CM Storm Novatouch

[YuukiHaruto]

I got one. Pre-launch   

Could it be? So new it doesn't have a box yet!

It's not just a white box with novatouch written on it


It's a rubber case btw. Not much information has been released or known to me either

[Belfong]

WHOA! That's really nice. Look at the switch. Can you do a close up? Put on some of the more popular MX caps. Write a review!!! And is it 45g uniform?

[Latin00032]

Ok. I'm excited now.

What are your initial impressions?

Have you tried swapping caps, yet?

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack, and thank you for sharing!

That's nice - even the legends are almost bearable.

What happened to Caps Lock?  Looks like it might have backlighting.  Same for Scroll Lock.

Standard layout too

[naasfu]

Cool!  Please let us know how it feels.

Also, got any BroBots V2?  Please see if you can jam one onto those switches.

[Belfong]

And no wonder Topre decided to discontinued their key caps. Because.. this!

[CommonCurt]

Wow.  Please share much pictures from all sides.

[atlas3686]

I'm just hoping we can buy those sliders separately

[Latin00032]

I wonder if the case is interchangeable with other CM type tkl covers.

I have a blue one that will be cool to swap with it.

[CommonCurt]

I at least hope they will offer it with a gray case option.

[YuukiHaruto]

WHOA! That's really nice. Look at the switch. Can you do a close up? Put on some of the more popular MX caps. Write a review!!! And is it 45g uniform?

I'll do that in my review  I only have keycaps from my other MX keyboards. Haven't bought any aftermarket keycaps
45g uniform.

Ok. I'm excited now.

What are your initial impressions?

Have you tried swapping caps, yet?

Heavenly, although i used to say topres are just well-built domes. I'm loving topres now, they have the distinctive tactileness even a MX Clear doesn't have and certainly none of the "emptiness" i feel in MX blues, reds or browns, black and clears or even greens!

a problem that my CM's product manager acknowledges, either the key travel on a topre is too shallow or their batches have key travel depth issues.
Simply put, when i was trying to pull the keycap out it sinks to the bottom of the keyboard. that doesn't happen with a MX board

Welcome to Geekhack, and thank you for sharing!

That's nice - even the legends are almost bearable.

What happened to Caps Lock?  Looks like it might have backlighting.  Same for Scroll Lock.

Standard layout too

The legends are sexy.
It is backlited, just like a realforce.
This is my first post and to introduce myself, I review stuff for CM Singapore.

Cool!  Please let us know how it feels.

Also, got any BroBots V2?  Please see if you can jam one onto those switches.

Heavenly.
Nah, I'm not a geekhack frequenter or a keyboard die-hard. So sadly I never will buy a brobot.

And no wonder Topre decided to discontinued their key caps. Because.. this!

Haha 

Wow.  Please share much pictures from all sides.

Review coming soon tomorrow.

I'm just hoping we can buy those sliders separately

I wonder if the case is interchangeable with other CM type tkl covers.

I have a blue one that will be cool to swap with it.

HPE1000 talked to me about it on OCN and yeah, it might be. I do know there's a QF-I waiting for me to review next week as well so I will compare the cases. This is a micro-usb connector board btw.

I at least hope they will offer it with a gray case option.

Not at least, not at CM Storm. I don't dig gray and never will ... You could tell it to CM Bram though 

[YuukiHaruto]

When I was asked if i wanted to review the novatouch I was extremely happy ... and then was told they have to take it back for the launch event next week
I wonder if I'll ever have the novatouch back

[CommonCurt]

When I was asked if i wanted to review the novatouch I was extremely happy ... and then was told they have to take it back for the launch event next week
I wonder if I'll ever have the novatouch back

Thanks for all the info.  Launch event next week?

[YuukiHaruto]

When I was asked if i wanted to review the novatouch I was extremely happy ... and then was told they have to take it back for the launch event next week
I wonder if I'll ever have the novatouch back

Thanks for all the info.  Launch event next week?

Not sure for those in the states. My dates only applies to 2 countries of APAC launch (Singapore and Malaysia)

[Latin00032]

When I was asked if i wanted to review the novatouch I was extremely happy ... and then was told they have to take it back for the launch event next week
I wonder if I'll ever have the novatouch back

Launch event next week?

Yessssss!

[Latin00032]

So, is there problems with the depth of pressing the topre.

Would you say it makes it feel worse than other topre boards?

[intelli78]

Please post a typing test video if at all possible.

[Belfong]

When I was asked if i wanted to review the novatouch I was extremely happy ... and then was told they have to take it back for the launch event next week
I wonder if I'll ever have the novatouch back

Thanks for all the info.  Launch event next week?

Not sure for those in the states. My dates only applies to 2 countries of APAC launch (Singapore and Malaysia)

In Malaysia? ? ? ?

No shipping cost anymore? ? ? ? ?

No waiting for shipping to arrive from US? ? ? ?

WHOA!


Edit: do you mind sharing with me where is the launch in Malaysia? Digital IT Mall? And I wonder if it's available for sale then?

[YuukiHaruto]

So, is there problems with the depth of pressing the topre.

Would you say it makes it feel worse than other topre boards?

I'm not sure.
I've tried a standard realforce before and I'll say it's on par.

Please post a typing test video if at all possible.

Sure, no problem.

When I was asked if i wanted to review the novatouch I was extremely happy ... and then was told they have to take it back for the launch event next week
I wonder if I'll ever have the novatouch back

Thanks for all the info.  Launch event next week?

Not sure for those in the states. My dates only applies to 2 countries of APAC launch (Singapore and Malaysia)

In Malaysia? ? ? ?

No shipping cost anymore? ? ? ? ?

No waiting for shipping to arrive from US? ? ? ?

WHOA!


Edit: do you mind sharing with me where is the launch in Malaysia? Digital IT Mall? And I wonder if it's available for sale then?

Yep! Ya but check the pricing first 
I dunno. Don't live in malaysia  ) It should be available for sale right after launch

[berserkfan]

CM Storm is not unicomp, that's for sure.

We should ask them to build a Model F-inspired keyboard.

[Dreamre]

Is the case rubberized? Thanks!

[ApocalypseMaow]

I can't wait to try one out!!!

[berserkfan]

Is the case rubberized? Thanks!

If they rubberize the case, I'll never buy it. Simple as that. Anybody who lives in these parts should be well aware that rubberized case = nasty case within a few months to a year.

[Latin00032]

Is the USB connection micro-USB or mini-USB?

[CommonCurt]

Looks like micro from the picture.

Also looks rubberized (hope I'm wrong)

[riotonthebay]

Is the USB connection micro-USB or mini-USB?

It looks like Micro USB in the last picture. I believe a CM rep has also stated that it will be Micro USB, and that their reasoning behind it is that Micro USB was designed so that the male adapter would fail before the female adapter (unlike Mini USB, where you frequently find yourself opening up the keyboard to re-solder instead of just replacing the cable).

[do_Og@n]

Any note on if the top half of the case will fit the QFR and vice versa?

Crossing fingers because I will just paint it.....PURPLE!!!

[riotonthebay]

Also looks rubberized (hope I'm wrong)

It mentions that the case is rubberized in the OP.

Given that the layout is identical, I don't see why they'd make a new case if they could use the exact machinery for QFR cases. To be honest, I appreciate this as it likely keeps the cost down. (And we all know these keyboards are really for harvesting stems.)

[atlas3686]

Also looks rubberized (hope I'm wrong)

It mentions that the case is rubberized in the OP.

Given that the layout is identical, I don't see why they'd make a new case if they could use the exact machinery for QFR cases. To be honest, I appreciate this as it likely keeps the cost down. (And we all know these keyboards are really for harvesting stems.)

Yup there is going to be a bunch of gutted CM keyboards lying around I don't think that's good for CM's image so perhaps just sell us the stems separately guys

[zeroni13]

Is the case rubberized? Thanks!

If they rubberize the case, I'll never buy it. Simple as that. Anybody who lives in these parts should be well aware that rubberized case = nasty case within a few months to a year.

It's a rubber case btw. Not much information has been released or known to me either

[YuukiHaruto]

I'm not sure about that. I have a couple of rubberized products around and they are holding up fine after 3 years

[Latin00032]

I'm probably going to immediately put my custom colored photoelectric qfr case.

[Demetrium]

Cool! Maybe these guys will have them at PAX East. That's where I got my CM Storm Trigger last year. They usually have stuff super discounted too. I got mine with reds for $80 on the show floor.

[YuukiHaruto]

Cool! Maybe these guys will have them at PAX East. That's where I got my CM Storm Trigger last year. They usually have stuff super discounted too. I got mine with reds for $80 on the show floor.

Yeah they showcase stuff and discount prices on items during their booths. This is CM for ya 
In my town most "Consumer Electronics Expo" are usually just laptop and memory sales, nothing much else. This is CM bucking the trend 

[YuukiHaruto]

I know what you guys are thinking

[Belfong]

You seemed to be around here for some time but your id was created today? Secret mission?

[YuukiHaruto]

You seemed to be around here for some time but your id was created today? Secret mission?

LOL. OCN Mech keyboard club 
My user is DaveLT

[morpheus]

Thanks for the post. Now if we can just get thorough review, that'd be even better!

[avtar]

a problem that my CM's product manager acknowledges, either the key travel on a topre is too shallow or their batches have key travel depth issues.
Simply put, when i was trying to pull the keycap out it sinks to the bottom of the keyboard. that doesn't happen with a MX board

CM gave Matt3o a Novatouch as well and he was pointing this out. I don't know if his NDA allows it but perhaps he could comment about that more here.

I hope you post your review soon. I'm particularly curious to know how the 45g weighting feels like compared to keyboards like the HHKB and FC660C.

[YuukiHaruto]

a problem that my CM's product manager acknowledges, either the key travel on a topre is too shallow or their batches have key travel depth issues.
Simply put, when i was trying to pull the keycap out it sinks to the bottom of the keyboard. that doesn't happen with a MX board

CM gave Matt3o a Novatouch as well and he was pointing this out. I don't know if his NDA allows it but perhaps he could comment about that more here.

I hope you post your review soon. I'm particularly curious to know how the 45g weighting feels like compared to keyboards like the HHKB and FC660C.

Unlike him, I don't have a NDA. Unlike you guys I haven't got 1000$ to spend on keyboards ... My friend has a HHKB but he's in Britain right now

[dante]

YuukiHaruto : How does the typing height compare to a Realforce?  Does it sit lower?  If so, by how much?

[blackbox]

a problem that my CM's product manager acknowledges, either the key travel on a topre is too shallow or their batches have key travel depth issues.
Simply put, when i was trying to pull the keycap out it sinks to the bottom of the keyboard. that doesn't happen with a MX board

CM gave Matt3o a Novatouch as well and he was pointing this out. I don't know if his NDA allows it but perhaps he could comment about that more here.

I hope you post your review soon. I'm particularly curious to know how the 45g weighting feels like compared to keyboards like the HHKB and FC660C.

Unlike him, I don't have a NDA. Unlike you guys I haven't got 1000$ to spend on keyboards ... My friend has a HHKB but he's in Britain right now

Nice! A nda that allowed you to take pictures of it would be pretty weird.

[Latin00032]

Do does the slider height difference factor in that much?

Maybe the stems on this version look shorter but it will factor less because of the cherry compatible caps that it's using.

I would think this would be an apples to oranges comparison considering they're using different stems.

[HPE1000]

 

My vortex aluminum case is wondering if this keyboard will fit inside of it.

[Neo.X]

My vortex aluminum case is wondering if this keyboard will fit inside of it.

Mine too.  Maybe I finally can get a topre keyboard with metal case.

[Zeal]

I'm still not quite sure how the stabilizers fit on the MX keycaps. Do the half circles fit inside the cross section? 

[HPE1000]

My vortex aluminum case is wondering if this keyboard will fit inside of it.

Mine too.  Maybe I finally can get a topre keyboard with metal case.

All I know is that if it does, an amazing amount of work is going to go into fixing my case up, I will make a guide for sure.

I'm still not quite sure how the stabilizers fit on the MX keycaps. Do the half circles fit inside the cross section? 

AFAIK they just sit on the stem to stabilize it, they do not slot into or connect to the stems at all. Understand?

[Zeal]

My vortex aluminum case is wondering if this keyboard will fit inside of it.

Mine too.  Maybe I finally can get a topre keyboard with metal case.

All I know is that if it does, an amazing amount of work is going to go into fixing my case up, I will make a guide for sure.

I'm still not quite sure how the stabilizers fit on the MX keycaps. Do the half circles fit inside the cross section? 

AFAIK they just sit on the stem to stabilize it, they do not slot into or connect to the stems at all. Understand?

I see. Wouldn't that make the longer keys wiggle a bit more though?

@OP,

Could we get a picture of the space bar removed? 

[YuukiHaruto]

My vortex aluminum case is wondering if this keyboard will fit inside of it.

Mine too.  Maybe I finally can get a topre keyboard with metal case.

All I know is that if it does, an amazing amount of work is going to go into fixing my case up, I will make a guide for sure.

I'm still not quite sure how the stabilizers fit on the MX keycaps. Do the half circles fit inside the cross section? 

AFAIK they just sit on the stem to stabilize it, they do not slot into or connect to the stems at all. Understand?

I see. Wouldn't that make the longer keys wiggle a bit more though?

@OP,

Could we get a picture of the space bar removed? 

Wiggle? Nah. They're okay.

[YuukiHaruto]