can I ask whats so special about this board and its switches?
They last pretty much for evar.
Now, I'd check to see exactly what kind of hall effect switches they are using. Certain RAFI hall effects use an inverted dome instead of a linear spring. Sorta meh to type on.
I'm not really that interested as I have lots of hall effect keyboards myself. But it would may interesting to see if you could source switches depending on the type.
Thanks for the input HaaTa; I know that you sold some Hall Effect numpads a while back, so you've got some experience with these kinds of switches. Here's the research I've got on these specific keyboards. Here's what I've found:
This page:
http://www.rafi.de/RS-76-full-travel-keyswitches.165.0.html?&L=1 states:
RAFI PCB keyswitches, full-travel system RS 76 and keylock switch for PCB
The RS76 series offers a complete modular system for mounting high-quality full-travel systems (key stroke 4 mm) in a ¾ inch grid with an overall height of 15.5 or 15.9 mm.
Two different contact systems are available:
A high-quality gold alloy is used in the RS76M. It offers high contact reliability combined with low contact resistances and short bounce times.
A contactless Hall-based contact system is used in the RS76C. This allows bounce-free and wear-free switching with an unrivalled service life, also in difficult environmental conditions.
Still not sure if these are the subpar Hall Effect keyswitches you are referring to, so following to their online catalog here:
http://shop.rafi.de/productgroup.php?pgsn=312&pgid=450&chaptersn=4688&chapterid=450&dbtype=Chapter&chash=b16fa9
it states:
Solid-state contact system RS 76 C
The solid-state switch in Hall-IC technology ensures bounce-free and wear-free switching and a long operating life. Function: When pressing the keys, a permanent magnet changes its position relative to the Hall-IC and thereby generates an output signal. Their use is especially recommended in hostile environments and for heavy duty applications.
There's a RS 76 M which is referred to as a mechanical gold-contact switch, maybe that's the one you encountered? Going a bit deeper, I find a PDF describing the switch itself, here:
http://shop.rafi.de/img/pdf/en/4-126--4-130-2012.pdfFrom that PDF, this diagram, found on page 2:
That's the RS 76 C (Hall Effect)
That's the RS 76 M (Mechanical)
HaaTa, or anyone else who is more of an expert, can you shed some light on this? Are these the good Hall Effect switches, or the bad ones? Webwit over at DT purchased the keyboard above, but he has not received it yet. I PM'd the seller for some more information on the 'board, and asked Webwit about it in the sale thread. So hopefully we'll find out more about this 'board. It was described as being like a Vintage MX Black, super-smooth keyfeel and very, very longlasting. It's tantalizing to me, to think that there could be a bunch of these just sitting on a shelf somewhere at RAFI's warehouse.
The last PDF also indicates that the keycaps are ABS, possibly doubleshots. They look somewhat similar to SP's DSA profile.