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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Entropia on Thu, 12 January 2017, 16:16:32

Title: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: Entropia on Thu, 12 January 2017, 16:16:32: I thought it would be a good idea to own another keyboard with something different from the Cherry switches. Topre is too expensive, and moreover I'm not sure I would like it. Maybe Matias switches are the answer. They are smooth and tactile, or so they say. I've taken a look at the Matias full-size model but I don't like the shiny plastic and I've also heard it tends to have electronic failures. Luckily, Keyboard Paradise also mount these switches in their models. I've found this one that looks amazing and can be purchased in Europe. I love the color combo. Although it's not full size, I think I could live without the numpad. The keycaps, as usually, are not pbt, but at least they are dual shot. My doubts are:

Are there any good reviews of this model?
Are the build and material quality any good?
Any idea of what stabilizers are used?
Do the keys on this model wobble as much as in the Matias?
Do you know if there are any pbt keycap sets that can be used with these switches?
Can Matias switches be used for gaming or are they as bad or even worse than MX Blues to double tapping?

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-v80-tenkeyless-dolch-quiet-click-keyboard.asp (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-v80-tenkeyless-dolch-quiet-click-keyboard.asp)

(http://www.keyboardco.com/product-images/kb_paradise_v80_dolch_quiet_keyboard_large.jpg)
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: moh18one on Thu, 12 January 2017, 16:46:28: TOPRE !!!! TOPRE !!!!! TOPRE !!!!
https://mykeyboard.eu/catalogue/category/leopold/leopold_7/ just return it if you don't like it
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: MperorM on Fri, 13 January 2017, 00:22:54: I just recieved a KBParadise v80 with fuhua switches, which are a lot like Matias switches.

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-v80-tenkeyless-fukka-keyboard.asp

If you are interested I can write a review of it.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: Entropia on Fri, 13 January 2017, 02:46:15: It would be interesting to know your general impresions.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: Elrick on Fri, 13 January 2017, 02:51:07: Quote from: MperorM on Fri, 13 January 2017, 00:22:54
I just recieved a KBParadise v80 with fuhua switches, which are a lot like Matias switches.

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-v80-tenkeyless-fukka-keyboard.asp (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-v80-tenkeyless-fukka-keyboard.asp)

If you are interested I can write a review of it.

Please do, would like to know how the Fuhua Switches compare to Matias, are they louder, firmer or wobblier 8) ?
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: suicidal_orange on Fri, 13 January 2017, 03:08:49: Wobble is due to the switch type so Matias switch = Matias board.

Blues have a two part slider which makes them click and breaks double tapping, Matias (Alps) do not - as long as they're working correctly Matias will be perfect for gaming.

Matias have been working on PBT keycaps for over a year so surely can't be much longer, other than that you're looking for caps with Alps mount - Apple AEK II caps are dyesub PBT but not sure if the stabilised keys will work on this board as there is no standard stab across the ages. And the Fx row caps fit sideways...

I haven't seen much moaning about double tapping Matias recently but not sure if that's because people have given up or they fixed it.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: chyros on Fri, 13 January 2017, 05:19:40: FWIW I don't think Fuhua switches and Matias are all that similar. Check out my Matias review, I compare them in it.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: Entropia on Fri, 13 January 2017, 05:39:53: One thing that worries me about these switches is that I've seen a couple of video-reviews that spotted a problem with the keys: depending on the area of the keycap where you press, the key sounds differently, from a clack to a muted sound. Is this normal with all Alps and Alps clones switches? I've also heard someone who had problems with this KB Paradise keyboard as regard key chattering (keys registering several times).
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: klennkellon on Fri, 13 January 2017, 06:57:55: Quote from: Entropia on Fri, 13 January 2017, 05:39:53
One thing that worries me about these switches is that I've seen a couple of video-reviews that spotted a problem with the keys: depending on the area of the keycap where you press, the key sounds differently, from a clack to a muted sound. Is this normal with all Alps and Alps clones switches? I've also heard someone who had problems with this KB Paradise keyboard as regard key chattering (keys registering several times).
The Matias switches are prone to chatter, yes.

However Matias is supposively going to update their switches this year, the big point is helping eliminate some of the wobble, but im sure they will attempt to fix issues like this.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: MperorM on Fri, 13 January 2017, 07:28:32: Quote from: chyros on Fri, 13 January 2017, 05:19:40
FWIW I don't think Fuhua switches and Matias are all that similar. Check out my Matias review, I compare them in it.

Well you've tried Matias switches, I have not. From what I could gather, it seemed like Fuhua has a louder ping while being more high pitched than the Matias. Is this correct?
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: chyros on Fri, 13 January 2017, 07:35:10: Quote from: MperorM on Fri, 13 January 2017, 07:28:32
Quote from: chyros on Fri, 13 January 2017, 05:19:40
FWIW I don't think Fuhua switches and Matias are all that similar. Check out my Matias review, I compare them in it.

Well you've tried Matias switches, I have not. From what I could gather, it seemed like Fuhua has a louder ping while being more high pitched than the Matias. Is this correct?
Yes, that's correct. The feel of Fuhua switches is also much clunkier.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: losing_ctrl on Fri, 13 January 2017, 07:52:56: Quote from: Entropia on Thu, 12 January 2017, 16:16:32
I thought it would be a good idea to own another keyboard with something different from the Cherry switches. Topre is too expensive, and moreover I'm not sure I would like it. Maybe Matias switches are the answer. They are smooth and tactile, or so they say. I've taken a look at the Matias full-size model but I don't like the shiny plastic and I've also heard it tends to have electronic failures. Luckily, Keyboard Paradise also mount these switches in their models. I've found this one that looks amazing and can be purchased in Europe. I love the color combo. Although it's not full size, I think I could live without the numpad. The keycaps, as usually, are not pbt, but at least they are dual shot. My doubts are:

Are there any good reviews of this model?
Are the build and material quality any good?
Any idea of what stabilizers are used?
Do the keys on this model wobble as much as in the Matias?
Do you know if there are any pbt keycap sets that can be used with these switches?
Can Matias switches be used for gaming or are they as bad or even worse than MX Blues to double tapping?

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-v80-tenkeyless-dolch-quiet-click-keyboard.asp (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-v80-tenkeyless-dolch-quiet-click-keyboard.asp)

Show Image
(http://www.keyboardco.com/product-images/kb_paradise_v80_dolch_quiet_keyboard_large.jpg)

I've got this exact keyboard and I think it's very good. The switches are very tactile and satisfying, and while I've purchased and sold many keyboards since I first bought my KBParadise V80, I've kept it because it continues to look great and provide a satisfying typing experience while being relatively quiet at the same time. I've had zero issues with keyswitches, so perhaps KBParadise does a better quality control check than Matias does on their keyboards - I really want a Matias silent click KB in a 104 ANSI setup (V104 in the future?), but I continue to read that Matias brand KBs have quality issues with switches chattering, etc. The biggest negative I have with this board is that the LED lights are crudely implemented so they offend my eyes when they go on - it just looks cheap how they stick up out of the board, and when they turn on it is harsh and ugly to my eyes. Overall I really do like this board.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: ctm on Fri, 13 January 2017, 09:31:17: Quote from: Entropia on Fri, 13 January 2017, 05:39:53
One thing that worries me about these switches is that I've seen a couple of video-reviews that spotted a problem with the keys: depending on the area of the keycap where you press, the key sounds differently, from a clack to a muted sound. Is this normal with all Alps and Alps clones switches? I've also heard someone who had problems with this KB Paradise keyboard as regard key chattering (keys registering several times).
I have a KBP V60 with Matias quiet click switches and the key feel and sound does differs a bit depending on where you press it. If pressed on upper edge the switches is more tactile, while on lower edge less tactile. However I don't find it to be a real problem in typing. I had the board for a few months and did not notice it until I read this thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54392.0).

On Matias clicky switches, this effect still exists but is less noticeable because the click covers the difference. I also tried a few tactile and clicky vintage Alps on switch tester, and they don't seem to have this problem.

Regarding key chattering, I did not have this issue. I read some posts on KBP facebook about it and KBP claims it's a firmware issue.
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: phoible on Sun, 15 January 2017, 20:49:09: I have this keyboard as well and like it a lot. Basically all of the keyboards I use regularly are either Matias Quiet Click or dampened cream ALPS (which is very similar - MQC is a combination of a cream ALPS slider with a black ALPS switch).

MQC is both quiet and tactile. It's comfortable for long typing sessions, and works pretty well for gaming. I personally like it better than Topre (at least my Novatouch with Hypersphere Rings and lube).
Title: Re: A keyboard with Matias switches?
Post by: klennkellon on Sun, 15 January 2017, 22:06:43: Quote from: phoible on Sun, 15 January 2017, 20:49:09
I have this keyboard as well and like it a lot. Basically all of the keyboards I use regularly are either Matias Quiet Click or dampened cream ALPS (which is very similar - MQC is a combination of a cream ALPS slider with a black ALPS switch).

MQC is both quiet and tactile. It's comfortable for long typing sessions, and works pretty well for gaming. I personally like it better than Topre (at least my Novatouch with Hypersphere Rings and lube).
I always thought that the quiet clicks had a rubber dome like feel in a good way. Matias dampening pushes the slider down a bit so the bump is riiiiight at the top.