Topre versus Alps

[garage_logician]

I have a Cherry (Black) right now and am probably going to get an MX clear board (WASD CODE).  I do want to try some switches other than Cherry too.  I like the KBP V80 (Dolch) and was thinking about getting in on the pre-order.  But, it occurred to me that maybe I should just spend that money towards a Topre board.  Are the Topre's and Alps similar?  Completely different? 

It know both are highly regarded but if the Topre is just a better Alps then I might as well just go right to the Topre first.

[CPTBadAss]

They're not really comparable. I personally think Alps are better and I don't bother with Topre.

[opensecret]

I agree with CPTBadAss that Alps and Topre are very different switches.  For starters, I’d say that Alps and Cherry  switches have more in common than either does with Topre.  Partly that’s because there are many varieties of Alps switches (though on new boards, those varieties pretty much come down to what you can buy from Mattias).   The sound and feel on my Mattias mini quiet pro are very different from the complicated white Alps on my 25-year-old Northgate Omnikeys.  There’s less variety in the Topre family.  I think of Topre as a little more like a BMW (smooth, elegant, precise), and Alps as a bit more like a Buick (solid, fun, and not quite as expensive).   

[nubbinator]

The closest Alps in feel to Topre are probably Orange or Salmon Alps.  They generally have a very different feel overall though.  Both are fun, but if you have the money now, I'd grab a HHKB unless you're willing to get in on some of the DIY Alps GBs.  You can also get a sub-$50 Alps board on eBay.  I'd recommend avoiding anything with Black Alps.  I'm also not a huge fan of Matias Alps.  I love what they've done, I just feel that the original Alps have a better feel to them.

[alienman82]

removed.

[nubbinator]

Brown Alps have a different feel.  If you like linear switches, you should love Green Alps.  They're by far the best linear switches I've tried.

[alienman82]

removed.