« previous next »
Pages:  [1]     Go Down

Author Topic: WTF - What the F.....Filco!  (Read 10853 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline sixty

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 984
    • http://deskthority.net
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« on: Fri, 31 July 2009, 20:41:05 »
I was just browsing for the daily Keyboard porn on kbdmania and came across these interesting Filco models. While I was only kidding when I mentioned a possible new Filco corporate identity, this stuff actually gets pretty close!

I am assuming what we see below might be considered as the sins of the Filco youth, since both boards seem to be at least 10 years old.

Filco SMK-8851




This board is without a question the most awesome Filco product ever. The guy who bought it was saying that its really annoying to type on since the shape of the dinosaur always gets in your way while typing and the tiny spacebar shifted to the left left makes it impossible to use for him since he hits space with his right hand.

Filco FKB-97S





Now this one is more interesting.. it might be Filcos only dedicated Mac product? This one uses real ALPS whites and even uses a font similar to the original AEK font. The buyer was saying that despite the Japanese layout its really nice to type on.

I think the board looks very close to the clear Macally 96 model.. maybe that was a Diatec/Filco OEM after all? I would probably attempt to hunt down the 2nd board since it looks like a decent board to use on my mac.. if only it wasn't for this bright pink color!

All credit for the pictures goes to chu uk (추억) from KBDMania.
« Last Edit: Fri, 31 July 2009, 21:10:26 by sixty »
Logged

Offline D-EJ915

  • Posts: 489
  • Location: USA
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 31 July 2009, 22:08:45 »
I want that clear keyboard now, RIGHT NOW!!!  Anybody have any idea where I could buy one?  Aside from a few key differences the layout is the same as the MK96


Also the bottom row on that dino keyboard scares me.
« Last Edit: Fri, 31 July 2009, 22:12:10 by D-EJ915 »
Logged

Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 896
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 31 July 2009, 22:46:14 »
Yea if it was not for the bottom row on that dino board I would go out and see if I could find one of those. My son would love it.
Logged
Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline msiegel

  • Posts: 1230
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 01 August 2009, 01:05:15 »
real ALPS?!
those are crazy, man! craaaaaazy!! XD
Logged

Filco Zero (Fukka) AEKII sliders and keycaps * Filco Tenkeyless MX brown * IBM F/AT parts: modding
Model F Mod Log * Open Source Generic keyboard controller

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #4 on: Sat, 01 August 2009, 09:06:43 »
That somehow seems like a waste of a perfectly good 'golf ball'...
Logged

Offline Mercen_505

  • Posts: 200
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 01 August 2009, 09:38:19 »
A White ALPS Filco?! WoooOW... color me surprised.
Logged

Offline JulienC

  • Posts: 73
  • Location: Montreal, Canada
  • Esc Artist
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 02 August 2009, 19:55:01 »
Why would a dinosaur eat itself ?
« Last Edit: Wed, 09 October 2013, 11:49:30 by JulienC »
Logged

HHKB

Offline Rajagra

  • Posts: 1930
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 02 August 2009, 20:05:49 »
Quote from: JulienC;106280
Why would a dinosaur eat itself ?


Out of self-loathing, because of its tiny ... space bar.
Logged

Offline timw4mail

  • Posts: 1329
    • https://timshomepage.net
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 02 August 2009, 20:15:50 »
I want those translucent keycaps...
Logged
Buckling Springs IBM Model F AT, New Model F 77, Unicomp New Model M
Clicky iOne Scorpius M10, OCN-branded Ducky DK-9008-C, Blackmore Nocturna, Redragon Kumara K552-1, Qtronix Scorpius Keypad, Chicony KB-5181(Monterey)
Tactile Apple AEKII (Cream damped ALPS), Filco FKBN91M/JB (Japanese Tenkeyless), Cherry G84-5200, Cherry G84-4100LPAUS, Datalux Spacesaver(Cherry ML), Redragon Devarajas K556 RGB, Newmen GM711, Poker II (Cherry MX Clear), Logitech G910 Orion Spark, Logitech K840
Linear Lenovo Y (Gateron Red), Aluminum kiosk keyboard (Cherry MX Black)

Offline lal

  • Posts: 360
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 03 August 2009, 02:49:00 »
Quote from: ripster;105998
OK, so for you Alps fans, are these so called REAL (original) complicated Alps switches still being manufactured or not?


No, Alps has been out of the switch business for quite some time already.  Search for Chloe's posts about Alps history and related companys for some deep insight.  I've forgotten most details.

Quote
Where did Filco get them from?


Either this pink keyboard was made when Alps was still producing them or they used leftover stock.
Logged
BS: Customizer, Model Ms; Alps: CSK-2101, FK-2002, AT-101 (SGI & Dell), MCK-860, FKBN87Z/EB; Cherry: Poker X, FKBN87MC/EB, WY60, G80-3000, G84-4100, TDV 5010

Offline sixty

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 984
    • http://deskthority.net
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 03 August 2009, 03:23:52 »
Quote from: lal;106343
No, Alps has been out of the switch business for quite some time already.  Search for Chloe's posts about Alps history and related companys for some deep insight.  I've forgotten most details.

Either this pink keyboard was made when Alps was still producing them or they used leftover stock.


Yep. As stated in my original post both of these boards seem to be at least 10 years old, probably older (judging by the MacOS logo.. and the promotion of Windows95).
Logged

Offline namelessguy

  • Posts: 51
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 03 August 2009, 08:52:45 »
Quote from: sixty;105958
I would probably attempt to hunt down the 2nd board since it looks like a decent board to use on my mac.. if only it wasn't for this bright pink color!

I've just seen a used FKB-97S (green) on sale at a Japanese online used PC store, in case you are really interested in that old ADB board.
URL:  muraoka.ocnk.net/product-list/50
Logged

Offline sixty

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 984
    • http://deskthority.net
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 05 August 2009, 22:08:51 »
Now check this out!




I wonder now which was the original.. Filco or the Taiwanese one? FCC ID reveals its a Strongman OEM.
Pictures from alps.tw
Logged

Offline Rajagra

  • Posts: 1930
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 06 August 2009, 10:10:59 »
Quote from: sixty;107355
Show Image


Am I the only one who thinks that board has a great wrist rest, and the handle is genius? Combined with the different coloured keys, I'd say that makes a better gaming keyboard than 90% of keyboards sold for gaming.
Logged

Offline JBert

  • Posts: 764
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 06 August 2009, 18:19:27 »
Quote from: Rajagra;107462
Am I the only one who thinks that board has a great wrist rest, and the handle is genius? Combined with the different coloured keys, I'd say that makes a better gaming keyboard than 90% of keyboards sold for gaming.
I wonder what those feet would for your wrists when you put them to rest on it.
Logged
IBM Model F XT + Soarer's USB Converter || Cherry G80-3000/Clears

The storage list:
IBM Model F AT || Cherry G80-3000/Blues || Compaq MX11800 (Cherry brown, bizarre layout) || IBM KB-8923 (model M-style RD) || G81-3010 Hxx || BTC 5100C || G81-3000 Sxx || Atari keyboard (?)

Currently ignored by: nobody?

Disclaimer: we don\'t help you save money on [strike]keyboards[/strike] hardware, rather we make you feel less bad about your expense.[/SIZE]

Offline Bollwerk

  • Posts: 106
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 06 August 2009, 18:21:53 »
Wouldn't it look awesome, if the case would be like the current black Filco-Boards instead? I somehow like all the colors.^^
Logged
\\Cherry:
*G80-1800, G80-3700, G80-1000, G80-1501, G80-2550,
*G81-8308, G81-1800, G81-1000, G84-4100, G84-4700

\\Others:
*Chicony E8H5IKKB-5162
*Mtek FKF456K-104
*Filco FKBN87M/EB

Offline timw4mail

  • Posts: 1329
    • https://timshomepage.net
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 06 August 2009, 19:43:21 »
Has anybody actually found one of those for sale? That would be an amusing addition to anyone's keyboard collection.
Logged
Buckling Springs IBM Model F AT, New Model F 77, Unicomp New Model M
Clicky iOne Scorpius M10, OCN-branded Ducky DK-9008-C, Blackmore Nocturna, Redragon Kumara K552-1, Qtronix Scorpius Keypad, Chicony KB-5181(Monterey)
Tactile Apple AEKII (Cream damped ALPS), Filco FKBN91M/JB (Japanese Tenkeyless), Cherry G84-5200, Cherry G84-4100LPAUS, Datalux Spacesaver(Cherry ML), Redragon Devarajas K556 RGB, Newmen GM711, Poker II (Cherry MX Clear), Logitech G910 Orion Spark, Logitech K840
Linear Lenovo Y (Gateron Red), Aluminum kiosk keyboard (Cherry MX Black)

Offline Bollwerk

  • Posts: 106
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #17 on: Fri, 07 August 2009, 02:27:13 »
Going on LAN-Party with that would be the best. xD
Logged
\\Cherry:
*G80-1800, G80-3700, G80-1000, G80-1501, G80-2550,
*G81-8308, G81-1800, G81-1000, G84-4100, G84-4700

\\Others:
*Chicony E8H5IKKB-5162
*Mtek FKF456K-104
*Filco FKBN87M/EB

Offline ricercar

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 1697
  • Location: Silicon Valley
  • mostly abides
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 25 December 2009, 16:04:56 »
Quote from: JulienC;106280
Why would a dinosaur eat itself ?


That's no dinosaur, it's a baby Ourobouros, midgard serpent, the WorldWyrm, and it was aiming for its tail.

Logged
I trolled Geekhack and all I got was an eponymous SPOS.

Offline sandy55

  • Posts: 201
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #19 on: Sat, 26 December 2009, 16:33:06 »
Filco is not a keyboard manufacturer. They buy boards from Strongman , Costar, Ortec and other manufacturers.
These dinosaur boards were made by Strongman.
Don't know about translucent board. Whites on the board are your beloved Fukkas with alps logo, most likely.
Logged

Offline maxlugar

  • Posts: 379
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #20 on: Sun, 27 December 2009, 01:24:16 »
Quote from: sandy55;145418
Filco is not a keyboard manufacturer. They buy boards from Strongman , Costar, Ortec and other manufacturers.
These dinosaur boards were made by Strongman.
Don't know about translucent board. Whites on the board are your beloved Fukkas with alps logo, most likely.


Sandy, Fukkas may be beloved to some of the geekhackers, but not to everyone.  I believe the Fukkas are clearly inferior to the original complicated ALPS key switches.

There is simply no comparison to the typing feel between Fukka key switch boards like the Filco Zero or the DSI ASK-6600U next to my 20 year old Northgate Omnikey 102.  The Fukka boards are clicky, but the keystrokes feel hollow and unsatisfying.

On the other hand, the 20 year old Omnikey 102 is very ugly, but it is a pleasure to type on.  The superior typing experience is probabaly a combination of the genunine complicated ALPS key switches and solid build quality.  I believe the key caps are double shot also.
Logged
Emperor of the IBM 84-key AT Model F Darkside

Offline sandy55

  • Posts: 201
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #21 on: Sun, 27 December 2009, 07:25:35 »
Webwit, did you receive rely from me?
I sent an reply msg to you and ch_123 but I can't find those PMs in my sent box.
Wondering if those messages were actually sent or not.
Logged

Offline sandy55

  • Posts: 201
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #22 on: Sun, 27 December 2009, 09:49:51 »
Quote from: webwit;145540
Yes, got your reply :) First your hard disk, now geekhack pm's...it must be some sort of conspiracy against you!

Checked my option setting. Mine was wrong actually.
It was my fault unless anybody forced me to do so with his psychokinetic power.
« Last Edit: Sun, 27 December 2009, 19:54:31 by sandy55 »
Logged

Offline ricercar

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 1697
  • Location: Silicon Valley
  • mostly abides
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #23 on: Sun, 27 December 2009, 10:31:58 »
Quote from: webwit;145572
pout Ok, I shall no longer change sandy's settings using psychokinesis. Bah, I think I'll focus instead on the rivets of your ibm mini.


Um, then why do you use a keyboard any more?
Logged
I trolled Geekhack and all I got was an eponymous SPOS.

Offline Rajagra

  • Posts: 1930
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #24 on: Sun, 27 December 2009, 22:06:24 »
Quote from: webwit;145579
They would never suspect a crippled man.

Show Image

I did because I knew who had won the Oscar by the time I watched the film.

Think about that. They gave him an Oscar for convincingly acting as character A when he was really acting as character B pretending to be character A. Such genius.

In fact, he just acted as character A.
D'oh! :doh:
Logged

Offline ak_nala

  • Posts: 160
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #25 on: Mon, 28 December 2009, 02:01:42 »
Quote from: webwit;145574
Btw, Sandy did you ever try a beam spring keyboard? I wonder how you'd rate it compared to, say, a Model F. I think it shames the later IBM switches :)


I absolutely agree. Beam springs are sublime.

M's are workmanlike, F's are delightful, but beam springs (E's?) are in a league of their own.

They very much feel like a no-compromise mechanism - the momentary keyswitch perfected. Even the sound is near pitch-perfect - no real ping (there is a slight noise where the ping would be, but barely there) and the click is much lower pitched than an F or M. I don't have original hardware to hook it to, so can't say what it would be like with the speaker powered up, but at the purely switch level they are also much quieter.

They just feel and sound "right".

And love the cupped, double-shot, smoothly sculpted keys :)
« Last Edit: Mon, 28 December 2009, 03:52:06 by ak_nala »
Logged
No matter where you go, there you are...

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #26 on: Mon, 28 December 2009, 06:03:32 »
I think you can hear them towards the end of this video -

Link.
Logged

Offline keyb_gr

  • Posts: 1384
  • Location: Germany
  • Cherrified user
    • My keyboard page (German)
WTF - What the F.....Filco!
« Reply #27 on: Mon, 28 December 2009, 07:09:54 »
Sounds like a cross between a Model M and a PS/2 P70 keyboard.
Logged
Hardware in signatures clutters Google search results. There should be a field in the profile for that (again).

This message was probably typed on a vintage G80-3000 with blues. Double-shots, baby. :D
Pages:  [1]     Go Up
« previous next »