Help with keyboard advice

[aquapura]

Hi Everyone

I used to have a keyboard a in the 90s with my 486 that had a distinct click feel to them. I am currently typing on a unicomp classic buckling spring. It doesn't feel like this though. The feeling was a very distinctive click as the key activated past a certain threshold. Sort of like a high frequency click. It was very crisp when clicking. It gave an excellent feedback response when the key was pushed. I have been researching online and think it might be the SMK Monterey Blue switches but i'm not sure. Unfortunately I can't remember the brand of keyboard. Tragically i think it was dumped on the street by my parents during a hard rubbish collection day. Can anyone tell me what they think this switch would have been and also recommend some old keyboards that have this Monterey switch (if that's indeed what it was). God I miss using this keyboard. Whilst bucking spring is definitely a step up from the usual keyboards I miss this extreme click keyboard.

** Also I believe there was a click on the way down and on the way up too.

Thanks

[y11971alex]

I recommend the chyrosran22 YouTube channel, which covers a range of distinct keyboards.  You may find what you're looking for there.

[aquapura]

God this is going to get expensive. I think it might be ALPs white switches. The thing is my one requirement is which might sound crazy is that I want a gap between the alt and control keys. I can't stand keyboards that have keys between these tow buttons. Hate all the new keyboards with their ****ty layouts and special keys between the alt and control. The only keyboards that seem to fit these requirements seem to be quite rare and or really expensive :S

[chyros]

God this is going to get expensive. I think it might be ALPs white switches. The thing is my one requirement is which might sound crazy is that I want a gap between the alt and control keys. I can't stand keyboards that have keys between these tow buttons. Hate all the new keyboards with their ****ty layouts and special keys between the alt and control. The only keyboards that seem to fit these requirements seem to be quite rare and or really expensive :S

101- and 102-key keyboards had a gap between ctrl and alt standard, countless 80s and 90s models had this, including tons of white Alps keyboards.

White Alps keyboards aren't expensive tbh, most can be had for under £40 .

As Alex said, have a look at my keyboard reviews, it covers a wide variety of keyboards including a bunch of white Alps ones .

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL285ATFsHGY9JnaQemdjRLEMmLRKpmbfB

[aquapura]

Thanks for the reply, I have found a couple of keyboards I really like that you have reviewed. I have only been looking on ebay so far and all the keyboards i've looked for haven't come up. Do you go to vintage places or something looking for these or just keep surfing ebay until they come up?

I've also been looking at these two sites:

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_Blue
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_White

that list the keyboards with the switches i think i'd like the most. It sucks that all the new customs don't do the classic 101 or 102 key layout. Because I think I'd also settle for the cherry blue switches in a new keyboard too. Basically i want a unicomp classic with cherry blue switches.

[fohat.digs]

If you are in the US this might be a good choice for not too far over $50 delivered.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Focus-2001-Clicky-Mechanical-Keyboard-FSQ4VY-FK-2001-White-ALPS-AT-PS-2-adapter-/172290754431?hash=item281d54477f:g:7VgAAOSwWZ9XoKz-

[aquapura]

Ahh that's very nice, unfortunately i'm in UK atm, I live in Australia I'm just here for work for a while... I'll keep surfing I'm sure they come up here and there

[chyros]

Thanks for the reply, I have found a couple of keyboards I really like that you have reviewed. I have only been looking on ebay so far and all the keyboards i've looked for haven't come up. Do you go to vintage places or something looking for these or just keep surfing ebay until they come up?

I've also been looking at these two sites:

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_Blue
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_White

that list the keyboards with the switches i think i'd like the most. It sucks that all the new customs don't do the classic 101 or 102 key layout. Because I think I'd also settle for the cherry blue switches in a new keyboard too. Basically i want a unicomp classic with cherry blue switches.

I've snatched a couple off of eBay for a steal. You have to be extremely opportunist for that. Apart from that I go to recycling centres.

If you've tried and are used to Alps and Model Ms I predict you're going to be disappointed with blue Cherries though xD .

[SBJ]

I've snatched a couple off of eBay for a steal. You have to be extremely opportunist for that. Apart from that I go to recycling centres.

God what I wouldn't give to find a board with green alps at a thrift store. But so far I haven't even found any keyboards.

[klennkellon]

Only use Ebay as a last resort, the prices there tend to be the most inflated.

Search through thrift stores and stuff first, if you have no luck there then you can try buying a board from the marketplace here or /r/mechmarket on Reddit.

[SBJ]

Only use Ebay as a last resort, the prices there tend to be the most inflated.

Search through thrift stores and stuff first, if you have no luck there then you can try buying a board from the marketplace here or /r/mechmarket on Reddit.

Ah thank you for this.
I guess I'll try my luck in the classifieds or mechmarket once I get some funds together.
I am keeping some money as backup in case the Camp 225 drops lol, wouldn't want to miss that.