Looking for some Blue ALPS

[simingma]

Hi,

Anyone's got any idea where to get some complicated Blue ALPS switches?

Thanks!

[fohat.digs]

Everybody is looking for complicated blue Alps!

I think that didjamatic had some Leading Edge boards on ebay recently.

[vivalarevolución]

Pphhffff.  It's all about Non-clicky Orange Alps these days.

[AKIMbO]

There is a very yellowed chicony 5160at (might be a 5161at) with comp blue alps for $80 plus $11 shipping on Ebay right now  I'll post a link when I get home.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330877921006?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

^Ask and you shall receive.

[calavera]

I've been looking for some as well, but don't want to get into competition with other GHers to drive up price.

[simingma]

Pphhffff.  It's all about Non-clicky Orange Alps these days.

I have like 6 orange ALPS boards, just to want to make one of them a blue ALPS board.

[simingma]

There is a very yellowed chicony 5160at (might be a 5161at) with comp blue alps for $80 plus $11 shipping on Ebay right now  I'll post a link when I get home.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330877921006?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

^Ask and you shall receive.

Thanks man!

[simingma]

I've been looking for some as well, but don't want to get into competition with other GHers to drive up price.

There are like a couple of Chicony broads on ebay. Is 5600 series my only option for Blue?

[calavera]

I'm guessing some of you made offers?

[AKIMbO]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Leading-Edge-Model-DC-2014-PC-Clicky-Keyboard-S3629-/181076399977?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a28fe9769

^Another board with blue alps.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/271157049705?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

^This one could have white alps or blue alps....could go either way.

I would have hopped on that Chicony I posted earlier today, but it's so freaking yellow I didn't want to invest all that time into it with retrobrite.  The leadign edge I just posted is overpriced imo...I've seen them go for around $55-60 shipped in the past few months.

Edit:  If any of you guys are buying these boards solely for the switches and need them soldered into a new board you can PM me.  I've done a few ALPs switch swaps and I'd be willing to do a switch swap for you for a reasonable price. 

[vivalarevolución]

Pphhffff.  It's all about Non-clicky Orange Alps these days.

I have like 6 orange ALPS boards, just to want to make one of them a blue ALPS board.

Nice.  I like your style. Orange Alps might be my favorite typing switch. I tried a Blue Alps switch in a Switch Try Bag, and those also seemed worthy of the legend.

[Capitalistix]

Anyone hear feel like pink/salmon alps are closely related to cherry MX browns? I only had one brown board, a noppoo choc mini, and I must say my Apple m0116 feels very similar. I love them both. I honestly think this m0116 w pink alps may be the most satisfying switch/keycap combo Ive ever tried though. If this is how good pink are, how do blues relate? And is it only complicated blues that are so good?

[fohat.digs]

I really like my AEK, but the Monterey blue is truly my favorite switch in that genre.

Chicony 5181

[AKIMbO]

Anyone hear feel like pink/salmon alps are closely related to cherry MX browns? I only had one brown board, a noppoo choc mini, and I must say my Apple m0116 feels very similar. I love them both. I honestly think this m0116 w pink alps may be the most satisfying switch/keycap combo Ive ever tried though. If this is how good pink are, how do blues relate? And is it only complicated blues that are so good?

Salmon alps aren't anything like mx browns imo.  Salmon and orange alps are more like 55g topre switches, except the alps switches bottom out a little harder.

I really like my AEK, but the Monterey blue is truly my favorite switch in that genre.

Chicony 5181

Yes, the monterey blues are awesome switches.  It's a shame you can only find them in A) the horrible layout that is the minitouch or B) the horribly creaky case that is the 5181.

[Capitalistix]

Anyone hear feel like pink/salmon alps are closely related to cherry MX browns? I only had one brown board, a noppoo choc mini, and I must say my Apple m0116 feels very similar. I love them both. I honestly think this m0116 w pink alps may be the most satisfying switch/keycap combo Ive ever tried though. If this is how good pink are, how do blues relate? And is it only complicated blues that are so good?

Salmon alps aren't anything like mx browns imo.  Salmon and orange alps are more like 55g topre switches, except the alps switches bottom out a little harder.

I really like my AEK, but the Monterey blue is truly my favorite switch in that genre.

Chicony 5181

Yes, the monterey blues are awesome switches.  It's a shame you can only find them in A) the horrible layout that is the minitouch or B) the horribly creaky case that is the 5181.

Hmm, perhaps my memory fails me then, as I havent touched some browns for a few months... And yes I was actually going to say topres as well but I forgot, Id have to agree with you there, they do remind me of the harder topres (a good thing IMO because I detested the lighter topres) I see the orange/salmon alps always talked about together, how different are they?

[AKIMbO]

The difference is subtle.  Orange are a tad lighter and feel a little bit springier on the return.

[vivalarevolución]

Anyone hear feel like pink/salmon alps are closely related to cherry MX browns? I only had one brown board, a noppoo choc mini, and I must say my Apple m0116 feels very similar. I love them both. I honestly think this m0116 w pink alps may be the most satisfying switch/keycap combo Ive ever tried though. If this is how good pink are, how do blues relate? And is it only complicated blues that are so good?

My M0116 has white, tactile SMK switches. But it's made in Taiwan, not USA.

I love the keycaps as well on the M0116. That's why I bought the board. The mechanical switches were a bonus.

[simingma]

How do you guys compare between Blue ALPS and Monterey Blue?

[vivalarevolución]

How do you guys compare between Blue ALPS and Monterey Blue?

Ya know I've got a switch try bag at home with both of those switches. I'll let you know.

[hasu]

It is difficult to get Alps blue even in Japan for Alps newbie.
I got two wrong boards with misconception, one was Alps rubber dome and other was Futaba   then I gave up at the end LOL.

[simingma]

How do you guys compare between Blue ALPS and Monterey Blue?

Ya know I've got a switch try bag at home with both of those switches. I'll let you know.

Sounds great!

[fohat.digs]

I have never owned blue Alps, they are like my Holy Grail, but I am just about over trying non-ANSI-standard layouts.

However, Monterey blues are absolutely exquisite, and truly the only switch that excites me besides capacitive buckling springs.

Having said that, I have a white Futaba board on the workbench, in need of repair, that I think might eventually become a contender. Really nice switches, based on my very limited use.

[vivalarevolución]

Ok, I have them right now. 

The Blue Alps seems to have a higher actuation point in the key travel, and then a fast fall to bottoming out.  The Monterey Blue has a lower actuation point in the key travel, and then almost unavoidable bottoming out.

The Blue Alps seems to feel a little smoother.  The Monterey switch has a slightly scratchy feel to it, something I also noticed in the other SMK switch.

I cannot say for sure, but the Blue Alps seems to require a tad more force to reach the actuation point.

The Monterey Blue has a higher-pitched click.  If you care about that detail.

Ok that's about all I can do for comparison's sake.  Personally, I'm a bigger fan of non-clicky switches because these mechanical boards are loud enough as it is and I can type just fine without the extra assurance from the click of the switches. 

[vivalarevolución]

Anyone hear feel like pink/salmon alps are closely related to cherry MX browns? I only had one brown board, a noppoo choc mini, and I must say my Apple m0116 feels very similar. I love them both. I honestly think this m0116 w pink alps may be the most satisfying switch/keycap combo Ive ever tried though. If this is how good pink are, how do blues relate? And is it only complicated blues that are so good?

My M0116 has white, tactile SMK switches. But it's made in Taiwan, not USA.

I love the keycaps as well on the M0116. That's why I bought the board. The mechanical switches were a bonus.

Never mind, I have an Apple A9M0330 keyboard, not M0116.  Still love the keycaps, though.

[Grimey]

I have said it before and I will say it again, blue ALPS are just the perfect switch for me.  For a tactile auditory response switch I have never found anything as smooth and enjoyable as the blue ALPS.

Pros:
High Actuation point
Actuation point very very close to tactile and auditory point
Light but not too light resistance (think cherry blue)
Smooth action

Cons:
Can be hard to come by, I paid something around 70 US for a bag of ~110 and I would do it again if I had the chance.

[simingma]

Ok, I have them right now. 

The Blue Alps seems to have a higher actuation point in the key travel, and then a fast fall to bottoming out.  The Monterey Blue has a lower actuation point in the key travel, and then almost unavoidable bottoming out.

The Blue Alps seems to feel a little smoother.  The Monterey switch has a slightly scratchy feel to it, something I also noticed in the other SMK switch.

I cannot say for sure, but the Blue Alps seems to require a tad more force to reach the actuation point.

The Monterey Blue has a higher-pitched click.  If you care about that detail.

Ok that's about all I can do for comparison's sake.  Personally, I'm a bigger fan of non-clicky switches because these mechanical boards are loud enough as it is and I can type just fine without the extra assurance from the click of the switches.

Nice observations. Is Monterey Blue socket/pin compatible with Alps? I'm modding a M0116 so if it's different I have to stick with Blue Alps. Otherwise Monterey Blue sounds pretty interesting.

[AKIMbO]

Monterery blues are not pin compatible with alps. 

[simingma]

I have said it before and I will say it again, blue ALPS are just the perfect switch for me.  For a tactile auditory response switch I have never found anything as smooth and enjoyable as the blue ALPS.

Pros:
High Actuation point
Actuation point very very close to tactile and auditory point
Light but not too light resistance (think cherry blue)
Smooth action

Cons:
Can be hard to come by, I paid something around 70 US for a bag of ~110 and I would do it again if I had the chance.

I am getting the switches off from a Leading Edge DC-2014 from ebay.  Can't wait to try them.

Have you ever tried Matias? I have a TP4. Do you have any comment on their differences? The thing I don't like about TP4, not necessarily the matias switches themselves, is when you type fast, the click/bottom out/rattle/what-have-you sound of each key pressed becomes indistinguishable from one key to another. It sounds like everything is in resonance and is incredible loud and annoying.

[simingma]

Monterery blues are not pin compatible with alps.

Thanks. and thanks for your ebay link that's where I got the DC-2014.

[MD90]

What about taking orange Alps (somewhat more common than blue Alps), and replacing the side metal leaf thing with one from a white alp?

[Grimey]

I am getting the switches off from a Leading Edge DC-2014 from ebay.  Can't wait to try them.

Have you ever tried Matias? I have a TP4. Do you have any comment on their differences? The thing I don't like about TP4, not necessarily the matias switches themselves, is when you type fast, the click/bottom out/rattle/what-have-you sound of each key pressed becomes indistinguishable from one key to another. It sounds like everything is in resonance and is incredible loud and annoying.

Have never tried a Matias Tactile switch before.  I have received a bag of the Matias Quite Tactile switches this week and am working on getting a board together with them.  That of course does not answer your question but the quite tactile switches do seem nice so far.

[simingma]

Just received my Leading Edge DC-2014, done swapping the switches! Now I have a Apple M0116 with Blue Alps! 





There is a jar of Orange sliders left with metal leafs and springs. Is anyone interested in them? $20 shipped.

[calavera]

Did you open up the switch and just replace the top housing and internals without de-soldering anything?

[simingma]

Did you open up the switch and just replace the top housing and internals without de-soldering anything?

I tried to desolder first, but found that there were some thin butterfly latches around the four edges of the housing, very easy to break, seemed by design to be mounted on a plate only once?.... Then I just opened up every switch and changed the tactile leafs, top part of the housing, sliders and springs (visually didn't see any difference between Orange and Blue springs).

[calavera]

Awesome. I think that's what I'm gonna do as well. So how do you like them blue alps?

[simingma]

Awesome. I think that's what I'm gonna do as well. So how do you like them blue alps?

So far its exactly what I am looking for! Worth the effort!

BTW,  didn't see any difference between the switch plates though, they were all Grey colored.

[simingma]

I have a Matias TP4. The Blue Alps has slighter lower tactile point. Less rattling, deeper bass, overall no more annoying noise, only joyful clicks.

[vivalarevolución]

Couple questions:

How did you open the Alps switch? Easier than opening a plate-mounted Cherry switch?

You have an trouble removing the keycaps from your board?  On my Apple Extended, I have a lot of trouble and I'm afraid of taking the switch off the plate rather than just the keycaps.

Also, I might be interested in those orange Alps. Not sure yet.

[ishumprod]

Just received my Leading Edge DC-2014, done swapping the switches! Now I have a Apple M0116 with Blue Alps! 

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There is a jar of Orange sliders left with metal leafs and springs. Is anyone interested in them? $20 shipped.

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excuse me, i don't think you use your m0116 on a Macintosh SII,  so may i ask if you have an adapter to PS/2 or some sort of modded controller ?

[simingma]

Couple questions:

How did you open the Alps switch? Easier than opening a plate-mounted Cherry switch?

You have an trouble removing the keycaps from your board?  On my Apple Extended, I have a lot of trouble and I'm afraid of taking the switch off the plate rather than just the keycaps.

Also, I might be interested in those orange Alps. Not sure yet.

Disassembling/assembling a Alps can be trick at first. With some practice you will fly. Use this video for tutorial:

list=FLFmyU82kcwHaDKFPbtDWtqA

I never opened a Cherry myself, but I think you need to desolder the whole switch first. With Alps you don't need to.

You do need a keycap puller. Then just pull it! your AEK's plate is a lot stronger.

[simingma]

excuse me, i don't think you use your m0116 on a Macintosh SII,  so may i ask if you have an adapter to PS/2 or some sort of modded controller ?

Griffin iMate

[vivalarevolución]

I have done Cherry switch disassembling and they can be tricky. Actually I'm not sur if a plate mounted cherry switch can be desoldered without removing it from the plate.

[AKIMbO]

I spent the majority of today desoldering the white alps switches out of my Omnikey 101 and soldering in some blue alps.  It was definitely worth it though.

[fohat.digs]

Truly and genuinely awesome.

Hall of Fame worthy.

[Grimey]

I spent the majority of today desoldering the white alps switches out of my Omnikey 101 and soldering in some blue alps.  It was definitely worth it though.

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That is a thing of beauty, I have never found something as nice as the blue alps and I am sure this will treat you well.

[simingma]

I spent the majority of today desoldering the white alps switches out of my Omnikey 101 and soldering in some blue alps.  It was definitely worth it though.

Nicely done. May I inquire where you got those Blues and second, how did you remove each switch from the plate without breaking the latches around the corners?

[lazerpointer]

Can anybody speak on a comparison between these vintage blue alps and the XM Green Alps found in the Ducky 1087? I absolutely love the Ducky Green Alps 1087 for its tactility / audible feedback / light actuation force / actuation point slightly above the click, and from the descriptions here, they sound like exactly the same switch as the complicated blue alps.

[AKIMbO]

I spent the majority of today desoldering the white alps switches out of my Omnikey 101 and soldering in some blue alps.  It was definitely worth it though.

Nicely done. May I inquire where you got those Blues and second, how did you remove each switch from the plate without breaking the latches around the corners?

I got the blues from a Chicony KB5161-AT.  I desoldered the switches and then carefully pryed them out with a pair of needle nose pliers.

Can anybody speak on a comparison between these vintage blue alps and the XM Green Alps found in the Ducky 1087? I absolutely love the Ducky Green Alps 1087 for its tactility / audible feedback / light actuation force / actuation point slightly above the click, and from the descriptions here, they sound like exactly the same switch as the complicated blue alps.

XM Green Alps are lighter than vintage blues and louder as well. 

[simingma]

I spent the majority of today desoldering the white alps switches out of my Omnikey 101 and soldering in some blue alps.  It was definitely worth it though.

Nicely done. May I inquire where you got those Blues and second, how did you remove each switch from the plate without breaking the latches around the corners?

I got the blues from a Chicony KB5161-AT.  I desoldered the switches and then carefully pryed them out with a pair of needle nose pliers.

Can anybody speak on a comparison between these vintage blue alps and the XM Green Alps found in the Ducky 1087? I absolutely love the Ducky Green Alps 1087 for its tactility / audible feedback / light actuation force / actuation point slightly above the click, and from the descriptions here, they sound like exactly the same switch as the complicated blue alps.

XM Green Alps are lighter than vintage blues and louder as well.

Is Blue Alps your favorite now or you have something else in mind? Just my curiosity.

[AKIMbO]

^If you are talking to me....then no, blue alps aren't my favorite.  My number one switch is capacitive buckling spring, then monterey blues, followed by 45g topres. Blue alps are in my top 5 though....they just aren't number one, two, or three.