Page 1 of 3

Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:14 am
by kode-niner
How bad is typing with the rubber keyboards on the CF-19 or 30? Lately I've had some bad experiences outdoors with the CF-30 backlit keyboard in rain and high-humidity. I might just need to snag one somewhere to try it out.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:22 am
by Rob
HA! Let's see what happens with this thread....

T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E....

A baby autistic seal could type faster on a normal keyboard than you could on a rubber one....

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 10:19 am
by mklym
Hey! Kode might be a great typist....be nice. :D Lol.

I use rubber kb's on most all my TB's, currently on my 30 and 19 and will be on the 31 once it finishes desktop duty...3-4 days. Yes, they are not as nice to type on as a non-rubber kb, but put a membrane over any kb and it will be not as nice to type on as it was previous. I think most of the bad rep rubber kb's get if from people buying used TB's with rubber kb's that are worn out. The rubber kb I had on this CF-30 was past worn out, needed a 1/2" dia. punch and a 2 lb ball peen hammer to get most keys to work, but I changed it out for a new rubber kb and the difference is like night and day.
Yes, it takes a bit more pressure, but nothing like people would have you believe.
Buy a new rubber kb and you will be happy.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:56 pm
by SHEEPMAN!
People with carpal tunnel don't like rubber keyboards......ask me how I know......if your hands are in good shape try one.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:20 pm
by kode-niner
Hahaha! I do touch-type a good amount of words-per-minute but lately I have serious doubts about the "splash resistance" of the normal keyboard. I was in a very steamy room and it became unusable. It also went bad during a rain storm and had to stop working until it dried out in both cases. If I do plunk down some dough for a new keyboard, I need to know that it isn't useless.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:43 pm
by mklym
You can get new ones on ebay cheaper than from Panasonic. I may not be a multi-word-per-minute typist, but I do know the difference between a good and bad kb. Yes, you will have to put more effort into typing on a rubber kb than an emissive kb, but the bottom line is that the rubber kb will work in all environments. If you can't deal with the extra effort then try a standard, non-emissive kb. A member of NBR has said that the standard kb's handle the wet better than the emissive.

I will look and see if I can locate a new-ish rubber kb for a CF-19 in my parts. If I can locate it, I will send it to you to check out and if you can work with it, we can work something out about replacement/trade.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:17 pm
by mklym
It seems that I don't have any more CF-19 kb's of any kind. I looked in the box I thought all the kb were in but all that is there are 29/30/31 rubber kb's. If you want to try a rubber kb on your 30, I can help, but not for your 19, unless the rubber kb's for them are in another box. I have to repack a couple so I will see, but I was sure all the KB's I have were in the same box. I am finally moving and some stuff has been packed for months.
If you want to try a rubber kb with your 30, send me a PM with a mailing address and I will get it out tomorrow.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:31 pm
by kode-niner
Much obliged.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:16 am
by mklym
No worries. Hope you like the kb and dock.

Re: Rubber backlit keyboard

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:19 pm
by kode-niner
Dock? Swell!

Here's one instance when the emissive keyboard failed me. In April I helped my buddy make some maple syrup. It's not a big commercial outfit but it's still a LOT of hard work. Here's where we boil the sap: