Chicony KB-5161

[ianxblog]

As a new keyboard collector, I'm wondering what switch does this keyboard have.

Thanks.

PD: You guys rule! You know a lot and have the same passion around keyboard than me. Love yall

[ianxblog]

I found on an old thread that it haves blue alps. Are they good? How they compare to cherry mx, blue for example?.

[fohat.digs]

I found on an old thread that it haves blue alps. Are they good? How they compare to cherry mx, blue for example?.

They are the best. Some of us prefer Alps to Cherries, especially for typing.

[ianxblog]

I found on an old thread that it haves blue alps. Are they good? How they compare to cherry mx, blue for example?.

They are the best. Some of us prefer Alps to Cherries, especially for typing.

I read 70g actuation force on a site. 70g? Isn't that a LOT? Is that info bad or are they fatigatin when typing?

[PRISONER 24601]

Knowing chicony, it could be anything from a blue alps to a fake cherry...
they're not known for their consistency

[ianxblog]

Here is a picture of the keyboard.
Not showing the switch, sadly.

[ianxblog]

Oh, and here's some info on the ad. I don't know why I didn't put it on first place.

Chicony
S/N: E8H5IKKB-5161
Product Name: AT XT Vintage 5161 Keyboard AT Clicky
Interface: XT / AT

[Findecanor]

There was a thread a week ago with a 5161 that had orange Omron switches. Those are nice.

As has been said before, it could be any of different switches, but it will be clicky.

[RickyJ]

Mine had proper Alps complicated blue switches.  The controller overheated/shorted on me one day though, I've read of others with the same problem unfortunately, so it became a switch donor board.

[ianxblog]

Mine had proper Alps complicated blue switches.  The controller overheated/shorted on me one day though, I've read of others with the same problem unfortunately, so it became a switch donor board.

And what about the switches itself? were they good? Is that problem GOING to happen or its just some failed units? Were the switchs too heavy? Did they offer a good typing experience?
In case you used blues, were they similar? Im seeking for clicky switches and this may be it, and I could get it cheap (You don't wanna know how expensive mechanical keyboards are in my country, besides im in high school and got no job).

Thanks

[nuclearsandwich]

Mine had proper Alps complicated blue switches.  The controller overheated/shorted on me one day though, I've read of others with the same problem unfortunately, so it became a switch donor board.

And what about the switches itself? were they good? Is that problem GOING to happen or its just some failed units? Were the switchs too heavy? Did they offer a good typing experience?
In case you used blues, were they similar? Im seeking for clicky switches and this may be it, and I could get it cheap (You don't wanna know how expensive mechanical keyboards are in my country, besides im in high school and got no job).

Thanks

Alps blues are among the most coveted by Alps clicky fans. Check out this recent review.

[ianxblog]

How much is this keyboard worth?

[Daniel Beardsmore]

This is everything I know so far:

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Chicony_KB-5161

From that FCC ID, the switches I've seen so far: blue Alps, Cherry MX, white Alps, and Cherry MX clones

If the FCC ID ends in "5161A" it's the NKRO version, with the switches seen so far being: blue Alps, Omron B3G-S, and little Mitsumis

Your odds are reasonable that it's got good switches, but you could still end up with MX clones

It might even be a different switch.

[ianxblog]

Unafortunately I think this is the 2KRO version. This means you basically can't game with it? I mean W+D+CTRL.

D:

[Daniel Beardsmore]

It depends how they've wired the matrix and how the controller is programmed. I wouldn't want to play FPS-type games on Alps though (even if I did play games : ) — they're more a typing switch.

[ianxblog]

Yup, I always read bad stuff about clicky switches for FPS Gaming. Never tried, so I don't know. But 2KRO is obviously a problem for gaming. Any type of gaming, I would say (Apart from Minesweeper).

[Findecanor]

Yup, I always read bad stuff about clicky switches for FPS Gaming.

That is because of hysteresis, which is a property that Cherry MX Blue has. Clicky Cherry MX clones will also have it.
Alps do not have hysteresis, however. I am not sure about Omron B3G-S.

[Azure Flash]

Your preferences for switches is a million times more important than whatever theories people have about some detail in the switch's design allegedly having an effect on some specific application. You can game with Buckling Springs or Blues just fine even if they have Hysteresis. You can type hundreds of pages with linear switches just fine and still love that switch, if you like linear switches.

Also, 70gf is only fatiguing if you have fingers that are genetically engineered to be as weak as possible. Think about it: your hand might weigh, what, half a pound? How could you have any difficulty at all pressing something with 70 gram-force of force? It might be shocking at first if you're used to feather-light 30gf switches, but you'll get used to it I'm sure. Just varying the angle of approach of your fingers will give you more than enough weight behind your fingers to compensate for a measly 40gf difference.

[ianxblog]

Your preferences for switches is a million times more important than whatever theories people have about some detail in the switch's design allegedly having an effect on some specific application. You can game with Buckling Springs or Blues just fine even if they have Hysteresis. You can type hundreds of pages with linear switches just fine and still love that switch, if you like linear switches.

Also, 70gf is only fatiguing if you have fingers that are genetically engineered to be as weak as possible. Think about it: your hand might weigh, what, half a pound? How could you have any difficulty at all pressing something with 70 gram-force of force? It might be shocking at first if you're used to feather-light 30gf switches, but you'll get used to it I'm sure. Just varying the angle of approach of your fingers will give you more than enough weight behind your fingers to compensate for a measly 40gf difference.

Absolutely loved your reply.

[tbc]

anyone can use any switch.  it's not if you CAN use it, it's about spending the most comfortable amount of effort.

if you're optimized for 30g, then adding 40g is a HUGE difference to your comfort level.

hand weight is only relevant if your palms are visibly moving up and down for every keystroke.  i personally have never seen anyone do this (either floating above the board in a very fixed spot) or more commonly on a wrist wrest or the desk.

[Azure Flash]

hand weight is only relevant if your palms are visibly moving up and down for every keystroke.  i personally have never seen anyone do this (either floating above the board in a very fixed spot) or more commonly on a wrist wrest or the desk.

Th-that's what I do... I rest my arms at the elbows, the rest is floating. My thumbs slide in front of the spacebar for additional support and alignment. Not touch-typing means I'm pretty much capped at ~85 WPM, but that's enough for me.

[taylordcraig]

hand weight is only relevant if your palms are visibly moving up and down for every keystroke.  i personally have never seen anyone do this (either floating above the board in a very fixed spot) or more commonly on a wrist wrest or the desk.

Th-that's what I do... I rest my arms at the elbows, the rest is floating. My thumbs slide in front of the spacebar for additional support and alignment. Not touch-typing means I'm pretty much capped at ~85 WPM, but that's enough for me.

Wow I type almost exactly the same, with my elbows on my chair's arms. I'm teaching myself to touch type but for now I'm stuck at about 80WPM too.

[ianxblog]

Does anybody know if this keyboard is plate mounted?

[Findecanor]

The Chicony keyboards are plate-mounted in all switch variants, yes.

Why do you ask?
If you want to swap switches, then you should know that Cherry MX, Omron, SMK and Alps have different pinouts and dimensions, and therefore different PCBs and plates that are incompatible with one-another.
The only exception is compatibility between Cherry MX and its clones.

[ianxblog]

I don't wanna swap switches.. just asking.

I suck at soldering