IDENTIFY THE KEYSWITCH thread

User avatar
//gainsborough
ALPSの日常

14 Jan 2019, 03:46

chip chop tipped me in on this board on ebay. I was expecting alps but got this instead. Has anyone ever seen this switch before? It's linear - and in fact I thought it was alps before removing a cap.

Image

Image

Image

User avatar
Muirium
µ

14 Jan 2019, 03:51

Maybe Hosiden?

wiki/Hosiden_switch

Can't say I've heard of them. Just the closest to a match I can spot on the Wiki's switch ID gallery. The notch at the top was for LEDs…
Spoiler:
Image

User avatar
//gainsborough
ALPSの日常

14 Jan 2019, 04:32

That looks the same to me, thanks! I'll read up on them a bit!

User avatar
digital_matthew

15 Jan 2019, 20:17

I recently bought this keyboard hoping for Alps, but no dice (I think). The switches are very clicky and rather course. Not terrible, but not great. The keycaps are pretty nice. They're double-shot MX mounts. Any idea as to what the switches are?
Attachments
IMG_0928.JPG
IMG_0928.JPG (690.79 KiB) Viewed 10033 times
IMG_0927.JPG
IMG_0927.JPG (467.04 KiB) Viewed 10033 times
IMG_0926.JPG
IMG_0926.JPG (713.11 KiB) Viewed 10033 times

User avatar
ZedTheMan

15 Jan 2019, 23:21

digital_matthew wrote:
15 Jan 2019, 20:17
I recently bought this keyboard hoping for Alps, but no dice (I think). The switches are very clicky and rather course. Not terrible, but not great. The keycaps are pretty nice. They're double-shot MX mounts. Any idea as to what the switches are?
Hi! I ended up getting one of these just recently as well. It's a shame, I was also hoping for Alps. It's Deyi Clicky Foam and Foil, and unfortunately for me the keyboard didn't even properly function because Foam and Foil fails over time.

I just scrapped it and kept the caps and the dust cover that came with it.

User avatar
zrrion

16 Jan 2019, 00:20

The caps look fun though so its not all bad.

User avatar
TNT

16 Jan 2019, 00:24

Hi guys,

this is my first post here and I hope I'll have a good time and learn a lot on this forum.

To the cause. I'm dreaming of modifying an old Nixdorf Softkeys to work on a modern computer. I know people tried it and didn't manage to get it working, but since some other guys managed to successfully rewire the weird 6 pin DIN plug on other keyboards I wan't to give it a try myself. I don't care much for the Nixie-switches or rather can not afford them tho...
While searching the internet I stumbled upon a Nixdorf board with those weird switches that I struggle to identify. They seem to have a weird, very distinct shape. Maybe you guys can help out? Because of the keycaps they're probably similar to MXs, right?

I'm sorry for the terrible image quality. Those are just the pics from the seller and that's all he got so far.

Cheers in advance.
Attachments
nixdorf 3.PNG
nixdorf 3.PNG (1.83 MiB) Viewed 9979 times
nixdorf 2.PNG
nixdorf 2.PNG (251.02 KiB) Viewed 9979 times
nixdorf 1.PNG
nixdorf 1.PNG (1.88 MiB) Viewed 9979 times

User avatar
Muirium
µ

16 Jan 2019, 00:48

Looks to be related to this:

wiki/Nixdorf_SM_8890

Those switches are most definitely *not* MX!

User avatar
TNT

16 Jan 2019, 01:09

Oh my, how could I not see this. That's the first thing to look up. :oops:

Sorry and thanks a bunch!

User avatar
Muirium
µ

16 Jan 2019, 01:29

Hey, no worries. I’ve never seen them before either. Nixdorf made quality kit, right down to their custom clear topped MX switches. But the board you’re looking at is a different beast.

Anyone know what those feel like?

User avatar
digital_matthew

16 Jan 2019, 02:26

ZedTheMan wrote:
15 Jan 2019, 23:21
digital_matthew wrote:
15 Jan 2019, 20:17
I recently bought this keyboard hoping for Alps, but no dice (I think). The switches are very clicky and rather course. Not terrible, but not great. The keycaps are pretty nice. They're double-shot MX mounts. Any idea as to what the switches are?
Hi! I ended up getting one of these just recently as well. It's a shame, I was also hoping for Alps. It's Deyi Clicky Foam and Foil, and unfortunately for me the keyboard didn't even properly function because Foam and Foil fails over time.

I just scrapped it and kept the caps and the dust cover that came with it.
Thanks! I thought some fellow Deskthorians would have bought one of these. Actually this one works just fine. I have better keyboards, so I'm not sure what to do with this one. If anyone is interested in the keycaps please let me know.
zrrion wrote:
16 Jan 2019, 00:20
The caps look fun though so its not all bad.
Yep, they're the FK layout, which is my favorite. Bigass Enter with the pipe next to the right Shift key.

User avatar
Chyros

16 Jan 2019, 11:16

TNT wrote:
16 Jan 2019, 00:24
Hi guys,

this is my first post here and I hope I'll have a good time and learn a lot on this forum.

To the cause. I'm dreaming of modifying an old Nixdorf Softkeys to work on a modern computer. I know people tried it and didn't manage to get it working, but since some other guys managed to successfully rewire the weird 6 pin DIN plug on other keyboards I wan't to give it a try myself. I don't care much for the Nixie-switches or rather can not afford them tho...
While searching the internet I stumbled upon a Nixdorf board with those weird switches that I struggle to identify. They seem to have a weird, very distinct shape. Maybe you guys can help out? Because of the keycaps they're probably similar to MXs, right?

I'm sorry for the terrible image quality. Those are just the pics from the seller and that's all he got so far.

Cheers in advance.
They're Nixdorf magnetic valve. The Nixie MX-type switches were found in other models.

User avatar
JP!

21 Jan 2019, 15:17

Here's an interesting one. Switches are super smooth and linear.
600A22E3-0B6A-45F3-A273-483903904195.jpeg
600A22E3-0B6A-45F3-A273-483903904195.jpeg (614.25 KiB) Viewed 9544 times
7EBFEFE8-69D6-4F88-8034-40EDDC078C73.jpeg
7EBFEFE8-69D6-4F88-8034-40EDDC078C73.jpeg (125.09 KiB) Viewed 9544 times
Last edited by JP! on 23 Jan 2019, 17:47, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Chyros

21 Jan 2019, 16:43

Looks like Key Tronic magnetic reed or a clone (caps look KT though), or possibly their block-mount foam and foil switches.

User avatar
JP!

22 Jan 2019, 00:38

Another odd one. Edit: This keyboard goes with an Amiga 1000.
D4E28E65-6FBC-47D6-8D96-B680AB3DD422.jpeg
D4E28E65-6FBC-47D6-8D96-B680AB3DD422.jpeg (122.06 KiB) Viewed 9546 times
184ABB3C-8A37-4FF7-85D1-BF62FC914A2A.jpeg
184ABB3C-8A37-4FF7-85D1-BF62FC914A2A.jpeg (58.28 KiB) Viewed 9546 times
Last edited by JP! on 28 Jan 2019, 05:51, edited 2 times in total.

User avatar
Noobmaen

22 Jan 2019, 00:56

Mitsumi standard mechanical

User avatar
JP!

22 Jan 2019, 01:06

Noobmaen wrote:
22 Jan 2019, 00:56
Mitsumi standard mechanical
Oh thanks! Never seen one or tried in person so I'll see if I can find a review. I probably won't pick this one up unless someone has interest. Also that board sure does have a funky layout.

User avatar
Chyros

22 Jan 2019, 01:08

You might want to give them a try if you like tactile switches. Mistumi standard aren't bad from what I've tried, and that board looks like it's not that dirty (just banana'd).

User avatar
JP!

22 Jan 2019, 01:20

Actually I love how the spacebar and case are color coordinated.

User avatar
abrahamstechnology

23 Jan 2019, 02:17

What Alps (or clones) are these?
Image

User avatar
mcmaxmcmc

23 Jan 2019, 09:00

abrahamstechnology wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 02:17
What Alps (or clones) are these?
Image
Seems like plain old Yellow Alps to me. I believe some of them can come without the LED cutout.

User avatar
kakan

23 Jan 2019, 15:04

mcmaxmcmc wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 09:00
abrahamstechnology wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 02:17
What Alps (or clones) are these?
Image
Seems like plain old Yellow Alps to me. I believe some of them can come without the LED cutout.
If that is from the taobao guy that sells alps I think someone bought them and they were clones. I might be mistaken tho.

User avatar
abrahamstechnology

23 Jan 2019, 16:40

kakan wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 15:04
mcmaxmcmc wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 09:00
abrahamstechnology wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 02:17
What Alps (or clones) are these?
Image
Seems like plain old Yellow Alps to me. I believe some of them can come without the LED cutout.
If that is from the taobao guy that sells alps I think someone bought them and they were clones. I might be mistaken tho.
Know if they are clicky, tactile or linear?

User avatar
kakan

23 Jan 2019, 16:58

abrahamstechnology wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 16:40
kakan wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 15:04
mcmaxmcmc wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 09:00


Seems like plain old Yellow Alps to me. I believe some of them can come without the LED cutout.
If that is from the taobao guy that sells alps I think someone bought them and they were clones. I might be mistaken tho.
Know if they are clicky, tactile or linear?
I might be wrong, you should pm Drclick. Have you contacted the seller if they have any SKCLFQ left?
Drclick wrote:
11 Apr 2018, 14:27
My order arrived today. They are ALPS linear yellow switches(SKCLFQ).
Image

The seller also have the other two kinds of Fuhua ALPS switches, Yellow(soft linear) and Black(tactile). But they are all later simplified version.
Image

Image

User avatar
JP!

23 Jan 2019, 18:13

Chyros wrote:
21 Jan 2019, 16:43
Looks like Key Tronic magnetic reed or a clone (caps look KT though), or possibly their block-mount foam and foil switches.
Looks like Key Tronic magnetic reed variant #2. I believe this is now the oldest keyboard in my collection since this teleterm seems to date to around 1973. I plan to do a full teardown and clean up of this one.
wiki/Key_Tronic_magnetic_reed
1.JPG
1.JPG (138.44 KiB) Viewed 9540 times
Additionally there is a single switch with a light bulb.
2.JPG
2.JPG (74.7 KiB) Viewed 9540 times

Kacperum

26 Jan 2019, 18:58

I recently found a Facit 7800 electronic typewriter. I searched for it on the web but no useful information came up. The switches are quite tactile. The caps are double shot. It says "made in Japan" on the keyboard module. Any Idea as to what the switches could be? I can provide more pictures if it's necessary.
Attachments
IMG_20190126_183938.jpg
IMG_20190126_183938.jpg (2.46 MiB) Viewed 9480 times
IMG_20190126_184120.jpg
IMG_20190126_184120.jpg (1.85 MiB) Viewed 9480 times
IMG_20190126_184129.jpg
IMG_20190126_184129.jpg (2.1 MiB) Viewed 9480 times
IMG_20190126_184148.jpg
IMG_20190126_184148.jpg (2.45 MiB) Viewed 9480 times

Lbibass

26 Jan 2019, 19:24

Kacperum wrote:
26 Jan 2019, 18:58
I recently found a Facit 7800 electronic typewriter. I searched for it on the web but no useful information came up. The switches are quite tactile. The caps are double shot. It says "made in Japan" on the keyboard module. Any Idea as to what the switches could be? I can provide more pictures if it's necessary.
Looks like NEC Vintage linear. wiki/NEC_vintage_linear

Kacperum

27 Jan 2019, 01:02

Lbibass wrote:
26 Jan 2019, 19:24
Kacperum wrote:
26 Jan 2019, 18:58
I recently found a Facit 7800 electronic typewriter. I searched for it on the web but no useful information came up. The switches are quite tactile. The caps are double shot. It says "made in Japan" on the keyboard module. Any Idea as to what the switches could be? I can provide more pictures if it's necessary.
Looks like NEC Vintage linear. wiki/NEC_vintage_linear
Not likely since they're tactile.

User avatar
abrahamstechnology

27 Jan 2019, 01:06

JP! wrote:
23 Jan 2019, 18:13

Additionally there is a single switch with a light bulb.
2.JPG
Looks like Logitech ripped off this idea.

uttindar

19 Mar 2019, 10:19

Received old CodeGen Technologies keyboard (FCC HMN2YZ) with linear amber four-tab clones:

Image

Are those alps.tw Type T8?
Some switches have S:#A## mould numbering and some other are S:#C## (as on the picture)

Post Reply

Return to “Keyboards”