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Author Topic: Chicony KB-5181  (Read 4683 times)

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Offline objectivecpp

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 10
Chicony KB-5181
« on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:02:41 »
Just ordered this keyboard. Is this good? Has anybody ordered from this seller or tried this keyboard before?

Does it make sweet noise as Filco Blue? Hope it does not sound like IBM M keyboards.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190451510062&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
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Filco (Brown &  Blue)
Unicomp
Razer Blackwidow
Chicony KB-5181
Ducky DK1000
IBM White KB-8923
Dell AT101W Alps

Want: White Color; MX Blue; Full Size

Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:07:22 »
Didjamatic is a member here, cool guy.

That picture has been shopped so it's blue shifted, a lot of sellers do that to hide yellowing. Yellowing on KB-5181s is a fact of life though.


It has SMK Monterey switches, which are apparently quite good when new, but from what I've experienced they become crap after being used for a while.
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline elbowglue

  • Posts: 583
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:13:15 »
Quote from: Phaedrus2129;230243
Didjamatic is a member here, cool guy.

That picture has been shopped so it's blue shifted, a lot of sellers do that to hide yellowing. Yellowing on KB-5181s is a fact of life though.


It has SMK Monterey switches, which are apparently quite good when new, but from what I've experienced they become crap after being used for a while.

I don't think those KB's have been blue-shifted, just correctly white balanced, although I cannot speak for didjamatic in regards to how he took / processed those pictures.
*Edit* I think the first picture with the card that says "keyboard" is a little blue tinted in comparison with the other shots.

Chicony 5181's blue monterey switches in my opinion are fantastic switches.  I have not beat on one for years to see how they hold up, (come to think of it I haven't beat on any switches for years to see how they hold up, except rubber domes which don't hold up well at all).

They are clicky, crisp.  They have about 3.5mm travel similar to alps.  I really like them myself. Except for the small backspace on the 5181 which is a drawback for me.
« Last Edit: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:17:21 by elbowglue »
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My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline TexasFlood

  • Posts: 1084
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:13:50 »
Quote from: objectivecpp;230240
Just ordered this keyboard. Is this good? Has anybody ordered from this seller or tried this keyboard before?

Does it make sweet noise as Filco Blue? Hope it does not sound like IBM M keyboards.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190451510062&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT


I love mine, light & crisp touch & click.

Sound sample here in the Mega Keyboard Sound Roundup courtesy of ripster.  Also see the "Chicony KB-5181" review and the "Chicony 5181 and Monterey Switch Disassembled" article.
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Offline MahBoi

  • Posts: 60
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:19:00 »
Ripster has an audio clip of the KB-5181 here.

I actually prefer the sound of them to Cherry Blues; not nearly as loud as a BS, but it's pretty solid. However, maybe I'm just used to Cherry Blues or Topres, but the keys feel noticeably stiffer. Not a big problem, but if you don't hit the key squarely, it'll bind up. Also, the switches aren't very consistent from key to key (this is NOS from 5k177). Some keys actuate after the tactile bump and some before; also, some feel a lot stiffer than the others. I haven't done anything with them, i.e. greased the stems, since I got the keyboard. Overall, though, it feels very nice, and you may not have the same problems I've had. It's just not as consistent as the other two boards I use on a daily basis. I still bust it out whenever I'm feeling like a badass.

Another thing to note is that the plastic enclosure is pretty flimsy. Not a big deal, but it does bend and creak pretty easily, so be careful with it.
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Offline TexasFlood

  • Posts: 1084
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:27:10 »
Quote from: Phaedrus2129;230243
Didjamatic is a member here, cool guy.

That picture has been shopped so it's blue shifted, a lot of sellers do that to hide yellowing. Yellowing on KB-5181s is a fact of life though.

It has SMK Monterey switches, which are apparently quite good when new, but from what I've experienced they become crap after being used for a while.

Since these are new in box, I suspect it's just a bad picture for whatever reason, and probably is not blue -or- yellowed.  I would expect it to look like any off-white computer gear from way back, more like Didja's better picture here:


As far as them becoming crap after being used for a while, I can't say except that it hasn't happened to mine.  And if you're referring to the one you said was full of dirt and some dead ants when you opened it up, I'm not sure that is a fair conclusion, :wink:.
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Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:29:29 »
It was definitely not blue shifted, I am very much against doing that to photos on ebay and have voiced my opinion about it previously.  But many do it so I don't mind someone bringing it up if they thought it was being done.  Fact is, I'm not much of a photographer and only know about blue shifting photos because I've bought keyboards from an ebayer that does it.

My photos were taken with a Canon 40D on the Auto setting in my driveway on a piece of cardboard with indirect sunlight and no flash.  The only mods to the photo was resizing it for ebay.

Since yellowing is usually from UV exposure, or exposure to contaminants, that would not apply to this keyboard.  These are NIB and have not been used.  They are not yellowed at all.  They are the original color.

If you'd like an original copy of photos, PM me and I'm happy to fill your inbox with photos.  :)
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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:37:37 »
Oh and an FYI about used Montereys, I have some really really beat up boards with them and they feel great.  I have no doubt that any mechanical board exposed to enough dirt, dust and abuse will become crappy but Montereys seem to hold up really well on all boards I have tried with them, but YMMV.

You'd die if you saw the worst ones I have, they are really bad, cases barely held together and the switches still feel really good.  I bought them when I thought the switches could fit directly into ALPS boards not knowing they were different sized.  Anyway, most that have tried Montereys is usually very pleased with them.  If you can find some that are new/mint it's even better.
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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline Phaedrus2129

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Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:51:13 »
I guess I just happened to get the one crappy 5181 out of a hundred. :p
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 05 October 2010, 22:52:43 »
Bummer seriously, want a REALLY yellow one :)  I have an old used banana looking one that I could hook you up with for a decent price, it would probably convert you into a Monterey fanatic though.  Actually, I might have chucked the case and tossed the PCB into my parts bin, I'll have to check.
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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 06 October 2010, 00:45:32 »
Ww is way more organized than I am.
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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline Infinite north

  • Posts: 162
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 06 October 2010, 01:48:54 »
Looking at that shelf I am guessing you mean more obsessive compulsive than you.
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Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 06 October 2010, 09:22:27 »


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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline TexasFlood

  • Posts: 1084
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 06 October 2010, 09:32:23 »
Quote from: didjamatic;230427
Show Image


Show Image


Martin: You sneaked off inexplicably, need I remind you how I worried?
Laura: No. You reminded me enough the night I came back.
Martin: You're not suggesting I enjoyed that?
Laura: God, no. That would make you a monster.
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Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 06 October 2010, 12:15:22 »
Hey, that Healthy Choice soup isn't faced up properly.  You're fired!
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Offline objectivecpp

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 10
Chicony KB-5181
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 07 October 2010, 01:00:46 »
Thanks to those who replied.

I will wait for the keyboard to arrive.
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Filco (Brown &  Blue)
Unicomp
Razer Blackwidow
Chicony KB-5181
Ducky DK1000
IBM White KB-8923
Dell AT101W Alps

Want: White Color; MX Blue; Full Size
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