Overclock.net banner

Focus FK-2001

3K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Overclock Reviews 
#1 ·
Focus FK-2001

Description:
The Focus 2001 is an AT/XT switchable interface mechanical keyboard using ALPS type switches. The switch seems to vary by age. They began being built in the late 1980's. The early models were made in Taiwan while the later models were made in China. The switches and minor attributes vary from board to board but all have a metal back plate. Often they come with detachable dust covers. Like many keyboards, the age of this keyboard seems to determine quality, the newer models being more light than the older ones and often using Simplified type II switches rather than Complicated ALPS.
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#2 ·
Focus 2001

review by magna224

Focus 2001

402
450

*Pictures are from multiple keyboards

The Focus 2001 is a keyboard that has been around since the late 1980's. The 2001 has plate mounted switches. It uses ALPS type switches and uses an AT/XT switchable interface. The keyboard can be adapted to PS/2 easily with an adapter just make sure it is in AT mode. The Cherry switch that ALPS are most similar to are Cherry Blue switches but ALPS require more force to press and have more tactility. If Cherry blues do not satisfy you this may be what you are looking for. It features doubleshot key caps and some come with a dust cover. The key caps are on the thin side like the majority of ALPS key caps. Another small feature of the keyboard is a Ctrl and caps lock inverse switch so you can switch the keys manually. Like many keyboards the Focus only has 2-KRO.

Pictured are the switches and key caps of a Focus 2001.
402

Variation

Since the keyboards were in production so long there have been some changes to them. The switches come in White or Blue and can be either simplified or original complicated ALPS. There are other small variations that set them apart such as the locations of the different function switches. The AT/XT switch and Inverted Ctrl and Caps lock switch can be located under the foot of the keyboard, under the "2001" logo, or on the top side of the keyboard. The variations of the keyboard range in quality and weight as well. The older 2001s have a lot less case flex than the newer ones. My guess is that the old ones just have a slightly thicker back plate and fill up the case more.

This is an example of two focus keyboards one from the 1988 and a newer one.
450
450

What to look for

There are several things to look for when buying a Focus 2001. The first clue are the windows keys. If they are non existent it is an older model and is likely to have complicated ALPS, the ones with windows keys are more likely to have simplified type II switches. If a Focus is manufactured in Taiwan it is more likely to have complicated switches rather than their counterparts made in China.

Final thoughts

Due to the quality and lesser switches in the new 2001s I gave them a 3 flame rating. The older ones with complicated switches and better quality I gave 4 flames for a total rating of 3.5 flames. The price range for a Focus 2001 is generally $20-40. This puts it at an excellent price point and I would highly suggest this keyboard for someone new to mechanical keyboards and experienced users wanting to try ALPS.

ProsCons
Cost, Doubleshot CapsAT/XT, Variation, 2KRO

Ratings
Overall4
 
#3 ·
Focus 2001

review by magna224
The alignment machine at my shop has one of these keyboards. I have been resussitating this thing for years(the computer that is). Our old keyboard went bad and i hit up one of the computer places around here and they sold us one of these for $20. It was the only xt keyboard that i could find anywhere. Its definitely not as clean as that one, but i never though it would have been such a nice piece or i would have taken better care of it, lol
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top