Chicony KB-5181

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Chicony KB-5181
Chicony KB-5182
KB-5181 - Front.jpg
FCC ID E8H5IKKB-5181
Manufacturer Chicony
Layouts 101/102-key Asian 101
Keyswitches Alps SKCM Blue
Alps SKCM White
SMK Alps mount (Monterey Blue)
Omron B3G-S series (Amber)
Futaba MA series (MX Mount)
Cherry MX Black
Cherry MX Blue
Interface XT/AT switchable
Introduced 1988 (FCC registration)
Price $49.99 (1992)[1]

The Chicony KB-5181 is an XT/AT switchable keyboard from Chicony. It features a big-ass Enter key and single-unit backspace. There is also an ISO version, the KB-5182. Both keyboards were supplied with a wide variety of switches, including Monterey. Two-height flip-out feet are provided.

Switches

The official list of switch manufacturers according to Chicony, in order of production, is as follows:

Aristotle were the manufacturer of the Cherry MX clone switches found in these keyboards.

Possibly due to manufacturing crossover between the Chicony KB-5161 and its successor, the KB-5181, Futaba switches were still in use in the KB-5181, although Chicony have no record of this being the case. KB-5161 and KB-5181 keyboards appeared to have compatible parts.[2]

Specific switches confirmed found in KB-5181 and KB-5182 keyboards:

Variants

Variants identified to date:

KB-5161F/5162F
Cherry MX Blue switches in a PCB taken from Chicony KB-5161; this is cited as being 484 × 205 × 44 mm and weighing 1532 g[2]
KB-5181F
White Cherry MX mount Futaba clicky switch (from plate)[4]
KB-5181/5182KT
Blue SMK Alps mount "Monterey" switch ("SMK SW", 1990 PCB)[6]
KB-5181PT
Alps SKCM White (from rear label)

Re-brands

The KB-5181/2 was re-branded under several other marques, including Hyundai,[Citation needed] ARC (American Research Corporation) and SIIG (as both the SIIG Suntouch 101 or "K101" (model K101)[7] and as the SIIG SuperTouch (model JK-WJ0032)).[8][9] The SIIG Suntouch 101 is one of the keyboards with the distorted Alps logo and hand-carved mould numbering.[7]

Gallery

Chicony KB-5181PT (US layout, unbranded, Alps SKCM White switches)

  • Top view

  • Cable

  • Left hand side

  • Right hand side

  • Numpad

  • Left side in detail

  • Middle left side in detail

  • Nav cluster

  • Back label

  • Foot

ARC branded with Cherry MX Blue switches

  • Top, with ARC branding

  • Bottom

  • Internals

  • Internals with keycaps removed

  • PCB underside

  • Assorted; controller date is 8942 (42nd week 1989)

  • Assorted

  • Assorted; PCB is from the KB-5161

SMK "Monterey" with blue Alps-mount switches, US layout

  • Top, showing switch

  • Bottom

  • Reference card front

  • Reference card inside

SMK "Monterey" with blue Alps-mount switches, UK layout

  • UK layout "Monterey" version

KB-5182 with Alps SKCM White switches

References

  1. ↑ PC Magazine — PC Magazine, February 25, 1992 by Edward Mendelson (Google Books) The Write stuff, pp. 303–329. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 KBTalking — ▲▲▲ARC KB-5181特規cherry青軸▲▲▲ (Chinese) (Wayback Machine) Posted 2009-07-04. Archived 2014-10-05.
  3. ↑ Geekhack — Trent's Mega Sell Thread [Part 2!] Last updated 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Geekhack — recycling center keyboard (Chicony KB-5181F) Posted 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  5. ↑ Geekhack — Chicony 5181 and 5161 with new switches Posted 2013-11-23. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  6. ↑ Sandy — Chicony KB-5181 (Japanese) Last updated 2004-06-12. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Geekhack — FS: RARE+COOL:: Hall Effect!, IBM Refurbs, New stuff, vintage kbs and radio stuf by spolia optima. Last updated 2012-08-23. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  8. ↑ Amazon.com — SIIG SuperTouch Mechanical Keyboard (Clicky Keyboard), White ALPS Sliders, 5 pin DIN Connector, XT-AT Switch (Wayback Machine) Archived 2015-07-17.
  9. ↑ Geekhack — Suntouch K101 Posted 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
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