Unique 75% layout that is one-less column because of shortened keys. I had also read a while back that the rubber membrane sheets (spill guard) that went over the switches gave it a Topre/Dome-like feeling. The board itself is neat, and a great compact solution. I don't actually give a damn about the Cherry Blacks (not a Linear fan) that these come with, but with the dome sheet spill guard, they feel really interesting, and I'm wondering what the potential is for these to be made in 60%, TKL, 100% size (standard layouts) and be a cheap but low-key way to get Topre-like feeling for use over cheap linear switches.
I've taken one apart (bought two) to harvest the rubber dome sheet/gasket, and cut out the main alphanumeric block to lay over a 75% I have with cheap brown switches (Drevo Excalibur) that I haven't swapped out yet (lighter than the blacks on the Cop keyboard, with light built in bump) and it feels... awesome. It feels like a eureka moment, for such an easy and basic drop in solution that rivals the feel of my most recent project, which was swapping BKE Redux Heavy domes into a Plum 84 (I like 75%s and heavy tactile/clicky). The base tactility in the brown switches (they're branded "Drevo" but I suspect they're Outemu) is magnified 10x by the rubber dome that collapses between the keycap and the switchtop as it's actuating. Admittedly they feel a bit heavier than I would prefer for extended typing, but the results are just incredible. For $25 I dropped in rubber membrane pieces that have transformed a very basic board into something unique and unrivaled! And because I transplanted it to another 75% board, with some trimwork I was able to utilize all 82 domes with minimal effort, leaving only two keys on the Excalibur not covered with dome (suck it Prtscr and Pause)
***There is a caveat, however. Because of the space the dome membrane needs to sit between the keycap and the switchtop, low profile keycaps will not work (binding, pre-loaded so minimal travel/tactility, just a bad experience). The stock keycaps that come with this board are tall profile SP DCS R1, similar in height/clearance to OEM and SA. I didn't have any OEM profile keycaps out and handy, but I'm a sculpted SA fan (all Maxkey so far). and they work BEAUTIFULLY. When I get home after work, I'm going to try them with the stock OEM profile keycaps that I have buried in a drawer somewhere, and am anticipating similar results. The Cherry profile and DSA that I had handy did not perform well with this mod.
If anyone else here is discarding the dome sheet, hit me up - I'll gladly take them off your hands, for keyboard science! I've already placed an inquiry with TG3 directly to see if they can sell me some of the gaskets in small quantity if others are interested in trying this mod out themselves and not wanting to shell out $25+ (seller has increased to $30 recently). I'm ordering an inexpensive Drevo Gramr (same layout as excalibur) with red switches to see if this mod feels as good on light linears (lighter than the browns, no tactile bump to add to the dome collapsing).
Lastly, if anyone is using these stock, do yourselves a favor and take off the spacebar and trim/remove the gaskets around the stabs and it sounds and feels so much better (basically circumcising the stabs haha).
For the $25, it's an awesome donor board for switches, membrane sheet, keycaps (aside from the non-standard shortened mods/1-key), and someone else mentioned that the plate works well as a switch holder for modding. Quality find, thanks to OP for sharing this!
