[Alps switch] Return rate too slow
Is this a problem for you when typing, or only for some kind of performance video-game context? Which Alps switches specifically are you talking about?
By “return rate”, do you mean they’re not stiff enough for you, or the switch actuation point is too high in the stroke?
If you think the spring is too soft, you could always try putting a stiffer spring in, e.g. using the springs from black Alps switches in your green Alps switches, or the springs from Matias clicky switches in your Matias linears.
If the issue is the actuation point, then that’s probably mostly down to practice and what you’re used to. The key will return plenty fast if you’re not holding it down.
If your typing speed is getting slowed down, there’s something funky going on. Plenty of people can type 100+ wpm with clicky Alps switches.
all alps switch.
yeah it's because the actuation point on top that makes me always bottom out and it feels that the return rate is so slow I even prefer my ****ty rubber dome
but yeah the feel of alps switch is 2x times better than cherry
Hmm, what is your experience with Alps, have you tried cleaned ones? When I cleaned all my SKCM Whites in my FK-3001 it made a huge difference in the return rate. It was almost as if the dust was dampening it lol. Now they pop nicely
I'm thinking a more tactile switch like SKCM White would do ya good.
[Alps switch] Return rate too slow
Is this a problem for you when typing, or only for some kind of performance video-game context? Which Alps switches specifically are you talking about?
By “return rate”, do you mean they’re not stiff enough for you, or the switch actuation point is too high in the stroke, or something else?
If you think the spring is too soft, you could always try putting a stiffer spring in, e.g. using the springs from black Alps switches in your green Alps switches, or the springs from Matias clicky switches in your Matias linears.
If the issue is the actuation point, then that’s probably mostly down to practice and what you’re used to. The key will return plenty fast if you’re not holding it down.
If your typing speed is getting slowed down dramatically, there’s something funky going on. Plenty of people can type 100+ wpm with various types of Alps switches.
Some old Alps switches in bad condition have some dust/grit inside the switch, and can stick on the upstroke. This is not a built-in feature, but a result of storage on some dusty shelf without a box for 20 years.
My only issue with Alps boards is the spacebar. A faster return rate would do nicely there, or at least some more stabilization. Most spacebars only have one of these on one side: http://i.imgur.com/NFmrBYL.jpg and as a result they feel slow and take a while to return, slowing my typing speed.
If the spacebar is sticking, then there might be some gunk holding the stabilizer back. A lot of these peg stabilizers were lubricated at the factory, and 20+ years later the lubricant gets a bit tacky. Other times, the plastic of the stabilizer peg has been abraded a bit, and has a rough surface which catches. If you clean the stabilizers (peg, peg holder, and optionally the wire and wire clips) and then re-lubricate them, it can help smooth things out.
Some Alps keyboards have a spacebar switch with an extra-stiff spring, an external coil spring around the stabilizer peg, or even a second dummy keyswitch to return the spacebar. If your spacebar isn’t returning even after you clean and lubricate the stabilizers, you could try to find such an external coil spring to add.
My personal opinion is that any spacebar longer than 5 units is an absurdity, and all the work to stabilize ridiculous 7+ unit wide spacebars is a huge waste. Standardish-layout keyboards would be a lot better if they used split 2.5x1.5 unit spacebars instead, with keycaps shaped like the ones on the Matias ErgoPro.
Will look at that! Thanks. It is really a minor complaint. Alps
That board is still great. SKCM Orange swapped SGI Granite, all because I can't stand the dimples being on the D/K keys on the AEK/II
Sadly for your sake a lot of Alps boards have 5+ U spacebars. Personally 7 is the limit. Any longer and it is just ridiculous. The NeXt non-adb is a great example. Great caps and cool factory non-damp SKCM Cream but that spacebar
I don't know how stabilization will cope with that length. Of course there are worse offenders but that is what pops into my mind.
