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geekhack Community => Reviews => Topic started by: Stabilized on Tue, 31 March 2015, 13:56:11

Title: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: Stabilized on Tue, 31 March 2015, 13:56:11
X-Post from DT (http://deskthority.net/review-f45/cherry-replica-pcb-mounted-stabilizers-t10332.html)

Not sure if this has been posted here but thought I would share my experiences with these Chinese clones of the Cherry style PCB stabilisers.

First off, sorry for the wall of text review about stabs :D
Hopefully it's readable and not too rambling/in-depth for a couple of replica Cherry stabs!

So, I recently put an order in with a Taobao agent and ordered a number of keyboard parts (Taobao is a great place to get DIY keyboard parts imo).
One of the items in my order was a set of Cherry PCB Mount Stabilizers bought from this seller:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=40130312432
I bought the full set (7x 2u stabs, 1x 6.25u, 1x7u) and the total was around 75 CNY (not including agent fees and shipping to me), around £7.50.

I honestly should have paid more attention when placing the order because it was only when they arrived did I realise that they were actually replicas of Cherry's original design with a couple of modifications.
Below are a series of pictures (taken with my phone, sorry!) with accompanying differences between a genuine set of stabs (bought from Gon's Keyboardworks).

Stab parts side by side (genuine on the left, clones on the right):
(http://i.imgur.com/bnwjGKs.jpg)
If you can tell from my pictures the clone stabs come pre-clipped (without the flexible extra feet on the bottom of the inner part), which means they don't feel mushy toward the bottom of the stroke.
They also feature a thicker outer housing, and a stepped stem.
The wire insert for both is pretty much identical except for the shiny nature of the clone vs the cloudy finish of the one sold by Gon (not sure if that is genuine). From my usage, I have found that a tight fit between the bottom of the inner plastic part and the wire eliminates rattling, the clones are bad for this due to the loose fit between the wire and the inner plastic part.

Stabs mounted in PCB (genuine stabs on the top switch, clones on the bottom):
(http://i.imgur.com/d7CeT3S.jpg)
They seem to grip the keycaps as well as the genuine Cherry stabs, and the pcb clips seem to be comparable as well. The clip used to keep the wire in takes more force to snap in and also to get the wire loose, something that is a good thing in my eyes (the wire would come loose with the Cherry stabilisers on some of my keyboards).

--------------------------------------------------

Verdict: Don't buy these if you can!
My experience is that they ruin the feel of the keys for these reasons:
- The inner and the outer plastic part rub together if you don't press down square on the key (kind of the opposite of what stabilisers are meant to do)
- The inner plastic parts seem to have a looser fit on the wire, making them rattle

They are good if you just need the wire insert (seems to be very close to the ones supplied to me by Gon), they don't require clipping, and they are plentiful on Taobao (as well as pretty cheap).
They do work though, so if you can put up with what I described above then go for them; otherwise I would go to the effort of sourcing real stabs.
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: heedpantsnow on Tue, 31 March 2015, 19:59:21
Wow, thanks for the review and heads up.  I wonder if there are any actual genuine Cherry stabs on there now?  Imsto used to sell some, but that was years ago.

It's amazing how stuff on Taobao is often just lies like 现货 and 正品 (In stock, genuine, etc.).
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: Stabilized on Wed, 01 April 2015, 05:34:49
Looks like IMSTO is now selling these Chinese copies as well:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5-c.w4002-151985269.25.ysFhkn&id=41988184007
http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=55
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 05:55:01
What a bizarre thing to clone, Cherry stabs are already cheap.
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: Stabilized on Wed, 01 April 2015, 06:52:28
Quote from: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 05:55:01
What a bizarre thing to clone, Cherry stabs are already cheap.

But they are pretty hard to find, and these clones are cheaper!
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 07:01:55
Quote from: Stabilized on Wed, 01 April 2015, 06:52:28
Quote from: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 05:55:01
What a bizarre thing to clone, Cherry stabs are already cheap.

But they are pretty hard to find, and these clones are cheaper!
I'll have to try and find the link for the last batch of Cherry stabs I bought off Taobao for you, comparable price or possibly cheaper if I remember correctly.
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: Stabilized on Wed, 01 April 2015, 07:11:50
Quote from: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 07:01:55
I'll have to try and find the link for the last batch of Cherry stabs I bought off Taobao for you, comparable price or possibly cheaper if I remember correctly.

I would really appreciate that as I am searching for a set to replace the replica ones I bought.

Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 01 April 2015, 07:35:39
Cool, thanks for the link. I just need some 7x bars.
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 08:04:45
Here we go.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=42560708273
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: Stabilized on Wed, 01 April 2015, 08:22:50
Oh right, I thought you meant that you bought real Cherry stabilisers from Taobao.

What did you think of the stabilisers? I really can't get on with them and they make my switches feel heavier and the one on my spacebar actually squeaks from time to time :(
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 08:45:29
Quote from: Stabilized on Wed, 01 April 2015, 08:22:50
Oh right, I thought you meant that you bought real Cherry stabilisers from Taobao.

What did you think of the stabilisers? I really can't get on with them and they make my switches feel heavier and the one on my spacebar actually squeaks from time to time :(

The ones I linked should be real, they look exactly the same as all my other Cherry stabs.
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: Stabilized on Wed, 01 April 2015, 09:02:17
The pictures seem to be of the ones that I ended up getting:
(http://gd2.alicdn.com/imgextra/i2/2130271481/TB2t4LpbXXXXXXaXpXXXXXXXXXX_!!2130271481.jpg)
Note the two horizontal lines on the side, and the stepped stem.
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: bueller on Wed, 01 April 2015, 11:37:06
Cheers for the heads up, I just hunted through a ton of them and you're right - it looks like I've just gotten a few batches of clones, I'll have to try and figure out where I bought the other batch from but I know it wasn't off Taobao.
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: pichu23 on Fri, 03 April 2015, 15:03:08
I got a couple from taobao as well but it doesn't seem to have those horizontal lines. but the wires seems to be coated with some sort of material.
I'll take a few pics when I'm free later! :D
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: pichu23 on Fri, 03 April 2015, 15:58:40
(http://i.imgur.com/mH7Lf73.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BepRICD.jpg)

Seems to me that they look fine. As you can see, the wire has some sort of coating on them. It's not rust for sure. But I have no idea what it is tho  :confused:

Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: heedpantsnow on Fri, 03 April 2015, 20:20:54
Quote from: pichu23 on Fri, 03 April 2015, 15:58:40
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/mH7Lf73.jpg)

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


Seems to me that they look fine. As you can see, the wire has some sort of coating on them. It's not rust for sure. But I have no idea what it is tho  :confused:



Bad plating job?
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: pichu23 on Fri, 03 April 2015, 21:13:50
Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 03 April 2015, 20:20:54
Quote from: pichu23 on Fri, 03 April 2015, 15:58:40
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/mH7Lf73.jpg)

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


Seems to me that they look fine. As you can see, the wire has some sort of coating on them. It's not rust for sure. But I have no idea what it is tho  :confused:



Bad plating job?

Might be. I tried to use some 99% isopropyl to wipe it off but not much came out except some dirt.
Was thinking I might be able to do something about it but it's fine. It doesn't affect the functionality.
Might see if I could do something with it haha
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: heedpantsnow on Fri, 03 April 2015, 21:18:00
Well I guess if it doesn't make the stabs feel scratchy it's okay.

Lol when I typed that my phone autocorrected to "Arabs feel scratchy" haha
Title: Re: Chinese MX Compatible PCB Mounted Stabilisers
Post by: pichu23 on Sat, 04 April 2015, 06:16:22
Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 03 April 2015, 21:18:00
Well I guess if it doesn't make the stabs feel scratchy it's okay.

Lol when I typed that my phone autocorrected to "Arabs feel scratchy" haha

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)