What is the switch in this keyboard

[IceDiceRice]

Hi this is my first time on geekhack.
I found this Omron B5GS-R101-620 on my dad storage. It has MX-Compatible switch. Most of the key button are linear but some are buttons are clicky, the following clicky button are : L Shift, spacebar, ,X,C,D,3,4,Backspace, ins,hm,pu,ps,sl,pb,f11,f12,and num 1
anyone have any idea?

[kajahtaa]

That's really cool.

There's a article on Deskthority

[IceDiceRice]

Thx for the help but mine is slightly different than the one on deskthority because mine has plastic backplate instead of metal and this strange mx style switches instead of white alps or amber alps. any clue?

[envyy24]

It is this one
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Futaba_MA_series

[IceDiceRice]

Thx for the help 

[treeleaf64]

That is not Futaba Ma, it looks like SMK 2nd gen to me

[Maledicted]

That is not Futaba Ma, it looks like SMK 2nd gen to me

Hard to say, that slider style is far from unique, and that picture is very far away and not that clear. Futaba MA does sort of linearize if left to sit for years at a time, which I can't imagine SMK second generation does, although I have never seen a board with those switches, much less used it.

Are we even sure that model number and manufacturer are correct? The extra power LED and the square styling in some of the empty spaces screams Chicony to me. So does random surprise switches.

[treeleaf64]

That is not Futaba Ma, it looks like SMK 2nd gen to me

Hard to say, that slider style is far from unique, and that picture is very far away and not that clear. Futaba MA does sort of linearize if left to sit for years at a time, which I can't imagine SMK second generation does, although I have never seen a board with those switches, much less used it.

Are we even sure that model number and manufacturer are correct? The extra power LED and the square styling in some of the empty spaces screams Chicony to me. So does random surprise switches.

Yes sir, I don't think I am right either .

Just guessing . I should not have said anything

[IceDiceRice]

I hope this helps a bit

[Maledicted]

That's Futaba MA alright. Those infuriating little plastic rivets in each corner are a good giveaway. This looks like it may be an entirely undocumented variant of this board then. The one in the DT wiki page definitely doesn't even resemble this one, much less make any mention of Futaba switches.

You should get some nice pictures and update that page.

[IceDiceRice]

Thx for the help

[ddrfraser1]

Here’s an SMK 2nd gen switch for comparison.

[Maledicted]

Thx for the help

Any time. There are some janky things people have tried to restore the click and tactility to Futaba switches ... with a screwdriver, and lots of weight, but that's usually with the standard stems. I tried it on my only Futaba board and it permanently linearized a few, I think maybe from using just a little too much force. I have a few ideas for how I can take these things apart and actually get them back together again, like maybe some drilling and really tiny machine screws, or hot glue, but I have been too lazy to try.

The screwdriver trick is hit-or-miss and really fiddly, so just attempting it with a whole board can take a long time, and even then I agree with the consensus that while they're a really interesting switch in feel and sound, they're not particularly fantastic, so it may not be worth the effort.

As linears they do seem very smooth to me, for whatever that's worth.

[funkmon]

Now, other than completion's sake, is there any reason to try and GET a Futaba MA switch keyboard? What're their redeeming characteristics, if any?

[Maledicted]

Now, other than completion's sake, is there any reason to try and GET a Futaba MA switch keyboard? What're their redeeming characteristics, if any?

If you like playing with the safety buttons on jar lids, then you may find it entertaining. They're also very smooth, as far as I can tell. Otherwise, I would say it probably isn't worth the hassle of having to try to deal with switches that are no longer clicky. There's a tiny rubber mat inside that apparently curls up over the years and the switch housings are held together with plastic rivets, so there's no easy way to take the switches down to try to resolve it, so you've got people trying to press down onto each problem switch (with the standard slider) with the full weight of their body with a phillips screwdriver.

[funkmon]

Good. I'll keep not buying them. Now I need some NEC ovals...

[Maledicted]

Good. I'll keep not buying them. Now I need some NEC ovals...

Yes, excellent idea. NEC blue ovals are wonderful. They're twangy though. Reminds me of a ukulele or something. Very entertaining.