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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: missalaire on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:14:16

Title: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: missalaire on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:14:16
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-storm-novatouch-tkl-premium-keyboard-with-hybrid-capacitive-switches/

Use coupon code Survey10 for 10% off, thanks intelli78.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: intelli78 on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:20:48
Well, that was anti-climactic, but great! Ordered!

I was able to use coupon code Survey10 for 10% off  :)
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: exitfire401 on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:22:06
DAMMIT!!!! I can't order one now =( Good eye though!
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: dante on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:23:49
DAMMIT!!!! I can't order one now =( Good eye though!

With a little patience I'm sure there will be some deals around Black Friday.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: divito on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:24:35
Unemployment strikes again.

However, I'd like to wait for Topre users to decide how it feels compared to the originals before I consider a purchase in the future once my situation fixes itself.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: exitfire401 on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:28:48
DAMMIT!!!! I can't order one now =( Good eye though!

With a little patience I'm sure there will be some deals around Black Friday.

Not that I don't have the money, just that I'm saving the money for something else right now. I really want one, and I'll get one eventually.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: HPE1000 on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:30:57
Honestly disappointed, delayed like crazy and it costs quite a lot more than what was expected.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: ComradeSniper on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:34:31
Wooooooooah what

This kinda came out of nowhere
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:35:04
Looking forward to a review.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:36:53
now i can stop caring

woooooo
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: strict on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:38:33
This is going to be a hard sell at this price point. Speaking purely for my own view, I would rather spend the extra $15 and get the 55g Realforce.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: FrostyToast on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:39:39
I honestly didn't that the price would be $200. I thought that it would be around $160.
I mean, which of CoolerMaster's target audience is going to actually believe in buying a $200 keyboard? (not including us hipsters  :p )
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Lingj on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:49:06
Tried the NovaTouch out at Keycon and it was my first Topre experience. I tried the other topre boards there as well (Realforce 45g, 55g, HHKB) and the NovaTouch definitely competes well against other topre boards. The mx stems are a big plus for me. Aren't most Topre boards $200~ minus the Type Heaven? I would have liked it to be a little cheaper but I don't feel like I'm overpaying for it.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Tue, 12 August 2014, 20:57:10
Keep in mind that's CM store price too. It will likely show up on Amazon and the usual channels for 15% less shipped free. It'll probably hang out around $180 which in my opinion is a pretty decent deal.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:22:00
Tried the NovaTouch out at Keycon and it was my first Topre experience. I tried the other topre boards there as well (Realforce 45g, 55g, HHKB) and the NovaTouch definitely competes well against other topre boards. The mx stems are a big plus for me. Aren't most Topre boards $200~ minus the Type Heaven? I would have liked it to be a little cheaper but I don't feel like I'm overpaying for it.

Yeah, but other boards (other than the Heaven) have PBT caps, not cheap, thin, pad-printed ABS.  It's a hard sale with the looks and caps at $200 to me.  It needed to have a more simple case and either higher quality caps or a lower price tag.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Sniping on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:26:02
Tried the NovaTouch out at Keycon and it was my first Topre experience. I tried the other topre boards there as well (Realforce 45g, 55g, HHKB) and the NovaTouch definitely competes well against other topre boards. The mx stems are a big plus for me. Aren't most Topre boards $200~ minus the Type Heaven? I would have liked it to be a little cheaper but I don't feel like I'm overpaying for it.

Yeah, but other boards (other than the Heaven) have PBT caps, not cheap, thin, pad-printed ABS.  It's a hard sale with the looks and caps at $200 to me.  It needed to have a more simple case and either higher quality caps or a lower price tag.

Factor in the cost of blank colored PBT keycaps and you'll find that the Novatouch is a lot cheaper than competition. The 10% off coupon will also shave off a bit of the cost.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:35:32
Tried the NovaTouch out at Keycon and it was my first Topre experience. I tried the other topre boards there as well (Realforce 45g, 55g, HHKB) and the NovaTouch definitely competes well against other topre boards. The mx stems are a big plus for me. Aren't most Topre boards $200~ minus the Type Heaven? I would have liked it to be a little cheaper but I don't feel like I'm overpaying for it.

Yeah, but other boards (other than the Heaven) have PBT caps, not cheap, thin, pad-printed ABS.  It's a hard sale with the looks and caps at $200 to me.  It needed to have a more simple case and either higher quality caps or a lower price tag.

Factor in the cost of blank colored PBT keycaps and you'll find that the Novatouch is a lot cheaper than competition. The 10% off coupon will also shave off a bit of the cost.

A realforce is $200, $230 for silent version

technically, I got mine (with the pink keycaps) for a little more than $175.

and it has PBT caps, which is more than I can say about the novatouch

but muh cherry compatibility

Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:43:10
I think that they are going to have a hard time selling this to the average consumer, which is generally what coolermaster aims for. It is strange to see them come in at this price point knowing that it will take a very specific person to buy it. If I were to bet, this keyboard goes down in price significantly once they realize how niche a market they have willing to buy $200 worth of novelty keyboard.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:47:36
Tried the NovaTouch out at Keycon and it was my first Topre experience. I tried the other topre boards there as well (Realforce 45g, 55g, HHKB) and the NovaTouch definitely competes well against other topre boards. The mx stems are a big plus for me. Aren't most Topre boards $200~ minus the Type Heaven? I would have liked it to be a little cheaper but I don't feel like I'm overpaying for it.

Yeah, but other boards (other than the Heaven) have PBT caps, not cheap, thin, pad-printed ABS.  It's a hard sale with the looks and caps at $200 to me.  It needed to have a more simple case and either higher quality caps or a lower price tag.

Factor in the cost of blank colored PBT keycaps and you'll find that the Novatouch is a lot cheaper than competition. The 10% off coupon will also shave off a bit of the cost.

Do you have to buy blank PBT caps?  Nope.  You get a nice set of PBT caps stock with the HHKB or a Realforce. 

The Realforce 87u is $210 shipped on Amazon or $190-200 + shipping on EK.  The Novatouch is $200 - $20 coupon + shipping, pretty much the same cost. 

If you want alternate PBT sets, it will cost about $100-150 for a set of nice thick PBT caps for either.  It's not really any cheaper than any other Topre boards out there, it just has the MX stems.  They're cool, but not $50 (closer to $70-80 with shipping) more than a Type Heaven cool nor more expensive than an 87u cool, not with the case and caps.


Now if it drops to $150 or so, I may pick one up and join the Topre dark side.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:48:02
They should have partnered with tai hao and had multiple cap choices at this price.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:48:22
Novelty keyboard? Seriously?

This board will sell just fine, you guys are crazy.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Zeal on Tue, 12 August 2014, 21:59:56
Was this a silent release?  :confused:
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:01:35
Novelty keyboard? Seriously?

This board will sell just fine, you guys are crazy.

When you consider that if you were going for pure functionality, durability, build, and other objective measures, this keyboard wouldn't stack up to something like a Realforce, yes this is a novelty.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: steve.v on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:04:45
For that much just cause it can take cherry mx keys? No thx, prefer a HHKB, better quality.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:05:04
Novelty keyboard? Seriously?

This board will sell just fine, you guys are crazy.

When you consider that if you were going for pure functionality, durability, build, and other objective measures, this keyboard wouldn't stack up to something like a Realforce, yes this is a novelty.

And you're basing this off what exactly? Only a select few have tried this board and they all said it compared very well.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:13:07
Novelty keyboard? Seriously?

This board will sell just fine, you guys are crazy.

When you consider that if you were going for pure functionality, durability, build, and other objective measures, this keyboard wouldn't stack up to something like a Realforce, yes this is a novelty.

And you're basing this off what exactly? Only a select few have tried this board and they all said it compared very well.

Im basing it off the fact that it has no pbt keycaps, has a rubberized finish and will almost certainly not have built in n-key rollover like the Realfoce keyboards. Now although some of that is speculation, the fact that they would attempt to sell a keyboard at $200 when all of their competition has the awareness and attention to detail to at least include a set of high quality keycaps shows the trend which will undoubtedly perpetuation through the rest of the design.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: HPE1000 on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:15:15
Novelty keyboard? Seriously?

This board will sell just fine, you guys are crazy.

When you consider that if you were going for pure functionality, durability, build, and other objective measures, this keyboard wouldn't stack up to something like a Realforce, yes this is a novelty.

And you're basing this off what exactly? Only a select few have tried this board and they all said it compared very well.

Im basing it off the fact that it has no pbt keycaps, has a rubberized finish and will almost certainly not have built in n-key rollover like the Realfoce keyboards. Now although some of that is speculation, the fact that they would attempt to sell a keyboard at $200 when all of their competition has the awareness and attention to detail to at least include a set of high quality keycaps shows the trend which will undoubtedly perpetuation through the rest of the design.
It has NKRO over USB, the realforce does not have NKRO so not sure where you are getting that from. Anyway, I don't see how NKRO is a sign of durability or quality on a keyboard in the first place...
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:16:20
Im basing it off the fact that it has no pbt keycaps, has a rubberized finish and will almost certainly not have built in n-key rollover like the Realfoce keyboards. Now although some of that is speculation, the fact that they would attempt to sell a keyboard at $200 when all of their competition has the awareness and attention to detail to at least include a set of high quality keycaps shows the trend which will undoubtedly perpetuation through the rest of the design.

Latest reports say it's UV coated finish and not rubberized. It does have N-Key rollover. Realforce boards only have 6-key rollover. just sayin'
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:16:26
Guys the fact of the matter is we can now use all our glorious GMK doubleshots with topre switches.

Maybe someone should write an article about it.  ::)
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:19:13
Novelty keyboard? Seriously?

This board will sell just fine, you guys are crazy.

When you consider that if you were going for pure functionality, durability, build, and other objective measures, this keyboard wouldn't stack up to something like a Realforce, yes this is a novelty.

And you're basing this off what exactly? Only a select few have tried this board and they all said it compared very well.

Im basing it off the fact that it has no pbt keycaps, has a rubberized finish and will almost certainly not have built in n-key rollover like the Realfoce keyboards. Now although some of that is speculation, the fact that they would attempt to sell a keyboard at $200 when all of their competition has the awareness and attention to detail to at least include a set of high quality keycaps shows the trend which will undoubtedly perpetuation through the rest of the design.

The competition supplies a PBT set, we get it. Do they supply MX stems? No. If you're happy with stock caps then you're not the target audience.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:20:24
Guys the fact of the matter is we can now use all our glorious GMK doubleshots with topre switches.

Maybe someone should write an article about it.  ::)

This. Watch people change their tune when they see a Dolch set or some nice dyesubs loaded up on this puppy.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:21:27
Im basing it off the fact that it has no pbt keycaps, has a rubberized finish and will almost certainly not have built in n-key rollover like the Realfoce keyboards. Now although some of that is speculation, the fact that they would attempt to sell a keyboard at $200 when all of their competition has the awareness and attention to detail to at least include a set of high quality keycaps shows the trend which will undoubtedly perpetuation through the rest of the design.

Latest reports say it's UV coated finish and not rubberized. It does have N-Key rollover. Realforce boards only have 6-key rollover. just sayin'

Look, I don't claim to know all the details, but when it comes down to spending hard earned money, I ought to be impressed, and frankly this release at this price didnt do it for me.

I agree that a review is in order before a final evaluation, but certainly at face value it doesn't seem appealing.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: HPE1000 on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:24:05
Maybe check the facts before posting, instead of wild speculation, a lot of info is available about this board by now. I think the only flaky thing is about which coating it is going to have, if any, since CM couldn't seem to decide on what to use.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: ComradeSniper on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:26:08
I'll be buying one just to try it out at some point but I do agree that the price makes this a pretty tough sell.

I really wish they'd release a version without keycaps for $10-$20 less, since most people who would be willing to shell out $200 for this would probably be planning on replacing the stock keycaps anyway.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: nobee on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:38:33
Are they even ready to sell this thing? For reals? The description says "Type a description for this product here..."
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 12 August 2014, 22:46:22
Someone checked the wrong box.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: alosec on Tue, 12 August 2014, 23:00:00
big bummer on that price tag.... oh well CM storm
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: divito on Tue, 12 August 2014, 23:02:53
Normal Topre boards need to provide better quality caps because they have no replacement and customization options.

I kind of look at it like the Poker; it also comes with PBT caps, and yet I'd say a fairly high percentage utilize non-stock caps with their Pokers. Sure, the out-of-the-box option of higher quality caps is nice, but practicality dictates that it's not the best business decision.

Cooler Master, knowing that MX-compatible Topre switches are going to evoke people utilizing their already purchased sets and novelty caps with their board probably didn't want to add to the expense for something that would be essentially useless and re-packed.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 12 August 2014, 23:03:55
Normal Topre boards need to provide better quality caps because they have no replacement and customization options.

I kind of look at it like the Poker; it also comes with PBT caps, and yet I'd say a fairly high percentage utilize non-stock caps with their Pokers. Sure, the out-of-the-box option of higher quality caps is nice, but practicality dictates that it's not the best business decision.

Cooler Master, knowing that MX-compatible Topre switches are going to evoke people utilizing their already purchased sets and novelty caps with their board probably didn't want to add to the expense for something that would be essentially useless and re-packed.

Then sell a discounted version without caps.  Don't half-ass on quality because you think people will swap the caps out.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: divito on Tue, 12 August 2014, 23:06:12
Then sell a discounted version without caps.  Don't half-ass on quality because you think people will swap the caps out.

True, even that would be a good option.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: davkol on Wed, 13 August 2014, 03:32:59
People demanded some keycapless Costar keyboards (was it MJ2? or QFR?) before, but it wasn't possible, because them OEM (not vendor) didn't allow it. This could be the same case.

I'm curious about the EU price, but it isn't difficult to compete with Keyboard Company's £200 realforces anyway.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SSIPAK on Wed, 13 August 2014, 03:53:11
Just like any other CM products, I will just wait for their price reduction :)
I can't believe they are finally releasing this product.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Lammie on Wed, 13 August 2014, 03:57:23
Oh wow finally!
Took ages.
Didn't expect the high price point either.
Just got my 55g Realforce on Monday - BLiss!
So, no novatouch for me.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Mooby on Wed, 13 August 2014, 04:28:24
Let's see what pricetag this will have in europe. If they don't go overboard with the usual euro surcharge, the novatouch will make me think twice if I want to pay the crazy price they charge for a realforce here.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Grim Fandango on Wed, 13 August 2014, 04:39:10
And directly with a coupon code. Great, as always missalaire.

Some random observations.

-At $200, this is the same price as the Realforce 87U. The RF comes with (dye sub) PBT caps and not pad printed ABS. If you wanted to add those to the novatouch, it will end up being a fair bit more expensive.
-They ended up going for the rubberized coating on the case.
-I see that they intentionally keep from selling this a "Topre" keyboard and leave that word/brand out of the description.
-Too bad there is no numpad layer on there.
-It ended up having no visible branding on the case whatsoever, which is surprising. Though CM has been making their cases cleaner.

Have to say that it does look good. The rubberized coating is a bummer though, and the thing I like least about the keyboard so far. For people who love topre and love customization this is like a dream come true.

Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Kmynis on Wed, 13 August 2014, 04:44:33
I want to see how the quality compares to the RF. If the quality is equal, I still find it a better choice just for the mx compatibility(RF case is ugly too). That's the whole point of this board-- topre switches with mx keycaps.

Also- lol @ people who thought this would be some 60 bucks board simply because it's a CM.

Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Grim Fandango on Wed, 13 August 2014, 04:47:34
I want to see how the quality compares to the RF. If the quality is equal, I still find it a better choice just for the mx compatibility(RF case is ugly too). That's the whole point of this board-- topre switches with mx keycaps.

Also- lol @ people who thought this would be some 60 bucks board simply because it's a CM.

I like the RF case. One thing people never mention about it is that it is low profile, and with its rounded edges, it has a kind of sleek look to it that you do not often find in these kind of keyboards. This is something that is more obvious when you have it sitting on the desk next to a Filco than when looking at it on a picture.  But of course, some people may enjoy the more traditional "boxy" look that you find in many MX and Topre keyboards.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Mooby on Wed, 13 August 2014, 05:03:06
Wasn't the case supposed to be changed to UV-coating?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Lammie on Wed, 13 August 2014, 06:53:39
I agree with the low profile RF keyboards come in.
A bit more comfortable, even without keyboard palm rest. Also I like the round/organic design, nothing wrong with boxy ones though.
Also have the Leopold FC660C, and this one, I find a bit too high in the front, especially without palm rest.

Gotta have PBT for sure in this price point. Unless, the novatouch case was a bit more distinctive, I would ever consider buying.

Like the emblem 'REALFORCE' very very much!  :D
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: absyrd on Wed, 13 August 2014, 06:55:06
So... now that they are here and after all the hype... who is ACTUALLY buying one from this forum???
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Grim Fandango on Wed, 13 August 2014, 07:09:35
So... now that they are here and after all the hype... who is ACTUALLY buying one from this forum???

Even though this is the price I was expecting, I was hoping for it to be a little less expensive. Not because I think it is not worth the price, but because I would have liked to have seen a very competitively priced Topre keyboard (we have already seen CM make very good Cherry MX keyboards that were relatively inexpensive).

On the other hand. You could also argue that it is priced similarly to other Topre keyboards, without demanding a premium for that unique feature it has. Still wont spend that much on a keyboard without getting some more feedback about its quality.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: dante on Wed, 13 August 2014, 07:22:20
So... now that they are here and after all the hype... who is ACTUALLY buying one from this forum???

I will buy one once Ivan's potential POM keycap gb meets MOQ.

I'm already budgeting for two of Matias 60% boards; no desire to pick up a NovaTouch unless I can get those POM POM's.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: osi on Wed, 13 August 2014, 07:24:06
So... now that they are here and after all the hype... who is ACTUALLY buying one from this forum???

Not me --- at least not just yet. I'll wait for the reviews to roll in!
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: AKIMbO on Wed, 13 August 2014, 07:35:38
So... now that they are here and after all the hype... who is ACTUALLY buying one from this forum???
I am for sure....will be having it delivered to my new address in a few weeks. I'll do a comparison bw it and my other topre boards after I've had a good amount of time on the novatouch.

Also...lol at everyone complaining.  Newly designed topre boards are few and far between. In fact, the 660c was the only real majorly redesigned topre board to come out in the last few years.  Innovation is a good thing and the novatouch truly is an innovation in topre boards.  Innovation doesnt come cheaply and the price of being an early adopter is high. If you think the novatouch is priced too high then find another commensurate topre board to buy....o wait...but those mx sliders.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Wed, 13 August 2014, 07:41:23
I'll have to wait until my wallet heals from the severe hacking it got from the Duck Eagle/Viper group buy.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: skuko on Wed, 13 August 2014, 07:54:28
any word on EU availability? :X
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Lurch on Wed, 13 August 2014, 08:32:02
Thanks for posting AND including a coupon code! :thumb:

This looks awesome. I am drooling thinking about how my GMK Dolch set will look on there, or if I swap the sliders to my RF 55g :eek:. It is only a matter of time before I grab one. :p
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Wed, 13 August 2014, 08:34:43
Thanks for posting AND including a coupon code! :thumb:

This looks awesome. I am drooling thinking about how my GMK Dolch set will look on there, or if I swap the sliders to my RF 55g :eek:. It is only a matter of time before I grab one. :p

In the event you swap the sliders to your RF, where will you get a 6x spacebar?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Demetrium on Wed, 13 August 2014, 08:42:25
So... now that they are here and after all the hype... who is ACTUALLY buying one from this forum???

Still on the fence myself...pretty tempted though.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Lurch on Wed, 13 August 2014, 08:47:27
Thanks for posting AND including a coupon code! :thumb:

This looks awesome. I am drooling thinking about how my GMK Dolch set will look on there, or if I swap the sliders to my RF 55g :eek:. It is only a matter of time before I grab one. :p

In the event you swap the sliders to your RF, where will you get a 6x spacebar?

Not certain. I can always leave a topre slider with the stock black spacebar. Should still look nice with the Dolch.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: vivalarevolución on Wed, 13 August 2014, 08:53:35
Cherry MX stem compatibility, boys.  The keycaps nerds will buy this up, no problem.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:02:18
Honest opinion here:

I believe the board has a lot of potential for someone who deeply wants to pimp it out. But with such a high price tag i believe the board starts with an handicap. Stock, you get a "cheap" Topre experience for the price of a normal one.

Even with the great lightning options presented in videos, which are flashy yet pretty useless things, or even stupidly for careless users (read here, if you have that "when i press a key it stays light up for 2 seconds then fade away" option, whenever you type in a password you are blatantly unconciously exposing it to anyone near you), you still get a cost saving "économie de bout de chandelle in french which would translate as "candle tip economy" but the expression might not be the same in english" board.

If the MX boards (not MX compatible but real MX boards) are on the same price tags, those are completly out of mind. Sorry, but that would mean they are not selling a Topre board at MX prices, but MX boards at Topre prices.

All in all :

After modification with it's potential unleashed, it should come out as better than other Topre experience. (300$ + option)

Without modification, this is a stupid purchase. For a stock board this is pretty fkin pathetic for 200$ lol
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: coreXeon on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:07:22
I'll wait for a 55g one.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: saturnotaku on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:26:03
If I weren't spoiled by silenced Topres, I would think more seriously about buying this. Great concept, though as far as the keycaps go.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: snipars on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:37:32
I'm not sure if everyone knows but if you want to order it from the site rather than waiting for it to get on amazon and whatnot, there's a code 'Survey10' that'll get you 10% off 
Does anyone know if it'll be available in ISO? I'm not too keen on the ANSI layout but i can definitely live with it
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: saturnotaku on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:39:41
I'm not sure if everyone knows but if you want to order it from the site rather than waiting for it to get on amazon and whatnot, there's a code 'Survey10' that'll get you 10% off

Already mentioned in the first two posts of this thread.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:41:21
I'm not sure if everyone knows but if you want to order it from the site rather than waiting for it to get on amazon and whatnot, there's a code 'Survey10' that'll get you 10% off 
Does anyone know if it'll be available in ISO? I'm not too keen on the ANSI layout but i can definitely live with it
Looking back at Matt3o's prototype photo, it looks like it will be.
(https://i.cloudup.com/BE_rYz4Tv5.jpg)
photo credit: Matt3o
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: snipars on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:43:15
I'm not sure if everyone knows but if you want to order it from the site rather than waiting for it to get on amazon and whatnot, there's a code 'Survey10' that'll get you 10% off

Already mentioned in the first two posts of this thread.
 
 
Oh yeah sorry i somehow missed that :(
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:47:40
Honest opinion here:

I believe the board has a lot of potential for someone who deeply wants to pimp it out. But with such a high price tag i believe the board starts with an handicap. Stock, you get a "cheap" Topre experience for the price of a normal one.

Even with the great lightning options presented in videos, which are flashy yet pretty useless things, or even stupidly for careless users (read here, if you have that "when i press a key it stays light up for 2 seconds then fade away" option, whenever you type in a password you are blatantly unconciously exposing it to anyone near you), you still get a cost saving "économie de bout de chandelle in french which would translate as "candle tip economy" but the expression might not be the same in english" board.

If the MX boards (not MX compatible but real MX boards) are on the same price tags, those are completly out of mind. Sorry, but that would mean they are not selling a Topre board at MX prices, but MX boards at Topre prices.

All in all :

After modification with it's potential unleashed, it should come out as better than other Topre experience. (300$ + option)

Without modification, this is a stupid purchase. For a stock board this is pretty fkin pathetic for 200$ lol

You realize this board has no LED's whatsoever right?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: snipars on Wed, 13 August 2014, 10:49:40
Any ideas as to when it'll be for sale anywhere other than the CM website?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: sacratoy on Wed, 13 August 2014, 11:11:19
Any ideas as to when it'll be for sale anywhere other than the CM website?

This was a soft launch, probably, due to how they just kinda opened the page with no further advertising.

This board was hyped pretty hard at PAX East this past spring. They may go for a harder marketing push during Prime this year.

For what they did at East: They had a pretty large booth area, and a good part of it was computers with Novatouch keyboards set up with typing games.

Also, if there are coupon codes at Prime, they may be pretty good discounts (20% sometimes). I'll probably make a post in 'off-topic' to share the coupon codes I collect at Prime.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: missalaire on Wed, 13 August 2014, 11:45:34
GG

(http://i.imgur.com/brQ6uON.jpg)
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 13 August 2014, 11:47:55
GG

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/brQ6uON.jpg)


Too bad those guys can't ever make time to post here.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: HPE1000 on Wed, 13 August 2014, 11:51:48
I wonder if the 200 is a place holder price that they put.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 13 August 2014, 11:54:07
I wonder if the 200 is a place holder price that they put.

I bet CM was 'testing the waters' :D
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: zah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 11:55:00
GG

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/brQ6uON.jpg)


Too bad those guys can't ever make time to post here.

Dang

I had ordered one too
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 12:05:58
Honest opinion here:

I believe the board has a lot of potential for someone who deeply wants to pimp it out. But with such a high price tag i believe the board starts with an handicap. Stock, you get a "cheap" Topre experience for the price of a normal one.

Even with the great lightning options presented in videos, which are flashy yet pretty useless things, or even stupidly for careless users (read here, if you have that "when i press a key it stays light up for 2 seconds then fade away" option, whenever you type in a password you are blatantly unconciously exposing it to anyone near you), you still get a cost saving "économie de bout de chandelle in french which would translate as "candle tip economy" but the expression might not be the same in english" board.

If the MX boards (not MX compatible but real MX boards) are on the same price tags, those are completly out of mind. Sorry, but that would mean they are not selling a Topre board at MX prices, but MX boards at Topre prices.

All in all :

After modification with it's potential unleashed, it should come out as better than other Topre experience. (300$ + option)

Without modification, this is a stupid purchase. For a stock board this is pretty fkin pathetic for 200$ lol

You realize this board has no LED's whatsoever right?

hahahahahahaha really?

But didn't they show some LED action in a video earlier on? I mean this is very sad if there's no LEDs at all... That was the whole point of the board BEFORE the MX stem compatibility, they mentionned it had an ARM chip inside the board making the backlite more versatile.

If there's no LED this is a serious scam for 200$. Get a Leopold 66 instead and you'll have a way better board IMO
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 13 August 2014, 12:12:29
Honest opinion here:

I believe the board has a lot of potential for someone who deeply wants to pimp it out. But with such a high price tag i believe the board starts with an handicap. Stock, you get a "cheap" Topre experience for the price of a normal one.

Even with the great lightning options presented in videos, which are flashy yet pretty useless things, or even stupidly for careless users (read here, if you have that "when i press a key it stays light up for 2 seconds then fade away" option, whenever you type in a password you are blatantly unconciously exposing it to anyone near you), you still get a cost saving "économie de bout de chandelle in french which would translate as "candle tip economy" but the expression might not be the same in english" board.

If the MX boards (not MX compatible but real MX boards) are on the same price tags, those are completly out of mind. Sorry, but that would mean they are not selling a Topre board at MX prices, but MX boards at Topre prices.

All in all :

After modification with it's potential unleashed, it should come out as better than other Topre experience. (300$ + option)

Without modification, this is a stupid purchase. For a stock board this is pretty fkin pathetic for 200$ lol

You realize this board has no LED's whatsoever right?

hahahahahahaha really?

But didn't they show some LED action in a video earlier on? I mean this is very sad if there's no LEDs at all... That was the whole point of the board BEFORE the MX stem compatibility, they mentionned it had an ARM chip inside the board making the backlite more versatile.

If there's no LED this is a serious scam for 200$. Get a Leopold 66 instead and you'll have a way better board IMO

I think you have the NovaTouch mixed up with the Rapid-I
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 13:18:06
Honest opinion here:

I believe the board has a lot of potential for someone who deeply wants to pimp it out. But with such a high price tag i believe the board starts with an handicap. Stock, you get a "cheap" Topre experience for the price of a normal one.

Even with the great lightning options presented in videos, which are flashy yet pretty useless things, or even stupidly for careless users (read here, if you have that "when i press a key it stays light up for 2 seconds then fade away" option, whenever you type in a password you are blatantly unconciously exposing it to anyone near you), you still get a cost saving "économie de bout de chandelle in french which would translate as "candle tip economy" but the expression might not be the same in english" board.

If the MX boards (not MX compatible but real MX boards) are on the same price tags, those are completly out of mind. Sorry, but that would mean they are not selling a Topre board at MX prices, but MX boards at Topre prices.

All in all :

After modification with it's potential unleashed, it should come out as better than other Topre experience. (300$ + option)

Without modification, this is a stupid purchase. For a stock board this is pretty fkin pathetic for 200$ lol

You realize this board has no LED's whatsoever right?

hahahahahahaha really?

But didn't they show some LED action in a video earlier on? I mean this is very sad if there's no LEDs at all... That was the whole point of the board BEFORE the MX stem compatibility, they mentionned it had an ARM chip inside the board making the backlite more versatile.

If there's no LED this is a serious scam for 200$. Get a Leopold 66 instead and you'll have a way better board IMO

I think you have the NovaTouch mixed up with the Rapid-I

Indeed. I'm pretty sure they were presented in the same video and that's why i am confusing them right now.

Novatouch is now officially a product i will not further recommend or hype.

Especially for 200$ that's a total scam for some stupid stem. Function is always over aesthetics, and if you seriously pay 200$ for a board that only offers above average aesthetic capabilities (which you should note comes with cheap keycaps and so you must spend even more for it to somewhat look nice) than it's not worth it in my very honest opinion.

It might change if it turns out being very good, but for that price tag i'd go type heaven for a inexpensive Topre experience.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Wed, 13 August 2014, 13:28:14
Indeed. I'm pretty sure they were presented in the same video and that's why i am confusing them right now.

Novatouch is now officially a product i will not further recommend or hype.

Especially for 200$ that's a total scam for some stupid stem. Function is always over aesthetics, and if you seriously pay 200$ for a board that only offers above average aesthetic capabilities (which you should note comes with cheap keycaps and so you must spend even more for it to somewhat look nice) than it's not worth it in my very honest opinion.

It might change if it turns out being very good, but for that price tag i'd go type heaven for a inexpensive Topre experience.
I'm confused. Were you only recommending / hyping the board because you thought it had LEDs? I don't see why everyone's so butthurt over the price. It's $200 for a Topre board with decent aesthetics and aftermarket cap compatibility. That is THE major selling point of this board, IMO. In that aspect it delivers 100%. Yes, you can get a Realforce with PBT caps for around the same price, but if you prefer GMK doubleshots (and if you do $200 is nothing to you, most likely) then you'll happily fork out the $200 so you can use your premium ($150 / set) caps. It sounds like this board wasn't for you to begin with. I don't see why you're bashing it.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 13:43:38
Indeed. I'm pretty sure they were presented in the same video and that's why i am confusing them right now.

Novatouch is now officially a product i will not further recommend or hype.

Especially for 200$ that's a total scam for some stupid stem. Function is always over aesthetics, and if you seriously pay 200$ for a board that only offers above average aesthetic capabilities (which you should note comes with cheap keycaps and so you must spend even more for it to somewhat look nice) than it's not worth it in my very honest opinion.

It might change if it turns out being very good, but for that price tag i'd go type heaven for a inexpensive Topre experience.
I'm confused. Were you only recommending / hyping the board because you thought it had LEDs? I don't see why everyone's so butthurt over the price. It's $200 for a Topre board with decent aesthetics and aftermarket cap compatibility. That is THE major selling point of this board, IMO. In that aspect it delivers 100%. Yes, you can get a Realforce with PBT caps for around the same price, but if you prefer GMK doubleshots (and if you do $200 is nothing to you, most likely) then you'll happily fork out the $200 so you can use your premium ($150 / set) caps. It sounds like this board wasn't for you to begin with. I don't see why you're bashing it.

You are right, i am being mean to something i have not tested. As a resonable person i admit i wrote too harsh at first.

It's just that i made myself some expectations as usual. There was the hype train as usual with the new content comming and i've always liked CM myself. I was glad to hear about the birth of a new board concept at first and i was very glad that since CM is usually making good bang-for-your-buck device, they would make the Topre experience more available at a competitive price.

But i won't lie to you; todays revelation, if they are final, are totally out of mind versus what i expected. I tought we had an inexpensive MX keycap compatible Topre board with LED backlite which would have been a total revolution imo, but it seems like it's totally out of what i expected.

I was recommending the board for an upcomming release that would shatter the current reality of "oh you want Topre, you gotta bet full price you'll like them cause you can't go with much boards and they're all expensive as fkk". Seems like not. I know for sure tough that this board will come in MX version, which if they are same price, that'll be a total scam.

Anyway, what respectable 200$ boards have ABS keycaps or rubber finish?? I can't recall right away... even the Poker II has very strong PBT caps for half the price!
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Wed, 13 August 2014, 13:55:03
You are right, i am being mean to something i have not tested. As a resonable person i admit i wrote too harsh at first.

It's just that i made myself some expectations as usual. There was the hype train as usual with the new content comming and i've always liked CM myself. I was glad to hear about the birth of a new board concept at first and i was very glad that since CM is usually making good bang-for-your-buck device, they would make the Topre experience more available at a competitive price.

But i won't lie to you; todays revelation, if they are final, are totally out of mind versus what i expected. I tought we had an inexpensive MX keycap compatible Topre board with LED backlite which would have been a total revolution imo, but it seems like it's totally out of what i expected.

I was recommending the board for an upcomming release that would shatter the current reality of "oh you want Topre, you gotta bet full price you'll like them cause you can't go with much boards and they're all expensive as fkk". Seems like not. I know for sure tough that this board will come in MX version, which if they are same price, that'll be a total scam.

Anyway, what respectable 200$ boards have ABS keycaps or rubber finish?? I can't recall right away... even the Poker II has very strong PBT caps for half the price!

To be honest, the only CM product I use and enjoy is the QFR. I don't really care about the rubberized coating (I know I'm in a minority on this one). It looks ok, and it's well built. The best thing it had going for it was price, as the thing was on sale pretty much constantly throughout its life. Am I a little disappointed with the price? Yeah, a little I suppose. Will I end up buying one? Probably, but I'll wait for coupon codes / rebates to make it more palatable to my budget. If I had $200 just laying around and it was available right now, I'd get it in a heartbeat. Do I need another keyboard? Not really, but I collect them as do most people on this site.

It has never been about practicality to me, nor to many other people here. It's about the feels! Right now Topre is my favorite feels and I want to try a new feeling with different caps and different profiles.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:06:21
You are right, i am being mean to something i have not tested. As a resonable person i admit i wrote too harsh at first.

It's just that i made myself some expectations as usual. There was the hype train as usual with the new content comming and i've always liked CM myself. I was glad to hear about the birth of a new board concept at first and i was very glad that since CM is usually making good bang-for-your-buck device, they would make the Topre experience more available at a competitive price.

But i won't lie to you; todays revelation, if they are final, are totally out of mind versus what i expected. I tought we had an inexpensive MX keycap compatible Topre board with LED backlite which would have been a total revolution imo, but it seems like it's totally out of what i expected.

I was recommending the board for an upcomming release that would shatter the current reality of "oh you want Topre, you gotta bet full price you'll like them cause you can't go with much boards and they're all expensive as fkk". Seems like not. I know for sure tough that this board will come in MX version, which if they are same price, that'll be a total scam.

Anyway, what respectable 200$ boards have ABS keycaps or rubber finish?? I can't recall right away... even the Poker II has very strong PBT caps for half the price!

To be honest, the only CM product I use and enjoy is the QFR. I don't really care about the rubberized coating (I know I'm in a minority on this one). It looks ok, and it's well built. The best thing it had going for it was price, as the thing was on sale pretty much constantly throughout its life. Am I a little disappointed with the price? Yeah, a little I suppose. Will I end up buying one? Probably, but I'll wait for coupon codes / rebates to make it more palatable to my budget. If I had $200 just laying around and it was available right now, I'd get it in a heartbeat. Do I need another keyboard? Not really, but I collect them as do most people on this site.

It has never been about practicality to me, nor to many other people here. It's about the feels! Right now Topre is my favorite feels and I want to try a new feeling with different caps and different profiles.

Yea it's true that the MX compatible stem will bring a much larger selection of keycaps available on your board to use with Topre. That's nice i have no tought of that. New feels, yeah, more testing possibilities.

Tests can be done, Tests must be done. For with no Tests there is no survival.

Just like you said i also do not have much CM products, just my case (the Storm Scout first edition) some fans and a water cooling, had some friends got the QFR and the not-normal TKL with a numpad with arrows in it (pretty cool unique design) but the fkin caps are always crappy as crapity crap. They shine SUPER fast even faster than the Corsair K70 i had.

I don't know how possibly wrong it went for the price tag to be 200$. Like seriously, it's the first 200$ CM product i've ever heard of!

I don't know, i just feel like they'll try to sell the "new capacitive switch" just to make a money hit with the board. I believe THEY believe they can convince people to get the board just because the switch is a success in other boards, blinding users from other important things like the keycap material. I agree there has to be a tradeoff somewhere, but if you pay 200$ you should expect 200$ worth of equipment.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:18:07
I don't know how possibly wrong it went for the price tag to be 200$. Like seriously, it's the first 200$ CM product i've ever heard of!

I don't know, i just feel like they'll try to sell the "new capacitive switch" just to make a money hit with the board. I believe THEY believe they can convince people to get the board just because the switch is a success in other boards, blinding users from other important things like the keycap material. I agree there has to be a tradeoff somewhere, but if you pay 200$ you should expect 200$ worth of equipment.

You're seeing the result of licensing technology from a third party (Topre). They (Tokyo Press) have a vested interest in keeping their product valuable, and to not be cheapened by large manufacturers. Much like Leopold and Fujitsu license the technology to produce the Topre boards they make. Are either of those cheap? Nope, they're not. Topre's getting their money and so is CM, and we're the ones paying the price because it's what we asked for. Nothing went wrong with it, it's just how niche products work. And if this product doesn't sell (due to perceived lack of value) they won't make a 55g board that "everyone is waiting for". They'll just liquidate their stock to cut their losses and move on.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:26:53
I don't know how possibly wrong it went for the price tag to be 200$. Like seriously, it's the first 200$ CM product i've ever heard of!

I don't know, i just feel like they'll try to sell the "new capacitive switch" just to make a money hit with the board. I believe THEY believe they can convince people to get the board just because the switch is a success in other boards, blinding users from other important things like the keycap material. I agree there has to be a tradeoff somewhere, but if you pay 200$ you should expect 200$ worth of equipment.

You're seeing the result of licensing technology from a third party (Topre). They (Tokyo Press) have a vested interest in keeping their product valuable, and to not be cheapened by large manufacturers. Much like Leopold and Fujitsu license the technology to produce the Topre boards they make. Are either of those cheap? Nope, they're not. Topre's getting their money and so is CM, and we're the ones paying the price because it's what we asked for. Nothing went wrong with it, it's just how niche products work. And if this product doesn't sell (due to perceived lack of value) they won't make a 55g board that "everyone is waiting for". They'll just liquidate their stock to cut their losses and move on.

I understand but you see, Leopold Topre boards are above average worth the price tag imo. Thick PBT, usually very standard design or flawless design (the 66 keys is imo the nicest design that appeared lately, They finally understood only Insert and Delete are required from the terminal cluster nowaday) and good finish.

I don't know for fujitsu.

Anyway, else check HHKB; OG Sun layout, fkin high quality board, high quality keycaps, even added a somewhat useless usb hub but that's just extra...

Anyway, i strongly believe Leopold or HHKB boards delivers for their price tags, and from what i've seen from CM reccurent flaws on their boards, i do not believe they are up to the 200$ price tag challenge. They have forever been budget boards, selling as "gaming" devices which the "gaming" tag is clearly a marketting hit.  Don't get me wrong, i like them and i would like that to be a success, but i think they are heading in the wrong direction from what we have witnessed today.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Zeal on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:34:13
Found this picture on Reddit:

(http://i.imgur.com/XG0m2tp.png)

You're*. Sorry, just had to.  :p


I guess it's confirmed that release will be on Sept. 22.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:45:12
I don't know for fujitsu.

PFU-Fujitsu makes HHKB Pro 2. From looking at the teardown pics of the Novatouch it is just as high quality as Realforce boards in a sleek, modern package (understated aesthetics, low profile case, no frills).

The things I'm looking forward to with the Novatouch that few people seem to notice / acknowledge:

The biggest of those features IMO stands to be the stabilizers, but I wouldn't discount the removable USB cable because replacing a built in cable sucks to put it plainly.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:46:42
Found this picture on Reddit:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XG0m2tp.png)


You're*. Sorry, just had to.  :p


I guess it's confirmed that release will be on Sept. 22.


lol

>>Sept 22nd
>>No Novatouch available
>>Geekhack rages
>>r/mk rages
>>Deskthority Rages
>>Unites into creating mighty Thick PBT Topre Realforce Titanium TEX lubbed Fullsize programmable mechanical transformer with 55 Terragramme MX cannon of doom with onboard trackpoint running Microsoft Windows 98
>>"THE MIGHTY NOVATOUCH SHALL BE, CM MUST REPENT FOR ITS SINS"
>>CM respond "Novatouch will be delayed no matter how powerful your technology is"
>>Epic fight of doom near Tokyo CMZilla versus DeskHack-Doombringer
>>World is destroyed
>>No more mechanical keyboard.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:49:50
I don't know for fujitsu.

PFU-Fujitsu makes HHKB Pro 2. From looking at the teardown pics of the Novatouch it is just as high quality as Realforce boards in a sleek, modern package (understated aesthetics, low profile case, no frills).

The things I'm looking forward to with the Novatouch that few people seem to notice / acknowledge:
  • New stabilizers (better design than current Topre IMO)
  • Media functions (volume, mute, etc)
  • Removable USB cable (ever replaced an attached cable for Realforce? Good luck finding one less than $50)

The biggest of those features IMO stands to be the stabilizers, but I wouldn't discount the removable USB cable because replacing a built in cable sucks to put it plainly.
Have you had to replace one before? I thought they were pretty safely tucked away inside the case.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: ComradeSniper on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:50:23
I don't know for fujitsu.

PFU-Fujitsu makes HHKB Pro 2. From looking at the teardown pics of the Novatouch it is just as high quality as Realforce boards in a sleek, modern package (understated aesthetics, low profile case, no frills).

The things I'm looking forward to with the Novatouch that few people seem to notice / acknowledge:
  • New stabilizers (better design than current Topre IMO)
  • Media functions (volume, mute, etc)
  • Removable USB cable (ever replaced an attached cable for Realforce? Good luck finding one less than $50)

The biggest of those features IMO stands to be the stabilizers, but I wouldn't discount the removable USB cable because replacing a built in cable sucks to put it plainly.

I've had no problem with the Topre stabilizers (or lack thereof), but I imagine it could be different with the MX stems.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Wed, 13 August 2014, 14:52:54
I've had no problem with the Topre stabilizers (or lack thereof), but I imagine it could be different with the MX stems.

I haven't either, but this could lead to smoother feels.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: davkol on Wed, 13 August 2014, 15:04:23
Well, it novatouch becomes available *everywhere* around €150 or less, kinda like Razer or SteelSeries boards, it's a filco/realforce killer. It looks decent, should feel good and sound… not too loud. It can only gain from the hype built by Atwood around the WASD/Code, because WASD/Code is nearly impossible to get outside NA.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: CM-Rajiv on Wed, 13 August 2014, 16:05:58
Hi everyone,

Just to clarify - this was a mistake on our e-commerce end and was not supposed to go live. There is no product currently available and we are truly sorry for this mistake. This was a simple 'fat finger' of prepping the product information and unfortunately it did not go as intended.

As our way of appreciating those that jumped at this offer:
For those that wish to keep their orders that are already placed, we will give them priority service, free shipping, and a free gift (CM Storm backpack) for the inconvenience.

If you wish to cancel your order, you will receive a full refund.

The choice is yours. We're sorry for the inconvenience but this was truly a mistake. While we understand that it does affect our customer, we understand the reason for this incident was not malicious in any way.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 13 August 2014, 16:09:41
Hi everyone,

Just to clarify - this was a mistake on our e-commerce end and was not supposed to go live. There is no product currently available and we are truly sorry for this mistake. This was a simple 'fat finger' of prepping the product information and unfortunately it did not go as intended.

As our way of appreciating those that jumped at this offer:
For those that wish to keep their orders that are already placed, we will give them priority service, free shipping, and a free gift (CM Storm backpack) for the inconvenience.

If you wish to cancel your order, you will receive a full refund.

The choice is yours. We're sorry for the inconvenience but this was truly a mistake. While we understand that it does affect our customer, we understand the reason for this incident was not malicious in any way.

So $199.99 is definitely the price then?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: saturnotaku on Wed, 13 August 2014, 16:38:59
It can only gain from the hype built by Atwood around the WASD/Code, because WASD/Code is nearly impossible to get outside NA.

WASD itself ships worldwide, as does Massdrop, where the CODE appears regularly.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: davkol on Wed, 13 August 2014, 18:17:47
It can only gain from the hype built by Atwood around the WASD/Code, because WASD/Code is nearly impossible to get outside NA.

WASD itself ships worldwide, as does Massdrop, where the CODE appears regularly.
Indeed. About $60 (!) shipping to the Czech Republic, then add import tax and posts' handling fee. Oh, and let's not forget about the fact that keyboards sold within EU have 2-year warranty as required by law.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: korrelate on Wed, 13 August 2014, 23:55:22
Hi everyone,

Just to clarify - this was a mistake on our e-commerce end and was not supposed to go live. There is no product currently available and we are truly sorry for this mistake. This was a simple 'fat finger' of prepping the product information and unfortunately it did not go as intended.

As our way of appreciating those that jumped at this offer:
For those that wish to keep their orders that are already placed, we will give them priority service, free shipping, and a free gift (CM Storm backpack) for the inconvenience.

If you wish to cancel your order, you will receive a full refund.

The choice is yours. We're sorry for the inconvenience but this was truly a mistake. While we understand that it does affect our customer, we understand the reason for this incident was not malicious in any way.


YGPM
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SSIPAK on Thu, 14 August 2014, 00:10:12
Hi everyone,

Just to clarify - this was a mistake on our e-commerce end and was not supposed to go live. There is no product currently available and we are truly sorry for this mistake. This was a simple 'fat finger' of prepping the product information and unfortunately it did not go as intended.

As our way of appreciating those that jumped at this offer:
For those that wish to keep their orders that are already placed, we will give them priority service, free shipping, and a free gift (CM Storm backpack) for the inconvenience.

If you wish to cancel your order, you will receive a full refund.

The choice is yours. We're sorry for the inconvenience but this was truly a mistake. While we understand that it does affect our customer, we understand the reason for this incident was not malicious in any way.
okay, now im sad that I didn't place an order haha. great customer service from CM  :thumb: oh and I hope that price was also a mistake :p
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Thu, 14 August 2014, 00:15:34
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: HPE1000 on Thu, 14 August 2014, 00:24:35
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I think it is because people were hoping for type heaven cost, not leopold fc660c cost. And if I remember correctly, all the CM employees kept throwing around $150-180 as a estimated cost of the board.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: The_Beast on Thu, 14 August 2014, 00:25:13
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.

Same thoughts here. Yea, the price is a bit higher than people expected from CM, but damn dude, how many topre keyboards are there. 4, realforce, HHKB, type heaven and the 660c. And do those offer compatibility with the majority, if not all, custom cap sets? Nope... or a very limited, very expensive set that are no longer available (speaking of RF colored cap sets from EK).
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Thu, 14 August 2014, 00:27:32
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I think it is because people were hoping for type heaven cost, not leopold fc660c cost. And if I remember correctly, all the CM employees kept throwing around $150-180 as a estimated cost of the board.
See I don't ever recall them posting about price. Some people said that they mentioned those prices at one of the expos but I took that with a grain of salt because people on the Internet are usually full of ****.

Instead everyone else took it as gospel. Go figure.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Thu, 14 August 2014, 07:52:52
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I think it is because people were hoping for type heaven cost, not leopold fc660c cost. And if I remember correctly, all the CM employees kept throwing around $150-180 as a estimated cost of the board.
See I don't ever recall them posting about price. Some people said that they mentioned those prices at one of the expos but I took that with a grain of salt because people on the Internet are usually full of ****.

Instead everyone else took it as gospel. Go figure.

Well yea that's the issue dude.

Here's an example :

Tesla's new car is currently leaking, so called Model E or Model III (name not final), and what does the people are expecting? A deluxe electric car at a low price. Low price is the whole deal here, it should not compete against higher end cars. If Tesla delivers, but the price range is not what the potential customers had in mind, well, it won't sell. Two reasons here:

- It's too expensive for the target audience.
- At the same price, other options are available as well.

Pretty much the same scenario here (I know it's not 100% the same but you get the point), CM's target audience is not those who already affords 660c, realforce or HHKB, but those who goes low-end with Type Heaven (not intended to diss Type Heaven don't get me wrong here).

Just for a little more you get a 660c and who cares changing the caps of that board, just look at them already, thick leopold PBT is by far the best arround already. At this point when you get a 200$+ board you understand the very basic concept of "function over aesthetics" and most probably you won't even care what your board looks like you just want the 200$+ feel right?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Thu, 14 August 2014, 07:55:23


Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I think it is because people were hoping for type heaven cost, not leopold fc660c cost. And if I remember correctly, all the CM employees kept throwing around $150-180 as a estimated cost of the board.
See I don't ever recall them posting about price. Some people said that they mentioned those prices at one of the expos but I took that with a grain of salt because people on the Internet are usually full of ****.

Instead everyone else took it as gospel. Go figure.

 thick leopold PBT is by far the best arround already.

You lost me right there.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:07:17


Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I think it is because people were hoping for type heaven cost, not leopold fc660c cost. And if I remember correctly, all the CM employees kept throwing around $150-180 as a estimated cost of the board.
See I don't ever recall them posting about price. Some people said that they mentioned those prices at one of the expos but I took that with a grain of salt because people on the Internet are usually full of ****.

Instead everyone else took it as gospel. Go figure.

 thick leopold PBT is by far the best arround already.

You lost me right there.

I don't see why? I strongly believe Leopold PBT keycap sets are one of the best option there is. Apart of aesthetics, why would you change the stock keycap set on a Leopold FC660C apart from the spacebar which is ABS?

Yea ok there would be plenty of reasons like the feel or maybe you have preferences but it's already very good, at least i'd say worth 200$+ right?

Just look at that baby

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,compact&pid=fc660ceg

Would you seriously get a Novatouch over this sweet little baby?

Also available in black or white model order now for razer 1337-pack exclusive unfair advantage and free shipping worldwide join the cult now! More informations at http://www.razerzone.com/
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Demetrium on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:09:03
Any ideas as to when it'll be for sale anywhere other than the CM website?

This was a soft launch, probably, due to how they just kinda opened the page with no further advertising.

This board was hyped pretty hard at PAX East this past spring. They may go for a harder marketing push during Prime this year.

For what they did at East: They had a pretty large booth area, and a good part of it was computers with Novatouch keyboards set up with typing games.

Also, if there are coupon codes at Prime, they may be pretty good discounts (20% sometimes). I'll probably make a post in 'off-topic' to share the coupon codes I collect at Prime.

Looks like someone else was playing Typing of the Dead along with me!
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: strict on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:18:06
My only knock with most of the Topre boards is the ABS spacebar. In all honesty it's one of the biggest reasons I haven't picked one up yet. Black 55g Realforce with full PBT and I'm sold.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: dante on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:27:52
My only disappointment with the NovaTouch is typing height - it's marketed as "low profile" when in fact it's the same as the QFR.  LIES!
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:35:19
My only knock with most of the Topre boards is the ABS spacebar. In all honesty it's one of the biggest reasons I haven't picked one up yet. Black 55g Realforce with full PBT and I'm sold.

I totally feel you

Why market a set as PBT if the largest keycap is ABS, it's just cheapery.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: dante on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:37:54
It's hard to fault Topre on the spacebar - a lot of the keyboards from the past used ABS space bars and they didn't skimp on quality.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:39:40
PBT spacebars are prone to warping which is why it's common to see ABS.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: spiceBar on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:40:00


Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I think it is because people were hoping for type heaven cost, not leopold fc660c cost. And if I remember correctly, all the CM employees kept throwing around $150-180 as a estimated cost of the board.
See I don't ever recall them posting about price. Some people said that they mentioned those prices at one of the expos but I took that with a grain of salt because people on the Internet are usually full of ****.

Instead everyone else took it as gospel. Go figure.

 thick leopold PBT is by far the best arround already.

You lost me right there.

I don't see why? I strongly believe Leopold PBT keycap sets are one of the best option there is. Apart of aesthetics, why would you change the stock keycap set on a Leopold FC660C apart from the spacebar which is ABS?

Yea ok there would be plenty of reasons like the feel or maybe you have preferences but it's already very good, at least i'd say worth 200$+ right?

Just look at that baby

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,compact&pid=fc660ceg

Would you seriously get a Novatouch over this sweet little baby?

Also available in black or white model order now for razer 1337-pack exclusive unfair advantage and free shipping worldwide join the cult now! More informations at http://www.razerzone.com/

For someone living in Canada, this is very very shortsighted.

Please tell me where I can get AZERTY keycaps for my Realforces, my FC660C and my HHKB? What about QWERTZ sets for our german friends? Do you know that Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Finish... QWERTY or QWERTZ has many keys that differ from US QWERTY?

I think the answer is: there is NOWHERE I can purchase them. Actually I guess it would be possible to find some on ancient Topre keyboards... How long before I find one? Actually I need 5 sets (3xRealforce, 1xFC660C, 1xHHKB).

So my best bet is to find a way to put Cherry keycaps on Topre boards. I have several sets of doubleshot AZERTY that would be perfect.

If the Novatouch's stems are compatible, I'm planning to harvest them for my Realforce, so I can FINALLY get proper AZERTY keycaps on my Topre boards. If they are not compatible, I hope the Novatouch is well built and I'll say bye-bye to my Realforces (it will hurt).
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:43:56
The fact of the matter is the stock keycaps on most boards aren't really a factor for a lot of people here. So many people have spare sets ready and waiting just for a board like this.

And that Leopold linked is bland as hell, I can't stand the colorway.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Thu, 14 August 2014, 08:52:47
The fact of the matter is the stock keycaps on most boards aren't really a factor for a lot of people here. So many people have spare sets ready and waiting just for a board like this.

And that Leopold linked is bland as hell, I can't stand the colorway.

This. For a person that doesn't already have an extensive collection of aftermarket caps - a Novatouch is more of a significant investment. With regard to the FC660C, the layout kills me. It's a nice looking board and all, but if I were to have physical editing keys (ins, del, home, end, etc) I would rather have the whole bank and just go TKL.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Thu, 14 August 2014, 09:01:52
I don't see why that would be shortsighted from someone who comes from Canada?

We only have QWERTY here, arround 3 or 4 layouts all in all, mostly US. and even my keycaps show US layout but i'm typing french canadian layout all the time. If you have specific need i understand you would like your caps to fit but anyway you're touchtyping, you don't really need legends anymore do you?

As i said, yeah, there's plenty of reasons to change a set of course, but question is, is there really a "need" (not a "want", different things) to? Apart from the material and profil, i believe the rest is aesthetics for experienced typists.

You can harvest them too yea that would be great to see, but it's still 200$ for some plastic stems cause you gotta pay the whole package.

Is it worth a shot? Now that's your call from now on!
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Xowie on Thu, 14 August 2014, 10:22:18
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I touched on this in another thread.
The CM brand is average quality products at low prices. I personally hoped that the novatouch would follow this scheme so that topre switches have a better chance of becoming more mainstream. While I am sure there are a many people here on geekhack who will buy the novatouch at the $200 price tag, I am not as confident that the vast majority of CM's customer base will pick the novatouch over a $80 QFR.
Also with regards to the keycaps, I think this is further evidence of how people perceive CM products. Yes the difference might be $20 (and probably less to CM due to bulk purchasing power) but this highlights the cost saving tactics of CM. It is not unreasonable then to wonder what other cost cutting measures are being implemented. In general people do not mind this because of the price. With the price comparable to premium boards though, why not buy a premium product?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Thu, 14 August 2014, 10:26:48
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I touched on this in another thread.
The CM brand is average quality products at low prices. I personally hoped that the novatouch would follow this scheme so that topre switches have a better chance of becoming more mainstream. While I am sure there are a many people here on geekhack who will buy the novatouch at the $200 price tag, I am not as confident that the vast majority of CM's customer base will pick the novatouch over a $80 QFR.
Also with regards to the keycaps, I think this is further evidence of how people perceive CM products. Yes the difference might be $20 (and probably less to CM due to bulk purchasing power) but this highlights the cost saving tactics of CM. It is not unreasonable then to wonder what other cost cutting measures are being implemented. In general people do not mind this because of the price. With the price comparable to premium boards though, why not buy a premium product?
Just because CM boards are cheap doesn't mean they aren't a quality product, whether  something is premium or not is subjective.

MX stems on Topre PCB sounds pretty damn premium to me.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: digi on Thu, 14 August 2014, 10:27:33
The can keep the caps, sell a bare bones version for $99 and I'll grab one. =]
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: cmadrid on Thu, 14 August 2014, 10:37:20
The new stems/stabilizer tech probably cost much more than producing some keycaps with existing molds.. Kinda surprised it will only cost $200 :p
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: spiceBar on Thu, 14 August 2014, 10:38:32
I don't see why that would be shortsighted from someone who comes from Canada?

We only have QWERTY here, arround 3 or 4 layouts all in all, mostly US. and even my keycaps show US layout but i'm typing french canadian layout all the time. If you have specific need i understand you would like your caps to fit but anyway you're touchtyping, you don't really need legends anymore do you?

As i said, yeah, there's plenty of reasons to change a set of course, but question is, is there really a "need" (not a "want", different things) to? Apart from the material and profil, i believe the rest is aesthetics for experienced typists.

You can harvest them too yea that would be great to see, but it's still 200$ for some plastic stems cause you gotta pay the whole package.

Is it worth a shot? Now that's your call from now on!

It's shortsighted coming from anyone, including someone who lives in Canada. :)

I thought you had AZERTY in Quebec as well, but anyway... You know there are very good reasons to change the provided keycaps.

I don't touch type. I can if I try very hard, but then I'm slow, so I guess it's not touch-typing. I think most programmers have the same problem: we have too many special symbols to type and they are everywhere on the keyboard.

At this time, all my Topre boards have stickers. That's how I have converted them to AZERTY. But I have several AZERTY keycaps sets that I would really like to put to good use.

I know it's $200 for some plastic stems. I wish there were other ways... Mmh... 3D printing maybe?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Xowie on Thu, 14 August 2014, 10:41:07
Reading these threads makes me seriously feel like Realforce are paying people to bash this thing.

Never before have I seen an innovative product bashed so hard even though it has a competitive price.

Yeah, yeah the other Topre boards have dyesubs. Who. Gives. A. ****. It's like $20 dollars more than the lasered FC660 for crying out loud and people had no problem buying those.
I touched on this in another thread.
The CM brand is average quality products at low prices. I personally hoped that the novatouch would follow this scheme so that topre switches have a better chance of becoming more mainstream. While I am sure there are a many people here on geekhack who will buy the novatouch at the $200 price tag, I am not as confident that the vast majority of CM's customer base will pick the novatouch over a $80 QFR.
Also with regards to the keycaps, I think this is further evidence of how people perceive CM products. Yes the difference might be $20 (and probably less to CM due to bulk purchasing power) but this highlights the cost saving tactics of CM. It is not unreasonable then to wonder what other cost cutting measures are being implemented. In general people do not mind this because of the price. With the price comparable to premium boards though, why not buy a premium product?
Just because CM boards are cheap doesn't mean they aren't a quality product, whether  something is premium or not is subjective.

MX stems on Topre PCB sounds pretty damn premium to me.
Interesting. My rationale is subjective and you counter with another subjective statement. To be clear my thoughts shouldn't be taken as immediately dismissing the product. I am just pointing out why some people might be raising eyebrows. I will have final judgement on product when it comes out. I also do not feel bad for CM with some of these reactions. One downside to leading a hype campaign on a product is that there is inevitably some let down.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 14 August 2014, 10:43:12
I know it's $200 for some plastic stems. I wish there were other ways... Mmh... 3D printing maybe?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54942.0
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: spiceBar on Thu, 14 August 2014, 11:01:21
I know it's $200 for some plastic stems. I wish there were other ways... Mmh... 3D printing maybe?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54942.0

WOW! I had missed this thread. My fault, I only read the "Keyboard" subforum, most of the time.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: davkol on Thu, 14 August 2014, 12:04:04
I don't see why that would be shortsighted from someone who comes from Canada?

We only have QWERTY here, arround 3 or 4 layouts all in all, mostly US. and even my keycaps show US layout but i'm typing french canadian layout all the time. If you have specific need i understand you would like your caps to fit but anyway you're touchtyping, you don't really need legends anymore do you?

As i said, yeah, there's plenty of reasons to change a set of course, but question is, is there really a "need" (not a "want", different things) to? Apart from the material and profil, i believe the rest is aesthetics for experienced typists.

You can harvest them too yea that would be great to see, but it's still 200$ for some plastic stems cause you gotta pay the whole package.

Is it worth a shot? Now that's your call from now on!

It's shortsighted coming from anyone, including someone who lives in Canada. :)

I thought you had AZERTY in Quebec as well, but anyway... You know there are very good reasons to change the provided keycaps.

I don't touch type. I can if I try very hard, but then I'm slow, so I guess it's not touch-typing. I think most programmers have the same problem: we have too many special symbols to type and they are everywhere on the keyboard.

At this time, all my Topre boards have stickers. That's how I have converted them to AZERTY. But I have several AZERTY keycaps sets that I would really like to put to good use.
First, using a national layout "designed" by a retarded monkey on crack (i.e. French AZERTY) *is* shortsighted.

Second, The Keyboard Company carries French, German and Nordic Topre Realforce keyboards.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Thu, 14 August 2014, 13:56:19

I thought you had AZERTY in Quebec as well


En Amérique rien n'est adapté pour autre que les anglophones. Nous francophones devons toujours faire l'effort de s'adapter pour tout ce qui n'est pas couvert par la loi 101. C'est moche mais c'est la vie, 8 millions n'a aucun poids contre 430 millions. Dans tous les cas, on devient bilingue donc whatever, sa nous donne un avantage compétitif considérable au niveau international, entre 40% et 50% de la province est bilingue, un des endroit avec le plus grand ratio au monde considérant qu'il s'agit d'une langue latine et d'une langue germanique!

L'autre province très bilingue est le Nouveau Brunswick avec environs 30%. Les autres c'est très peu, malheureusement. On a plus de poids :/

I believe you understood that one if you use AZERTY :p
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: spiceBar on Thu, 14 August 2014, 19:53:08

I thought you had AZERTY in Quebec as well


En Amérique rien n'est adapté pour autre que les anglophones. Nous francophones devons toujours faire l'effort de s'adapter pour tout ce qui n'est pas couvert par la loi 101. C'est moche mais c'est la vie, 8 millions n'a aucun poids contre 430 millions. Dans tous les cas, on devient bilingue donc whatever, sa nous donne un avantage compétitif considérable au niveau international, entre 40% et 50% de la province est bilingue, un des endroit avec le plus grand ratio au monde considérant qu'il s'agit d'une langue latine et d'une langue germanique!

L'autre province très bilingue est le Nouveau Brunswick avec environs 30%. Les autres c'est très peu, malheureusement. On a plus de poids :/

I believe you understood that one if you use AZERTY :p

Donc tu écris les accents en utilisant les touches quote et backquote? Galère...

Technically I live in America as well, but in a part where AZERTY is not going anywhere.

I have tried to convert to QWERTY, but it's very impractical when you have to type a lot in French.

My compromise is to use ANSI, which I love because of the big Shifts, and to put AZERTY on it.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 14 August 2014, 22:55:21
PBT spacebars are prone to warping which is why it's common to see ABS.
IBM didn't have a problem with theirs in 1981
The new stems/stabilizer tech probably cost much more than producing some keycaps with existing molds.. Kinda surprised it will only cost $200 :p
See, this is an excellent post, and a topic I'm surprised didn't come up earlier. I agree wholeheartedly, but I guess companies aren't allowed to make money anymore.

Guess what: the type heaven came out like 20 years after topre started making keyboards for everyone.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: spiceBar on Fri, 15 August 2014, 03:17:07
I don't see why that would be shortsighted from someone who comes from Canada?

We only have QWERTY here, arround 3 or 4 layouts all in all, mostly US. and even my keycaps show US layout but i'm typing french canadian layout all the time. If you have specific need i understand you would like your caps to fit but anyway you're touchtyping, you don't really need legends anymore do you?

As i said, yeah, there's plenty of reasons to change a set of course, but question is, is there really a "need" (not a "want", different things) to? Apart from the material and profil, i believe the rest is aesthetics for experienced typists.

You can harvest them too yea that would be great to see, but it's still 200$ for some plastic stems cause you gotta pay the whole package.

Is it worth a shot? Now that's your call from now on!

It's shortsighted coming from anyone, including someone who lives in Canada. :)

I thought you had AZERTY in Quebec as well, but anyway... You know there are very good reasons to change the provided keycaps.

I don't touch type. I can if I try very hard, but then I'm slow, so I guess it's not touch-typing. I think most programmers have the same problem: we have too many special symbols to type and they are everywhere on the keyboard.

At this time, all my Topre boards have stickers. That's how I have converted them to AZERTY. But I have several AZERTY keycaps sets that I would really like to put to good use.
First, using a national layout "designed" by a retarded monkey on crack (i.e. French AZERTY) *is* shortsighted.

Second, The Keyboard Company carries French, German and Nordic Topre Realforce keyboards.

I think I needed you to point me to the Keyboard Company.

I have already purchased all the mechanicals in ISO FR from them, thank you.

The Realforce 88UB has black legends on black keys. It's absolutely unreadable. So I have stickers on this one as well.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Fri, 15 August 2014, 07:27:41
Donc tu écris les accents en utilisant les touches quote et backquote? Galère...

Humm

é = Bottom right next to shift "/?" key
è accent (Accent grave) is " ' " " key, you need to hit it first then hit any other vowel (can go on ù and à as well)
ê is on " [{ " Same as above, must be summoned.
ë is on "]}" must also be summoned.

Ouai c'est la galère mais on s'y habitue, sa permet de changer de langue vraiment vite. J'travail dans une entreprise bilingue donc sa m'arrange d'être compatible avec les deux langues sans devoir changer de layout!

Yeah it's crap but you'll get use to it, make you able to switch language real fast. I work in a bilingual enterprise and so it's nice being able to shift in between both languages without changing the layout.

Anyway now-a-day not being bilingual in Montréal is just weird lol
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: spiceBar on Fri, 15 August 2014, 11:08:07
Donc tu écris les accents en utilisant les touches quote et backquote? Galère...

Humm

é = Bottom right next to shift "/?" key
è accent (Accent grave) is " ' " " key, you need to hit it first then hit any other vowel (can go on ù and à as well)
ê is on " [{ " Same as above, must be summoned.
ë is on "]}" must also be summoned.

Ouai c'est la galère mais on s'y habitue, sa permet de changer de langue vraiment vite. J'travail dans une entreprise bilingue donc sa m'arrange d'être compatible avec les deux langues sans devoir changer de layout!

Yeah it's crap but you'll get use to it, make you able to switch language real fast. I work in a bilingual enterprise and so it's nice being able to shift in between both languages without changing the layout.

Anyway now-a-day not being bilingual in Montréal is just weird lol

I should really try again to convert to QWERTY. I'll have to try at least one more time.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Fri, 15 August 2014, 12:16:32
Donc tu écris les accents en utilisant les touches quote et backquote? Galère...

Humm

é = Bottom right next to shift "/?" key
è accent (Accent grave) is " ' " " key, you need to hit it first then hit any other vowel (can go on ù and à as well)
ê is on " [{ " Same as above, must be summoned.
ë is on "]}" must also be summoned.

Ouai c'est la galère mais on s'y habitue, sa permet de changer de langue vraiment vite. J'travail dans une entreprise bilingue donc sa m'arrange d'être compatible avec les deux langues sans devoir changer de layout!

Yeah it's crap but you'll get use to it, make you able to switch language real fast. I work in a bilingual enterprise and so it's nice being able to shift in between both languages without changing the layout.

Anyway now-a-day not being bilingual in Montréal is just weird lol

I should really try again to convert to QWERTY. I'll have to try at least one more time.

Yeah well my best friend Thomas goes to France most of summers and he usually says if you type a lot about 2-3 days you get full adapted. He says the worst is that you guys gotta hit shift to input numbers and that's a real hard sh1t to adapt to.

Still AZERTY is kindoff out of standard and i simply don't believe that it gives you any advantages against standard QWERTY, especially if you live in the USA you should convert for maximum compatibility with office noobs.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: absyrd on Fri, 15 August 2014, 12:18:12
Is "purple slider" some kind of sexual innuendo?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 15 August 2014, 12:24:29
Is "purple slider" some kind of sexual innuendo?

[attachimg=1]

not sure what you are referring to but the sliders on the novatouch are literally purple...
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Fri, 15 August 2014, 12:29:32
Is "purple slider" some kind of sexual innuendo?

(Attachment Link)

not sure what you are referring to but the sliders on the novatouch are literally purple...

Yeah what is he saying maybe if we talk about him at third person he'll feel target and suddently feel the urge to explain himself.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: _PixelNinja on Fri, 15 August 2014, 14:43:53
Yeah well my best friend Thomas goes to France most of summers and he usually says if you type a lot about 2-3 days you get full adapted. He says the worst is that you guys gotta hit shift to input numbers and that's a real hard sh1t to adapt to.

Still AZERTY is kindoff out of standard and i simply don't believe that it gives you any advantages against standard QWERTY, especially if you live in the USA you should convert for maximum compatibility with office noobs.
I type frequently in English and French and in my experience Azerty ISO FR is a badly designed layout. I find Qwerty ANSI + US International more functional and logical for French.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: domoaligato on Fri, 15 August 2014, 16:46:53
$200 is not a bad price at launch for this board. I have no idea what all this whining is about.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: bueller on Fri, 15 August 2014, 18:37:53
$200 is not a bad price at launch for this board. I have no idea what all this whining is about.
But dyesubs! Totally agree man.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: _PixelNinja on Sat, 16 August 2014, 08:16:59
$200 is not a bad price at launch for this board. I have no idea what all this whining is about.
The price is what it is. Would it be nice if it was cheaper? Of course, but there will always be unsatisfied people no matter the cost. I do think, though, that for 200 credits a non rubberized casing and better quality keycaps would have been nice.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 16 August 2014, 20:40:38
To begin with CM would need to recoup fairly considerable R&D and equipment costs.

I would expect to see the price drop once the boards become popular and more mainstream.

If a few popular stores (online and physical) start selling them, and they take off, the price could drop fairly drastically.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: _PixelNinja on Sun, 17 August 2014, 06:27:51
This keyboard will not become mainstream at $200. I'd love to be wrong though.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: MJ45 on Sun, 17 August 2014, 07:11:07
This keyboard will not become mainstream at $200. I'd love to be wrong though.

I agree the NovaTouch is a niche product for keyboard enthusiasts not mainsteam at all. Talk about mainstream look at Razer Blackwidow probably the worlds best selling mechanical keyboard. The Blackwidow Croma is going to be released Sept. also for only $179.99 MSRP. I'm willing to bet they will sell 10 to 1 over NovaTouch and the Corsair RGB is coming too. Sad to say those are mainstream and what the masses will buy (not me). I hope the NovaTouch is a success but at $200 it's up against some tough competition in the Topre keyboard market.   
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: missalaire on Sun, 17 August 2014, 17:12:27
Anyone keeping their order that doesn't care for the free CM Storm backpack? :P
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: asdfjkl36 on Sun, 17 August 2014, 17:16:38
Also interested in the backpack  ;D
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 18 August 2014, 05:32:23
This keyboard will not become mainstream at $200. I'd love to be wrong though.

I agree the NovaTouch is a niche product for keyboard enthusiasts not mainsteam at all. Talk about mainstream look at Razer Blackwidow probably the worlds best selling mechanical keyboard. The Blackwidow Croma is going to be released Sept. also for only $179.99 MSRP. I'm willing to bet they will sell 10 to 1 over NovaTouch and the Corsair RGB is coming too. Sad to say those are mainstream and what the masses will buy (not me). I hope the NovaTouch is a success but at $200 it's up against some tough competition in the Topre keyboard market.   

For anyone who wants a Topre keyboard, they are likely to give the Novatouch a long, hard look, I would imagine.  It is a very standard TKL layout.  It has MX_compatible stems (which means PBT keycaps of your choice, or ABS if that is your thing, or even POM if that floats your boat - try getting almost any replacement keycaps for Topre stems).

Compare $200 to the price of most other Topre keyboards available now, plus CM's proven name and, hopefully, a good quality keyboard.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: domoaligato on Mon, 18 August 2014, 09:34:56
This keyboard will not become mainstream at $200. I'd love to be wrong though.

I agree the NovaTouch is a niche product for keyboard enthusiasts not mainsteam at all. Talk about mainstream look at Razer Blackwidow probably the worlds best selling mechanical keyboard. The Blackwidow Croma is going to be released Sept. also for only $179.99 MSRP. I'm willing to bet they will sell 10 to 1 over NovaTouch and the Corsair RGB is coming too. Sad to say those are mainstream and what the masses will buy (not me). I hope the NovaTouch is a success but at $200 it's up against some tough competition in the Topre keyboard market.   

For anyone who wants a Topre keyboard, they are likely to give the Novatouch a long, hard look, I would imagine.  It is a very standard TKL layout.  It has MX_compatible stems (which means PBT keycaps of your choice, or ABS if that is your thing, or even POM if that floats your boat - try getting almost any replacement keycaps for Topre stems).

Compare $200 to the price of most other Topre keyboards available now, plus CM's proven name and, hopefully, a good quality keyboard.


+1 GMK Dolch on Topre anyone?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 18 August 2014, 09:49:46
This keyboard will not become mainstream at $200. I'd love to be wrong though.

I agree the NovaTouch is a niche product for keyboard enthusiasts not mainsteam at all. Talk about mainstream look at Razer Blackwidow probably the worlds best selling mechanical keyboard. The Blackwidow Croma is going to be released Sept. also for only $179.99 MSRP. I'm willing to bet they will sell 10 to 1 over NovaTouch and the Corsair RGB is coming too. Sad to say those are mainstream and what the masses will buy (not me). I hope the NovaTouch is a success but at $200 it's up against some tough competition in the Topre keyboard market.   

For anyone who wants a Topre keyboard, they are likely to give the Novatouch a long, hard look, I would imagine.  It is a very standard TKL layout.  It has MX_compatible stems (which means PBT keycaps of your choice, or ABS if that is your thing, or even POM if that floats your boat - try getting almost any replacement keycaps for Topre stems).

Compare $200 to the price of most other Topre keyboards available now, plus CM's proven name and, hopefully, a good quality keyboard.


+1 GMK Dolch on Topre anyone?

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: MJ45 on Mon, 18 August 2014, 11:58:07
This keyboard will not become mainstream at $200. I'd love to be wrong though.

I agree the NovaTouch is a niche product for keyboard enthusiasts not mainsteam at all. Talk about mainstream look at Razer Blackwidow probably the worlds best selling mechanical keyboard. The Blackwidow Croma is going to be released Sept. also for only $179.99 MSRP. I'm willing to bet they will sell 10 to 1 over NovaTouch and the Corsair RGB is coming too. Sad to say those are mainstream and what the masses will buy (not me). I hope the NovaTouch is a success but at $200 it's up against some tough competition in the Topre keyboard market.   

For anyone who wants a Topre keyboard, they are likely to give the Novatouch a long, hard look, I would imagine.  It is a very standard TKL layout.  It has MX_compatible stems (which means PBT keycaps of your choice, or ABS if that is your thing, or even POM if that floats your boat - try getting almost any replacement keycaps for Topre stems).

Compare $200 to the price of most other Topre keyboards available now, plus CM's proven name and, hopefully, a good quality keyboard.


+1 GMK Dolch on Topre anyone?

(Attachment Link)
I think that would be the expression of most Topre aficionados sitting in front of a new "BlackWidow Croma". :p
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Quardah on Mon, 18 August 2014, 12:57:07
You talking about this?

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-blackwidow-ultimate-chroma

All i can say is

Lol

Cause

Razer
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Mon, 18 August 2014, 20:39:41
Seriously though. What if Razer was the company that put out the equivalent of the Novatouch (MX stems, Topre electronics)?? Would you still buy it? I hate to say it...but I think I would. Even if only to harvest the sliders to put them in a decent looking board.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: cphead on Mon, 18 August 2014, 20:47:11
Even if only to harvest the sliders to put them in a decent looking board.

That's probably what I'll end up doing with the Novatouch anyways.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: _PixelNinja on Tue, 19 August 2014, 05:55:35
Seriously though. What if Razer was the company that put out the equivalent of the Novatouch (MX stems, Topre electronics)?? Would you still buy it? I hate to say it...but I think I would. Even if only to harvest the sliders to put them in a decent looking board.
I don't think I would to be honest. I'd be more likely to purchase Matt3o's sliders than an entire board and go through the hassle of harvesting off a Razer.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: daerid on Wed, 20 August 2014, 23:00:35
Link's broken :(
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Zeal on Wed, 20 August 2014, 23:04:07
Link's broken :(

Accidentally released the product page too early. :p
According to a live chat with CM, it'll be released on Sept 22.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: PadawanGeek on Sat, 23 August 2014, 04:21:04
I have ordered and paid for the Novatouch and Ducky YoTH Cherry Green in one fell swoop, needless to say I'm feeling the pinch now but that pain would subside when Endorphin's released as soon as I get the Novatouch in a few days' time. There are ready stock of them here, but the shop I get my keyboards from is givng me a pretty good discount, so I can wait a few days for it.  Will post pics when I get it...
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: _PixelNinja on Sat, 23 August 2014, 08:12:53
I have ordered and paid for the Novatouch and Ducky YoTH Cherry Green in one fell swoop, needless to say I'm feeling the pinch now but that pain would subside when Endorphin's released as soon as I get the Novatouch in a few days' time. There are ready stock of them here, but the shop I get my keyboards from is givng me a pretty good discount, so I can wait a few days for it.  Will post pics when I get it...
Can't wait to see other people's thoughts on the Novatouch. It's a nice board IMO.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Altis on Sat, 23 August 2014, 11:16:34
Yeah well my best friend Thomas goes to France most of summers and he usually says if you type a lot about 2-3 days you get full adapted. He says the worst is that you guys gotta hit shift to input numbers and that's a real hard sh1t to adapt to.

Still AZERTY is kindoff out of standard and i simply don't believe that it gives you any advantages against standard QWERTY, especially if you live in the USA you should convert for maximum compatibility with office noobs.
I type frequently in English and French and in my experience Azerty ISO FR is a badly designed layout. I find Qwerty ANSI + US International more functional and logical for French.

Accidentally putting your keyboard into Canada-French is a pretty common Canadian problem. I actually remove those profiles and US-Standard.

My dad just bought a computer and got an ISO French keyboard instead of the English one (in Ontario).
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: RickyJ on Sat, 23 August 2014, 12:35:56
First thing I do with a fresh Windows install is to remove all but US-ANSI keyboard layouts, then remove the damn language bar.  Drivers and updates are next, lol.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: divito on Sat, 23 August 2014, 12:39:49
Accidentally putting your keyboard into Canada-French is a pretty common Canadian problem. I actually remove those profiles and US-Standard.

My dad just bought a computer and got an ISO French keyboard instead of the English one (in Ontario).

It's true. That's also why laptops at most major retailers infuriate me around here, with their ISO nonsense.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 23 August 2014, 18:15:04
Accidentally putting your keyboard into Canada-French is a pretty common Canadian problem. I actually remove those profiles and US-Standard.

My dad just bought a computer and got an ISO French keyboard instead of the English one (in Ontario).

It's true. That's also why laptops at most major retailers infuriate me around here, with their ISO nonsense.

Ugh, don't remind me about all the laptops being sold here. Something about they're not allowed to retail "US ANSI" counterparts of the laptops in Canada. -.-
Here's an image of the monstrosity we have to deal with:
(http://cobworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_20130316_160219.jpg)

I also hate how the FN key is always on the left. Why can't it be shifted on the right?

---

Anyways, back on topic. At least keyboards being sold here aren't in that multilingual layout. :p
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: CaptLock on Sun, 24 August 2014, 09:18:34
I have ordered and paid for the Novatouch and Ducky YoTH Cherry Green in one fell swoop, needless to say I'm feeling the pinch now but that pain would subside when Endorphin's released as soon as I get the Novatouch in a few days' time. There are ready stock of them here, but the shop I get my keyboards from is givng me a pretty good discount, so I can wait a few days for it.  Will post pics when I get it...
Can't wait to see other people's thoughts on the Novatouch. It's a nice board IMO.

Me too.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: dantan on Sun, 24 August 2014, 12:47:32
I have ordered and paid for the Novatouch and Ducky YoTH Cherry Green in one fell swoop, needless to say I'm feeling the pinch now but that pain would subside when Endorphin's released as soon as I get the Novatouch in a few days' time. There are ready stock of them here, but the shop I get my keyboards from is givng me a pretty good discount, so I can wait a few days for it.  Will post pics when I get it...

Wow you have a lot of keyboards!

And that's a lot of money! Don't you run out of places to store your keyboards?
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 24 August 2014, 14:18:39
Accidentally putting your keyboard into Canada-French is a pretty common Canadian problem. I actually remove those profiles and US-Standard.

My dad just bought a computer and got an ISO French keyboard instead of the English one (in Ontario).

It's true. That's also why laptops at most major retailers infuriate me around here, with their ISO nonsense.

Ugh, don't remind me about all the laptops being sold here. Something about they're not allowed to retail "US ANSI" counterparts of the laptops in Canada. -.-
Here's an image of the monstrosity we have to deal with:
Show Image
(http://cobworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_20130316_160219.jpg)


I also hate how the FN key is always on the left. Why can't it be shifted on the right?

---

Anyways, back on topic. At least keyboards being sold here aren't in that multilingual layout. :p

LOL my mom just recently got a laptop too and it bugs me everytime when I type on her laptop keyboard.  It's stupid because all desktop computer come with English ANSI keyboard and all laptop somehow all come with French ISO keyboard.

It's almost as if only French people buys laptops.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: PadawanGeek on Mon, 25 August 2014, 05:19:57
Was just informed that the Novatouch TKL is in stock and ready for collection. It's a tad late now, but I will definitely collect the kb tomorrow. Will post some pics, together with my other Topre keyboards....
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: Grim Fandango on Mon, 25 August 2014, 05:57:20
Seriously though. What if Razer was the company that put out the equivalent of the Novatouch (MX stems, Topre electronics)?? Would you still buy it? I hate to say it...but I think I would. Even if only to harvest the sliders to put them in a decent looking board.

It would only affect my choice if it changes my expectation of the quality. For example, I would be more at ease buying from a brand that consistently makes good products instead of buying from a brand that has some bad products. But it would not influence me based on some snobbish idea that one brand is more respectable than another.

I think there are legit reasons why people expected a lower price. CM has done a great job competitively pricing good quality products in the past (that is why everyone has been repping the QFR for years now). Also, the price of the average Topre keyboard has dropped a lot, with the typheaven now being $150 on amazon, and Realforce being around $200. They are more affordable now, and I think people think of this as a trend.

If the price of the novatouch is $200, it is still comparable to other topre keyboards. So I do not think that price is surprising. That said, they do have some stiff competition in that upper segment and they may have to rely on the appeal of being able to use MX keycaps for people to pick the Novatouch over the competition.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: spiceBar on Tue, 26 August 2014, 22:58:34
Accidentally putting your keyboard into Canada-French is a pretty common Canadian problem. I actually remove those profiles and US-Standard.

My dad just bought a computer and got an ISO French keyboard instead of the English one (in Ontario).

It's true. That's also why laptops at most major retailers infuriate me around here, with their ISO nonsense.

Ugh, don't remind me about all the laptops being sold here. Something about they're not allowed to retail "US ANSI" counterparts of the laptops in Canada. -.-
Here's an image of the monstrosity we have to deal with:
Show Image
(http://cobworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG_20130316_160219.jpg)


I also hate how the FN key is always on the left. Why can't it be shifted on the right?

---

Anyways, back on topic. At least keyboards being sold here aren't in that multilingual layout. :p

Eek! It's absolutely horrible.

It's not even ISO actually. There should be at least some spacing between these additional keys, Aspire apparently has not idea what they are doing.

BTW, I'm french and I use AZERTY, but on the ANSI layout. The ANSI layout is beautiful, and the large left Shift and large (and horizontal) Enter is much better.

My Realforces are in ANSI, and I look forward to some solution to put Cherry keycaps on them, because then I'll be able to put AZERTY keycaps (instead of stickers as I currently have).
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 26 August 2014, 23:29:02
BTW, I'm french and I use AZERTY, but on the ANSI layout. The ANSI layout is beautiful, and the large left Shift and large (and horizontal) Enter is much better.

My Realforces are in ANSI, and I look forward to some solution to put Cherry keycaps on them, because then I'll be able to put AZERTY keycaps (instead of stickers as I currently have).
Acer makes a lot of lower-end computers. The aspire one is a netbook by them that's pretty cheap. I hate how they've wedged a KB in there leaving so much extra room on the sides.

US international is a sweet layout.

With the proposed $200 price of the novatouch, I distinctly remember the QFR was like $99 when it was released. How many times do you see them on sale now for $60-$70? I expect the price to go down and (hopefully) be on sale for $150 some time in the future. We'll see.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: telegraphist on Fri, 29 August 2014, 11:08:35

This is going to be a hard sell at this price point. Speaking purely for my own view, I would rather spend the extra $15 and get the 55g Realforce.
In my opinion the undeniable huge advantage this NovaTouch TKL keyboard has is that unlike with other "true" TOPRE boards it's much easier to find the keys to customize it. For some reason those, who are fussy about this board forget that TOPRE keys are very expensive and very hard to come by, while Cherry MX are relatively abundant, have better variety, and cheaper than TOPRE. I wondered if it would be as easy to add the dampening O-rings as it is with "true" Cherry MX caps? Let me remind you that silencing the TOPRE boards is very complicated and elaborate process.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: pbtforever on Fri, 29 August 2014, 13:04:48
Don't think Orings going to work from the pics I've seen of the switches.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 29 August 2014, 13:10:13
Don't think Orings going to work from the pics I've seen of the switches.

Sure they will. At Keycon, they brought o-rings for us to try out on the sample Novatouch. They worked.
Title: Re: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Available for Purchase
Post by: jameslr on Fri, 29 August 2014, 13:12:05
Can confirm. CM ships o-rings with the retail board. They work fine.