re: keycap profiles on Topre-MX i absolutely was not a fan of HSA (Hyperfuse) on my mx’d Norbaforce R2. it just felt sluggish compared to GMK on keypresses (mine is uniform 30g, Deskeys 1u, KBDfans 2u)
DCS - topre/mx should be decent like you already probably found out. i gave up though and im mostly just sticking to OEM Topre + resin sets. pls keep doing more seneca science for the rest of us!
The finish is so uniform on your Seneca that I thought a spec of lint was a defect. I had to go back and look at an older photo to my relief discover it was only lint or dust. Ryan really knows his business.
There should be a separate thread for Seneca pictures. I want to see them with various color keycaps. Most pictures I’ve seen use very muted caps, or the stock caps.
Had the urge to use the Bigfoot again today. I wonder if it’s just the nostalgia for the sound or if it’s still a great keyboard, but I do enjoy the heck out of it. I bought this a long time ago NOS and didn’t realize how nice of a deal I got.
Wow that board is insanely clean, not a single splotch or speck of discoloration.
Yep. It was still in the box in plastic completely unused. Also gave me an appreciation for new Alps switches.
NOS ALPS are something else! You can clean & restore till your fingers fall off, but you’ll never match that brand new never been pressed feeling!
Going back through some old boards again. Today is a Chicony with Green Alps. Delightful in feel and sound. This one has a full metal back plate so it sounds even more cavernous.
Again, mint condition. This is a trip to use because of the control and escape key positions and cross style cursor keys. Bonus points for the stepped alt, stepped caps key, and 10u spacebar. Minus two points for the single unit backspace and rearranged nav cluster.
I also love punching the huge F keys. Need more reason to hit F keys!
I purchased this from @gainsborough about six years ago on ebay. He has an account on here but doesn’t seem to visit anymore. He’s still around on GH.
That keyboard got me into the hobby! It is now all discolored living useless in my attic.
I was wondering whether there is a TKB or 68% PCB/project case around to salvage those wonderful ALPS switches?
Good question. My updated alps builds are mostly in 60% form factor. I do have a build with a Hiney TKL PCB and plate that can go in a HineyTKL or my Jane v2.
It seems that Alps appreciation was on the rise again, but it got a bit sidetracked by the community response to EC options and also, to a smaller degree, new Hall Effect builds.
I definitely prefer the feel and sound of my OG boards to anything I’ve built in a hefty aluminum case. I was thinking about that when I posted this photo. Perhaps it’s time for someone to run a proper new kit for Alps. Something TKL sized with a stiff plate in a hollow plastic case.
I suppose someone could make a PCB with a JST connector to use with the Classic-TKL from Novelkeys or the BauerLite from Omnitype. But you would need a proper steel plate and not polycarbonate. Also, those boards are gasket mounted, which takes some of the firmness out of the build.
Most Hiney H87s have ALPS support & fit a ton of TKL cases, Hiney TKL PCB Compatibility Chart. Although like Pixel said ALPS really do feel & sound a good bit better in an OG cavernous plastic case with a stiff steel plate. I think the NCR80 rd.2 or rd.3 had ALPS support on the solder PCB also. That case would most likely serve very well as a ALPS board. I’d love to see the Classic TKL get ALPS support, it might be possible with a H87nu or any H87 that has a place to solder on a JST header (you can dremel the USB C tab off & use them with JST, I confirmed this with Hiney himself). Although I still haven’t grabbed a Classic so I can’t say for sure if it is compatible with H87s or not.
The closest thing to a classic case sound for my Alps build is the BBox 60 from Buger Works. Unfortunately, the long Alps pins often short on one of the many metal standoffs. Probably easily fixed with a layer of tape, but I took the Alps out of the case.
Honestly it was great for sound, but wasn’t classy enough for expensive Alps switches anyway.
The TKC1800 was plastic and Alps compatible, but has long since gone the way of the dodo. I also imagine sourcing Alps keys for an 1800 to be a nightmare.
Somebody find out who makes those new NCR cases and tell them to get onto making an Alps PCB for it…
EDIT: there is already an Alps PCB for it just found it on Aliexpress.
Speaking of Alps, here’s a tinny sound test of my wooden board with white Alps and ABS bottom plate. I got the iPhone off the main desk to avoid the worst of the echoes, but the sound quality is pretty rough. I may be flattering myself, but I think it sounds better IRL.
Yep. And here’s a plate. No steel
(On my Thinkpad)
Finally got ahold of the VIA version of this model and I am quite enjoying it as a travel companion to my Thinkpad. I continue to be suprised by the number of people that are completely unaware about mechanical keyboards, nearly everyone I engage with in a professional environment ask a lot of questions, and many of those ping me days or weeks later to show me the mechanical keyboard they just bought or build. I really enjoy how this one sounds bone stock with these HMX Latte switches, makes for a fun and poppy sound profile that while audible is not enough to annoy others.
Swapped DCX SKIIDATA onto my grey Classic-TKL - it doesn’t sound quite as good as the GMK CYL that was there before, but I do love how this colorway looks with the case.
Low-exposure to show the matching LED strip
It’s got Gateron Baby Kangaroos. I like them, but might opt for something that sounds better with these keys if I stick with them.
That looks sooooo good. I’m always a sucker for Skiidata. The old GMK set was what really got me into keycaps.
