deskthority

it costs $40 over here, but I won't buy it, due exactly to the 6 DIN cable...

I would buy that for $40 if it was available here, I've never seen the black one.

Is it from TaoBao?
I have been debating if I should get this exact board (AT 6 DIN I guess) via a proxy - it's so good looking, like a reversed Dolch color. I know it's rubber dome with slider (unlike the BTC 5100), but I'm exactly a rubber-dome user. So I should be able to tolerate that. However, I'm already having quite a few boards that I'm not using.

Edit: I found them documented on Korean websites when I was looking for 75% rubber-dome slider boards, and I believe the later PS/2 version has only black caps but not the black and grey caps.
BTC 5100C Rubber-dome slider
http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/best_article/8388779
BTC 5100 Foam Sponge capacitive switches, even more trouble
http://pinchocodia.tistory.com/485

Menuhin wrote: Is it from TaoBao?
I have been debating if I should get this exact board (AT 6 DIN I guess) via a proxy - it's so good looking, like a reversed Dolch color. I know it's rubber dome with slider (unlike the BTC 5100), but I'm exactly a rubber-dome user. So I should be able to tolerate that. However, I'm already having quite a few boards that I'm not using.

It's an excellent rubber dome at that.

seebart wrote: I would buy that for $40 if it was available here, I've never seen the black one.

I have to admit it looks really good, but I have my standard, I call it "BUD" Beautiful Useful and Durable. This one is disqualified because it's not useful to me ,I am no electronic engineer, I don't mind taking things apart clean them up and put them back together, but soldering around every time I buy something, hell no...

Menuhin wrote: Is it from TaoBao?
I have been debating if I should get this exact board (AT 6 DIN I guess) via a proxy - it's so good looking, like a reversed Dolch color. I know it's rubber dome with slider (unlike the BTC 5100), but I'm exactly a rubber-dome user. So I should be able to tolerate that. However, I'm already having quite a few boards that I'm not using.

Edit: I found them documented on Korean websites when I was looking for 75% rubber-dome slider boards, and I believe the later PS/2 version has only black caps but not the black and grey caps.
BTC 5100C Rubber-dome slider
http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/best_article/8388779
BTC 5100 Foam Sponge capacitive switches, even more trouble
http://pinchocodia.tistory.com/485

Yes it's from TaoBao, I can forward you the link if you want...

I almost forgot, the bloody layout of arrow keys reduces its viability a lot, and I refuse rubber dome, so no doubt this keyboard is disqualified.

Mr.Nobody wrote: ... "BUD" Beautiful Useful and Durable. This one is disqualified ...

Beautiful things are usually not that durable, and it's not easy to come up with a beautiful yet practical and useful design. So you're looking at quite a limited set here if everything has to be beautiful, practical and durable.

I remember the rationale of setting this one aside - I have been waiting for two things: PLUM 84 (which is fully programmable) with 55g capacitive domes in black color with POM key caps which will eventually be there, and the second one is the next GMK Dolch GB. The reverse Dolch theme still looks very handsome though. :\

I'd put a Teensy inside (or just plug it into my Soarer box) and map the up arrow as Fn and I'd be at the races, HHKB-style. Seen much worse layouts than that; it's actually quite cute, and eminently useable as an extended 60%, with remapping.

Menuhin wrote: BTC 5100 Foam Sponge capacitive switches, even more trouble
http://pinchocodia.tistory.com/485

Not as much trouble as the 6 PIN-DIN, feels like a Topre clone:

keyboards-f2/btc-5100-t15129.html?hilit=BTC

y11971alex wrote: It's an excellent rubber dome at that.

Right, so is Topre. Except this costs about $150-250 less...

henkelfire wrote:

This is the result I got from testing.
I hooked it up with alligator clips to a PS2 to USB adapter board with labeled pins. Then I stuffed everything inside and I now have and internally converted BTC 5100c keyboard.

I hope this helps, and let me know if this is horribly wrong. This is my first electronics project.

Many thanks for the pinouts - got it working with a Pro Micro!

Beautiful things are usually not that durable, and it's not easy to come up with a beautiful yet practical and useful design. So you're looking at quite a limited set here if everything has to be beautiful, practical and durable.

IBM Model M SSK is a typical example of BUD, you are absolutely right, I am looking at a rather limited set. Old Chinese saying “贵精不贵多” a rough translation is: "better having fewer but the best ones than having many but mediocore ones"

@Menuhin

Nice pictures in the link you provided, I always wonder what it looks like if it's rubber dome underneath the slider, thank you. BTW, is that true you can speak Chinese Korean and Japanese besides English?

I recently stumbled upon the ps2 version of this keyboard. And the seller claims they are FnF not rubber dome, but I have doubt about it.

The 2nd link above is actually foam and foil.
If the model number is BTC 5100 (without the C), then that is the model with foam and foil capacitive switches.
However, be prepare to create those foam and fold by yourself all over again if the keyboard is old and has not been stored carefully.
wiki/File:BTC-5060-Switch-Components.JPG

Some users praise the key feel of the foam and foil switches though that can be a lot of work to restore them.

Menuhin wrote: The 2nd link above is actually foam and foil.
If the model number is BTC 5100 (without the C), then that is the model with foam and foil capacitive switches.
However, be prepare to create those foam and fold by yourself all over again if the keyboard is old and has not been stored carefully.
wiki/File:BTC-5060-Switch-Components.JPG

Some users praise the key feel of the foam and foil switches though that can be a lot of work to restore them.

Thank you for your advice I won't buy this model due to the freakin' layout, I just want to know what the fuss is all about. The seller claims it's FnF but I notice it's a 5100c, that's why I'm suspicious about it. Agian, are you a multi-linguist?

I finally received a 5100C that's functional. Thanks to vivalarevolucion!