Northgate Omnikey 101, two missing switches, $40 shipped

[ander]

OMNIKEY 101 NORTHGATE KEYBOARD

The seller (100% positive eBay rating) says, "Keyboard works but it's missing some keys." Specifically, it's missing two caps and one actual switch:





Seems like an opportunity, as these commonly go for over $100 complete.

[RigorVN]

Do northgate omnikeys really go for $100+? Why so much?

[jacobolus]

Lots of old Alps keyboards from the same era have funky layouts, or use ADB or XT protocol which need a custom converter. Some people really like having an ANSI/101 layout keyboard that you can trivially get working with a modern computer.  They have dip switches for swapping left control and caps lock and a few other options.

Omnikeys are also built like tanks, with a solid metal back and thick plastic front. They are as sturdy as any Alps board you can find.

[RigorVN]

but aren't dell AT101W's also alps and easily used with modern computers?

[jacobolus]

An old-logo Dell AT101 with salmon Alps switches sells for about the same as the Northgate, despite having a much less beefy construction. A Dell AT101W can be had for cheap because there were many millions of them produced, and they are even less sturdy, have pad-printed keycaps, and less desirable “bamboo” black Alps switches from the mid-90s. They are inferior to the Northgate in every respect, unless you care strongly about the Win key.

[RigorVN]

ah, i see. So would $50 for a like new omnikey 101 be worth it then?

[fohat.digs]

$50 would be a good deal.

Ugly yellowed copies often sell in the >$70 shipped price range.

[Hak Foo]

Jacobolus:  The AT101W features lasered caps-- very old-school early ones where the lettering isn't dark and is often inconsistent in shape.  Not pad printed: worse.

[jacobolus]

Ah that’s right, thanks for the correction. (I’ve never had a Dell AT101.)

[fohat.digs]

Ah that’s right, thanks for the correction. (I’ve never had a Dell AT101.)

I have had AT101s, both old logo and new. Only one, a new logo, had PBT caps, out of at least 4. I did not keep the old logo one long enough to examine the switches, I had really bought it (from Cindy) just to harvest the caps, and they were not what I wanted.

The ones that I have kept were black AT101W (cases) into which I transplanted switches (and weight bars) and one of them has the PBT caps (except for the bottom row, where I had to use the ABS to get Windows keys). I also have at least 2 stock AT101Ws awaiting future projects.

[ander]

but aren't dell AT101W's also alps and easily used with modern computers?

AT101Ws have Alps Black switches, while Northgates have Alps White. Whites are smooth and clicky (esp. the older "complicated" ones found in Northgates), while Blacks are a cheaper linear version that usually hasn't held up as well over the years.

[RigorVN]

but aren't dell AT101W's also alps and easily used with modern computers?

AT101Ws have Alps Black switches, while Northgates have Alps White. Whites are smooth and clicky (esp. the older "complicated" ones found in Northgates), while Blacks are a cheaper linear version that usually hasn't held up as well over the years.

hmm.. so it seems like the omnikey is pretty worth it eh
Does it really hover above $100 usually though? that sounds insane... price range of Model F's

[njbair]

If this had blue alps I'd be all over it. Need some blues!!!

[fohat.digs]

Does it really hover above $100 usually though? that sounds insane... price range of Model F's

The Omnikey 101 sells around the same price range as the other Northgates.