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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Kalmarauder on Sun, 23 September 2012, 06:27:27

Title: Which key switches are available for purchase?
Post by: Kalmarauder on Sun, 23 September 2012, 06:27:27
I want to build my own fully programmable key matrix. If I use Cherry MX switches they'll be red, but I haven't tried any other brands of switches and I don't know what's easily obtainable besides Cherry. Can you get Topre or Alps switches? I'm going to buy a switch sample bag from Mrinterface (http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/introducing-the-mrinterface-switch-sample-bag-t3189-180.html#p77142) the next time he's selling them to try some out.
Title: Re: Which key switches are available for purchase?
Post by: Matt3o on Sun, 23 September 2012, 06:58:44
MX are pretty easy to find. I know for sure that Topre are not sold separately. Regarding Alps you'll soon be able to get them from Matias. Good luck for your build!
Title: Re: Which key switches are available for purchase?
Post by: Kalmarauder on Sun, 23 September 2012, 07:58:44
Would those be the switches in the Quiet Pro Keyboard? If they truly are "the world's quietest" as they claim then I might want to use them depending on how they feel. I do enjoy the feel of a tactile switch, letting you know where the actuation point is, but I found the sound of my MX Blue keyboard a little bit distracting. I'd also have to figure out where to get Alps key caps if I did use those switches. Cherry MX is certainly the easiest to obtain key caps for.
Title: Re: Which key switches are available for purchase?
Post by: xorpher on Sun, 23 September 2012, 09:23:23
Would those be the switches in the Quiet Pro Keyboard?

No, Matias doesn't use cherry switches. The Quiet Pro uses a newly designed alps switch. I think it's ALPS Orange?
Title: Re: Which key switches are available for purchase?
Post by: Kalmarauder on Sun, 23 September 2012, 14:35:04
I know it doesn't use Cherry switches, maybe I didn't express myself very well. I meant that I would like to try the new Alps switches by Matias, and if I like them and want to use them I would have to find out where to get Alps key caps. I also commented that Cherry MX switches and caps are easy to obtain.