Keyboard Quality

[Robbie]

Hello.

I've ended up with a couple of Vic 20s, and the thing that strikes me most (forgive the pun) is the quality of the keyboards.

The VC20 has a really smooth action that's a pleasure to type on, while the other one needs you to pound on it like you're beating a mole with a mallet. If I'd used the latter first then I wouldn't have bothered trying to do anything useful on it, and would have dug out the C64 instead.

It doesn't seem to be wear or tear, but different designs. I was just wondering whether you folk with more than one Vic-20 have noticed similar differences.

[srowe]

My original PET keyboard VIC is also frustratingly hard to use. The suggestion is that the silicone caps have leaked oil on to the carbon pads and that cleaning with ammonia should help. I've a couple of newer keyboards, they still work beautifully.

[chysn]

I've had at least a half-dozen VIC-20s, but they've all had the same keyboard, the post-PET non-Eurostyle. They spanned 40 years, but my recollection is that they've all been exactly the same. That said, I know that Commodore frequently (always, maybe?) traded consistency for price.

If my MacBook Pro keyboard felt like a VIC-20 keyboard, I'd be quite satisfied.

[Boray]

I have two different types and none of them is eurostile or pet. I have 4 vic-20s and 3 of them is like the c64 keyboard. The 4th looks the same as the other three, but instead of metal springs, there are rubber cups inside. That keyboard is pretty horrible.

[Robbie]

I've just unclipped a key and, like Boray's, the awful one has the rubber cups in place of springs.

It doesn't look like a low serial number or anything. I guess they just tried the different design, and it really is terrible.

I was mistaken about country though, they're both UKB (United Kingdom).

No sign of any lubricant in the cups though, so that might just be a PET 'feature', srowe.

[Noizer]

I don’t know how the various vic20 editions does influence the typing quality. I only know that the best eBay catch for me, the one model was, declared as „with golden keyboard contacts“. Feels very soft and reactive.
Just for fun, does remember me every time of use to the golden PlayStationPortable Episode on Southpark