OmniKey build quality

[chyros]

Inspired by the build quality topic raised recently, where many or most people seem to agree the model F is the toughest board ever, and many say the model M is the toughest after that.

But that got the thinking, the OmniKey has a reputation for sturdiness as well, right? How does its sturdiness compare? I mean, the model M has those stupid plastic rivets and a membrane sheet. I really want an OmniKey someday, so I wonder how it rates on the indestruct-o-meter.

[jacobolus]

Omnikeys (like mid-80s Zenith, etc. keyboards) are sturdy because they have a pretty thick plastic top, and a metal bottom. Otherwise, they’re internally similar to other Alps boards, with a steel plate and a PCB.

An Omnikey with your favorite Alps switches swapped in and some Alps PBT dyesubs for keycaps is basically the pinnacle of IBM PS/2 101-key ANSI layout Alps keyboards, outside of some custom board built from scratch.

I don’t think it’s too easy to directly compare it to IBM keyboards. It’s probably easier to break than any of the IBM boards if you start smashing it into rocks, pouring liquids into it, dropping it from second-floor windows, etc. Should still be a pretty effective weapon in hand to hand combat though.

[fohat.digs]

Although I can't quote Jacobolus I concur with what he said.

The Northgate Omnikey, and the 101 in particular with its true-ANSI layout, is the best Alps chassis out there.

They just don't make 'em like that any more.

PS - doubleshot key caps, too

PPS - post #157 here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49604.50 I showed how to replace the stupid cable with a conventional attached PS/2 cable

[CPTBadAss]

Omnikey is a highly underrated keyboard and I've been hunting for one for a price I'm willing to pay. Wonderful keyboard.

[chyros]

Omnikey is a highly underrated keyboard and I've been hunting for one for a price I'm willing to pay. Wonderful keyboard.

Are they really underrated? All the ones I've seen on eBay recently were 100-160 quid not including shipping Oo .

Omnikeys (like mid-80s Zenith, etc. keyboards) are sturdy because they have a pretty thick plastic top, and a metal bottom. Otherwise, they�re internally similar to other Alps boards, with a steel plate and a PCB.

An Omnikey with your favorite Alps switches swapped in and some Alps PBT dyesubs for keycaps is basically the pinnacle of IBM PS/2 101-key ANSI layout Alps keyboards, outside of some custom board built from scratch.

I don�t think it�s too easy to directly compare it to IBM keyboards. It�s probably easier to break than any of the IBM boards if you start smashing it into rocks, pouring liquids into it, dropping it from second-floor windows, etc. Should still be a pretty effective weapon in hand to hand combat though.

Yeah I figured their chassis wasn't as strong as that of a model M, that's like a brick, so dense! But what in terms of actual longevity? This considering the more or less inherently shortened lifespan of the Model M due to the rivets and the membrane...

Although I can't quote Jacobolus I concur with what he said.

The Northgate Omnikey, and the 101 in particular with its true-ANSI layout, is the best Alps chassis out there.

They just don't make 'em like that any more.

PS - doubleshot key caps, too

PPS - post #157 here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49604.50 I showed how to replace the stupid cable with a conventional attached PS/2 cable

Nice, cheers!

[fohat.digs]

I figured their chassis wasn't as strong as that of a model M,

What are you basing that opinion on?

Having completely disassembled and rebuilt several of each, I consider the Omnikey chassis to be considerably superior to the Model M. It is not up to the level of the Model F, of course, but it is substantially closer than the Model M, in my opinion.

[jacobolus]

I’d still guess you could more easily do functional damage (breaking switches or electronics) to the OmniKey than to a Model M, if you drove a truck over it, chucked it out a window, whacked it with a hammer, or poured a can of soda over the keys.

[fohat.digs]

True, but that would mostly be because the Northgate has over 100 small individual mechanical switches, instead of some springs pushing down on enclosed membrane sheets.

[chyros]

I figured their chassis wasn't as strong as that of a model M,

What are you basing that opinion on?

Having completely disassembled and rebuilt several of each, I consider the Omnikey chassis to be considerably superior to the Model M. It is not up to the level of the Model F, of course, but it is substantially closer than the Model M, in my opinion.

Well I don't own one of course fo it was only a guess, hence why I asked xD . But I do have two model Ms and they feel so dense at the case that I didn't figure it could be a lot denser than that xD . You know when you knock on it, it barely returns any sound compared to most other keyboards.

[fohat.digs]

I didn't figure it could be a lot denser than that.

You never really know until you take them apart and understand what is inside.

[hwood34]

I figured their chassis wasn't as strong as that of a model M,

What are you basing that opinion on?

Having completely disassembled and rebuilt several of each, I consider the Omnikey chassis to be considerably superior to the Model M. It is not up to the level of the Model F, of course, but it is substantially closer than the Model M, in my opinion.

Well I don't own one of course fo it was only a guess, hence why I asked xD . But I do have two model Ms and they feel so dense at the case that I didn't figure it could be a lot denser than that xD . You know when you knock on it, it barely returns any sound compared to most other keyboards.

Well, the omnikey has a metal backplate

[fohat.digs]

Well, the omnikey has a metal backplate

Metal back plates AND metal bottom case pans on the Model F and Northgates.

Internal assemblies screwed down to the metal case bottom pans. You can leave the top case shells off altogether and still have awesome solid keyboards.