ALPS Granite Keyset - Interest Check

[deweysdecimal]

Hi everyone,

matt3o is taking suggestions for the next round of Granite keycaps and said if we can get around 100 people interested in an ALPS set, he'd look into making it happen. From the reddit thread I posted, there are already 34 people interested and committed to purchasing 47 sets. We need more people to make this happen, so please fill out this survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1B9rMBAy00XK2GLgjDbl1U92HwtTMkeiqfLCFpnKEoFw/viewform?usp=send_form

Please post this survey to any other places where ALPS users may be lurking. I'd love to make this a reality.

[CPTBadAss]

Are these going to be in DSA PBT? I'm not seeing any confirmation in this thread. If they're going to be in DSA, I'm sad. But like zombimuncha said, it's cool to see that there's already so many people committed to more Alps caps.

Edit: Also remember that someone saying yes in an interest check doesn't translate to a sale in a GB.

[dante]

I've heard rumors that DSA for Alps are extremely tight.

Like "oh my gosh, am I going to pull this switch out?" tight.

Anyone care to debunk this?

[cheddarbek]

I'd love to see this happen. I'm always down for more alps.

[deweysdecimal]

Are these going to be in DSA PBT? I'm not seeing any confirmation in this thread. If they're going to be in DSA, I'm sad. But like zombimuncha said, it's cool to see that there's already so many people committed to more Alps caps.

Edit: Also remember that someone saying yes in an interest check doesn't translate to a sale in a GB.

In the main thread it was confirmed that it will be DSA. SA seems to be the new favorite, but I'm in for any custom caps really. And yeah, interest doesn't necessarily mean they'll buy, but it's at least a step closer.

[atectatifern]

I've heard rumors that DSA for Alps are extremely tight.

Like "oh my gosh, am I going to pull this switch out?" tight.

Anyone care to debunk this?

I can't debunk it, but can concur. I have lost four switches to the phenomenon and/or my own ham-handedness when pulling DSA keycaps from Matias switches.

[cheddarbek]

I wonder if it wouldn't be such a big issue on vintage alps.  I've noticed that my caps are significantly tighter on my matias switches than they are on my white alps.

[Jokrik]

I wonder if it wouldn't be such a big issue on vintage alps.  I've noticed that my caps are significantly tighter on my matias switches than they are on my white alps.

This, I feel the same way towards my vintage

But if it's dsa....  #sad

[FrostyToast]

You forgot to put a section for a DT username.

[Hypersphere]

Although the Granite set looks great and I generally like typing on PBT, if the proposed set is going to be DSA profile I would most likely not buy it. Unfortunately, I have found it difficult to type on the Granite set -- I think this is due to a combination of the spherical tops and the flat DSA profile. I prefer the appearance and ergonomics of a sculpted profile. However, this is just my own preference, In principle, I am glad to see attention being paid to creating new keycap sets for Alps-mount switches.

[jbondeson]

DSA is good for funky compressed layouts like 40, 45, or 65% or if you roll the colmak or dvorak train.

I'd be tempted to pick up a set to put together an alps 40 or 45.

[deweysdecimal]

You forgot to put a section for a DT username.

Thanks, added that in.

[njbair]

Glad to see the continually growing interest in Alps, although I think we're now past the point where I would buy something I don't like just to support Alps.

PBT DSA has always struck me as the noob combo. DSA does look cool and novel when you're new to mechanical keyboards, and they are cheaper than other profiles. And PBT has the nonstop hype train behind it because "it doesn't shine" or whatever. So this seems like the perfect combination for anyone who's never typed on them.

[Pdub]

All these alps sets really want to make me get a keyboard for them. Too bad I would buy it for work and my office mates would HATE me more than they already do if I get the one I want. I have MX Blacks at work and they already think it is annoying. I brought in MX Blues and they had a hissy fit.

TLDR - I think I have to pass for now. 

[sean]

I'm not a fan of the DSA profile but it would give me an excuse to have an Alps planck.

[njbair]

I'm not a fan of the DSA profile but it would give me an excuse to have an Alps planck.

I'm getting AW blanks for a future Planck project.

[Hak Foo]

DSA does have the benefit of being the rare profile that's row-agnostic.  That's useful if you have to deal with a lot of special-case caps (2.26x right shifts, 1x backspaces, and 1x |\ keys, for example)-- you don't have to handle quite as many variations to satisfy everyone.

[njbair]

DSA does have the benefit of being the rare profile that's row-agnostic.  That's useful if you have to deal with a lot of special-case caps (2.26x right shifts, 1x backspaces, and 1x |\ keys, for example)-- you don't have to handle quite as many variations to satisfy everyone.

That's why Granite always does so well. There aren't many boards/layouts it can't handle. But for many folks, a flat profile is a huge compromise. Why spend the money and invest in the learning curve for something like the ErgoDox if you're going to settle for finger-unfriendly DSA caps? It always seemed antithetical to me.

[Kola93]

Please have enough compatibility for both AEK2, ANSI WKL, and ANSI Winkey.

[braidn]

Flat boards I feel are more tuned to DSA. So a non tented ErgoDox or Planck work swimmingly. Granite alps would definitely push me towards a Alps Planck or Alps Input club ErgoDox 2.0

[Texchappy]

I filled out the survey from the Reddit thread.  Found the comment on the 'noob set' enlightening.  Haven't used DSA so can't comment on that.  However, coming into this hobby I got the definite impression that PBT was the superior option. Just starting to use my Modern Selectric set and I really like the way the material feels - better than the double shot vortex PBT set I first got.

[braidn]

My fingers love DSA PBT but his profile SA AbS isn't terrible, it just shines nicely after a while on most none blank keys

[pkircher]

is there an aproximation on price ?

[njbair]

I've heard rumors that DSA for Alps are extremely tight.

Like "oh my gosh, am I going to pull this switch out?" tight.

Anyone care to debunk this?

I can't debunk it, but can concur. I have lost four switches to the phenomenon and/or my own ham-handedness when pulling DSA keycaps from Matias switches.

DSA was designed to be a tight-fitting cap for industrial applications. It's not well-suited to key pullers like us. It's tighter on MX mounts, too, but Alps are already tight to begin with so it's a rough combo.

To make matters worse, the Infinity was many folks' introduction to Alps switches, and it shipped with DSA caps and a plate that was too thick to properly retain Alps switches, which means when you pull up hard the switch partially pops out and the only thing holding it in is the solder.

When I first built my Infinity, I put on the blank black DSA PBT keycaps I ordered with it. I hated it after about 60 seconds. While removing them I actually broke two Matias switches. I then set the Infinity aside while I waited for other Alps keycap options. I gave away those PBT blanks, and good riddance.

[linuxhermit]

I want this so bad.

[Kliwon]

interesting..
make really happened..

[atectatifern]

DSA was designed to be a tight-fitting cap for industrial applications. It's not well-suited to key pullers like us. It's tighter on MX mounts, too, but Alps are already tight to begin with so it's a rough combo.

I am still traumatized by the memory of Matias switches that held on to what used to be the stem of my DSA ALPS blanks when pulling them off. Never again.

[FrostyToast]

Just make sure to wear down each cap beforehand to make sure it will be a little loose on your switches. Use some jank alps switch you don't care about, not your precious blue alps.

[njbair]

Just make sure to wear down each cap beforehand to make sure it will be a little loose on your switches. Use some jank alps switch you don't care about, not your precious blue alps.

I care about all my Alps equally.





...except for the red headed step-Alps.

[jbondeson]

Just make sure to wear down each cap beforehand to make sure it will be a little loose on your switches. Use some jank alps switch you don't care about, not your precious blue alps.

I care about all my Alps equally.





...except for the red headed step-Alps.

So you're talkin bout the Black Alps?!? Why's it always come down to looking down on the Black Alps? It's always about the Blues and the Greens!

#BlackAlpsLivesMatter

[njbair]

Just make sure to wear down each cap beforehand to make sure it will be a little loose on your switches. Use some jank alps switch you don't care about, not your precious blue alps.

I care about all my Alps equally.





...except for the red headed step-Alps.

So you're talkin bout the Black Alps?!? Why's it always come down to looking down on the Black Alps? It's always about the Blues and the Greens!

#BlackAlpsLivesMatter

This has been the Black Switch Liberation Hour, with your hosts the Rev. Alps Sharpton and Malcolm MX.

[KaminKevCrew]

I filled out the form, but I realized that I'd buy a second set if ergodox layouts were available. (a friend is building an ergodox, and I thought it would be a nice present for him)

[Muffinbottoms]

I filled out the form, but I realized that I'd buy a second set if ergodox layouts were available. (a friend is building an ergodox, and I thought it would be a nice present for him)

Your generosity towards your friend brings a tear to my eye :,). My friends would probably question my sanity if they knew the amount of money I spend on keycaps haha

[Weltschmerz]

I feel like Granite is definitely the most boring set ever. But if this is the first step for ALPS boards to get some more custom keycaps... Probably a good thing 

[sth]

PBT DCS please, oh please. i am so into this but not if it's DSA

[ideus]

I feel like Granite is definitely the most boring set ever. But if this is the first step for ALPS boards to get some more custom keycaps... Probably a good thing 

If it was that boring how do you explain its massive success?

[njbair]

I feel like Granite is definitely the most boring set ever. But if this is the first step for ALPS boards to get some more custom keycaps... Probably a good thing 

If it was that boring how do you explain its massive success?

The unstoppable hype train behind PBT, the massive layout compatibility due to the flat profile, and the neutral colorway. None of these reasons contradict the idea that it's pretty boring to look at.

[sth]

I feel like Granite is definitely the most boring set ever. But if this is the first step for ALPS boards to get some more custom keycaps... Probably a good thing 

If it was that boring how do you explain its massive success?

The unstoppable hype train behind PBT, the massive layout compatibility due to the flat profile, and the neutral colorway. None of these reasons contradict the idea that it's pretty boring to look at.

til personal preference and durability = hype train

[terrpn]

still hoping this will happen

[ideus]

I had a couple of Granites, I was able to type on them and they were sort of cute to look at; however, their warped edges were so ugly, they made the gaps between rows uneven and the entire board looked just wrong. Shame on SP for its lack of process control during dyesubing.

[jdcarpe]

DSA is a nope.

[njbair]

I feel like Granite is definitely the most boring set ever. But if this is the first step for ALPS boards to get some more custom keycaps... Probably a good thing 

If it was that boring how do you explain its massive success?

The unstoppable hype train behind PBT, the massive layout compatibility due to the flat profile, and the neutral colorway. None of these reasons contradict the idea that it's pretty boring to look at.

til personal preference and durability = hype train

Personal preference is just that. Durability is a factor, as are color and profile options, price, weight, and feel. Out of that list, PBT and ABS each have pros and cons. The hype train makes PBT seem objectively better rather than recognizing it as an issue of personal preference.

[pkircher]

once more, do we have an ~ price ?

my first attempt on getting THIS info was overruled by everyone stateing an opion how much they hate a profile
sheep thats what i call it, but haters gona hate

still it be more helpfull if anyone would keep it somewhat constructive

[njbair]

once more, do we have an ~ price ?

my first attempt on getting THIS info was overruled by everyone stateing an opion how much they hate a profile
sheep thats what i call it, but haters gona hate

still it be more helpfull if anyone would keep it somewhat constructive

This is an interest check. You're allowed to state your opinion, in fact that's kind of the point.

[pkircher]

if you look closely .. its actualy matt3o who wants to run it .. granite is/was dsa if im not totaly mistaken and was highly sucessfull even with or probably even because of the flat profile ( THERE ARE ADVANTAGES TO IT ) .. and given the manufacturing constrains of SP and alps the choise is not as open as with "MX" . (unless you guys wana pay an arm and a leg for tooling)

the main question is open > an aproximate cost would be nice to know .. id take 20-30 sets if the price is right + if it stays dsa

[vivalarevolución]

Just saw this.  I would be more interested if it wasn't DSA.  I already bought my one DSA and realized why that's the only one I would buy.

[n__dles]

PBT DSA has always struck me as the noob combo. DSA does look cool and novel when you're new to mechanical keyboards, and they are cheaper than other profiles. And PBT has the nonstop hype train behind it because "it doesn't shine" or whatever. So this seems like the perfect combination for anyone who's never typed on them.

Totez, my first keycap purchase was DSA PBT. I know better now, but I'm still a nuub 

[vivalarevolución]

once more, do we have an ~ price ?

my first attempt on getting THIS info was overruled by everyone stateing an opion how much they hate a profile
sheep thats what i call it, but haters gona hate

still it be more helpfull if anyone would keep it somewhat constructive

Your desire for certainty is incompatible in an uncertain and unpredictable world.

[morffius]

I agree with something other than DSA, but I would still get a DSA. An SA would be bloody ideal and I'd get 2.

[Puddsy]

I agree with something other than DSA, but I would still get a DSA. An SA would be bloody ideal and I'd get 2.

SA is a trash profile

DCS or bust