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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: pirategamarrr on Thu, 26 January 2017, 11:46:09

Title: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: pirategamarrr on Thu, 26 January 2017, 11:46:09

Found this keyboard for 10 Eur, the switches looked like some sort of alps clone so I took a gamble. The key feel is absolutely horrible though, the keys are super stiff unless you press down dead center (in the photo attached I'm pressing down in the corner but the key isn't moving). Any idea what these are?

( PS: As a redeeming factor I got a marvelous samsung board with futaba switches from the same vendor, also for 10 EUR! )

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: TalkingTree on Thu, 26 January 2017, 12:00:42

To me, they look sliders over rubber domes.

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: chyros on Thu, 26 January 2017, 13:36:03

I mirror the above sentiment.

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: ander on Thu, 26 January 2017, 16:55:57

Yup. The clue is, the sliders are absolutely squared off, while Alps and Alps clones (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_clone) have protruding bits:


(https://deskthority.net/w/images/thumb/c/c2/Alps_vs_Alps_clone_--_internals.jpg/650px-Alps_vs_Alps_clone_--_internals.jpg)


Even the Alps-inspired SMK Alps Mount (AKA "Monterey") switches (https://deskthority.net/wiki/SMK_Alps_mount) have tiny p. b.'s:


(https://deskthority.net/w/images/thumb/6/6f/SMK_Alps_mount_clicky_--_recognition.jpg/793px-SMK_Alps_mount_clicky_--_recognition.jpg)


(Thanks to Deskthority for images)

If a board interests you—especially a new one—and you can't determine what kind of switches it has, try searching GH or DT for t the model number (in this case, MKB-101). If you don't find anything, chances are it's non-mechanical, and no one found any reason to post about it.

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: pirategamarrr on Thu, 26 January 2017, 17:07:59

Thanks for the info! I did search and another user had this keyboard included in his mechanical keyboard collection, although it had no description of what the switches were. And yes, to confirm, I opened it and it is rubber domes. The keycaps are really nice though, so at least there's that  :thumb:

(for future reference, in case google indexes this page, the full name and model number: Onleader Technology MKB-101)

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: drevyek on Thu, 26 January 2017, 22:46:31

Wow! nice caps! Great doubleshots. That board looks like it'd be worth picking up just for the caps anyways.

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Fri, 27 January 2017, 16:04:12

Curious — I don't recall ever seeing an Ortek membrane keyboard from that era before. The FCC ID is almost the same as that of the mechanical MCK-101, just with an "M" at the end instead of "SX". Always curious, the things that turn up ...

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: ander on Fri, 27 January 2017, 22:34:59

BTW, have you tried lubing these? That could help the centering problem. Be sure to use something plastic-friendly. Most people here swear by specialized dry lubes, but they're pretty pricey and hard to find. Personally, I use this stuff:

INOX 3 (https://www.amazon.com/INOX-MX3-100g-Inox-Small/dp/B004RZOA0A/ref=sr_1_1)

...which is made in New Zealand, and is quite inexpensive. I just spray some in the cap and apply it with a Q-Tip—works great.

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Sat, 28 January 2017, 11:03:07

Pure rectangular sliders with no "p.b.s" could still be KPT switches or one of several similar designs with plain rectangular sliders.

Title: Re: What are these atrocious switches?
Post by: klennkellon on Sat, 28 January 2017, 18:05:50

They're Alps mount rubber domes.