IDENTIFY THE KEYBOARD thread

Rezene · 28 Oct 2019, 03:19

How can you tell what switches are in monterey k104's? Can I expect white alps out of this keyboard?

Findecanor · 28 Oct 2019, 13:45

Rezene wrote: ↑
28 Oct 2019, 03:19
How can you tell what switches are in monterey k104's? Can I expect white alps out of this keyboard?

The keyboard is in the Wiki

White or Blue Alps, or White or Blue SMK Alps-mount. The latter switch used to be called "Monterey switch" because of how they used to be found in this keyboard in particular.

Alps-mount keycaps are fragile. A keycap should be pulled only with a proper keycap-puller tool.
I'd think most collectors would consider White Alps to be the least interesting switch that could be in this keyboard, so pulling a cap in the hopes of getting White Alps would be superfluous IMHO.

Fod · 28 Oct 2019, 14:28

Couldn’t these guys come with alps clone switches, or is that a different Monterey board I’m thinking of. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Findecanor · 28 Oct 2019, 15:12

Fod wrote: ↑
28 Oct 2019, 14:28
Couldn’t these guys come with alps clone switches, or is that a different Monterey board I’m thinking of. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Hmm. You are not wrong... A quick search revealed that Chyros reviewed one. "I don't think it has been documented before that the K104 could come with these". (I'm adding it to the Wiki now)

Rezene · 28 Oct 2019, 16:03

Findecanor wrote: ↑
28 Oct 2019, 13:45

Rezene wrote: ↑
28 Oct 2019, 03:19
How can you tell what switches are in monterey k104's? Can I expect white alps out of this keyboard?
The keyboard is in the Wiki
White or Blue Alps, or White or Blue SMK Alps-mount. The latter switch used to be called "Monterey switch" because of how they used to be found in this keyboard in particular.

Alps-mount keycaps are fragile. A keycap should be pulled only with a proper keycap-puller tool.
I'd think most collectors would consider White Alps to be the least interesting switch that could be in this keyboard, so pulling a cap in the hopes of getting White Alps would be superfluous IMHO.

I dont own the board so I cant be pulling any caps. Chyros made a video of that board with clone alps and the wiki hasnt updated yet so I wanted to ask here for clarification. Are white alps worse than Monterey switches? Can you visually tell based on model numbers or anything if it has alps/smk mount?
edit: just realized you are going to update the wiki

ollir · 28 Oct 2019, 19:28

Rezene wrote: ↑
28 Oct 2019, 16:03
Are white alps worse than Monterey switches?

If in good condition, I'd say white Alps are better, but it's matter of preference, especially between these two switches which are both very nice.

The Montereys have lighter typing feel but the Alps give you fuller sound with more low-end with bit heavier feel.

Keybug · 29 Oct 2019, 08:57

The layout is also similar to this Harvest / Omron board, but the double-curved compact case probably means it's something less desirable.

https://archiwum.allegro.pl/oferta/star ... 70289.html

PlacaFromHell wrote: ↑
25 Oct 2019, 00:20
What is this thing?

Keybug · 30 Oct 2019, 20:20

Anything worth shelling out for in this picture? The green keys' colour (top right) is reminiscent of Cherry TA boards, but everything else about those board seems rather un-Cherry. Bottom right?

On the top left, the F-XT is obvious, with a cheap (?) F-AT clone beneath it (possibly Alps or MX-clones in it?). possible a Bull board one further down, with Cherry-style LED windows? No idea about that black board in the bottom-left corner, though.

Thanks.

Scottex · 30 Oct 2019, 20:31

Keybug wrote: ↑
30 Oct 2019, 20:20
Anything worth shelling out for in this picture? The green keys' colour (top right) is reminiscent of Cherry TA boards, but everything else about those board seems rather un-Cherry. Bottom right?

On the top left, the F-XT is obvious, with a cheap (?) F-AT clone beneath it (possibly Alps or MX-clones in it?). possible a Bull board one further down, with Cherry-style LED windows? No idea about that black board in the bottom-left corner, though.

Thanks.

I wouldn't doubt a second about buying that lot, all of those look really interesting

OldIsNew · 30 Oct 2019, 20:34

Keybug wrote: ↑
30 Oct 2019, 20:20
Anything worth shelling out for in this picture? The green keys' colour (top right) is reminiscent of Cherry TA boards, but everything else about those board seems rather un-Cherry. Bottom right?

On the top left, the F-XT is obvious, with a cheap (?) F-AT clone beneath it (possibly Alps or MX-clones in it?). possible a Bull board one further down, with Cherry-style LED windows? No idea about that black board in the bottom-left corner, though.

Thanks.

The two long boards with blue and white keys look like Fortune 1000s, some of which (not all) have very cool Digitran capacitive leaf switches (I posted about one here: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20051 )

The model F looks like a Bigfoot and the board on the lower left looks like it might be a DEC VT100 (I posted about one here: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=19795 )

Keybug · 31 Oct 2019, 23:32

Thanks for the info! The seller has asked me to contact him again in two weeks' time so I guess there are plenty of other takers...

As for these: Cherry inside? (Wyse clones?)

Findecanor · 01 Nov 2019, 01:18

The keycaps look like Cherry doubleshots to me. Possibly Cherry G80-130x innards in another case?

EnthusiastDude · 01 Nov 2019, 19:26

: Screenshot_20191101-111818.jpg (552.82 KiB) Viewed 8349 times

Another bunch of keyboards, I know the philips is a rubber dome and i think the memorex telex is a nmb hi-tek keyboard. Do you have any idea what the 3C branded one could be?

PlacaFromHell · 04 Nov 2019, 03:19

Guys, I'm having problems with this keyboard. Is this a G80 or a G81?

EnthusiastDude · 07 Nov 2019, 16:42

I bought it and the 3C branded keyboard came with white mitsumi miniature switches.
The memorex telex came with white clicky space invaders.

Keybug · 07 Nov 2019, 18:28

What colour Mitsumi Mini switches in that 3C board? I might buy or offer a nice trade... Thanks.

Keybug · 07 Nov 2019, 18:30

Do these look like other Acer (Multitech) Accufeels people have seen? They seem linear at first but have a tactile event towards the bottom (when the slider hits the membrane?). Very sturdy early to mid-80s board with metal plate (for an Apple clone, I believe). Shoit, though, as I was hoping for ALPS - didn't think the whole Accufeel concept was *that* old.

This is the board as I found it on eBay by the way.

EDIT: The board works very well with Soarer's and the switches are excellent! They feel (and sound) almost exactly like a somewhat improved and somewhat less noisy version of Futaba Clickies...

EnthusiastDude · 07 Nov 2019, 19:30

Keybug wrote: ↑
07 Nov 2019, 18:28
What colour Mitsumi Mini switches in that 3C board? I might buy or offer a nice trade... Thanks.

White (tactile) and yeah just pm me.

Jaki1122 · 11 Nov 2019, 20:35

Any ideas on what is this??

Probably is just another rubber dome crappy thing, but just in case.

Felima · 17 Nov 2019, 21:40

Hello guys does anyone know what this keyboard is and if it is worth buying?

ghostdawg187 · 17 Nov 2019, 22:23

I have seen this case before. Looks like a wiki/Datacomp_DFK191 to me. You can have several switch options.

cli · 17 Nov 2019, 23:12

ghostdawg187 wrote: ↑
17 Nov 2019, 22:23
I have seen this case before. Looks like a wiki/Datacomp_DFK191 to me. You can have several switch options.

I bought this board from ghostagw187. Member Polecat has several of this board in his collection.
To answer your question, is it worth buying this keyboard: If it has ALPS Pine White Alps switches, yes. I would skip it if it has anything else (Futuba, simplified Alps switches). Beware, the photo shows the keyboard has been used a lot (just look at the cursor keys).

Felima · 18 Nov 2019, 01:35

Yeah it is really used but the price is around 6$ so it's not a bad deal for any switch really

Polecat · 18 Nov 2019, 03:12

Felima wrote: ↑
17 Nov 2019, 21:40
Hello guys does anyone know what this keyboard is and if it is worth buying?

Definitely Datacomp, and an early one from the fillers on the bottom row. The wide step on CapsLock suggests Futaba MA switches, but that's speculation. If so it's probably a model DFK-121. Futaba switches are interesting; not like anything else I've ever used. Datacomp has used that case design for decades, and may still be building a current version. The newer versions were "cheapened", with Alps clone switches and plastic plates.

edit: Here's an old thread on the Datacomps:

viewtopic.php?f=62&t=22556

Jaki1122 · 21 Nov 2019, 05:51

What is this? Looks like a Model F but has no IBM logo anywhere...

xxhellfirexx · 21 Nov 2019, 07:14

Jaki1122 wrote: ↑
21 Nov 2019, 05:51
What is this? Looks like a Model F but has no IBM logo anywhere...

Not worth it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Idea-B19820-01 ... 3839566116

Jaki1122 · 21 Nov 2019, 07:17

xxhellfirexx wrote: ↑
21 Nov 2019, 07:14

Jaki1122 wrote: ↑
21 Nov 2019, 05:51
What is this? Looks like a Model F but has no IBM logo anywhere...

Not worth it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Idea-B19820-01 ... 3839566116

Thanks! That's probably the biggest rubber dome I've seen so far...

Findecanor · 21 Nov 2019, 07:24

FCC IDs starting with CIG is Key Tronic. Key Tronic rubber domes are hit-or-miss.

Keybug · 22 Nov 2019, 18:05

"Made in Mexico" is rarely a good sign in my experience. I've usually found more recent 'Maxi Switch' keyboards from there (often with Honeywell-branding?). And apparently Key Tronic is another domey-/membraney Mexico outsourcer. I'm sure some amigo will contradict me with a great catch from down there, though, or elaborate the vitues of the Maxi switch...

"Maxi-Switch – Telcontar.net" https://telcontar.net/KBK/Maxi-Switch/

hrbatik.h · 25 Nov 2019, 20:41

Hi,

I have a possibility to buy this box of keyboards. I have only four photos of it, the box is already sealed and ready for shipping.
Can you someone indetify keyboards - the whites one?
thanks a lot !!!

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