Thoughts on SMK Gen 2

rich1051414 · 06 Feb 2018, 06:11

There are quite a few resellers of 'new' SMK 2nd gen, only in Cherry MX mount form.

Are these decent? Are they any comparison to SMK 2nd gen Alps mount of old, like Monterey switches?

EDIT: Attaching image of final product

Chyros · 06 Feb 2018, 07:09

They're basically identical. Very nice switches IMO, really.

rich1051414 · 06 Feb 2018, 07:35

That's good to hear. I am going to be putting together a keyboard with them when they arrive(Vicko is the reseller). Using LFKeyboard's for the SMK compatible kit. I was hoping it would be a good comparison, some of those older switches are getting harder and harder to track down in good condition.

rich1051414 · 02 May 2018, 11:03

rich1051414 wrote: ↑That's good to hear. I am going to be putting together a keyboard with them when they arrive(Vicko is the reseller). Using LFKeyboard's for the SMK compatible kit. I was hoping it would be a good comparison, some of those older switches are getting harder and harder to track down in good condition.

Turned out great. New favorite keyboard

Chyros · 02 May 2018, 13:08

Holy shitballs, that looks completely excellent. We need a typing video stat! 8)

andrewjoy · 02 May 2018, 13:12

Noooice

Persoanly i am not a fan of the red space but them caps ...... AWSOME!

rich1051414 · 02 May 2018, 16:11

andrewjoy wrote: ↑Noooice

Persoanly i am not a fan of the red space but them caps ...... AWSOME!

I have a black and gray one too. It looked too dolch with the gray and black space bar. Nothing wrong with dolch, I just have 3 dolch keyboards. I thought the red made the keyboard pop as something different.

The only thing I hate is that the escape is the wrong shade, this set didn't come with a red escape... but it did have the red spacebar... So I grabbed a single to complete the board. I have no idea why they didn't include one. I might try tea staining it with black tea...

Blaise170 · 02 May 2018, 16:16

Where did you find an SMK compatible PCB anyways?

TheMilkmen · 02 May 2018, 16:36

Blaise170 wrote: ↑Where did you find an SMK compatible PCB anyways?

lfkeyboards.com they sell some of these pcbs, but to be honest the overall variety is small which kind of sucks but to each his own.

Elrick · 02 May 2018, 16:41

TheMilkmen wrote: ↑
Blaise170 wrote: ↑Where did you find an SMK compatible PCB anyways?
lfkeyboards.com they sell some of these pcbs, but to be honest the overall variety is small which kind of sucks but to each his own.

Geez, this could of been something fantastic for those who actually love this very nice switch

.

Imagine getting a pcb for these switches and building a functioning keyboard, now that's truly amazing even for 2018.

Onya.

rich1051414 · 03 May 2018, 03:53

The PCB is filco compatible, so you have to harvest a filco or quick fire rapid for the plate. Finding a case is a non-issue, tons of filco compatible cases.

I ran into one minor issue tho, the pin order is different on the USB connector, but I fixed that by correcting the pin order on the header.

rich1051414 · 03 May 2018, 04:08

Chyros wrote: ↑Holy shitballs, that looks completely excellent. We need a typing video stat! 8)

I wouldn't do it justice. I don't have the gear for it.

However, the sound is... interesting. Because of the solid aluminum case and steel plate that is floating, the board rings, just like the pingmaster. Although the switches are not as clicky as alps or cherry switches, the board reverberates. I don't think it would be everyone's cup of tea, but I like it.

Elrick · 03 May 2018, 09:01

rich1051414 wrote: ↑Although the switches are not as clicky as alps or cherry switches, the board reverberates. I don't think it would be everyone's cup of tea, but I like it.

Those who don't like the "PING" are ignorant peasants.

The Ping is what makes ANY keyboard shine as a true mechanical representation that should be enjoyed by any hard core user.

If a keyboard is quiet, then it's only for the devious and shifty trying to escape from being caught doing something illegal

.

Blaise170 · 03 May 2018, 09:11

I'd love a loud keyboard at work but I work in an open floor plan (not even our CEO has an office) and I'm not trying to annoy the hell out of everyone. Green Alps are about as loud as I can go.

Iggy · 03 May 2018, 09:14

Blaise170 wrote: ↑I'd love a loud keyboard at work but I work in an open floor plan (not even our CEO has an office) and I'm not trying to annoy the hell out of everyone. Green Alps are about as loud as I can go.

I used a Unicomp Model M for a few months in a room I share with 6 co-workers. Oh, the looks and comments I got.

I use MX Black (modern) right now, no angry looks thus far.

Techno Trousers · 07 May 2018, 21:09

So glad I have an office. Model F, box jade, white Alps, I bring them all.

rich1051414 · 07 May 2018, 21:57

Techno Trousers wrote: ↑So glad I have an office. Model F, box jade, white Alps, I bring them all.

My office is at home as well

I don't have a model F, but you named my other favorite switches

White alps because I can't track down blue alps, but box jades I now like more, mostly because they are more consistent feeling and don't get affected by dirt and dust so fast. White alps go from great to clunky so quick because of dust and dirt...

So far, the SMK switches don't seem to get the 'dirty' feeling as fast as white alps, but time will tell if that holds true. SMK switches(at least the cherry mx mount version) don't semi-bind when you press them off axis, another reason I like jades more than white alps.

Honestly, SMK switches are 'better white alps' to me. I am shocked more people don't know about them, but the limited options when building is quite the barrier.

Techno Trousers · 07 May 2018, 22:50

Box Jade is really close to a perfect switch for me. Once my Massdrop CTRL keyboard arrives, I'm going to take advantage of the hot swap sockets and try the SPRiT 50g and 55g aftermarket Kailh box springs in the jades, and see if that leads to perfection (for me).

mike52787 · 07 May 2018, 22:52

From my experience the MX mount ones are much better in the feel department than the alps mount ones(of which I had several NOS examples)