Author Topic: Northgate Omnikey 101 (Read 6340 times)

fantus · « **on:** Sun, 09 October 2011, 22:36:43 »

This weekend over thanksgiving I happened to mention keyboards to my uncle, who happens to have lots of random computer parts lying around his basement. He said he would look around for an IBM model M, and went on a treasure hunt through his boxes this morning. Unfortunately, there were no IBM's however he was able to find a Northgate Omnikey 101 with White Alps and an old DIN connector. I am wondering how this keyboard feels compared to my Filco, and if He/ I just hit the jackpot. Really looking forward to trying it out. ^^ Also, since I haven't yet seen the keyboard, what type of key-caps,layout, build quality will it have?

theferenc · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 09 October 2011, 23:33:54 »

There are 2 models that I know of kicking around: one with standard 101 key ANSI, with standard ANSI return, and the other with that stupid big ass enter key, but otherwise ANSI-like.

Otherwise, these are amazingly nice keyboards, especially if you like ALPS (which I do).

Also, since you said thanksgiving, I can only assume you're Canadian, since that's officially tomorrow there, isn't it? If that's the case, this is an even nicer find, since they are rare here in the states, and even rarer outside the states.

dorkvader · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 09 October 2011, 23:42:50 »

Don't they have dip switches under the label so you can change settings? It's a pretty awesome find, too.

fantus · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 09 October 2011, 23:53:51 »

Thanks for the info, I am feeling pretty lucky. My uncle is amazing like that, its nice to have a relative who is a programmer and into computers/ shares your interests.

Yes; I Am Canadian. The only way today could have been better is if the Winnipeg Jets beat the Montreal Canadiens, you can only hope.

hashbaz · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 10 October 2011, 00:15:16 »

Sweet find. I'm new to the Alps world but I find myself liking them a lot. Just a totally different feel than Cherries (the clicky kind I've tried feel crisper, if that makes sense).

I too have an old hobbyist uncle. He's been collecting computers since the 70s, and used to run his own BBS, so I'm very hopeful about the "four old keyboards" he promised me when my dad and I head up to his place to visit in a couple of weeks. He also mentioned that he has a TS-803 kicking around, but I don't think he's willing to part with that one.

Clickey · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 10 October 2011, 03:59:55 »

Omnikeys are pretty cool, great build quality, tons of features (some of which don't exist on any other keyboard), if you are into ALPS, you gotta have one. I love the keyboard, but find the white complicateds a little too stiff for gaming (amazing for typing though). Congrats on a great find.

popol · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 10 October 2011, 04:51:52 »

are white alps as crappy as black alps? Cause I've just got a brand new Dell AT10W and one key is making a very bad clacky noise while bumping up most of the time.
Just waiting for a used Omnikey 101 and already scared about what I'll find...

BTW is it easy to change a black alp from a Dell AT101W ? Or is there any other way to fix this issue? This b letter is driving me crazy.

not only those switches are complicated but they don't really seem to be reliable. I understand better why they are not produced that way anymore.

Clickey · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 10 October 2011, 05:37:24 »

If it has a problem with a key, it was doubtfully NIB. Blacks are generally considered to be the least desirable ALPS switch (whites are much nicer feeling). Changing a switch on an ALPS board is easy, see this vid

[video=youtube;PLgQvmF3zOk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgQvmF3zOk[/video]

ALPS are pretty durable, you must of just got a bad switch. I have heard that blacks tend to wear much more easilly then other ALPS though.

popol · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 10 October 2011, 06:06:02 »

Quote from: Clickey;428210

If it has a problem with a key, it was doubtfully NIB. Blacks are generally considered to be the least desirable ALPS switch (whites are much nicer feeling). Changing a switch on an ALPS board is easy, see this vid

[video=youtube;PLgQvmF3zOk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLgQvmF3zOk[/video]

ALPS are pretty durable, you must of just got a bad switch. I have heard that blacks tend to wear much more easilly then other ALPS though.

Thanks. It was not NIB as there was no box but I can tell it was pretty brand new into the sealed bag. You can even smell it when it's brand new.
I'm reassured by what you say because I kinda like these switches feeling and I'm sure that i will love my Omnikey better, even if it's a used one (i hope the feeling will still be there).

I can't see the video at work (blocked by firewall) but I hope there is no soldering thing ot too hard manipulations to do as I'm not really good with my hands.

fantus · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 10 October 2011, 13:44:00 »

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:7331 - it turned out to be this version of the northgate omnikey 101. still, don't mind the abnormally large enter key.

popol · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 11 October 2011, 05:53:34 »

so I need to find a blcak alps switch in very good condition...
don't know where to be honest...

False_Dmitry_II · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 11 October 2011, 16:40:44 »

I'd say your scroll lock key is an excellent source of another switch.

@Clickey
If that's your only problem with white alps (I only have that problem with cherry clears) then you can just swap all the springs for something else. I think all the other types of alps are less forceful springs. I've done this with springs from an aekii.

Clickey · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 11 October 2011, 17:23:40 »

What did the AEKII have, creams?

theferenc · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 11 October 2011, 18:29:52 »

If creams are the same as dampened blacks, then yes, creams. Internally identical to the bigfoot blacks in the Dell, but the sliders were dampened for both up and downstroke.

SmallFry · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 11 October 2011, 20:57:37 »

I have one that is quite simular, its my Zenith in my signature. My grandfather said he had once used an Omnikey but the blacks were not the best for him. He was into ALPS when they were the bomb-digity.

popol · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 19 October 2011, 04:15:52 »

Quote from: popol;428213

Thanks. It was not NIB as there was no box but I can tell it was pretty brand new into the sealed bag. You can even smell it when it's brand new.
I'm reassured by what you say because I kinda like these switches feeling and I'm sure that i will love my Omnikey better, even if it's a used one (i hope the feeling will still be there).

I can't see the video at work (blocked by firewall) but I hope there is no soldering thing ot too hard manipulations to do as I'm not really good with my hands.

To be honest, and I think it's the same for the Dell as for the Omnikey, I don't understand how the guy in the vid makes it to get out the switch as it's clipsed firmly and not the same way he's forcing.

If he's forcing with the screwdriver then he must have broken a clip as it's impossible to do else.

Does anybody knows how to do that without breaking it? Mine is a new board and I don't want to have a szitch that is half clipsed as it seems to be the case in this vid.

Desoldering is not sufficient to take out the switch from the plate at all!

Clickey · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 19 October 2011, 10:51:10 »

Yeah I know what you mean, the only way to break no clips, is to desolder the ENTIRE board, so that you can lift up the metal plate (seperate it from the pcb), and pinch the clips from undernieth to make sure none get broken. With old clips, they can break just by pinching them the way they are supposed to be pinched, because the plastic has become brittle.

Unless the key is one on the edge of the board, in which case you might be able to pinch one side of the clip through the gap between plate and PCB.

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Author Topic: Northgate Omnikey 101 (Read 6340 times)