Editing SMK Alps mount

{{Infobox dswitch
| image name        = SMK Alps mount clicky -- recognition.jpg
| manufacturer      = [[SMK]]
| inventor          = 
| switch type       = Clicky, tactile, [[alternate action]]
| sense method      = [[Metal leaf]]
| product code      = 
| family            = [[SMK second generation]]
| keycap mount      = [[Alps mount]]
| switch mount      = [[Plate mount]]
| lifetime          = 
| force graph       = 
| peak force        = 60 cN
| introduced        = ca. 1986
| travel            = 3.6 mm
}}

[[File:Montereyswitch.jpg|238px|thumb|right|Monterey switches and keycap]]

'''SMK Alps mount switch''' is a provisional name for the [[Alps mount]] variant of the [[SMK second generation]] family. The most common variety is the clicky variant with the blue slider, widely referred to as a '''Monterey switch'''; the popular moniker "Monterey" owes its origin to the switch being discovered in a [[Monterey K104]] keyboard, and the choice of name is attributed to Japanese keyboard collector MouseFan.<ref name="MouseFan-name" /> The tactile variety was used in the [[Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard]], suggesting an introduction date of 1986 or earlier.

==Description==
The keycaps are compatible with [[Alps SKCL/SKCM series]] switches, but the switch has a different mounting hole and pin layout. A coiled spring provides most of the resistance, and there are two leaf springs for contact and [[click leaf|click]]/tactility respectively.

This is the only SMK second generation switch to lack [[fixing pins]], making it plate mount only.

The switch's feel has made it well regarded among keyboard enthusiasts.

==Authenticity==
Unlike other switches in this family, the base of the Alps-mount switches are not SMK branded; this led many people to believe the switch to be a copy.

The Apple IIGS Technical Procedures confirm that the tactile version in the [[Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard]] is SMK.<ref name="A2GSTP" /> Both [[Monterey]] and [[Chicony]] have confirmed purchasing these switches from SMK.<ref name="C-Monterey" /><ref name="C-Chicony" /> No reason for the lack of branding is known, although another difference with this variant is the lack of PCB fixing pins. A diode symbol on the base of the branded [[SMK Cherry MX mount|Cherry MX mount variant]] (which lacks support for diodes) indicates that design errors did occur when retooling.

==Key feel==
The switch has a tactile bump just before actuation where it also clicks. It actuates near 2 mm into the stroke and bottoms out at 3.6 mm. It feels a lot like a [[Cherry MX Blue]] switch but with sharper tactility. Unlike the Cherry MX Blue, it does not have [[hysteresis]].

==Variants==
{| class="wikitable variants-table"
! !!Type
|-
|[[File:SMK Alps mount clicky -- recognition.jpg|175px]]||"Monterey", clicky switch
|-
|[[File:SMK Alps mount tactile -- recognition.jpg|175px]]||Tactile switch
|-
|[[File:SMK Alps mount lock (AKB II)  -- top.jpg|175px]]||[[SMK Alps mount lock]]
|}

==Keyboards==
*Some [[Apple Keyboard II]] (alternate action)
*Some [[Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard]] (tactile, alternate action)
*Some [[Chicony KB-5181]]/5182 (clicky)
*[[Chicony KB-5591]] (clicky)
*Some [[Chicony KB-5981]] (clicky)
*Some [[Chicony KB-9600]] (clicky)
*Some [[Datacomp DFK191 | Datacomp DFK-191]] & [[Datacomp DFK192 | DFK-192]] (clicky, beige)
*Some [[Datacomp DFK2020 | Datacomp DFK-2020]] (clicky)
*Some [[Monterey K104]] (clicky)
*Some [[Monterey K108]] (clicky)
*[[Rin-Teck RT-1000]] (clicky)
*Some [[Monterey K110]]/[[SIIG MiniTouch]] (clicky)
*Some? [[SIIG Suntouch Jr.]] (clicky)

==Gallery==
===Comparison with inverse cross mount===
The inverse cross and Alps mount variants are broadly similar. Aside from the obvious and mandatory differences, the contact leaf shape is subtly different, and the static contact uses thinner wire.

<gallery widths="250" heights="187">
File:SMK second generation -- inverse cross vs Alps mount.jpg               | Inverse cross mount (top/left) vs Alps mount (below/right), both tactile
File:SMK second generation -- inverse cross vs Alps mount slider bases.jpg  | Slider bases
File:SMK second generation -- inverse cross vs Alps mount bases (below).jpg | Lower shells, seen from below
File:SMK second generation -- inverse cross vs Alps mount bases (above).jpg | Lower shells, seen from above
File:SMK second generation -- inverse cross vs Alps mount bases (side).jpg  | Lower shells, seen from the side
</gallery>

==External links==

*rzwv — [http://kbd.rzw.jp/mechanical/susteen_kb-9600/ rzwv's review, disassembly and video of a Susteen KB9600] (Japanese) Dated 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
*Sandy55 — [http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/chicony_kb-5181.html Sandy55's review of a Chicony 5181] (Japanese) Dated 2013-02-19. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
*Deskthority — [http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/monterey-whites-t3899.html Description of Monterey White switches] Posted 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2015-08-01.

==References==
<references>
<ref name="MouseFan-name">MouseFan — [http://mousefan.telcontar.net/image/monterey.htm Monterey のキーボードスイッチ] (Japanese) Dated 2004-02-02. Retrieved 2015-08-01.</ref>
<ref name="A2GSTP">ftp.apple.asimov.net — [ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/documentation/hardware/misc/AppleIIgsTechnicalProcedures1990.pdf Apple IIGS Technical Procedures] (page 5.10)</ref>
<ref name="C-Monterey">Correspondence with Monterey, 2013-01-15</ref>
<ref name="C-Chicony">Correspondence with Chicony, 2013-01-18</ref>
</references>

[[Category:SMK switches]]
[[Category:Keyboard switches with Alps mount]]
[[Category:Alternate action switches]]
[[Category:Metal contact switches]]
[[Category:Clicky switches]]
[[Category:Tactile switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboard switches]]