GBP V60 with Matias Quiet Linears -- I'm in love

[spanyam]

Just got this baby in today (it's my first 60% and it literally feels like a baby compared to even a TKL). Man, I'm absolutely in love with Matias Linears. They're so buttery smooth to use, have the perfect amount of travel, and just the right kind of resistance that I like. Unlike Cherry Red, there's not even an ounce of scratchiness to each key. And I swear my typing speed went up by a good 10 to 15 wpm with this board without any loss in accuracy. To top it all off, the double sound dampening feels and sound great to me.

So to those who recommended I try this switch, a big thank you!

Now, I bought this knowing full well how tough it is to get PBT caps for ALPS switches, so right now, I'm okay with the ABS while I'm still getting used to this board. But, after seeing all the pimped out boards here, I'll eventually want to start upgrading this thing. When the time comes, what should come first: keycaps or aluminum case? Which one contributes more to the experience?

As for keycaps, my only experience with PBT is on the Model M, and that's a COMPLETELY different feeling switch. How much do PBT caps add to the experience of typing? And if they're really worth it, what options are there for PBT outside of harvesting old ALPS boards from ebay? For example, I heard there was a massdrop with this board and Dolsch SA caps on it. So is it possible to buy just the caps anywhere? Is there any company planning on releasing ALPS compatible caps in the future?

Finally, an unrelated question: the typing experience is great, but I notice that the keys can wobble by like 10 degrees in each direction. I don't really get bothered by it during regular use, but I wonder if they can made to be even more solid and smooth-feeling. Is this something common with alps boards, and can PBT caps remedy this?

Thanks!

[CPTBadAss]

Alps and Alps-mount switches wobble more in general. Doesn't matter what caps you put on it. Just the design of the switches.

[spanyam]

Ah good to know. Not too bothered by it at the end.

[ctm]

KBP V60 Matias is not well compatible with Poker cases. The PCB seems fine but the plate only has one screw cutout that matches Poker cases (the one right to spacebar). This is how my V60 is when I bought it about one year ago. You can pull up the caps and see if they changed their plate design. Also, V60 is not exactly the same size as a Poker. It's a little smaller. I tried putting my V60 into my friend's Pok3r case and there is a little gap between the case and the keyboard plate.

For the keycaps, there was a drop on Tai-Hao ABS doubleshot caps (they are OEM profile, not SA). There were white on black, Olivette and Dolch. The latter two sets can still be found at mechanicalkeyboards.com, with a higher price compared to the drop. Matias is also working on PBT caps. He just posted an update that laser etching process is mostly done.

[itzmeluigi]

If you have a V60 MTS from the latest revision, they allow for three screws for mounting which makes it perfectly compatible with Poker layout alu cases now.
https://www.facebook.com/KBParadise/ Only thing to watch out for is the six port DIP switch is longer and will not work with certain cases where the support ridges of the cases interfere with the six port DIP switch, such as the Vortex CNC alu case. The TEX cases are perfectly compatible with the V60 MTS though.

Even if you have a older revision V60 MTS you can still get the three screws installed with some patience and a small screw driver.

I have my old revision V60 MTS mounted in a TEX case and it made a huge improvement in typing feel.

[spanyam]

If you have a V60 MTS from the latest revision, they allow for three screws for mounting which makes it perfectly compatible with Poker layout alu cases now.
https://www.facebook.com/KBParadise/ Only thing to watch out for is the six port DIP switch is longer and will not work with certain cases where the support ridges of the cases interfere with the six port DIP switch, such as the Vortex CNC alu case. The TEX cases are perfectly compatible with the V60 MTS though.

Even if you have a older revision V60 MTS you can still get the three screws installed with some patience and a small screw driver.

I have my old revision V60 MTS mounted in a TEX case and it made a huge improvement in typing feel.

Thanks, this will be the next upgrade then!

[axtran]

Linear ALPS is amazing, isn't it?

[spanyam]

Absolutely heavenly to type on. So smooth, and the "thock" sound it makes is very satisfying.