Closed Commodore key replacement of Amiga key

[MIRKOSOFT]

Hi!

I'm searching for rare Commodore key replacement of Amiga key.

I want to buy one or two, maybe three keys.

Miro

 

[tokyoracer]

You realise the keyboards with the 'C=' logo use completely different key mechanisms?

Basically they won't be a straight swap unless there's an 'A' varient that used the same mechanism that I don't know about.

Just a heads up...

 

[BLTCON0]

@MIRKOSOFT
tokyoracer's right, the C= ones use a microswitches design while the newer A ones a membrane design, at least on the A500.
I don't know what the situation is for A2000 keyboards, but I feel it's similar - C= ones use a different keyboard (with a shorter F-key span, Cherry I think) than the more common Mitsumi ones (which I presume all have the A key).

But it's not impossible that there may be C= key Mitsumi ones, at least for the A2000.

 

[Wolfy]

I have read a few posts on amiga.org of people having A2000 keyboards with the C= key but they are going to be the same as the rarer a500 keyboards, so worth looking, though you would be best to look for an entire keyboard than just a keycap...

The actual keyboard is different indeed, as said, cherry microswitches..., I have one in my A500 and it feels AMAZING! (and not for sale sorry)

 

[WonkeyDonkey]

Are we saying here that the A2000 keyboard keys and the A500 keys are interchangable ?

 

[MIRKOSOFT]

Of course...

Commodore keyboard manufacturer was MITSUMI, so also some Mitsumi keyboards has compatible keys...

Only first 8-bits from Commodore are incompatible, for example C64 except SX-64

Since 264 series (except 16 and 116) are keys compatible - for example I used for my Commodore 128 I used some Plus/4 keys and some A1200 keys...

Miro

 

[quarkx]

But MOST big box Amiga keyboards did not have membranes at all. they had a proper Circuit board. I have literally spent ten's of hours tearing apart keyboards to clean, and I can safely say that not one "Big Box" amiga keyboard here in Canada has a membrane.

 

[BLTCON0]

Are we saying here that the A2000 keyboard keys and the A500 keys are interchangable ?

They are not, but in some cases something can be done.
From what I have come to know, A500 keyboards came in three types:
1 - older microswitch design
2 - Mitsumi
3 - Samsung
For A2000 keyboards
1 - older Cherry ones
2 - Mitsumi

The Mitsumi type keys are somewhat interchangeable, but the stems underneath the keycaps differ a bit so the keys must be swapped complete with their resting sleeves.
Even then it won't look good, because A2000 keys are of a different quality than A500 ones (they feel grainier and they don't yellow. The spacebar is the same as in A500 keyboards though and it does yellow).
So the best approach is a complete swap of all the keys + sleeves (in a Mitsumi - Mitsumi scenario that is)

 

[genny_flick]

I can confirm A2000 keyboard don't have membrane, but have a PCB.

 

[WonkeyDonkey]

I have an A2000 keyboard coming from a mate of mine, Im hoping to switch the keys over, but havent actually used it so no idea if its 'click' keys or not.

 

[MIRKOSOFT]

Hi!

I'm really 128'er... but also interest into Amiga...

My current project is advanced keyboard for C128D... look at image...

I want to use Amiga keyboard to C= Key interface by remapping keyboard layout... really is for me missing C= key... better to say two, to be safe three... C= key has not same width like Amiga key... so there is really big visible effect... maybe it looks like detail, but visible...

Look at my project image, and layout remapping image of Amiga keyboard...

For project C128D keyboard I used keys from Mitsumi keyboard, and for Amiga 128D keyboard I bought A4000 keyboard and using A1200 and C128 keys...

Missing is only C= key...

Miro