Omron B5GS Questions

[Yosemite_Sam]

Hey, new to this forum and new to old school keyboards and I was just looking for some info.
Long story short, before today I never really understood the allure of old mechanical keyboards. I was going through some boxes at work and came across an old keyboard with a connector I had never seen before made by a company I had never heard of. I felt the keys and they just felt so different from anything else I had ever typed on. I took it home and started doing some research on it. So far, I have found very little.

This is more of a curiosity for me and I was hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this keyboard for me. I can't use it on my gaming rig with the connector on it, and even if I could I think the noise would be a bit much for me. If it's something someone else might enjoy then I may try to sell it rather than just have it sit in a box in my closet untill I forget about it. The keyboard is made by a company called Omron and has the part number B5GS-R101-620. I am mainly curious as to a ballpark time period when this was made, but any info regarding the company or the keyboard would be appreciated.

Here's some pictures, I know how forums love pictures. (Pardon the dust, I have not had time to clean it up just yet, but it looks to be extremely clean and in quite good condition.)

[webwit]

Looks like the unbranded version of the Wang WAK-1101S with the clicky amber Omron switches:





Very nice keyboard!

[Anakey]

You could also use that keyboard with modern usb by getting a Din to ps/2 adapter, then an active ps/2 to USB converter

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Those are not the same. The Wang is made by Costar, and the OP's is made by Omron.

"WAK-1101S" is not a confirmed name; it appears to be based on the Costar model number, but that's not Wang's part number.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

More details on the Omron keyboard:

[wiki]System Instruments 101A8[/wiki]

As such, it's now clear that B5GS-R101-620 is the Omron model.