 10:37:16
Quote from: Belfong on Tue, 17 October 2017, 08:57:37
Quote from: SamirD on Tue, 17 October 2017, 08:46:53
Congrats on the lovely new kb!  And now that you have a AT to ps2 adapter, you can buy even more AT connector keyboards.  ;D
Ha ha ha, thanks. But I hope my keyboard addiction ends here. I have too many boards at this moment.
I think technically anything more than one keyboard for each computer is too many, so after I had one more than the number of computers, it didn't matter if I had 100 more.  :D

Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: chyros on Tue, 17 October 2017, 11:46:19
Quote from: Belfong on Tue, 17 October 2017, 08:57:37
Quote from: SamirD on Tue, 17 October 2017, 08:46:53
Congrats on the lovely new kb!  And now that you have a AT to ps2 adapter, you can buy even more AT connector keyboards.  ;D
Ha ha ha, thanks. But I hope my keyboard addiction ends here. I have too many boards at this moment.
IT'S NEVER ENOUGH!
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: pixelpusher on Sun, 05 November 2017, 18:21:51
I have one of these now too.  Love the switches.  I have a ps2 port on my computer but I sit too far away to use it without an extension cable.  (On it’s way).  I am using a DIN to mDIN adapter o plug it in at the moment. 

This weekend I decided to finally get a nice powered usb hub and run everything through it.  When I did that I picked up an active ps2 to usb cube on amazon. Works great on my model M.  Not so great on the minitouch :(

When I use the minitouch with the active converter I get randomly missing keystrokes. I’m guessing it has something to do with the adapter?  I’ve decided to just use the extension ps2 cable for now, but I sure wish I could run it over usb.

The cable is solderd inside.  I might get crazy and see about directly wiring a mDIN cable to it. Have to research. 

Love those Monterrey blues.  So light and crispy. 
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: SamirD on Mon, 06 November 2017, 12:27:46
Quote from: reececonrad on Sun, 05 November 2017, 18:21:51
When I use the minitouch with the active converter I get randomly missing keystrokes. I’m guessing it has something to do with the adapter?  I’ve decided to just use the extension ps2 cable for now, but I sure wish I could run it over usb.

Love those Monterrey blues.  So light and crispy. 
Strange.  Maybe you got a bad one?  Do you have any other usb adapters to try?  I'd be curious to know what's going on.

Sound like really nice switches!

Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: pixelpusher on Mon, 06 November 2017, 14:05:33
Quote from: SamirD on Mon, 06 November 2017, 12:27:46
Quote from: reececonrad on Sun, 05 November 2017, 18:21:51
When I use the minitouch with the active converter I get randomly missing keystrokes. I’m guessing it has something to do with the adapter?  I’ve decided to just use the extension ps2 cable for now, but I sure wish I could run it over usb.

Love those Monterrey blues.  So light and crispy. 
Strange.  Maybe you got a bad one?  Do you have any other usb adapters to try?  I'd be curious to know what's going on.

Sound like really nice switches!

It works fine with my model M.  I ordered a long PS2 cable so I can use it with my current setup.  Hope the day doesn't come in the near future when I don't have a PS2 port on my machine.  :(
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ed_avis on Wed, 08 November 2017, 10:01:47
Yup, it's a general problem with the active PS/2 to USB adaptors like the "blue cube" and the SIIG Minitouch board.  You can use a Soarer's converter to convert it to USB reliably, or you can just plug it into a PS/2 keyboard port.  (After adapting from the big DIN plug to the small PS/2 plug, of course.)
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: pixelpusher on Wed, 08 November 2017, 11:13:47
Quote from: ed_avis on Wed, 08 November 2017, 10:01:47
Yup, it's a general problem with the active PS/2 to USB adaptors like the "blue cube" and the SIIG Minitouch board.  You can use a Soarer's converter to convert it to USB reliably, or you can just plug it into a PS/2 keyboard port.  (After adapting from the big DIN plug to the small PS/2 plug, of course.)

Thanks for confirming. I’m going to just do ps2 until the day comes when I no longer have that port  :thumb:
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded SIIG MiniTouch, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ander on Sat, 11 November 2017, 01:41:34
For what it's worth, I've always found these cable-style mouse + keyboard converters the most reliable:


[attach=1]


And they're guilt-inducingly cheap on eBay—like this one (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-PS2-Female-to-USB-Male-Converter-Adaptor-Cable-F-M-for-keyboard-mouse-LK/172974161498), $1.29 shipped. Mine works great with my MiniTouch. Add a passive AT -> PS/2 adapter and you should be all set.

Quote from: chyros on Tue, 17 October 2017, 09:40:32
Technically this isn't a SIIG or a MiniTouch, but a Monterey K110 instead, but I guess most people know the MiniTouch a lot better xD .

Thanks—I'll have to correct this thread's subject then (he said, compulsively).
Title: Re: [SOLD] NIB unbranded Monterey K110, $45.41 shipped
Post by: ed_avis on Sun, 12 November 2017, 09:20:22
Thanks ander, that's a useful thing to know.