ITT Courier 110169-003 review (Honeywell Hall effect D1B3S)

Skip to 9:22 for a typing demonstration.
Skip to 2:16 for an explanation of the Hall effect.
Finally, a Hall effect keyboard! A pretty cool guy this, with a fun colour scheme.
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a ITT Courier keyboard right now. Honeywell Hall effect is great, all I can say after reviewing this keyboard is, yeah bitch, magnets!"

[@saltyroe3179]

My boss who had been a US Army Tank maintenance officer then moved to nukes said that Honeywell made Hall Effect keyboards for field equipment . He said the military keyboards were nuclear, biological and chemical warfare proof. He said it wasn't uncommon to spill coffee on the keyboards, and keep working as if nothing happened

[@dhoffnun]

This looks like it might be one of the nerdiest possible keyboard technologies... I love it.

[@Chyrosran22]

It was pretty standard back in the day! I guess keyboard technologies just became less nerdy over time :p .

[@dhoffnun]

Chyrosran22 After watching a few more of your videos I can see I spoke prematurely. ;) Those magnetic reed switches are pretty fascinating.

[@solaris7404]

YEAHHHHH!!!

[@nextlifeonearth]

You could argue that this is even less complicated than usual contact based mechanical switches, because this keyboard is not affected by bounce whatsoever as opposed to those other ones. One thing keyboards usually do is a debounce filter. This takes a few ms to smooth out the bounce. This makes Hal switches faster, because they don't need that delay to filter the bounce.

[@quattroconcept4]

2:03

[@masterofdizzzaster]

YEA BITCH! WHOA!

[@Gomotianu]

thank you, my hero

[@iProgramInCpp]

Yeah bitch, MAGNETS, OOH!

[@PatWizard]

Those keycaps are beautiful

[@darealrulezbreaker9493]

ikr?? i want them! how much does an old honeywell keyoard cost?

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Absolutely.

[@briankamras2913]

The "MAGNETS BITCH!" shot really got me.

[@Desmaad]

Brian Kamras I thought it was pretty stupid.

[@AidanRampair]

the comments on Chyros's videos are like time capsules

[@peterwan816]

" this keyboard is from my grandfather but it still work well." XD All the people who make the mechanical switches will not make this one

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Just came across this video again. Cool switch tech and all aside, what a beautiful key set. Stunning.

[@scd6969]

sounds gorgeous

[@greyareaRK1]

I'm starting to like less noisy switches, or at least switches with deeper tones, and these sound wonderful. And those keycaps [drool]. It would be interesting to compare the new laser-based switches with these or the Ace Pad Halls.

[@Chyrosran22]

What laser-based switches?

[@greyareaRK1]

www.kickstarter.com/projects/wooting/the-analog-mechanical-keyboard-for-precise-movemen Sorry, apparently what I meant was optical switches. Above is the link to the Wooting keyboard kickstarter (Flaretech), and below is a link to a Tom's Hardware article that discusses the two kinds appearing soon. A big keyboard manufacturer (I can't recall the name because I'm useful that way) is set to use the Light Strike switch, which will be cheaper, whereas the Wooting is hella expensive but arguable superior. www.tomshardware.com/news/what-are-optical-keyboard-switches,32352.html

[@Chyrosran22]

Ah, I see. Yes, I'm familiar with both of those switch types. I'm actually typing on the Light Strike ones right now.

[@greyareaRK1]

Whose keyboard? BTW, I RPG and do concept art, and my default science when anything can't be explained is 'magnets.'

[@samdeur]

ohhh man the sound this board makes..i would dampen the spacebar but the other keys are just music to my ears..

[@NoEntertainment]

almost like little bongo drums.

[@matthewpalmer9820]

Dude, this thing is stronger than a "brick shit house", but instead a "solid dependable product", damn.

[@FluffyDragonKitten]

THIRTY MOTHERFUCKING BILLION!!!!! Also what is your opinion on the unicomp classic?

[@Chyrosran22]

+Coach I haven't had any Unicomp keyboards yet - they're not something you'd find at a recycling centre.

[@bludude41]

Are you saying you found this keyboard at a recycling centre??!

[@tomc5176]

goddamn where do you even buy these

[@peterwan816]

recycling centre

[@apb.]

@@peterwan816 recycling centre

[@lunchbox1341]

@@apb. recycling centre

[@redstacks4955]

@@lunchbox1341 recycling centre

[@sladekpe]

@@redstacks4955 recycling centre

[@leocomerford]

I assume the plastics in the switch would likely degrade through age well before the switch failed due to wear caused by keypresses?

[@kneedeepinthedoomed]

I know this was posted ages ago, but this seems like the best possible way to construct a switch. There is no wear to speak of. These should last forever. Why are these not the standard in all keyboards constructed today? I want to say "planned obsolescence", but that would be a conspiracy theory. Seriously, is there any better way to construct a switch than this? Seems the discussion should be over after the hall-effect switch came around. It's mind boggling that something this durable just doesn't get made anymore. I guess it was too good. No one would make any money and we would all be using 40 year old keyboards.

[@gothess666]

It’s not really a conspiracy but a key factor could be demographics, with more people we have to prioritize Quantity over Quality, and I hate that thing, I hate consumerism, we are extremely wasteful now. This is clearly obvious not only in the Keyboard world but also in clothing and many other things I couldn’t think of for now..

[@RBLevin]

Why doesn't someone make these today? They sound great. Thok!

[@dnb5661]

Wow, Honeywell made/makes a ton of stuff: Thermostats, Fire alarm systems, Barcode Scanners, Pumps, Keyboard switches (made), and possibly more.

[@bbuggediffy]

Nuclear bombs...

[@masterofdizzzaster]

i watch this video from time to time and the magnets part takes me by surprise every single time since there are quit few videos with hall effect switches already and i dont remember which video has this gag. I burst out laughing every time xD

[@mr.y.mysterious.video1]

a driver at work who delivers to honeywell claims they have a pile of unused keyboards of various sorts just waiting to be thrown out. i do wonder what form they take - he's promised to bring one in next week, will probably be a bog standard keyboard knowing my luck.

[@Chyrosran22]

Honeywell made a large number of rubber dome keyboards (101RX), but they also made tons of their excellent Hall effect keyboards. Hope it turns out to be a nice batch! :)

[@MrFreeze79]

I love that colour! where can I find a blue like that for MX style!?

[@vimtheprotogen2855]

If you ever do merch, I need a shirt that says "Yeah bitch magnets! Ohhh!'

[@Lazarus7000]

Yeah..... that's worth getting running if it's possible. I've got a Honeywell Hall Effect keyboard and it's indeed built like a tank, but it's one of the tiny Burroughs terminal keyboards, T110 I believe, so it'd be essentially unusable to me.

[@dannyz955]

Are the caps ABS or PBT? I've heard claims that they are PBT, which seemed likely because there are absolutely no yellowing and they certainly sink when put in water.

[@Chyrosran22]

+danny z They don't look yellow because they're not white :p . And they're definitely ABS. Please don't think the sink test works, it's super unreliable ;) .

[@dannyz955]

+Chyrosran22 Hm, but I don't even see any yellowing on the white caps I own, or have seen in photos. Maybe some ABS material are doped with anti-degrading chemicals.

[@Chyrosran22]

+danny z ALL ABS materials have stabilisers in them, as well as many other additives such as plasticisers and fire retardants. The composition of these has changed over time. Materials from the late 80s and 90s appear to be most vulnerable.

[@sskoul]

Wow the sound is so relaxing!

[@Thirsty_Fox]

Quite an interesting switch design. It's always a bit of a shame when something that clearly took some thought to design becomes obsolete. Although, realistically the switches aren't obsolete at all, merely the keyboards that implement it.

[@magusperde365]

Funny you say that looking at all the new hall effects keyboards now

[@Thirsty_Fox]

@@magusperde365 They're bringing it back :D

[@channel11121]

Would love to see this working with a modern computer. Any plans?

[@bludude41]

XMIT Hall Effect Keyboard, look it up, I have one, it's amazing, and it's what I'm typing this reply with. :)

[@fluffed_coyote1487]

Hall effect. You may be wondering, how did I get this disease, what are my options for treatment, how will this effect my family.

[@JEMHull-gf9el]

I love the sound. It has so much BASSSSSSS

[@s0n141234321]

Great video. What microphone do you use for your voiceover? Thanks

[@Chyrosran22]

+bruxist Just my mobile phone xD . I don't have any dosh for expensive video equipment, sadly ;) .

[@PatWizard]

Chyrosran22 even with a mobile phone your voice still sounds like a sexy beast

[@filter80808]

What a fantastically interesting video!

[@darealrulezbreaker9493]

how much does an old honeywell keyoard cost?

[@gencreeper6476]

Someone should lighten this switch for gaming keyboards. I'm sure it would be expensive but definitely someone would buy it edit: saw your video on the hall effect gaming keyboard. always when i think of something someone just beats me to it

[@Forge5894]

Interesting video presentation, I enjoyed it thank you for posting it!

[@cfytcf]

That sounds amazing.

[@IIIJFRIII]

Dude, that was amazing lol. Great job!

[@sambalsamurai9672]

+1 Awesome review! You succeeded in grasping our attention alllll the way for 10 minutes to finally let us hear how the keyboard sounds like. When will your Keyboard Museum open? I don't think there is a living being in the Universe who knows/loves more about keyboards than you Sir :) Eventhough this keyboard is litteraly useless, you still LOVE it, and I just admire that :) Cheers! PS what wireless mechanical compact keyboard (40/60%) with arrows and linear switches do you know about? Would love yur review on such compact/wirelss new keyboards!

[@Chyrosran22]

Sorry, I'm not very knowledgeable on modern compact keyboards.

[@androshchukx]

Micro switch vs. Topre?

[@bludude41]

micro switch all the way

[@user-yr9if3ml5k]

Is it true that the alps switches just can be used up to 20 million?

[@Chyrosran22]

+Handri Naufal That's the factory-specified MTBF, yes. Matiases go to 50 million.

[@user-yr9if3ml5k]

+Chyrosran22 so matiase 50 million and complicated alps 20 million yeah?

[@Chyrosran22]

+Handri Naufal Yes.

[@dalriada842]

+Chyrosran22 I wouldn't mind a 50g tactile or clicky version of those in a keyboard, with stabilisers for the longer keys, though it'd obviously compromise on smoothness. In terms of build quality, we're barbarians living in the dark ages. :(

[@Chyrosran22]

+dalriada842 Haha yeah, although to our knowledge no clicky or tactile Hall effect keyboard has been made xD .

[@MShein.]

Steelseries: *lemme just*

[@VladThanatos]

"Click here to skip" but since the box is too low, when i try to click I end up clicking on the time bar. Please, move the box.

[@trdi]

You should definitely try to make this one PC compatible.

[@Chyrosran22]

It is no longer in my possession. I traded it for an NMB and a Zenith.

[@biuge]

How would you go about finding this keyboard online?

[@Chyrosran22]

You really wouldn't xD .

[@biuge]

Chyrosran22 ah sh*t. Do you have any Hall effect boards you are willing to sell? Lol

[@Chyrosran22]

Haha, no, sorry xD . They turn up somewhat regularly on eBay though, just not this particular model xD .

[@biuge]

Chyrosran22 well thanks dude. If you ever have any spare Hall effect boards or spare switches please let me know

[@dwightmatsukawa6020]

Where can you get keycaps like those?

[@Chyrosran22]

+Dwight Matsukawa Old Honeywell OEM keyboards only pretty much :) .

[@dwightmatsukawa6020]

+Chyrosran22 😫 the noise was just "perfect"!

[@bludude41]

how much you want for it? XD

[@canuck21]

Ooh, the switches sounds so heavy.

[@Chyrosran22]

+canuck21 Well you can also find these at 55 g or even 45 g so they're not always this heavy. This is the most common weighting, though.

[@canuck21]

Chyrosran22 You're talking about mechanical keyboard switches and not this particular keyboard right?

[@Chyrosran22]

+canuck21 About Honeywell Hall effect switches in general. To my knowledge, no other example of this keyboard has been reported.

[@peterwan816]

if this kind of keyboard is still selling in this moment it is gonna to be too expensive... and It sound a bit like M0110A..

[@danielbn317]

Amazing

[@redmaus924]

I love the new intro

[@Chyrosran22]

+Eric Lewellen It's pretty cool isn't it? :D Kyle Carter came up with it :) .

[@redmaus924]

Not sure who that is but yeah I like it a lot

[@Chyrosran22]

+Eric Lewellen If you want him to do some artwork I can give you his contact details :) .

[@thethriftyfawn]

At 2:03 ... EPIIIIIIIC lol

[@thecroutoncave1924]

I was able to find keycaps that are roughly 1.5x thicker than these and by they are 10 grams a piece.

[@unionite6062]

The Gaming Titan what board?

[@PolishPerspective]

Almost like dice rolling ;)

[@99897767]

bloody hell, 240volt keyboard?

[@Chyrosran22]

+Lancelot V Hahaha that must be the computer, I don't believe even these Honeywell switches drain that much power xD .

[@99897767]

Chyrosran22 Now I think of it, maby this keyboard came with a computer XD

[@Chyrosran22]

+Lancelot V Could well be, many do ;p .

[@dushisty]

great keyboard, thanks!

[@samdeur]

nice color blue black..cool...

[@MrFreeze79]

quadruple shot baby!!!

[@rockerito7030]

30MB!!!!!! wow! You can probably have someone revive it using a Teensy and the Soarer's Controller firmware. Too bad it doesn't have any kind of marking in the F and J keys, bad for touch typing. Excelent video!!

[@Chyrosran22]

+Rockerito aka KeyHopper Thanks! :) F and J are marked actually - they have deep dishes. I don't touch type, though. Moreover, it'd almost certainly be impossible to get this working with just a Teensy/Soarer's as the switches need much more power than a normal port can provide, and to my knowledge the Honeywell firmware hasn't been retro-engineered yet by anyone at all.

[@samdeur]

nice one thanks like this vid..cool..after the first second of this vid i thought awesome looking keycaps hahaha..after a couple of min i have to agree "adamantium" all the way hahahha..they do last a while..there i was thinking my Leopold Topre 45gr will last for a long time..this is amazing.. thanks for the share..coolllllll

[@Pablo.Minecraft.2007]

Epic

[@compuguy123]

MAGENTS HOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@scaredfolks5923]

ARE YOU USING YOUR INDEX FOR SPACE? WTF?

[@royalarchergaming3541]

That looks kinda like a space cadet.

[@nononoplsno4884]

nice

[@ryandevan2793]

2:02 YEAH BITCH! MAGNETS OOOOOOOOOOOHHHH! 😁

[@PolishPerspective]

I like your math ;p

[@royalarchergaming3541]

*KEYCAPS*

[@myhandlehasbeenmishandled]

That's not a pencil tray, that's an ashtray. You kept your pen, or a pencil, behind your ear. Your marker, or your fountain pen, in your front packet. How else would you get that nice ink stain in your pocket? Kids these days smh.

[@nonnegaard]

2:01 8:16

[@KRastaSmokeStreams]

ВСДВ и БУРГ button

[@Ringer1982]

Just disassemble this crap and make a high end keyboard with that switches.

[@bludude41]

its not that easy, it's not a contact switch that closes a circuit when pressed, it's a hall effect. so you'd need to either keep the original PCB, or completely redesign and make a new one. at that point you may as well just keep the original board, reverse engineer it with a logic analyzer / oscilloscope, and make a protocol converter from the original onboard controller. that's usually how it's done with 30--40 year old keyboards like these.

[@PoopPheast420]

Love these vids

[@slutmonke]

makes you wonder why the fanciest boards today are going to complicated optical switches when they could just do this.