So I just got a board with white complicated Alps...

[Quarzac]

After a long day of thrifting with my buddy, and 7 thrift stores later, I came home yesterday with a Focus FK-2001 in pretty good shape for $5. While it doesn't have the noodle cover, it was totally worth it. I really like the white Alps. I might actually like them more than cherry blues, though I haven't typed on them much because I gave the board to my sister to replace the Fubata switches she was using. Those were awful, so I figured it was only fair. Also, the doubleshot keys were a nice bonus. I would highly recommend that anyone who likes Model Ms try out a board with white alps. They're enjoyable.

[fohat.digs]

And if you want the smoked plexiglas cover, I have one for sale.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

I'm still hoping to try white complicateds one day to see how they compare to blue complicates.

[1391406]

How different is the feel of the switches in the FK-2001 with and without the Windows key? From what I understand, the FK-2001 without the Windows key uses complicated white ALPS. I ordered an FK-2001 with the Windows key a few days ago and am wondering if it's a regrettable decision comparatively?

[Daniel Beardsmore]

How different is the feel of the switches in the FK-2001 with and without the Windows key? From what I understand, the FK-2001 without the Windows key uses complicated white ALPS.

According to the ALPS switches wiki, for the pre-Windows variant it's blue and white complicateds. For the Windows key variant it's Type IV simplifieds, which in the photo in the wiki are shown as blue, but reported as white in a YouTube video.

[1391406]

According to the ALPS switches wiki, for the pre-Windows variant it's blue and white complicateds. For the Windows key variant it's Type IV simplifieds, which in the photo in the wiki are shown as blue, but reported as white in a YouTube video.

Right, which is why I'm wondering if the difference in feel is all that significant.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Simplified Type IV is a combination of types I and II. I find Type I (Fukkas) too heavy, at least when only using them for short periods in between very light switches (Topre and browns), but they're beautifully smooth switches and anyone with actual muscles (not me) would be fine with them.

Type II (XM) is almost universally hated. It's a horrible switch – you pretty much need sledgehammer fingers to drive the switch past the tactile point.

Never used a Type IV so I couldn't personally say. It would depend whether they're anything like type II. I've never tried white complicateds, but blue complicateds are really nice. I guess ALPS decided one day that blue plastic dye was too expensive? No idea how blue and white complicateds differ or why they got through so many colours for tactile switches ... perhaps fairness to the differing tastes of indecisive staff?

[Quarzac]

Got any nickels for those Futabas?  RipOmeter.

I did indeed. It took 14 nickels, so 70g. It does not feel anywhere near that heavy though. Still not a pleasing switch. I didn't have it plugged in at the time, so not that was to bottom out, not necessarily just actuate.

I'm still hoping to try white complicateds one day to see how they compare to blue complicates.

As am I, though the other way around. Blue alps are hard to come by with a semi-standard layout though.

And if you want the smoked plexiglas cover, I have one for sale.

You may get a PM from me in the near future.

EDIT: Math failure. Actually, twice.

[Magna224]

There is quite a large difference between the different types of ALPS switches. When it comes to Focus 2001's the winkeyless are no doubt better.

[Jamesbeat]

I have a winkeless and it feels awesome, but I have not used the winkey version so I can't offer a comparison.

[Magna224]

There was a 240g weight difference between the two that I weighed, winkeyless vs winkey. I had always thought that there was something special about the first Focus that I attained but never knew until I opened it up and weighed it. Pictures of weights are here in one of Ripsters theory threads.

[captain]

The Magitronic FK-5001 is the keyboard that got me into all this mess!  ;-)  One of these days I'm going to replace the bad switches and get her working again.

[8key]

Also working on an FK-2001 - wanna sell me some keycaps?

[8key]

And if you want the smoked plexiglas cover, I have one for sale.

Dang! I'm interested if Quarzac isn't.