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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: frowni on Sun, 01 December 2013, 19:24:33

Title: Looking for green alps..
Post by: frowni on Sun, 01 December 2013, 19:24:33
Hey there,

I was looking for a keyboard with green alps..i found that Ducky had them, but now it says discontinued. Guess they are not making them anymore.
Does anyone know any other brand than Ducky which makes keyboards with green alps?

Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: hasu on Mon, 02 December 2013, 18:47:34
Are you sure about green Alps? If you use wrong word you cannot get right answer.

This post and the thread may help you.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49616.msg1135246#msg1135246
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Tue, 03 December 2013, 18:47:58
Ducky used reduced-force Xiang Min KSB-C (clicky, green) and KSB-N (linear, black) in their "XM" 1000-series keyboards. Xiang Min KSB series (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Xiang_Min_KSB_series) switches are Alps clones (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_clone), i.e. they're not made by Alps or for Alps, but they're fully interchangeable with genuine Alps switches.

Alps switches have not been made since early 2012, when the Forward Electronics switch production line closed. (Strictly speaking, Alps's involvement stopped several years before that when Forward lost their licence to the Alps branding, but Forward Electronics continued production for a few more years with unbranded switches, as you find in the Matias Tactile Pro 2 and 3.)

You can buy Xiang Min KSB-C and KSB-N switches (not sure if Ducky spec) from Mechanical Keyboards, though if you want clicky switches you're better off buying Matias switches (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Matias_switch). Note that Xiang Min were never consistent with the colours — the Tactile Pro 3 uses KSB-LE switches that are also green, and my sample KSB-C switches are ivory. Their colours are a bit random — stick to the product codes.

"Green Alps" specifically refers to Alps SKCL Green (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCL_Green), a highly-regarded linear switch from Alps Electric that was discontinued by 1994.

In terms of keyboards with the same or comparable switches, your choices are very slim, and the Matias Tactile Pro (and related products) is the only one I'd be comfortable recommending. Hopefully as time passes, more products will take on the Matias switches. There's also the AZiO Levetron Clicker series (and various other rebrands) — no idea on reliability. That uses a similar Alps clone series.
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: terran5992 on Tue, 03 December 2013, 18:53:31
Stay away from alps.
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 03 December 2013, 19:08:52
Alps are wonderful, with a few caveats, but I have never used the green ones.
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 03 December 2013, 19:14:48
I have an old electronic typewriter with green Alps, and it is what prompted me to try a keyboard with MX reds.  I eventually decided that reds are too soft for my liking, and returned to MX blacks, and then MX greens.
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 03 December 2013, 20:27:54
Quote from: terran5992 on Tue, 03 December 2013, 18:53:31
Stay away from alps.

Only if you don't want to catch the fever.  Alps are addicting.
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: AKIMbO on Tue, 03 December 2013, 21:31:17
Quote from: terran5992 on Tue, 03 December 2013, 18:53:31
Stay away from alps.

Yes...ALPs are horrible.  Everyone give me all of your ALPs boards and I will properly dispose of them!
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: phoenix1234 on Tue, 03 December 2013, 22:23:47
Quote from: AKIMbO on Tue, 03 December 2013, 21:31:17
Yes...ALPs are horrible.  Everyone give me all of your ALPs boards and I will properly dispose of them!
Quote from: AKIMbO on Tue, 26 November 2013, 11:14:24
Blue alps kingsaver, salmon alps kingsaver, extra kingsaver pcb/plate, extra wang keys.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/PF96xIm.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/hqvisN5.jpg)

:))
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: Pacifist on Tue, 03 December 2013, 22:35:47
Quote from: phoenix1234 on Tue, 03 December 2013, 22:23:47
Quote from: AKIMbO on Tue, 03 December 2013, 21:31:17
Yes...ALPs are horrible.  Everyone give me all of your ALPs boards and I will properly dispose of them!
Quote from: AKIMbO on Tue, 26 November 2013, 11:14:24
Blue alps kingsaver, salmon alps kingsaver, extra kingsaver pcb/plate, extra wang keys.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/PF96xIm.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/hqvisN5.jpg)

:))

where does akimbro get his alps caps?
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: AKIMbO on Tue, 03 December 2013, 23:12:59
Quote from: Pacifist on Tue, 03 December 2013, 22:35:47
Quote from: phoenix1234 on Tue, 03 December 2013, 22:23:47
Quote from: AKIMbO on Tue, 03 December 2013, 21:31:17
Yes...ALPs are horrible.  Everyone give me all of your ALPs boards and I will properly dispose of them!
Quote from: AKIMbO on Tue, 26 November 2013, 11:14:24
Blue alps kingsaver, salmon alps kingsaver, extra kingsaver pcb/plate, extra wang keys.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/PF96xIm.jpg)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/hqvisN5.jpg)

:))

where does akimbro get his alps caps?

From responsible citizens who send them to me for proper disposal.
Title: Re: Looking for green alps..
Post by: Linkbane on Tue, 03 December 2013, 23:19:50
Quote from: rowdy on Tue, 03 December 2013, 19:14:48
I have an old electronic typewriter with green Alps, and it is what prompted me to try a keyboard with MX reds.  I eventually decided that reds are too soft for my liking, and returned to MX blacks, and then MX greens.

Yes, feel the power of the Greens flow through you!
(http://cdn.doandroidsdance.com/assets/2013/05/darth-vader.gif)