Unknown Chinese Alps keyboard - Awesome keycaps!

[Mattr567]

Found this on Taobao http://world.taobao.com/item/525779034804.htm#detail

Forgot what these switches are called, but they are SKCM/SKCL compatible. Thick, maybe PBT?

[nubbinator]

Interesting.  It almost looks like an NMB Hi-Tek switch but with a top that clipped onto the switch and has an Alps compatible slider.

The underside of the caps is consistent with older dyesub Alps PBT caps I have.

[Mattr567]

Interesting.  It almost looks like an NMB Hi-Tek switch but with a top that clipped onto the switch and has an Alps compatible slider.

The underside of the caps is consistent with older dyesub Alps PBT caps I have.

Same with my old dyesub PBT Alps caps from my SGI Granite. The color is whiter than any other dyesub Alps cap i've seen.

[jacobolus]

This is definitely something made by Alps in the 1980s or very early 90s, with dyesub keycaps.

My wife guesses it’s maybe from some kind of dedicated word processor? Doesn’t look like a general-purpose computer keyboard.

The switch is some kind of integrated dome. Looks somewhat similar to this one:

But a plate mounted version, and looks like it has pretty low travel, considering the short amount the slider sticks up.

For posterity, images rehosted:

[jacobolus]

The color is whiter than any other dyesub Alps cap i've seen.

It’s impossible to tell what color it is from these photos. The color you see in the pictures shows obviously inconsistent white balance from picture to picture.

[kekman]

I might buy this, I should have it back home end of next month.

[Touch_It]

maybe its just me, but that enter key makes it so much more attractive than if it had a BAE.

[itzmeluigi]

I ordered this last week and it arrived today, i must say the switches these use are really nice , they remind me of Topre a bit. They also have a nice sound. I havent converted it to USB yet but just from pressing keys randomly i much prefer these switches over SKCM Orange or SKCM Cream Damped. Im going to make an acrylic bottom for it and mount some GON style feet on it.

[kekman]

I ordered this last week and it arrived today, i must say the switches these use are really nice , they remind me of Topre a bit. They also have a nice sound. I havent converted it to USB yet but just from pressing keys randomly i much prefer these switches over SKCM Orange or SKCM Cream Damped. Im going to make an acrylic bottom for it and mount some GON style feet on it.

Show Image

dang, sounds great

do you know if there are any more from the seller since i was looking to buy one before, almost definitely now

[rm-rf]

i'd really like to get one of these.

[ander]

Nice! A very interesting find. Love the legends, too.

I ordered this last week and it arrived today, i must say the switches these use are really nice , they remind me of Topre a bit...

I see a great revival of respect coming for RD boards... All one has to say is, "It reminds me of Topre"—and bam! Instant credibility.  :?D

[chyros]

I've found Alps integrated dome to be weird, almost linear actually. They don't feel like Topre at all.

If you must buy rubber dome, go Topre or BTC dome with slider. If you can't afford the former, get the latter. The latter are super cheap and very common.

[mrboovn]

I ordered this last week and it arrived today, i must say the switches these use are really nice , they remind me of Topre a bit. They also have a nice sound. I havent converted it to USB yet but just from pressing keys randomly i much prefer these switches over SKCM Orange or SKCM Cream Damped. Im going to make an acrylic bottom for it and mount some GON style feet on it.

Show Image

are they selling the keycaps seperately? It look so nice :'(

[jacobolus]

I've found Alps integrated dome to be weird, almost linear actually. They don't feel like Topre at all.

There are at least 4–5 different types of Alps dome switches, and not all feel the same. None of the ones I’ve tried seemed “almost linear” though.

I agree the ones I’ve tried are not that close to Topre. Personally I find them all (i.e. all the Alps domes, and Topre too) pretty uninspiring. YMMV.

itzmeluigi: what’s the travel distance like on these?

[ander]

If you must buy rubber dome, go Topre or BTC dome with slider. If you can't afford the former, get the latter. The latter are super cheap and very common.

Or find a Dell QuietKey RT7D5JTW, one of the good ones made in Thailand. They're just like Topres. This is a secret, BTW.

[chyros]

I've found Alps integrated dome to be weird, almost linear actually. They don't feel like Topre at all.

There are at least 4–5 different types of Alps dome switches, and not all feel the same. None of the ones I’ve tried seemed “almost linear” though.

I agree the ones I’ve tried are not that close to Topre. Personally I find them all (i.e. all the Alps domes, and Topre too) pretty uninspiring. YMMV.

itzmeluigi: what’s the travel distance like on these?

Yeah, I figured the different types would probably feel different... Mine is a variation of the round Alps-mount type.

If you must buy rubber dome, go Topre or BTC dome with slider. If you can't afford the former, get the latter. The latter are super cheap and very common.

Or find a Dell QuietKey RT7D5JTW, one of the good ones made in Thailand. They're just like Topres. This is a secret, BTW.

Sarcasm overflow xD .

[Sifo]

i kinda want one

[ander]

If you must buy rubber dome, go Topre or BTC dome with slider. If you can't afford the former, get the latter. The latter are super cheap and very common.

Or find a Dell QuietKey RT7D5JTW, one of the good ones made in Thailand. They're just like Topres. This is a secret, BTW.

Sarcasm overflow xD .

Okay, they're almost like Topres, if you've had a few drinks and you can get someone to stand next to you going "thock, thock".