geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: quadibloc on Tue, 11 August 2009, 12:25:47

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: quadibloc on Tue, 11 August 2009, 12:25:47

A long time ago, I had bought a keyboard at a thrift shop, despite not liking the layout of its keys, because the keys where clicky. Unfortunately, one of the keys was broken. However, this is not all bad, as if I intend to try an advanced keyboard customization project, I'd rather use a defective keyboard for parts if I can.

The keys worked on a unique mechanical principle; an element shaped like the surface of the piston/rotor in a Winkel Tripel engine is advanced each time the key is pressed. This doesn't appear to be pictured on the Japanese page that is cited as the main authority on ALPS switches and their lookalikes. (EDIT: the element doesn't actually rotate 120 degrees each time; the switch is actually more conventional than that, and my impression was an illusion. It looks most similar to the Macally switch pictured, but it is different.)

From visiting this site - as I had never disassembled a Mac keyboard - I found that the switches in the keyboard look like ALPS switches. They have blue stems.

The keyboard was made in Taiwan by FAME, and has FCC I.D. GOG3YLTH-5539.

It has a small hole in the base for a switch labelled X/A, presumably for switching between connecting to an XT or an AT, so it is an early keyboard.

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: lowpoly on Tue, 11 August 2009, 13:02:44

Pics?

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Wed, 30 November 2011, 10:01:02

bought this one at ebay for 1€ + shipping. it is the Fame TH-5539 and has german layout. switches are complicated blue alps. caps are dye sub. it's not so bad :D



(http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3695/editedyhb.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/443/editedyhb.jpg/)



(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1695/img2004cc.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/708/img2004cc.jpg/)



http://www.sysprofile.de/id151858

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Thu, 01 December 2011, 10:38:14

so... ...do you think i should open the switches of my fame-keyboard trying to seek the wankelengine rotating 120 degrees?

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:06:24

FOR SCIENCE!!! <-- lol, that's good, man!


i like them a lot and much more than blue cherries. i'm not sure what kind of alps i prefer white, orange or blues.
all complicated alps don't have that "perfect german clean boring feeling" cherry-switches have.

ok, i'm an alps-fan, sorry ;)

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Clickey on Thu, 01 December 2011, 17:49:25

Cherries dont feel clean at all, very gritty. There's a reason ALPS has been copied in many different variants.

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Fri, 02 December 2011, 10:27:35

Quote from: Orange8;461249

Show Image

(http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3695/editedyhb.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/443/editedyhb.jpg/)

Might look good with some Retrobright (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:9099).

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Fri, 02 December 2011, 11:16:28

it's a kind of antique patina, i don't like retrobright, it reduces worth in my eyes.
mellow yellow is the writing of lifetime, i like it :D

i should invent the RetrOyellow.

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Fri, 02 December 2011, 11:35:19

so here is another mellow yellow board of my collection.

(http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/6436/img1845u.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/803/img1845u.jpg/)

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Fri, 02 December 2011, 11:46:45

lol, i can't open your links but i can imagine what these pics are about... ...and no! i never was in the u.s.



http://blog.instantactionsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/auburn-university-cheerleaders-6.jpg

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Fri, 02 December 2011, 13:46:27

ok. i would try the clicky keyboard sixth from the right with the alps switches and tactile feel.

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Fri, 02 December 2011, 15:46:41

Quote from: Orange8;462861

it's a kind of antique patina, i don't like retrobright, it reduces worth in my eyes.
mellow yellow is the writing of lifetime, i like it :D

i should invent the RetrOyellow.

Oh you're one of those people. :crazy: The reason the plastic yellows is UV damage, just get yourself a sunlamp.

Title: Apparent New ALPS Imitation
Post by: Orange8 on Sat, 03 December 2011, 04:54:01

ah, you're one of those people. I'm black.