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Author Topic: NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15  (Read 19156 times)

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Offline mrbill

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #50 on: Fri, 05 March 2010, 20:35:13 »
Mine arrived today, definitely a great keyboard for $15 to put on the guest PC instead of a rubber-dome Keytronic.
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Keyboards:
IBM Model Ms: 51G8572 (\'94, \'96), 1391401 (\'90), 1369050 (\'95, Dell), 1394946 (\'89 Industrial)
Unicomp Model Ms:  Customizer 104, SpaceSaver 104
Chicony: KB-5181, KB-5191
Cherry:  MX11800 (x2), G86-6241 "Ricercar SPOS"
Filco: FKBN87M/EB x2, Cherry Browns
Sold: Matias Tactile Pro 1.0 (x2), Kensington Studioboard Mechanical, Scorpius M10, AEK II (x2), Compaq 11900 (x2), IBM Model F (AT), Filco FKB104MC/EB
Available Free for Cost of Shipping: ABS M1, Solidtek KB-6600ABU, KeyTronic KB101Plus

Offline spolia optima

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #51 on: Sat, 06 March 2010, 19:16:48 »
Quote from: fastbuck;161110
Anybody tried putting this switches in Cherry boards? I'll keep one as is and order more to harvest switches, as I have not seen any clicky cherries for under $50. I think putting this in Compaq MX11800 will be my next project.

I don't know if that's a good idea. I've got a sinking feelin that your swap will result in both of the keyboards losing their essence.
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keyboards!

Offline fastbuck

  • Posts: 32
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #52 on: Fri, 12 March 2010, 12:49:13 »
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Keyboards: IBM Model M 1391401, CVT Avant Stellar, CVT Avant Prime, Dell AT101W, TypeMatrix 2020, Compaq MX 11800, Chicony KB-5181, IBM M-13, Chicony KB-5191, Wang 724,

Pointing devices: Contour Rollermouse & Pro, Microsoft Intellimouse Trackball, Kensington TurboBall Trackball, Evoluent Vertical Mouse, 3M Ergonomic Mouse, Zero tension mouse, MS Ergonomic Laser Mouse 6000, Logitech TrackMan Wheel, Wowpen Vertical mouse, Logitech Trackman Marble, Digital Research DRTRACK Trackball

Offline Half-Saint

  • Posts: 371
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #53 on: Fri, 12 March 2010, 13:27:48 »
Can someone buy one for me and ship it overseas? :)
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Offline spolia optima

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #54 on: Sat, 13 March 2010, 05:20:44 »
I'd buy a few more of these fer long-term storage, but damn that small backspacemight be a dealbreaker. Those things drive me nuts.
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Offline fastbuck

  • Posts: 32
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #55 on: Sat, 13 March 2010, 05:32:02 »
Quote from: spolia optima;163621
I'd buy a few more of these fer long-term storage, but damn that small backspacemight be a dealbreaker. Those things drive me nuts.


You can switch backspace with capslock. I've done it when I switched from QWERTY to COLEMAK layout, but it works well even with QWERTY, and on keyboard like this it's the only way to go.
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Keyboards: IBM Model M 1391401, CVT Avant Stellar, CVT Avant Prime, Dell AT101W, TypeMatrix 2020, Compaq MX 11800, Chicony KB-5181, IBM M-13, Chicony KB-5191, Wang 724,

Pointing devices: Contour Rollermouse & Pro, Microsoft Intellimouse Trackball, Kensington TurboBall Trackball, Evoluent Vertical Mouse, 3M Ergonomic Mouse, Zero tension mouse, MS Ergonomic Laser Mouse 6000, Logitech TrackMan Wheel, Wowpen Vertical mouse, Logitech Trackman Marble, Digital Research DRTRACK Trackball

Offline spolia optima

  • Posts: 580
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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #56 on: Sat, 13 March 2010, 06:18:48 »
Quote from: fastbuck;163623
You can switch backspace with capslock. I've done it when I switched from QWERTY to COLEMAK layout, but it works well even with QWERTY, and on keyboard like this it's the only way to go.


Yea, but that involves AHK or registry tweaking which is hardly worth the time. I rotate 2-3 keyboards a day, and I like them with US layout.

I'm just lazy is all.
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keyboards!

Offline fastbuck

  • Posts: 32
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #57 on: Sat, 13 March 2010, 07:51:47 »
Quote from: spolia optima;163639
Yea, but that involves AHK or registry tweaking which is hardly worth the time. I rotate 2-3 keyboards a day, and I like them with US layout.

I'm just lazy is all.


If you download COLEMAK installation zip, it comes with registry file that just sets the caps lock to do the backspace. I think it's a much better use of that key regardless of keyboard layout unless you like to type IN ALL CAPS, LOL
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Keyboards: IBM Model M 1391401, CVT Avant Stellar, CVT Avant Prime, Dell AT101W, TypeMatrix 2020, Compaq MX 11800, Chicony KB-5181, IBM M-13, Chicony KB-5191, Wang 724,

Pointing devices: Contour Rollermouse & Pro, Microsoft Intellimouse Trackball, Kensington TurboBall Trackball, Evoluent Vertical Mouse, 3M Ergonomic Mouse, Zero tension mouse, MS Ergonomic Laser Mouse 6000, Logitech TrackMan Wheel, Wowpen Vertical mouse, Logitech Trackman Marble, Digital Research DRTRACK Trackball

Offline mrbill

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #58 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 23:36:37 »
I just scored a NIB 5181 with the blue Monterey switches for $25 shipped total.  

Seller must have a bunch of them, as he listed another:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130375257292

Hooked up the 5191 tonight, it's a great cheap beater board.
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Keyboards:
IBM Model Ms: 51G8572 (\'94, \'96), 1391401 (\'90), 1369050 (\'95, Dell), 1394946 (\'89 Industrial)
Unicomp Model Ms:  Customizer 104, SpaceSaver 104
Chicony: KB-5181, KB-5191
Cherry:  MX11800 (x2), G86-6241 "Ricercar SPOS"
Filco: FKBN87M/EB x2, Cherry Browns
Sold: Matias Tactile Pro 1.0 (x2), Kensington Studioboard Mechanical, Scorpius M10, AEK II (x2), Compaq 11900 (x2), IBM Model F (AT), Filco FKB104MC/EB
Available Free for Cost of Shipping: ABS M1, Solidtek KB-6600ABU, KeyTronic KB101Plus

Offline Infinite north

  • Posts: 162
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #59 on: Tue, 10 August 2010, 01:45:58 »
These are still being listed. I just purchased two of these because I wasn't aware of the fake switches. that's what I get for not consulting geekhack before any purchase.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Chicony-KB-5191-FCC-ID-E8H5IKKB-5191-Keyboard-/310238348603?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs
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Offline Voixdelion

  • Posts: 338
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #60 on: Tue, 10 August 2010, 03:54:44 »
What were you expecting in them?  I've just read some interesting  things about this and at that price I had to give it a shot along with the 5181 (which is awesome).  I bought one from that seller a couple weeks ago and its still roaming the US.  STUPID FLAT RATE SHIPPING!  Apparently it went from Vegas to Bell, CA where it sat for a couple days and next thing you know its in Springfield, MA.  Now back in Bell again, but no telling when it'll make it to Los Angeles.
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"The more you tolerate each other, the less enforcement will happen."-iMav

Offline Infinite north

  • Posts: 162
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #61 on: Tue, 10 August 2010, 06:33:50 »
I had marked that they had blues as per sandy55's website, not realizing the switch variation within a single model.
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Offline fastbuck

  • Posts: 32
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #62 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 10:31:15 »
I'm using Chicony KB-5191 for a third month now. It's my all time favorite - tactile, very light, precise and clicky. My fingers get tired after using buckling spring and alps, but not with this Chicony.
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Keyboards: IBM Model M 1391401, CVT Avant Stellar, CVT Avant Prime, Dell AT101W, TypeMatrix 2020, Compaq MX 11800, Chicony KB-5181, IBM M-13, Chicony KB-5191, Wang 724,

Pointing devices: Contour Rollermouse & Pro, Microsoft Intellimouse Trackball, Kensington TurboBall Trackball, Evoluent Vertical Mouse, 3M Ergonomic Mouse, Zero tension mouse, MS Ergonomic Laser Mouse 6000, Logitech TrackMan Wheel, Wowpen Vertical mouse, Logitech Trackman Marble, Digital Research DRTRACK Trackball

Offline keyboardlover

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #63 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 13:35:10 »
Do these Chicony KB-5191 keyboards have NKRO?

EDIT: Also, does the KB-5181 have NKRO? The 5181 has monterey switches right?
« Last Edit: Thu, 12 August 2010, 13:45:06 by keyboardlover »
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Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #64 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 13:43:25 »
Quote from: mrbill;164689
I just scored a NIB 5181 with the blue Monterey switches.


Great score, its' a very underrated keyboard.
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Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #65 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 13:52:28 »
Yeah, I think the secret is officially out on Blue Monterey boards.  They used to get overlooked but not so much now.  I have 3 different types of boards with them and all are great to type on.
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Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #66 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 13:57:00 »
It looks that way, but I don't have any that have dead switches, unlike other boards.  Not sure why but they seem to hold up pretty well.

After seeing your pic in the past, I decided not to open the switches though :)  They dont' look easy to reassemble.
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Offline didjamatic

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #67 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 14:11:15 »
I think Rube Goldberg may have assisted in monterey switch design.  I love their feel though.

« Last Edit: Thu, 12 August 2010, 14:18:04 by didjamatic »
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Offline elbowglue

  • Posts: 583
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #68 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 14:11:42 »
Re: NKRO - The Chicony 5181 does not have NKRO however has very favorable roll-over characteristics.  I could not get it to block and reasonable combinations when I was using it a lot.

Yep, I love the board, my friend uses two of them one at home one at work (supplied by myself) and I have 2 in reserve for a rainy day.  There era of the cheap 5181 is officially over.

There is another used one $25 shipped here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-CHICONY-KB-5181-Clicky-Keyboard-Blue-Sliders-/360289698045?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs#ht_1515wt_932
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My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #69 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 14:19:16 »
Good find on that ebay board.
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Offline keyboardlover

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #70 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 15:24:01 »
If possible, if someone who has this keyboard (and has an fps game) could try side-strafing while using it, it would be a good rollover test for gaming. Best would be to try wa+alt, wd+alt, sa+alt, sd+alt, and any of those combinations substituting space for alt. Would be helpful info!
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Offline ch_123

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NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #71 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 15:48:26 »
I don't have one, but I'd be willing to bet money that these things are 2KRO... Not the sort of keyboard that they'd go the extra mile with diodes...
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Offline aegrotatio

  • Posts: 335
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #72 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 22:39:43 »
I got my 5181 from that vendor.  They're not that clean and are broken-in and shiny.  It still works great.  He knows which are blue ALPS (a.k.a. Monterey).  I suspect that the vendor bought a large quanity of these from a business that was closing.
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Daily Drivers: Ducky DK1087XM || DSI ASK-6600 || Rosewill RK-9000 BL, BR, BL, and RE || ABS M1 || Das Keyboard Silent || HHKB Lite and Lite 2 || DSI Big Font (kids love it)
Yearning for: Any ALPS keyboard || Any tenkeyless mechanical keyboard
Permanent collection: Poker Blue and Brown || Adesso MKB-125B || SIIG MiniTouch Geek Hack Space Saver || Chicony 5181 Monterey Blue || Chicony 5191 Clone Cherry Blues || Key Tronic 3600 || Unicomp Endurapro & SmarTrex || A crate of IBM Model M and Model M Space Saving boards || NeXTstation Slab || Amiga 3000 || BTC-5100C black and beige || SIIG MiniTouch Plus black and beige
Retired collection: SIIG MiniTouch Monterey Blue || Razer BlackWidow

Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #73 on: Thu, 12 August 2010, 23:58:44 »
Are SMK switches still made? I think it would be neat if a modern company started building them with Cherry MX compatible base and a bit tougher construction.
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline PAINKILLER

  • Posts: 51
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #74 on: Fri, 27 August 2010, 19:37:24 »
Today I got a couple of "Future technologie" branded Chicony KB-5191 Revision B (this can be found written on the inner side of the right leg, where the AT/XT switch is). Inside it says the years 1988 on the plastics and 1989 on the PCB. It's also interesting to note the only difference between the 2 keyboards I got: one has a 8049 controller, while the other one has 9048 - too lazy to check it, but I assume they must be interchangeable, so no real difference between the 2 keyboards. This is my first Cherry switches keyboard, so they felt pretty light compared to ALPS. Then I check here and see that they are in fact fake Cherrys... OR ARE THEY?!? What I see here is blue Cherry MX with Cherry logo on them and all the features of the switch look exactly like on the pictures of real Cherrys. Also, on the PCB it says "CHERRY SW". So maybe the revision letter tells what switches the keyboard has - Sandy55's white fake cherrys is Rev. A.
Later I will test this real Cherry keyboard as a typing keyboard (indeed looks very promising for typing), but unfortunately it is a 2kro anti-ghosting board and is not suited to the game I play.

Quote from: keyboardlover;211946
If possible, if someone who has this keyboard (and has an fps game) could try side-strafing while using it, it would be a good rollover test for gaming. Best would be to try wa+alt, wd+alt, sa+alt, sd+alt, and any of those combinations substituting space for alt. Would be helpful info!


All of those combos work. In fact you can press A+W+D+ctrl+alt+shift+space+tab and A+S+D+ctrl+alt+shift+space+tab just fine (tested with Aquakeytest).
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Offline PAINKILLER

  • Posts: 51
NIB Chicony KB-5191 $15
« Reply #75 on: Fri, 27 August 2010, 20:18:53 »
Yep. I need a NKRO or NKRO-moddable(non-blocking) cherry black or brown for gaming.
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