Author Topic: How can you like ALPS? (Read 2281 times)

Daniel Beardsmore · « **on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 16:54:16 »

ALPS deserve the same level of hatred being dished out to every other switch ;-)

In all seriousness, is there anyone else except me who would welcome a full-size, PC layout FILCO Zero in the west? I know that the Tactile Pro lacks the gravitas of my old Tulip blue complicated ALPS (the most bass pounding ALPS keyboard), but I can't say for certain whether that's due to Fukka switches being more pingy, or the way Matias mount them.

What I do know is that a FILCO Zero is the only way to get ALPS in the correct Model M layout, and they're very smooth switches.

Just wondering whether I'm the only person in the entire of the Americas and Europe who would actually want such a keyboard.

Daniel Beardsmore · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 17:46:51 »

Wait, you like XMs? How do XM greens compare to Cherry MX black? I mean, XM green is like 80–90 cN, man!

Awful · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 17:47:46 »

I like the alps. I enjoy snow, and skiing.

Daniel Beardsmore · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 18:01:55 »

Oh right … WTF is up with that? XM greens are supposed to be linear. My Tactile Pro 3 is all Fukka whites, except for the three SuperStiffy™ LED keys, that use green linear XMs..

See, complicated linear ALPS switches were green, so it makes sense that XM linear switches are are also green. So is XM just being stupid by re-using a colour? It's not just a case of variants here as TP3 XM greens have the SuperStiffy™ 80–90 cN spring in them that would make typing on them absolutely horrendous.

Have you ever used white XMs? I'm curious as to whether green clicky XMs are balky like white clicky XMs, or whether XM have actually managed to make a decent switch? Then again, given this, I don't know if the white XMs in the FILCO Zero XM are even the same switch as in the SIIG MiniTouch … argh. How can you like ALPS?

absyrd · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 18:08:00 »

I prefer the feel of my white alps over my model m and cherry mx blue (have also just tested red and black). However, the board I have is a large ergonomic layout. I was considering modding it down to something small.

I'm trying hard to get my hands on some blue ALPS atm at a reasonable cost, too, just to try out. Any recommendations? I think siig with blues is harder to find and pretty expensive? Anything other keyboards worth looking at?

So OP... you are NOT alone!

Daniel Beardsmore · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 18:18:06 »

Quote from: dante;557589

I haven't used white xm's.

That's a shame – getting a comparison between white and green clicky XM would be interesting as white XMs are hated, but the green ones could be usable with the reduced force. The Dell AT10* switches aren't that great either though.

Quote from: dante;557589

I've also tried the Siig Mechanical keyboard.

Any idea what switches? They could have been SMK "Monterey" switches instead, which are nicer than current white XMs. No idea about the feel of XMs in the SIIG though.

Quote from: dante;557589

I didn't mind the TP3 so much other than it sliding all over the desk and looking like it was stuck in the late 90's first gen iMac era where all the stuff was bubbly plastic.

Oh, so not just me, then, on both counts … see, that's where I think FILCO Zero comes in, but the 10* key variants only exist in Asia

Quote from: absyrd;557590

I'm trying hard to get my hands on some blue ALPS atm at a reasonable cost, too, just to try out. Any recommendations? I think siig with blues is harder to find and pretty expensive? Anything other keyboards worth looking at?

I have an old Tulip ATK 030244, I might be the only person on the planet with one. Sits at the corner of my desk at work, connected to my PC but rarely used. Awesome sound from those blue ALPS, but it's 101-key in a non-Model M layout. From the ALPS wiki, keyboards with complicated blues:

Some Northgate Omnikey Ultra and 101
PC-8801mk
Acer KB101a
Laser
Some Samsung/Chicony KB-5161

mmmty · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 21:44:19 »

waiting for the first How can you like ripster?

mmmty · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 22:07:25 »

Does your wife know about your obsession with Zooey?

lorem3k · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 22:23:11 »

ALPS switches are great. I love the AEKII (made in USA), I think it's on par with MX Browns and superior to Blues.

cactux · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 26 March 2012, 22:24:58 »

I pass, the only alps that I love are the French Alps

Magna224 · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 27 March 2012, 03:32:37 »

I want a Filco Zero....

Daniel Beardsmore · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 27 March 2012, 03:36:43 »

XM or Fukka?

kps · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 27 March 2012, 11:31:55 »

ALPS keys with long plates, click leaves, and damped sliders are the second-best switch, after IBM beam springs. It's too bad ALPS never made them.

Magna224 · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 27 March 2012, 11:39:16 »

Quote from: Daniel Beardsmore;557962

XM or Fukka?

Type I

Quote from: kps;558231

ALPS keys with long plates, click leaves, and damped sliders are the second-best switch, after IBM beam springs. It's too bad ALPS never made them.

I'll have to try that sometime.

Daniel Beardsmore · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 27 March 2012, 12:45:08 »

Type I is Fukka, so, yeah, same as what I'm after.

I herd that Matias were (considering?) having new ALPS switches made – perhaps they can have a batch of these switches made. Saves needing to mod click leaves into AEKs/SGIs with damped switches.

Not sure what the odds are of getting Cherry to sell ergo clears though. After all, red was originally a gimmick, as I understand. A word in the right place … Could even have them use actual beige stems

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Author Topic: How can you like ALPS? (Read 2281 times)