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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: keyboardlover on Fri, 13 August 2010, 06:48:57

Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 13 August 2010, 06:48:57
At elitekeyboards (http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,realforce&pid=rf_se02c0).
Question: are Realforce boards NKRO?
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 13 August 2010, 07:57:01
Capacitive keyboards are always (as far as I can tell) NKRO. However, with the USB Topres, you're limited to 6KRO.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 16 August 2010, 14:31:39
Well, I just bit the bullet and pulled the plug on this badboy. I figure, since I spend most of the day typing, and it should last a long time, it seems worth it. And, if for some reason I don't like it, at least I know that Realforce boards have good resale value. Can't wait!
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 16 August 2010, 14:55:22
Quote from: ripster;213170
Congrats.  Should be a nice one for you!


Thanks. I also like the fact that the layout is the same as my Key Tronic at work, and the feel should be similar (although much higher quality).

Believe it or not, they "upgraded" the peripherals for some of the technical leaders in my group - to these (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard-mice-combos/devices/3481) terrible, over-priced rubber-dome boards. To think that for the same price you could have a decent keyboard with cherries (or Topres for a little more) + a mouse boggles the mind.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 16 August 2010, 14:59:40
But they have a screen... with a clock... and a calculator.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 16 August 2010, 15:14:45
Quote from: ripster;213187
Hey, another "PerfectStroke" longer travel scissor switch.  Let us know what you think of them.


Oh they are scissors? Well that's a little better at least. Still I don't like how it's flat...seems like that would make it uncomfortable to type on. One of the guys told me it's taking him some getting used to after his old Key Tronic, but didn't mention whether he likes it or not yet. I'll keep y'all posted.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 16 August 2010, 15:15:50
So you don't really know if it's "terrible and overpriced," do you?  I see how it is...
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 16 August 2010, 15:18:09
Quote from: itlnstln;213193
So you don't really know if it's "terrible and overpriced," do you?  I see how it is...


Lol...good point. I guess I made the assumption that my $30 Key Tronic is more comfortable to type on. If that's the case, I stand my my statement. Although, it still seems like even a decent cherry board for less $ would be a better option.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 16 August 2010, 15:39:23
Quote from: ch_123;212156
Capacitive keyboards are always (as far as I can tell) NKRO.


Then these old Compaq keyboards must be NKRO too!
(http://i.ebayimg.com/11/!BzyKi9gCWk~$(KGrHqJ,!joEw5JYckHjBM(l1gy6UQ~~_12.JPG)
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 16 August 2010, 15:58:21
Yeah, they were OEM Keytronic boards. Keytronic's ads from the time claimed their capacitive keyboards were NKRO.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: ironman31 on Mon, 16 August 2010, 16:04:53
I got one of these about a month ago. I'm not disappointed with it.... yet.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 16 August 2010, 16:22:10
Quote from: ch_123;213201
Yeah, they were OEM Keytronic boards. Keytronic's ads from the time claimed their capacitive keyboards were NKRO.

Weren't those foam-and-foil?  I'm sure they're a pleasure to type on.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 16 August 2010, 17:52:43
Quote from: ironman31;213203
I got one of these about a month ago. I'm not disappointed with it.... yet.


That sounds...promising? Do you like it? Love it? Can't wait to get mine so I'll let everyone know what I think.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 16 August 2010, 18:19:29
Quote from: itlnstln;213204
Weren't those foam-and-foil?  I'm sure they're a pleasure to type on.


Yeah.

People assume that every computer 'back in the day' came with a buckling spring or clicky Alps keyboard. In reality, these were largely reserved for higher-end systems, and most people had to live with foam'n'foil, linears, rubber sleeve or chiclet (real chiclets, not just low-travel scissor switches like Apple has) on most systems.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 16 August 2010, 18:22:41
Quote from: ch_123;213201
Yeah, they were OEM Keytronic boards. Keytronic's ads from the time claimed their capacitive keyboards were NKRO.


We oughta get some and try them out. Old Compaq's could potentially be a source of cheap gaming keyboards.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 16 August 2010, 18:24:04
A lot of those keyboards were XT ones. Compaq's ones from the late 80s were standard rubber dome.

That, and foam'n'foil keyboards really suck.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 16 August 2010, 18:25:08
Compaq's XT keyboards had the 83-key layout.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: ironman31 on Mon, 16 August 2010, 21:14:54
At first I felt it was way too heavy. I had come off of browns, blues and bs. (Not saying it's heavier than bs) But without the sharp tactile point like the bs, the topre 55g took a lot of getting used to, especially the spacebar.

But after a few weeks of use I'm starting to like it more and more. I still bottom out a lot though. I seem to bottom out more on heavier keyboards than lighter ones. I think it's because it takes a lot for my finger to actuate the key and my finger can't back off before it bottoms out.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: spolia optima on Mon, 16 August 2010, 21:29:19
I don't see what the big problem is with foam and foil 'boards. Sure, the foam gets dried up and needs to be replaced after a decade or so, but other than that it just feels like any other linear switch, which, as windows pointed out, makes for a decent gaming keyboard at a bargain price.

There aren't many who would agree with me here, but IMHO tactile switches are overrated. Light switches are where it's at, whether they be linear or tactile or clicky.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 17 August 2010, 14:46:06
Quote from: ironman31;213308
At first I felt it was way too heavy. I had come off of browns, blues and bs. (Not saying it's heavier than bs) But without the sharp tactile point like the bs, the topre 55g took a lot of getting used to, especially the spacebar.

But after a few weeks of use I'm starting to like it more and more. I still bottom out a lot though. I seem to bottom out more on heavier keyboards than lighter ones. I think it's because it takes a lot for my finger to actuate the key and my finger can't back off before it bottoms out.


Out of curiosity, how long did shipping take? I still haven't received confirmation that it's shipped (tracking #, etc.)
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: ironman31 on Tue, 17 August 2010, 18:05:27
Quote from: keyboardlover;213624
Out of curiosity, how long did shipping take? I still haven't received confirmation that it's shipped (tracking #, etc.)


Shipped on June 21st, received it June 25th
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 20 August 2010, 08:33:37
Quote from: ironman31;213723
Shipped on June 21st, received it June 25th


Nice faster than me...mine shipped on the 18th and is estimated to get here on the 24th.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: Scarzy on Fri, 20 August 2010, 14:14:28
Quote from: keyboardlover;213182
Thanks. I also like the fact that the layout is the same as my Key Tronic at work, and the feel should be similar (although much higher quality).

Believe it or not, they "upgraded" the peripherals for some of the technical leaders in my group - to these (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard-mice-combos/devices/3481) terrible, over-priced rubber-dome boards. To think that for the same price you could have a decent keyboard with cherries (or Topres for a little more) + a mouse boggles the mind.


It's a speed demon though, how could you resist?
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 20 August 2010, 14:24:03
Quote from: Scarzy;215084
It's a speed demon though, how could you resist?


Which one's a speed demon? The Logitech? I haven't actually used one myself so I can't really comment. I can say from looking at them that I don't think I'd like the fact that they're so flat though (I like a bit of an incline).
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: In Stereo! on Fri, 20 August 2010, 14:32:10
Is there any possibility that Elitekeyboards would somewhere in the future stock a white Realforce tenkeyless keyboard that is not ergonomically weighted?
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 20 August 2010, 14:40:35
Maybe.  If you ask Majestouch nicely, he has been known to special-order things.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 20 August 2010, 14:46:22
Quote from: itlnstln;215094
Maybe.  If you ask Majestouch nicely, he has been known to special-order things.


Does that typically result in a higher price?
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 20 August 2010, 14:57:04
From what I have heard, no, but you might have to wait until his next order comes in.  Of course, this is if the item is in regular production.  This is not for a custom 'board.
Title: Realforce 103UB 55g on sale
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 20 August 2010, 15:05:21
Quote from: itlnstln;215100
From what I have heard, no, but you might have to wait until his next order comes in.  Of course, this is if the item is in regular production.  This is not for a custom 'board.


Cool, good to know. 200th post Woohoo! (That's the only reason I replied) ;)
Yes, I know I'm a troll but I try to be helpful sometimes ;)