deskthority

This topic is an request for photos for research purposes.

They do not need to be high quality, so long as the necessary details are clear. Photos can be attached directly to posts in this topic.

I might request specific high quality images be uploaded to the wiki directly, but my aim is just to double-check information via quick snaps.

My intention is to update this post to show the current list of requested images.

Photos currently requested:

• One of the LED switches in a [wiki]Matias Tactile Pro[/wiki] (to confirm brand)
• One of the LED switches in a [wiki]Matias Tactile Pro 2.0[/wiki] (to confirm brand)
• The switch identifier text on the PCB of a Chicony KB-5181/KB-5182 with Cherry MX clone switches; it will say something like "KB-5181/5182KT SMK SW REV-C", except not "SMK"

Photos obtained:

• Ducky DK1008/1087 XM black linear switch, showing numbering (not internals) — I have a bag of these switches
• Ducky DK1008/1087 XM green clicky switch, showing numbering (not internals)
• Ducky DK1008/1087 XM integrated LED switch, showing numbering (not internals)
• Filco Zero XM white clicky switch, showing numbering (not internals)

Here you go, fresh from my DK 1087!

Thanks! Good, exactly what I expected to see. (Basically, just checking whether all their switches are the same. That top number appears to be specific to their products.)

Do you have a switches with LEDs on that?

Voila!

Thanks. Heh, no funny business with either switch. Makes a change actually.

Got some photos of the Zero XM from Sandy — matches again.

Daniel Beardsmore wrote:

• The switch identifier text on the PCB of a Chicony KB-5181/KB-5182 with Cherry MX clone switches; it will say something like "KB-5181/5182KT SMK SW REV-C", except not "SMK"

Are you referring to KB-5191 or 5192? All 5181/5182 I have seen have had Alps- or SMK switches.
I think that Mr Interface had a Chicony 5191 with real Cherry MX Blue switches in his junk pile at the keyboard party this weekend. Maybe you could ask him. I find it unlikely that Chicony would make a different PCB revision just for clone switches as those switches have the same pinout.

There's been a lot of hearsay about exactly what switches really are in the 5181/5182, which I intended to stamp out.

The official list of switch manufacturers used in the 5181/5182 is, according to Chicony US:

Alps Electric, Cherry, SMK, Mitsumi, Aristotle (Yali)

Actual switches confirmed¹ and referenced on the wiki: white Alps CM, Cherry MX blue, blue SMK Alps mount "Monterey", Cherry MX mount Futaba clicky (possibly a holdover from the 5161, as Chicony were not aware this variant existed, and some 5181/2s used parts from 5161/2s). I don't think I've ever seen a photo of a Mitsumi 5181/2 ever, so they're not proven.

There is evidence out there of the Yali switch in one of these keyboards, but I'd like to see what Chicony wrote on the PCB, i.e. did it still say "CHERRY SW", or did they actually write "YALI SW". I think it's part of my uncertainty around whether we can believe Chicony and Monterey that SMK truly did make the "Monterey" switch, as SMK won't tell me.

¹Confirmed but not proven in all cases, as people can transplant switches!

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/gue ... tml#p37735

It's a 5191. I'll PM Mr Interface directly now that I've realised which keyboard it actually is.