Question Help me find a replacement keyboard (hate most of the new things i see, been using it for far over 10 years)

[ranakor]

I've been using (and used to) the same keyboard for a very very long time as you can see by the yellowing (even if i completely disassembled it / cleaned it twice a year).

(Note: if anyone can figure out which keyboard i'm using from logitech and knows the model name or knows if they continued the series, the best would be buying the same thing, but given how long it is i'm having little hope).

I hate most everything i see and i don't know where to find one similar, so here's what i need

Connectivity : i don't care, ideally USB, but even PS2 is fine i'll use an adapter, wireless is fine too.

Lights : absolutely no lights so none of the neon colored flashy stuff but no backlit keys either, i don't look at my keyboard ever and any light source is distracting

The arrow keys ( < > ) : i want them at the same place as on that old keyboard, i find them to the right on most new keyboards, that's a no go for me. See red arrow on screenshot

No flat keys, i liked keys with depth and i tend to press hard, also while i never look at the keyboard, i "have" to look at my temporary replacement one that is flat keys, i'm used to feeling the "inbetween" of keys

Anything that acts like the F1-F12 are multimedia key by default is a no go, i use those keys a lot and i'm fine if they have a secondary use, but not if the special function is their primary use (on boot) and i need to hit FN + F5 to do a real F5, a toggle key that toggles them all at once (like on my current keyboard) is fine, i can hit that key once every boot and be done with it

No multimedia features (i have not used even once any of the special keys above the F keys on my keyboard, i don't mind them so they're not a deal breaker, but the exact keyboard i have minus those keys and with F keys behaving like F keys by default would just be perfect)

Ideally not mechanical keyboard "if" they're noisy, my keyboard way predates the mechanical keyboard craze and i already hit hard and do a lot of noise so i don't need to add more. Otherwise i'm open to it but i don't need it so not if it bump the price for the same price

Touch weight/feeling : i don't know how to describe it so i don't know if i want something with a heavy or medium weight, if anyone knows this keyboard, i want something similar, it's just perfect for me.

Any help is appreciated, my main use is programming with some gaming, switching keyboards blows my typing speed monstruously (i type at the same speed but make mistakes often enough that with the finding the back delete touch, missing it, typing it twice, moving etc i'd say i'm on average at 1/3 the speed i used to type to).

 

[SamirD]

I feel you man! I've been lucky enough that my hands settled on the IBM Model M and that IBM made a ton of them so I never have to worry about either wearing one out or getting another one in the crazy case that I somehow do after 70 years of typing.

That being said, I think an exact replacement is what your hands need. If they slow down on any other keyboard, then it's not the right board (same thing happens to me on a non-M). So here's how you get the information on the board. On the bottom of the board there has to be a sticker with some numeric information on it--post a shot of that and I'll see what I can find out. Hopefully a $20 replacement will get you back up and running fast.

 

[ranakor]

I feel you man! I've been lucky enough that my hands settled on the IBM Model M and that IBM made a ton of them so I never have to worry about either wearing one out or getting another one in the crazy case that I somehow do after 70 years of typing.

That being said, I think an exact replacement is what your hands need. If they slow down on any other keyboard, then it's not the right board (same thing happens to me on a non-M). So here's how you get the information on the board. On the bottom of the board there has to be a sticker with some numeric information on it--post a shot of that and I'll see what I can find out. Hopefully a $20 replacement will get you back up and running fast.

I wish there was but as when i dismantle it twice a year i wash it thoroughly any form of sticker is long gone All there is left is the engraved caution about health risk and RSI (it was another time when we actually had warnings on keyboards )

 

[SamirD]

Hmmm...then I'll need more pictures and if you have any marking or words from the circuit boards inside that will help too.

 

[ranakor]

Front pictures :

 

[ranakor]

Back pictures :

 

[ranakor]

Will try to find time tommorow to open it if the pictures above aren't enough so i can show the inside layout and circuit board.

 

[fluffmonster]

The model is Logitech Y-SR34, still have one in my basement in case I ever needed a PS2 kb (english version). A google search turned up some on ebay. Good luck.

 

[ranakor]

The model is Logitech Y-SR34, still have one in my basement in case I ever needed a PS2 kb (english version). A google search turned up some on ebay. Good luck.

Thanks! I'll see if i can find one in a good state. Can you think of anything modernly produced that is close since you know how it feels having one?

 

[fluffmonster]

Sorry, can't really help with suggestions. I didn't like the keyboard and never sought another like it, and my preferences in a keyboard seem quite different from yours. I think mine is in good repair though, send me a PM if you can't find one more conveniently.

 

[SamirD]

Great photos! So here's what I was able to figure out:
Model numbers:
v-sr34
rt7r13
867209-0101
867209-0120
867209-0102

But there was a euro version like what you have and an ansi version with a different enter layout (smaller enter unlike the iso enter you have).

I'm assuming you must be outside the US to be using an ISO keyboard, so this is the best link I found for an identical replacement:

Logitech P/N: 867209-0102 Tastatur PS/2 [used] - € 6,30 - Aykat Computer - Ihr Servicepartner in Göttingen

Aykat Computer Logitech P/N: 867209-0102 Tastatur PS/2 [used] - Technische Daten • Bezeichnung - Aufdruck : Logitech P/N: 867209-0102 Tastatur PS/2 [used] Logitech Access Keyboard • Y-SR34 (129000-301 B) Tastatur PS2 Stecker 6-Pin rund, PS/2 • Tastatur für PCs mit PS/2 Anschluss • mit deutschem...

www.aykat.de

Otherwise, the model numbers should help you look for a suitable replacement.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Looks like a French keyboard edition?

 

[ranakor]

Great photos! So here's what I was able to figure out:
Model numbers:
v-sr34
rt7r13
867209-0101
867209-0120
867209-0102

But there was a euro version like what you have and an ansi version with a different enter layout (smaller enter unlike the iso enter you have).

I'm assuming you must be outside the US to be using an ISO keyboard, so this is the best link I found for an identical replacement:

Logitech P/N: 867209-0102 Tastatur PS/2 [used] - € 6,30 - Aykat Computer - Ihr Servicepartner in Göttingen

Aykat Computer Logitech P/N: 867209-0102 Tastatur PS/2 [used] - Technische Daten • Bezeichnung - Aufdruck : Logitech P/N: 867209-0102 Tastatur PS/2 [used] Logitech Access Keyboard • Y-SR34 (129000-301 B) Tastatur PS2 Stecker 6-Pin rund, PS/2 • Tastatur für PCs mit PS/2 Anschluss • mit deutschem...

www.aykat.de

Otherwise, the model numbers should help you look for a suitable replacement.

Thanks for the answer, yes it's an (azerty) keyboard. Is there a way to figure out the FR layout serial number from the US ones?

Looks like a French keyboard edition?

That's correct

 

[DigDog]

dude you can do better.

 

[ranakor]

dude you can do better.

I don't want better, when you've been typing on the same thing for 15 years the only thing you want is the same thing, any change cripples my typing speed & comfort (i found something with a similar layout, but it's a RGB lit keyboard and doesn't have spacing between the main area/arrow keys area/numpad area). Since i don't look at the keyboard i disabled the led and that spacing aside it fits me perfectly but if i could find the exact same that would rock (in azerty).

 

[VirtualLarry]

Honestly, I'm not really aware of very many tech products, that have a 15-year or longer production lifespan, that can still be purchased "New" at a reasonable price.

I think that your best bet, is to start trying out Mech. keyboards (RGB or not), and see if any of them appeal to you. You can actually adapt fairly quickly, should you find a good one and put your mind and fingers to it.

 

[DigDog]

i limited my initial reply to a "you can do better" because i dont want to come off as a keyboard nerd, someone who pushes a newer product njust because it's newer, or because i perceive it as "better" because marketing tells me so.

The Logitech of .. well, ALL logitech are dome with slider (on in rare cases just plain ol' membrane) switches, and while the build quality is good, they still rely exclusively on a pcb mount and plastic housing. This isn't a Topre or a Model M.
Ergonomics, or the fact that changing keyboard impacts your typing, is something that lasts for a few days, after which you will invariably adapt to whatever your new keyboard is. So yeah, buy a old-new-stock Logitech, buy a new-new logitech, but at least consider that you CAN get something that's better. I mean, they make a $500 modernized USB' Model F clone, so it's not like this logi here is UNTIMATE POWHR or anything.
Even more so if mr Op will keep it for 15 years, then by all means look into getting a typist's keyboard, something with metal backplate and a modern, mechanical switch, like a Novelkey switch on a nice custom housing.


or a unicomp.

 

[Steltek]

I remember thinking the same thing about my old Northgate Omnikey and Gateway 2000 Anykey keyboards, that I would never, ever find something I liked as much.

Then I found my IBM Model M and haven't let it go since. I can disassemble it and wash it in the dishwasher if I want and just it keeps on going. Typing is always consistent, and even if I manage to break it the keyboard is easily repairable (spare parts abound). And, most importantly, it weighs enough and is sturdy enough that I can use it to crack someone over the head and still be able count on it working to type up an obituary afterwards!

From experience, I can honestly say you will adjust to a good, quality keyboard much faster than you would think.