You cant use millmax?
Edit: Nevermind, didnt read you wanted an alternative to millmax, might I ask why?
Multiple reasons:
- Less tedious and time consuming to hand solder.
- I imagine it would be cheaper to mass produce (like if you order a PCB for printing AND assembly from a board house)
- If we do make the sockets happen, there'd be less looking around to fit which exact version fits the sockets
- Looks better in my opinion (MillMax sockets often stick out from the PCB slightly)
MillMax sockets have the advantage of being able to fit existing PCBs but I think it would be a net win if we have Kailh hotswap sockets for Alps/Matias switches.
interesting thought. have any drawings been made up yet?
any alps love is more than welcome.
I mean I can share 2D CAD Drawings after I finish work today and perhaps even whip up some 3D CAD mockups (won't be fancy renders) but I'm not sure if it isn't too early for that as there's a big chance these won't be final.
The amount of people that use alps > the amount of custom alps pcbs > the amount of people that want hot swap
The pcb would have to be compatible with hot swap so you wouldn’t be able to just sell them. You’d have to sell them to pcb suppliers
I agree with your premise, however I believe you have used the wrong sign.
Anyway, like the original post says, the idea is to eventually have them available for purchase from stores/vendors, etc, so hopefully the PCBs will come.
Also, I am not much of a fan of hotswap myself (when I know what switch I want in my keyboard), however, with Alps' design not getting along well with dust and having to salvage them from old boards, one can benefit from hotswap sockets so they can replace their switches when they die without having to fiddle with desoldering them, then soldering new ones.