CM Storm Novatouch

[PadawanGeek]

You also seem to have the space bar on the wrong way around

Well, I've heard a lot of talk about this previously, so I'm giving it a shot.

It's the only way to fly!

Odd to think placing the spacebar the other way around makes it feel kind of odd, and it does feel a little odd to me. I don't know if I'll keep it this way permanently though.....I'm an old dog, it usually takes a while for me to adjust....if ever.

[Hypersphere]

My longest lasting keyboard so far is a ~12 year old cheap Dell rubber dome one.  I've had several mechanical keyboards break much sooner due to controller problems.

My IBM XT keyboard was built in 1984 and still going strong!

[PointyFox]

My longest lasting keyboard so far is a ~12 year old cheap Dell rubber dome one.  I've had several mechanical keyboards break much sooner due to controller problems.

My IBM XT keyboard was built in 1984 and still going strong!

Someone can pay all they want for a "high quality" keyboard.  It's still going to end up having some crappy dip-soldered electronics made in a third-world country.

[rowdy]

You also seem to have the space bar on the wrong way around

Well, I've heard a lot of talk about this previously, so I'm giving it a shot.

It's the only way to fly!

Odd to think placing the spacebar the other way around makes it feel kind of odd, and it does feel a little odd to me. I don't know if I'll keep it this way permanently though.....I'm an old dog, it usually takes a while for me to adjust....if ever.

I tried it at the insistence of several forum members, but it just felt weird to me.  Plus I had not been experiencing the problem that most people had before they flipped ("cutting" their delicate fingers on the "sharp" edges of the keys).  Plus it kinda set off my OCD and looked wrong.  So I swapped it back to normal, and haven't worried about it since.

[CommonCurt]

You also seem to have the space bar on the wrong way around

Well, I've heard a lot of talk about this previously, so I'm giving it a shot.

It's the only way to fly!

Odd to think placing the spacebar the other way around makes it feel kind of odd, and it does feel a little odd to me. I don't know if I'll keep it this way permanently though.....I'm an old dog, it usually takes a while for me to adjust....if ever.

I tried it at the insistence of several forum members, but it just felt weird to me.  Plus I had not been experiencing the problem that most people had before they flipped ("cutting" their delicate fingers on the "sharp" edges of the keys).  Plus it kinda set off my OCD and looked wrong.  So I swapped it back to normal, and haven't worried about it since.

I just don't see how people are hitting their spacebars in such a way that it hurts their fingers.

I guess if it was uncomfortable to me I would try switching it around, but I agree with Rowdy.  It just looks out of place.

[Tiramisuu]

Is there a shipping day set on this keyboard yet?

[PadawanGeek]

I've swapped the spacebar back to its original position and it feels so much better, guess I'm not hip enough.

[jameslr]

I've swapped the spacebar back to its original position and it feels so much better, guess I'm not hip enough.

Nah, you're hip enough. You have a Novatouch afterall. I never tried the spacebar flipping, but I think it looks dumb anyway.

[Hypersphere]

I've started a poll over on DT where you can cast your vote for your favorite Topre-switch keyboard:

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/what-is-your-favorite-topre-switch-keyboard-and-why-t8744.html

Please get out and vote!

[YuukiHaruto]

Man, how this thread has blown up.

 

[PointyFox]

Novatouch for half the price?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-electro-capacitive-keyboard?mode=guest_open

[rowdy]

Novatouch for half the price?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-electro-capacitive-keyboard?mode=guest_open

Everyone jumping on Topre band wagon.

Everyone jumping on Topre switch with MX-compatible stem band wagon.



Only 108 key though?

[CommonCurt]

Novatouch for half the price?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-electro-capacitive-keyboard?mode=guest_open

Everyone jumping on Topre band wagon.

Everyone jumping on Topre switch with MX-compatible stem band wagon.



Only 108 key though?

I know.  If it was a TKL I would consider getting one to try out.

[tjcaustin]

2 for the price of one novatouch and it will do the stems of both my hhkbs?  I'll do that.

[_PixelNinja]

Novatouch for half the price?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-electro-capacitive-keyboard?mode=guest_open

If they are anything like the sample units they are also half the quality, according to 002 from DT.

[deci]

The question is, can you harvest these stems for your real topre?

Because at that price, it's kind of worth it.

[rowdy]

Only 35g and 45g though.

[davkol]

Novatouch for half the price?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-electro-capacitive-keyboard?mode=guest_open

Novatouch is Topre. Noppoo isn't.

[feizor]

Isn't the novatouch releasing in NA today? I wonder when we will get it Australia... and at what price.

[sujambanvfx]

Final Realese has come..
did they made LED indicate on CAPSLK +  SCRLK  ?!

[_PixelNinja]

The North American release is indeed today. The European release has bee pushed back to November. In regards to LEDs as far as I know they have been definitely removed from the final production models.

[colomb]

Product page is up.

http://gaming.coolermaster.com/en/products/keyboards/novatouch/

Not showing up in CM Store yet though.

[YuukiHaruto]

You guys probably noticed I haven't posted a review of the production sets ... I requested for one and all I got is "TBC"

REALLY?

Anyway I doubt I'll be getting ANYTHING from them in like forever.

And with the price of them locally, I'll just ask people to not buy it. Like seriously.

[Hypersphere]

Novatouch for half the price?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-electro-capacitive-keyboard?mode=guest_open

If they are anything like the sample units they are also half the quality, according to 002 from DT.

There is a recent post from "cookie" on DT indicating a similar impression of the Topre/CM knockoff from Noppoo, i.e., "you get what you pay for".

[_PixelNinja]

There is a recent post from "cookie" on DT indicating a similar impression of the Topre/CM knockoff from Noppoo, i.e., "you get what you pay for".

Indeed, I saw that.

[jameslr]

Final Realese has come..
did they made LED indicate on CAPSLK +  SCRLK  ?!

No LEDs at all on the production boards. I have one, and they aren't present.

[sujambanvfx]

Final Realese has come..
did they made LED indicate on CAPSLK +  SCRLK  ?!

No LEDs at all on the production boards. I have one, and they aren't present.

WTF ?! No LED for the final product ?! but why they just make a hole on the plate behind CAPSLK keycap.. its that silly ?!

[jameslr]

Final Realese has come..
did they made LED indicate on CAPSLK +  SCRLK  ?!

No LEDs at all on the production boards. I have one, and they aren't present.

WTF ?! No LED for the final product ?! but why they just make a hole on the plate behind CAPSLK keycap.. its that silly ?!

it looks like there is a place where you can manually solder a LED in there. If you look down into the hole you can see the two LED through-holes. I might put one in mine just to see if it works.

[_PixelNinja]

WTF ?! No LED for the final product ?! but why they just make a hole on the plate behind CAPSLK keycap.. its that silly ?!

They were not satisfied with the look of the keys with LEDs so decided to remove them at the last minute. I do not know if the final production models that are being shipped today still have the holes on the backplate.

[davkol]

Anyone uses these lights? I mean, it's tenkeyless and who does use Scroll Lock except some data clerks anyway? Caps Lock is a topic for itself… the key shouldn't have existed like that at all.

[colomb]

And now order page is up: http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-storm-novatouch-tkl-premium-keyboard-with-hybrid-capacitive-switches/

[jameslr]

Anyone uses these lights? I mean, it's tenkeyless and who does use Scroll Lock except some data clerks anyway? Caps Lock is a topic for itself… the key shouldn't have existed like that at all.

Well the scroll lock key functions as a win lock key so I think the led would be nice. Definitely not a deal breaker for me though.

[davkol]

Okay, I hate these lights with a passion. The LED that indicates Ctrl-CapsLock swap on my choc mini is one of the worst.

[_PixelNinja]

Anyone uses these lights? I mean, it's tenkeyless and who does use Scroll Lock except some data clerks anyway? Caps Lock is a topic for itself… the key shouldn't have existed like that at all.

I prefer to not have LEDs and do not mind not having any on the Novatouch at all.

[Xowie]

Finally got Novatouch email. Still on the fence about buying this.

[Premonition]

Just got an email and it's available now from several sources, $199 with free shipping is the price. Go get em and post those reviews!

[acantha]

I decided to pull the trigger on it. I need a new tkl and I'm a big fan of my hhkb so we'll see...

[ComradeSniper]

"The Fastest Mechanical Keyboard," lol okay CM.

[Meistershank]

The marketing on this is a bit over the top, wouldn't you say?  I'm just going to wait on the sidelines to see what everyone's take on this is.  I was really excited about it half a year ago, but it's been a while.

[elton5354]

Any discount code for CM website?

Nevermind found it.. JAYZ2K14 for 10% off..

Anyone bought things from CM USA and got dinged for duties?

[MissMurd3r84]

Be interesting to see when it becomes available to Aus.

[sujambanvfx]

Final Realese has come..
did they made LED indicate on CAPSLK +  SCRLK  ?!

No LEDs at all on the production boards. I have one, and they aren't present.

WTF ?! No LED for the final product ?! but why they just make a hole on the plate behind CAPSLK keycap.. its that silly ?!

it looks like there is a place where you can manually solder a LED in there. If you look down into the hole you can see the two LED through-holes. I might put one in mine just to see if it works.

manually soldering the LEDs ?!... hmm it was pathetic 'will sacrifice the warranty quickly

[MJ45]

Final Realese has come..
did they made LED indicate on CAPSLK +  SCRLK  ?!

No LEDs at all on the production boards. I have one, and they aren't present.

WTF ?! No LED for the final product ?! but why they just make a hole on the plate behind CAPSLK keycap.. its that silly ?!

it looks like there is a place where you can manually solder a LED in there. If you look down into the hole you can see the two LED through-holes. I might put one in mine just to see if it works.

manually soldering the LEDs ?!... hmm it was pathetic 'will sacrifice the warranty quickly

It may be possible to remove the keycap and put the LED lead's though the hole to see whether its functional before before opening it up. If it works then decide if voiding the 2yr warranty is worth it or not.

[jameslr]

It may be possible to remove the keycap and put the LED lead's though the hole to see whether its functional before before opening it up. If it works then decide if voiding the 2yr warranty is worth it or not.

Doesn't look like there's enough power going to it. I poked the LED in there and made contact and it barely lights up. Hardly visible at all. Maybe that was the reason they didn't include the LEDs?

[_PixelNinja]

Doesn't look like there's enough power going to it. I poked the LED in there and made contact and it barely lights up. Hardly visible at all. Maybe that was the reason they didn't include the LEDs?

Nope.



As I said further back it was an aesthetic choice and possibly a way to make the key cap production easier/cheaper.

[jameslr]

Doesn't look like there's enough power going to it. I poked the LED in there and made contact and it barely lights up. Hardly visible at all. Maybe that was the reason they didn't include the LEDs?

Nope.

Show Image

As I said further back it was an aesthetic choice.

Perhaps it wasn't making good enough contact to power the 2x3x4 LED I was using.

[MJ45]

Doesn't look like there's enough power going to it. I poked the LED in there and made contact and it barely lights up. Hardly visible at all. Maybe that was the reason they didn't include the LEDs?

Nope.

Show Image

As I said further back it was an aesthetic choice.

Perhaps it wasn't making good enough contact to power the 2x3x4 LED I was using.

That could be and it depends on the resistor value used in the circuit. You could try a different color LED like white or one with a lower Vf may be brighter.   

[gizzard]

FYI -
I was able to make an order on the CM website today.

Amazon also has it listed... but with 3-5 weeks till shipping.

[intelli78]

I ordered yesterday from NewEgg, and it should be here tomorrow. #Hype...

[Hypersphere]

All things considered and despite its flaws and shortcomings, based on my testing and comparing it with other keyboards, I think the CM Novatouch is worth having.

The quality of the Novatouch is not up the the high standard of the Topre Realforce 87u, and the Novatouch lacks features such as an embedded numeric keypad, NumLock and CapsLock LEDs, DIP switches for alternative settings, and a reconfigurable Fn key. Nevertheless, it is currently the best Topre-switch keyboard with Cherry-compatible key stems, thus opening up a whole new world of customization for those who prefer Topre switches over Cherry mx switches.

I consider the feature set of the Kul ES-87 superior to that of the Novatouch, but in my own case, I have yet to try a Cherry mx switch that I like. My favorite switches are capacitive buckling springs and Topre 55g, with Topre 45g a close second. I also like some of the keycaps sets that are available for Cherry mx switches. Therefore, I am glad that I already have a Novatouch in my collection, and I will make it part of my keyboard rotation.

However, before buying another Novatouch, I would hope that CM and Topre would address some of the issues and missing features in the current version of the keyboard by producing the Novatouch 2.0. Altertatively, or in addition, CM and Topre might consider producing a 60% version that could provide competition for the HHKB Pro 2.