Leading Edge 2214 vs Northgate Omnikey 102 Gold? Which blue Alps keyboard is rarer or more expensive?
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ZedTheMan
- Location: Central US
- Main keyboard: IModel F77/IBM 3101/Omnikey 102/96Kee
- Main mouse: Logitech G430/Logitech M570/Kensington Expert
- Favorite switch: Beamsprings. Alps SKCM Blue, Capacitive Buckling S
- DT Pro Member: 0219
Can't say as to expense, but I've definitely seen more gold label Northgates than leading edge 2214s.
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ppCircle
- Location: Polska
- Main keyboard: Focus Fk-2002 HS Alps Blue / IBM 5140 Alps Brown
- Main mouse: Rival 300
- Favorite switch: Alps Blue / Alps Amber / Alps Brown / Alps N Green
- Contact:
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E3E
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Blue, Neon Green, Striped Amber, Cream Alps, Topre
- Main mouse: Logitech, Topre
- Favorite switch: Alps, Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
The Leading Edge DC-2214 is less commonly seen, but it also tends to have SKCM White most often and SKCM Blue rarely.
Gold label Omnikeys are seen more frequently. They often have SKCM Blues and can rarely have SKCM White.
Gold labels are going to drive higher prices usually because they are well-known, unless a specific example is known to have SKCM White.
DC-2214s won't go for as much unless a board comes up that is known to have blues. ANSI SKCM Blue w/ NKRO is a rare combination on a stock board.
The 2214 is basically 3014 lite.
Gold label Omnikeys are seen more frequently. They often have SKCM Blues and can rarely have SKCM White.
Gold labels are going to drive higher prices usually because they are well-known, unless a specific example is known to have SKCM White.
DC-2214s won't go for as much unless a board comes up that is known to have blues. ANSI SKCM Blue w/ NKRO is a rare combination on a stock board.
The 2214 is basically 3014 lite.
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keyboardcircle
- Location: USA
I have one in pristine condition.
Last edited by keyboardcircle on 08 Dec 2020, 22:23, edited 1 time in total.
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anmq91
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Alps64 w. SKCM Brown Alps
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCM/SKCL
Are you looking to sell by any chance?
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E3E
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Blue, Neon Green, Striped Amber, Cream Alps, Topre
- Main mouse: Logitech, Topre
- Favorite switch: Alps, Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
Got one too! Thought the one shown above had a DIN 5 connector before I realized my sense of scale was off.
I've AT101 caps on mine. In terms of feel and sound, it's a great combination.
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keyboardcircle
- Location: USA
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keyboardcircle
- Location: USA
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Brett MacK
- Location: United States (New Hampshire)
- Main keyboard: SGI Granite
- Main mouse: Logitech G403
- Favorite switch: White Clicky Hi-Tek 725
- DT Pro Member: -
Honestly most of the gold badges that are out there are in pretty rough shape, the boards were built to last, but the plastic yellows very quickly and if any moisture gets into the housing, they will rust like no tomorrow. I have owned 5 gold badge Omnikeys and only one that I found felt as good as other blue alps boards out there. The leading edge 2214 is a dream board for sure, and I have seen very few of them out there. I feel to the right buyer the Leading edge could fetch a higher dollar but an Omnikey 102 would be easier to sell.
Rarity wise, the leading edge 2214 seems to be rarer, many of them did not survive to today. Omnikey owners seem to be more apt to hold onto their boards as you see a new Omnikey pop up on eBay every other day.
Rarity wise, the leading edge 2214 seems to be rarer, many of them did not survive to today. Omnikey owners seem to be more apt to hold onto their boards as you see a new Omnikey pop up on eBay every other day.
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fohat
- Elder Messenger
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Main keyboard: Model F 122-key terminal
- Main mouse: Microsoft Optical Mouse
- Favorite switch: Model F Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0158
After keeping the Omnikey 101 on my watch list for years, about 3 years ago I got one for under $75 that was sold as "used" but was new for all practical purposes. Apparently someone at a shop had bought it decades ago, opened it, put adhesive stickers on many of the keys, and put it back on the shelf for the ensuing decades. Those stickers were a bitch to get off!
I had previously bought a near-new AEK so I Frankensteined only the leaves and springs into the Northgate to make something really nice.
Not blues, but it is a nicer board than another 101 that I transplanted lightly-used blues into.
Northgates are the quintessential recipients for transfer projects, and the 101 is the one to use if you prefer ANSI layout.
I had previously bought a near-new AEK so I Frankensteined only the leaves and springs into the Northgate to make something really nice.
Not blues, but it is a nicer board than another 101 that I transplanted lightly-used blues into.
Northgates are the quintessential recipients for transfer projects, and the 101 is the one to use if you prefer ANSI layout.