Great/Interesting Finds

[engr]

Maybe more sellers should try this strategy to get more views.

Review: “The tactility is awful! What is the tactile element made of, silicone? I’ve typed on rubber domes that felt better than this!”

[thefarside]

Focus FK-555 with Omron Cyan switches. These seem to be known for poor reliability, and the seller states several are not working. Too high of a price in my opinion for switches that may not be easily fixed and are hard to get.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256429731574

[Muirium]

Unevenly yellowed, too. Shame. A third of that price and I’d consider it.

I’ve heard Omron switches can be “restored” by simply pressing them over and over until they come back to life a bit. They are notorious for their unreliability, but when they go bad it’s not quite as badly so as Alps. And even those can be waxboiled as we’ve learned in recent years.

[Polecat]

Interesting to see a 555 with Northgate badging and Omron switches. Northgate claimed in one of their ads that they used ALPS switches in their "C/T" keyboards (FK-727/747 and FK-555) as well as in the Omnikeys:

wiki/images/3/32/Omnikeygen1ad.jpg

Apparently that wasn't always the case. From the serial/inspection numbers it appears that Focus used blue and/or amber Omron switches for a relatively short time, with blue Alps before and after, so maybe there was a supply problem of some sort? But I haven't yet seen an Omnikey with Omron switches.

Focus FK-555 with Omron Cyan switches. These seem to be known for poor reliability, and the seller states several are not working. Too high of a price in my opinion for switches that may not be easily fixed and are hard to get.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256429731574

[Muirium]

Not the only misleading claim in that advert:

All Northgate Keyboards Feature:
• Exclusive Northgate Click/Tactile touch using Japanese made ALPS sealed electro-mechanical key switches rated for virtually a lifetime of use

Sealed? Alps? Oh really?

[ChairmanNow]

Pace VG-101, though it looks rather aged with the yellowing and some of the lettering being drawn over

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126080307798

I bought it. Sadly, it was packed very poorly, and arrived in damaged condition. The post holding one of the keyboard halves had shattered, and the cables have been strained. Haven't attempted to delve further yet. Seller did refund purchase price, might see if it can be repaired. Any suggestions on rebuilding brittle plastics appreciated!

[thefarside]

This listing ends soon but thought I’d share since it’s pretty great. New old stock Focus FK-555:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186327028450
I know it’s NOS because I bought the last one from him and it’s in brand new condition. Just a warning the seller doesn’t pack very well.

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[Polecat]

Nice, I'm a day late, but that's nothing new. Someone got a good deal. I don't really care for the case design on the 555 anyway.

Did any of the FK-555s have double shot caps?

This listing ends soon but thought I’d share since it’s pretty great. New old stock Focus FK-555:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186327028450
I know it’s NOS because I bought the last one from him and it’s in brand new condition. Just a warning the seller doesn’t pack very well.

[thefarside]

Did any of the FK-555s have double shot caps?

They’re not double shot but I can’t tell if they’re pad printed. Here’s a pic:

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[thefarside]

Here’s a nice Texas Instruments keyboard with micro switches:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/315217091173

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[thefarside]

Model F XT with some interesting caps. I wouldn’t mind having the Mach 1-8 caps
https://www.ebay.com/itm/116109193824

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[Polecat]

Thank you, I missed your reply with all the site issues lately. I don't know enough to tell from the photo whether those legends are printed. But from the others I've seen with the legends worn off I'm guessing they are. So far I haven't seen a 555 with double shots, and I haven't seen its successor, the FK-2001, with printed caps, at least in the beige versions. It just seems strange to me that the caps got better on the newer and cheaper Focus versions.

Did any of the FK-555s have double shot caps?

They’re not double shot but I can’t tell if they’re pad printed. Here’s a pic:

[msw2]

Model F 122 (or 124?) with Japanese katakana caps, pt no 1385504
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/au ... 1129759129

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It sold for ¥185,000 (¥203,500 with tax). I uploaded the images here.

It basically has the same layout as the pingmaster, and the Japanese font looks different from any other Japanese IBM keyboard I've seen, compared with the Model M 122 (or 124?) pt no 1394103 here and here.