IBM 5251 review (beamsprings)

[seebart]

Yes, it's not really Chyros' fault as much as it is the blind madness of a portion of the community.

True, BUT I'm being a bit jaded and biased here: I can clearly remember my imense personal excitement when I discovered all the keyboards and all the switches years ago. Obviously this settles over years, at least for most of us....

Anyway the 5251 is a fantastic keyboard which deserves the coverage, it's like the Model M of Beamsprings. "Slightly" impractical ergomonics with a brilliant switch and real nice sphericals. I've still got the cousin sitting in storage.

[andrewjoy]

I prefer the 3279 , i would love to get my hands on one of them

and my 3278 ofc

This has a better layout but i prefer the case of the 32**

[seebart]

I prefer the 3279 , i would love to get my hands on one of them

and my 3278 ofc

This has a better layout but i prefer the case of the 32**

Right, I prefer my 3276 for the more "humane" height of the case, but the layout of the 5251 is more practical.

[andrewjoy]

Well who cares how high the 32** are , they have a wrist rest .

Well its kind of unfair to call it a rest , more of a shelf

[seebart]

Well who cares how high the 32** are , they have a wrist rest .

Well its kind of unfair to call it a rest , more of a shelf

You mean the "compartment" for the manual?

Spoiler:

IMGP1999.JPG (951.94 KiB) Viewed 3937 times

[andrewjoy]

aye thats the one

[Elrick]

That's pretty pathetic, it also means that you still don't have any clue that DT is MUCH bigger than Thomas. Why don't you watch his videos on YT then like the rest of the losers.

Geez, if you actually think what I type is true and/or relevant then you need to seriously take a break and top up on some 'r-e-a-l-i-t-y'.

I take the piss on just about EVERYTHING related to keyboards simply because it's not that serious, I just make out that it is.

Never aspire to be one of you lot here, wanting to know the whole theory of design or construction of any model of keyboard, they just have to be fun typing with and that's the honest truth. Anything more is just too much and takes away the fun of typing with any keyboard and would rather be labelled a 'Loser' like all the rest here on DT .

[seebart]

That's pretty pathetic, it also means that you still don't have any clue that DT is MUCH bigger than Thomas. Why don't you watch his videos on YT then like the rest of the losers.

Geez, if you actually think what I type is true and/or relevant then you need to seriously take a break and top up on some 'r-e-a-l-i-t-y'.

I take the piss on just about EVERYTHING related to keyboards simply because it's not that serious, I just make out that it is.

Never aspire to be one of you lot here, wanting to know the whole theory of design or construction of any model of keyboard, they just have to be fun typing with and that's the honest truth. Anything more is just too much and takes away the fun of typing with any keyboard and would rather be labelled a 'Loser' like all the rest here on DT .

The only reason I "threw" that at you is because you've been around here a long time, longer than me or Chyros. But it's cool, I see you can "take it" like a real Aussie. No offense.

[Chyros]

and for typing it's just so much FUN to use. And smooth, SO SMOOTH.

Your videos are like addictive PRON that entices people such as myself to become transfixed and completely obsessed with this type of keyboard, must resist the 'Beamspring' enslavement .

That's pretty pathetic, it also means that you still don't have any clue that DT is MUCH bigger than Thomas. Why don't you watch his videos on YT then like the rest of the losers.

Sorry, but I'd reverse that, my work is meant for EVERYONE, not just for people on DT.


I take great offence at someone calling my viewers "losers". I've heard the feedback from the DT community loud and clear, and I know EXACTLY who likes my videos, and my stuff is meant for THEM.

[seebart]

I take great offence at someone calling my viewers "losers". I've heard the feedback from the DT community loud and clear, and I know EXACTLY who likes my videos, and my stuff is meant for THEM.

Regardless, don't overly get "into" this. The fact that your work is NOT limited to DT is the point. If you can't take any flaming that's too bad. Seems Elrick can.

"Your viewers" are only "yours" on YouTube etc, here they are all DT members like all the rest of us!

Also I don't really think you know who likes your work and who doesn't, possibly with the exception of Wodan which is fine.

[Clavius]

Honestly? Usually, by the time I'm editing the video, I've already switched to the next thing I want to do a video about. With this one I genuinely found myself not wanting to swap.

I did switch to my secondary keyboard (I generally have one on hand for use during filming) when playing games, but really, for simple games it's fine, and for typing it's just so much FUN to use. And smooth, SO SMOOTH.

It's no doubt the coolest board out there, don't get me wrong. Still, I'm wondering. Did you type on it for a longer period of time? You're not bothered by the height of the board?

[Sangdrax]

I use a four inch high board every day. Usability has nothing to do with the height of the board itself and more the relative height of your desk.

[Elrick]

I take great offence at someone calling my viewers "losers". I've heard the feedback from the DT community loud and clear, and I know EXACTLY who likes my videos, and my stuff is meant for THEM.

Regardless, don't overly get "into" this. The fact that your work is NOT limited to DT is the point. If you can't take any flaming that's too bad. Seems Elrick can.

"Your viewers" are only "yours" on YouTube etc, here they are all DT members like all the rest of us!

This is almost like some ideological stance that has been going on at Geekhack for years. YES, you will have the all too serious collectors that frown and loathe that their area of expertise is now readily accessible to everyone, including an uneducated grease-monkey such as me.

By rights, I shouldn't even exist here on DT, Geekhack or OCN simply because my intelligence isn't markedly higher than a common animal (yep, I like making that comparison) .

Maybe because of me, I may of knocked this forum into the pits of depravity and stupidity, hence I ask the admins to make their decision upon either allowing me to stay or be removed permanently. Most would like to see my arse booted off which is fine since I have no malice towards them, simply because they only exist in the ethereal world of the internet.

I LOVE Chyros's video's because it elevates my limited experience with certain keyboards, like what video's do for dogs and cats .

[Chyros]

Honestly? Usually, by the time I'm editing the video, I've already switched to the next thing I want to do a video about. With this one I genuinely found myself not wanting to swap.

I did switch to my secondary keyboard (I generally have one on hand for use during filming) when playing games, but really, for simple games it's fine, and for typing it's just so much FUN to use. And smooth, SO SMOOTH.

It's no doubt the coolest board out there, don't get me wrong. Still, I'm wondering. Did you type on it for a longer period of time? You're not bothered by the height of the board?

Not at all, I type from height anyway. Remember, I don't do any of these touch typing conventions everyone else here seems to follow xD .

[webwit]

I take great offence at someone calling my viewers "losers". I've heard the feedback from the DT community loud and clear, and I know EXACTLY who likes my videos, and my stuff is meant for THEM.

Regardless, don't overly get "into" this. The fact that your work is NOT limited to DT is the point. If you can't take any flaming that's too bad. Seems Elrick can.

"Your viewers" are only "yours" on YouTube etc, here they are all DT members like all the rest of us!

Also I don't really think you know who likes your work and who doesn't, possibly with the exception of Wodan which is fine.

Oh, but can you take flaming? You have been acid to various members of admin, you are acid to well respected members like Chyros, this would be a better community if you'd just fuck off. Of course this is just a little innocent flaming, Is this the implementation of your threats to admins that you'd be an acid asshole if we wouldn't ban a certain person? Just joking, lol.

[wobbled]

I prefer the 3279 , i would love to get my hands on one of them

and my 3278 ofc

This has a better layout but i prefer the case of the 32**

Really odd honestly, I found the 3278 so damn hard to use effectively, the two 'clusters' of keys on each side weren't enough to get a full set of F Keys or a decent arrow key set up. I'd be fine using it just as a 60% keyboard if it wasn't so darn big - it's basically a 4704-107 without the numpad in terms of its size. Give me a 5251 any day with a usable full size layout.

[Sangdrax]

I prefer the 3279 , i would love to get my hands on one of them

and my 3278 ofc

This has a better layout but i prefer the case of the 32**

Really odd honestly, I found the 3278 so damn hard to use effectively, the two 'clusters' of keys on each side weren't enough to get a full set of F Keys or a decent arrow key set up. I'd be fine using it just as a 60% keyboard if it wasn't so darn big - it's basically a 4704-107 without the numpad in terms of its size. Give me a 5251 any day with a usable full size layout.

There's several sizes of 3278. The one with a number pad/Fn cluster on the right is better than the 5251 imo.

[E3E]

I prefer the 3279 , i would love to get my hands on one of them

and my 3278 ofc

This has a better layout but i prefer the case of the 32**

Really odd honestly, I found the 3278 so damn hard to use effectively, the two 'clusters' of keys on each side weren't enough to get a full set of F Keys or a decent arrow key set up. I'd be fine using it just as a 60% keyboard if it wasn't so darn big - it's basically a 4704-107 without the numpad in terms of its size. Give me a 5251 any day with a usable full size layout.

I was not a fan of my 3277 66-key beamspring. Very much something that'd be similar to a 60% or so, but it was way too big, clunky, and personally, I felt like the keyswitch feel to beamsprings along with the metallic resonance of the case (sure, foam could have fixed that), wasn't really all that impressive to me. I guess I'm lucky. No more beamsprings to worry about finding.

[wobbled]

Ah, my bad Sangdrax. I was referring to the one that has two colums of keys on each side. A number pad on the right would definitely be more useful.

I would've preferred the 3277 over the 3278, at least then you don't have a bunch of keys that don't get used due to them being somewhat useless (at least for me)
Definitely agree about the keyswitch feel too, I've found the best variants of Model F's (4704) to be much smoother and snappier in key feel than the beamsprings. The only beamspring that would tempt me now is a full size.

[seebart]

Oh, but can you take flaming? You have been acid to various members of admin, you are acid to well respected members like Chyros, this would be a better community if you'd just fuck off. Of course this is just a little innocent flaming,

No webwit, I think your serious and from you this is what I would expect. Your track record in the "A new US Republican thread 2016" with jacobolus is "out of competition" and makes me look like a beginner. The fact that you disabled my PM's to you is funky but for me to leave DT you'll have to ban me...

Spoiler:

pmtw3.jpg (72.09 KiB) Viewed 3626 times

Is this the implementation of your threats to admins that you'd be an acid asshole if we wouldn't ban a certain person?

No, I haven't gotten started on that yet.

[nsmechkb]

Just saw this review for the first time today. The condition of your 5251 is amazing. It looks like it was made only yesterday.

Also nice to learn that the dropped keystrokes you showed in your 3278 video can be minimized by adjusting the solenoid settings.

Awesome video!