Editing Tai-Hao APC semi-mechanical keyboard

{{infobox dkeyboard
| image name   = 
| fcc          = * GOGAPC-21  
* GOG3YL
| branding     = Clicker
| manufacturer = [[Tai-Hao]]
| switch       = [[Tai-Hao APC semi-mechanical]]
| switch mount = 
| layouts      = Chinese ([[enter key|big-ass Enter]])
| interface    = [[XT/AT switchable]] [[AT keyboard interface|DIN connector]]
| rollover     = 
| weight       = 
| years        = 
| price        = 
}}

The [[Tai-Hao APC semi-mechanical|Tai-Hao APC semi-mechanical]] keyboard is [[Tai-Hao|Tai-Hao]]'s cheaper alternative to their discrete [[Tai-Hao APC series|APC]] series of mechanical keyboards. 

==Description==
APC Clicker keyboards are full sized keyboards manufactured by [[Tai-Hao]] (allegedly trading under the name as APC instead of Tai-Hao)<ref name="APC_name" />. One of the evident features is that on one side of the keyboard, the keyboard bears the name "CLICKER" whilst on the other side of the keyboard, the logo shows that it is "APC" and there are no other identifying marks on the same side to indicate that it is "CLICKER".

Little is known between the keyboards bearing the same brand and model, as they were not properly numbered. For instance, F-21 could have been APC membrane switch with either copper or metal [[leaf spring]], and could also have either one or two [[leaf spring]]s. F-21 and F-21B share the same FCC ID even though they used different kinds of metal [[leaf spring]]s.

To date it appears that there are less than a handful of variants that are well documented. All of these keyboards have different keyboard case designs whilst sharing the same brand and model name for instance, but many also share the same FCC ID. The layout is available only as Chinese (with [[enter key|big-ass Enter]]), which loosely follows the idea of ISO layout (sharing the only similarity in having a small sized Backspace key).

Keycap construction is believed to be [[ABS]] plastic with [[double-shot|double shot]].<ref name="ABSDS" />

==Features==
The keyboard is [[XT/AT switchable]] via a switch on the underside of the keyboard. The keyboard is fully usable on a modern PC via a passive 5 pin DIN to [[PS/2 interface|PS/2]] adapter when AT mode is engaged.

==Gallery==
Due to the usage of sharing multiple variants within possibly the same model numbers, this gallery will be split into three different sets of galleries from various sources in order to prevent confusion. Do be aware that these are '''not''' in chronological order.

===Type I (Double metal leaf variant used within one keyboard)===
This variant is currently found on CLICKER Patent Approved Germany No. G71960E.<ref name="ABSDS" />

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_front.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_front_with_slider_and_slider_housing_revealed.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_back.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_back_opened.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_membrane.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_controller.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_partial_switch_housing.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_switch.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_undersides.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_membrane_sheet.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_empty_undersides.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_top_half_disassembled.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_partial_reassembly.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_keys.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_insignia.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_I)_-_miscellaneous.jpg
</gallery>

===Type II (Mixed single narrow and single wide copper leaf variant)===
This is the only keyboard so far featured to have the said switch setup.<ref name="mixed" />

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_box.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_box_opened.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_insignia.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_keyboard_I.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_keyboard_II.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_keyboard_III.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_DIN_plug.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_back.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_slider_and_housing.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_keys_obverse.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_keys_reverse.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_undersides.jpg
</gallery>

The following gallery is not part of the same one as shown above but it is still a Type II board. The keyboard case is of another design which also shares a type III variant (single metal leaf). Thanks to sandy55 for approving the use of these photos.

<gallery widths=250 heights=187>
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_another_slider_and_housing.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_slider_and_housing_close_up.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_switch_close_up.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_II)_-_switch_disassembly.jpg
</gallery>

===Type III (Single metal leaf variant)===
APC Clicker keyboard owned by [[User:tuxsavvy|tuxsavvy]].<ref name="tuxsavvy" />

<gallery widths=250 heights=147>
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_front.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_back.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_switch.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_back_opened.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_membrane.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_controller.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_internals.jpg
File:APC membrane switch (Type III) - switch assembly I.jpg
File:APC membrane switch (Type III) - switch assembly II.jpg
File:APC membrane switch (Type III) - switch assembly III.jpg
File:APC membrane switch (Type III) - underside.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_membrane_sheet_I.jpg
File:APC_membrane_switch_(Type_III)_-_membrane_sheet_II.jpg
</gallery>

Another variant (as seen on Qwerter's clinic website) may be found [http://ex4.sakura.ne.jp/kb/main_apc_f-21.htm here] (Japanese only).

==See also==
* [[Tai-Hao APC semi-mechanical]] switch

==External links==
* Sandy55 — [http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/temp/temp.html Temporary page on Sandy55's site] (Japanese only) (scroll down to see APC Clicker F-21 info when visiting)
* K. Tanaka/Qwerters Clinic — [http://ex4.sakura.ne.jp/kb/main_apc_f-21.htm Article on APC-F21] (Japanese only)
* duelist — [http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~duelist/F-21/index.htm Site describing APC Clicker F-21] (Japanese only)

==Patent number(s)==
* 73990 — Type III variant.
* 113286 — Type II variant.
* G71960E — Type I variant.

==References==
<references>
<ref name="APC_name">Deskthority — [http://deskthority.net/post92482.html#p92482 Clicker: a semi-mechanical Alps wannabe]</ref>
<ref name="ABSDS">Deskthority — [http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/clicker-a-semi-mechanical-alps-wannabe-t4861.html Clicker: a semi-mechanical Alps wannabe]</ref>
<ref name="mixed">Deskthority — [http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/apc-clicker-t749.html APC Clicker]</ref>
<ref name="tuxsavvy">tuxsavvy — [http://eidolon-sapphire.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/revisiting-some-old-school-keyboards.html Revisiting some old school keyboards.] Dated 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2015-07-06.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Tai-Hao switches]]
[[Category:Membrane switches]]
[[Category:Clicky switches]]
[[Category:Keyboard switches with Alps mount]]
[[Category:Protocol switchable keyboards]]
[[Category:List of all keyboards]]