Can Someone Recommend a Lightweight ALPS Tactile or Linear Switch

cooldiscretion · 16 Mar 2015, 18:14

I've been reading on the DT page regarding ALPs switches and it looks like there are plenty of options when it comes to complicated ALPs, but I do not see many with a low actuation force. They all seem to be ~70g or above. I'm looking for something that requires roughly the same force as an MX red switch or 45g Topre - so ~45g. Also, a follow-up question to that would be what keyboards might I be able to find that switch on.

I've noticed that when it comes to ALPs switches, people here at DT are very knowledgeable so I hope someone can point me in the right direction. This is the webpage I looked at to find most of the actuation forces. Many are either unknown or just not currently filled in.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCL/SKCM_series

scottc · 16 Mar 2015, 18:22

I believe the Matias linear is meant to be quite light, but I'm not sure of the exact force required. The wiki says 60 +- 5g, but my sample switches feel comparatively light.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Matias_switch#Linear

deeyay · 16 Mar 2015, 19:09

I have a modified Matias Tactile Pro (non quiet) that I have exchanged the tactile metal leafs in and put in the ones from a Dell AT102W. Now the Matias keyboard is about as light as MX Red but it also has a very tiny tactile bump ala MX Brown. But feels lighter than MX Brown I must say. They feel nothing like Black Alps.

cooldiscretion · 16 Mar 2015, 20:47

scottc wrote: I believe the Matias linear is meant to be quite light, but I'm not sure of the exact force required. The wiki says 60 +- 5g, but my sample switches feel comparatively light.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Matias_switch#Linear

Thanks, I'll have to look into the Matias linear switch. I didn't even think of Matias, but I guess I should have.

deeyay wrote: I have a modified Matias Tactile Pro (non quiet) that I have exchanged the tactile metal leafs in and put in the ones from a Dell AT102W. Now the Matias keyboard is about as light as MX Red but it also has a very tiny tactile bump ala MX Brown. But feels lighter than MX Brown I must say. They feel nothing like Black Alps.

Oh, wow. That sounds like a good idea as well. Do the barrel springs have much of an affect on the actuation force or is it pretty much all the leaf spring? I looked at AT101W and AT102W keyboards and it looks like they come in a variety of different ALPs switches. Yours had black ALPs?

deeyay · 17 Mar 2015, 12:43

cooldiscretion wrote: Oh, wow. That sounds like a good idea as well. Do the barrel springs have much of an affect on the actuation force or is it pretty much all the leaf spring? I looked at AT101W and AT102W keyboards and it looks like they come in a variety of different ALPs switches. Yours had black ALPs?

I think both has some effect but that the leafs makes the biggest difference. I noticed the springs in the Matias was a bit longer (or if it was the other way around) and hence they were not compatible for a exchange between the keyboards I believe. But much of it must be in the tactile leaf seeing as they got a lot of the activation force away.

Yeah I took the metal leafs from a Dell AT102W and put in the Matias. However putting them in makes them in no way feel like Black Alps.

I also have an older keyboard in a Dell body named "Project" but that has Damped White Alps in it. It has quickly become one of my favorite switches. Buttery smooth and quiet.

By the way my modded Matias keyboard is for sale here in the marketplace: http://deskthority.net/for-sale-f55/mat ... 10129.html

andrewjoy · 17 Mar 2015, 12:45

Pulling the leaf out of black alps gives you are super super light switch! Makes them feel 1000 times better as well.

EDIT

I have a whole bag of them somewhere if you want a few to try ( with the leaf already removed)

cooldiscretion · 17 Mar 2015, 15:49

cooldiscretion wrote:
scottc wrote: I believe the Matias linear is meant to be quite light, but I'm not sure of the exact force required. The wiki says 60 +- 5g, but my sample switches feel comparatively light.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Matias_switch#Linear
Thanks, I'll have to look into the Matias linear switch. I didn't even think of Matias, but I guess I should have.

deeyay wrote: I have a modified Matias Tactile Pro (non quiet) that I have exchanged the tactile metal leafs in and put in the ones from a Dell AT102W. Now the Matias keyboard is about as light as MX Red but it also has a very tiny tactile bump ala MX Brown. But feels lighter than MX Brown I must say. They feel nothing like Black Alps.
Oh, wow. That sounds like a good idea as well. Do the barrel springs have much of an affect on the actuation force or is it pretty much all the leaf spring? I looked at AT101W and AT102W keyboards and it looks like they come in a variety of different ALPs switches. Yours had black ALPs?

PM'd

andrewjoy wrote: Pulling the leaf out of black alps gives you are super super light switch! Makes them feel 1000 times better as well.

EDIT

I have a whole bag of them somewhere if you want a few to try ( with the leaf already removed)

I might have to try this on my Apple M0110 SKCC tall cream ALPs switches. As they are right now, they seem to be ~70g which is too much for me. Also, I looked into the Matias switches after deeyay explained his mod and they are releasing a linear red Matias switch at some point soon. I wonder whether it will have low force or not.