Northgate Omnikey Evolution

[alh84001]

Sometimes you search for a keyboard and find it after months and months of searching, and sometimes a keyboard just falls into your lap out of the blue. That second way is how it happened with this one, and I am still kind of perplexed by it. This is my first/only ergonomic keyboard, and i don't know if i will ever get used to it. Maybe I'll use it to finally learn to type with all ten fingers . The board, including keycaps and switches, is in perfect condition. It was really nice to get a hold of SKCM whites in good condition after three boards which had issues with binding. Quite a nice switch in it's own right.

Some more pics below.

Spoiler:

If you ever got a hold off a Northgate keyboard, this one is no different. Heavy metal bottom case and thick plastic top case are present, and except the ergo layout, this is a Northgate keyboard through and through. I think top case material is different than other Omnikeys, but I'm not sure.

FCC ID makes it sound like it was a Mitsubishi Lancer.

Nice touch is a label pointing to health risks of computer usage.


Keycaps are standard Northgate fare - thin doubleshot ABS.



I know some prefer them for clicky switches, but I really dislike them. They simply make the board to rattly. Apart from them, there is one other thing I dislike and that is the thick, non-coiled cable. It's basically two cables in one (keyboard and trackpad), and it is pretty unwieldy.

Other than those two issues, it is an excellent keyboard. I still don't have a serial-to-ps2 adapter for the trackpad, so I haven't had a chance to use it. I'll try and get it one of these days, and see if it is any good. I've been spoiled by the ones on my MacBooks so I don't expect much.