Unicomp buckling contact keyboard. Clicker type - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 06:27:54 am
content: Just got a Unicomp buckling contact keyboard. It is supposed to recreate the typing dynamics of the IBM M type keyboard used up through the PS/2 systems. So far so good. The key action is really really good. Good positive clickey clackey feel and sound. Its true. You do type faster and more confidently with them. As for the general construction it appears good. There appears to be a metal base plate inside it to give it a good heft. Additionally the keys step up on that classic IBM stadium style. I opted for a model with the Mac added feature buttons on it and it is a space saver type. Still a full keyboard with ten key, but the margins around it are smaller than the old PS/2 keyboard. Also the plastic body is not the super heavy talc and fiber filled type that the old ones had that gave you the impression the old ones were made of thick stuff that resembled ceramic and felt like metal. For those of you who care to look I got the UNIZPHA model. USB connected. They are a bit over $100 us plus shipping, but for a made in the USA product that I will have much contact with on a daily basis at work I feel it was a justifiable expense. Just the clickey sound alone is all so nostalgic for me.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 06:39:26 am
content: The Unicomp keyboards don't recreate an IBM M type. They are the real thing. They took over the production from IBM. Obviously their newer versions - the USB ones, and the ones with new layouts - are their own work, but the switches are still the real thing.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 06:52:21 am
content: I am happy with it.. As I type.... Feels legit. I am still waiting for people to turn selectric typewriters into computer keyboards and rework the type golfball into a printer.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 06:55:04 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on November 17, 2015, 06:52:21 amIBM used to make selectric printers, while many others were making daisywheel printers.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 07:27:55 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on November 17, 2015, 06:52:21 amhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_2741

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 08:30:38 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on November 17, 2015, 06:52:21 amIf you haven't heard of it before, then enjoy:http://www.usbtypewriter.com/(EDIT: Sorry, they do traditional typewriters. You'll have to come up with your own hack for Selectrics.)Then again, one of the best typewriter-like keyboard experiences can be had on the IBM beamspring keyboards.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 04:55:30 pm
content: Sweet!

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 06:05:14 pm
content: They are nice keyboards. I have one here too. The clack doesn't seemquitethe same as that on the original Model M, but that could be because they don't have the piece of 1/4" thick armor plate that IBM seems to have put in the original ones - solid as the Unicomp is, it still feels like it weighs only about half what the M I have on the other computer does. The originals can double as blunt force weapons, and perhaps to drive railroad spikes too.-Pat

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 06:12:58 pm
content: Additionally the original M keyboards were larger around the sides and back. I must say though I really like this thing. Its making my work today seem a little more enjoyable. What else can I re live from the 80's and early 90's? The original New York Seltzer is available again. I should buy a case of that and have a late 80's day! hahahaha.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2015, 09:24:34 pm
content: If you're a Model M fan, I also recommend you give the Model F a try.

author: calin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 04:56:04 am
content: He he .. I am not the only one!!! I own a Unicomp one and also have an Original Model M .. I have to say Unicomp are nice kb-s yet they do not have the same sturdy feel as the original M . I literally carry my own KB with me as I can't stand the 5$ rubber dome aberrations that some dare to call keyboardsI found the original M literally in a dumpster @ wok ... go figure ... Whatever bozo has decided to throw that beauty .. what ca I say

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 09:20:07 am
content: One of the first jobs I had was in a workshop repairing various PC products including the original clicky keyboards. Fixing these devices required a jig supplied by IBM and it was ESSENTIAL that all of the keycaps were removed before bending back the lugs on the rear plate.Why?............................................Various field service engineers discovered that if you started to bend the lugs back without removing the keycaps the pressure of over a hundred little springs pushed the plate upwards and then these springs shot off in random directions. More than once we received a keyboard as a kit, in a box that rattled, and not all the parts were there

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2015, 06:51:37 pm
content: My only complaint about the unicomp is the general flexible creekieness of the plastic casing. Realistically though the way it's designed it should not effect the longevity.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 01:44:18 am
content: Quote from: German_EE on November 22, 2015, 09:20:07 amYeah that's probably the worst part about the construction of the Model Fs. Trying to repair one switch means pulling off every single keycap. They're still more serviceable than the plastic riveted Model Ms though.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2015, 12:52:44 pm
content: Another fan of Model M keyboards. A few years ago I asked Unicomp if they manufactured a keyboard with the Brazilian layout (ABNT2) and they told me they still had NOS of original IBM keyboards. Of course I got one and I am very pleased with it (a picture of it isat Wikipedia). It doesn't compare to another IBM keyboard I got new years ago (and its picture is in the same page above) and its rubbery keys.I used to have elbow joint pains and did some research on types of keyboards. This Model M keyboard ended all my misery, alongside with a symmetric cordless mouse (Logitech LX7, so I could switch hands).

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2015, 04:12:21 pm
content: I've been using Unicomp and IBM Model Ms since I got one in 2008.Unfortunately my first two Model Ms (a new-ish Unicomp and an old second hand IBM) broke. Due to beverage spills, the traces on the membrane became damaged. I was able to do an adequate repair of the membranes with nickel conductive ink (silver would probably have been better), but I had trouble getting them back together. I replaced the original heat steaks with machine screws and nuts but it was difficult getting everything lined up properly and spreading the force evenly across the whole board.So, those two keyboards are currently waiting in a partially repaired state, and I bought a brand new Unicomp from The Keyboard Co (www.keyboardco.com) last year.They are awesome to type on, but I hate the lack of repairability. Simply desoldering a keyswitch would be much easier.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2015, 05:33:09 pm
content: i never liked those keyboards.I do like the HP curved keyboards though (old skool style like they sold for the hpux workstations and and the 4395a and 16702 logic analyzers) they rows of keys are mounted on a curved slope as opposed as a slanted linear slope.These days ? Logitech K740 illuminated keyboard. i got like 10 of those. i threw all my other keyboards out the door. best keyboard ever. keys feel good and you can work with these things in dim light.

author: Marc M.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2015, 04:35:36 pm
content: Model F's put model M's to shame. They use capacitive sensing so there's no contacts to oxidize or wear. Also, there's no limit to the # of keys that can be pressed simultaneously without any getting missed. Finally, the action is very crisp and 'clicky' - model M's feel mushy by comparison. The only mechanical keyboards that surpass F's action were the original beam spring keyboards IBM made in the 70's. Model F's were designed to be cheaper than the beam spring keyboards and model M's were again designed to be cheaper than the model F's. My preference is the huge terminal keyboards (34 function keys!!). I use a Teensy to convert the output and Soarer's Converter to re-program the keys and assign macros for 1 key launching of commonly used programs and things like cut/paste. The biggest downside is of course the amount of noise they make while typing so probably not a good choice for all those that bitch about fan noiseThere's a reason why model F's command a premium over M's on Fleabay

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2015, 04:55:52 pm
content: There were some hall effect keyboards around though, using a small ceramic PCB with 4 terminals.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2015, 01:14:38 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 06, 2015, 04:55:52 pmYeah, when it comes to reliability, it's hard to beat hall effect keyboards. The IBM designs have the advantage of great tactility though, if that's your thing.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2015, 05:34:49 pm
content: Veetronix makes the reed switch activated buttons used in designs like the first apple keyboards. We used them on many of our products.WWW.VEETRONIX.COM

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 12:09:45 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on December 07, 2015, 05:34:49 pmDo you have a source for this? Everything I remember (and a google search so far corroborates this) is that early Apple keyboards used primarily Alps switches. I cannot find a single citation of an Apple product using a reed switch keyboard. (Some claim to have had Apple II clones with them, but those are disputed, too.)Supposedly, keyboard makers moved away from reed switches because of reliability, moving to either mechanical or hall effect switches, before the rubber dome took over.(If I had to guess why Veetronix makes reed switch keyswitches now, it's probably for use in explosive environments where most other switch types theoretically pose a spark hazard.)

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 02:16:26 am
content: For reference:http://deskthority.net/wiki/Datanetics_diaphragm_switchhttp://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/magnetic-reed-switches-t1596.htmlSome more details about this keyboard with reed switches would be nice.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 04:33:14 am
content: Quote from: nidlaX on December 08, 2015, 02:16:26 amIs this a reference in regard to Apple supposedly using reed switches, or something else? (Cuz neither of those pages supports the Apple reed switch theory.)

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 04:41:49 am
content: Quote from: tooki on December 08, 2015, 04:33:14 amNo, it's evidence against those keyboards using reed switches.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 06:00:51 am
content: The original apple keyboard was a datanetics keyboard. Many terminals in the 70's used them and that is actually where we found that Veetronix switch. We used them for about 15 years in our products and NEVER had to replace one from failure from regular use. We only used perhaps three or four thousand per year but they were very reliable.

author: Don Hills
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 06:52:40 am
content: Quote from: Marc M. on December 06, 2015, 04:35:36 pmNot unlimited. 4 key rollover, if I recall correctly, like the predecessor 3270 terminal keyboards. (I used to fix them. I carried spare flyplate modules in my toolbag.)

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2015, 10:13:39 am
content: Quote from: calexanian on December 08, 2015, 06:00:51 amDid those Datanetics keyboards use the Veetronix switch? I thought they used a Datanetics patented switch which is not a reed mechanism. Also, those Veetronix switches list an operating life of 50 million cycles, which is just on par with Cherry MX.Quote from: Don Hills on December 08, 2015, 06:52:40 am4 key rollover when used with a PC? I'm pretty sure it's N-key. It may depend on the particular controller implementation as well as the terminal.