Zenith ZKB-2 review redux (Alps SKCL Green)

Skip to 14:16 for a typing demonstration.
Today I show you one of my favourites! Bet you didn't think it based on its looks, did you? ;) Hope you enjoy the video!
Intro by Kyle Carter
Outro by Facundo Cabanne
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
My unboxing videos: bit.ly/2TSrr0m
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a Zenith ZKB-2 right now. This is just such a nice old keyboard to use, I love this thing to bits. They should make these again!"

[@redstacks4955]

HE'S BACK EVERYONE STAY CALM

[@gyozakeynsianism]

I panicked, I'm sorry.

[@gx.santiago6842]

He never left

[@MikeHoltackers]

IMPOSSIBRU

[@vyttyvasm]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@alierengam1749]

impossible tho

[@Antwon22]

I love this dude, one second its a keyboard review, then the next its:"I could bash someone's *fookin* head in wittit if I so desired"

[@dorstefan]

Multifunctional.

[@AbsoluteBarstool]

Absolutely the most British sounding native of the Netherlands. I'll never get over the fact that I'm from the West Midlands and he still sounds more British than me

[@Chyrosran22]

@@AbsoluteBarstool Midlanders sound hilarious. I've got a mate from the Black Coontreh who's always amusing to speak to xD .

[@AbsoluteBarstool]

@@Chyrosran22 Over here, it's pretty much a moral responsibility to take the piss out of the way people from Wolverhampton, Dudley or Walsall speak

[@baccarah7010]

@@Chyrosran22 I read that in your voice its scary

[@zerrano]

Not even 30 seconds in, and he's already roasting the audience again, bless this man

[@Kevin-jb2pv]

Says something when I stop and doubletake when I hear him actually use imperial units correctly.

[@peniseater3911]

i love how when its a keyboard he cares about he uses ACTUAL imperial units

[@dmitrynikolaev5743]

Spirit of the Old School lives only in contactless switches.

[@romannasuti25]

Gat inks are pretty good too, and offer better modern case options (GMMK Pro is absolute sex on a stick, and looks to be very well built)

[@jvniprbrry]

@@romannasuti25 hey the gmmk pro could be absolute shit, it hasn't shipped yet (my 170 dollars is really hoping that its a banger tho)

[@gvalchcasciops]

hey where is my jianovka

[@romannasuti25]

@@jvniprbrry you right, but if they actually deliver what they promised it's an S-class product out of the gate. Milled case, gasket mount, tasteful lighting, and their hotswap stuff is very mature at this point so reliability isn't too much of a concern. I love my old Model M, but it's just too dummy thicc to take with me and I need something more 75% (and maybe silenced, I'd like to take it with me to work when that becomes a thing again).

[@mathyoooo2]

Pounds? What sort of imperial units are those? Can someone translate that into eagle farts for me?

[@hunzhurte]

Actually the official unit to measure keyboard weight is Bottles of used KFC oil.

[@mathyoooo2]

@@hunzhurte ughh how many would that be in football fields?

[@hunzhurte]

@@mathyoooo2 Idk like nine eiths of a double quarter football field, rough estimate.

[@wkgmathguy218]

pounds? isn't that money?

[@pretzel3779]

I think its about 4 baseball bases with 6 tanks of cocaine ~an american

[@spxctreofficial]

Ah yes, the Zenith gets a redux

[@SheeplessNW6]

I used to get redux, until I changed my diet

[@littlelamp100]

wow i was not expecting an actual weight in lbs 😳 that's how you know this guy means business lol

[@numairsalmalin3552]

i was so caught off guard by that too lol

[@paintywig1159]

I really love the way you describe keyboards, especially when you said that at 12:12

[@cornejo7934]

Yeeeees! Finally a redux on the Zenith. Loved your old video, loved this one.

[@MacaqueStinx]

Haven't watched in a good moment, but I notice that you've lowered the overall audio volume. Quite informative, as well as relaxing. Keep it up, man.

[@legend131000]

This has to be the fastest typing demo you have made so far I think.

[@iComment87]

This is brutal. Just found your channel two days ago and binged a ton of your content. I've bought four vintage keyboards this morning... Somebody take my bloody credit card off me!

[@Kevin-jb2pv]

Sounds like ebay already did.

[@b1_ferg]

I did not expect you to drop that comedic bomb mid-review. "...bash someone's fucking head in with it..." I'm in tears, mate.

[@bentstraw827]

love the edit where you show the history of this 1:40

[@Blazs120gl]

I could listen to those fine spring pings all day. :)

[@wkgmathguy218]

I have two of these, damned good keyboards. I also have two black label z150s but even with converters they sometimes go crazy. Good to see you Tom!

[@Chyrosran22]

Zenith boards are much more well-behaved over native PS/2. These are funky sometimes too xD . I guess with the XT ones you don't have much choice though! xD

[@orionfl79]

Curious, when I was in my teens I had a keyboard similar to that one from ZDS but it had a little speaker inside that would chirp with each key press. If I remember right, I think pressing ctrl + ~ (tilde) turned it on and off.

[@OscarCarlsson1986]

"Can you imagine a keyboard coming out these days with this much steel in it?" Typed on my 4+ kg new model f keyboard

[@TheLaptopLagger]

Returned to this video as yesterday I received a Toshiba T1500 keyboard with these same SKCL switches. I love it but gonna have to convert it somehow

[@NextEevolution]

I just had to put away my ZKB-2 with Yellow Alps since it has about 5 bad switches, including an intermittent space bar switch, that need to be replaced but I absolutely LOVE using it. I'd enjoy it marginally more with Green Alps switches but only slightly. Great to see such a great keyboard get the spotlight again! Edit: I would be willing to buy a metal Zenith badge or three for each of my Zenith keyboards!

[@chemergency]

Grateful I have my grandfather's. Still use it for my Win98 Retro Gaming PC.

[@ryanmcfadin09]

Dude I've got one and it's a damn good kb. It really is built like a tank.

[@Rendemnis]

what is it

[@beanlentil]

@@Rendemnis the keyboard that is in the video

[@mikathegaything]

i have green alps clones on the led keys on my alps board and these are indeed the smoothest switches i've tried

[@jebclarianes5419]

Loved your honest reviews, and knowledge about vintage keyboards! I'm from Philippines. And Im just wandering where I can get good condition vintage keyboards?

[@dorstefan]

The logo looks awesome.

[@FrancoDFernando]

This is currently my go-to keyboard for work too! Though mine has yellow alps (I do prefer a heavier weighting) Just have to say thankfully, I already have one in great condition before the prices eventually go up on this board lol

[@CrispyGFX]

Medium-ass enter is still maybe my favorite bit from this channel

[@magoid]

14:17 I imagine his office coworkers love mechanical keyboards. Otherwise he would be dead by now...

[@petermuller608]

Maybe he bashed the fogging heads of those in who dared to object xD

[@LangleyNA]

Your gray *ZENITH* has outstanding visual appeal, I feel. 13:09

[@jhauganiii]

Great video. I came across one of these at a semi-reasonable price and purchased it, but I've yet to get it to work. I believe the seller said it was tested on the original system and worked. I have an active PS2 converter and tried two 5 pin DIN adapters I have. I have the switch on AT mode, and I am able to turn the beeping off and on with alt tilda. I'm *sometimes* able to activate the caps and num lock. I was wondering if I could need a powered USB cable or if it's some deeper problem. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

[@johndo3744]

I got 3 dell big foot's years ago (before chyros made them expensive). Not all are suitable for linear conversion, because they have different spring weight.

[@SgtxAnus]

is there a good old keyboard that u recommend for gaming? i wanna make a full sleeper thing goin on.

[@AresWasTaken]

Any plans to check out the keychron optical switches?

[@0xss]

11:38 Staedtler mars technico 780 and a uni kuru toga! I usually have a faber castell tk 9400 2mm and a platinum mps-200 0.9 on my keyboard pencil ledge

[@gavin758]

In your Monterey K103 review you said that the keycaps were similar to the ZKB-2, and that they may share a manufacturer, possibly Tai-Hao. Has further investigation dismissed this possibility? The font is visually similar to my own Tai-Hao caps, except for the shift keys, which have the lettering next to the symbol instead of above it.

[@gunjja13]

If you can't bash someones head in with it, then it's not a good made Keyboard! 😂 Miss to watch your videos every week mate!!

[@wkgmathguy218]

Before I destroyed my left ankle in a car wreck I used to do karate. In some systems there was a tradition that say Okinawan farmers would make weapons out of items that they could claim were farming implements. I always meant to devise a keyboard kata, but never got around to it..... TREMBLE IN FEAR BEFORE MODEL F RYU!!!!!!!

[@gunjja13]

@@wkgmathguy218 This comment need's to be pinned! If you ever master the keyboard-kata I will be honored to be your Uchi-deshi 🙏🏻

[@pepelota4351]

Any chance of doing a redux on Matias keyboards/switches?

[@carldiaz4289]

No massive insult towards imperial units? Beyond that, fantastic as always

[@Chyrosran22]

You mean, other than saying twice that they don't even know the alphabet? :p

[@veeare6880]

Sounds silly but is there a modern version similar to this??

[@crumpus5815]

I see you keep a BOX Pink switch on your work desk as a fidget toy

[@itzchilly5796]

Hello, I’m just vibing with my dk61e

[@Jordan4Ibanez]

Wow he really likes this keyboard, he did real imperial conversions

[@Donbros]

Layout is kinda dope. I would use it maybe as daily driver from time to time

[@unvexis]

The grime on your Zenith is about the same way my 1992 1391401 (late 2nd Gen) looked after 10 years of daily driving. A good cleaning will get it back to near-pristine condition.

[@RockeyDAproductions]

Zenith is most known here for their excellent television sets. alot of those old zeniths still work if they were not thrown out because of keeping up with the Jones's.

[@cancerousnut7767]

Chryo you have got to name yourself the Angry Keyboard Nerd

[@KenKeenan1973]

Ugh, that horrible piezoelectric keyboard beep takes me back to my days working with OpenVMS using a PC with a Digital LK450 keyboard that had a similar beep... which couldn't be disabled unless you had the correct keyboard driver installed...

[@bsadewitz]

IIRC, growing up in the 90s, the county library system used a vax (VMS proper, though) which had serial lines to all the terminals in every branch, and some of them beeped like that, too. It was more like a chirp, actually--very subtle. The keyboards were fairly mushy, so the audible feedback was welcome. Wow, I hadn't thought about that in YEARS.

[@karellen00]

If you use 76x76 mm post it be aware that they also fit perfectly in the slit of 4 keys of the function row. I prefer it over attaching them to the monitor as they won't fall off as you are not using the glue. Fun fact they fit so perfectly because post it are 3", and keyboard keys are 3/4" each.

[@Chyrosran22]

I often use Scotch tape to tape my post-its to my monitor. This also allows for better layering (I generally have multiple layers of post-its).

[@bentstraw827]

What is the price???

[@numairsalmalin3552]

11:30 the blue pencil here is a Staedtler Mars Technico drop clutch lead holder. the orange mechanical pencil appears to be a base model uni kuru toga. both great pencils to compliment a great keyboard

[@Chyrosran22]

The blue one is definitely right, the orange one has all the markings come off by now (I bought it way back during my PhD). Really love both of them, the orange one is surprisingly difficult to find though!

[@numairsalmalin3552]

@@Chyrosran22 if it's a Japanese pencil your best luck would be places like Jetpens.com or tokyopenshop. I'm not sure about any EU vendors though.

[@Thirsty_Fox]

I see you appreciate not only the finer computer keyboards but writing utensils, as well. Noice.

[@numairsalmalin3552]

@@Thirsty_Fox mechanical pencils are (outside of vintage stuff) a much easier and cheaper hobby to get into lol. it's an especially great hobby to off-set keyboards with imo.

[@WilhelmDriscoll]

I actually need to get myself a second one. The one I have actually has two of the standoffs broken off.

[@saturnotaku]

Did you see that Razer just launched the Huntsman V2 with analog opto-electric switches? And in a full-size form factor! They must have watched your videos on the TE and Mini.

[@hunzhurte]

11:30 OF COURSE the master of mechanical keyboards wouldn't use anything other than the most premium *mechanical pens!* how did I not see that comming?

[@numairsalmalin3552]

from what I can tell (though it's difficult as they're far away, the bottom is definitely the staedtler mars technico drop clutch lead holder. the orange one looks to be an orange uni kuru toga and it appears to be the base model and not the pipe slide or advance or roulette models.

[@Chozo_Ghost]

Big ass enter key, 2u backspace, 1.75u right shift, and green Alps switches... *chef's kiss* beautiful EDIT: Medium ass enter key. Close enough lol

[@Jallen7362]

Probably been asked before, but I've watched your AMAs and I don't think I've heard this. Do you type the same thing for each typing demonstration or is there anything specific that you type for each video? Love the channel. I reconnected with the IBM Model M as a result of you. Also love the Beam Spring one. What an absolute f**king unit!

[@Chyrosran22]

The typing demo is shown at the bottom of each video's description :) .

[@drakejefferson449]

Music to my ears a Chryostan22 keyboard review😌

[@sekayegaudet131]

As an American viewer some of my favorite parts of these reviews are the times where he insults me.

[@sekayegaudet131]

@Peter Mortensen owloomenum

[@DepressedMusicEnjoyer]

Wooting two LE review when? 👀

[@Chyrosran22]

When I get it? :p

[@larsjj2794]

Ik got one of these when I bought a random early Pentium 133 PC of somebody. Really lucky find. I paid 150 for a super heavy big tower model incl. k/b and monitor, and because my collections of PCs is already to big I decided to sell most of it. I got request for the different parts (case, motherboard/cpu/mem, 5,25 floppy) and sold that for over 200. So in total I gained over 50 euros, a 2,1GB HDD, a Genius Easymouse in great condition, a very weird and really early flatscreen monitor, AND this zenith zkb-2 with the linear alps skcl green switches.

[@hax0rz36]

Can I hear a clock ticking in the background, or am I going insane?

[@randolemando]

Bigass Enter, big L shift and big R shift. Seems like the best layout.

[@eppicshotgun1281]

You are the Paul Harrel of keyboards

[@ryangleason5415]

great stuff thx for vid

[@buttguy]

The local university did a lot of business with ZDS back in the day. I have found a ridiculous number of these Zeniths locally as a result.

[@Chyrosran22]

Damn, lucky bastard! xD

[@Thirsty_Fox]

I rescued a black-label one from my university (one of the few keyboards I have come across in the wild and been able to acquire). The downside of university keyboards is they've been to hell and back so many times that they truly just want to be left to pass on in peace. I'm in the process of restoring the one I got and it should shape up nicely as the switches seem to be in very good shape.

[@buttguy]

@@Thirsty_Fox in my experience all the older pre-takeover (aka good) Zenith keyboards tend to be incredibly durable. So far I have yet to find one that has any real issues, surprisingly. I found five of these keyboards (along with 3 pretty trashed model Ms, an IBM 5160, and various commodore goodies) this past winter in an abandoned storage unit as the building was in the process of being demolished. Probably my most risky vintage computer rescue yet...they all seem fine. Just dirty as hell.

[@dedelabinouze5110]

Anyone knows which switches are those of the intro ? Sounds so funky

[@SimisearOfficial]

Alps SKCM Blue on specifically the Acer KB101-A

[@dedelabinouze5110]

@@SimisearOfficial Fuck i knew it was gonna be one of those unobtainable retro-switches... Thanks though !

[@Chozo_Ghost]

Also, formal request for you to do a Monkeytype typing test with this monster :D

[@borbot_plays743]

Lekker switch review pls

[@idyllsend6481]

What is the switch used in your intro?

[@Chyrosran22]

Alps SKCM blue

[@idyllsend6481]

@@Chyrosran22 NEVER TOO LATE! You made my day thank you

[@hareku6676]

N O I C E

[@13Omood]

Wait I thought the logo on the thumbnail means it was given to him by the company. I’m super confused right now. Did this change at some point?

[@SimisearOfficial]

It's just a random screenshot from the video where he talked about Zenith's logo

[@Chyrosran22]

I stopped doing that at some point because I couldn't be bothered anymore xD .

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Zeeeenith ZeeeeKB-2. MURICA. And I'm sorry but that was the WORST US customary units conversion you have ever done. I am sobbing in rage. "It doubles as a gong. " OK I'm happy again. Great review as usual. Love the personal notes about where you put your sticky notes and the like. That grey repainted one you showed with the black logo plate really did look amazing.

[@mreyoof3728]

dont know if you'll see this, but Razer just announced a new analog keyboard as part of their huntsman series. I'm sure that might intrigue you haha

[@Chyrosran22]

Yes. Yes it does :D .

[@Robo10q]

Noyce!

[@sirel33]

3:49 can you convert that to dollars please

[@Chyrosran22]

Eleventy dollars and threeteen cents.

[@creepyjoe7287]

3:50 hold up he used actual values😳😳

[@ephxiaa]

Awwwww yeaaaa

[@kaymio6547]

Why do you cave in for the imperial cavemen?

[@temanbradley8505]

I would love to see hime make a video reviewing a modern keyboard kit, like an nk65 or id80. I understand he doesn't seem to touch the modern custom scene, but It'd be pretty cool

[@chunkymilk1288]

He did a watch reveal 😳

[@marcusvowels6404]

I use to have a zenith TV

[@TheBitStick]

thanks for letting us know, big ass

[@introvertplays6162]

Chyrosran22 The gamers dream...no windows key by default XD

[@trollsthatlol1]

No it's ZEE-NITH Thomas ! xD You'll never convince me on this one. And I can alphabet just fine!

[@AMD1]

How can you configure your rooter without using a proper zhennith keyboard?

[@Unix2816]

@Chyrosran22 You would make a good food reviewer, ngl.

[@Chyrosran22]

xD?

[@offbrandbiscuit]

Zenith's logo looks like an old rock n' roll band's logo.

[@Chyrosran22]

Fitting for an American radio company! :D

[@sp3edah]

5:09 Yoooo a dong AND a keyboard??? My perfect keyboard for sure

[@IMONBLOGTVWITHMYFUCKINGHANDSUP]

dong lol

[@sideshowfrost]

Typing demo with beeper get

[@honigson8776]

How is your english so perfect? Raised bilingual?

[@Chyrosran22]

Nope, just like languages.

[@honigson8776]

@@Chyrosran22 are u serious.. oof mad respect. Thx for replying :)!makes me want to improve my english even more then.

[@tonzillaye]

I wish I had a picture of my "military grade" keyboards I used because they would make you cry

[@Chyrosran22]

Bah, try me! Colour me interested!

[@tonzillaye]

@@Chyrosran22 I looked em up and they were actually just sun microsystem rubberdomes. Weirdly bulky but pretty standard otherwise

[@short7066]

4:20 LMAO

[@Noxhh]

Hello chyrosyran22 or thomas

[@VoGonPT]

Ah the famous MAE... Medium Ass Enter... :)

[@robl5027]

Haha the speaker! You could make ASMR pewdiepie style for pokemon on youtube Mrbeast. Minecraft.

[@heeyitsfozzy]

E N T E R

[@tomescumihnea6554]

D I A B E E T U S

[@zx9018]

idke keyboard

[@Crokto]

haha nice pcb ruler

[@Chyrosran22]

It's a gift from PCBWay. It's really nice actually! xD

[@thomasfuchs78]

Why did you type your feces on it?

[@TheRealFremmed]

Grah! Clean your caps mate!

[@esra_erimez]

This

[@gyozakeynsianism]

The man's a chemist. I just assume grunge is an inevitability.

[@Chyrosran22]

@@gyozakeynsianism Exactly. We have keyboards in the lab that are half-dissolved xD .

[@torryjaja]

Pole

[@gabrielhermel6932]

While mocking imperial measurements is funny, please refrain from criticizing our nomenclature for the letter 'zee'. Should we have "beta" rather than "bee", or "delta" rather than "dee"?

[@Chyrosran22]

B and D are not called "beta" and "delta" in the English language. Z is called "zed" in the English language, though. Just like "criticising" isn't spelled with a Z :p . But I'm not going to mock that... probably :p .