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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: stuiees on Thu, 06 January 2011, 21:26:43

Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Thu, 06 January 2011, 21:26:43
The case seems a little bit loose where the two pieces connect below the space bar.  If I push on the case below the space bar inwards towards the keys there is some flex.  I often slightly reposition my keyboard with my thumbs while playing games and it is kind of annoying to feel that flex.  I suppose I could open the case up and put some super glue in there to hold it tight, but I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem?  Is my case not put together properly?  I can upload a video if I am not making any sense.



EDIT: Video link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XeI5IAfN2M

EDIT: Just got thie e-mail from Brain at EKB.  Have to give it to them for great service!


Hi XXXX,

I'm sorry you're having trouble with your keyboard. We'll prepare to
ship a new replacement keyboard to you along with a prepaid return label
for the bad keyboard. This should go out either today or tomorrow;
you'll receive a tracking number by e-mail as soon as it ships.

BTW, thanks for the video, that makes things very clear! Definitely not
acceptable quality.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

Best Regards,
Brian
http://elitekeyboards.com
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 06 January 2011, 21:29:06
Weird. I've never noticed any such flex in any of the Realforces I've owned. Just checked my 86UB and 87UB and they don't flex. I would ask EK/majestouch.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: wanabe on Fri, 07 January 2011, 00:31:26
Quote from: kalrykh;274334
my 103ub 55g is a bit warped, just got it about a week ago.  with the feet down, i have to use a quarter under one foot to keep it from wobbling.  even with the feet up, i can feel a tiny bit of wobble


I had that problem when i first got my 87U.  Mine was easily fixed by just holding the keyboard up by the two sides and twisting back and forth once or twice.  I think the case just got misaligned slightly for me, but it went away.  sits flat now
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Fri, 07 January 2011, 02:23:55
yeah the whole top part of the case is loose from the bottom.  i guess i will contact ekb
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: woody on Fri, 07 January 2011, 04:19:45
Massive Topre fail.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 07 January 2011, 06:44:39
Quote from: woody;274427
Massive Topre fail.


I think I see a pattern here...


It looks like somebody's trying to win a pole.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: woody on Fri, 07 January 2011, 06:55:48
Quote from: itlnstln;274480
I think I see a pattern here...


It looks like somebody's trying to win a pole.


Nope, the Topre is so overblown on GH, it is kinda having a cult following. Which, of course, detracts from the real pro/cons considerations of people passing by.

Switch feeling is subjective, so we get this out of the equation. But the build quality is quite objective, and having twisted keys is not on par with the hype and the price.

BTW, itlnstln, how are your HHKB keys? Not twisted?
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:07:16
Nope.  Neither my HHKB, 103 nor my 23 have twisted keys.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: gregh on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:07:59
Keep in mind that these keyboards are shipped from Japan, to the U.S. and then to your house. That's a lot of room for shipping and handling to affect the keyboard. I know that's not an excuse for a ~$250 to $300 keyboard, but I don't think a few pieces of anecdotal evidence on a forum are a reason to throw Realforce's quality control team out the window. :)

Having said that, I just sent EliteKeyboards an email about my (wife's..) own 86U. The upper part of the casing looks a bit warped and the spacebar is crooked.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:12:02
Gregh, is your 86 white?  I wonder if there might be a difference in materials between the white and the black keyboards that would be causing the warping/twisting/whatever.  From what I have seen, all of the complaints have been on the white 'boards, but then again, I don't pay attention too well, either.  That said, it might just be easier to notice these things with the white plastic than the black.


Let's see if this starts all types of speculation, panic and FUD...
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:23:43
Quote from: woody;274490
Nope, the Topre is so overblown on GH, it is kinda having a cult following. Which, of course, detracts from the real pro/cons considerations of people passing by.


Filco and Ducky and others have been WAY more evangelized than Topre. Anyway, take a look at the switch poll. And name a popular mechanical keyboard that doesn't have a cult following here! Like itlnstln, I have not had a single problem with any of my Realforces, and I've owned 5 total. But, build issues can happen, with a keyboard like this it's most likely to be due to shipping. That's why EK WILL take them back for repair!

@itlnstln - I subscribe to the "Michael Jackson theory" so I believe that it "doesn't matter if it's black or white".

However, I also believe that George Bush doesn't care about black keyboards.

(http://motherjones.com/files/legacy/mojoblog/george-bush-computer-250x200.jpg)
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: woody on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:49:05
Quote
That's a lot of room for shipping and handling to affect the keyboard.
Handling cannot cause that, c'mon. It's a production imperfection and sucky QC.

Dudes, I am serious. Mine is 2010 from Japan, and has twisted keys. So is another member's HHKB which is 5-6 years old. So is 2008's Minskleip's. And the reports on Realforce and their case.

itlnstln could be on the right track about the white keys, maybe.

No FUD, it's real and before my own eyes. I got two Filcos and nothing to report about them ... so far.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: iMav on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:51:05
Lots of cult followings for many different switches, layouts, brands, etc.  
 
I wouldn't have it any other way!!
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:51:40
Quote from: woody
Dudes, I am serious. Mine is 2010 from Japan, and has twisted keys. So is another member's HHKB which is 5-6 years old. So is 2008's Minskleip's. And the reports on Realforce and their case.


HHKB Build issues are known. However, this is the first Realforce build issue I've heard of. Can you name any others? If not, then don't troll on Realforce!
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: woody on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:54:56
iMav, how are your HHKB keys?
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: gregh on Fri, 07 January 2011, 09:01:21
To be clear, the issues I have with my Realforce are relatively small and if I didn't pay close to $300 for the board, I wouldn't care at all about it.

I am using the white version of the board.

Even with these very minor quibbles, I still feel this is the highest quality board that I've owned. I am not loyal to any brand. I have used a Filco, a Das, a Deck and a Realforce. None of the others feel like they use the same quality materials as the Realforce, but that's obviously subjective.

The defects described in this thread are consistent with subpar handling, and frankly, I've seen what Fedex and UPS can do to a perfectly packed package.

If anyone is thinking of buying a Topre based board, please don't let this thread deter you. They are fantastic keyboards.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Fri, 07 January 2011, 11:14:22
The problem is minor, yet still annoying.  I will upload a video later after I get off work.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Fri, 07 January 2011, 11:14:52
oh yeah, and I have not had the twisted key probelm on my hhkb or my rf topre boards.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: iMav on Fri, 07 January 2011, 11:28:26
Quote from: woody;274539
iMav, how are your HHKB keys?
Mine are fine.  But, to be fair, my top case is from a HHKB Pro (1).  Domes and all electronic internals are from a HHKB Pro 2.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 07 January 2011, 14:57:31
Quote from: ripster;274361
I have good luck with my keyboards because Ganesh blesses them.


Do you Ganesh your teeth?
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 07 January 2011, 15:16:14
Wordplay!

(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/muppet/images/0/03/Video.wordplay.jpg)
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Fri, 07 January 2011, 19:39:48
Sorry for the crappy quality, you can blame the iphone 4 for that...

As you can see, the top part of the case slides up and down.  I have sent an e-mail to EKB to see if we can remedy the problem somehow.  I will keep this thread updated.


EDIT: I dont know how to embed a video so here is the link


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XeI5IAfN2M
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: guilleguillaume on Sat, 08 January 2011, 12:39:22
MEEEEEEEH!

Because of your video I noticed that my Realforce 91 UBY have that problem too.

**** myself...Why did I try to do the same?

I was happy without knowing that. But now what can I do? There are no more Realforce 91 UBY on Keyboardcompany and really I don't care that much to change my Keyboard since I didn't notice that after 2 months using the Keyboard.

Which is the solution to that?


Here is the video:
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: ktkr on Sat, 08 January 2011, 12:51:36
Mine does it too, lol. Mine's a month old and it's been used gently ever since I opened the package. So I'll put my money on "feature."

Quote from: guilleguillaume;275215
Which is the solution to that?

Don't try to fix what's not broken.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: wanabe on Sat, 08 January 2011, 13:05:21
I just checked on my 87U. it does the same thing if i try to push it back and forth on the long ends of the keyboard, but not by the spacebar.

It doesn't bug me though, and I wouldnt really call it a problem.  Mine moves maybe 1mm at most, I would call that within spec.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: ktkr on Sat, 08 January 2011, 13:10:02
Quote from: ripster;275227
Mine doesn't do that at all.  87U.

They are pretty trival to open up.  Might want to see if you have a snapped plastic tab from dropping it or whatever.

I opened up mine and they're a-ok.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: guilleguillaume on Sat, 08 January 2011, 13:15:47
Maybe this movement it's just because the top cover don't fit perfectly with the one on the bottom?

I noticed that there is a litlle space between the 2 parts and I don't know if it's normal or not mmm. On the other hand this could be to evade the Top cover from breaking in an easy way.

I have pics and uploading that little space that I mean.

(http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8623/img0784p.jpg)
(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8426/img0785gx.jpg)
(http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/4778/img0786t.jpg)


I supose that it's normal but I'm not that sure.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: ktkr on Sat, 08 January 2011, 13:18:13
Quote from: guilleguillaume;275236
Maybe this movement it's just because the top cover don't fit perfectly with the one on the bottom?

I noticed that there is a litlle space between the 2 parts and I don't know if it's normal or not mmm.

It's normal.

The whole top cover is held in place by 8 plastic clips, it's only natural there's some room for movement.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: LaPoune on Sat, 08 January 2011, 16:02:48
Quote from: ripster;274361
My 87U just passed the pane of glass test.

Just like my Filco.
Show Image
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4910619237_cc438f1b52_z.jpg)



That's a cool little laputa head you got there...

On topic, my 86U also wobbles by a millimetre from corner to corner. A bit annoying since one of the rubber feet doesn't touch the table enough to keep the keyboard from sliding...for the price that was a bit dissapointing...
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Sat, 08 January 2011, 16:03:40
Thanks for the replies everyone.  Like I said it isnt a huge deal, I just wanted to see if mine was an isolated incident.  That way I could try and do something if so.  I can live with it, and it took me a week or so to even realize that it was happening.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: woody on Sat, 08 January 2011, 18:58:47
The unquestionable Topre quality?
Am I still considered trolling in this thread?
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 08 January 2011, 19:53:19
From what I've seen, this isn't the only thread.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Mon, 10 January 2011, 18:09:59
Just got an e-mail from Brain over at EKB.  Got to give it to him for great service.  Do not hesitate to buy from EKB.

Hi XXXX,

I'm sorry you're having trouble with your keyboard. We'll prepare to
ship a new replacement keyboard to you along with a prepaid return label
for the bad keyboard. This should go out either today or tomorrow;
you'll receive a tracking number by e-mail as soon as it ships.

BTW, thanks for the video, that makes things very clear! Definitely not
acceptable quality.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

Best Regards,
Brian
http://elitekeyboards.com
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: guilleguillaume on Mon, 10 January 2011, 18:40:49
At the end you are going to change it.

So then this is not a normal movement if EK is changing the Keyboard mmm.
Title: anyone else have this problem? 86/87u
Post by: stuiees on Mon, 10 January 2011, 18:45:45
Apparently not.  Mine did seem to be a bit more severe than others had reported it seems.  *mine moves quite a bit, it is even more noticeable in real life than in the video*