Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[BlueBär]

...it seems they might be MX compatible keycaps, perhaps from WYSE...

Those are not Wyse legends. Compare it to this: http://i.imgur.com/2EXFfDv.jpg
For example the * legend above the 8 is completly different.

[Pacifist]

What do I use to program lz mx minis?

[CPTBadAss]

What do I use to program lz mx minis?

LZ has their own program don't they?

[Pacifist]

What do I use to program lz mx minis?

LZ has their own program don't they?

Not very familiar with korean boards, and google didn't get anything worthwhile on what program to use

[CPTBadAss]

What do I use to program lz mx minis?

I'm not that familiar with LZ stuff. But try this: Go to red-line's website, go to "PDS", then try out one of the programs there.

[Pacifist]

What do I use to program lz mx minis?

I'm not that familiar with LZ stuff. But try this: Go to red-line's website, go to "PDS", then try out one of the programs there.

404 errors on all 4 links

[CPTBadAss]

What do I use to program lz mx minis?

Let's try this one more time. Try this link here. Thanks to Photoelectric for the link .

[CommonCurt]

Any idea where I could find images that are printable for actual size for bending cherry, costar, and/or alps stabilizer wires?  Looking for something I can use as a template for sizes and styles that I don't have in my possession.   Also, wire thickness for these would be great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zry3CHNKgT8

Litster had a YouTube video for bending Costar wires. Is it not in the OP? I can post a link later if not, and if someone doesn't beat me to it. I'm on my mobile right now.

Here ya go.

[Melvang]

Has there been any DCS GBs that had a kit for dvorak layout?

[BlueBär]

Has there been any DCS GBs that had a kit for dvorak layout?

Round 4 seemed to have one: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Doubleshot_Replacements_Round_4#DVORAK_.28Dvorak_layout.29

[vivalarevolución]

Anybody know if the Noppoo Choc Mini still has compatibility problems with Mac?  I might get one for gaming, but I do not want to deal with those compatibility issues.

[CPTBadAss]

Anybody know if the Noppoo Choc Mini still has compatibility problems with Mac?  I might get one for gaming, but I do not want to deal with those compatibility issues.

I think it still has chattering issues regardless of the OS.

[Pacifist]

Anybody know if the Noppoo Choc Mini still has compatibility problems with Mac?  I might get one for gaming, but I do not want to deal with those compatibility issues.

I think it still has chattering issues regardless of the OS.

The new version supposedly fixes that

[vivalarevolución]

Anybody know if the Noppoo Choc Mini still has compatibility problems with Mac?  I might get one for gaming, but I do not want to deal with those compatibility issues.

I think it still has chattering issues regardless of the OS.

Ok thanks.  I probably will opt for a Keycool 84 then.  I am just looking for a compact MX Black board with an arrow cluster that I can do some basic gaming.  I am also considering the Leopold 660M for this purpose, but that keyboard barely represents a space saving compared to the Keycool.

[jdcarpe]

Anybody know if the Noppoo Choc Mini still has compatibility problems with Mac?  I might get one for gaming, but I do not want to deal with those compatibility issues.

I think it still has chattering issues regardless of the OS.

Ok thanks.  I probably will opt for a Keycool 84 then.  I am just looking for a compact MX Black board with an arrow cluster that I can do some basic gaming.  I am also considering the Leopold 660M for this purpose, but that keyboard barely represents a space saving compared to the Keycool.

Keycool 87. The one with genuine Cherry MX switches.

[Photekq]

Can anyone identify the apple keyboards in these photos? Really bad quality, I know.. but it's the best I can do. There's six apple boards there, and two rubberdomes.

Also, I know this isn't the price check thread, but if you happen to know the rough values of these boards it'd be great. If nobody does then I'll just post in the price check thread.

[jdcarpe]

Can anyone identify the apple keyboards in these photos? Really bad quality, I know.. but it's the best I can do. There's six apple boards there, and two rubberdomes.

Also, I know this isn't the price check thread, but if you happen to know the rough values of these boards it'd be great. If nobody does then I'll just post in the price check thread.

Show Image

Looks like there's a M0110 and 3x M0110A there.

[vivalarevolución]

Anybody know if the Noppoo Choc Mini still has compatibility problems with Mac?  I might get one for gaming, but I do not want to deal with those compatibility issues.

I think it still has chattering issues regardless of the OS.

Ok thanks.  I probably will opt for a Keycool 84 then.  I am just looking for a compact MX Black board with an arrow cluster that I can do some basic gaming.  I am also considering the Leopold 660M for this purpose, but that keyboard barely represents a space saving compared to the Keycool.

Keycool 87. The one with genuine Cherry MX switches.

Does the Keycool 84 not have genuine Cherry MX switches?

[Puddsy]

The new keycool boards all use Kalih switches.

[minho]

The new keycool boards all use Kalih switches.

While we're on the topic of Kailh switches, could you just swap out a keyboard with Kailh switches with MX switches and have it be fully functional?

[Puddsy]

good question

I think so, but I'd have to see PCB pictures.

[BlueBär]

While we're on the topic of Kailh switches, could you just swap out a keyboard with Kailh switches with MX switches and have it be fully functional?

Kailh switches should be MX compatible (at least all versions I have seen so far), so yes.

[vivalarevolución]

The new keycool boards all use Kalih switches.

Did not know that.  Thanks.

[CPTBadAss]

Can anyone identify the apple keyboards in these photos? Really bad quality, I know.. but it's the best I can do. There's six apple boards there, and two rubberdomes.

Also, I know this isn't the price check thread, but if you happen to know the rough values of these boards it'd be great. If nobody does then I'll just post in the price check thread.

Show Image

Besides the M0110 and M0110A, there's two M0116 boards. Should either be Salmon or Orange Alps I believe. M0110 is the 60% looking board. M0110 has the J keys. The others with the num pad and the random key on above is the M0116.

[minho]

Do all cherry switches use the same base? (Not counting plate vs PCB mounted). For example, if I have PCB mounted clear switches and plate mounted red switches, could I swap the bases to get plate mounted clear switches and PCB mounted red switches? (Swapping springs anyways so I figured I might as well save myself the work of snipping off the little tabs for now).

[Pacifist]

Do all cherry switches use the same base? (Not counting plate vs PCB mounted). For example, if I have PCB mounted clear switches and plate mounted red switches, could I swap the bases to get plate mounted clear switches and PCB mounted red switches? (Swapping springs anyways so I figured I might as well save myself the work of snipping off the little tabs for now).

yea..

[CPTBadAss]

Do all cherry switches use the same base? (Not counting plate vs PCB mounted). For example, if I have PCB mounted clear switches and plate mounted red switches, could I swap the bases to get plate mounted clear switches and PCB mounted red switches? (Swapping springs anyways so I figured I might as well save myself the work of snipping off the little tabs for now).

Yes, you can do swap as you're suggesting.

[Melvang]

Do all cherry switches use the same base? (Not counting plate vs PCB mounted). For example, if I have PCB mounted clear switches and plate mounted red switches, could I swap the bases to get plate mounted clear switches and PCB mounted red switches? (Swapping springs anyways so I figured I might as well save myself the work of snipping off the little tabs for now).

Just want to add the one exception is MX lock switches, but those are a bit of a rare breed themselves.

[Photekq]

Thanks jd and CPT for the answers

[gustavQ]

Hi guys,

this is a keyboard that it is worth it to buy?

PREH COMMANDER PC-POS C2A12L03G1

Show Image

It would help way more to know what switches are in it. After doing some poking around, it seems they might be MX compatible keycaps, perhaps from WYSE, with the possibility of having the following switches: MX, MY, Keytronic, Slider over rubber dome. If you're not there in person to test it, have someone pull a keycap and take a picture. Just a glance of the top isn't that helpful and I can't recommend you buy it or not buy it until I know more. Posts I gathered information from:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38676.msg750974#msg750974
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38676.0
http://deskthority.net/f-o-r-s-a-l-e-f58/ugly-thin-old-yellowed-doubleshot-mx-compatible-caps-t6039.html
http://deskthority.net/f-o-r-s-a-l-e-f58/ugly-thin-old-yellowed-doubleshot-mx-compatible-caps-t6039.html

I asked the seller to take off the keycap and take a picture of the switches and he sent me this:



It seems that is a rubber dome.

Anyway, I found this ones in my basement: Unitek K-156 and a Amstrad PCW 8256 keyboard. The Unitek have cherry mx black switches.

Having Cherry MX Black switches, is a good thing? I am really a newbie in the keyboard world. What are the difference between the switches black, red, blue, brown?

[BlueBär]

It seems that is a rubber dome.

Anyway, I found this ones in my basement: Unitek K-156 and a Amstrad PCW 8256 keyboard. The Unitek have cherry mx black switches.

Having Cherry MX Black switches, is a good thing? I am really a newbie in the keyboard world. What are the difference between the switches black, red, blue, brown?

Yes that's a rubberdome.

The difference between the switches is their weight and feel. Blacks are fairly heavy and linear (meaning that they go straight down with no bump or anything), Blues are lighter and make a click noise when you press down a key and Browns have a bump you will feel while pressing them down. Reds are just blacks with a lighter spring.
If you like it use it, if not I'm sure you would be able to sell it once you fulfill the requirements for the classifieds

[minho]

When lubing switches, do you normally wipe off the lube that is already there?

Doesn't look like MX Reds are lubed that much by default, but the Clears I bought came with noticeable amounts of lube on the legs already.

[CPTBadAss]

When lubing switches, do you normally wipe off the lube that is already there?

No

[hwood34]

Anyone know what switches were used on old TRS-80's?
edit: just found this picture, they look kinda like m9's

[nubbinator]

Anyone know what switches were used on old TRS-80's?
edit: just found this picture, they look kinda like m9's
(Attachment Link)

Look like  Alps Tee Mount to me.

[hwood34]

Anyone know what switches were used on old TRS-80's?
edit: just found this picture, they look kinda like m9's
(Attachment Link)

Look like  Alps Tee Mount to me.

Ah, that's probably it, thanks

[Puddsy]

Anyone know what switches were used on old TRS-80's?
edit: just found this picture, they look kinda like m9's
(Attachment Link)

definitely tree ALPS

not MX compatible, unfortunately.

[hwood34]

What do the switches feel like (tactility, weight)? Tempted to try them out
And are the rj45 connectors used on keyboards the same you can pick up in the store?

[hwood34]

And also (last one) is there any easy way to tell if a g81 has doubleshot caps? like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cherry-G81-7000LACUS-Beige-keyboard-3-track-magnetic-swipe-/181434526188?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item2a3e5729ec

[Photekq]

And also (last one) is there any easy way to tell if a g81 has doubleshot caps? like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cherry-G81-7000LACUS-Beige-keyboard-3-track-magnetic-swipe-/181434526188?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item2a3e5729ec

Check this out. The first letter after the numbers gives the type of printing. L = lasered, H = doubleshots, S = dyesubs. Although, there are some funny exceptions to this. For example The ESA-3000-HASRO has dyesubs despite the H.

Honestly you can usually tell by eye though. Light grey legends = lasered. Pitch black legends = doubleshots. Very, very, very dark grey (not quite pitch black) = dyesubs.

There are some other dead giveaways too. Lasered keycaps will have the bars on F&J instead of scoops. They will also have 'prt scrt' and 'sys rq' + 'pause' and 'break' on the top of the keycaps. Doubleshots/dyesubs will have scooped F&J, and 'sys rq' + 'break' are side printed.

[CPTBadAss]

What do the switches feel like (tactility, weight)? Tempted to try them out
And are the rj45 connectors used on keyboards the same you can pick up in the store?

I've never tried those particular switches. I'd guess linear but I honestly don't know and I believe those are the RJ45 connectors. You should be able to Teensy it .

[hwood34]

Now I'm seriously considering picking up an Apple M0110. Vintage AND 60%. Doesn't get better than that

[CPTBadAss]

Now I'm seriously considering picking up an Apple M0110. Vintage AND 60%. Doesn't get better than that

I tried one of those before, I really enjoyed how it felt. Linear switches, medium to heavy actuation force, but the travel was a bit shorter than expected. Still, it was quite lovely.

[dorkvader]

Now I'm seriously considering picking up an Apple M0110. Vintage AND 60%. Doesn't get better than that

I tried one of those before, I really enjoyed how it felt. Linear switches, medium to heavy actuation force, but the travel was a bit shorter than expected. Still, it was quite lovely.

It took me some time to get used to tee mount alps the actuation point is very high.

[hwood34]

Aaaaaand bought

[combataran]

Am I allowed to post links to other keyboard forums? There seem to be news(and pics) of a new line of aluminium cases for 80% boards(Oni, Filco, QFR, Ducky TKL compatible) from TEX, available soon on mkb.com, and I don't know if I can post the link here.

[swill]

Trying to get some details on alps as they are a bit harder to understand than MX.

I like mx browns because of the tactility. I will be trying clears soon. I would like blues if it was not for the reset of the click and the actuation point being at different places.

What color alps switches would I like? 

[BlueBär]

Am I allowed to post links to other keyboard forums? There seem to be news(and pics) of a new line of aluminium cases for 80% boards(Oni, Filco, QFR, Ducky TKL compatible) from TEX, available soon on mkb.com, and I don't know if I can post the link here.

Sure, normally there shouldn't be any problem if you don't overdo it and it becomes advertising.

Trying to get some details on alps as they are a bit harder to understand than MX.

I like mx browns because of the tactility. I will be trying clears soon. I would like blues if it was not for the reset of the click and the actuation point being at different places.

What color alps switches would I like?

You should try both the Matias Clicky and Tactile, they're nice switches and you can buy them over at mechanicalkeyboards.com in 5 packs. Alps Clicky switches don't have any hysteresis like clicky MX switches afaik.
If you end up liking the Matias Clicky you should consider getting blue Alps, they're extremly nice but of course harder to get. I can't really give a recommendation for other tactile Alps, but I know there's for example the black Alps which come in good and terrible, depending on their batch, age, use, etc.

[fohat.digs]

Trying to get some details on alps as they are a bit harder to understand than MX.

I like mx browns because of the tactility. I will be trying clears soon. I would like blues if it was not for the reset of the click and the actuation point being at different places.

What color alps switches would I like? 

The 2 "classic old-school" types that I like best are orange/salmon (non-clicky) and blue (rare but wonderful) if you like clicky.

[swill]

Trying to get some details on alps as they are a bit harder to understand than MX.

I like mx browns because of the tactility. I will be trying clears soon. I would like blues if it was not for the reset of the click and the actuation point being at different places.

What color alps switches would I like? 

The 2 "classic old-school" types that I like best are orange/salmon (non-clicky) and blue (rare but wonderful) if you like clicky.

Are orange and salmon the same switch? I have seen both descriptions come up. I think some of the old apple extended II keyboard had salmon (I think).

Any good options for blue alps donner boards? If I find blue alps, do I have to watch out for fakes of some kind?

Thanks Blue for your answer as well.