Got 5 Data911 Boards, any ideas what I should do w/ them?

[HalfSharkAlligator]

I happened across 5 Data911 TG3 boards which are durable compact boards w/ MX blacks and unique double layer caps.  Here is more info:  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=20454.0

Each switch has a red LED.  I have five of them, so I could feasibly keep one, maybe mod one, and part out the others.  Would it be worth desoldering and selling the switches separately?  Or, what custom board might I make from these? 

Just looking for ideas... 

[suicidal_orange]

Switches are switches and you would have a lot so could make anything, assuming you like blacks.  Blacks aren't particularly popular and with the Gateron GB in full swing the market for switches is pretty much saturated, so not a good time to desolder them with the hope of selling.

Is there much space in the housing for a bluetooth mod?  They look great for HTPC use...

I would say sell me one but international shipping on an over-engineered board would not be cheap  

Maybe put them up for trade here and see what offers you get?

[HalfSharkAlligator]

Maybe put them up for trade here and see what offers you get?

Not a bad idea.  You're right the new Gaterons will definitely bring down the demand for blacks even quasi-vintage blacks like these (~'02). I'm going to start a separate thread FS/FT in the classifieds. 

Anyone else have any ideas on projects or hacks for these?  Or, projects using the switches or parts?  The board has MX Blacks circa '02-ish, and omron switches for the mouse buttons. The switches have red LED's which could be interesting for some folks.

I was going to try using the switches in an Infinity board on MD right now but it doesn't appear to support LEDs, and sourcing a keycap set for LED keys would be challenging anyway due to the layout on that board (there is a standard layout option but it really just gives you standard-sized keys on the bottom row, there are other non-standard keys on that board).

[Defect]

Did yours come with rubber splash guards?




BTW, besides the terrible layout, I LOVE my Data911.  If it had a better layout and at least 6KRO, might be my favorite stock board.  Clears sound nice in them, so do blues.  Sometimes the trackpad gets in the way...but other times is pretty nice to have (when casually browsing through applications)

[HalfSharkAlligator]

Did yours come with rubber splash guards?

yes

[Defect]

Did yours come with rubber splash guards?

yes

Cut 'em up and place them on different boards.  They are loads of fun.

Then turn a couple DATA911's into switch testers, and 1 or 2 into daily drivers. 

[CPTBadAss]

I'd keep two. Mod one to have the switches you like. Keep one to do something crazy with like bluetooth and switch tester maybe? Then sell the other 3. I actually really like the layout and the splashguard so I use mine as is haha. nice find! I think they're an underrated board

[HalfSharkAlligator]

Cut 'em up and place them on different boards.  They are loads of fun.

Then turn a couple DATA911's into switch testers, and 1 or 2 into daily drivers. 

The poor man's Topre 

I have an FC660C and the rubber dome definitely has a similar property to it.

[Puddsy]

I'd keep two. Mod one to have the switches you like. Keep one to do something crazy with like bluetooth and switch tester maybe? Then sell the other 3. I actually really like the layout and the splashguard so I use mine as is haha. nice find! I think they're an underrated board

basically this

there's a lot you can do as far as modding goes for most boards

could be fun

[cptmullet]

I keep one around in my car (it nerd) and it's really usefull, but the layout simply doesn't work well for me. If I was sitting on 5 I'd sell them and maybe get back into the swing of soldering