Ultra Rare Timex Sinclair 1000 (ZX-81) with BLACK Keyboard?

[LambdaMikel]

I have picked this up for 40 $ on eBay ("untested" of course - I knew I would have to work on it...). This time I also had to replace 2 keyboard matrix diodes (first time I had to do this). The usual "cut off and re-insert" method didn't work with the keyboard connector, as the break was to close to the keyboard membrane. Hence, I came up with this solution (attached) which works nicely and should also be longer lasting.

Over the years, I have fixed, resold, and kept ~ 20 ZX-81 / Timex 1000, but never saw one like this! Question: how rare is this version with the black keyboard? It must be an early US model (its a Revision 1 motherboard, with the hand-drawn curvy traces). Usually I don't spend so much time trying to salvage the old membrane keyboards (given that there are new replacements available), but this black one seems so rare that it seemed worth the effort.

Anybody else has such a Timex 1000 / ZX-81 or knows more about these? It was made in Portugal. Thanks!

 

[vwestlife]

I've never seen one like that before. I noticed it uses the U.S. key labels (Enter and Delete, instead of Newline and Rubout like on UK keyboards).

 

[LambdaMikel]

I've never seen one like that before. I noticed it uses the U.S. key labels (Enter and Delete, instead of Newline and Rubout like on UK keyboards).

Yes, it is quite rare. Unfortunately, the resolution of the keyboard mystery is rather benign - a user on the zx80zx81 forum has just unraveled it this morning:

https://www.timexsinclair.com/product/keyboard-mask/

 

[SiriusHardware]

When I saw it I wondered if its original purpose was to improve the 'accessibility' of the keyboard by making it extremely high-vis, i.e, for people with sight difficulties. Quite honestly, I wish modern PC keyboards were legended like that rather than using thin, dim grey-white characters on black keys.

 

[robcarnegie]

I thought about doing something like this but I couldn’t find a way to attach wires to the end of the membrane connector. What are you using as a connector?