Alps SKCM Blue
 | |
| Manufacturer | Alps Electric |
|---|---|
| Family | Alps SKCL/SKCM series |
| Product code | SKCMAG |
| Precedes | Alps SKCM White |
| Switch type | Clicky |
| Sense method | Metal leaf |
| Rated lifetime | 20 M |
| Actuation force | 70 gf |
| Total travel | 3.5 mm |
| Keycap mount | Alps mount |
| Switch mount | Plate mount |
| Patents | US4642433 (1985) |
Alps SKCM Blue, complicated blue Alps, or simply blue Alps, is a clicky switch in the Alps SKCL/SKCM series.
Description
Complicated blue Alps are highly regarded for their smooth feel. The reason for this is the now-discontinued Threebond TB2581P lubricant.[1] Before the name was known, Sandy reported finding the dry lubricant applied to the sliders of an Acer KB-101A.[2]
Blue Alps switches are normally branded only on the bottom. Identification is assisted by the unusual greyish-blue colour of the slider; while there are Alps clone switches with blue sliders, none of them have the same shade of blue slider, preferring teal and vivid blue.
The switchplate is typically grey full-height, Rarely black full-height, also white (Short and full-height) switchplates have been found in blue Alps switches.
Specifications
The following image, taken by alps.tw,[3] contains the only known official documentation on the blue Alps switch:
The image shows a heading of "Mechanical Contact with Tactile CM(KCM) Series"; it is likely that Alps meant to write "Mechanical Contact with Tactile Feedback: CM(KCM) Series" or "Mechanical Contact with Tactility: CM(KCM) Series". "CM Series" here refers to the switches. KCM Series may be a general term for all Alps-made keyboards with these switches.
Variants
Known variants include:
| Switchplate Color | Switchplate Length | Alps Logo | Generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | Long | No Logo | Pine (with slits) |
| Grey | Long | No Logo | Pine (with slits) |
| White | Long | No Logo | Pine (with slits) |
| White | Long | Logo | Pine (with slits) |
| White | Short | Logo | Pine (with slits) |
"Pale/Sky" Blue Variant
At least three examples have been found of unique Blue Alps in Acer keyboards containing sliders with a paler "sky" blue color and ridges on the inside of the stem. They have tentatively been named "Pale" or "Sky" Blue Alps.
The first example was found in a Tektronix rebranded Acer KB-101A/TK [4], a second example was found in an Acer branded 6023 [5] and a third example was found in an Acer branded KB-101A [6].
"Pale/Sky" SKCM Blue Alps contain these ridges on the inside of the stem, differentiating them from regular SKCM Blue Alps.
Comparison with other various Blue Alps switches, highlighting differences in dye consistencies vs. the paler "Pale/Sky" blue stem.
Keyboards
- Some Accodata Keycat
- Acer 6023[5]
- Some Acer KB-084AS
- Some Acer KB-101A & KB-102A
- Acer KB-123[7]
- BIOS Express KCME907L[8]
- Canon AK202-WAK[9]
- Canon C202-AKB[10]
- Some Chicony KB-5152
- Some Chicony KB-5160
- Some Chicony KB-5161 & KB-5162
- Some Chicony KB-5170[11]
- Some Chicony KB-5181 & KB-5182
- Copam K-430
- Some Datacomp DFK-102
- Some Datacomp DFK-515(AT)[12]
- Some Datacomp DFK-777
- Datatech SPK-100[13]
- Deltagold DGK-100[14]
- Deltagold DGK-200[15]
- Elonex K-430[16]
- Some Focus FK-555[17]
- Focus FK-727[18]
- Focus FK-747[18]
- Some Focus FK-2001 & FK-2002
- Some Focus FK-3001
- Forward Electronics FDA-101
- Jameco JE1015[19]
- Some Jameco JE2016
- Keytrak KM 94/95 (FCCID: F7Y43MKB525)[20]
- Laser / VTCL F810
- Leading Edge DC-2014 & DC-92014[21]
- Some Leading Edge DC-2214
- Most Leading Edge DC-3014
- Some Monterey K101
- Some Monterey K104
- Some Monterey K2AX[22]
- Multitech KB097[23]
- Some NEC PC-8801 (Types A & B)
- NEC PC-8801 Mk II SR
- NEC PowerMate Portable[24]
- Nisemono Model M clone[25]
- Some Northgate OmniKey (early models)
- Some NTC KB-6151
- Some NTC KB-6251/6252
- Some Ortek / OEMMAX MCK-101
- Some Ortek / OEMMAX MCK-101 (curved)
- Some Ortek / OEMMAX MCK-860
- Packard Bell T9102[26]
- Panasonic Business Partner 286
- Qtronix QX201[27]
- Some SIIG Suntouch K101[28]
- SIIG Suntouch K84[29]
- SPC KB-5170 [30]
- Some Tai-Hao TH-5539
- Some Tulip ATK 030244
Clones
Simplified Alps Type III is a clone of the Alps SKCMAG. The switch appears to be an earlier Hua-Jie AK-CN2 adapted to use a shell derived from an Alps SKCMAG; unlike most clones, Type III is clearly intended to fool people into mistaking it for a real Alps product, aided by Alps having neglected to visibly brand their switches.
The most obvious difference between the clone and genuine article is that the clone switch has a vivid blue slider, instead of the blue-grey of the Alps product. The clone switch replicates the telltale slits in the slider hole as well as the long side tabs that normally indicate a genuine Alps switch. The upper shell may be derived directly from an Alps moulding, as a plastic support plate was required to support the contact plates where normally the shell has dedicated recesses. A similar switch has been found with a custom shell with the proper recesses.
Type III simplified, disassembled
Gallery
Blue Alps switch in an NTC KB-6252EA keyboard
Loose switches
Blue Alps switches in a Chicony 5160C keyboard
Partially disassembled switch, possibly from an undated Acer KB-084AS
Rare white switchplate version, partially disassembled, from a 1987 Acer KB-101A
References
- ↑ Alps Lubricant FOUND! — Threebond TB2581P Posted 2020-05-07.
- ↑ A Little bit of Keyboards — acer kb101a Posted 2004-06-03.
- ↑ KBtalKing — ㊣㊣台灣黑軸與台灣白軸的樣式㊣㊣ Dated 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ Deskthority — KB-101A/TK Posted 2018-11-04.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Deskthority — Alps Appreciation Posted 2019-05-09.
- ↑ Imgur — "Sky" Blue Alps SKCM Switches in Acer KB101A Posted 2022-01-22.
- ↑ YouTube — Acer KB-123 Keyboard Typing Video Posted 2019-10-24.
- ↑ Sandy55 — BIOS Express KCME907L Updated 2004-09-05.
- ↑ Imgur — Canon AK202-WAK (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2022-04-25.
- ↑ Imgur — Canon C202-AKB (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2022-04-25.
- ↑ Imgur — Chicony 5170 Blue Alps Posted 2022-03-31.
- ↑ YouTube — Datacomp DFK-515AT review (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2017-02-25.
- ↑ Geekhack — Datatech SPK-100: solid board with metal back, blue alps(?) Posted 2016-01-13.
- ↑ Imgur — Deltagold Posted 2018-09-01.
- ↑ Imgur — Deltagold DGK-200 Blue Alps Uploaded 2022-07-02.
- ↑ Deskthority — Got lucky - Alps SKCM Blues Posted 2021-04-03.
- ↑ Geekhack — $2 Goodwill keyboard with Blue Alps? Posted 2014-05-26. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Deskthority — Need help (anyone with a Focus FK-727 or 747) Posted 2019-06-30.
- ↑ Deskthority — Question about a Monterey/Jameco JE1015 Posted 2017-04-02.
- ↑ Imgur — Keytrak KM94/95 Posted 2022-03-30.
- ↑ Imgur — Leading Edge 92014 Blue Alps Posted 2022-03-31.
- ↑ Deskthority — The Monterey K2AX Has Landed In....You Guessed It - Canada. Posted 2017-03-27.
- ↑ Imgur — Multitech KB097 (Alps SKCM Blue) Uploaded 2022-06-22.
- ↑ Imgur — NEC PowerMate Portable (SKCM Blue Alps) (Credit: Jonnyadler) Posted 2022-04-03.
- ↑ Deskthority — Nisemono Model M Posted 2018-08-21.
- ↑ Geekhack — Packard Bell T9102 - SKCM Blue Alps at it's Finest Posted 2016-12-03.
- ↑ Deskthority — Qtronix QX201 Posted 2019-09-19.
- ↑ Geekhack — Suntouch SIIG K101 - Are these really SKCM Blue Alps?? Posted 2018-10-11.
- ↑ Imgur — SIIG Suntouch K84 (Alps SKCM Blue) (Credit: kralcifer) Originally posted 2020-08-16.
- ↑ Imgur — SPC KB-5170 Posted 2014-02-12.
