Ways to soften the force on an 800xl keyboard?

[AuntiePixel]

Hi, I've been restoring an 800xl to get back into Atari games and tinkering. It's coming along well enough, but using the keyboard is annoyingly difficult. The keys seem to take quite a lot of pressure to push down, and it just gets tiring over time. Is this normal for some/all 800xl systems? Any way to soften the keypresses? If this is just how the 800xl keyboards are, should I maybe look into a 130xe instead?

 

Thanks for your input

[Rybags]

There's multiple keyboard types (4 or 5?) for the XL.

Generally the non stepped ones have a bit of mushy feel and probably need more travel than the stepped ones.

I've had 2 of the steppd ones, the one on my current 600XL IMO isn't as good as the first one I had.

 

I guess also over the years oxidization, dust and wear can mean that they don't work as well as when newer.

[Marius]

What you describe sounds familiar with a certain keyboard type of the 800xl. I have to say, and I might be an exception, that those are my favorite 800XL keyboards. Yes the keys are more heavy than on other types, but you'll get used to it when you type a lot on it. 

 

When your fingers get stronger, it is not longer a problem. I actually love the feel of these keyboards. And, they give me the impression that even an elephant could stand on the keys, without breaking anything

[archeocomp]

Stepped keyboard mean clicky keyboard? Never ever saw one on Atari.

[Rybags]

Stepped = like a traditional typewriter.  Then there's the straight ones where the keys are level.

[cwilbar]

to learn more about the XL keyboard variants.

 

 

 

[Voxel]

If you like touch typing the squared off keys on the stepped keyboards are for you.

 

Otherwise they are all great for typing.

[gilsaluki]

If you dislike the  800XLs keyboard, you'll loath the XEs KB.  They are mushy, mushy, mushy...many missed keystrokes.  Best Elects made the TT-Touch replacement silicone key cups.  Some people say they correct the mushy keystrokes.  I did not notice very much of a difference.  I wasted time and money changing to them. 

[Mark Simonson]

I just acquired a 130XE. I've never used one of these before (previously only the 400, 800, and 800XL). The 130XE keyboard is very stiff and takes more pressure to register strokes than other Atari 8-bits I've used. It sounds like what @AuntiePixel describes on an 800XL. The two 800XLs I have right now are more on the mushy side and barely need any pressure to register a keystroke (to the point where it sometimes happens accidentally when I'm just resting a finger on a key). Do 130XEs usually have stiff keys like this? Maybe age or wear? What XE keyboard variants were there?

 

Edit: Scratch that. I just reread the eBay description of the unit I purchased, and the keyboard mylar has been replaced. That would explain it. I guess I can get used to it. ?

Edited January 25, 2021 by Mark Simonson

[BillC]

13 hours ago, Mark Simonson said:

Edit: Scratch that. I just reread the eBay description of the unit I purchased, and the keyboard mylar has been replaced. That would explain it. I guess I can get used to it.

The keyboard may also have been upgraded with stiffer springs or silicone cups when the mylar was replaced.

[Sugarland]

16 hours ago, Mark Simonson said:

I just acquired a 130XE. I've never used one of these before (previously only the 400, 800, and 800XL). The 130XE keyboard is very stiff and takes more pressure to register strokes than other Atari 8-bits I've used. It sounds like what @AuntiePixel describes on an 800XL. The two 800XLs I have right now are more on the mushy side and barely need any pressure to register a keystroke (to the point where it sometimes happens accidentally when I'm just resting a finger on a key). Do 130XEs usually have stiff keys like this? Maybe age or wear? What XE keyboard variants were there?

 

Edit: Scratch that. I just reread the eBay description of the unit I purchased, and the keyboard mylar has been replaced. That would explain it. I guess I can get used to it. ?

 

Changing the XE mylar will not affect the typing experience.  If it's very stiff it's likely to have been improperly serviced.

 

[Mark Simonson]

Okay, thanks. The more I use it, the more I think I'll get used to it.

[+slx]

On 10/15/2020 at 7:40 PM, gilsaluki said:

 Best Elects made the TT-Touch replacement silicone key cups.  Some people say they correct the mushy keystrokes.  I did not notice very much of a difference.

I installed it on a 65XE and found the modded keys a bit "clickier". Not "IBM-like" clicky, but a bit less mushier. Overall they are harder to press, however.