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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: speakeasy on Wed, 29 June 2011, 04:41:12

Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: speakeasy on Wed, 29 June 2011, 04:41:12
http://detail.zol.com.cn/keyboard/index286630.shtml

(http://2f.zol-img.com.cn/product/65_800x600/75/ceImyJHYZODU2.jpg)
(http://2c.zol-img.com.cn/product/65_800x600/988/ceE5HDx78EY2.jpg)

Check out that fake cherry! Not yet released.  Board is said to be ~300rmb (~$45), 92 ABS keys (87 keys + vol+,vol-, mute, macro recording, and windows key disable), 9KRO via USB, comes with software.

Just what the doctor ordered for those teenage gamers that are dying for a mechanical but can't afford a filco!
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 29 June 2011, 05:38:35
Quote from: speakeasy;369846


Just what the doctor ordered for those teenage gamers that are dying for a mechanical but can't afford a filco!

 
Yeah, maybe is not even pinging :pound:
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: eyeshield21san on Wed, 29 June 2011, 07:28:00
What is up with these "poo" keyboards?

Noppoo, Rapoo....
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 29 June 2011, 08:11:55
Since it cost about the same as mid-range rubberdomes, it would be a good one to convince cheapskate people to try a mechanical too. The body style reminds me a lot of old imac keyboard. I wonder which MX switch they feel closest to?
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: CeeSA on Wed, 29 June 2011, 09:40:18
yellow switch, for the yellow man
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: redpill on Wed, 29 June 2011, 09:50:53
Fake cherries?
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 29 June 2011, 10:13:16
in for 3
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 29 June 2011, 11:57:20
Quote from: CeeSA;369940
yellow switch, for the yellow man

 
My general rule says that yellow things usually are working better.

I'm curios to know if this is one of the rare exceptions. :pop2:
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: redpill on Wed, 29 June 2011, 12:04:12
Well it has to be good, it says right there on the case it's a PRO mechanical keyboard.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: wompwomp on Wed, 29 June 2011, 14:46:28
I like the layout a lot haha. A more compact tenkeyless as well as dedicated volume keys.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: DaemonRaccoon on Wed, 29 June 2011, 14:56:02
Are the clone switches pin compatible with REAL Cherry MX?
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 29 June 2011, 16:10:14
I presume they are as are looking more cherry clone

(http://2d.zol-img.com.cn/product/65_800x600/99/ceMkgeOSTFFds.jpg)

than the cherry compatible previously seen

(http://i54.tinypic.com/1zpjkao.png)
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: speakeasy on Wed, 29 June 2011, 16:46:45
I don't think those switches are the same as the "Taiwan's White Axis" switches that have been previously documented in the Wiki. According to what I could glean from PCHome, they're a Rapoo in-house reverse engineered design, takes more force to push down than reds. Implying they're linear? Perhaps close to blacks or somewhere in between reds and blacks.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 29 June 2011, 16:49:48
Quote
Implying they're linear? [...]somewhere in between reds and blacks.


This is what I understood from Chinese websites, although I haven't spent much time in searching.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: calavera on Wed, 29 June 2011, 17:13:43
hmmm...looks interesting though, I'd buy one just to try it out.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: redpill on Wed, 29 June 2011, 17:25:10
Quote from: calavera;370243
hmmm...looks interesting though, I'd buy one just to try it out.

Post a review =)
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: himynameisbunny on Wed, 29 June 2011, 18:56:13
Quote from: speakeasy;370233
Implying they're linear? Perhaps close to blacks or somewhere in between reds and blacks.


If they're like this it might be worth grabbing one for its' springs.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 29 June 2011, 19:03:00
Quote from: himynameisbunny;370309
If they're like this it might be worth grabbing one for its' springs.

 
Likely for you in Australia is a good option, here in Europe, one can get an original cherry board for 40€ and with 105 springs/stems/switches...
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: himynameisbunny on Wed, 29 June 2011, 20:10:03
Quote from: The Solutor;370311
Likely for you in Australia is a good option, here in Europe, one can get an original cherry board for 40€ and with 105 springs/stems/switches...

Missed the point here. If they're in between Reds and Blacks it would likely mean the spring rate is different to any other genuine Cherry.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 29 June 2011, 20:55:34
OK, thanks. I thought you intended indented it as a cheap alternative to original cherrys, to made some getto red/ergo clears.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: sordna on Wed, 29 June 2011, 23:09:46
Quote from: speakeasy;369846
http://detail.zol.com.cn/keyboard/index286630.shtml

Show Image
(http://2c.zol-img.com.cn/product/65_800x600/988/ceE5HDx78EY2.jpg)



Wow, never seen a metal plate like that before, interesting !
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: dreamingftw on Thu, 30 June 2011, 02:41:04
Wouldn't mind buying this board and modding it with another switch. I kind of like the layout of the keyboard itself.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: qtan5370 on Thu, 30 June 2011, 02:48:28
Cheapest? What do think about PLUM.....
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: domin8r on Thu, 30 June 2011, 03:17:42
Quote from: calavera;370243
hmmm...looks interesting though, I'd buy one just to try it out.

 
Yeah for $45 it's worth a shot anywayz :)
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: chongyixiong on Thu, 30 June 2011, 04:57:44
For those who are more interested in knowing more about the yellowish china made Cherry,
http://mouse.zol.com.cn/229/2297497_all.html#p2299674

Pretty interesting read and the numbers are fascinating - if these are able to be produced at almost half the original Cherry keyswitches, I guess we should see them invading the Rapoo market very soon (if they are accepted nationwide I guess)

(http://2a.zol-img.com.cn/product/64_450x337/100/ceXvvPyMoHyZc.jpg)
(http://2d.zol-img.com.cn/product/64_450x337/103/cePFG5oezcj5s.jpg)
(http://2e.zol-img.com.cn/product/64_500x2000/386/ceDnKtTBqJmpw.jpg)
Black MX | Yellow China MX | Red MX

Also, the whole article on the Rapoo V7
http://mouse.zol.com.cn/232/2322828_all.html#p2323076
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: 500_pts on Thu, 30 June 2011, 06:11:16
just saying, im in for a group buy if some people wanna try this out, i mean cmon at 45$ we cant lose. besides, who could say no to those sexy led's
(http://2f.zol-img.com.cn/product/65_800x600/15/ce0G46k78WBRg.jpg)
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 30 June 2011, 06:29:33
Quote from: chongyixiong;370483

 I guess we should see them invading the Rapoo market very soon (if they are accepted nationwide I guess)

 
Although I think Cherry will be not so happy I hope they will made some other switches like a Chinese ergo clear.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: domin8r on Thu, 30 June 2011, 06:38:24
Quote from: 500_pts;370487
just saying, im in for a group buy if some people wanna try this out, i mean cmon at 45$ we cant lose. besides, who could say no to those sexy led's
Show Image
(http://2f.zol-img.com.cn/product/65_800x600/15/ce0G46k78WBRg.jpg)

 
Seconded :D
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Thu, 30 June 2011, 07:19:09
Quote from: 500_pts;370487
just saying, im in for a group buy if some people wanna try this out, i mean cmon at 45$ we cant lose. besides, who could say no to those sexy led's
Heh. Sure, why not.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: Tohveli on Thu, 30 June 2011, 07:25:31
Could anybody translate the picture with the diagrams? Would be grately appreciated ^^
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: xargos on Thu, 30 June 2011, 09:26:51
Quote from: 500_pts;370487
just saying, im in for a group buy if some people wanna try this out, i mean cmon at 45$ we cant lose. besides, who could say no to those sexy led's

I also have to agree here.  That is, if the price including shipping in the end would still be low enough.

Edit:

Quote from: chongyixiong;370483
For those who are more interested in knowing more about the yellowish china made Cherry,
http://mouse.zol.com.cn/229/2297497_all.html#p2299674

Quote from: chongyixiong;370483
Also, the whole article on the Rapoo V7
http://mouse.zol.com.cn/232/2322828_all.html#p2323076

After running these through Google Translate, the keyboard and switches actually sound pretty nice.  

The switches are said to be between the Cherry MX Red and Black in the amount of force needed to actuate them.  The testing supposedly shows that they should be good for 50 million actuations, but the initial expectation looks more like 30 million.  The quality isn't supposed to be quite up to that of the Cherry switches, but still pretty decent.

The keyboard itself may be a little more than meets the eye, too.  Supposedly it has onboard memory for storing macros and the like.  Whether or not the software to edit the onboard memory will be available in English or not is something I would wonder, but it certainly would be nice.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: sordna on Thu, 30 June 2011, 10:52:04
Quote from: Tohveli;370498
Could anybody translate the picture with the diagrams? Would be grately appreciated ^^

Sure, here's the translation:

  We copies the Cherry bery exactry.

Seriously, the graph is self explanatory, force is between reds and blacks. The graph lacks showing the actuation point though.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: Atenacius on Thu, 30 June 2011, 10:59:26
The plate curving out to the surface is a neat idea but it looks really ugly.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: sordna on Thu, 30 June 2011, 11:03:11
It would look nicer if it were anodized aluminum, with sharp edges.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: xargos on Thu, 30 June 2011, 12:50:50
Quote from: sordna;370598
Sure, here's the translation:

  We copies the Cherry bery exactry.


Actually, if you read the article on the switches you will find that, while pretty close, the design isn't an exact copy.  In fact, I dare say that some of the differences are probably intentional.  Whether or not they are a good idea remains to be seen.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 30 June 2011, 13:11:32
Quote from: xargos;370653
Actually, if you read the article on the switches you will find that, while pretty close, the design isn't an exact copy.  In fact, I dare say that some of the differences are probably intentional.  Whether or not they are a good idea remains to be seen.

 
Look at the previous pages, this switch is not the same of the wiki.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: xargos on Thu, 30 June 2011, 13:36:34
Quote from: The Solutor;370661
Look at the previous pages, this switch is not the same of the wiki.

I'm not talking about something from a wiki.  I'm talking about what is in the switch review.  The pictures of the yellow switches on the Rapoo and in the article about the switch look the same to me, and neither looks like a real Cherry.  I put them side by side for a comparison.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]19910[/ATTACH]

Also, the article about the switch even mentions that it will be used in the keyboard.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 30 June 2011, 13:46:04
Ah, ok.

Yes these two are clearly the same kind switch.

Looks to me as thy started from an exact copy an then changed slightly some not functional details, I guess purposely changed to have something to say, during a lawsuit.

BTW i think it's safe to call them "clones", while the ones from the wiky are more "compatible" than true clones.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: xargos on Thu, 30 June 2011, 16:48:50
I'm wondering what difference the choice of a larger, (supposedly) silver-plated contact point will make in this switch design.  Hopefully it will not be a problem since the idea of a switch between the red and black would be nice.

Does anyone know if there is an official release date for this keyboard?  The one reviewed was only an engineering sample, but it looks pretty much like a finished product other than the missing rear label.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: speakeasy on Sat, 02 July 2011, 03:20:35
Quote from: The Solutor;370677
Ah, ok.

Yes these two are clearly the same kind switch.

Looks to me as thy started from an exact copy an then changed slightly some not functional details, I guess purposely changed to have something to say, during a lawsuit.

BTW i think it's safe to call them "clones", while the ones from the wiky are more "compatible" than true clones.

The article I read explains that it's ok for them to clone it since cherry's patent was filed 25 years ago, IANAL but it sounds fishy to me. But who cares, it means cheap mechanicals for all!
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 02 July 2011, 04:28:10
Quote
The article I read explains that it's ok for them to clone it since cherry's patent was filed 25 years ago, IANAL but it sounds fishy to me.


Yeah this is a point I missed, time flow too fast....

AFAIK Patents should last in 20 years, so look reasonable what you read.

Btw other than the patent there are other forms of coverage of the design itself. If this is the case is not easy to guess.
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: keyb_gr on Sat, 02 July 2011, 07:14:45
These Cherry clones don't have the typical gold-plated crosspoint contacts but rather something that you might expect in a relay or somesuch. Not sure what the implications on long-term reliability will be. Crosspoint contacts minimize contact area for maximum pressure, which in turn means high contact reliability at the expense of low maximum currents (which aren't needed at all anyway).

Now for the question that I absolutely cannot resist asking:
If a girl with long braid buys such a board, will she be nicknamed "Rapoonzel"? :D
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 02 July 2011, 07:41:30
Quote
These Cherry clones don't have the typical gold-plated crosspoint contacts but rather something that you might expect in a relay or somesuch.


A relay must be way more reliable than a keyswitch, usually they are stated for 1 billion of mechanical operations and from 100K to 20M or more electrical operations depending on the current and voltage managed. (a cherry switch is meant to survive from 20k to 50k of activations)

Contacts are usaully made from varius alloys of gold, platinum, silver, iridium, palladium and so on, depending on the application the current managed, the average number of activation and so on. And lack of gold doesn't mean cheaper choice but just different specs needed.

Quote
If a girl with long braid buys such a board, will she be nicknamed "Rapoonzel"? :D


Obviously :happy:
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: elbowglue on Sat, 02 July 2011, 11:40:57
Niiiice.. I like the layout.  
<-would tap that.

Wow, stepped capslock too.  Another +1
Title: Rapoo V7 Cheapo Mechanical
Post by: sordna on Tue, 02 August 2011, 19:41:27
qtan sells these for $75 shipped! (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?20532-Rapoo-v7-availability). Very tempting.