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How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 19:11
by Kattun
I was surprised to find it with an old ESCOM 486 pizza box that I bought from the classifieds.
I found the page about the "Cherry date codes", but this thing has none.
Double shot keycaps, MX blacks, XT/AT switch, seems in good shape. "made in West Germany" indicates it's pre unification.
Did it roam with the dinosaurs?
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 19:16
by photekq
Kattun wrote: 20 Feb 2022, 19:11
Did it roam with the dinosaurs?
You're correct in your guess!
Going by the rear sticker and the style of flip-out feet, this model precedes their date code system. I would guess it dates back to sometime in 1987.
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 19:44
by Kattun
Thanks for the quick reply, photekq!
Those flip-out feet, well, they do make some sense but I dare anyone to flip them out without fearing to break them. They need to bend quite a bit to unlock from the rear. And the rubber pieces tend to wander.
Other then that, it's pretty solid.
This is so cool - the Tastatur wasn't even part of the deal, I just wanted that old desktop. (Which is gorgeous, btw.)
My first G80 - tbh, the linear switches are kinda boring. And rather stiff, for not being a mechanical typewriter. My parents had a G81 back in the day, which obviously ruined Cherry for me.
Used to borrow a model M for some time. Now, that was a statement
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 19:51
by Myoth
To add a bit to this thread, if you're still in possession of that keyboard, you could probably open it up and get a precise dating of it. Either the case will be dated, or there will be an explicit date written somewhere. If all fails, you can get a lower bound by checking the ICs on the PCB.
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 19:54
by photekq
Kattun wrote: 20 Feb 2022, 19:44
Those flip-out feet, well, they do make some sense but I dare anyone to flip them out without fearing to break them. They need to bend quite a bit to unlock from the rear. And the rubber pieces tend to wander.
You know, I actually prefer those old-style flip-out feet when it comes to using them. But I can understand why Cherry redesigned them swiftly; I've got no doubt that they had some complaints about them breaking. There's a bit of a knack for pulling them out, it's hard to describe. I've flipped mine backward and forward countless times with no issues.
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 20:03
by Kattun
Myoth wrote: 20 Feb 2022, 19:51
you could probably open it up and get a precise dating of it.
thanks - I know, there usually is some kind of stamp on the PCB.
Alas, I tried that earlier today and aborted mission because I coudn't quite figure out how to safely do that. It's a combination of four screws up front and some hook on the rear, the latter remaining opaque.
I may try again once I have more leasure for such things.
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 21:12
by VexSolar
Kattun wrote: 20 Feb 2022, 19:44
Thanks for the quick reply, photekq!
Those flip-out feet, well, they do make some sense but I dare anyone to flip them out without fearing to break them. They need to bend quite a bit to unlock from the rear. And the rubber pieces tend to wander.
Other then that, it's pretty solid.
This is so cool - the Tastatur wasn't even part of the deal, I just wanted that old desktop. (Which is gorgeous, btw.)
My first G80 - tbh, the linear switches are kinda boring. And rather stiff, for not being a mechanical typewriter. My parents had a G81 back in the day, which obviously ruined Cherry for me.
Used to borrow a model M for some time. Now, that was a statement
Say, if you believe the linears are boring, I'll gladly take them off of your hands
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 22:09
by Kattun
VexSolar wrote: 20 Feb 2022, 21:12
Say, if you believe the linears are boring, I'll gladly take them off of your hands
... haha, and you're not even the first to ask
At least give me some time to actually try the thing out, you vultures! I might even aquire the taste?
It's not a G81, I can tell that much!
I'm simply used to some tactility.
I might have considered shelling out three figures for a good MX blue piece, were it not for the tendency of my keyboards to look like Dresden '45 after some time, it would be a shame.
So for now, I'm sticking to a sturdy black IBM rubber dome I got NOS for a fiver. Which is actually not all that bad.
Re: How old is my G80?
Posted: 20 Feb 2022, 22:12
by VexSolar
Kattun wrote: 20 Feb 2022, 22:09
VexSolar wrote: 20 Feb 2022, 21:12
Say, if you believe the linears are boring, I'll gladly take them off of your hands
... haha, and you're not even the first to ask
At least give me some time to actually try the thing out, you vultures! I might even aquire the taste?
It's not a G81, I can tell that much!
I'm simply used to some tactility.
I might have considered shelling out three figures for a good MX blue piece, were it not for the tendency of my keyboards to look like Dresden '45 after some time, it would be a shame.
So for now, I'm sticking to a sturdy black IBM rubber dome I got NOS for a fiver. Which is actually not all that bad.
Sounds good. But if your taste for them never develops... you know who to call
