.

[esoomenona]

.

[romevi]

I saw these. Grabbed the Olivette for whenever I have Matias switches. May grab the Dolch closer the end of the drop, though the brown looks like mud poop. Muddy poop. Poopy mud.

Is this the first time custom aftermarket caps have been made for Matias/ALPS switches?

[CPTBadAss]

Oh **** yes. Definitely going to pick up caps in this buy.

Is this the first time custom caps have been made for Matias/ALPS switches?

A full aftermarket set? I think so.

[romevi]

Oh **** yes. Definitely going to pick up caps in this buy.

Is this the first time custom caps have been made for Matias/ALPS switches?

A full aftermarket set? I think so.

Yeah, sorry. That's what I meant. Editededed.

[nubbinator]

It's Tai Hao, not SP.  I believe Tai Hao uses cruciform mounts for stabilizers, so Costar style, but don't quote me.

Also, please post the link in guest mode like this: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/alps-keycaps?mode=guest_open

[CPTBadAss]

Just an FYI, there's been Alps novelties made as far back as 2011. Geekhack caps made by SP. Then recently, Badwrench had a GB for 60% modifiers.

[Invaderevan]

holy MOQ batman.

[jbondeson]

Man I hope that's a bad shot of dolch, cause damn that brown! 

The MOQ is going to be tough to hit though, especially because they have individual color MOQs as well (probably 150-200).

[CPTBadAss]

Here's a link for those without an account: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/alps-keycaps?mode=guest_open

Man I hope that's a bad shot of dolch, cause damn that brown! 

Yeah...that Dolch is looking real bad.

The MOQ is going to be tough to hit though, especially because they have individual color MOQs as well (probably 150-200).

holy MOQ batman.

Guess it's time to order like 5 sets each right?

[Lurch]

done deal. thanks for sharing.

[jbondeson]

Guess it's time to order like 5 sets each right?

At least the price is right! The issue is that many of the vintage Alps boards you would put this on are 1.5x not 1.25x 

[Flyersfan1]

these would work on a filco zero, right? if so, i'll pick up like 3-4 sets.

[CPTBadAss]

these would work on a filco zero, right? if so, i'll pick up like 3-4 sets.

Yup, that's where mine are going.

Guess it's time to order like 5 sets each right?

At least the price is right! The issue is that many of the vintage Alps boards you would put this on are 1.5x not 1.25x 

True. But maybe you're into a KBTalking V60, V80, Infinity, or some of the custom boards that have PCBs that support Alps.

[jbondeson]

I found a couple better pictures of Tao Hao Dolch and it doesn't look near as bad as the picture they used.

I think they need to invest in some color calibration gear.

True. But maybe you're into a KBTalking V60, V80, Infinity, or some of the custom boards that have PCBs that support Alps.

I guess I'll just have to go full custom when I finally get my CNC put together!

Either way, I'm in for one of each at this point.

[esoomenona]

.

[CPTBadAss]

It's Tai Hao, not SP.  I believe Tai Hao uses cruciform mounts for stabilizers, so Costar style, but don't quote me.

I'd like to know myself what the stabilizers are like. Either way, it's fine. If it's the square hole, get some Matias or use some from vintage boards. If it's the Costar style, get the Matias set for the wires and inserts from WASDKeyboards. Bang Bang.

[getf]

Sad to see the MOQ was not a typo :I

[nubbinator]

MOQ was 1000 or 500 for the first Tai Hap buy on here.  What really sucks is the retail pricing.

[Jokrik]

It hurts to buy an OEM profile but I need this for my filco...
Gonna join now...

[Hak Foo]

The only boards this would fit 100% are potentially (depending on stabilizer choice):

KBParadise V60 and V80
Filco Zero and the legendary full-size equivalents thereof
Ducky 1008/1087XM

It has the wrong lock key for an AT101W, and the wrong bottom row for most vintage ALPS boards and new Matias boards.

From what I've heard on Deskthority, the original caps on many vintage  boards like the Focus 2001 were a Tai Hao product, so you know exactly what you're getting from that.

[njbair]

They just look so thin...

[rowdy]

They just look so thin...

They are just like standard Tai Hao MX keycaps, only with an Alps stem.  They are reasonably strong - I just squeezed a Tai Hao black Esc on the keyboard next to me.

[CommonCurt]

dante had a thread about these last year. He posted pics of them fitting a V60 MTS.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=66609.0 

[CPTBadAss]

The only boards this would fit 100% are potentially (depending on stabilizer choice):

KBParadise V60 and V80
Filco Zero and the legendary full-size equivalents thereof
Ducky 1008/1087XM

It has the wrong lock key for an AT101W, and the wrong bottom row for most vintage ALPS boards and new Matias boards.

From what I've heard on Deskthority, the original caps on many vintage  boards like the Focus 2001 were a Tai Hao product, so you know exactly what you're getting from that.

Infinity
Duck mini v1
Duck mini v2
Leeku 1800/3000
I think there's a bunch of LZ boards that have PCBs that can have both Alps and MX.



I love that the first full set of Alps caps come out and people complain. Focus 2001 caps were fine and so are SP DCS. This **** is exactly why there aren't more options for aftermarket Alps caps.

Stabilizers? Use the Matias ones or Matias wires with Costar inserts from WASD like I mentioned before

They just look so thin...

So wait. Sp dcs is about the same thickness of tai Hao. You were badwrench's hype man on his buy. Can you please explain how this is different? I'm curious to hear what you have to say.

[XMIT]

Oh how I wish these were PBT doubleshots. Still, these would go nicely on my V60 MTS and V80 MTS. Count me in for two sets.

[HoffmanMyster]

For 20 bucks, it's pretty hard to pass up on the first full Alps sets to come out.  Even if I can't use all the keys on my board, or I have to wait until I build a custom board for them, this is still a great step forward for Alps sets. 

It seems we've all been spoiled by the MX buys of the last year or so.  Does no one remember having to "settle" for thin ABS from SP, with minimal compatibility?  This is the first step for Alps, we can't expect full on GMK sets.

[njbair]

I love that the first full set of Alps caps come out and people complain. Focus 2001 caps were fine and so are SP DCS. This **** is exactly why there aren't more options for aftermarket Alps caps.

They just look so thin...

So wait. Sp dcs is about the same thickness of tai Hao. You were badwrench's hype man on his buy. Can you please explain how this is different? I'm curious to hear what you have to say.

For 20 bucks, it's pretty hard to pass up on the first full Alps sets to come out.  Even if I can't use all the keys on my board, or I have to wait until I build a custom board for them, this is still a great step forward for Alps sets. 

It seems we've all been spoiled by the MX buys of the last year or so.  Does no one remember having to "settle" for thin ABS from SP, with minimal compatibility?  This is the first step for Alps, we can't expect full on GMK sets.

I just realized who I am...



Honestly, not long after posting that I pulled out an SP DCS cap and compared it, then realized I was kind of being a jerk. I think I was speaking out of prejudice because I've not been happy with Massdrop lately. I just need to get over it. I don't have to like or agree with everyone I do business with, especially when we're talking about $20 transactions. That, and probably the fact that I'm newer to the scene and wasn't around for the early days of MX keycap buys, like Hoff mentioned.

So I'm sorry for being "that guy." I generally make it a point to not be negative, particularly online where posts are permanent and context is usually limited.

I'm going to rethink this one for a few days, maybe I'll get in on it after all, if for no other reason than to help the buy tip.

[trustinkiss]

In case this drop doesn't actually drop, are these keys actually possible to get at all from a retailer like on Aliexpress or Taobao?

[BlueNalgene]

I am really tempted to get this, but I know in my heart of hearts that it won't play nice with my AT101W.  And that is the Alps board I really care about.

[Hak Foo]

Actually, I'd expect you'd actually get almost perfect coverage of an AT101W, if it uses ALPS-type stabilizers.  Tai-Hao DID make caps with ALPS style stabilizers in the past; can't speak for these.

The one dodgy bit is the lock key stem... you'd have to grind one down and glue on one salvaged from, say, a spare unusable AEKII top-row cap.

[njbair]

In case this drop doesn't actually drop, are these keys actually possible to get at all from a retailer like on Aliexpress or Taobao?

No. The caps won't be produced unless Massdrop meets a minimum order quantity.

[JimByr]

Two days left and the MOQ has been dropped to 200. If you are on the fence, get your order in so this can happen.

[FrostyToast]

I was hoping that this would go through and succeed. However, after the mess that I saw with GMK TA I decided to pull out and boycott all Massdrop products for the time being.

[nickheller]

Two days left and the MOQ has been dropped to 200. If you are on the fence, get your order in so this can happen.

Comments say it was lowered because KBParadise bought 300 sets.

[njbair]

Two days left and the MOQ has been dropped to 200. If you are on the fence, get your order in so this can happen.

Comments say it was lowered because KBParadise bought 300 sets.

I'm not sure why they didn't just add 300 to the existing MOQ. The way they do certain things is so confusing.

[Mattr567]

Can someone (or a mod) update the title, as said earlier the MOQ has been dropped to 200, 28 to go.

[rowdy]

Is this MOQ for each colour, or total?

The description does say "there is a high MOQ per color option for this drop", however if it is per colour, then with 200 needed and 143 (currently) ordered, not everyone will have purchased the same colour.

[CommonCurt]

Is this MOQ for each colour, or total?

The description does say "there is a high MOQ per color option for this drop", however if it is per colour, then with 200 needed and 143 (currently) ordered, not everyone will have purchased the same colour.

I was wondering this myself.

[Mattr567]

Is this MOQ for each colour, or total?

The description does say "there is a high MOQ per color option for this drop", however if it is per colour, then with 200 needed and 143 (currently) ordered, not everyone will have purchased the same colour.

I was wondering this myself.

Hmm, from Alex's comment it seems this isnt a issue, we need an update. ill ask.

[njbair]

I seem to remember reading that Massdrop was going to buy up the difference for individual color MOQs, but I don't remember where that was written.

[nickheller]

Don't have an Alps board yet, going to go ahead and grab a set though for when I do have one. Who knows if I will be able to find alps caps later lol.

[njbair]

Looks like it just hit 200.

[jdcarpe]

Okay, I broke down and bought in. I wasn't going to, because Massdrop, but I guess I need these.

[HoffmanMyster]

I just placed my order today.    Unfortunately I still don't really have many Alps boards so I couldn't justify getting all three, but I did get one. 

Okay, I broke down and bought in. I wasn't going to, because Massdrop, but I guess I need these.

Can't pass these up, JD! 

[jbondeson]

KBParadise really saved this drop.

I still stand by my comments on MD that they really need to figure out their community engagement and marketing.

[nickheller]

Now I really want to buy a Matias V60 to use these with.

I would love to get a different color than black, but the windows legends look pretty crap on the other colors.

[njbair]

Okay, I broke down and bought in. I wasn't going to, because Massdrop, but I guess I need these.

That was me at first, too. I held off for a while but with Alps it's pretty much put up or shut up. At least for now.

Now I really want to buy a Matias V60 to use these with.

I started with an Olivetti and a Dolch. Skipped the blacks because they're so normal. But my Infinity 60% with Matias Quiet Pro's has a 6U spacebar, and the only one I have that fits is the black DSA spacebar that I ordered with it. So I added the black set so that I can use it along with one of Badwrench's Infinity modifier kits. It's not the same profile or material (PBT instead of ABS), but at least it's the same color.

[CPTBadAss]

KBParadise really saved this drop.

I still stand by my comments on MD that they really need to figure out their community engagement and marketing.

Agreed. The way they do stuff is insanely confusing

[jbondeson]

It really shouldn't be that hard either. Throw a couple shekels at a "Community Ambassador" to just bridge the gap. Create IC and GB threads, build some hype, and bring some goddamn goodwill!

Instead it feels like MD is just there to be the middle man and soak up as much as they can.

[jbondeson]

I went ahead and jumped in on the KBParadise's V60 Matias Mini Drop as my little "thanks" to them for saving this drop.

I can't wait to hear my wife when she sees yet another keyboard show up at the door...