Author Topic: Should I get this board?  (Read 1589 times)

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Offline KaminKevCrew

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Should I get this board?
« on: Sat, 24 October 2015, 14:13:53 »
This keyboard is a DEC LK201. I know from deskthority.net that it's a membrane board, but it has a spring under each switch, similar to a topre (so far as I can tell) and it has the most solid, and linear feel of any membrane board I've ever seen. Is it worth picking up?

Oh, also there's an IBM type writer here that looks like it uses a model f for the board, it's $10. Is that worth taking apart and trying to do something with the board, or would that not work?

Offline Findecanor

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 24 October 2015, 16:54:07 »
From all that I have heard, the LK201 has a horrible key feel. It talks DEC's old proprietary protocol.

Do get the typewriter if you would want a buckling spring keyboard in that layout. It does probably have flippers and membrane like the Model M though, not Model F innards.
Sethstorm has converted a similar one with a Teensy.
🍉

Offline SamirD

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 25 October 2015, 19:40:23 »
If you like the DEC and can use it, why not?

Those typewriters are what we used in high school.  It was a really nice feel.  For the trouble of converting one of those to be used with a computer, I'd just get a F or M and leave the typewriter be.

Offline 1391406

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 25 October 2015, 20:26:07 »
Which Wheelwriter is that? Some are worth pretty good coin.
Unicomp Classic | Chicony KB-5181 (Monterey Blues) | IBM Model M (1391401) | IBM XT Model F | IBM AT Model F | Dell AT101W | 122-key IBM Model F
IBM Model M13 | Apple Extended Keyboard | Apple Extended Keyboard II | MTEK K104 | NTC KB-6251/2 | Realforce 87U | Realforce 104U | Type Heaven

Offline Kola93

  • Posts: 103
  • Location: Canada
Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 25 October 2015, 21:10:26 »
That is a cool looking vintage keyboard, but I think it's down to whether you actually like it or not.

There are many good keyboards out there. ^-^

Offline Kad

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 25 October 2015, 21:14:12 »
The only way to know how much you'll enjoy typing on it is to buy it, and I get the impression from your post it isn't very expensive so if I was in your situation I'd go for it, you may enjoy it!

[WASD v2 w/ MX Blues]

Offline RenegadeParadox

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 25 October 2015, 22:00:11 »
For $10 doesn't seem like that much of an investment to worry about. If you are interested, for how expensive our hobby can be $10 is a drop in a deep deep bucket. Worst case you don't like it and you can play with it for a bit pull it apart and try to salvage whatever is worth salvaging.

Offline noodles256

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 25 October 2015, 23:24:45 »
or nah
AF | Ducky YOTD |

Offline KaminKevCrew

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 26 October 2015, 12:56:04 »
Fair enough. For some reason, my phone didn't get any of these notifications... So I'll head over my next day off and see if they're still there. If not, I'll see if they have anything else interesting, hopefully even an actual model F. We will see.

Offline 0100010

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Re: Should I get this board?
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 26 October 2015, 12:59:02 »
The wheelwriter is worth the $10 bucks for the Code key (for future custom split spacebar Model F boards).
  Quoting me causes a posting error that you need to ignore.