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Mateusz
60
Jan 15, 2016
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Ok, so I promised to write a thing or two about the Novatouch and tho I still maintain that 5 days is not nearly enough for a full on 'review', I can at least write some thoughts or 'first impressions' if you will.
I decided to not bother with things like features on the board or the packaging ect., just watch any youtube review to see that. I do want to adress somthing here tho:
- this keyboard has no backlighting, which is ok, all of my modern mechs have but I seldom use it anyway, so it's not a big deal.. however NO indicator lights either? WTF CM, not even a caps lock light? 'Incorrect password' yea guess if your caps lock is on or you just typed in the wrong one.. It bothers me and the fact that a space for a diode is already present under the caps lock keycap makes it just look lazy on CMs part.
Now, since there is not much to talk about in terms of features, the keyboard is pretty much bare bones, there is no programming, no dip switches and pretty much just madia control under the FN layer, let's get to the meat of it and talk about the switch and the feel of it.
You know I thought about how to put it, without resoulting to ye'old "you will just have to try it for yourself to get it" since even tho it's the most accurate it also doesn't help anyone. So let's try to approximate:
-Imagine a Mx brown board, where the tactile bump isn't about half way through, but instead starts from it. Then imagine that there is a piece of memory foam underneath the key, softening the bottoming out and also springing the key back up. It's something like that.. more or less :D
On a personal note I can safely say that I do like the feel of Topre, it's surprisingly nice to type on and (even tho it's not usually advertised this way) great to game on as well. However is it the be all and end all 'grail' of a switch? No. If you expect it to blow your trousers away with the sheer force of a Tsar Bomba.. then you will be disappointed. I know of people who prefer mx brown to topre, some who swear by buckling springs, others that say blue alps are the 'jesus switch', so it's safe to say that it's a very personal thing and YMMV. I like them. Not sure exactly how much just yet, but I'm leaning towards top 3 right now and I have used pretty much all of the popular Mx switches, some alps, buckling springs, cheap and expensive domes and now this 45g topres.
One last thing I wanted to say is that (after putting on some nice PBT caps and the o-rings) the 'thock' is sweet :D Some say that the 100% Japanese boards like the Realfoce or the HHKB are better, but I have no way to confirming that, since I don't own those.
So there you have it, make of it what you will. Cheers!
Jan 15, 2016
UrVAITguy
484
Jan 15, 2016
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MateuszThank you so much for that very in-depth and informative review! I was on the fence about getting this, but based on everything I've read from your review, I'm going to pass on it for the time being.
Once again, thank you much for posting!
Jan 15, 2016
Mateusz
60
Jan 15, 2016
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UrVAITguyYou're welcome. Cheers.
Jan 15, 2016
Tarek
4
Jun 22, 2016
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Mateusz>-Imagine a Mx brown board, where the tactile bump isn't about half way through, but instead starts from it. Then imagine that there is a piece of memory foam underneath the key, softening the bottoming out and also springing the key back up.
It sounds like you're describing quite literally what a normal rubber dome is.
Jun 22, 2016
vecdran
30
Jun 22, 2016
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TarekTopre feels quite unlike your typical crappy rubber dome. Buy the CM switch tester if you don't believe us.
Jun 22, 2016
Tarek
4
Jun 22, 2016
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vecdranI actually did that. I'll get back to you when i get it.
Jun 22, 2016
Tarek
4
Jun 23, 2016
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vecdranGot my switch tester. And from my blind expectations, it really does not feel "quite unlike your typical crappy rubber dome"
In fact, it's quite similar. The big difference i'm seeing is that the tactile feedback is a lot less immediate on the press and the switch feels like it has a farther travel distance and springs back up quicker while bottoming out feels less mushy. Generally more pleasant to type on but definitely not wildly different from rubber dome. Quite similar in comparison to cherry MX, actually.
Jun 23, 2016
clickstops
85
Jun 23, 2016
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TarekHuh, this is an interesting post, especially for me since I've been on the fence about trying a Topre board. First you say that it is "definitely not wildly different than a rubber done." Then you say it's "quite similar in comparison to cherry MX." If Topre feels like rubber dome, and Topre feels like Cherry MX, then you're saying that rubber dome feels like Cherry MX, which I know just isn't remotely true.
Really hard to get an opinion off of the internet, maybe I just try for myself. Or maybe I am misunderstanding you?
Jun 23, 2016
vecdran
30
Jun 23, 2016
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TarekWhile I don't quite agree with your assessment, all tastes are subjective, and I'm glad the tester helped finalize your opinion. Everyone prefers a different kind of switch!
Jun 23, 2016
Nixin
95
Jun 24, 2016
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clickstopsMechanical keyboard enthusiasts are a bit insane about keyboards. We'll pay hundreds of dollars *just for caps*. (And then do it *again* when a new color scheme comes out! Or the same colors, but with a different geometry, or a different type of plastic!) We'll learn to solder, to create our own keyboards, just to have a few keys in slightly different positions. We'll compare different manufacturers' versions of almost identical switches, and discuss the minute differences between the firmness of the plastic, the smoothness of the stems, or the pressure of the springs. We'll open up our keyboards and apply lubrication or padding or stickers, all to adjust the feel by fractions, and we assure everyone that yes, we can tell the difference. (And we can! or at least I can, idk about you people.)
Yes, we're crazy. But we're not so crazy that we'd pay literally 20x to 30x the price to get Topre switches if they really do feel identical to the $10 logitech rubber domes.
Jun 24, 2016
Tarek
4
Jun 24, 2016
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clickstopsSorry I'll clarify. They are quite similar to rubber dome when comparing cherry MX to rubber dome vs topre. As in if I where to make a margin of similarity topre would be quite similar to rubber dome if you where comparing cherry MX to rubber dome in the first place which I believe are wildly different feels for the most part. Topre is definitely the closest feeling to original rubber dome I've felt on a mechanical keyboard.
Having said that, though. I do believe that they are distinguishable enough to make out differences. Most part for the better. They are like a very refined rubber dome. Just not nearly as different as cherry is to rubber dome. Hopefully i didn't confuse anybody here.
Jun 24, 2016
Tarek
4
Jun 24, 2016
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vecdranAgreed. Funny you should say that, though, because having said all that, I think I prefer this to basically every single cherry MX switch. Just not gateron blacks though. :-)
Jun 24, 2016
Elrick
2105
Jun 24, 2016
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TarekOnce a thorpie gets into your blood stream you shall be hooked permanently ; )
Have always liked all Thorpes even the lowly 35, 45g switches but all time fave, will always be the 55g. CM should start releasing a 55g model, then watch the popularity as it sky rockets into the biggest GB ever held here on MD.
ALWAYS maintain the love for a Thorpie : )
Jun 24, 2016
Mateusz
60
Jun 24, 2016
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TarekBecause in essence that IS what a topre board is. It's just a very high quality one, with a capative PCB instead of some cheap membrane.
Jun 24, 2016
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