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Author Topic: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?  (Read 1594 times)

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Offline 1391406

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:17:45 »
In your experience, between these two boards, which of these do you prefer in terms of key switch feel? I can't afford both but I have a choice of either an early FK-2001 (winkeyless) or a new Chicony 5181. Any thoughts?
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Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
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Offline Magna224

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:27:53 »
It depends on the switch. The Chicony could have fake MX Blue, real MX Blue, clicky ALPS or Monterey. The Focus should have clicky ALPS. I think the winkeyless Focus feels better to type on than the chicony in my opinion in terms of the actual keyboard and also doesn't have the small backspace.
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If you live in AZ you can try my keyboards. I usually keep plenty of different ALPS and MX and buckling springs.

Offline notnay

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:44:10 »
If you can get the Chicony with Montereys then I would suggest go with that. If not, then the FK.
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Offline 1391406

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 12:50:29 »
Thanks for the suggestions.
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Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
IBM Model M13 | Apple Extended Keyboard | Apple Extended Keyboard II | MTEK K104 | NTC KB-6251/2 | Realforce 87U | Realforce 104U | Type Heaven

Offline Jamesbeat

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 15:48:16 »
Never tried a Chicony, so I can't offer a comparison, but I do own an FK-2001 (winkeyless) and I love it.
If you like clicky switches, I seriously doubt you'd be disappointed with the Focus.
Good build quality, nice feel, double shot keycaps.
« Last Edit: Tue, 13 March 2012, 15:50:49 by Jamesbeat »
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Offline Findecanor

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 19:07:59 »
Quote from: notnay;544556
If you can get the Chicony with Montereys then I would suggest go with that. If not, then the FK.

I much prefer the Monterey switches over white ALPS, but the build quality of the Chicony 5181 leaves a bit to be desired. The case is creaky.
The Chicony has also a small Backspace key.
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Offline Touch_It

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 19:47:11 »
chicony, is my daily driver along with a board with space invaders, amazing feel
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Offline fohat.digs

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 13 March 2012, 21:44:05 »
The Chicony with blue Montereys feels exquisite, but the small backspace is very frustrating. I have had 3 of these and they all had the Montereys.

I have also had 3 Focus 2001s and they all had white Alps which were very nice.

I recommend that you buy the Chicony, because those switches are much harder to find, and, in my opinion, better feeling, even though the board as a whole is not of the highest quality.
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Offline 1391406

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 14 March 2012, 00:55:25 »
Thanks again for the replies and suggestions.
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Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
IBM Model M13 | Apple Extended Keyboard | Apple Extended Keyboard II | MTEK K104 | NTC KB-6251/2 | Realforce 87U | Realforce 104U | Type Heaven

Offline 1391406

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 14 March 2012, 13:32:32 »
By the way, for anyone who has an opinion, how do the Monterey switches compare with MX Blues?
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Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
IBM Model M13 | Apple Extended Keyboard | Apple Extended Keyboard II | MTEK K104 | NTC KB-6251/2 | Realforce 87U | Realforce 104U | Type Heaven

Offline fohat.digs

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 14 March 2012, 13:41:28 »
I consider them very similar. I may prefer the Montereys.

I would love to find a higher-quality board to make a complete comparison, rather than just comparing the switches themselves.
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From the US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 :

The   Congress   shall have Power
To declare War,  grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To provide for calling forth the Militia  to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

Offline 1391406

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FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 14 March 2012, 14:36:49 »
Quote from: fohat.digs;545933
I would love to find a higher-quality board to make a complete comparison, rather than just comparing the switches themselves.

Just curious, which board are you referencing?
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Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
IBM Model M13 | Apple Extended Keyboard | Apple Extended Keyboard II | MTEK K104 | NTC KB-6251/2 | Realforce 87U | Realforce 104U | Type Heaven

Offline Magna224

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  • Location: Tempe, Arizona
FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 14 March 2012, 15:29:24 »
He was talking about the Chicony 5181, its a notoriously low quality keyboard but one of the few you can get Monterey switches in.
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If you live in AZ you can try my keyboards. I usually keep plenty of different ALPS and MX and buckling springs.

Offline TexasFlood

  • Posts: 1084
FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 14 May 2012, 15:02:41 »
Quote from: ripster;546009
F3 my sig for Chicony 5181 for LOTS of pics and switch disassembly.

Post in the review if you have any questions.

Not any more, just says "Sent From Brother Ripster's iPad" now.
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