Alps Appreciation
- ppCircle
- Location: Polska
- Main keyboard: Focus Fk-2002 HS Alps Blue / IBM 5140 Alps Brown
- Main mouse: Rival 300
- Favorite switch: Alps Blue / Alps Amber / Alps Brown / Alps N Green
- Contact:
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- Location: Netherlands
- Main keyboard: Dell Click Mod AT101W
- Main mouse: Logitech Marble FX 2
- Favorite switch: Chicony KB with Futuba
- DT Pro Member: -
Bummers, you are quite unfortunate. Next time ask for photo's of the switches.
I was also scammed with Alps Brown switches. Seller didn't told me the switches are in very bad condition, corroded switch plates...
- ppCircle
- Location: Polska
- Main keyboard: Focus Fk-2002 HS Alps Blue / IBM 5140 Alps Brown
- Main mouse: Rival 300
- Favorite switch: Alps Blue / Alps Amber / Alps Brown / Alps N Green
- Contact:
Well i asked him, and i know him really good, i bought few keyboards from him, he always sends me switches photos. But this time his freind shipped keyboards due to absence from the country. And his friend was afraid not to break anything. (caps) So somebody before him has to harvested switches.
I am still on profit but i wanted to build acer 101 on browns from them. And i was 99% sure those was alps.
- yuchipashe
- Location: Philippines
- Main keyboard: Real Force 89U NF0100 w/ BKE Heavies
- Main mouse: Logitech MX Master 2S
- Favorite switch: Alps Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm interested in checking out your database, and might contribute to it since I'm planning on researching more on the history of these board manufacturers. This got me more and more intrigued

-
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Model F XT
- Main mouse: Zowie FK-2
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
How do zealios compare to alps tactitltiy and smoothness? I'm thinking about building a board and wanted to know if they would be disappointing compared to orange alps. Reddit seems to like them a lot but I feel like thats just compared to other mx style switches.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
I reckon you’ve read the situation well!
I haven’t tried Zealios, but I know Alps. Alps tactiles are very different beasts from MX tactiles, just as clicky Alps are a whole breed apart from clicky MX. There’s only so much you can do to tweak the MX design while staying within its shell.
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- Location: London
- Main keyboard: Dell At102
- Main mouse: Cheap Chinese Mouse
- Favorite switch: Alps
How do you guys generally maintain your alps keyboard? Even though I clean my desk often, I notice that there is some dust underneath the cap. I am afraid to blast it with air duster can though, worryying that the dust might go even deeper. For the future, should I get some sort of dust cover?
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Cover that thing already for the love of Alps!
- Chyros
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: whatever I'm reviewing next :p
- Main mouse: a cheap Logitech
- Favorite switch: Alps SKCM Blue
- DT Pro Member: -
A dust cover is always a good precaution, but really, it's not that bad. They just take issue to being stored for decades in the rain, that sort of shit
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- fohat
- Elder Messenger
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Main keyboard: Model F 122-key terminal
- Main mouse: Microsoft Optical Mouse
- Favorite switch: Model F Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0158
Also bad are environments where really tiny particulates are always hanging in the air. Warehouses are bad about that because forklift tires relentlessly shed tiny bits of rubber.
The cheapest and easiest dust cover is a small folded towel.
The cheapest and easiest dust cover is a small folded towel.
- snacksthecat
- ✶✶✶✶
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM SSK (typing) / Custom 75% Zealio (gaming)
- Main mouse: BenQ ZOWIE EC1-A
- Favorite switch: Dampened Cream Alps (minus dampeners)
- DT Pro Member: 0205
- Contact:
Just found this user manual for Siig Minitouch.


On the first page, in the diagram, it makes mention of an optional keypad (connected to the RJ11 plug). Anyone ever gotten their hands on one of these? I think that would be a fun addition to this nifty little board.


On the first page, in the diagram, it makes mention of an optional keypad (connected to the RJ11 plug). Anyone ever gotten their hands on one of these? I think that would be a fun addition to this nifty little board.
- Polecat
- Location: Just Beyond Silicon Valley
- Main keyboard: Multitech KB-101A Blue SKCM
- Main mouse: Logitech Optical
- Favorite switch: Early Alps SKCM
- DT Pro Member: -
Snacks, good to see you back! We've talked about those keypads here before, but I don't remember exactly when or where. If I remember correctly only the early MiniTouchs had a working interface for the keypad. Some later ones had the connector, but it was just there to fill the hole after keypad support was eliminated from the main PC board. On even later ones the cases didn't have an opening for the keypad jack. I have three or four MiniTouchs here, but I don't remember if any of mine have the jack, or if it's functional if they do. I also have an Ortek MCK-84 with what might be a keypad connection, but that's a 15 pin D-sub instead of a modular connector,snacksthecat wrote: ↑29 Nov 2019, 20:43Just found this user manual for Siig Minitouch.
On the first page, in the diagram, it makes mention of an optional keypad (connected to the RJ11 plug). Anyone ever gotten their hands on one of these? I think that would be a fun addition to this nifty little board.
- Polecat
- Location: Just Beyond Silicon Valley
- Main keyboard: Multitech KB-101A Blue SKCM
- Main mouse: Logitech Optical
- Favorite switch: Early Alps SKCM
- DT Pro Member: -
Bah, humbug! Alps worry is, to me, overrated. I've been using Alps keyboards for thirty years now, and other than making a halfhearted effort not to spill food and drink into them I've never done anything special. My last driver was a Monterey K104, and I used it for about ten years until the printing wore off the caps. It literally never missed a beat in all that time, and was still working perfectly when I finally retired it. I've spent more time typing this reply than I ever did keeping my Alps keyboards working.ntv242 wrote: ↑29 Nov 2019, 10:19How do you guys generally maintain your alps keyboard? Even though I clean my desk often, I notice that there is some dust underneath the cap. I am afraid to blast it with air duster can though, worryying that the dust might go even deeper. For the future, should I get some sort of dust cover?
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- Location: Netherlands
- Main keyboard: Dell Click Mod AT101W
- Main mouse: Logitech Marble FX 2
- Favorite switch: Chicony KB with Futuba
- DT Pro Member: -
Agree, little bit dust will not hurt the switches.Polecat wrote: ↑30 Nov 2019, 03:39Bah, humbug! Alps worry is, to me, overrated. I've been using Alps keyboards for thirty years now, and other than making a halfhearted effort not to spill food and drink into them I've never done anything special. My last driver was a Monterey K104, and I used it for about ten years until the printing wore off the caps. It literally never missed a beat in all that time, and was still working perfectly when I finally retired it. I've spent more time typing this reply than I ever did keeping my Alps keyboards working.ntv242 wrote: ↑29 Nov 2019, 10:19How do you guys generally maintain your alps keyboard? Even though I clean my desk often, I notice that there is some dust underneath the cap. I am afraid to blast it with air duster can though, worryying that the dust might go even deeper. For the future, should I get some sort of dust cover?
IMO, the reputation that Alps boards are dust sensitive are caused by the assholes that sell keyboards in bad condition that had been stored in a dusty environment. Most of them can be saved (some cleaning and lubing), but I had two that I that I had to write off. Lots of rust, oxidized switch plates and so on... was not worth the pain to restore it.
- E3E
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Blue, Neon Green, Striped Amber, Cream Alps, Topre
- Main mouse: Logitech and Razer
- Favorite switch: The Peaks of the Alps
- DT Pro Member: -
I found two off of eBay about two years apart from each other in time. Those were sold to Chyros later on as they're not my cuppa.
I'd say they're pretty rare and not something you should expect to see, but there's a small possibility of running into one.
- ppCircle
- Location: Polska
- Main keyboard: Focus Fk-2002 HS Alps Blue / IBM 5140 Alps Brown
- Main mouse: Rival 300
- Favorite switch: Alps Blue / Alps Amber / Alps Brown / Alps N Green
- Contact:
- Polecat
- Location: Just Beyond Silicon Valley
- Main keyboard: Multitech KB-101A Blue SKCM
- Main mouse: Logitech Optical
- Favorite switch: Early Alps SKCM
- DT Pro Member: -
I made mine a few months back from a black FK-2002 and a beige FK-2001 with blue Alps switches:
viewtopic.php?f=62&t=22072
I bought the black 2002 new almost thirty years ago, and I can count the black Focus boards I've seen since on one hand. Not too long ago someone was selling a rough black FK-3002 in the Marketplace here; it may still be available if that's of any interest.
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- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Model F XT
- Main mouse: Zowie FK-2
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
that board had water damage and some keys didn't work right? I don't have any experience repairing pcb's and I'm in the US so probably not worthwhile if its still available not surePolecat wrote: ↑05 Dec 2019, 02:48I made mine a few months back from a black FK-2002 and a beige FK-2001 with blue Alps switches:
viewtopic.php?f=62&t=22072
I bought the black 2002 new almost thirty years ago, and I can count the black Focus boards I've seen since on one hand. Not too long ago someone was selling a rough black FK-3002 in the Marketplace here; it may still be available if that's of any interest.
- ppCircle
- Location: Polska
- Main keyboard: Focus Fk-2002 HS Alps Blue / IBM 5140 Alps Brown
- Main mouse: Rival 300
- Favorite switch: Alps Blue / Alps Amber / Alps Brown / Alps N Green
- Contact:
Well, i got today fk-747 with polish sub legends

Fun Fact, "ł" is made of "1" number


More photos: https://imgur.com/a/uxBlQ6n


Fun Fact, "ł" is made of "1" number


More photos: https://imgur.com/a/uxBlQ6n
Last edited by ppCircle on 06 Dec 2019, 00:41, edited 2 times in total.
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- Location: London
- Main keyboard: Dell At102
- Main mouse: Cheap Chinese Mouse
- Favorite switch: Alps
^ Nice one, looks very clean.
Polecat wrote: ↑30 Nov 2019, 03:39
Bah, humbug! Alps worry is, to me, overrated. I've been using Alps keyboards for thirty years now, and other than making a halfhearted effort not to spill food and drink into them I've never done anything special. My last driver was a Monterey K104, and I used it for about ten years until the printing wore off the caps. It literally never missed a beat in all that time, and was still working perfectly when I finally retired it. I've spent more time typing this reply than I ever did keeping my Alps keyboards working.
Yeah i guess I am influenced by many people saying that alps is sensitive to dust, so I was over worried there. The cover was ordered anyways, and it looks so great, like made specifically for my keyboard, so not a bad thing I suppose.cli wrote: ↑04 Dec 2019, 13:43
Agree, little bit dust will not hurt the switches.
IMO, the reputation that Alps boards are dust sensitive are caused by the assholes that sell keyboards in bad condition that had been stored in a dusty environment. Most of them can be saved (some cleaning and lubing), but I had two that I that I had to write off. Lots of rust, oxidized switch plates and so on... was not worth the pain to restore it.
Spoiler:
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- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Model F XT
- Main mouse: Zowie FK-2
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
Old focus boards look so goodppCircle wrote: ↑05 Dec 2019, 20:50Well, i got today fk-747 with polish sub legends![]()
Fun Fact, "ł" is made of "1" number
More photos: https://imgur.com/a/uxBlQ6n
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- Location: France
- Main keyboard: Typematrix 2030 / Custom AEK64 / XD75
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert trackball, G512, Magic trackpad
- Favorite switch: alp white linearized, since I have only those…
- DT Pro Member: -
First try to 3D print my M0116 case :


The red PLA is hideous but I am waiting some Marble PLA for the final print with issue corrected.
https://imgur.com/gallery/skKm5e9


The red PLA is hideous but I am waiting some Marble PLA for the final print with issue corrected.
https://imgur.com/gallery/skKm5e9
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Hideous? That’s actually kinda neat! Would love a custom case like that for the various boards I have with ruined or entirely absent shells. Various being the word!
- flowerlandfilms
- Location: Australia
- Main keyboard: Silicon Graphics Mechanical
- Main mouse: Razer KOTOR
- Favorite switch: the on/off switch
- DT Pro Member: -
Been coveting this for my transparent Alps collection for a long time, finally got one for a sensible price.
It's the Macway version of the Filco Skeleton, and others, from the Strongman series.
Would prefer a PC version but just happy to have one at all.
It's the Macway version of the Filco Skeleton, and others, from the Strongman series.
Would prefer a PC version but just happy to have one at all.
- Elrick
- Location: Swan View, AUSTRALIA
- Main keyboard: Alps - As much as Possible.
- Main mouse: MX518 - Hero
- Favorite switch: Navy Switch, ALPs, Model-M
- DT Pro Member: -
- Polecat
- Location: Just Beyond Silicon Valley
- Main keyboard: Multitech KB-101A Blue SKCM
- Main mouse: Logitech Optical
- Favorite switch: Early Alps SKCM
- DT Pro Member: -
Nice find, thanks for sharing!flowerlandfilms wrote: ↑11 Dec 2019, 20:37Been coveting this for my transparent Alps collection for a long time, finally got one for a sensible price.
It's the Macway version of the Filco Skeleton, and others, from the Strongman series.
Would prefer a PC version but just happy to have one at all.