SwissMicros Calculator Forum

Anyone else have an issue with the color of either the [SHIFT] or [ALPHA] keys wearing off quickly? I have been using my 41X for about a day and am already seeing wear on the top of the [SHIFT] key.


The key itself works fine.

Mine is black now. Actually looks pretty good.

I only hope that the blue key paint won’t wear off!

Having “SHF” and “ALP” labels instead of colored keys might be an option for the final models. Since these keys are used very often, they need to have good wear resistance.

Looking at the DM42, the [SHIFT] is molded in yellow plastic. Is it possible for [SHIFT] and [ALPHA] on the 41X to be molded in the same way? I'm not sure how much additional expense that would add, however, it would prevent the wear problem as both keys are extensively used.

For those who want to keep a yellow key on their beta (and I don’t know how many of them have this issue), would a wear resistant plastic sticker be an option? I know that’s not the same as a painted key, but it probably would hold up better in the long term anyway. The same goes for the blue key of course, if that paint has the same problem.

I agree that for the real production units the issue must be solved. If only to avoid mass complaints!

Carefully mask with frog tape and spray a coat of lacquer... could even spray a coat of yellow before the clear lacquer? I know we should not have to, but this is a BETA after all.

jwhsu wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 31, 2020 4:34 pm

Anyone else have an issue with the color of either the [SHIFT] or [ALPHA] keys wearing off quickly? I have been using my 41X for about a day and am already seeing wear on the top of the [SHIFT] key.
...
The key itself works fine.

Hm yes, that's not really nice, the color comes off very easily, to bad. However this report should go to the "DM41X Beta Units" forum.
Günter

This is the correct sub-forum. From the landing page for the 41X beta:

Hardware issues
The DM41X and the DM42 share the same hardware. This forum therefore simply links to the "Hardware issues" sub-forum within the DM42 forum.

RNav wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:16 pm

Carefully mask with frog tape and spray a coat of lacquer... could even spray a coat of yellow before the clear lacquer? I know we should not have to, but this is a BETA after all.

Yes, that is why it is forgivable (but not understandable, given the quality of the yellow and blue on the DM41L keyboard). I don’t know if lacquer will stick to the plastic?

I’ll see how the blue key holds up. If it also wears, my “plan A” is a rectangle piece of keyboard overlay sticker. Maybe SwissMicros could order them in bulk (cut to size)?

Mark Hardman wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:31 pm

This is the correct sub-forum. From the landing page for the 41X beta:

Hardware issues
The DM41X and the DM42 share the same hardware. This forum therefore simply links to the "Hardware issues" sub-forum within the DM42 forum.

Oh yes, you're right of course

Günter

jthole wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:39 pm

... given the quality of the yellow and blue on the DM41L keyboard).

I’ll see how the blue key holds up.

The yellow key on my 41X is mostly black. However, the blue key, under magnification, is totally intact. Being home with the flu with nothing better to do, I scraped a thumbnail over the blue key for a measured 30 minutes. Still no visible wear to the blue key.

I completely agree that this must be resolved for production units. It would also be nice if the shift key were a brighter shade of yellow rather than the current "baby poop" yellow.