I think they'd be better off selling the "undampend" switches to a gaming oriented brand, Cooler Master would be a good fit. They don't want to dilute their pro image with gaming and they lack brand recognition in that space, anyways.
I remember hearing you say that Cherry Reds are simply too light for typing (at least I think I did), since they actuate at ~45g. But these switches actuate even lighter at 30. I can't help but notice that you didn't mention any accidental keypresses with these switches like those on the Cherry Reds. Is the switch different in a way (i.e. I believe the switch is heaviest up top?) that prevents these accidental keypresses?
i like the suggestion that you have for matias, as i think that it would allow them to generate a greater revenue stream; which would provide them the ability to make us more and better products.
I don't think there's any criterion in which MX-type switches are better than Alps-type switches. The keycap mount being the industry standard is the only advantage I can think of.
@@altlllOlOlOll I recently had the chance to try Dampened Cream Alps, and they feel a little bit like my loose Box Royal. Box switches are not that far off from Alps, though I think they're too innovative to call MX clones.
Take off keycap, open top of switch, snip the extra length off or replace with old school bumper, replace top and key cap - it will take you about a minute / switch max. I'd be curious to see what happens when you flip the bumper 180°...
I think if the key travel is too short for me I'll take this approach. Going to order some for a split build I'm doing. It didn't seem like too much work to get a small pair of nail clippers in there and fix the issue.
Personally, I adore these switches, insanely smooth and very quiet. I only wish the weighting was closer to 45-50G but aside from that they are simply fantastic IMO and eventually I plan to get a KBP TKL with them.
I agree, I think Matias are sitting on gold here. If they stuck 50 g springs in them and took the dampeners out, they'd blow the entire competition away.
Haha yeah, that's been an issue on a few other silent boards as well xD . My Hi-Tek 725 in particular is basically silent apart from the quite loud spacebar xD .
I've found that when you linear mod Matias click you get a similar result to these but obviously with a heavier weighting and no dampening. Their quite nice.
I'd think that tactile switches would be more ideal for stenography. If you're typing properly on tactile switches, then it's more ergonomic and accurate, and you don't bottom-out, so it's generally quieter. I guess that speed is the thing that counts, but tactile switches aren't inherently slower, are they?
Got a KBParadise V80 Olivette with Matias Linears, and I have to say it is marvelous. Problem is key-chattering on the N, _, and U. Fixed it for the U by getting rid of some heavy lubricant, and the _ is fixing itself on its own via use, but even with lubricant removal, and then re-application -- the N-key is sporadic. Got some new switches coming in the mail though to swap 'em out, and see if that can fix it. Also took the tooth-pick and cocktail stick approach to opening them up, and removed the dampeners - wow is that nice. I like both, but the dampeners removed is amazing. Next going to try clipping the extra length on them.
Yes, but there's linear and there's just boring. MX black in particular just aren't interesting in any way at all in my opinion. Other completely linear switches I know aren't as boring as that.
Very interesting switches, I could see them being much better with a stronger spring - depending on how soft the dampening material is it might even increase the travel as it compresses the dampener more in the resting/up position against the switch housing. I have this desire to own a board with the best clicky, the best tactile and the best linear switches. I already have a silenced HHKB, so the tactile part is covered and I've already settled on a reproduction Model F keyboard for the clicky, but I'm still searching for the best linear option. Gaterons are fine I guess, but if we're being pendantic I don't think they can compete with the cool sound and un-lubed smoothness of magnetic reeds. We've recently seen a newly made Hall Effect keyboard emerge, and similarly with the reproduction Model F project, so I guess I might not have to wait much longer until I can get a ~50g magnetic reed board? Let's hope so bois What are your all-time favorite linear switches?
I have also ordered one of Ellipse's F77's to get the best clicky switch. I have already gone to using Model M's from MX Blues (which I now hate and can never use again), but I am hoping that the F77 is even better (Model M is almost perfect if you get a good specimen, but I think it could be better). The only linear switch I've tried in a full board are MX Reds. They are ok for gaming, but I agree that they are very boring. I think I would like MX Blacks more, but everyone says they suck and Gateron Blacks are better; however, Gaterons aren't much heavier than MX Reds. I was somewhat interested in the Hall Effect keyboard on Massdrop, but both of the keyboard designs available were hideous.
Probably a Fujitsu switch. Magnetic reeds are slightly smoother, but are either super light or super stiff. Fujitsu leaf springs are better weighted, almost ideal. SKCL Green are very smooth as well, and have the absolute best weighting I've seen yet.
You've got great keyboard reviews. If I got back into gaming thought about getting one of these... I generally don't like them elsewhere though because I don't like linear mush feel most of the time.
I've just tried bending my tactile leaf. The leaf remove that "sticky" feel whenever you push the switch off-centered. Imho you should include matias's new idea as a new way to mod the alps switches.
Hey, thank you very much for the review! I own MX-Red, Razor Blackwidow Ultimate and Logitecx G710+ (Medium), and I want to ask if it's gonna be better for a lot of code typing as I do type a lot of code during the day. Just looking for something to put less stress on my fingers. The MX-Red is nice but it does not feel as good as the Razor one though, so would you recommend this one?
My main thing is gaming and I’m interested in some specific specs. I understand the operation force is 35g, but what is the bottom out force? Also, what is the actuation travel distance and the bottom out travel distance?
hey i got a question, ive been using cherry red and more recently browns for gaming and ive fallen in love with them. but im coming from razer green switches. i really like quiet linear or tactile switches, the browns have turned in to my favorite. but im curious about these, are they more durable than cherry switches? and would you recommend them to someone who really likes the browns? Thanks and i love all your videos!!
It really depends on what you want in a switch. They're quiet, but they also have a rather atypical keyfeel. I'd just order a few first and try them out.
Have you tried Gateron Linear Clears before? As I'm sure you know they are a 35g linear and are supposedly smoother than Cherry MX, so they would probably be a rather good comparison.
Chyrosran22 i mean if you contact some keyboard maker and explain what you're doing and your reviewing finesse and ask them to send you a review coppy i am sure you could find at least one keyboard maker that would agree
How are these 35gf switches on the larger keys? It looks like you have one on the enter but not on spacebar. Being a fan of mixed feel and force switches for different sub-sets, I'm particularly interested in any input you can add. Again, love the video and review.
I stuck Quiet Click switches on the lock keys and the spacebar because they only sent me 100 :p . It made sense to make the spacebar stiffer and make the lock keys feel different, though.
I prefer membrane because i tend to slam keys and the mechanical ones kinda hurt when i do that..is the softer feel on the same level as membrane keyboards? Thanks.
It's a bit stiffer in terms of dampening. If you really like to hammer keys, then you should maybe look at some stiff switches (i.e. Kailh Box Navy or Pale Blue), Hako Trues, etc. These linear Matias switches would feel super light, and the dampening wouldn't be as soft as a rubber dome keyboard, but it would still likely be soft enough. Maybe you can also try swapping extra stiff springs into, say, Tealios, and you'd end up with something that you're a lot less likely to strongly and suddenly bottom out on. If you want Cherry, then your best bet is either MX Green or MX Clear. MX Clears actively try to prevent you from bottoming out. Their tactility is quite weak, but still stronger than MX Brown.
Linear leaf whaaat? I bet that actually contributes to the smoothness by balancing out the contact leaf. You should transplant one of those linear leaf springs into another linear switch and compare the feel before and after, you know, for science.
Chyrosran22 hmm true. In my mind, keeping bottom of the slider centered reduces the plastic/plastic friction. It definitely does add more contact points though.
This is true, but it's also why I keep insisting that wobble isn't necessarily a bad thing. A wobbly switch with room to accomodate for it wouldn't suffer under these conditions.
You should definitely try the Gateron White/Clear switches. Smooth and scratchless while being ultra light. Yes, they are a cherry MX clone, but their linar switches might as well be superior to the original.
Thank you for reviewing the Matias switches. I love ALPS switches and I've been curious about the differences between the two variants for a while. You mention that the Matias switches are lubricated; would you recommend lubricating ALPS switches as well? And if so, what type/brand? I'm restoring an Apple AEK II with salmon ALPS and though I'm cleaning each switch as you demonstrated in your guide, they're not as smooth as I think they could be. Any suggestions?
The community has tried many things to try and fully restore Alps switches but have had only limited success. Although many lubricants have been attempted, none have met with real success. Alps themselves said it was a "JIS spec lubricant". I would recommend against lubricating (complicated) Alps switches for the moment. The best results so far appear to have been made by sonicating switches. Truly overused switches, or ones with scratched housings, I doubt can ever be restored though.
Thanks! The switches themselves appear to be in good condition, and I haven't seen any scratched housings on the switches I've opened so far. Perhaps the keyboard I'm comparing it to in my minds eye from so many years ago was using a different switch, or perhaps it was dampened. Or, my mind is just recalling that particular keyboard all together wrong! The key feel was sublime. If I end up choosing to replace the current switches, do you know of any source for good period ALPS switches? Would the Matias quiet clicky switches be a good match?
Erin Wiebe Matias switches aren't exactly the same as Alps, see last week's review for more info on that. There is no real "source" for old Alps switches, really.
Thanks for the great review. Can I ask if the keyswitches are 100% flat on the bottoms, or is there a depression/impression? I would like to mount an SMT LED underneath.
***** I might have to re-test, but I have tried both and from my own observation, the ALPS are smoother, but I would probably prefer the Gateron Clears because of the much more solid feel, and the better keycap support. Also the being prone to dust thing makes sense.
ZippetySticks ALPS having bigger stems, people would have guessed it has better keycap support and more solid feel. Unfortunately not... The Cherry design has been proven under industrial environment usage, which says a lot to how superior it is.
They should sell the switches in packs of 120. A full keyboard plus some spares. It's weird that they sell them normally in packs of 200. Unless they know something we don't about reliability! Have you tried these dampers in the tactile pro keyboard switch? Assuming they fit. I'm wondering if it would reduce the annoying pinging sound!
Probably the most extreme tactile bump I've seen so far is on a rare unbranded red-and-black Alps clone switch, that thing is ridiculous. But I'd love a board full of them. The most tactile switch in mainstream production is probably the Matias Click switch.
Chyrosran22 Surprisingly I could only find one thread on the subject, and most of them said buckling spring. The Deskthority wiki didn't help me much either. I figured it was something obscure you'd know about.
protocetid I'm guessing that was Fohat :p . Buckling springs are not actually THAT super tactile. If you press them slowly, they will go down linearly, they won't fire down after the tactile bump. More tactile switches will.
The most tactile switch I've ever tried is a mysterious, unbranded red-and-black Alps clone switch. They were available for a short time on Taobao IIRC but I can't find them anymore. I'd love a board with them in though. They're ridiculously tactile, it basically feels like an on/off flip switch.
Thanks so much for this video. Is there any chance to do any official Matias Quiet Click keyboad? Also, any chance of comparison of this fine specimen with the more or less branded as equivalent (linear, silenced) Cherry MX Silent Red / Cherry MX Pink? Once again, thanks so much, your work is godsend to us keyboard aficionados!
I love how boomy mic spergs go out their way to make everything accessible and straight to the point. This video totally convinced me not to become the Unabomber for keyboard manufacturers. .___. Why can I, in 2021, not buy a silent keyboard that's actually silent?
That's a good point actually, I've always found the look of people touch typing to look really straining, it doesn't look comfortable for the fingers at all xD .
hmm maybe there should be an alps gaming keyboard i don't like ergo keyboards either but i type mostly the way you're "supposed" to type you on the other hand have some crazy tilted right hand thing... it seems like you could use some ergo keyboard... however you seem to mainly use your left hand for typing y and h, which may not be like that on an ergo board... maybe make your own custom ergo board it's almost like your left hand is ortho/regular and your right is ergo here i made this for you i.imgur.com/VnkPNE9.jpg
Why dampen a mechanical keyboard to make it sound like a rubber dome? The only keyboard that I feel has improvement in how it sounds after using dampeners is the clicky keyboard. e.g. when using o rings on mx blue switches. Dampeners on non clicky mechanical keyboards is lame!
These switches were developed specifically for stenographers, they require absolutely minimal noise levels. As you can tell from the demo where I show what the undamped ones sound like, the dampers are a necessity for them.
Well, depends on the workplace and the target group. When I tried using my Cherry MX Blue board at the office, I could swear there was a price for my head for some time (until I switched to a quite quieter Brown keyboard).
I dont give a shit about keyboards tbh ... bit I watched your vids where you explained the switches and somehow I watch every one of your vids and like them... so keep it up fam Ps. your vid helped me to find the best keyboard for me a k70 with cherry blues (yes I game)
I don't think Matias has any chance of breaking cherry's dominance in the mechanical keyboard market simply because of the fact that most major manufacturers are using cherry or a knockoff version of cherry. sad really.
Who knows? It's a rapidly expanding market, and many innovations are coming out nowadays. Cherry is losing ground to its own direct competitors, who knows what might happen in the future?
This. From what I hear in the relevant forums, Gateron and perhaps Kailth are getting their own small niche enthusiastic crowd - but they always try to maintain hardware compatibility with Cherry. And with the prices dropping really low (e.g. the infamous "switchmaster" keyboards that go for less than 40 pounds) this will probably create an interesting market dynamic what with every gamer and at least some typists reverting back to the old ways since indeed mechanical keyboards offer a much better typing experience and a certified increase in productivity.
Not really think about it, who is dominating the market right now, it's cherry clone in cheap ass mechanical keyboards and while us enthusiasts who wouldn't mind spending 200 or so on matias keyboard most people won't even spend half that, so yeah I don't think matias can destroy cherry or it's clones anytime soon.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I think they'd be better off selling the "undampend" switches to a gaming oriented brand, Cooler Master would be a good fit. They don't want to dilute their pro image with gaming and they lack brand recognition in that space, anyways.
Yes, for sure. Matias don't make most Matias switch keyboards anyway :) .
I remember hearing you say that Cherry Reds are simply too light for typing (at least I think I did), since they actuate at ~45g. But these switches actuate even lighter at 30.
I can't help but notice that you didn't mention any accidental keypresses with these switches like those on the Cherry Reds.
Is the switch different in a way (i.e. I believe the switch is heaviest up top?) that prevents these accidental keypresses?
i like the suggestion that you have for matias, as i think that it would allow them to generate a greater revenue stream; which would provide them the ability to make us more and better products.
As a bonus, this added visibility of the Matias/Alps switches will perhaps help the keycap crowd to find artisan or colored schemes keycaps.
That won't happen if it hasn't already, Chyros has been doing ALPS exclusively for so long now.
***** well I am actually taking about the idea of catering to gamer audiences who tend to be vocal and also like to customize their board as it is.
Philip Alexander Hassialis Yeah Matias would do so much better if they had MX keycap compatibility and the option of LEDs.
I wish more keyboard manufacturers would use Matias switches. They are superior in feel than Cherry-type switches IMO.
I don't think there's any criterion in which MX-type switches are better than Alps-type switches. The keycap mount being the industry standard is the only advantage I can think of.
@@Neightr0 kalih would like a word with you
@@altlllOlOlOll I recently had the chance to try Dampened Cream Alps, and they feel a little bit like my loose Box Royal. Box switches are not that far off from Alps, though I think they're too innovative to call MX clones.
Too bad its not as common as cherries
@@Neightr0 The click bar box switches are definitely not MX style, they just use MX mounting.
Got to try these out, 35g seems perfect. ALPS has always been way too heavy for my liking. What a shame on the shortened key travel though..
Take off keycap, open top of switch, snip the extra length off or replace with old school bumper, replace top and key cap - it will take you about a minute / switch max. I'd be curious to see what happens when you flip the bumper 180°...
The bumper is the same both ways, I don't think anything will happen with flipping it.
You can't snip off the spring, that won't work...
I think if the key travel is too short for me I'll take this approach. Going to order some for a split build I'm doing. It didn't seem like too much work to get a small pair of nail clippers in there and fix the issue.
You can also get Gateron Clear switches which are (cheaper) and also 35g linear and un-silenced
Personally, I adore these switches, insanely smooth and very quiet. I only wish the weighting was closer to 45-50G but aside from that they are simply fantastic IMO and eventually I plan to get a KBP TKL with them.
I agree, I think Matias are sitting on gold here. If they stuck 50 g springs in them and took the dampeners out, they'd blow the entire competition away.
Do you think you could mod them with springs from the matias quiet click?
It's funny how the quietness of the switches makes the rattle of the space bar much more noticeable!
Haha yeah, that's been an issue on a few other silent boards as well xD . My Hi-Tek 725 in particular is basically silent apart from the quite loud spacebar xD .
Thanks for the overview! Guess I will try a set of these switches (including the linear matias) for my ArcadeR Joystick!
I've found that when you linear mod Matias click you get a similar result to these but obviously with a heavier weighting and no dampening. Their quite nice.
I'd think that tactile switches would be more ideal for stenography. If you're typing properly on tactile switches, then it's more ergonomic and accurate, and you don't bottom-out, so it's generally quieter. I guess that speed is the thing that counts, but tactile switches aren't inherently slower, are they?
I just customized a matias tactile pro board with these quiet linear's. It feels absolutely great and it was easy to do! Thanks for the tip!
Got a KBParadise V80 Olivette with Matias Linears, and I have to say it is marvelous. Problem is key-chattering on the N, _, and U. Fixed it for the U by getting rid of some heavy lubricant, and the _ is fixing itself on its own via use, but even with lubricant removal, and then re-application -- the N-key is sporadic. Got some new switches coming in the mail though to swap 'em out, and see if that can fix it. Also took the tooth-pick and cocktail stick approach to opening them up, and removed the dampeners - wow is that nice. I like both, but the dampeners removed is amazing. Next going to try clipping the extra length on them.
Well, ended up making F1 - F4 with clipped dampeners - used small nail clippers for it, and the sound is MUCH better, and feeling too!
I've used 35g gateron clears and I don't know why but linear keyboards just feel totally lifeless to me now :(
***** Nah, cherry can be okay but I only like the MX Tactile grey + gateron housing + 62g spring switches i have
***** Is it not the point of a linear switch to be uninterrupted the whole way through?
***** I'm too lazy to modify my at101w to linear but I really should its in horrible condition.
Yes, but there's linear and there's just boring. MX black in particular just aren't interesting in any way at all in my opinion. Other completely linear switches I know aren't as boring as that.
Very interesting switches, I could see them being much better with a stronger spring - depending on how soft the dampening material is it might even increase the travel as it compresses the dampener more in the resting/up position against the switch housing.
I have this desire to own a board with the best clicky, the best tactile and the best linear switches. I already have a silenced HHKB, so the tactile part is covered and I've already settled on a reproduction Model F keyboard for the clicky, but I'm still searching for the best linear option. Gaterons are fine I guess, but if we're being pendantic I don't think they can compete with the cool sound and un-lubed smoothness of magnetic reeds. We've recently seen a newly made Hall Effect keyboard emerge, and similarly with the reproduction Model F project, so I guess I might not have to wait much longer until I can get a ~50g magnetic reed board? Let's hope so bois
What are your all-time favorite linear switches?
I have also ordered one of Ellipse's F77's to get the best clicky switch. I have already gone to using Model M's from MX Blues (which I now hate and can never use again), but I am hoping that the F77 is even better (Model M is almost perfect if you get a good specimen, but I think it could be better).
The only linear switch I've tried in a full board are MX Reds. They are ok for gaming, but I agree that they are very boring. I think I would like MX Blacks more, but everyone says they suck and Gateron Blacks are better; however, Gaterons aren't much heavier than MX Reds. I was somewhat interested in the Hall Effect keyboard on Massdrop, but both of the keyboard designs available were hideous.
Probably a Fujitsu switch. Magnetic reeds are slightly smoother, but are either super light or super stiff. Fujitsu leaf springs are better weighted, almost ideal. SKCL Green are very smooth as well, and have the absolute best weighting I've seen yet.
Riflemanm16a2 I have used a few original Model M and Model Fs - and boy - the M is simply worthless in comparison as far as keyfeel/sound is concerned
You've got great keyboard reviews. If I got back into gaming thought about getting one of these... I generally don't like them elsewhere though because I don't like linear mush feel most of the time.
that white powder was propably from a fire extinguisher. that shit gets absolutely everywhere.
I've just tried bending my tactile leaf. The leaf remove that "sticky" feel whenever you push the switch off-centered. Imho you should include matias's new idea as a new way to mod the alps switches.
In an email from Matias, they've said that they'll be discontinuing the dampened-linear switches due to a lack of interest.
Hey, thank you very much for the review! I own MX-Red, Razor Blackwidow Ultimate and Logitecx G710+ (Medium), and I want to ask if it's gonna be better for a lot of code typing as I do type a lot of code during the day. Just looking for something to put less stress on my fingers. The MX-Red is nice but it does not feel as good as the Razor one though, so would you recommend this one?
What happens to the switch if the top tabs on the linear leaf are bent down like when click modding a tactile switch?
My main thing is gaming and I’m interested in some specific specs. I understand the operation force is 35g, but what is the bottom out force? Also, what is the actuation travel distance and the bottom out travel distance?
Great review.
Thanks :) .
Can the clicky leaf from the matias click switch fit in the quiet linear? I want to make a light, quiet, clicky board.
I really want to try these with a heavier spring swapped in
You show try cream alps without the tactile leaf and report back.
hey i got a question, ive been using cherry red and more recently browns for gaming and ive fallen in love with them. but im coming from razer green switches. i really like quiet linear or tactile switches, the browns have turned in to my favorite. but im curious about these, are they more durable than cherry switches? and would you recommend them to someone who really likes the browns?
Thanks and i love all your videos!!
It really depends on what you want in a switch. They're quiet, but they also have a rather atypical keyfeel. I'd just order a few first and try them out.
i gotcha man thanks again, im gonna do exactly that.
Have you tried Gateron Linear Clears before? As I'm sure you know they are a 35g linear and are supposedly smoother than Cherry MX, so they would probably be a rather good comparison.
I own a loose switch, but I avoid making comparisons based on that. Gateron definitely have the right idea, but they have their own problems as well.
How do these compare with the Gateron clear?
i would love to have a normal board with nkey rollover and these switches
Great review. Now I wonder what you think of Matias quiet click (damped tactile).
do they have a similiar feel to gateron clears? The gateron clears are 35g and linear
What's the best alternative if you want a smooth MX red with lower bassy clack?
I've heard good things about Gateron's reds.
mx browns lmao
whats up whit the finnish names for keyboards
can you review modern keyboards .... that would make for great content with your retro keyboard experience
I don't really have the money to buy modern keyboards, but I'm doing a few commercial new ones. You might see more on this in the future.
Chyrosran22 i mean if you contact some keyboard maker and explain what you're doing and your reviewing finesse and ask them to send you a review coppy i am sure you could find at least one keyboard maker that would agree
How are these 35gf switches on the larger keys? It looks like you have one on the enter but not on spacebar. Being a fan of mixed feel and force switches for different sub-sets, I'm particularly interested in any input you can add. Again, love the video and review.
I stuck Quiet Click switches on the lock keys and the spacebar because they only sent me 100 :p . It made sense to make the spacebar stiffer and make the lock keys feel different, though.
I prefer membrane because i tend to slam keys and the mechanical ones kinda hurt when i do that..is the softer feel on the same level as membrane keyboards? Thanks.
It's a bit stiffer in terms of dampening. If you really like to hammer keys, then you should maybe look at some stiff switches (i.e. Kailh Box Navy or Pale Blue), Hako Trues, etc. These linear Matias switches would feel super light, and the dampening wouldn't be as soft as a rubber dome keyboard, but it would still likely be soft enough. Maybe you can also try swapping extra stiff springs into, say, Tealios, and you'd end up with something that you're a lot less likely to strongly and suddenly bottom out on. If you want Cherry, then your best bet is either MX Green or MX Clear. MX Clears actively try to prevent you from bottoming out. Their tactility is quite weak, but still stronger than MX Brown.
Can you compare matias quiet linear vs gateron reds or clears?
Linear leaf whaaat? I bet that actually contributes to the smoothness by balancing out the contact leaf. You should transplant one of those linear leaf springs into another linear switch and compare the feel before and after, you know, for science.
I think they added it for stabilisation purposes. It's hard to make something smoother by giving it MORE contact points, though.
Chyrosran22 hmm true. In my mind, keeping bottom of the slider centered reduces the plastic/plastic friction. It definitely does add more contact points though.
This is true, but it's also why I keep insisting that wobble isn't necessarily a bad thing. A wobbly switch with room to accomodate for it wouldn't suffer under these conditions.
You should definitely try the Gateron White/Clear switches. Smooth and scratchless while being ultra light. Yes, they are a cherry MX clone, but their linar switches might as well be superior to the original.
i love ur voice, greetings from Ukraine
Thank you :) .
Thank you for reviewing the Matias switches. I love ALPS switches and I've been curious about the differences between the two variants for a while. You mention that the Matias switches are lubricated; would you recommend lubricating ALPS switches as well? And if so, what type/brand? I'm restoring an Apple AEK II with salmon ALPS and though I'm cleaning each switch as you demonstrated in your guide, they're not as smooth as I think they could be. Any suggestions?
The community has tried many things to try and fully restore Alps switches but have had only limited success. Although many lubricants have been attempted, none have met with real success. Alps themselves said it was a "JIS spec lubricant". I would recommend against lubricating (complicated) Alps switches for the moment. The best results so far appear to have been made by sonicating switches. Truly overused switches, or ones with scratched housings, I doubt can ever be restored though.
Thanks! The switches themselves appear to be in good condition, and I haven't seen any scratched housings on the switches I've opened so far. Perhaps the keyboard I'm comparing it to in my minds eye from so many years ago was using a different switch, or perhaps it was dampened. Or, my mind is just recalling that particular keyboard all together wrong! The key feel was sublime. If I end up choosing to replace the current switches, do you know of any source for good period ALPS switches? Would the Matias quiet clicky switches be a good match?
Erin Wiebe Matias switches aren't exactly the same as Alps, see last week's review for more info on that. There is no real "source" for old Alps switches, really.
Thanks for your help. Love the channel!
Thanks :) .
is it possible to make a phantom keyboard with alps switches
Thanks for the great review. Can I ask if the keyswitches are 100% flat on the bottoms, or is there a depression/impression? I would like to mount an SMT LED underneath.
Not completely, but almost. These were designed for underneath lighting, so I'm pretty sure that'd work.
:) Cool! I might have to order some to test. Any chance you can guess/measure the height? Even a mm would be okay. Thanks again.
latigid on Matias have done so for you already :p . matias.ca/switches/quiet/resources/images/quietclickswitch_header_1.jpg
Heh, not quite enough detail, but I've ordered some to try out ;)
should i expect a tactile review to come around soon, too?
If they send me one :).
I have Gateron clears, would these switches be like that? (minus the dampening effect)
Gateron clears are a bit more solid and a bit less wobbly.
Gateron is superior to any ALPS.
Miles smoother, way less prone to dust etc.
***** I might have to re-test, but I have tried both and from my own observation, the ALPS are smoother, but I would probably prefer the Gateron Clears because of the much more solid feel, and the better keycap support. Also the being prone to dust thing makes sense.
ZippetySticks ALPS having bigger stems, people would have guessed it has better keycap support and more solid feel. Unfortunately not...
The Cherry design has been proven under industrial environment usage, which says a lot to how superior it is.
Have you tried either in a full board?
What is with the white slider for the spacebar?
Josephi Krakowski I only had 100 red switches :p
Why are the spacebar and caps lock Matias Clicky?
They only sent me 100 linears :p . They're tactile, though, actually.
They should sell the switches in packs of 120. A full keyboard plus some spares. It's weird that they sell them normally in packs of 200. Unless they know something we don't about reliability!
Have you tried these dampers in the tactile pro keyboard switch? Assuming they fit. I'm wondering if it would reduce the annoying pinging sound!
Hey Chyrosran what is the most tactile switch out there and what is it like?
Probably the most extreme tactile bump I've seen so far is on a rare unbranded red-and-black Alps clone switch, that thing is ridiculous. But I'd love a board full of them. The most tactile switch in mainstream production is probably the Matias Click switch.
Chyrosran22
Surprisingly I could only find one thread on the subject, and most of them said buckling spring. The Deskthority wiki didn't help me much either. I figured it was something obscure you'd know about.
protocetid I'm guessing that was Fohat :p . Buckling springs are not actually THAT super tactile. If you press them slowly, they will go down linearly, they won't fire down after the tactile bump. More tactile switches will.
The most tactile switch I've ever tried is a mysterious, unbranded red-and-black Alps clone switch. They were available for a short time on Taobao IIRC but I can't find them anymore. I'd love a board with them in though. They're ridiculously tactile, it basically feels like an on/off flip switch.
the way you described these reminded me of Alps SKCL green
They actually feel and sound really different, even though they're distantly related.
Hey man i sent you a message on youtube on another account but you didnt reply, is there an email i can contact you by?
don't think I got anything, can't you just pm me on this account?
I've pm'ed you, hope it gets through, all the best.
Thanks so much for this video. Is there any chance to do any official Matias Quiet Click keyboad?
Also, any chance of comparison of this fine specimen with the more or less branded as equivalent (linear, silenced) Cherry MX Silent Red / Cherry MX Pink?
Once again, thanks so much, your work is godsend to us keyboard aficionados!
If they send me one, for sure :) . And thanks, happy you like the videos :) .
Hello, Chyrosran.
Can i introduce you and your videos on my social medias?
Yeah sure, feel free to share these videos wherever :) .
LoL, thanks
I like Your videos i'm gonna subscribe!
I love how boomy mic spergs go out their way to make everything accessible and straight to the point. This video totally convinced me not to become the Unabomber for keyboard manufacturers. .___. Why can I, in 2021, not buy a silent keyboard that's actually silent?
Y u noe touch type?
I probably don't type enough for it to be worth the time investment xD . I don't type that slowly the way I do it now.
Chyrosran22
Well that's true. And I do enjoy watching your lovely fingers dance on the keyboard just the same 😜
That's a good point actually, I've always found the look of people touch typing to look really straining, it doesn't look comfortable for the fingers at all xD .
hmm maybe there should be an alps gaming keyboard
i don't like ergo keyboards either but i type mostly the way you're "supposed" to type
you on the other hand have some crazy tilted right hand thing... it seems like you could use some ergo keyboard... however you seem to mainly use your left hand for typing y and h, which may not be like that on an ergo board... maybe make your own custom ergo board
it's almost like your left hand is ortho/regular and your right is ergo
here i made this for you
i.imgur.com/VnkPNE9.jpg
Why dampen a mechanical keyboard to make it sound like a rubber dome? The only keyboard that I feel has improvement in how it sounds after using dampeners is the clicky keyboard. e.g. when using o rings on mx blue switches. Dampeners on non clicky mechanical keyboards is lame!
These switches were developed specifically for stenographers, they require absolutely minimal noise levels. As you can tell from the demo where I show what the undamped ones sound like, the dampers are a necessity for them.
Oh I C ..... Lucky stenographers :P
Well, depends on the workplace and the target group. When I tried using my Cherry MX Blue board at the office, I could swear there was a price for my head for some time (until I switched to a quite quieter Brown keyboard).
Hah, you should've seen my colleagues when I first gave the battleship a spin in our open office!
I am pretty quiet linear tbh
bruh my name is matias
Then there’s me, opening every Clicky switch and removing all the click leafs.
Discount Linears ftw ;)
I dont give a shit about keyboards tbh ... bit I watched your vids where you explained the switches and somehow I watch every one of your vids and like them... so keep it up fam
Ps. your vid helped me to find the best keyboard for me a k70 with cherry blues (yes I game)
I hope they feel better than they sound... Yucky!
I don't think Matias has any chance of breaking cherry's dominance in the mechanical keyboard market simply because of the fact that most major manufacturers are using cherry or a knockoff version of cherry. sad really.
Who knows? It's a rapidly expanding market, and many innovations are coming out nowadays. Cherry is losing ground to its own direct competitors, who knows what might happen in the future?
This. From what I hear in the relevant forums, Gateron and perhaps Kailth are getting their own small niche enthusiastic crowd - but they always try to maintain hardware compatibility with Cherry.
And with the prices dropping really low (e.g. the infamous "switchmaster" keyboards that go for less than 40 pounds) this will probably create an interesting market dynamic what with every gamer and at least some typists reverting back to the old ways since indeed mechanical keyboards offer a much better typing experience and a certified increase in productivity.
Not really think about it, who is dominating the market right now, it's cherry clone in cheap ass mechanical keyboards and while us enthusiasts who wouldn't mind spending 200 or so on matias keyboard most people won't even spend half that, so yeah I don't think matias can destroy cherry or it's clones anytime soon.
Moreover