spookt Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I believe that even resistors and capacitors are also socketed on this thing! Right ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I believe that even resistors and capacitors are also socketed on this thing! Right ... Are the sockets in sockets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloopy Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I believe that even resistors and capacitors are also socketed on this thing! Right ... Are the sockets in sockets? no, but the RF Modulator is probly socketed too! ;') sloopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Amiga500 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I took pictures of the "Type 1" and "Type 4" switches and I thought it would be a good idea to add them to this thread. Here is the switch in the 800XL "Type 1" keyboard: As you can see, it is the exact same ALPS switch used in the TRS-80 Model 100 portable: The switch has a nice, light, linear feel. Even thought this is an early version of the ALPS key-switch, keycaps are interchangeable with later ALPS keyboards, like the Apple Extended: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Amiga500 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) Here is the switch in the 800XL "Type 4" keyboard: Although I didn't remove the white cap, I suspect that under it is a similar switch to the DEC VT-100 (and Lear Siegler termnials) and one version of the TI-99/4a: Keys from the "Type 4" are interchangeable with the VT-100 and TI-99/4a (that one version - there's also an ALPS TI-99/4a) - although they have height differences which make it not really work. Compared to the "Type 1" ALPS keyboard, the "Type 4" has a stiffer feel with more friction. Edited September 12, 2011 by Mr.Amiga500 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defender II Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Here is the switch in the 800XL "Type 4" keyboard: Although I didn't remove the white cap, I suspect that under it is a similar switch to the DEC VT-100 (and Lear Siegler termnials) and one version of the TI-99/4a: Keys from the "Type 4" are interchangeable with the VT-100 and TI-99/4a (that one version - there's also an ALPS TI-99/4a) - although they have height differences which make it not really work. Compared to the "Type 1" ALPS keyboard, the "Type 4" has a stiffer feel with more friction. There are two springs under the white cap, not a switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 There are two springs under the white cap, not a switch. Yep. The 800's HiTek and Stackpole keyboards look like the picture with metal contacts. That 800XL square plunger pushes a spring against a Mylar contact sheet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Amiga500 Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 There are two springs under the white cap, not a switch. Fascinating. Can you take a picture? I'd do it myself, but don't want to wreck my 800XL keyboard opening the switch. (fine if you wreck yours ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I can probably do it when I get home since I've got some disassembled keyboards somewhere. I'll describe it, though: That middle circle in the plunger holds the top of a long, stiff, thin spring- sort of like the one in a retractable pen. It exits through a small hole in the bottom of the black plastic assembly and mashes down the contact sheet when the key is pressed. Around that thin spring is a wider and weaker spring that provides the normal key resistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Just discovered a nice keyboard with Cherry switches in a 600XL here (not mine): First time I ever encountered one of this type... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Amiga500 Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 (edited) That's very interesting. I had no idea there was a Cherry swich version. Thanks for posting. So I guess we should call that a "Type 6"? Edited December 3, 2012 by Mr.Amiga500 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Just discovered a nice keyboard with Cherry switches in a 600XL here (not mine): First time I ever encountered one of this type... That thing must be awesome to type on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 The keyboard's got a nice feel; quite short travel and much quieter than a type 1. However, it's going back to the lucky owner this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Does anyone have 6 alps plungers that they want to sell? I have a 600 that someone must have spilled something on in the past. The metal casings are really corroded and the keys get stuck down. Have tried wire wool and wd40, and I think I have made things worse. Also looking for one AWC plunger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 (edited) Mike, I've got an Alps keyboard which is missing the whole console panel, so you're welcome to six plungers from that one. Got plenty of AWC plungers as well... Edited December 3, 2012 by flashjazzcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 That's great news Jon. I'll sort something out with you via pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickR Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 I've got a #4 on my 800XL (which I rescued -- was caked in dirt when i got it). I'll have to get my original 800XL out of it's box to see which one it has. Great thread, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defender II Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 The keyboard's got a nice feel; quite short travel and much quieter than a type 1. However, it's going back to the lucky owner this week. Can you ask them if they would be willing to part with the keyboard and the 600XL it came on, and ask them to PM me? Also... Does anyone have a working Type 1 ot 2 keyboard they are willing to sell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashjazzcat Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 Can you ask them if they would be willing to part with the keyboard and the 600XL it came on, and ask them to PM me? Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russg Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Here's my first 800XL, bought about January 1984. It is like type 2, made by AWC, Hong Kong, but it has a different number, 70166205-02, REV. 02. The unique thing about it is the key contacts are mechanical copper, you can see in the picture with the key cap removed. No mylar. I'm not sure if Beetle's type 2 has these type contacts, I would guess yes. I think these are the most reliable, long lasting keyboards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russg Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Here's my first 800XL, bought about January 1984. It is like type 2, made by AWC, Hong Kong, but it has a different number, 70166205-02, REV. 02. The unique thing about it is the key contacts are mechanical copper, you can see in the picture with the key cap removed. No mylar. I'm not sure if Beetle's type 2 has these type contacts, I would guess yes. I think these are the most reliable, long lasting keyboards. Uhm... This is type 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightbit Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 I have a type 3 keyboard in my main 800XL. I actually found a Type 4 NOS keyboard in storage today. I'll probably be selling it soon as I like my type 3...even tho it is not new It just feels a little better to type on in my personal opinion. Good thread btw, only found it now after so many years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Amiga500 Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 I just got a "type 2" and I was surprised to see that the keycaps aren't doubleshot. They're engraved and painted. I thought all Atari keycaps were doubleshot. Here is a comparison of keycaps - type 1 at top, type 2 centre, type 4 at the bottom: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Amiga500 Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) Another thing I am wondering - notice how the "type 3" (AWC) and the Cherry keyboard (newly discovered "type 6"?) have identical keycaps. Also notice that (as seen in side photos), the "type 3" switches are not the same as the "type 2" AWC keyboard. I'd like to see the switch in the "type 3". It's possible that they're Cherry and there is no "type 6" after all. (I don't have one, so I can't check) Cherry (type 6?) Type 3 Edited April 14, 2014 by Mr.Amiga500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 This is my favorite keyboard, hands down. It's an AWC but I'm not sure if it's exactly like type #2. It has a nice consistent spring feel and a very thin outline on the inverse keys. I've had problems with the switches going bad on the Alps (type #1), and the other AWC (type #3) has a wobbly feel to the keys in comparison. Type #5 is very sloppy/chatter-y feeling as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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