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Micronorth 33EKB-5161 with DAI-ICHI Alps click MX clones

Posted: 26 Mar 2021, 06:53
by dr-lipschitz
I'll update this with more information over the weekend. For now here is a teaser

http://imgur.com/a/Ucb7CBT

Re: Micronorth 33EKB-5161 with DAI-ICHI alps click MX clones

Posted: 26 Mar 2021, 08:05
by Rayndalf
Alp style tactile leaf in an MX footprint switch? Up there with Aristotles and Box switches as far as radical MX redesigns go.

Hope it feels decent, it'd be great if someone like Outemu started making new ones (proper Alps can open without being desoldered, but fitting MX footprints and keycaps is huge).

Re: Micronorth 33EKB-5161 with DAI-ICHI alps click MX clones

Posted: 26 Mar 2021, 08:17
by dr-lipschitz
they're pretty scratchy honestly. it's not due to the click leaf though, because i experimented with removing the leaf. oddly enough, when you press with a bias towards the back of the switch (the side the contacts are on) it binds (even with the click leaf out). but if you push down towards the front it doesn't. its also fairly stiff. I think it needs to be well lubed to be usable. the click is pretty nice though.

It should be noted these DAI-ICHI are fairly old switches (I'll check to see if i can find a date code somewhere another day). Zeal is working on releasing an mx switch with an alps style click leaf. they're called either 3-in-1 or clickiez. Those will be more usable and readily obtainable.

Re: Micronorth 33EKB-5161 with DAI-ICHI alps click MX clones

Posted: 26 Mar 2021, 08:20
by Bjerrk
dr-lipschitz wrote: 26 Mar 2021, 08:17 Zeal is working on releasing an mx switch with an alps style click leaf. the'yre called either 3-in-1 or clickiez.
Two pieces of intriguing information in one thread - it's almost too much! :D

Cool find!

Re: Micronorth 33EKB-5161 with DAI-ICHI alps click MX clones

Posted: 26 Mar 2021, 08:28
by dr-lipschitz
Bjerrk wrote: 26 Mar 2021, 08:20
dr-lipschitz wrote: 26 Mar 2021, 08:17 Zeal is working on releasing an mx switch with an alps style click leaf. the'yre called either 3-in-1 or clickiez.
Two pieces of intriguing information in one thread - it's almost too much! :D

Cool find!
I purchased the keyboards off of another forum member, so I can't really take credit for the find. That credit goes to Keybug.

There are a few other switches known to exist with alps style click leaf and mx footprint:
wiki/ProWorld_Cherry_MX_clone
wiki/Taiwan_jet_axis