Majiq Northgate Omnikey Clicky Keys Keyboard $9.99 + $14.99 shipping (to me)

[TexasFlood]

Majiq Northgate Omnikey Clicky Keys Keyboard $9.99 starting bid + $14.99 shipping (to me)

Never seen a Northgate Omnikey like this one, anyone else?

Seller info:

This is a Majiq Clicky Keys Omnikey Keyboard by Northgate Computers...
The FCC ID : GT6OMNIKEY...Part No: Ultra-TP...Serial # 90002055...

Very Heavy for a keyboard so shipping reflects that..

[Touch_It]

oh that looks sexy, do want

[False_Dmitry_II]

Wow, it's still less than $20 with an hour to go.

[TexasFlood]

Somebody got it for $34 plus shipping, that's pretty damn cheap for an Omnikey Ultra.

[didjamatic]

That was a Score!  Wish I had got it, congrats to whomever did.

[TexasFlood]

Score!

Really, should have kept my mouth shut and bought it myself, :wink:, did someone here snag it?

[False_Dmitry_II]

I was hoping to drive it up higher for the hell of it when I bumped the thread.

[BiNiaRiS]

I was hoping to drive it up higher for the hell of it when I bumped the thread.

How does that help anyone here?

[False_Dmitry_II]

It doesn't. It just amuses me. Clearly not that many people were interested in it, anywayz.

[TexasFlood]

I was hoping to drive it up higher for the hell of it when I bumped the thread.

How does that help anyone here?

It doesn't. It just amuses me. Clearly not that many people were interested in it, anywayz.

I think it was at $12.50 when you bumped and ended at $34 so maybe you did drive it up, hard to say.  Don't think I'd try to drive prices up just for the hell of it myself.

I repeat, and goes double now after that :doh:

Really, should have kept my mouth shut and bought it myself, :wink:, did someone here snag it?

[REVENGE]

Very nice score, congrats to whoever got it!

[TexasFlood]

Very nice score, congrats to whoever got it!

Yeah, I mean it was a bit weird looking but not necessarily in a bad way, hah!

[EverythingIBM]

oh that looks sexy, do want

 
Beige is the new sexy.

[TexasFlood]

Beige is the new sexy.

<- Rainbow beige, dead sexy...

[TexasFlood]

$34 was a deal.  A NOS Northgate apparently just went on ebay for $260.  I'd like a new one but not worth that to me, my old one works fine thank you very much {cheap gene kicks in) :wink:

[flashstar]

I was looking at that auction, however I noticed that this Majiq had windows keys and likely uses FUKAs. That is probably one of the main reasons why the auction ended where it did.

I did bid for the NIB 102, however my "meager" $145 bid was no match for a few guys with huge wallets! 0.o

Fortunately, I did manage to snag this seemingly-nice condition 102 from the same seller though!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Northgate-OmniKey-Keyboard-102-/330595911762?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4cf90d4852

I might write up a quick review of this keyboard when I get it in. Do you think that I should swap its key switches for complicated blues?

[TexasFlood]

I was looking at that auction, however I noticed that this Majiq had windows keys and likely uses FUKAs. That is probably one of the main reasons why the auction ended where it did.

Now that's an interesting point, or maybe two, that I missed.  Although it was staring me in the face I had not noticed that windows key.

I can't recall ever having seen a vintage Northgate Ultra with a windows key as this one clearly does in the picture.  So would this keyboard have come out towards the very end of the Northgate company?  How many are out there with windows keys.  Making me wish all the more I'd bought this.

And it never even occurred to me that vintage Northgate Ultra might have FUKAs rather than complicate alps.  Northgate filed for chapter 11 in September 1994 and the company and seems to have essentially "evaporated" in all but name rather quickly thereafter.  So from a timing perspective it didn't seem like one would expect FUKAs in a Northgate, but maybe either Northgate lasted longer than I think or Alps exited and FUKAs entered the picture earlier than I thought.  

I did bid for the NIB 102, however my "meager" $145 bid was no match for a few guys with huge wallets! 0.o

Fortunately, I did manage to snag this seemingly-nice condition 102 from the same seller though!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Northgate-OmniKey-Keyboard-102-/330595911762?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4cf90d4852

I might write up a quick review of this keyboard when I get it in. Do you think that I should swap its key switches for complicated blues?

Congrats looks like you got a good deal.  I can't really speak to complicate blues having never used them.  I used to think it was a myth they were better but think I saw an article from Ripster indicating there was physical difference which makes them feel "smoother" than complicated whites.

[flashstar]

FUKKAs did indeed come in Omnikey 101p's with Windows keys (I have one open on my desk as I type). Most other ALPS-based keyboards (like Focus 2001's) with Windows keys also used FUKKAs.

Anyway, if you check the FCC code on my 101p, these boards came out in 1994-1995 and there appears to be many more of them floating around than the older 102s and ultras. They also are not programmable with DIP switches (they are programmed electronically instead). I've heard that some of these newer Northgates have controller issues as well.

But yeah, I didn't think that any Northgates would use FUKKAs... at least until I purchased this 101p and discovered that it wasn't what I expected.

Ripster, I don't know if they are actually called FUKKAs but I don't see why it matters much. I'd look it up, but I'm too busy cleaning and repairing keyboards.

Do you think that I should change the layout on my 101p to Colemak?

Also, is Creative Vision Technologies dead? I tried to go to their site but I was redirected to the website of the company that bought them out...

[TexasFlood]

FUKKAs did indeed come in Omnikey 101p's with Windows keys (I have one open on my desk as I type). Most other ALPS-based keyboards (like Focus 2001's) with Windows keys also used FUKKAs.

Anyway, if you check the FCC code on my 101p, these boards came out in 1994-1995 and there appears to be many more of them floating around than the older 102s and ultras. They also are not programmable with DIP switches (they are programmed electronically instead). I've heard that some of these newer Northgates have controller issues as well.

But yeah, I didn't think that any Northgates would use FUKKAs... at least until I purchased this 101p and discovered that it wasn't what I expected..

Well, thanks, I learned something.  If the 101ps are more common then it's surprise to me.  I don't recall ever seeing a Northgate with a windows key before but maybe I just simply didn't notice.  I did a quick google and see didjamatic had some of those for sale.  Still probably a good keyboard, if not AS good.

Also, is Creative Vision Technologies dead? I tried to go to their site but I was redirected to the website of the company that bought them out...

Apparently absorbed into Ergonomics Made Easy.  Allegedly the Avant Prime / Stellar are no longer being made but they seem to have some stock and I think the prices are higher although I don't really recall the earlier pricing to be honest.

[False_Dmitry_II]

I suppose if you were a wizard solderer, something like one of those omnikeys would be really good to grab.

I'd expect build quality to be up there still. So just soldering in some complicated switches would be a pretty good move I think.

[flashstar]

I suppose if you were a wizard solderer, something like one of those omnikeys would be really good to grab.

I'd expect build quality to be up there still. So just soldering in some complicated switches would be a pretty good move I think.

I was thinking about taking apart all of the FUKKAs (I actually have them apart right now), washing them, and lubing them with 303 aerospace protectant and wd-40. Do you think that I should solder complicated ALPS in instead? Either way, I will still need to lube and clean all of the switches since I don't have any "new" ALPS switches in stock.

To be honest, these simplified type-1 ALPS switches are not bad! I'm sure that they will be nearly as good as blues once I get them lubed up. Anyone interested in a 101p with newly-lubed and cleaned switches? lol

Texas, thanks for the info! I'll have to contact Ergonomics to see if I can get my hands on one of their keyboards before they are all gone.

I love soldering though and I do have a bunch of complicated ALPS laying around....