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Lunatique
43
May 25, 2017
Here's my review: After years of buying/selling/collecting keyboards, I'm surprised by the fact that my favorite keyboard to type on currently is the Royal Kludge C930-87 RGB (there's also a version without LED backlighting, as well as have 35g, 45g, and 55g versions. Mine is 45g). When I first got into mechanical keyboards, I preferred the very tactile ones, and if that meant the keyboard might be loud (buckling spring, Cherry MX Blue), I didn't mind it too much, because the overall impact was more visceral and fun. But once I've experienced the much quieter Topre RealForce ergonomic weighted silenced version, I much preferred the peace and quiet while typing. However, the ergonomic weighted version wasn't tactile enough (due to the keys with lesser weight), while the 55g version was a little heavy for my taste. There were other switches there were kind of in-between, with enough tactile feedback but not too noisy, such as the Matias quiet switch, Cherry MX Clear, Leopold's 45g Topre. I would have been happy with those, but then I got the Royal Kludge C930-87 RGB, and it instantly felt "just right," sort of like the Goldilock and the Three Bears--I found my keyboard. This is probably the one keyboard I'll keep if I have to sell off my entire keyboard collection. The reasons I love the Royal Kludge C930-87 RGB are: -Although it's a emulation of the Topre switch and many consider it "not authentic," it is similar enough that I don't really care. -It's about as quiet as the silenced RealForce Ergonomic Weighted keyboard, but it's more tactile (only because it's not ergonomically weighted). -It's not as heavy as the 55g Topre. -It's 45g, and feels slightly smoother than the Leopold 45g Topre, and quieter (less high-pitched clacking). The initial resistance is slightly lower than the Leopold Topre (not as crisp), but the weight feels similar. -Overall, it just feels really smooth, quiet, and has just enough tactile feedback to feel good to type on, but doesn't call attention to itself for being too heavy. -It uses Cherry MX stems, so you have lots of keycaps to choose from. I'm not a fan of LED backlighting that will spill out between the keys and distract from the actual legends, so I did a mod where I took off the keycaps, then used black acrylic paint to cover the transparent housing. This provided enough blocking of the light spill to make it a lot less distracting. And if you don't like LED backlighting, there's a version without it, or you can just turn it off, as well as put on your own choice of Cherry MX compatible keycaps. I know keyboard preferences are highly subjective, but I just wanted to share this with all of you, in case some of you are looking for a keyboard with similar characteristics.
mattstermh
81
Jan 6, 2018
LunatiqueHow would you rate the keyboard now? After owning it for several months? Any issues?
Lunatique
43
Nov 21, 2021
mattstermhSorry, I didn't see your question until now. It is still my favorite keyboard of all-time. Everything in my previous review still stands. But I think maybe I'd go for a 55g version in the future, if it's available, just for those days when I want the satisfaction of pounding on keys that are just a bit more tactile. I don't think Royal Kludge makes this line of models anymore though--it seems they only have the Cherry MX brown version these days? However, RealForce now makes a RGB tenkeyless version, and I'd imagine it'd be very simillar.
(Edited)
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