[IC] Xiang Ming KSB Alps Clone Switches

[abrahamstechnology]

I am considering running a USA group buy for Xiang Ming KSB switches. This will be my first group buy ever so I may make some mistakes.

Anyway, the switches are clicky and linear (KSB-C and KSB-LE) "The clicky switches are noted for being significantly stiffer than Alps and Fuhua switches, with strong tactility."

wiki/Xiang_Min_KSB_series

I am just putting this out there to see how many would be interested in such a group buy, reply if interested.

[Myoth]

what's the appeal of these ?

[abrahamstechnology]

what's the appeal of these ?

Good in-production Alps clone

[Elrick]

what's the appeal of these ?

Good in-production Alps clone

This might be interesting, especially the "Clicky" version. Does anyone know how long these switches will last?

[abrahamstechnology]

what's the appeal of these ?

Good in-production Alps clone

This might be interesting, especially the "Clicky" version. Does anyone know how long these switches will last?

Their site says 5 million, but I don't know if that's accurate, I think they tested it under 12v. I'd say with normal keyboard usage around 20 million you get with SKBM-like switches. They are gold plated and look similar to Tai-Hao's contacts.

[abrahamstechnology]

Xiang Ming hasn't responded yet, so I contacted Hua-Jie.

[Techno Trousers]

"Significantly stiffer" than white Alps sounds a little scary to me.

[Elrick]

"Significantly stiffer" than white Alps sounds a little scary to me.

REAL men are never scared, they just tackle any switch regardless.

This switch is probably used by Arnold Schwarzenegger on his non-acting days. So if the Terminator can use them, any brave individual could do the same.

[mike52787]

what's the appeal of these ?

Good in-production Alps clone

good? in regards to what?

I mean doesn't matias already sortof fill this hole? even their stuff is very underwhelming. Simplified alps clones can't possibly be in high demand.

[abrahamstechnology]

what's the appeal of these ?

Good in-production Alps clone

good? in regards to what?

I mean doesn't matias already sortof fill this hole? even their stuff is very underwhelming. Simplified alps clones can't possibly be in high demand.

Mainly because other than Matias and to a lesser extent, Tai-Hao, they are extremely hard to get. The last time XMs were in the mainstream was some old Ducky board from 2010, before the mechanical renaissance of recent years. In fact, I can't seem to get in contact with Xiang Min at all, I may have to make this a Hua-Jie only group buy (I DID get in contact with them)

[Polecat]

Has anyone tried the switches Datacomp still lists on their site? Probably disappointing like most modern clones, but I've never heard a firsthand report on these. They show three versions of "ALPS Type" switches--red/linear, blue/tactile, and brown/silent tactile. Going by the photos these have wide tabs like genuine Alps, rather than being four tab clones.

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=246

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=245

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=244

[abrahamstechnology]

Has anyone tried the switches Datacomp still lists on their site? Probably disappointing like most modern clones, but I've never heard a firsthand report on these. They show three versions of "ALPS Type" switches--red/linear, blue/tactile, and brown/silent tactile. Going by the photos these have wide tabs like genuine Alps, rather than being four tab clones.

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=246

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=245

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=244

That might be a better bet, since Xiang Min isn't responding at all. However they don't seem to have a clicky version.

[Polecat]

I'm guessing that blue/tactile might be clicky, as opposed to brown/silent tactile.

Has anyone tried the switches Datacomp still lists on their site? Probably disappointing like most modern clones, but I've never heard a firsthand report on these. They show three versions of "ALPS Type" switches--red/linear, blue/tactile, and brown/silent tactile. Going by the photos these have wide tabs like genuine Alps, rather than being four tab clones.

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=246

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=245

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=244

That might be a better bet, since Xiang Min isn't responding at all. However they don't seem to have a clicky version.

[abrahamstechnology]

I'm guessing that blue/tactile might be clicky, as opposed to brown/silent tactile.

Has anyone tried the switches Datacomp still lists on their site? Probably disappointing like most modern clones, but I've never heard a firsthand report on these. They show three versions of "ALPS Type" switches--red/linear, blue/tactile, and brown/silent tactile. Going by the photos these have wide tabs like genuine Alps, rather than being four tab clones.

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=246

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=245

http://www.datacomp.com.tw/ShowProducts.asp?id=244

That might be a better bet, since Xiang Min isn't responding at all. However they don't seem to have a clicky version.

Most likely. I'll shoot them an e-mail.

[Polecat]

Here's the past discussion on the Datacomp switches. Seems strange that nobody has actual examples in hand:

keyboards-f2/new-datacomp-alps-t17278.h ... er#p384343

[abrahamstechnology]

Here's the past discussion on the Datacomp switches. Seems strange that nobody has actual examples in hand:

keyboards-f2/new-datacomp-alps-t17278.h ... er#p384343

Hopefully that'll change. If they get back to me I'll buy a bunch and resell them here.