Author Topic: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese  (Read 14119 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jameslr

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 516
  • Location: Indiana
CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« on: Sun, 20 July 2014, 23:45:42 »
Not very helpful as the translation is terrible, but there are some pictures of a complete teardown that are interesting.

http://www.weistang.com/article-1423-1.html
CM Novatouch | Filco MJ2 TKL w/ HID Lib | REΛLFORCE 87U 55g | CM QFR

Offline KaboomTheory

  • Posts: 45
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • Shrek is love, Shrek is life
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 20 July 2014, 23:54:05 »
So this coming out makes me assume that the keyboard should be release within the week right? Since usually NDA's drop around the same time as release dates.

Offline codyeatworld

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 944
  • Location: Bay Area, California
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 20 July 2014, 23:54:43 »
Nice find.

Here are the good pics :D


























Offline rowdy

  • HHKB Hapster
  • * Erudite Elder
  • Posts: 21175
  • Location: melbourne.vic.au
  • Missed another sale.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 20 July 2014, 23:59:10 »
A nice looking keyboard :)
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline CommonCurt

  • One of the cool kids
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 4643
  • Location: WPB, FL
  • 🍒 Beige or Bust
    • My Flickr Page
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 00:13:45 »
Much excite.  So looking forward to this coming out  :)
Some of Ye ole  Keyboards -->
More
OTD Koala:  62g Old MX-Blacks   |   LZ-GH V2:  MX-?62g   |   KMAC2:   62g Tactile MX-Greys   |   LZ CLS s:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   X60:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   GON NerD 60:  62g Old MX-Clears   |   Filco MJ2 (Beige) TKL's:  62g MX-Clears  &   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   IBM '91 SSK
                                
       
WTB/WTS/WTT ---->
More

Offline bueller

  • MX baller
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 3769
  • Location: Perth, Australia
  • Church of the Ergo Clear
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 00:17:15 »
This will be my first Topper, always wanted to try one but thought of not using my GMK caps is just too much to bear!
It's a good width!  If it's half-width it's too narrow, and full-width is too wide. 

[WTT] bueller's trade thread - CLACKS WANTED

Offline CommonCurt

  • One of the cool kids
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 4643
  • Location: WPB, FL
  • 🍒 Beige or Bust
    • My Flickr Page
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 00:18:06 »
This will be my first Topper, always wanted to try one but thought of not using my GMK caps is just too much to bear!

This will be my first also.
Some of Ye ole  Keyboards -->
More
OTD Koala:  62g Old MX-Blacks   |   LZ-GH V2:  MX-?62g   |   KMAC2:   62g Tactile MX-Greys   |   LZ CLS s:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   X60:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   GON NerD 60:  62g Old MX-Clears   |   Filco MJ2 (Beige) TKL's:  62g MX-Clears  &   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   IBM '91 SSK
                                
       
WTB/WTS/WTT ---->
More

Offline rowdy

  • HHKB Hapster
  • * Erudite Elder
  • Posts: 21175
  • Location: melbourne.vic.au
  • Missed another sale.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 00:54:29 »
Thorpie virgins :p

It will be interesting to compare it to HHKB, although if it is just 45g there won't be that much difference.

Hanging out for a 55g version of it ...
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline Zeal

  • Actually the King of Green Tea Kit-Kats
  • * Vendor
  • Posts: 2798
  • Location: BC, Canada
    • Zeal Generation Inc.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 01:39:26 »
Is the site down for anyone else?  :confused:

Thanks for rehosting the images, Cody.
Seems like the domes aren't divided into pieces -- will there be any problems with 55g modding?
        "Bird have wing, bird will fly. Henry had wings.  Henry now fly." -Sent

Online HendyZone

  • HHKB Elite
  • * Vendor
  • Posts: 1335
  • Location: Indonesia
    • MechanicalKeyboards.co.id
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 01:42:50 »
Is the site down for anyone else?  :confused:

Thanks for rehosting the images, Cody.
Seems like the domes aren't divided into pieces -- will there be any problems with 55g modding?

site is up Zeal :p

Offline rowdy

  • HHKB Hapster
  • * Erudite Elder
  • Posts: 21175
  • Location: melbourne.vic.au
  • Missed another sale.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 01:46:58 »
Is the site down for anyone else?  :confused:

Thanks for rehosting the images, Cody.
Seems like the domes aren't divided into pieces -- will there be any problems with 55g modding?

Up for me!

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/http://www.weistang.com/
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline CommonCurt

  • One of the cool kids
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 4643
  • Location: WPB, FL
  • 🍒 Beige or Bust
    • My Flickr Page
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 01:56:18 »
Cpt. BadAss said that the one that was at KeyCon didn't have that stupid rubber coating on it.

Some of Ye ole  Keyboards -->
More
OTD Koala:  62g Old MX-Blacks   |   LZ-GH V2:  MX-?62g   |   KMAC2:   62g Tactile MX-Greys   |   LZ CLS s:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   X60:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   GON NerD 60:  62g Old MX-Clears   |   Filco MJ2 (Beige) TKL's:  62g MX-Clears  &   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   IBM '91 SSK
                                
       
WTB/WTS/WTT ---->
More

Offline Zeal

  • Actually the King of Green Tea Kit-Kats
  • * Vendor
  • Posts: 2798
  • Location: BC, Canada
    • Zeal Generation Inc.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 01:56:41 »
That's so weird...My ISP is automatically blocking the page. :/ If I check the site on my phone via LTE, it loads no problem, but once I switch to wifi, it doesn't load.  :'(

What is this, censorship in Canada?!
        "Bird have wing, bird will fly. Henry had wings.  Henry now fly." -Sent

Offline sakai4eva

  • Posts: 281
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 03:34:19 »
Here's hoping that its cheap enough to consider harvesting the sliders :)

Offline Lpwl

  • Posts: 258
  • Location: France
  • lpwl.bigcartel.com
    • My O-ring Store
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 03:38:36 »
That's so weird...My ISP is automatically blocking the page. :/ If I check the site on my phone via LTE, it loads no problem, but once I switch to wifi, it doesn't load.  :'(

What is this, censorship in Canada?!

You should try using different DNS servers on your computer. Sometimes it works for me.

Google Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) : 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4
« Last Edit: Mon, 21 July 2014, 03:40:10 by Lpwl »

Offline divito

  • Posts: 623
  • Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 04:24:45 »
The video is interesting. Still not a fan of the sound though.
Varmilo (MX Grey) KeyCool 87 (MX Clear) Quickfire Stealth (MX Green)

Offline CommonCurt

  • One of the cool kids
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 4643
  • Location: WPB, FL
  • 🍒 Beige or Bust
    • My Flickr Page
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 05:36:07 »
The video is interesting. Still not a fan of the sound though.

There's a video? 
Some of Ye ole  Keyboards -->
More
OTD Koala:  62g Old MX-Blacks   |   LZ-GH V2:  MX-?62g   |   KMAC2:   62g Tactile MX-Greys   |   LZ CLS s:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   X60:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   GON NerD 60:  62g Old MX-Clears   |   Filco MJ2 (Beige) TKL's:  62g MX-Clears  &   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   IBM '91 SSK
                                
       
WTB/WTS/WTT ---->
More

Offline Zeal

  • Actually the King of Green Tea Kit-Kats
  • * Vendor
  • Posts: 2798
  • Location: BC, Canada
    • Zeal Generation Inc.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #17 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 06:14:28 »
The video is interesting. Still not a fan of the sound though.

There's a video?

At the very bottom, hosted on YouKu
http://www.weistang.com/article-1423-7.html

« Last Edit: Mon, 21 July 2014, 07:58:58 by Zeal »
        "Bird have wing, bird will fly. Henry had wings.  Henry now fly." -Sent

Offline CPTBadAss

  • Woke up like this
  • Posts: 14363
    • Tactile Zine
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #18 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 06:28:55 »
Cpt. BadAss said that the one that was at KeyCon didn't have that stupid rubber coating on it.

Yup, the board I tried at Keycon didn't have that coating.



I think it's interesting that it says Topre right on the PCB. I remember watching a video where it seemed like they were trying to avoid calling it a Topre switch but I guess that was just part of their marketing plan.

Offline jameslr

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 516
  • Location: Indiana
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 07:43:45 »
I think it's interesting that it says Topre right on the PCB. I remember watching a video where it seemed like they were trying to avoid calling it a Topre switch but I guess that was just part of their marketing plan.

Exactly. I think that was just CM's way of trying to keep the mystery alive. Calling it something like "Topre" at a conference reduces their marketing hype to the average user that knows nothing about Topre. Plus if they say, "It has awesome electrostatic Topre switches", user proceeds to google topre and finds a host of already produced alternatives only to purchase one of them. This leaves them without a potential sale.
CM Novatouch | Filco MJ2 TKL w/ HID Lib | REΛLFORCE 87U 55g | CM QFR

Offline dorkvader

  • Posts: 6288
  • Location: Boston area
  • all about the "hack" in "geekhack"
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 07:45:11 »

Up for me!

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/http://www.weistang.com/
Quote
It's not just you! http://www.weistang.com looks down from here.

Thanks for re-hosting! This is very exciting and these are the pictures I've been waiting for! Check out that stab wire design!

Cpt. BadAss said that the one that was at KeyCon didn't have that stupid rubber coating on it.

Yup, the board I tried at Keycon didn't have that coating.



I think it's interesting that it says Topre right on the PCB. I remember watching a video where it seemed like they were trying to avoid calling it a Topre switch but I guess that was just part of their marketing plan.

The one at keycon also didn't have LEDs and this one clearly has places for them on the PCB. It's small details like this that they are probably changing and tweaking and taking into account before release.
« Last Edit: Mon, 21 July 2014, 07:48:43 by dorkvader »

Offline cmadrid

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 1005
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 07:54:54 »
Could someone link the video?  I can't get to the website either, but maybe a direct link to the video would work..

Offline Zeal

  • Actually the King of Green Tea Kit-Kats
  • * Vendor
  • Posts: 2798
  • Location: BC, Canada
    • Zeal Generation Inc.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #22 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 07:59:27 »
Could someone link the video?  I can't get to the website either, but maybe a direct link to the video would work..

Wait 15 seconds if you have adblock...

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNzQzNTg5NDg4.html
        "Bird have wing, bird will fly. Henry had wings.  Henry now fly." -Sent

Offline CommonCurt

  • One of the cool kids
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 4643
  • Location: WPB, FL
  • 🍒 Beige or Bust
    • My Flickr Page
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #23 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:05:25 »
Cpt. BadAss said that the one that was at KeyCon didn't have that stupid rubber coating on it.

Yup, the board I tried at Keycon didn't have that coating.

I pray they don't add it to the final version.
Some of Ye ole  Keyboards -->
More
OTD Koala:  62g Old MX-Blacks   |   LZ-GH V2:  MX-?62g   |   KMAC2:   62g Tactile MX-Greys   |   LZ CLS s:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   X60:   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   GON NerD 60:  62g Old MX-Clears   |   Filco MJ2 (Beige) TKL's:  62g MX-Clears  &   62g Vintage MX-Blacks   |   IBM '91 SSK
                                
       
WTB/WTS/WTT ---->
More

Offline dante

  • Posts: 2553
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #24 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:07:39 »
So this coming out makes me assume that the keyboard should be release within the week right? Since usually NDA's drop around the same time as release dates.

The Chinese are not known to play by the rules.  :cool:


Cpt. BadAss said that the one that was at KeyCon didn't have that stupid rubber coating on it.

Yup, the board I tried at Keycon didn't have that coating.

I pray they don't add it to the final version.

No matter to me.  I have a set of blank Navy Leopold PBT waiting for this.

Offline jameslr

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 516
  • Location: Indiana
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #25 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:16:52 »
I'm not sure if this came across clearly but they mention a price at the end of the review and it's said to be 1399 Yuan which equates to about $225 USD. Doesn't seem right to me.

It seems their production costs were much greater than anticipated so they had to increase their price. Unfortunate, as this will likely lead to me not buying one. I would have happily paid $150-175, but $225 is too much.
CM Novatouch | Filco MJ2 TKL w/ HID Lib | REΛLFORCE 87U 55g | CM QFR

Offline CPTBadAss

  • Woke up like this
  • Posts: 14363
    • Tactile Zine
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #26 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:18:40 »
Are the other CM products in China priced different from the American market? In other words, does a QFR in China cost the same as a QFR in the USA? That could be another reason for the different pricing. Perhaps there's cost built in for the exchange rate and shipping.



The CM rep at Keycon was asking for price points people were willing to pay but I didn't get an actual price from him. I really hope people were saying under $200 to him.

Offline jameslr

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 516
  • Location: Indiana
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #27 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:26:03 »
The same review site did a review on the QuickFire Ultimate and they listed the price at 500 Yuan (~$80 USD). That's cheaper than we can get a QF Ultimate for sure ($109 + shipping at Newegg). This doesn't bode well for pricing. I think they're looking at the $250 mark.
CM Novatouch | Filco MJ2 TKL w/ HID Lib | REΛLFORCE 87U 55g | CM QFR

Offline HoffmanMyster

  • HOFF, smol MAN OF MYSTERY
  • * Senior Moderator
  • Posts: 11450
  • Location: WI
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #28 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:29:41 »
The CM rep at Keycon was asking for price points people were willing to pay but I didn't get an actual price from him. I really hope people were saying under $200 to him.

I said I didn't want to pay more than $160.  As much as this is a totally unique board, at this point it's almost a novelty for me.  The only benefit is that I can use my keycaps on a topre board - which is awesome - but I'm not willing to pay quite that much for that novelty at this point.


As for calling them 'Topre' switches, I asked the rep at KeyCon about that and he more or less said that they are Topre switches but they aren't calling them Topre for whatever reason due to marketing (not exactly sure of the reasoning though).

Offline Xowie

  • Posts: 499
  • On Sabbatical
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #29 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:30:59 »
The same review site did a review on the QuickFire Ultimate and they listed the price at 500 Yuan (~$80 USD). That's cheaper than we can get a QF Ultimate for sure ($109 + shipping at Newegg). This doesn't bode well for pricing. I think they're looking at the $250 mark.
That would be really unfortunate. Right now my next purchase is a tie between novatouch and 55g realforce. Cost might be the deciding factor.
RETIRED

Offline jameslr

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 516
  • Location: Indiana
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #30 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:32:36 »
Slightly off-topic but this site also has a review of the GH60. Apparently the guy that created the review is a Geekhacker.

http://www.weistang.com/article-909-1.html
CM Novatouch | Filco MJ2 TKL w/ HID Lib | REΛLFORCE 87U 55g | CM QFR

Offline SpAmRaY

  • NOT a Moderator
  • * Certified Spammer
  • Posts: 14667
  • Location: ¯\(°_o)/¯
  • because reasons.......
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #31 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 08:46:38 »
Slightly off-topic but this site also has a review of the GH60. Apparently the guy that created the review is a Geekhacker.

http://www.weistang.com/article-909-1.html

A fully backlit GH60 at that. Doesn't mean the guy is a geekhacker, there are lots of GH60's as well as redesigned GHPads floating around the world.

Offline SSIPAK

  • * Maker
  • Posts: 449
  • ★ Bootlegcaps ★
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #32 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 11:21:29 »
Cant wait to swap out these purple sliders ♡

Offline Dyslexic

  • Posts: 160
  • Location: Canada
  • All we love we leave behind
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #33 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 11:53:37 »
Cant wait to swap out these purple sliders ♡

I was considering buying one to harvest the stems for my secondary (pad printed) FC660C, but at an estimated price tag of $225-250, it can't possibly be worth it. Looks like I'll be buying shapeway stems from Matt3o for a much more reasonable cost and just changing the modifiers.
| HHKB Type-S | FC660C Silenced | ReΛlforce 23UB

Offline Flyersfan1

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 1209
  • Location: Philadelphia
  • Hi!
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #34 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 12:30:12 »
It's really unfortunate that the alleged unexpected production costs are going to cause this keyboard to spike in price to a point where a lot of people(including myself) would opt out of buying.  It might be especially difficult to entice gamers and a broader market share about a relatively unknown switch at that price tag.  It will be up against tough competition as well with Corsair's line of RGB keyboard going public pretty soon.  I'm hoping that maybe down the line the price will come down a little bit, because I think this keyboard has a ton of potential to be a real winner!
Quote from: Photekq
i know people who think salt is spicy

Offline bueller

  • MX baller
  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 3769
  • Location: Perth, Australia
  • Church of the Ergo Clear
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #35 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 12:39:00 »
I was always skeptical about the $150 price tag, seemed way too cheap considering the other Topre options on the market. Which brings me to my next point - considering this is still cheaper than the HHKB, has a more common layout AND mx sliders something tells me they won't have any trouble selling them.
It's a good width!  If it's half-width it's too narrow, and full-width is too wide. 

[WTT] bueller's trade thread - CLACKS WANTED

Offline HoffmanMyster

  • HOFF, smol MAN OF MYSTERY
  • * Senior Moderator
  • Posts: 11450
  • Location: WI
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #36 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 12:42:57 »
I was always skeptical about the $150 price tag, seemed way too cheap considering the other Topre options on the market. Which brings me to my next point - considering this is still cheaper than the HHKB, has a more common layout AND mx sliders something tells me they won't have any trouble selling them.

I think you're right.  But for me the layout of the HHKB is a huge advantage, so I would need a pretty nice price point to convince me to use this instead.  But I do absolutely agree with you for the average user, and the average CM customer.  And I suppose this would make a reasonable Realforce replacement, so there's that too.

Offline exitfire401

  • * Global Moderator
  • Posts: 2969
  • Location: United States
  • The Force is Re/\l
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #37 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 12:44:30 »
I was always skeptical about the $150 price tag, seemed way too cheap considering the other Topre options on the market. Which brings me to my next point - considering this is still cheaper than the HHKB, has a more common layout AND mx sliders something tells me they won't have any trouble selling them.

I think you're right.  But for me the layout of the HHKB is a huge advantage, so I would need a pretty nice price point to convince me to use this instead.  But I do absolutely agree with you for the average user, and the average CM customer.  And I suppose this would make a reasonable Realforce replacement, so there's that too.

The only problem I have with it right now is that the cable placement is much further from the top than the Realforce, making this absolutely useless to me. I'll be swapping the sliders with a RF 55g so that I can still use my digilog case.
Boards: Kingsaver Complicated Blue Alps |Sprit 60% Transparent MX Clears in Gateron housings with 62g gold Sprit springs lubed and RGB color shifting LEDs | Ducky Shine Zone MX Black with Blue LEDs | Realforce 10AE Variable Silenced

B/S/T thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55351.0

Past projects: KBT Race 2 L.E.
Past Boards: Ducky Shine 2 | KBT Pure | LZ Aluminum Skin| HHKB | Realforce 23u |

Offline vivalarevolución

  • Posts: 2146
  • Location: Naptown, Indiana, USA
  • Keep it real b/c any other way is too stressful
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #38 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 13:35:34 »
Price, shmice.   Businesses gotta make money for taking the risk to create a product.  Even if this thing goes for $250, I predict keycap/Topre nerds the world over will scoop this thing up like a bowl of cookie dough ice cream at a baby (fetus?) shower.
Wish I had some gif or quote for this space, but I got nothing

Offline Dyslexic

  • Posts: 160
  • Location: Canada
  • All we love we leave behind
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #39 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 13:35:43 »
I was always skeptical about the $150 price tag, seemed way too cheap considering the other Topre options on the market. Which brings me to my next point - considering this is still cheaper than the HHKB, has a more common layout AND mx sliders something tells me they won't have any trouble selling them.

I'm not as convinced, honestly. The current >$200 topre boards have a certain air of prestige and quality about them whereas Coolermaster are still perceived by most people to make good products, but not top tier products. People who are interested in 60% boards (FC660C and HHKB) won't see this as a viable alternative, which leaves the 87U as the sole TKL competitor. As it stands now, I can snag a Realforce 87U on NCIX.com for $185 CDN (roughly $172 USD) when I wait for a sale, so I'm not convinced people who are buying topre boards will settle for Coolermaster's product at a significant premium just to be able to put custom keycaps on their boards (which, given the keycap quality on the stock Novatouch means you're already above $300 factoring in a keyset of similar or better quality to the 87U which is stock PBT). While appealing, I'd still rather own the FC660C, HHKB or 87U over the CM Novatouch at a $225 price point.
« Last Edit: Mon, 21 July 2014, 13:43:15 by Dyslexic »
| HHKB Type-S | FC660C Silenced | ReΛlforce 23UB

Offline awong

  • Posts: 84
  • ★★★★★★★★★★★★
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #40 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 13:38:40 »
Can keyboard fit in Tex TKL case?

Offline osi

  • Posts: 964
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #41 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 16:10:34 »
Nice pics!

Offline fuzzybaffy

  • Posts: 553
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #42 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 20:08:20 »
Whether the pricing is justified or not is going to depend all on the keycaps they come with.

When people see the RF 87U/HHKB Pro $200+ prices, they scoff at them, without realizing they come with dye-sub PBT caps, which sell for $100 separately for MX switches. That's when you realize nearly half the price going into a RF/HHKB Pro board is for the dye-sub PBTs they come with, and that's when you realize they're not as much of a rip-off as most people say they are (a Filco MX board, plus a set of dye-sub PBTs will cost around $250).

So... will the Novatouch come with dye-sub PBTs? If so, the price is justified (IMO). If they come with the usual OEM ABT caps, however, yea... I'd agree the supposed $200+ price-tag is a rip-off.
« Last Edit: Mon, 21 July 2014, 20:14:30 by fuzzybaffy »

Offline Xowie

  • Posts: 499
  • On Sabbatical
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #43 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 20:31:54 »
Whether the pricing is justified or not is going to depend all on the keycaps they come with.

When people see the RF 87U/HHKB Pro $200+ prices, they scoff at them, without realizing they come with dye-sub PBT caps, which sell for $100 separately for MX switches. That's when you realize nearly half the price going into a RF/HHKB Pro board is for the dye-sub PBTs they come with, and that's when you realize they're not as much of a rip-off as most people say they are (a Filco MX board, plus a set of dye-sub PBTs will cost around $250).

So... will the Novatouch come with dye-sub PBTs? If so, the price is justified (IMO). If they come with the usual OEM ABT caps, however, yea... I'd agree the supposed $200+ price-tag is a rip-off.
I basically agree. If the stems can be transplanted into an HHKB (or realforce) than that will also be a factor.
RETIRED

Offline nubbinator

  • Dabbler Supreme
  • * Maker
  • Posts: 8658
  • Location: Orange County, CA
  • Model M "connoisseur"
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #44 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 20:48:09 »
I'm not sure if this came across clearly but they mention a price at the end of the review and it's said to be 1399 Yuan which equates to about $225 USD. Doesn't seem right to me.

It seems their production costs were much greater than anticipated so they had to increase their price. Unfortunate, as this will likely lead to me not buying one. I would have happily paid $150-175, but $225 is too much.

Last I heard from someone I know is that it was supposed to be over $150 and under $200...we'll see where it lands.  Hopefully closer to the $150 point, especially with pad printed thin ABS caps.

Offline strict

  • TKL Zealot
  • Posts: 1921
  • Location: PA
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #45 on: Mon, 21 July 2014, 21:40:20 »
That would be really unfortunate. Right now my next purchase is a tie between novatouch and 55g realforce. Cost might be the deciding factor.

I'm in the exact same spot. I'm anxious to try a TKL Topre and I was fairly set on 55g domes. If the Novatouch were $150-ish I would be willing compromise on dome weight, but not when I can get a 55g Realforce for cheaper. $200+ for 45g domes is a no go for me, regardless of key cap compatibility. The only thing I have against the Realforce is the ABS spacebar.

Realforce EK45 (Silenced)  |  Realforce 87UW (45g)  |  Realforce 87UWS (Variable)
Filco MJ2 TKL (Cherry Clears)  |  Phantom 87 (78g Gateron Clears)  |  Phantom 86 (67g Zealios)


Offline dante

  • Posts: 2553
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #46 on: Tue, 22 July 2014, 12:17:07 »
Most of you predict $150-$250; I will make a bold prediction of closer to $129.99.

Offline SpAmRaY

  • NOT a Moderator
  • * Certified Spammer
  • Posts: 14667
  • Location: ¯\(°_o)/¯
  • because reasons.......
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #47 on: Tue, 22 July 2014, 12:22:12 »
Most of you predict $150-$250; I will make a bold prediction of closer to $129.99.



Offline minho

  • Posts: 490
  • Location: United States
  • i'm kind of back
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #48 on: Tue, 22 July 2014, 13:34:20 »
Most of you predict $150-$250; I will make a bold prediction of closer to $129.99.

FTFY.

Offline Zeal

  • Actually the King of Green Tea Kit-Kats
  • * Vendor
  • Posts: 2798
  • Location: BC, Canada
    • Zeal Generation Inc.
Re: CM Storm Novatouch Review and Teardown in Chinese
« Reply #49 on: Tue, 22 July 2014, 14:44:57 »
Most of you predict $150-$250; I will make a bold prediction of closer to $129.99.

Dat inside source yo. :))
        "Bird have wing, bird will fly. Henry had wings.  Henry now fly." -Sent