CM Storm NovaTouch TKL?

[Profoundsoup]

Any opinions are this keyboard?

[DrHubblePhD]

Any opinions are this keyboard?

Search the review section, there are many reviews already out.

[dante]

I've read many reviews; here are the top two opinions:

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy
2. No 55g? GTFO!!!1
3. Hurts their hands initially, but somehow like a brand new bicycle seat they get used to it.

[jwaz]

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy

They can't be lubed?

[dante]

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy

They can't be lubed?

I'm sure they can.  Do you think someone who pays $200 should have to lube their keyboard; especially for one that is supposedly a "premium" product.

[Profoundsoup]

I've read many reviews; here are the top two opinions:

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy
2. No 55g? GTFO!!!1
3. Hurts their hands initially, but somehow like a brand new bicycle seat they get used to it.

Ummmmmm its actually 45, how can it HURT your hands, and also Id being wearing headphone so noise isnt an issue.

[dante]

I've read many reviews; here are the top two opinions:

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy
2. No 55g? GTFO!!!1
3. Hurts their hands initially, but somehow like a brand new bicycle seat they get used to it.

Ummmmmm its actually 45, how can it HURT your hands, and also Id being wearing headphone so noise isnt an issue.

Just providing feedback from multiple users of this product.  I also had similar issues on the Realforce 87/FC660C; however not the HHKB.

A plate is great for saying "Hey look!  Look how heavy this is!  This must guarantee quality!" but sometimes not for your fingers.

[Profoundsoup]

I've read many reviews; here are the top two opinions:

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy
2. No 55g? GTFO!!!1
3. Hurts their hands initially, but somehow like a brand new bicycle seat they get used to it.

Ummmmmm its actually 45, how can it HURT your hands, and also Id being wearing headphone so noise isnt an issue.

Just providing feedback from multiple users of this product.  I also had similar issues on the Realforce 87/FC660C; however not the HHKB.

A plate is great for saying "Hey look!  Look how heavy this is!  This must guarantee quality!" but sometimes not for your fingers.

Id buy the HHKB but it doesnt work for gaming where you need both the alt and the ctrl keys.....

[jwaz]

I'm sure they can.  Do you think someone who pays $200 should have to lube their keyboard; especially for one that is supposedly a "premium" product.

I don't see why it's that big a deal. If you think the stabs are loud then lube it. Especially if it's the initial manufacturing run of the board.

Id buy the HHKB but it doesnt work for gaming where you need both the alt and the ctrl keys.....

I don't really follow... it has both...

[saturnotaku]

I don't really follow... it has both...

It only has one control key, not two.

[Sygaldry]

I don't really follow... it has both...

It only has one control key, not two.

I believe he meant it has both a Control key and an Alt key.

But who needs the right Control when gaming anyways?

[dante]

I'm sure they can.  Do you think someone who pays $200 should have to lube their keyboard; especially for one that is supposedly a "premium" product.

I don't see why it's that big a deal. If you think the stabs are loud then lube it. Especially if it's the initial manufacturing run of the board.

Based on reviews more than a handful of people had an issue with the noisy stabilizers.  There should be no excuse why a $200 keyboard should leave the factory in this state!  Maybe you caught me on a bad day and my inner drama queen is coming out - but come on!  If the factory can't perform such a simple task as lubing the stabilizers then what other corners are being cut?  And yes it's the initial run but it's a keyboard not a freaking car!

If this was a $100 Topre clone I might let it slide; but if you are shelling out $200 - which to some people is not pocket change - you'd at least expect the stabilizers to be buttery smooth.  Otherwise people should not reward lazy apathetic corporate behavior and sit tight until a used one shows up on the classifieds/ebay or on Black Friday.

[Profoundsoup]

I don't really follow... it has both...

It only has one control key, not two.

I believe he meant it has both a Control key and an Alt key.

But who needs the right Control when gaming anyways?

What I mean is having the control to the left of the A key is hardly optimal for any gaming scenario IMO 

[Ngt]

I own a Novatouch. Stock it requires some modding. It is lousy and it hides that beautiful thock sound that we all love. I did take it apart 2 times and I greased the stabs plus I performed the SpiceBar's silencing mod. It took me some time but the result is definitely worth it (Well I wasn't thinking that way after working 10 hours straight on the keyboard as I struggled for my first time opening a board ...).


Here is a link to the silencing mod in case you wonder: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65853.msg1540901#msg1540901


If you compare this board to his Topre counterpart it doesn't stand IMHO. However once you mod it, it is just a beast and is as good as the others even better as you have the opportunity to put your MX set on it.


I don't regret taking one and I never will (not so far at least).

[Profoundsoup]

I own a Novatouch. Stock it requires some modding. It is lousy and it hides that beautiful thock sound that we all love. I did take it apart 2 times and I greased the stabs plus I performed the SpiceBar's silencing mod. It took me some time but the result is definitely worth it (Well I wasn't thinking that way after working 10 hours straight on the keyboard as I struggled for my first time opening a board ...).


Here is a link to the silencing mod in case you wonder: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65853.msg1540901#msg1540901


If you compare this board to his Topre counterpart it doesn't stand IMHO. However once you mod it, it is just a beast and is as good as the others even better as you have the opportunity to put your MX set on it.


I don't regret taking one and I never will (not so far at least).

Honestly noise isnt a issue for me because Im always listening to music or have headphones on

[Ngt]

I own a Novatouch. Stock it requires some modding. It is lousy and it hides that beautiful thock sound that we all love. I did take it apart 2 times and I greased the stabs plus I performed the SpiceBar's silencing mod. It took me some time but the result is definitely worth it (Well I wasn't thinking that way after working 10 hours straight on the keyboard as I struggled for my first time opening a board ...).


Here is a link to the silencing mod in case you wonder: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65853.msg1540901#msg1540901


If you compare this board to his Topre counterpart it doesn't stand IMHO. However once you mod it, it is just a beast and is as good as the others even better as you have the opportunity to put your MX set on it.


I don't regret taking one and I never will (not so far at least).

Honestly noise isnt a issue for me because Im always listening to music or have headphones on

I'm the same but it is just too nice to hear that sweet noise. I even stop my music sometimes just to listen to the sound of my fingers pressing the keys. It grows on you and you will like it too once you'll have yours.

[Heliosphere]

There are actually a lot of threads here on the Novatouch with good info. I personally did not like the feeling and sound of the Novatouch in comparison to other Topre keyboards until I installed a silencing mod in it, after which I consider the Novatouch my favorite keyboard due to MX compatibility and having an enjoyable typing experience. The silencing mod did change the feeling of the keyboard for the better. The stabilizers on the Novatouch are difficult to silence however, especially the spacebar.

[KHAANNN]

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy

They can't be lubed?

I'm sure they can.  Do you think someone who pays $200 should have to lube their keyboard; especially for one that is supposedly a "premium" product.

The answer is yes

[Magna224]

Just providing feedback from multiple users of this product.  I also had similar issues on the Realforce 87/FC660C; however not the HHKB.

A plate is great for saying "Hey look!  Look how heavy this is!  This must guarantee quality!" but sometimes not for your fingers.

Ah yes! Plates can cause pain! (Sooo much pain!!) I am a very heavy typist. Usually only on Cherry switches for me though (minus clears).


But to be on topic. I look forward to getting a novatouch because I like the profile of CMs TKL keyboards and can take my collection of keycaps. I won't pay more than $130 for it though.

[Ngt]

There are actually a lot of threads here on the Novatouch with good info. I personally did not like the feeling and sound of the Novatouch in comparison to other Topre keyboards until I installed a silencing mod in it, after which I consider the Novatouch my favorite keyboard due to MX compatibility and having an enjoyable typing experience. The silencing mod did change the feeling of the keyboard for the better. The stabilizers on the Novatouch are difficult to silence however, especially the spacebar.

My space bar is smooth and quiet since I performed the silencing mod. I added a landing pad to the space bar slider and I put thick grease on both end of the wired. It doesn't make any sound now. Feels like butter.

[Novus]

1. The stabilized keys are too noisy

They can't be lubed?

I'm sure they can.  Do you think someone who pays $200 should have to lube their keyboard; especially for one that is supposedly a "premium" product.

The answer is yes

Hahaha.
I love you Khan.

[dustinhxc]

Just get the best board ever made! Realforce 104UB or 87UB

[Novus]

Just get the best board ever made! Realforce 104UB or 87UB

Oh hell no
HHKB type S

[dustinhxc]

Just get the best board ever made! Realforce 104UB or 87UB

Oh hell no
HHKB type S

He said TKL.

[Ngt]

Just get the best board ever made! Realforce 104UB or 87UB

Oh hell no
HHKB type S

Well I guess that's just a matter of subjectivity.

[Volvicsoda]

great comments up there.
I can't say Novatouch is better than any other topre keyboards out in the market, but it has its own merits.
Get yourself a thick & low keycap, and you are good to go

[Ngt]

great comments up there.
I can't say Novatouch is better than any other topre keyboards out in the market, but it has its own merits.
Get yourself a thick & low keycap, and you are good to go

Writing on a Leopold thick PBT keycaps and I must admit that it is way better than the ABS keycaps set. I heard that writing on a SA profile feels wonderful too.

[BucklingSpring]

Now that is interesting. Nobody mentioned Novatouch's Cherry compatible stems.

I have few Topres and I will have to sell another kidney if I want to change the keycaps on them. With Novatouch, you can get decent custom Cherry PBT keys for half a kidney :-)

This Cherry Compatible keycaps is the second reason why I bought one. The first one is because I'm an obsessive compulsive keyboard buyer and I couldn't resist to a novelty like this.

[SpAmRaY]

Now that is interesting. Nobody mentioned Novatouch's Cherry compatible stems.

I have few Topres and I will have to sell another kidney if I want to change the keycaps on them. With Novatouch, you can get decent custom Cherry PBT keys for half a kidney :-)

This Cherry Compatible keycaps is the second reason why I bought one. The first one is because I'm an obsessive compulsive keyboard buyer and I couldn't resist to a novelty like this.

I thought the only reason anyone bought the novatouch was for the cherry cap compatibility.

[BucklingSpring]

I thought the only reason anyone bought the novatouch was for the cherry cap compatibility.

The novelty factor didn't move you?
I mean this is no WASD stunt with "Now available with Brown MX" Or gravity defying Cherry with fancy circuitry that achieves new and unprecedented results that no human being will ever noticed.

[BucklingSpring]

I thought the only reason anyone bought the novatouch was for the cherry cap compatibility.

The novelty factor didn't move you?
I mean this is no WASD stunt with "Now available with Brown MX" Or gravity defying Cherry with fancy circuitry that achieves new and unprecedented results that no human being will ever noticed.

Oh another reason. At least for us Canadians, the Novatouch is available in retail stores. So no Extra Extra Extra fees to import the stupid thing.