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geekhack Community => Reviews => Topic started by: njbair on Wed, 30 September 2015, 15:43:46

Title: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: njbair on Wed, 30 September 2015, 15:43:46: This is a preliminary review of Massdrop's Doubleshot ABS Alps Keycaps (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/alps-keycaps?mode=guest_open). I bought these caps the first time around, when the MOQ was 500 orders. That didn't tip on its own, but KBP bought up about 200 sets just to help meet MOQ. Massdrop is currently running the same buy again, this time with a 100 MOQ. I decided it might be helpful to potential buyers to hear opinions from a fellow community member.

DISCLAIMER: I am currently running my own Alps keycap group buy (shameless self-promoting link here (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=75515.0)), so I'm not totally unbiased here. I'm also not the biggest fan of Massdrop, so keep all that in mind while reading my review, although I think you'll agree that my findings aren't at all self-serving.

If there is interest, I can write a full review later when I have more time. But so that I can get this out there in time for others to jump on the buy, I'll keep it short and sweet. For now, I'll just say that overall, I'm pretty impressed.

First and foremost, they arrived safely in one piece from Massdrop's now-infamous fulfillment center. In terms of feel, these caps are on par with or better than any Alps keycaps I've tried. They have a nice, well-pronounced texture and they're not particularly thin. The legends look nice and are relatively consistent. They are a little bit tight going on and coming off, but not as bad as PBT DSA. There were a few very minor quality issues, but overall they are much better than I expected for the price. The colors are not bad, but only loosely similar to their Dolch & Olivetti namesakes. All in all, not the worst way to spend $27.

Photos

(http://i.imgur.com/evTVymM.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/NepC3e3.jpg)
Can't complain about how they were packed. When I opened the box it was packed just like so with some air packs on top.

(http://i.imgur.com/BnEsynI.jpg)
Guys! I've done it! I've found the best gaming keycaps for your mechanical keyboard!

(http://i.imgur.com/gxlzofW.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/TzAiwQ8.jpg)
Glamour Shots. Note the cruciform stabilizer mounts on the spacebar. All the other caps had Alps-style stab mounts. Fortunately, my stock Filco Zero caps had the exact same setup.

(http://i.imgur.com/qZ5QbIG.jpg)
Some minor quality issues, but nothing a razor blade can't fix.

(http://i.imgur.com/sEuJx2Z.jpg)
Tai Hao Dolch on my Filco Zero.

(http://i.imgur.com/4T7Kdwe.jpg)
Side-by-side thickness comparison. Stock Filco Zero keycap, left, next to a Tai Hao doubleshot, right.

(http://i.imgur.com/fNhU1rT.jpg)
As you can see, the colors are much different from the geniune article, but they look good in their own right.
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 30 September 2015, 21:46:06: I've found that Tai Hao are actually not bad for the price. I joined the original $6.50 GB (that ended up $12 or something) and still occasionally rotate those sets in today.

I also have a set of the Alps ones coming, but no Alps keyboard to put them on.

Dedication! Or lunacy - the difference is no so great sometimes :)
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: Jokrik on Wed, 30 September 2015, 22:09:23: Thx for the write up, it's good to know that they're not that disappointing
Nevertheless, they are what they are for that price

Can't wait for mine :)
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: njbair on Wed, 30 September 2015, 22:22:38: Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 30 September 2015, 21:46:06
I've found that Tai Hao are actually not bad for the price. I joined the original $6.50 GB (that ended up $12 or something) and still occasionally rotate those sets in today.

I also have a set of the Alps ones coming, but no Alps keyboard to put them on.

Dedication! Or lunacy - the difference is no so great sometimes :)

It's incentive to buy an Alps board, I guess!
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: sean on Wed, 30 September 2015, 23:17:53: Thanks for the review. As I stand right now, I am still reluctant to buy them because although I want the keycaps I don't need the keycaps, and I wouldn't have anything to put them on. I'd mix Olivette alphas with Badwrench's modifier set but the difference between DCS and OEM profile is probably too much.
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: njbair on Wed, 30 September 2015, 23:27:30: Quote from: sean on Wed, 30 September 2015, 23:17:53
Thanks for the review. As I stand right now, I am still reluctant to buy them because although I want the keycaps I don't need the keycaps, and I wouldn't have anything to put them on. I'd mix Olivette alphas with Badwrench's modifier set but the difference between DCS and OEM profile is probably too much.
Yeah I don't think they'd mix very well.
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: geniekid on Thu, 01 October 2015, 15:45:26: Quote from: njbair on Wed, 30 September 2015, 15:43:46
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/BnEsynI.jpg)

Guys! I've done it! I've found the best gaming keycaps for your mechanical keyboard!

You did it. You crazy son of a *****, you did it.

Thanks for the review.
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: nickheller on Thu, 01 October 2015, 15:57:47: Nice! My white on black set should be here tomorrow.
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: Elrick on Fri, 02 October 2015, 04:53:11: Quote from: nickheller on Thu, 01 October 2015, 15:57:47
Nice! My white on black set should be here tomorrow.

NNiiccceeee, or would that be some, Black on White action.... :)) ?
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: nickheller on Sat, 03 October 2015, 18:13:01: I just put my white on black set on my Matias V60, for around 20$ for a 104 key set of double shot caps, they are definitely worth it. These are a nice upgrade over the stock caps :thumb:
Title: Re: First Impressions: Tai Hao Doubleshot Alps Keycaps
Post by: Luciqueii on Mon, 05 November 2018, 09:50:52: The space key got mx stabs style... the rest got alp style stab on the keys. How did you mount them... I have to make the plate of my kb for space key mx and the rest alp style? Sorry for replying old topic. <3