So I'm just going to kind of jot down some thoughts and then update, clean up/organize them as I spend more time with the Novatouch and hopefully come up with some kind of cohesive mini-review by the end of my time with it.
Initial impressions:* I can't handle the stock pad-printed thin keycaps; my fingers seem to do terrible things to ink even if I wash my hands constantly - stock caps have to go ASAP!
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naked oh la la
* Thick PBT from Feng feels much better (not sure of manufacturing origin - IMSTO maybe?) I'll definitely throw Granite DSA PBT on here as well before I'm done. I wanted to test drive SA profile as well but I think my Penumbra order is going to come just after this board leaves my hands... so close but so far, C'est la vie!
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* Feels sturdy (no real flex when giving it the twist test) and the case is nice; smooth, matte finish that doesn't feel like cheap plastic but isn't rubbery feeling either. If the coating holds up over time, I'm a fan.
* I like the understated, subdued design (reminds me a bit of the KUL) but still don't care for the CM STORM #l33tgamer logo - I feel like putting a Novatouch logo/wordmark on the back & moving the CM branding to the bottom would've been a better choice.
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* Micro-USB is nice (works w/my PS4 cables!) but I dislike the placement, seems to easier to accidentally damage it
- compared to the under-board designs like KUL ES-87, QFR; maybe it offers a wider range of compatibility with custom USB cables (many of which don't fit under my KUL b/c of the fat connector.)*
Dear God what is up with the stabilized keys?!? - They sound so unpleasant compared to the other keys, it's really jarring and detracts from the nice pitter patter of rapid typing w/Topre. I suck at typing so I backspace a lot, maybe it's just my crappy typing technique!*Not compatible with (some?) MX-stem BroCaps - super niche complaint I know, but this is possibly a deal breaker for me as it means no BroCaps Topre
or MX, or any other artisan cap that has a fat/non-round MX stem
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* No indication of CAPS lock anywhere
* 660C feels like it has heavier switches & more "snap" to it, imo, and HHKB feels lighter than the NT... time to break out the nickels...
* If this were my own personal board, I would highly consider modifying it as outlined by
spiceBar - I think the horrible sound from the stabilized keys
could be fixed with a little work.
* Potential
problems with GMK keycaps?
* I feel like CM either needs to lower the price point, offer better stock keycaps, or offer a "naked" version w/o caps for a reduced cost. Realforce boards have amazing keycaps and I don't think they cost a lot more (esp used?) IMO, increase the quality of the stock caps & dress down the packaging, or offer a naked version of the board (knowing that people will intend to add their own keycaps) and the Novatouch becomes a much more compelling keyboard.
///// still pending /////
short typing video while playing typing of the dead?
-- DISCLAIMERS --
I love my FC660C *and* my HHKB Pro JP, especially because they are different - I like them for different reasons and I like variety so having different keyboards lets me choose one that fits my current mood -- if you've already found your one true love (HHKB elite, Alps, Nixdorftaylorswiftgang or whatever) then the Novatouch is probably not for you as it is *not* a HHKB - YMMV