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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Corsa1r on Tue, 19 January 2016, 16:10:05

Title: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: Corsa1r on Tue, 19 January 2016, 16:10:05
So, I recently heard about this particular board while surfing the web. It is a topre clone, and dental-banded by default:

https://www.keychatter.com/2015/03/12/review-royal-kludge-rc930-87-rgb/


And I was wondering where I could find one in the US. I found a 104-key version on amazon for over $200 bucks, which seems ludicrous to me, considering I am reading the asking price for the 87-key version is around 90 bucks, and they aren't actual Topre switches.  I found one on ebay for a similar price.  I would like a 104, 87, rgb or non-backlit version.  Just asking around to see if anyone has heard of, knows anything about ,or otherwise knows where I can look for one at a better price point.


EDIT:  Is this something I could order direct from the manufacturer (in China)?
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: Waateva on Tue, 19 January 2016, 16:13:25
I know that https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ deals with Royal Kludge but I don't see that model coming in.
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: XMIT on Tue, 19 January 2016, 16:40:16
I'd just get it from aliexpress.com. You can get the 45g and 55g versions, backlit and not, for about $120.
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Tue, 19 January 2016, 16:51:51
If you're lucky, Massdrop will drop it again soon. Somewhat tempted to pick one up myself, if that should happen.

I think some people have also gotten them from overseas.jd.com (http://overseas.jd.com).
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: Corsa1r on Tue, 19 January 2016, 17:20:13
Oh, wow. You guys responded right-quick! Thank you  ^-^    These are all great options to pursue.  I guess If I were patient, I could wait for Massdrop's next drop (it looks like the requests for it have gone to about 250 of the required 200, supposedly, yay)  They even feature a non-backlit version on Massdrop, which I would prefer, and you can get POM keycaps with it in either 87 or 104-key layouts.

FoxWolf, do you have any idea how much the Massdrop version went for last? 
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: Homenubbie on Tue, 19 January 2016, 19:44:37
$100 or so:

https://m.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2yq3o1/buying_royal_kludge_rc930_low_priced_topre_clone/
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: Corsa1r on Tue, 19 January 2016, 21:29:54
Thanks for the information, Homenubbie.  I guess one of the huge selling points for me on this thing, too, is that it's fully compatible with any Cherry MX set, of which I have a set or two of quality PBTs that could go to good use on it.  I loved the sound of it in the typing videos I watched, too. It sounded very close to many of the videos with the HHKB Type-S.

I've been wanting to pick up a HHKB at some point, but it's quite expensive, and anyone that knows, how do the Topre 'clones' stack up against the real thing?  I have never been able to test either, but think I would really appreciate how they felt.
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: minh278 on Wed, 20 January 2016, 01:43:29
Honestly I think my RC-930 sucks compared to my 45g topre (it replicates like 75% of the feel). But then again it was like 1/2 to 1/3 of the price. The problem is I feel the springs as I raise and lower a key on the RC-930 while on the topre it meshes together and doesnt give me the feeling like im messing with a spring. I believe it was mentioned somewhere this is due to Royal Kludge not changing the rubber but changing the springs. I think i got the 55g but not completely sure.
Title: Re: Where Can I Get A Royal Kludge RC-930?
Post by: jamster on Wed, 20 January 2016, 03:44:47
I got mine via a Massdrop re-run (the non-RGB version, because RBG bloody ugly)

The board is pretty high quality IMO. Doesn't feel anything at all like my 55g Topre, but it's nice in its own right.