TG3 KBA-BL82 & KBA-nBLT

[zts]

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Two variants of TG3 compact rugged keyboard usually used in kiosks, by emergency & police services, and basically anywhere you could expect liquid spills or rough/abusive handling. The only difference between the two is the touchpad. Backlit and non-backlit versions -- the non-backlit version displays an "n" in the model name, as in KBA-nBLT. More standard consumer-oriented KBs are made via Deck (TG3 is the parent company) that are still extraordinarily tough and well made -- so, Deck 82 is essentially same as TG3 KBA-BL82. See Deck 82: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Deck_82#Discontinued_models

These KBs are very affordable (cheap) and many use them to harvest switches and keycaps. Often mistaken for somewhat unattractive rubber domes (by pressing a key over well-protected switch), the demand is pretty low, so there is significant surplus of brand new TG3s.

Front and (rudimentary) back:

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Once the keycaps are removed, the rubberized protection is visible (it also dampens sound and it's harder to actuate):

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Lifting the protective layer reveals Cherry MX black switches:

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The non-touchpad backlit version (TG3 KBA-BL82) has a different type of protective layer -- it pretty much feels like typical Saran wrap and keycaps are just pressed over it:

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Removing the protective layer from TG3 KBA-BL82, again reveals Cherry MX black switches with LEDs (notice Cherry MX grey under the spacebar ... and nowadays rarely seen "Made in USA" on the board below):

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Backlight at approx. half strength in moderately lit room (no flash):

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Anyways, these are immensely sturdy compacts and protected to the extent that it's hard to feel their mechanical nature. Remove the protective layer to get a typical Cherrry MX black feel and performance. Obsessed with esthetics -- you'll skip these KBs or just harvest the switches and keycaps (if you plan to harvest, IMO, the non-backlit versions have somewhat nicer keycaps).

Note: the box/packaging in the top pic contains only one KB variant of the two pictured models on the box. It's not unusual that these KBs are packaged in brownish plain boxes (no lettering or pics at all on them).

Note 2: created wiki page: http://deskthority.net/wiki/TG3_KBA-BL82/BLT

[scottc]

These are some very handsome keyboards! I might have to pick one up. What are the keycaps like? And how much did you pay?

[Redmaus]

mmmm

Need close up on those keys.

[Ascaii]

ive got one of these with a busted led i tried selling for months, no one was interested. If you want a cheap one, ive got one xD In the states, they will cost about 30-40 bucks shipped, but getting one to europe is a hassle due to import charges.

[scottc]

I don't know Ascaii, I actually kind of like the backlight on this guy! The touchpad is awesome too.

[zts]

These are some very handsome keyboards! I might have to pick one up. What are the keycaps like? And how much did you pay?

Brand new in box are around $28.94 for non-backlit with touchpad (USB); and $39.99 for backlit without touchpad (PS/2). Doubleshots. The non-backlit caps feel better and look somewhat nicer (for harvesting purposes). There used to be the white version of these KBs, but are now somewhat hard to find.

[scottc]

Are they ABS? PBT? I remember reading about some early PBT doubleshot Deck keycaps but might be mistaken. You should update the wiki also: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Deck_82

[Ascaii]

nah, just a single bum led that used to work when i got the keyboard, im sure it can be fixed. The rest works perfectly.

[scottc]

Ah, cool. Might stick it on "the list" for coming back to later!

[zts]

Are they ABS? PBT? I remember reading about some early PBT doubleshot Deck keycaps but might be mistaken. You should update the wiki also: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Deck_82

Yes, many Decks come with PBT+POM keycaps -- great quality, BTW, and most of Deck KBs beat very well built KULs in terms of sturdiness. The only questionable thing about Deck is the non-mainstream font/lettering on them.

This one with no touchpad, but backlit, very nice quality but looks more like a doubleshot ABS to me with some rough-the-top-surface coat (to prevent slips):

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The other with touchpad, could be a doubleshot PBT (need to find those pics). I think one of the best bets to get PBT is to look to the non-USB (older PS/2) versions.

[zts]

mmmm

Need close up on those keys.

Here they are ...


Non-backlit:

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tg3_b.jpeg (161.45 KiB) Viewed 6320 times

Backlit:

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[RoostrC0gburn]

Anybody know what size the spacebar is?

[Aleksander]

I have one of these boards, backlit with trackpad, AND the dock AND itronix tablet-computer that they used in the police cars (but the tablet is SUPER-outdated)