I think for now, V1 will be a USB-C adapter (like the Norbatouch), and the case. We can go hard with V2 
I know I've discussed this with you at some length, but just to emphasize my excitement - I'm absolutely down for V1!!! ESPECIALLY if it is plate-compatible with the Realforce 87U and 86U PCBs. I'd also pick up a few extra plates to replace some of my rusted ones (yes, Realforce plates rust after only a few years - my dream would be a nice PVD-coated bronze mirror or colorful anodized aluminum plate option with the same tight tolerances and thickness of the original). Since the XRF will be the first Realforce case to include a custom plate, you will also get a lot of interest in your plates from buyers of the Norbaforce and TGR-Zooey as well, assuming the plate will maintain the stock dimensions for compatible mounting. I suspect that, for this and other reasons, the plate
by itself will already be a popular product even for users who just want to upgrade their stock Realforce. Throw in the awesomeness of the XRF design and you will have an absolutely killer groupbuy - potential to be the groupbuy of the year which is saying a lot since 2018 is turning out to be insane for this hobby.
Plate cutouts/options for MX stabilizers would also solve the only remaining issue with stem-swapping to MX. After extensive testing with JTK, Novatouch, Adapter-X, Plum87, and Realforce RGB MX slider swaps, I've found that the Realforce RGB stabs are the best solution for stabilizing MX keys on Topre, but that requires cut-outs in the plate for the stabs to attach to. Cherry plate-mount stabs interfere with Topre housings (the part under the plate) and they were designed to work with a different plate thickness than the Realforce. Costar stabs should have the same issue but may be more compatible (indeed, the Plum87 clone uses what appears to be plate-mounted costar stabs but I suspect it isn't that easy to port this design to the Realforce nor is it as functional or quiet as the under-plate RGB stabs designed by Topre). Novatouch stem swaps/housing swaps also work well for some, but GMK keys will slam into the housings on the Enter/Shift/Backspace keys causing a plastic-on-plastic clacking sound, although this can be fixed by filing/shaving down the Novatouch housing (or just using a regular Realforce housing and drilling holes in it, ugly buy effective). SA keys are even worse with the Novatouch - they don't hit the housing like GMK but some of the unstabalized larger keys can completely pop off just with regular typing because they are only attached on one of their three stems and the fit tolerances aren't always tight. I've had to use cling wrap/saran wrap on the sliders to keep SA keys seated on the right shift, for example. Similar issues have been posted on Geekhack and deskthority with SA keys. MX stabilizers would solve all of these issues.
The only challenge with MX stab support is that you would need to include a 7u (86U) and/or 6u (87U) custom stabilizer wire with the plate, as the stock Realforce RGB spacebar wire is 6.25u wide which isn't compatible with either the 87U or 86U PCB. If given the option, the 86U + 7u wire would be my preference for proper Tsangan support and SA set compatibility (not to mention winkeyless), but the 87U + 6u wire would work with most popular GMK sets now that they come with 6u center-stem spacebars. Ideally both options would be available on one plate but that will depend on the plate design and if the various options interfere with each other or not (options being one or more of either 86U Topre, 86U MX, 87U Topre, and/or 87U MX). The tricky design part is that MX stabs all work with with 1u Topre housings, but users who will not be using MX but who stick with Topre or HiPro keys will still need support for the larger 2u housings on the Backspace, Enter, and Shift keys of both 86U and 87U (the odd 1.5u housing on the 86U Caps Lock can just be easily replaced with a 1u housing as it accomplishes nothing). The design challenge is to see if all of this can be done with a universal plate, a modular plate, or with two or more different plate options. I have faith though that a solution is workable, though there is some trickiness (87U has holes for LEDs and a badly designed left control housing, both issues which are not present on the 86U). I also haven't even mentioned (on purpose) the 89U/91U JIS or 88U ISO layouts which are much less popular but which likely have a small but vocal following. I believe that 99% of Geekhack users would be satisfied with 86U/87U coverage. There will always be that one weeb with a Nissho keyset who will be vocal about supporting the JIS layout and some viking from Norway who threatens to burn down your house if you don't support ISO.
So far I haven't found the need to reprogram any keys on the Realforce, so I'm fine for the V1 to not be programmable, but I understand that there are many who like Dvorak/Colemak or other unique layouts on a TKL and they will eventually want it. The V2 with a custom PCB would of course require the ability to custom program it and will be very interesting but it sounds like more R&D will be needed, as many have tried and failed on this route but I'm sure some brilliant PCB designer could figure it out.
I think that your plan is fantastic. I fully endorse going down the V1 route with a later V2 as a stretch effort. They have the potential to be very different products, as the V2 would give you complete freedom to do things people have long felt were impossible (HHKB case, for example). I also like that the XRF will benefit from many lessons learned on the earlier Noxary releases and the opportunity to do some custom anodes and cerakoting can really differentiate the product. For me, though, the opportunity to get the plate right is the biggest selling point and I'm hoping we'll be able to pick up extra plates for all those Realforce users out there who have issues with rusting or issues with converting to MX in a way that is
truly satisfying. Even a die-hard MX aficionado will tell you that the best MX tactile switch will never compare to the tactility of BKE Topre. We just need to bridge that last gap that is the plate and the stabilized key support for MX compatibility so folks can use their custom keysets without compromising. It would also be awesome if the plate was available in PVD (if brass) or in various anodes (if aluminum) to enable custom a e s t h e t i c s. The challenge there is getting the tolerances perfect so that the Realforce slider housings are tight-fitting to the plate. Too thin and users complain of a "rattly" and wobbly feeling like the stock Novatouch. Too thick and housings won't attach/sit properly.
Anyways, keep up the amazing work. Despite my enthusiasm for the more technical aspects of the design and compatibility, the form factor and overall design of the XRF case itself is truly beautiful. This is a great time to be a Topre fan. We've been waiting a very, very long time for custom groupbuys to show Topre some love. Lets make 2018 the year that Topre fans rejoice.
