Author Topic: Vintage LASER brand mech board (fake white ALPS?) (Read 1819 times)

Internetlad · « **on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 14:44:26 »

Hey, guys, I was digging through an old secondhand/consignment store's back room and came across a keyboard of this model.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laser-III-52226940-FCC-IFS80-2269-1-Tested-Works-/190681959402?pt=US_Vintage_Computers_Mainframes&hash=item2c6587cbea

As with everything VCM sells it's probably overpriced about fourfold but still, glad to see it was a good grab.

it's pretty crazy dirty, but I really like the feel of it, so i'll probably clean it up and give it some TLC.

AFAIK it's using a fake alps type switch, but it has good tactility, the caps are pretty shiny. It was in a box with an old PC that looked to be a compaq or HP win 3.1 machine.

Picked it and an old touch-tone phone up for 5 bucks.

I'll put some pics up later.

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 14:54:52 »

Not Alps, Futaba switch. Pretty good for $5, similar boards usually go for $20ish from sane sellers. Most say it's similar to MX blues in feel, would you also agree?

Internetlad · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 14:56:13 »

Quote from: lysol;599305

Not Alps, Futaba switch.

Is that a fact? I really like the feel. I'll have to check the wiki for info on this switch. Thanks!

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 14:59:05 »

Inverse Futaba to be specific.

Internetlad · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 15:08:21 »

Didn't know we had a vintage switch article, i hit up deskthority's wiki but i'll check this one out too.

Pics

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Blank key in the lower left corner between CTRL and ALT. . . Would that function as winkey, or does it have some other use, or is it simply there because it is?

Internetlad · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 15:26:10 »

Quote from: ripster;599322

Looks at post count. Frowns.

Looks down. Smiles.

About the vintage switch wiki and my sig, respectively?

terrpn · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 16:16:44 »

Got the same board and love it! Am actually typing on now...........has a couple random caps, but you would never know as the color is spot on, plus their double shot. The stabilizers on the "enter" were not connected, so fixed that and am real happy with it.

The price is a tad heavy- but you got a sweet "ol school" board. The vintage white cherrys are clicky and tactile.....I'd say close to a soft blue. Good pick up:) The caps alone are worth a few bux.

Internetlad · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 16:21:15 »

Quote from: terrpn;599398

Got the same board and love it! Am actually typing on now...........has a couple random caps, but you would never know as the color is spot on, plus their double shot. The stabilizers on the "enter" were not connected, so fixed that and am real happy with it.

The price is a tad heavy- but you got a sweet "ol school" board. The vintage white cherrys are clicky and tactile.....I'd say close to a soft blue. Good pick up:) The caps alone are worth a few bux.

Like I said, I got this and an old style touchtone phone for 5 bucks (I'm a sucker for vintage tech) so it's pretty hard to be unhappy with. I live in wyoming so if you see something old and quasi-valuable there's a good chance the person selling it will think it's garbage and cut you a pretty damn good deal.

I also wanted to get a scuffed up aluminum bat for home defense, but my wife gave me a funny look so i put it back.

EDIT: FYI phone i got was this model, manufactured in '87
http://www.alphatelecomsupply.com/product.php?productid=18073&cat=265&bestseller=Y

Made in korea, you know the koreans make good stuff.
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486 · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 16:23:21 »

Quote

Blank key in the lower left corner between CTRL and ALT. . . Would that function as winkey, or does it have some other use, or is it simply there because it is?

It was used mostly for Macros and/or for switch combinations. What's really cool is that my ALPS keyboard has one and since it is blank, if I get enough of them I could create a blank ALPS keyboard (or i could just go to SP)

terrpn · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 17:12:25 »

Gotcha..........will open the other eye next time I read. Heck you did alright.............shweet!

The blank key on the left works same as one on right- forward slash? Go figure 2 keys doing the same thing. Oh yea by the way- I double checked and the swicthes are similar but softer than blue, but a little heavier than white alps which are pretty sweet.

Wish it was easier to find "alps" caps:{ One of these days............

Don't have a brown switch keyboard- however seems like from what I read that is probably more so what it feels like.

Ripster was right..............check the link- its all there; awesome:)

Wyoming............? I'm on the east coast, never heard of it:>} If it makes you feel better most of my neighbors are all Amish- talk about old school and talking about phones..........they use a "phone booth."

Good people and good neighbors

Internetlad · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 17:24:24 »

I thought the amish shunned technology, what are they doing using payphones?

Comparing this to browns, I found that browns were lighter than these, but it was on the tester keypad so they might have just been worn.

Internetlad · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 17:50:39 »

Quote from: ripster;599459

Don't act so surprised!
or for extra bonus points collect some nickels for a RipOmeter test.

Canadian Nickels?
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I'll see what I can pull out of the couch, but it'll have to be tomorrow, unless you want me to do bare switch. the keycaps are taking a bath ATM.

Internetlad · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 17:56:51 »

Quote from: ripster;599469

Canadian nickels are in RipOmeter. Just watch the date.

that'll teach me to be condescending.

terrpn · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 20:54:43 »

LOL............they (Amish) actually use an air horn or train horn when their out working to communicate amongst themselves. Kinda like morse code I guess- but it is loud.

OK..........I didn't see the link to the ripometer, my bad. This is 1 bad website- all of you guys are pretty amazing;>} I cannot believe the layers and stuff on and in here.

Kudo's......

Quote from: Internetlad;599452

I thought the amish shunned technology, what are they doing using payphones?

Comparing this to browns, I found that browns were lighter than these, but it was on the tester keypad so they might have just been worn.

Internetlad · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 24 May 2012, 21:32:59 »

Quote from: terrpn;599541

LOL............they (Amish) actually use an air horn or train horn when their out working to communicate amongst themselves. Kinda like morse code I guess- but it is loud.

OK..........I didn't see the link to the ripometer, my bad. This is 1 bad website- all of you guys are pretty amazing;>} I cannot believe the layers and stuff on and in here.

Kudo's......

Keyboards are kind of a big deal around here.

REVENGE · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 25 May 2012, 02:35:22 »

These are not Cherry compatible Futabas.

These are Cherry compatible SMKs, similar to the ALPS compatible "Monterey" SMK. I own this board, switch is superior to the ALPS compatible version. It IS very different from the Futaba, you can tell them apart by the appearance of the switch housing.

Also, editing this wiki is a pain.

Internetlad · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 25 May 2012, 09:55:14 »

Quote from: ripster;599769

Makes two minor edits to Wiki with over 20 switches in it.

First world problems.

Be sure to show close up pic of stem spelling out the difference.

Well I can do some keyboard science today to get the ripometer test. Do you need closer shots of the stems, or anything else?

News:

Author Topic: Vintage LASER brand mech board (fake white ALPS?) (Read 1819 times)