Alps Appreciation Thread

[E3E]

Salmons are a weird one for me. I used to enjoy them, but then I just couldn't after a certain point. It might be because the Dell AT101 boards that I've tried them in have just bored me to bits. They just aren't interesting aside from their lovely caps and using salmons with anything other than PBT makes them feel lifeless.

[Cerasis]

I guess orange or salmon switches are what i'll be after. Will definitely look into getting a m0116. Thanks for the suggestions 

[mike52787]

I am regretting selling my m0116 more and more, oranges were nice but just a touch too light. maybe swapping in other springs would make me love them. my m0116 was in immaculate condition too, so the switches were super smooth.

[mike52787]

I guess orange or salmon switches are what i'll be after. Will definitely look into getting a m0116. Thanks for the suggestions 

a neXt non adb board is a really nice choice as well if youre looking for tactile alps. There is a seller on ebay letting them go relatively cheap (~55$), so get one while you can. cream alps are nicer than both salmon and orange imo

[E3E]

Yeah, I'd recommend Orange or Cream too as a tactile switch to go for. The NeXT boards are the best supply of Creams for now.

Have you gotten a converter for your NeXT yet, mike?

[chyros]

If you like smaller form factor you can try Apple's m0116. They usually have salmon but there are ones with oranges as well. Keep in mind you need a converter for it as well.

I just acquired an m0116 with orange Alps myself, and I must say they feel amazing.

They're so ****ing good, especially when they're in great condition, most other tactile switches don't even come close .

^ This.

Orange Alps are really nice. I'd say the Cream Alps in NeXT boards are practically tied with them. At that point it's whether or not you like the weight a pinch heavier (Cream) or lighter (Orange), as the feel is pretty much the same.
 
The other big favorite is SKCM Brown, but they are quite different from SKCM Orange. SKCM Green pine feel incredibly similar to those (but at a lighter weight), and SKCM Green bamboo feel unique all together, almost linear with a rounded "soft" kind of tactility which I really like.

Holy ****balls, browns are even HEAVIER than neon green? Oo They must be some of the stiffest Alps switches ever made then anoi? oO

[CPTBadAss]

Agreed with E3E. I really like Orange SKCM and Cream SKCM as well as Matias Quiet. I like the Matias switches but they don't feel as good as the vintage SKCM stuff.

[mike52787]

Yeah, I'd recommend Orange or Cream too as a tactile switch to go for. The NeXT boards are the best supply of Creams for now.

Have you gotten a converter for your NeXT yet, mike?

I built one, but I havent compiled tmk and flashed it yet.

[emdude]

Holy ****balls, browns are even HEAVIER than neon green? Oo They must be some of the stiffest Alps switches ever made then anoi? oO

Yeah, that is perhaps the only thing about SKCM Browns that I'm not sure I care for.  I think I'd like SKCM Greens/Neon Greens/Limes/Mountain Dew? quite a bit.  That said, it's still my favorite tactile Alps switch, with SKCM Oranges being a very close runner-up for its own distinct tactility and light feel.

[E3E]

Holy ****balls, browns are even HEAVIER than neon green? Oo They must be some of the stiffest Alps switches ever made then anoi? oO

Yep! They were the heaviest Alps switch I weighed (using US nickles and pennies, so YMMV) at 75 grams. I don't have SKCM Amber switches anymore, but they might be a contender there. The next heaviest was SKCL Brown at 70 gf.

For reference, Salmon, White, and Yellow, were all 65 gf when I weighed them. Not sure if something was off, or if it was the added weight of a keycap (I see some sources saying 68 - 70 gf for these switches), but yep.

I know there are some esoteric Alps switches like the double action and heavy grey that are heavier, but none that will show up on a whole board like SKCM brown.

[E3E]

Holy ****balls, browns are even HEAVIER than neon green? Oo They must be some of the stiffest Alps switches ever made then anoi? oO

Yeah, that is perhaps the only thing about SKCM Browns that I'm not sure I care for.  I think I'd like SKCM Greens/Neon Greens/Limes/Mountain Dew? quite a bit.  That said, it's still my favorite tactile Alps switch, with SKCM Oranges being a very close runner-up for its own distinct tactility and light feel.

The real bit that makes SKCM Green a better switch is that you can spring swap for lighter weights if you'd like, which is impossible for SKCM Brown because of its stiffer tactile leaf. That's actually why it's such a stiff switch.

[Sneaky Potato]

Beautiful boards guys<drools>

I am currently typing on AT101W which I loooove (tested some MX boards and really don't like them as much).

Recently my collegue bought Monterey board with white alps (we thought it will have monterey switches, but it turned out for the better) and boy do I want me some of these as well

Sifo...i must say that want level is high within me right now...ALPS mini board....mmmm...

Only problem i see with ALPS boards is the lack of novelty caps, or rather really small amount compared to MX and Topre. But I will wait patiently and maybe one day some will show up

I'm working on making some stuff for Alps. Far too little selection, in my opinion.

[emdude]

Shame SKCM Greens are as rare as they are; if Matias made tactile switches like those or Browns I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

[emdude]

Beautiful boards guys<drools>

I am currently typing on AT101W which I loooove (tested some MX boards and really don't like them as much).

Recently my collegue bought Monterey board with white alps (we thought it will have monterey switches, but it turned out for the better) and boy do I want me some of these as well

Sifo...i must say that want level is high within me right now...ALPS mini board....mmmm...

Only problem i see with ALPS boards is the lack of novelty caps, or rather really small amount compared to MX and Topre. But I will wait patiently and maybe one day some will show up

I'm working on making some stuff for Alps. Far too little selection, in my opinion.

Booper's Alps mount artisans looked really nice, if I had known about her work sooner I would have tried to get in on her CMYKeydelic sale.

[Wingpad]

I know there are some esoteric Alps switches like the double action and heavy grey that are heavier, but none that will show up on a whole board like SKCM brown.

Last I checked that guy on Alibaba is still selling NOS SKCL Grey (for way too much, unfortunately) and it seems like he has quite a few. In other words, someone might build a board of SKCL Heavy Greys yet.

EDIT: It looks like they're gone, sadly. I wonder if someone bought them or if he just decided to take them down...

Shame SKCM Greens are as rare as they are; if Matias made tactile switches like those or Browns I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

I know, right? I would buy them in a heartbeat as well. I wonder how a Matias "Neon Green" switch would feel without the complicated switch plate. If he got the tactile plate's shape right would that be enough?

Anyway, I got to try a 5140 a while ago and I have been on the hunt to try/obtain SKCM Greens since.

[alh84001]

Aren't those compact SKCL greens and regular SKCM browns on 5140?

[CPTBadAss]

Aren't those compact SKCL greens and regular SKCM browns on 5140?

Yes

[E3E]

I know there are some esoteric Alps switches like the double action and heavy grey that are heavier, but none that will show up on a whole board like SKCM brown.

Last I checked that guy on Alibaba is still selling NOS SKCL Grey (for way too much, unfortunately) and it seems like he has quite a few. In other words, someone might build a board of SKCL Heavy Greys yet.

EDIT: It looks like they're gone, sadly. I wonder if someone bought them or if he just decided to take them down...

Shame SKCM Greens are as rare as they are; if Matias made tactile switches like those or Browns I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

I know, right? I would buy them in a heartbeat as well. I wonder how a Matias "Neon Green" switch would feel without the complicated switch plate. If he got the tactile plate's shape right would that be enough?

Anyway, I got to try a 5140 a while ago and I have been on the hunt to try/obtain SKCM Greens since.

Well, if tactile leaves would fit into SKCM housings, then you could easily turn SKCM Salmon or White or even Black into SKCM "Pseudo Green" switches, haha. So as long as Matias were to design a switch around the unique tactile leaf shape, then I think that'd be all we'd need.

SKCL Heavy Grey is actually a different switch from SKCL Grey, which is a space bar switch. I forget what SKCL Grey is rated at for actuation force, but heavy grey is at 120 gf.
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCL_Heavy_Grey

It'd be pretty cool to build an entire board with normal greys though. 

Edit: Wiki says grey is at around 90 gf. Still a hefty switch.

[Wingpad]

Aren't those compact SKCL greens and regular SKCM browns on 5140?

Yes, to clarify I liked the way the browns felt but they were a bit too stiff for me so I have been trying to find a board with SKCM Greens since.

Well, if tactile leaves would fit into SKCM housings, then you could easily turn SKCM Salmon or White or even Black into SKCM "Pseudo Green" switches, haha. So as long as Matias were to design a switch around the unique tactile leaf shape, then I think that'd be all we'd need.

Matias, if you're reading this, you should try and this happen

SKCL Heavy Grey is actually a different switch from SKCL Grey, which is a space bar switch. I forget what SKCL Grey is rated at for actuation force, but heavy grey is at 120 gf.
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCL_Heavy_Grey

It'd be pretty cool to build an entire board with normal greys though. 

Edit: Wiki says grey is at around 90 gf. Still a hefty switch.

Interesting, I didn't know there was an even heavier alps switch. Dang... 120gf is hefty.

This is the first time I've seen an M-system keyboard (the board that Heavy Greys came in) as well, its rather nifty. It looks a helluva' lot like an Atreus.

[emdude]

Does Matias have a suggestion box or something?  I'm just one person, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt.

Still, I wonder if he'd be willing to even consider something like that.  Seems like he's been having trouble trying to get his 60% keyboard and PBT key caps out the door too.

[Mattr567]

Does Matias have a suggestion box or something?  I'm just one person, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt.

Still, I wonder if he'd be willing to even consider something like that.  Seems like he's been having trouble trying to get his 60% keyboard and PBT key caps out the door too.

Yea, he's still a small company. A Matias SKCM Brown/Green would be really cool.

[quasistellar]

If you like smaller form factor you can try Apple's m0116. They usually have salmon but there are ones with oranges as well. Keep in mind you need a converter for it as well.

I just acquired an m0116 with orange Alps myself, and I must say they feel amazing.

They're so ****ing good, especially when they're in great condition, most other tactile switches don't even come close .

I actually love their lightness compared to most other alps switches, and the excellent keycaps of the m0116 certainly help.  They seem to have the perfect force curve to me--nice and tactile at the top with a linear, light throw the rest of the way down.  I wouldn't mind them maybe being just a tiny bit lighter (I don't like heavy switches AT ALL).  Some of my switches feel like they may be a teensy bit dirty though--I'm going to have to dig in and see. 

Originally I bought this board to harvest the keycaps, but now I don't know.  If I can get used to the layout or change it with a converter or software, I may try to restore it a bit and keep it together.  I personally love having a numpad and function keys, but I love having a nav cluster even more.  If I could make the numpad adjustable to be a nav cluster by default and then just numlock it when I want it to be a numpad, that would be ideal.  I'm going to try the keycaps on my Infinity with Matias Quiet Pro switches and see how they compare.

I'm also tempted to get a Matias Mini Quiet/Tactile Pro keyboard, as I really like the layout on it.  Might be interesting to swap orange alps onto it. . . 

[klennkellon]

Matias definitely has the capability to make almost anything. Though they'll never sound as nice as original ALPS unfortunately.

Seriously, Matias sound awful, theres a lot of clones that feel worse but most don't have the rattly high pitched sound Matias do, still better than Cherry imo though.

[chyros]

Matias definitely has the capability to make almost anything. Though they'll never sound as nice as original ALPS unfortunately.

Seriously, Matias sound awful, theres a lot of clones that feel worse but most don't have the rattly high pitched sound Matias do, still better than Cherry imo though.

I suspect it's the translucent plastic. Unlike other clones, Matias actually tried to at least mildly update the design for modern expectations. This comes at the cost of sound, I guess.

Matias must have thought about using a complicated mechanism for his switches, no way he wouldn't've. He consciously chose the simplified mechanism either out of cost-effectiveness or technical limitations or something. Either way, that more or less means he'll never make original-style Alps switches .

[alienman82]

removed.

[E3E]

SGI or Dell AT101 PBT. What has the better legends?   

That depends on your preferences on the font style as well as boldness.

Some SGI cap sets have legends that are pretty much on the same level as the AT101, but then there are bold versions with sharper printing that I've seen as well. I'm not sure which is more common, but I'm thinking bold printing.

I'm not a terribly big fan of the SGI's font. IMO, the AT101 wins out. I know some people dislike the AT101 because its printing isn't as sharp, but that's no problem to me.

Though, if you like japanese legends, you can always go with:



2nd gen IBM Multistation PBT caps (for the Alphas at least). They have scooped F and J keys as well.  I don't have a full set, sadly. Waiting for a friend to help me out there.

They would blend well with AT101 caps.

[mrbishop]

Agreed with E3E. I really like Orange SKCM and Cream SKCM as well as Matias Quiet. I like the Matias switches but they don't feel as good as the vintage SKCM stuff.

i have some vintage Alps clones i need to test against my Matias Quiet clicks. man those vintage ones feel nice. (after i washed them and cleaned them)

[E3E]

Agreed with E3E. I really like Orange SKCM and Cream SKCM as well as Matias Quiet. I like the Matias switches but they don't feel as good as the vintage SKCM stuff.

i have some vintage Alps clones i need to test against my Matias Quiet clicks. man those vintage ones feel nice. (after i washed them and cleaned them)

The clones are actually quite good compared to what I've tried from Matias so far. The Tai Hao APC white switches actually feel a whole lot better.

[mrbishop]

Agreed with E3E. I really like Orange SKCM and Cream SKCM as well as Matias Quiet. I like the Matias switches but they don't feel as good as the vintage SKCM stuff.

i have some vintage Alps clones i need to test against my Matias Quiet clicks. man those vintage ones feel nice. (after i washed them and cleaned them)

The clones are actually quite good compared to what I've tried from Matias so far. The Tai Hao APC white switches actually feel a whole lot better.

i'm going to have to put them next to each other and give them a try. i have a 2 key switch tester thats going to make this a perfect test.

[chyros]

SGI or Dell AT101 PBT. What has the better legends?   

The Dell IMO. I don't like italic fonts on keycaps. The SGI's are nowhere near as repulsive as those on old Apple boards, though.

[mike52787]

SGI or Dell AT101 PBT. What has the better legends?   

The Dell IMO. I don't like italic fonts on keycaps. The SGI's are nowhere near as repulsive as those on old Apple boards, though.

Finally, an opinion chyros and I differ on. I really like sgi caps, for the same reason I like the older apple caps, the funky font!

[Mattr567]

I don't really care for the font lol. Maybe its b/c i'm a touch typer. Apples do look better than SGI imo, but the SGI's isn't bad or anything. I only got my SGI over a OG Dell is b/c they are cheaper to buy

[E3E]

Apple and SGI fonts reminded me of each other a lot, to be honest. When I first saw SGI caps, noticing the font using AEK for quite a while before that, I really enjoyed the look, but I've since decided that standard Helvetica is probably my favorite font for legends, followed up by Cherry.

TBH, the rounded legends of Cherry sometimes make me think it looks toyish, which is one reason it's not my favorite font.

[chyros]

SGI or Dell AT101 PBT. What has the better legends?   

The Dell IMO. I don't like italic fonts on keycaps. The SGI's are nowhere near as repulsive as those on old Apple boards, though.

Finally, an opinion chyros and I differ on. I really like sgi caps, for the same reason I like the older apple caps, the funky font!

)

[digi]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

[mike52787]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

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Ill take it off your hands if you hate it so much :))

[mrbishop]

i always need key caps so i'm with mike
 

[jacobolus]

..

[quasistellar]

SGI or Dell AT101 PBT. What has the better legends?   

The Dell IMO. I don't like italic fonts on keycaps. The SGI's are nowhere near as repulsive as those on old Apple boards, though.

Finally, an opinion chyros and I differ on. I really like sgi caps, for the same reason I like the older apple caps, the funky font!

I was actually trying to find an SGI board for the caps but gave up and went for the m0116.  It will work out better for me in the long run, I think, as now I have orange alps

[klennkellon]

Helvetica is best font, hail IBM!

[E3E]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

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Yeah, I know what you mean, dude. ESPECIALLY with these ****ty PBT key caps.

[digi]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

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Yeah, I know what you mean, dude. ESPECIALLY with these ****ty PBT key caps.

Whoa..nice ****ty board you got there! Yours really sucks!!

[E3E]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

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Yeah, I know what you mean, dude. ESPECIALLY with these ****ty PBT key caps.

Whoa..nice ****ty board you got there! Yours really sucks!!

You know my pain.



These are the worst keyboards ever.

[digi]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

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Yeah, I know what you mean, dude. ESPECIALLY with these ****ty PBT key caps.

Whoa..nice ****ty board you got there! Yours really sucks!!

You know my pain.

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These are the worst keyboards ever.

How do you even get through your day knowing that you have type on those piles of trash?? You really need to save up and get a Corsair.

[chyros]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

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Yeah, I know what you mean, dude. ESPECIALLY with these ****ty PBT key caps.

Whoa..nice ****ty board you got there! Yours really sucks!!

You know my pain.

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These are the worst keyboards ever.

How do you even get through your day knowing that you have type on those piles of trash?? You really need to save up and get a Corsair.

Exactly! Just listen to that typing sound ffs, it's just awful.

[E3E]

I'm using this ****ty DC-3014 with blue alps, this board sucks..

Show Image

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Yeah, I know what you mean, dude. ESPECIALLY with these ****ty PBT key caps.

Whoa..nice ****ty board you got there! Yours really sucks!!

You know my pain.

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These are the worst keyboards ever.

How do you even get through your day knowing that you have type on those piles of trash?? You really need to save up and get a Corsair.

Razer. Blackwidow. Chroma.  ;)

[Aran.E99]

Yeah, those are terrible boards. So glad I don't own one. Blue alps are worse than rubber domes.


 

[klennkellon]

My favorite keyboards are those metal ones that they use at airports and hospitals.

[Dokyun]

Folks, not to backseat mod but can we please end this derail about bad keyboards? Let's get back on the thread topic here: our favorite switch, the mighty Cherry MX Brown.

[Aran.E99]

Folks, not to backseat mod but can we please end this derail about bad keyboards? Let's get back on the thread topic here: our favorite switch, the mighty Cherry MX Brown.

At first I thought you were being serious but when you mentioned mx browns I knew you were joking