geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: supamesican on Wed, 08 May 2019, 20:59:30

Title: How do the gray Matias switches compare to the white?
Post by: supamesican on Wed, 08 May 2019, 20:59:30

I want a new board for the office, but eh I don't want to be that guy with the liudtaf click board. And also I love white Alps and white Alps clones like the white Matias. Are the gray ones basically the same as the white but without the noise?

Title: Re: How do the gray Matias switches compare to the white?
Post by: Kavik on Wed, 08 May 2019, 22:40:43

I believe the gray ones are just retooled. Matias quiet clicks are the ones that are silenced, but I don't think there is a color difference in the sliders to distinguish them.

Title: Re: How do the gray Matias switches compare to the white?
Post by: pixelpusher on Wed, 08 May 2019, 22:47:02

I don't know why they are called "quiet click" when they are simply a cloned dampened alps tactile switch.  They feel similar to dampened cream alps but, being simplified, aren't quite as nice.

Title: Re: How do the gray Matias switches compare to the white?
Post by: Riverman on Fri, 10 May 2019, 13:05:03

Quote from: pixelpusher on Wed, 08 May 2019, 22:47:02

I don't know why they are called "quiet click" when they are simply a cloned dampened alps tactile switch.  They feel similar to dampened cream alps but, being simplified, aren't quite as nice.

I totally agree.  They really suck compared to the switches in an AEK II.  I bought a Matias keyboard thinking it would be similar, and all I could think of was how crappy it felt compared to my old Apple.  For what they are, though, they're decent-feeling new switches, but unreliable from what I keep hearing.

Title: Re: How do the gray Matias switches compare to the white?
Post by: Leslieann on Sat, 11 May 2019, 01:02:23

Compared to white? Quieter and a bit less tactility.

I love what they're trying to do but they just aren't as good as actual Alps, I REALLY want to like them but I think the housing lets them down (the metal parts move during soldering leading to inconsistent feel and sound).

Best advice, buy an old Alps board in good condition you will be happier. Worst case, make sure it's an actual Matias board, they seem to have a better grasp on quality control than others using their switches but still not as good as the originals.

Title: Re: How do the gray Matias switches compare to the white?
Post by: losing_ctrl on Sun, 12 May 2019, 12:08:58

Quote from: supamesican on Wed, 08 May 2019, 20:59:30

I want a new board for the office, but eh I don't want to be that guy with the liudtaf click board. And also I love white Alps and white Alps clones like the white Matias. Are the gray ones basically the same as the white but without the noise?

I'd say the big differences between the switches are the feel, noise and the key travel - the grey (quiet) switches have noticeably less key travel than the white (clicks) switches, which I think is too bad, but I still like them overall.  I find them very satisfying to type on at work, however they still make a good bit of noise. I put a dish towel underneath the KB and try not to pound too hard on the keys, as I work in a very quiet office and am self conscious about making KB noise.