Which Unicomp BS kb should I buy?

[zig_ziglar]

I really love the 80's spaceship cockpit look of the PC 122 5250, but I'm pretty sure most of the extra keys simply send key combinations of the standard 104 layout (ie F13 = Shift F1), which is dramatically off-putting if my assumption is correct (awaiting email response from Unicomp).

Otherwise I'm pretty keen on a Classic 101 in white. I am a little confused about the photography of these "white boards" though as they vary from brilliant white to Gray from photo to photo. - Can anyone clarify the actual colour I could expect?


Cheers

[Snarfangel]

I really love the 80's spaceship cockpit look of the PC 122 5250, but I'm pretty sure most of the extra keys simply send key combinations of the standard 104 layout (ie F13 = Shift F1), which is dramatically off-putting if my assumption is correct (awaiting email response from Unicomp).

Otherwise I'm pretty keen on a Classic 101 in white. I am a little confused about the photography of these "white boards" though as they vary from brilliant white to Gray from photo to photo. - Can anyone clarify the actual colour I could expect?


Cheers

Well, here is my Unicomp keyboard, but be advised that your color may be slightly different.

[Snarfangel]

Which reminds me, it's time to give my keys a wipedown. I've been using it every day at work for over a year.   )

[zig_ziglar]

Nice! So white IS white then. Hey, did Unicomp print blue on white and supply inverse modifiers or were they obtained from a third party?! Looks spectacular!

[Snarfangel]

Nice! So white IS white then. Hey, did Unicomp print blue on white and supply inverse modifiers or were they obtained from a third party?! Looks spectacular!

It was actually in their bargain bin. I bought it for under $70 with shipping. I smile every time I clickety clack away on it, and it's as solid as a brick.

But since it was in their bargain bin (and probably hanging around for a few years before then), I can't speak to the shades of color they have now. And I haven't seen blue offered from them on another keyboard, though it really is an attractive color.

[alosec]

Nice! So white IS white then. Hey, did Unicomp print blue on white and supply inverse modifiers or were they obtained from a third party?! Looks spectacular!

It was actually in their bargain bin. I bought it for under $70 with shipping. I smile every time I clickety clack away on it, and it's as solid as a brick.

But since it was in their bargain bin (and probably hanging around for a few years before then), I can't speak to the shades of color they have now. And I haven't seen blue offered from them on another keyboard, though it really is an attractive color.

did you actually attend Kentucky?

[Snarfangel]

Nice! So white IS white then. Hey, did Unicomp print blue on white and supply inverse modifiers or were they obtained from a third party?! Looks spectacular!

It was actually in their bargain bin. I bought it for under $70 with shipping. I smile every time I clickety clack away on it, and it's as solid as a brick.

But since it was in their bargain bin (and probably hanging around for a few years before then), I can't speak to the shades of color they have now. And I haven't seen blue offered from them on another keyboard, though it really is an attractive color.

did you actually attend Kentucky?

Ha! No, but my college actually had blue and white for its colors. I got it because I liked the color scheme and wanted a BS keyboard. It was well worth the price for the fun of typing on it.

[aref]

I really love the 80's spaceship cockpit look of the PC 122 5250, but I'm pretty sure most of the extra keys simply send key combinations of the standard 104 layout (ie F13 = Shift F1), which is dramatically off-putting if my assumption is correct (awaiting email response from Unicomp).

Otherwise I'm pretty keen on a Classic 101 in white. I am a little confused about the photography of these "white boards" though as they vary from brilliant white to Gray from photo to photo. - Can anyone clarify the actual colour I could expect?


Cheers

The PC 122 5250 is a big keyboard. Are you sure you want that much KB? I've got a Ultra Classic in black with gray keys. It has about five hours on it. If you want it, I'll give it to you for $60 including shipping, which will be between $20 and $25 USPS Prioirty. The KB is like new. If you're interested, let me know and I'll take a few photos and post them.

[CPTBadAss]

Well, here is my Unicomp keyboard, but be advised that your color may be slightly different.

That's beautiful T_T.

I want those caps something fierce.

[fohat.digs]

It was actually in their bargain bin.

I waffled on these for over a year, and finally decided to buy less than 48 hours after the last one was gone!

[zig_ziglar]

I really love the 80's spaceship cockpit look of the PC 122 5250, but I'm pretty sure most of the extra keys simply send key combinations of the standard 104 layout (ie F13 = Shift F1), which is dramatically off-putting if my assumption is correct (awaiting email response from Unicomp).

Otherwise I'm pretty keen on a Classic 101 in white. I am a little confused about the photography of these "white boards" though as they vary from brilliant white to Gray from photo to photo. - Can anyone clarify the actual colour I could expect?



Cheers

The PC 122 5250 is a big keyboard. Are you sure you want that much KB? I've got a Ultra Classic in black with gray keys. It has about five hours on it. If you want it, I'll give it to you for $60 including shipping, which will be between $20 and $25 USPS Prioirty. The KB is like new. If you're interested, let me know and I'll take a few photos and post them.

You know I'm in Australia, right? If so, then deal!

I know the Pc 122 5250 is gigantic, but that isn't a problem at my office workstation. If the extra keys aren't sent to the OS as unique keystrokes, then I'm not keen, but if they are all individually bind-able, then I definitely am! I guess I'll see what Unicomp have to say. Maybe their custom keyboard options have a model that is what I need.

Not to take away from my interest in your offer! Moar keyboards!

[fohat.digs]

I know the Pc 122 5250 is gigantic, but that isn't a problem at my office workstation.

Be patient and get an F-122 with Soarer's Converter.

Then you can program your key setup into the Teensy itself and flail away on a real keyboard.

Now, if I could only remap a couple of keys to left- and right- mouse clicks, I would really be happy!

[zig_ziglar]

I know the Pc 122 5250 is gigantic, but that isn't a problem at my office workstation.

Be patient and get an F-122 with Soarer's Converter.

Then you can program your key setup into the Teensy itself and flail away on a real keyboard.

Now, if I could only remap a couple of keys to left- and right- mouse clicks, I would really be happy!

Please explain? I love keyboards, but I'm not much of a geek 

[fohat.digs]

Please explain? I love keyboards, but I'm not much of a geek

The Model F is the great-grandaddy of buckling springs. The Model M was an attempt to dramatically cheapen it all around. Nobody who has ever typed on a Model F will say that a Model M feels better, although many use them because they have a "conventional" layout.

You would not have to do the mod I described unless you wanted an ANSI-like layout:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.msg1122437#msg1122437

[thestage]

I really love the 80's spaceship cockpit look of the PC 122 5250, but I'm pretty sure most of the extra keys simply send key combinations of the standard 104 layout (ie F13 = Shift F1), which is dramatically off-putting if my assumption is correct (awaiting email response from Unicomp).

Otherwise I'm pretty keen on a Classic 101 in white. I am a little confused about the photography of these "white boards" though as they vary from brilliant white to Gray from photo to photo. - Can anyone clarify the actual colour I could expect?


Cheers

Well, here is my Unicomp keyboard, but be advised that your color may be slightly different.

Damn, that looks really nice.  You're making me want cool modifier color options for my Model M

[fohat.digs]

You're making me want cool modifier color options for my Model M

Unicomp sells the "RGB" kit for about $12

They will sell you any key in any color for about $1.50 each

[zig_ziglar]

Please explain? I love keyboards, but I'm not much of a geek

The Model F is the great-grandaddy of buckling springs. The Model M was an attempt to dramatically cheapen it all around. Nobody who has ever typed on a Model F will say that a Model M feels better, although many use them because they have a "conventional" layout.

You would not have to do the mod I described unless you wanted an ANSI-like layout:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.msg1122437#msg1122437

I would be happy with the vintage layout with the L shaped enter ... that being said, if I could obtain model like this one http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RARE-IBM-1386887-Model-M-Keyboard-122-key-5-Pin-Din-Connector-6-Feb-1995-/261446859332?pt=Keyboard_Mice_Bundles&hash=item3cdf727a44&_uhb=1, what would I need to make it work with fully mapable 122 keys?

Cheers

[fohat.digs]

what would I need to make it work

Soarer's opus gives you far more than you ever need to know:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.0

The "modern" M-122s, like what you linked, are probably equivalent to whatever Unicomp sells today, but I have never owned a post-IBM one. As far as I have seen, all 122s have ISO style Enter keys.

Model Fs are far more rare and pricey, although prices seem to have dropped in recent weeks (in the US at least).

Buckling spring prices spiked late last year and early this year, now they seem somewhat depressed. If you prefer vintage gear to new, now might be a good time to buy.

[Hak Foo]

Please explain? I love keyboards, but I'm not much of a geek

The Model F is the great-grandaddy of buckling springs. The Model M was an attempt to dramatically cheapen it all around. Nobody who has ever typed on a Model F will say that a Model M feels better, although many use them because they have a "conventional" layout.

You would not have to do the mod I described unless you wanted an ANSI-like layout:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.msg1122437#msg1122437

I disagree.  Every F I've used has an annoying "twangy" resonance the M lacks.

[thestage]

You're making me want cool modifier color options for my Model M

Unicomp sells the "RGB" kit for about $12

They will sell you any key in any color for about $1.50 each

outside of the RGB, they won't sell modifiers. only 1x keys

[fohat.digs]

I disagree.  Every F I've used has an annoying "twangy" resonance the M lacks.

I think I agree with you.

I used the word "feel" and not the word "sound" because I think that the F feels "alive" while the M feels "dead"

The sound of the stock F is quite annoying and I have done the floss mod on every one I own. With that, it is perfect.

The floss mod is not nearly as satisfying on a Model M.

[CPTBadAss]

I like the sound of my 6019284. Sounds like a machine gun and all twangy. Like a banjo hit a Maxim )

[0100010]

You're making me want cool modifier color options for my Model M

Unicomp sells the "RGB" kit for about $12

They will sell you any key in any color for about $1.50 each

outside of the RGB, they won't sell modifiers. only 1x keys

Says who?  Unicomp sold me all of the blank blue modifiers on my board.

[dorkvader]

I like the sound of my 6019284. Sounds like a machine gun and all twangy. Like a banjo hit a Maxim )

you need a pingmaster keyboard then.

[thestage]

You're making me want cool modifier color options for my Model M

Unicomp sells the "RGB" kit for about $12

They will sell you any key in any color for about $1.50 each

outside of the RGB, they won't sell modifiers. only 1x keys

Says who?  Unicomp sold me all of the blank blue modifiers on my board.

really?

their website <a href="http://pckeyboard.com/page/Buttons/PRK">says</a> "multi-wide keys currently not available."  I guess that just means they don't have any in stock, but should again in the future?  I should email them.

[mougrim]

By the way, you can get from Unicomp an 122-key board which sends unique keystrokes for each key pressed, not combination. But you need to order it in keyboard configurator. And look here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=19024.0

[zig_ziglar]

That thread went over my head, man. Also unicomp replied and just linked the keymapping pdf, so their advice is essentially that they are not unique scancodes...

[mougrim]

That thread went over my head, man. Also unicomp replied and just linked the keymapping pdf, so their advice is essentially that they are not unique scancodes...

There are few versions of 122-key boards. Some of them send unique codes, some of them - key combinations.

[zig_ziglar]

That being the case, so strange that Unicomp did not point that out! Which version exactly sends unique codes? And what do you need to do for the OS, including games, to recognise them?

[zig_ziglar]

Here is the link to that pdf: http://support.pckeyboard.com/download_attachment.php?kb_att=48

[mougrim]

That's for PC/5250, with USB.
For keyboard with unique scancodes you need Terminal or Emulator version of 5250, - I'm not exactly sure which - selected here http://pckeyboard.com/page/KBDCFG/KBDCFG

They don't have it in stock, but they can build one for you.
But - there are no USB version for this kind of boards and not all usb convertors support additional scancodes.

[0100010]

really?

their website <a href="http://pckeyboard.com/page/Buttons/PRK">says</a> "multi-wide keys currently not available."  I guess that just means they don't have any in stock, but should again in the future?  I should email them.

Yes, cannot order directly from the site - open a support ticket with them, telling them specifically what you would like.  They will reply if they have it available, and how much.  Then you can place an order from the site, using one of the custom fee options, referencing the ticket.

[zig_ziglar]

Thanks for the reply. It's confusing to me if I send an enquiry to them asking about unique scancodes on 122 keyboards that they wouldn't mention that they have a different custom board available. Instead, they respond exclusively in relation to the stock standard pc122 ... Maybe they can't be bothered?

In any case, I re-opened that ticket and asked more specific questions about other models etc

[mougrim]

Good luck to you. They answered you about their common model they have in stock, because other variants are only can be custom ordered.

[zig_ziglar]

Good luck to you. They answered you about their common model they have in stock, because other variants are only can be custom ordered.

I get that, but why assume I wouldn't want to pay $10 extra to get what I want?! That I don't get. Anyway... if I need "luck" to get a response to a genuine sales enquiry, then they will need luck to obtain my custom again.

[0100010]

I get that, but why assume I wouldn't want to pay $10 extra to get what I want?! That I don't get. Anyway... if I need "luck" to get a response to a genuine sales enquiry, then they will need luck to obtain my custom again.

Maybe this thread will help : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47999

[zig_ziglar]

They replied stating "The Emulator 122 - 3270 does transmit unique codes for every key. It is a PS2 keyboard and you will need a driver to use the extra, non-stadard scan codes. We do not provide drivers for any of our keyboards."

So, the next question is obvious ... I started another thread about it, but if anyone viewing this one knows where one might obtain such drivers to suit Windows 7, please share!

[zig_ziglar]

I get that, but why assume I wouldn't want to pay $10 extra to get what I want?! That I don't get. Anyway... if I need "luck" to get a response to a genuine sales enquiry, then they will need luck to obtain my custom again.

Maybe this thread will help : http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47999

Re-reading that thread just leaves me more confused than before. I'm no Geek, I just like the 122 layout and Buckling Springs!

[fohat.digs]

Re-reading that thread just leaves me more confused than before. I'm no Geek, I just like the 122 layout and Buckling Springs!

Soarer's Converter/Teensy has always worked for me, but it was always IBM iron, not the new stuff.

[mougrim]

Re-reading that thread just leaves me more confused than before. I'm no Geek, I just like the 122 layout and Buckling Springs!

Soarer's Converter/Teensy has always worked for me, but it was always IBM iron, not the new stuff.

I think it's don't matter as long as it's PS/2. You can get or make external Soarer's convertor, if you don't want tinkering with the insides

[zig_ziglar]

So let me get this straight. I buy a Unicomp Emulator 122 5250 with PS2 plug then buy the Soarer thingo and plug the keyboard into it then that into the PC and it will run in Windows 7 with all 122 keys being unique strokes? Like my OS will know F13-F24 exist and when mapping keys in games or Autohotkey etc all the extra buttons will be available as additional keys?

[zig_ziglar]

What about this  M 122? It has like an RJ45 connector though ... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IBM-Keyboard-Part-no-92G9006-Made-20-SEP-94-Model-M-/331180882249?pt=AU_Computers_Vintage&hash=item4d1beb3949&_uhb=1

[mougrim]

There are no ready Soarer's convertors - but you can build one, or order one built for you. And yes, you can use it with this M-122. But it will involve a lot of soldering.

[fohat.digs]

What about this  M 122? It has like an RJ45 connector though ... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IBM-Keyboard-Part-no-92G9006-Made-20-SEP-94-Model-M-/331180882249?pt=AU_Computers_Vintage&hash=item4d1beb3949&_uhb=1

You can set up a Teensy/Soarer with no soldering at all, although the soldering route is usually better and more permanent. For the basic Teensy, there are only 4 wires to connect, although it can take some work and time to figure out exactly which 4 .....

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.250

In post #901 of that thread I showed a connector I made to take the M-122 terminal plug to a male AT plug, which is what my outboard Teensy accepts.