Fujitsu "Sanyo" keyboard review (Fujitsu leaf spring 3rd gen.)

Chyros · 11 Jun 2016, 19:29

A nice old Fujitsu this time around, hope you enjoy!

seebart · 11 Jun 2016, 20:55

Good to see you have a look at Fujitsu Leaf Spring, one of the most underrated switches IMO. And I mean any of the three versions although I have not tried the 2nd gen.Does not suprise me you like them. You sure the top case is plastic on that Sanyo of yours? "Tron-like pattern" in the tombstone keycaps is brilliant, never thought of it that way. I'd love to own any Fujitsu Leaf Spring in good condition. I'll have to see how my 3rd gen Fujitsu Leaf Spring board reacts to off-center keypress, I do not remember. Very interesting that some keys differ in this.

An older one next week? I can't wait because I love these...

keyboards-f2/fujitsu-limited-keyboard-t ... it=fujitsu

y11971alex · 11 Jun 2016, 21:11

Great review again! xD

Chyros · 12 Jun 2016, 01:15

seebart wrote: Good to see you have a look at Fujitsu Leaf Spring, one of the most underrated switches IMO. And I mean any of the three versions although I have not tried the 2nd gen.Does not suprise me you like them. You sure the top case is plastic on that Sanyo of yours? "Tron-like pattern" in the tombstone keycaps is brilliant, never thought of it that way. I'd love to own any Fujitsu Leaf Spring in good condition. I'll have to see how my 3rd gen Fujitsu Leaf Spring board reacts to off-center keypress, I do not remember. Very interesting that some keys differ in this.

An older one next week? I can't wait because I love these...

keyboards-f2/fujitsu-limited-keyboard-t ... it=fujitsu

I won't spoil what's coming next, but I'm sure you'll like it

.

Yeah, very sure the top case is plastic. However, like I said, it feels quite strange for plastic.

The caps on mine aren't tombstones btw, just those square-rimmed sphericals.

And thanks Alex

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webwit · 12 Jun 2016, 01:18

Fatt-ass Enter is Fass-ass.

seebart · 12 Jun 2016, 10:55

The rest of the keycap is the same for sure. That enter key is ridiculous.

Chyros · 12 Jun 2016, 10:57

Aren't those cylindrical? I know of Fujitsu tombstone caps, they're a bit of a giveaway. But these really aren't tombstones, I guarantee. I suspect they predate them.

Stabilized · 12 Jun 2016, 10:58

Can the sliders be taken apart at all? Could you possibly lube them in order to remove the off centre catching?

seebart · 12 Jun 2016, 11:01

Yeah your right, no tombstone top on yours. Regardless the keycaps are awesome. Here we go with the TRON pattern

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Chyros · 12 Jun 2016, 11:06

Stabilized wrote: Can the sliders be taken apart at all? Could you possibly lube them in order to remove the off centre catching?

You can take the sliders off, yeah, but I tend to be wary of lubricant to combat binding, especially as I don't know what's causing the problem exactly, let alone how to combat it.

I tried to fix the binding on a FKB4700 shift key with lube, that went spectacularly wrong xD . Space Invaders and Alps don't like it either.

seebart · 12 Jun 2016, 11:08

Chyros wrote: I suspect they predate them.

Would be interesting to find out but since there are never any real production dates on these it's anyones guess.

They were manufactured & sold from about 1983 to about 1988.

http://www.old-computers.com/museum/com ... c=473&st=1

Almost right Chyros:

http://www.old-computers.com/museum/com ... c=380&st=1

The FM-11 AD2+ is dated 1984 here, so there is an overlap of 1 (!) year. Of course they may be wrong with their data.

Stabilized · 12 Jun 2016, 11:15

Chyros wrote:
Stabilized wrote: Can the sliders be taken apart at all? Could you possibly lube them in order to remove the off centre catching?
You can take the sliders off, yeah, but I tend to be wary of lubricant to combat binding, especially as I don't know what's causing the problem exactly, let alone how to combat it.

I tried to fix the binding on a FKB4700 shift key with lube, that went spectacularly wrong xD . Space Invaders and Alps don't like it either.

That's a shame, but I suppose if it doesn't work on a modern computer then there isn't that much point in trying too hard anyway.
So do you get the same kind of binding problem with older/used Alps boards too? I only have a few Alps boards (all old and used), and I just thought the binding problem was a problem with Alps switches inherently.

Chyros · 12 Jun 2016, 11:17

seebart wrote:
Chyros wrote: I suspect they predate them.
Would be interesting to find out but since there are never any real production dates on these it's anyones guess.

That's true. Again, you might enjoy next week's video

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seebart · 12 Jun 2016, 11:23

Chyros wrote: I suspect they predate them.

Nope, also no overlap if these dates are right. No need to wait for next week regarding the producion dates:

FM 11 AD: YEAR November 1982

http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1217

Sanyo MBC-55x : YEAR 1982

http://www.old-computers.com/museum/com ... c=473&st=1

Just updated our wiki:

wiki/Fujitsu_Limited_N860-2505-T00201A