SMK 2nd Gen vs Matias Switch

[OverTheAlps]

Seeking opinions of SMK 2nd gen vs Matias Clicky. Both are clones of the original Alps switches. I don't own either one of them at the moment; and I am quite curious in what folks here think.

[Muirium]

Recent thread all about them:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26946

They’re way superior to Matias, I can vouch that much. Nice and sharp.

[Palatino]

I’m not sure it’s fair to say SMK 2nd gen are clones of Alps in the same way Matias are. The slider, click leaf, housing and mounting are all different. Perhaps they are ‘inspired’ by Alps - though it may be the other way round - I can’t remember the history. They do feel and sound great, however: that’s the important part! And more dust-resistant.

[Findecanor]

IMHO, a clone is something that can be used as a replacement for the original. SMK 2nd gen switches are different enough not to.
Some variations are Alps-keycap compatible, but so are a lot of switch types. Even Cherry had prototyped Alps keycap-compatible Cherry MX switches at one point but decided not to manufacture them.

[Muirium]

Count me in with Fin. Clone really means something cloning the whole design, not just the cap mount. SMKs are no clones as they aren’t compatible with Alps PCBs. You can’t just substitute them for Alps switches, sadly. But that does enable them to have their own mechanism design, which works very well. So it’s swings and roundabouts, really. No clones though!

[hellothere]

Count me in with Fin. Clone really means something cloning the whole design, not just the cap mount. SMKs are no clones as they aren’t compatible with Alps PCBs. You can’t just substitute them for Alps switches, sadly. But that does enable them to have their own mechanism design, which works very well. So it’s swings and roundabouts, really. No clones though!

Quoted for truth.

I think SMK 2nd generation feel more like Hi-Tek 725 ("Space Invader") clicky switches than Matias. I've seen a lot of binding with SMK 2nd gen and/or switches where the stem gets stuck down. I asked for take-apart directions and they're not hard to follow, but I need to upgrade my reading device so I can see the small parts. Maybe cleaning the parts and lubing them will fix binding issues.

I don't mind Matias switches, but they're not in my favorites list.

[OverTheAlps]

... what is your favorites list?

[OverTheAlps]

I couldn't find any force curve graph for SMK 2nd Gen switch. Does anyone have one to share?

[LambdaCore]

Seeking opinions of SMK 2nd gen vs Matias Clicky. Both are clones of the original Alps switches. I don't own either one of them at the moment; and I am quite curious in what folks here think.

I happen to own both clicky Matias and complicated white alps, in addition I will soon enough have a laser keyboard with SMK 2nd gen clicky switches on Saturday. What switches have you used in the past? Give me some point of comparison to make it a bit easier to describe to you without using overly flowery language.

[OverTheAlps]

I currently have:
- Focus FK-6000 with OA2 white alps clone
- NTC KB-6151EA with pine white alps
- NTC KB-6251EA with pine white alps
- AEK2 with dampened creme alps

I like the feel of the OA2 as they feel a bit lighter. But I prefer the sound of white alps. Interestingly between the 2 pine white alps keyboards, one actually feels lighter than the other one. I like the AEK2, but it is probably the most scratchy one out of 4.

I am trying to decide if I should try SMK or Matias next.

Thanks!

[Polecat]

I like the feel of the OA2 as they feel a bit lighter. But I prefer the sound of white alps. Interestingly between the 2 pine white alps keyboards, one actually feels lighter than the other one. I like the AEK2, but it is probably the most scratchy one out of 4.

There were definitely different versions of pine white Alps. The early ones were very similar to blue Alps switches, lighter and more subtle than the later ones. The mold numbering may hold some clues, but the early logoless upper housings are a better indicator of early production. Those were made just after the change from blue to white.

Regarding Matias and SMK, try them both when you get the chance! Both have merit in my opinion, but I personally prefer blue or early white Alps.

[hellothere]

... what is your favorites list?

Abko K935P Nopre
Topre
Topre
Maybe another Topre in the near future.
Alps SKCM brown
SteelSeries Hall Effect

... at least, that's my current rotation.

I've played with a lot of switches I'd call "nice." I've also several I'd like to try, but haven't been able to, including an IBM Beamspring or the reproduction from Ellipse.

I've played with a few keyboards that I won't again because of build quality: KB Paradise and Keychron ... unless I find really, really cheap ones.

The one mechanical switch that I never want to touch again is the MEI-T15, found on the Datalux SpaceSaver.

[LambdaCore]

I've been meaning to try out the Steel Series hall effect switches, but the keyboard they're in is like 200 bucks and IDK if I'd really get much use out of it over my other keyboards, how good is it? I don't mind linears when they're decently smooth, last linear switches I used were flaretechs and I liked... some of them, it was super inconsistent unfortunately. Topre I think I've already mentioned in a different topic, I'd love to try a cheaper equivalent since no way am I dropping 150+ on such a divisive thing.

[OverTheAlps]

Apex pro is on sale right now for $151.99 at bestbuy. They are very smooth.

[LambdaCore]

Apex pro is on sale right now for $151.99 at bestbuy. They are very smooth.

I'll have to grab one at some point!

And to answer your first question, given I just got my laser Keyboard with 2nd gen SMKs, I'm loving it so far! Condition is so so, but the switches still feel fantastic and fairly smooth at that, though perhaps not as smooth as my pine white alps... Regardless, I HIGHLY recommend them, they're feather light, I find myself typing much faster on these... the tactile event is absolutely fantastic though, I can't say I've used better! The sound is... different. They're lower pitched than clicky matias though I would still say they're a bit higher pitched compared to my white alps, never the less if you wear headphones at your desk or what not, these are superior to white alps IMO and far exceeds Matias, at least so far, could just be that excitement you get from using a brand new keyboard.

The Matias Switches have some advantages, though, as they're more tactile than white alps yet still maintain more of that alps-like sound the SMKs don't really have, and most importantly: They're affordable and very easy to grab brand new unlike alps, although if you know where you look you could definitely get an alps board for cheaper, if you can't get one in good condition it won't match up to the Matias switch. SMKs, as far as I've heard and from my own experience using a fairly dirty board are much less susceptible to dirt and dust, so I would say if you found an SMK board and an alps board both for the same price and you DON'T want to risk a poor alps board, get the SMK, especially since you can never know for sure unless that thing is still sealed or you're using it yourself. I got lucky with my second alps board, honestly.

[hellothere]

Apex pro is on sale right now for $151.99 at bestbuy. They are very smooth.

I'll have to grab one at some point!

First note that I'm not generally a fan of linear switches. Tactile is my favorite.

The switches on the SteelSeries are just buttery smooth. You can adjust the actuation height. The RGB is most impressive. The only drawback is that only the alpha keys have the Hall Effect switches. The others are Gateron reds. They're ... not terrible.

I bought mine off ebay slightly after Chyros's video went live. I think I paid around $125 (I have it listed on the forum, somewhere).

I do think the weighting is a little too light. Unfortunately, you can't swap out the springs. I think that you can do that on the Gateron switches on Wooting two HE, but I'm too lazy to Google further. That's also a $200 pre-order.