Several DT users have looked at these keyboards, aside from that I had no idea what to expect.
Apart from the nice dye-sublimination keycaps the keyboard is quite mediocre, the case flexes and makes various squeaky noises when force is applied.
The one thing that makes this interesting is the Oki Tactile Gourd Spring switch. I estimate the keyweight to be 30-35g at most. Keytravel is quite smooth with a refined & discrete click towards bottoming out. The keyfeel is very uniform across the keyboard which is generally a good sign.
wiki/Oki_Tactile_Gourd_Spring
Technically interesting about this switch is that OKI designed a spring on membrane switch with only two parts in motion. In this case there is little friction in form of the keycap moving down the barrel and the spring being pushed down;
less parts in motion = less friction = smoother switch.
Notice how OKI used plastic hinges / clips to fixate the membranes, quite a servicable solution compared to bolts and rivets.
AT/XT switch, always a welcome sight in our times!
Profile, keycaps and stabilizer:
OKI HMB-35957U-22 Oki Tactile Gourd Spring
- seebart
- Offtopicthority Instigator
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Rotation
- Main mouse: Steelseries Sensei
- Favorite switch: IBM capacitive buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0061
- Contact:
- Chyros
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: whatever I'm reviewing next :p
- Main mouse: a cheap Logitech
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCM Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
Brother's dome and foil keyboards are probably a better Topre forerunner than these are. They're known as Prototopre colloquially.Elrick wrote: ↑Could these keyboards be the fore runner of our Topre based keyboards today?
- 002
- Topre Enthusiast
- Location: Australia
- Main keyboard: Realforce & Libertouch
- Main mouse: Logitech G Pro Wireless
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: 0002
Yeah, I don't think they are related either. The spring bears a slight resemblance to the conic spring used by Topre, but the implementation and function is totally different, and there's never been any reason to believe they are related.
Nice one, seebart. The caps look very nice -- and on the mods they seem to have a top and bottom bulge that's a bit like that seen on Topre Hi-Pro spherical caps.
Nice one, seebart. The caps look very nice -- and on the mods they seem to have a top and bottom bulge that's a bit like that seen on Topre Hi-Pro spherical caps.
- drevyek
- Location: US-CA
- Main keyboard: Leopold FC980C
- Main mouse: Kensington Slimblade
- Favorite switch: Alps Orange
- DT Pro Member: -
Love these switches. Since seeing Chryros' video on it, I have such a desire to try them. Too bad they are in the BAE + 1u backspace layout. This is the sort of switch that would be very interesting to see a modern board of.
- seebart
- Offtopicthority Instigator
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Rotation
- Main mouse: Steelseries Sensei
- Favorite switch: IBM capacitive buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0061
- Contact:
Thanks guys, these do not feel like Topre since they lack a dome. The spring is quiet (compared to Model M) and the feel is unspectacular yet nice.
Same keyboard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8r8mgJrzTM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U_6b5r0oxA
Yes quite noticable on the numpad enter:002 wrote: ↑...and on the mods they seem to have a top and bottom bulge that's a bit like that seen on Topre Hi-Pro spherical caps.
With some patience you'll be able to find some, that's right you will have to adapt to the layout...I've been using it one day now it's manageable although not my favorite setup layout wise.drevyek wrote: ↑Love these switches. Since seeing Chryros' video on it, I have such a desire to try them. Too bad they are in the BAE + 1u backspace layout. This is the sort of switch that would be very interesting to see a modern board of.
Same keyboard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8r8mgJrzTM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U_6b5r0oxA
- leetuser
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Custom Hackjob
- Main mouse: MX Master
- Favorite switch: ALPS
I have one of these and I thought the board came in a yellow color rather than being yellowed because my entire board is uniform in color even on the inside. These pictures lead to me to believe this plastic yellowed for some other reason considering how much whiter and blotchy these pictures look. I just love these switches. If these were produced longer and Oki improved on their design a little longer, these really could have evolved into great switches.