Found new in box Unitek K258 boards for $20

[njbair]

Did we figure out what the printing method was used on the keycaps?

Looks like dye-sub to me. (With laser engraving, there are usually little stop/start marks in thick places like arrow heads, aren't there?) Very nicely done, too—fine detail, no bleeding. And it's brown rather than black, which is sweet.

Nope, these are laser-engraved. But they are not infilled, just burnt brown by the laser. But they're pretty well done at that. If you just ever so lightly rub the keys, you can feel the raised bits on some of them. Also, here are some super-closeups I shot earlier in the thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70391.msg1704261#msg1704261

[ander]

Nope, these are laser-engraved. But they are not infilled, just burnt brown by the laser. But they're pretty well done at that. If you just ever so lightly rub the keys, you can feel the raised bits on some of them. Also, here are some super-closeups I shot earlier in the thread...

This is one of the great subtleties of KB manufacture I'd like to comprehend. So generally, if you can see impressions where the characters are, they've been lasered? In your first photo, the "A" actually looks raised, not engraved—but maybe that's just an illusion of the light. And I don't see any relief whatsoever on Caps Lock. But I suppose you can assume that if some keys are obviously engraved, they must all be.

[njbair]

Nope, these are laser-engraved. But they are not infilled, just burnt brown by the laser. But they're pretty well done at that. If you just ever so lightly rub the keys, you can feel the raised bits on some of them. Also, here are some super-closeups I shot earlier in the thread...

This is one of the great subtleties of KB manufacture I'd like to comprehend. So generally, if you can see impressions where the characters are, they've been lasered? In your first photo, the "A" actually looks raised, not engraved—but maybe that's just an illusion of the light. And I don't see any relief whatsoever on Caps Lock. But I suppose you can assume that if some keys are obviously engraved, they must all be.

The raised parts are the result of "mushrooming" of the material as a result of the laser etching. Basically, if you can feel the legends with your fingers, it's probably lasered. I suppose it's possible to feel pad printing but that is also pretty easy to spot visually.

The DT Wiki has a good primer on keycap printing.

[ander]

Well well... Isn't this one of the same little keyboards we bought for $20 a few weeks ago?:





Free shipping though!

[njbair]

Well well... Isn't this one of the same little keyboards we bought for $20 a few weeks ago?:


(Attachment Link)


Free shipping though!

Make an offer for $20. See what happens.

[Air tree]

Well well... Isn't this one of the same little keyboards we bought for $20 a few weeks ago?:


(Attachment Link)


Free shipping though!

Free shipping? It's a bargain.

[Willyc277]

Now that this thread is back from the dead, I just wanted to say that I've been using this board as my daily driver for almost 2 months! My roommates hate my HHKB and Poker 2 and asked for something with dedicated arrow keys (they can't comprehend Fn layers for some reason???). Really digging this board and can't wait to throw some mods on it from that GB!

[chyros]

Now that this thread is back from the dead, I just wanted to say that I've been using this board as my daily driver for almost 2 months! My roommates hate my HHKB and Poker 2 and asked for something with dedicated arrow keys (they can't comprehend Fn layers for some reason???). Really digging this board and can't wait to throw some mods on it from that GB!

Tbh I can see where your rommates are coming from . Cool that you like it!

[ander]

Well well... Isn't this one of the same little keyboards we bought for $20 a few weeks ago?:


(Attachment Link)


Free shipping though!

Make an offer for $20. See what happens.

Yikes—somebody bought it. For $120. Are you thinking what I'm thinking—that maybe we should've picked up a few more of these...?  :?O

[Air tree]

Still trying to sell mine on the classifieds for $37 shipped, I need to list it on ebay or something.

The struggle is real.

[ander]

Still trying to sell mine on the classifieds for $37 shipped, I need to list it on ebay or something.

The evidence seems to indicate that only on eBay will the value of such an esoteric item be truly appreciated.

[njbair]

It really is a neat little board. Probably the closest thing you'll find to a stock Alps 1800 layout. And some of the modifier caps have come in handy for me as placeholders on my Alps Infinity Hacker 60%, until Badwrench's teal blue modifiers arrive.