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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 06:00:23

Title: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 06:00:23: I like both, but I'm having a hard time choosing which one to get.

Please give me your opinions, so I can decide.

Thanks!!
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: AKIMbO on Mon, 11 February 2013, 07:28:13: Green. Black isn't clicky.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: linuxid10t on Mon, 11 February 2013, 07:37:42: Quote from: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 06:00:23
I like both, but I'm having a hard time choosing which one to get.

Please give me your opinions, so I can decide.

Thanks!!

I'm assuming you are talking about the modern Alps variants? In particular the Ducky XMs? Out of those I'd choose the greens. If it is anything similar to the Azio Clicker I tried in the store, it isn't bad. Especially if you want to try something that isn't Cherry on the cheap.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 08:48:03: Why wouldn't you recommend either of them? And what is better about the Siig Mechanical?
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 08:54:49: What type of switches are they? I know they're ALPS, but which color, and what is the difference between them?
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 09:22:12: This one is a black ALPS, and I'm not too fond of the small backspace key. I looked it up on EBAY, and found several Siig Minitouch keyboards with yellow ALPS. How are they?
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: Grimey on Mon, 11 February 2013, 11:04:00: The XM variant of ALPS that come with the Ducky series are not to be mistaken for the previous iteration of ALPS.

Green = Clicky + Tactile
Black = Linear ( I have never used these, cherry makes good linear switches to satisfy me )

I certainly do enjoy typing on the green variety of these switches, but they are not comparable in feel or quality to the old types. If you want an ALPS keyboard with a standard layout your best bet would be one of the new ducky boards, a Dell AT101*, Apple IIE (with ADB->USB adapter), or camp ebay for awhile.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: nsrexler on Mon, 11 February 2013, 11:16:32: Grimey, don't forget the Matias Tactile Pro and Quiet Pro. Those are more expensive though.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Mon, 11 February 2013, 12:02:33: I had the green one. Quality was poor; switches felt nice but were a pain to actually use for anything. Recommend finding a different option.

What drew you to these choices in the first place? ALPS? Cheapness?
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 12:17:56: I really wanted to try the Ducky XM's because they seemed so delicious. I guess the XM's aren't as good as the original ALPS...figures. I think I'm gonna camp EBAY for the Dell AT101W's. I mean I would get the Matias in a heartbeat if I had the cash, but I can't afford it right now.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: Grimey on Mon, 11 February 2013, 12:30:45: Quote from: morpheus on Mon, 11 February 2013, 12:17:56
I really wanted to try the Ducky XM's because they seemed so delicious. I guess the XM's aren't as good as the original ALPS...figures. I think I'm gonna camp EBAY for the Dell AT101W's. I mean I would get the Matias in a heartbeat if I had the cash, but I can't afford it right now.

When Matias starts selling the switches in bulk investing in a soldering iron and a cheap AT101W and you will have yourself a very fine keyboard, affordable and a normal layout.
Title: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: remedyhalopc on Sun, 17 February 2013, 19:01:28: So the Black's are linear? Does anyone know their feel in comparison to blacks or reds in terms of actuation force? Reds are 45g and Blacks are 70 IIRC.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 17 February 2013, 19:15:02: The SIIG mechanical is a DSI/Solidtek 6600 sold with a much higher price. It has old-style ALPS switches, that are far heavier than the Ducky XMs.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: ValerieV on Sun, 17 February 2013, 20:03:27: I purchased ducky green alps and black alps keyboards. They are supposed to arrive tomorrow. If i don't like the black alps, i will sell it on this site. I am prepared to take a loss financially but i just really wanted to try them. I will try to do a video to show you how the black alps sound.
Title: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: remedyhalopc on Sun, 17 February 2013, 20:32:44: Quote from: ValerieV on Sun, 17 February 2013, 20:03:27
I purchased ducky green alps and black alps keyboards. They are supposed to arrive tomorrow. If i don't like the black alps, i will sell it on this site. I am prepared to take a loss financially but i just really wanted to try them. I will try to do a video to show you how the black alps sound.

Cool! If you don't like one of them you'd have a buyer right here.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: ValerieV on Sun, 17 February 2013, 22:01:57: I will let you know tomorrow. If you're interested let me know. I think i am going to keep the green alps. The blacks are the ones that i think i will sell.
Title: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: remedyhalopc on Mon, 18 February 2013, 19:27:10: How are you liking them?
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: ValerieV on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:13:13: I haven't got them yet :mad:. They are coming to my work address and because nobody was there on Saturday, they are going to come Tuesday. I don't know why they didn't come today because even though it was President's Day Fed Ex still delivered stuff to us. I checked the estimated ship time and it is scheduled for tomorrow. I will let you know though. :D :D
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: kboardvintage on Tue, 19 February 2013, 02:36:01: personally I fond complicated black alps a bit dissapointing.
Title: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: remedyhalopc on Tue, 19 February 2013, 02:58:44: I believe XM Alps differ from standard Alps.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: Demofly on Tue, 19 February 2013, 04:15:45: I have the Ducky with the blacks and here is a review

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40405.0

I don't recommend the black switches for anyone looking to take typing seriously, they actuate far too easily. I do, however, really enjoy them for gaming. They are even more effortless than MX reds and make gaming feel natural.

I hear the greens are pretty good. However, they also actuate really easily but at least there is a tactile bump.
Title: Re: Ducky Green ALPS or Black ALPS?
Post by: ValerieV on Tue, 19 February 2013, 16:19:37: So i got the keyboards today. I can see why people don't like the black alps. Yes they are very light to type on. Ducky isn't exactly known for their high quality when it comes to these keyboards so i wasn't expecting much there. Anyways, everything that the above posted about his Ducky black alps is spot on. If you have to choose, choose the green alps.