geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 January 2017, 15:58:45

Title: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 January 2017, 15:58:45
I wanna buy another 87U 55g uniform in white from EK.. but they are out of stock... and they said they would restock SEPTEMBER 2016.

Let me emphasize: EK has no 87UW 55G since more than SEPTEMBER 2016

I'm located in the Netherlands.. I don't have much options besides keyboardco in the UK which, coincidentally, also doesn't have stock.


Anybody know what's up? I really need one of those bad boys.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: henz on Mon, 16 January 2017, 16:01:38
I wanna buy another 87U 55g uniform in white from EK.. but they are out of stock... and they said they would restock SEPTEMBER 2016.

Let me emphasize: EK has no 87UW 55G since more than SEPTEMBER 2016

I'm located in the Netherlands.. I don't have much options besides keyboardco in the UK which, coincidentally, also doesn't have stock.


Anybody know what's up? I really need one of those bad boys.

I think topre are doing something, novatouches are also out of stock all my country, id guess they are putting more resources to their RGB stuff? idk
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: hking0036 on Mon, 16 January 2017, 16:22:09
I wanna buy another 87U 55g uniform in white from EK.. but they are out of stock... and they said they would restock SEPTEMBER 2016.

Let me emphasize: EK has no 87UW 55G since more than SEPTEMBER 2016

I'm located in the Netherlands.. I don't have much options besides keyboardco in the UK which, coincidentally, also doesn't have stock.


Anybody know what's up? I really need one of those bad boys.

I think topre are doing something, novatouches are also out of stock all my country, id guess they are putting more resources to their RGB stuff? idk
The Novatouch got discontinued by CM, the realforce thing is separate.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 January 2017, 16:37:34
I wanna buy another 87U 55g uniform in white from EK.. but they are out of stock... and they said they would restock SEPTEMBER 2016.

Let me emphasize: EK has no 87UW 55G since more than SEPTEMBER 2016

I'm located in the Netherlands.. I don't have much options besides keyboardco in the UK which, coincidentally, also doesn't have stock.


Anybody know what's up? I really need one of those bad boys.

I think topre are doing something, novatouches are also out of stock all my country, id guess they are putting more resources to their RGB stuff? idk
The Novatouch got discontinued by CM, the realforce thing is separate.

Either way: wtf is going on? I have been waiting for 3 months nearly now. It never took so long.

As for some personal agitation: I can no longer buy from third party importers on amazon co uk coz amazon doesn't ship those to my house anymore. FURIOUS. It wasn't that expensive either comparatively to EK with shipping and everything accounted for.

Literally my only options from the Netherlands are: EK, mechanicalkeyboards.com, keyboard company in UK, and WTB-section here (classified).
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: dante on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:14:34
Being an arm chair keyboard CEO I'd say the RGB keyboard took away manufacturing capacity and they are behind schedule.

MassDrop is expecting their shipment of 55g's around the beginning of February so I'd guess EK will be restocked by that time.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:16:34
Being an arm chair keyboard CEO I'd say the RGB keyboard took away manufacturing capacity and they are behind schedule.

MassDrop is expecting their shipment of 55g's around the beginning of February so I'd expect EK to restock around that time.

Thanks, yeah I should've jumped ship earlier but I have too many hobbies that are prohibitively expensive: photography, keyboards, pc's, cooking, and books. But this time I really bet on the wrong horse it seems.

Btw.. what's this fuzz about that damm RGB keyboard? Why is Realforce going all Razer now?
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: dante on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:23:45
Btw.. what's this fuzz about that damm RGB keyboard? Why is Realforce going all Razer now?

Desperately trying to remain relevant.  Xenophobia can be a ***** on the balance sheets.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: Cocopah on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:24:12
I emailed EK inquiring about a different Realforce product. They said they're expecting a topre shipment by the end of January. I don't know if it will include the kb you want. The delay may have something to do with customs/holidays. I know ducky shipments got delayed.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:26:13
Btw.. what's this fuzz about that damm RGB keyboard? Why is Realforce going all Razer now?

Desperately trying to remain relevant.  Xenophobia can be a ***** on the balance sheets.

Good thinking. In my opinion, the only thing they have to do is start making caps and perhaps make the case more modern, perhaps offering a aluminum case and a silenced uniform 55g. That's it. Just refine what you have like Win95 --> Win98. Or Win 3.0 --> Win 3.1 --> Win 3.11.

Did I understand correctly that the RGB even has ABS CAPS? Like W T F. Man.. Why am I so upset about this.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:28:33
I emailed EK inquiring about a different Realforce product. They said they're expecting a topre shipment by the end of January. I don't know if it will include the kb you want. The delay may have something to do with customs/holidays. I know ducky shipments got delayed.

Thanks. Would it help to mail them? Or would you suggest just waiting till the end of January? I'm heavily hesitating between the FC980C and the 87U now, as I could get the FC980C but then I know how good the quality of the RF is.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: dante on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:35:29
Did I understand correctly that the RGB even has ABS CAPS? Like W T F. Man.. Why am I so upset about this.

Look at the bright side; The rest of the caps will match the space bar now!
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:40:03
Did I understand correctly that the RGB even has ABS CAPS? Like W T F. Man.. Why am I so upset about this.

Look at the bright side; The rest of the caps will match the space bar now!

I like your thinking.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: dante on Mon, 16 January 2017, 17:48:54
Did I understand correctly that the RGB even has ABS CAPS? Like W T F. Man.. Why am I so upset about this.

Look at the bright side; The rest of the caps will match the space bar now!

I like your thinking.

Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: Cocopah on Mon, 16 January 2017, 18:32:08
I emailed EK inquiring about a different Realforce product. They said they're expecting a topre shipment by the end of January. I don't know if it will include the kb you want. The delay may have something to do with customs/holidays. I know ducky shipments got delayed.

Thanks. Would it help to mail them? Or would you suggest just waiting till the end of January? I'm heavily hesitating between the FC980C and the 87U now, as I could get the FC980C but then I know how good the quality of the RF is.

It wouldn't hurt to email EK,  Brian responded very quickly. I was up in the air as well. I wasn't sure whether to get the Realforce, Leopold, or the Hhkb. I ended up getting the Realforce RGB. I knew going into it the sound and feel was going to be lacking. It is great after I hypersphered and lubed it. It is incredibly silent and feels rock solid. I know the rgb and the adjustable actuation are fairly gimmicky. I love the fact it comes with mx sliders. If they released a slicenced TKL version of this board I'm sure many more people would buy it.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: Erzegovaz on Tue, 17 January 2017, 07:15:41
Man u can get a 980C in Europe easy without custom fee...take that :D Or also a fc660C
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: hking0036 on Tue, 17 January 2017, 07:33:11
Man u can get a 980C in Europe easy without custom fee...take that :D Or also a fc660C
Some people want a TKL instead of getting the 660C or an 1800 board.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: losing_ctrl on Tue, 17 January 2017, 07:52:48
Btw.. what's this fuzz about that damm RGB keyboard? Why is Realforce going all Razer now?

Desperately trying to remain relevant.  Xenophobia can be a ***** on the balance sheets.

Good thinking. In my opinion, the only thing they have to do is start making caps and perhaps make the case more modern, perhaps offering a aluminum case and a silenced uniform 55g. That's it. Just refine what you have like Win95 --> Win98. Or Win 3.0 --> Win 3.1 --> Win 3.11.

Did I understand correctly that the RGB even has ABS CAPS? Like W T F. Man.. Why am I so upset about this.

Check this one out, I've almost pulled the trigger on this but for some reason haven't:

http://www.smartimports.net/topre-realforce-87usw-low-noise-model-keyboard/

It looks to be a silenced uniform 55g. If only it was a 104USW I would have bought it when I first came across it.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: 1391406 on Tue, 17 January 2017, 09:18:59
EK's estimated restock date is notoriously inaccurate and has been for a long time. It's nothing new.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 17 January 2017, 17:55:18
Did I understand correctly that the RGB even has ABS CAPS? Like W T F. Man.. Why am I so upset about this.

Look at the bright side; The rest of the caps will match the space bar now!

I like your thinking.


Smooth. Nniiiiccceeee. The rage of this professor is basically how I feel about NOT having a HHKB Type S and a 87U 55g white.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 17 January 2017, 17:56:50
I emailed EK inquiring about a different Realforce product. They said they're expecting a topre shipment by the end of January. I don't know if it will include the kb you want. The delay may have something to do with customs/holidays. I know ducky shipments got delayed.

Thanks. Would it help to mail them? Or would you suggest just waiting till the end of January? I'm heavily hesitating between the FC980C and the 87U now, as I could get the FC980C but then I know how good the quality of the RF is.

It wouldn't hurt to email EK,  Brian responded very quickly. I was up in the air as well. I wasn't sure whether to get the Realforce, Leopold, or the Hhkb. I ended up getting the Realforce RGB. I knew going into it the sound and feel was going to be lacking. It is great after I hypersphered and lubed it. It is incredibly silent and feels rock solid. I know the rgb and the adjustable actuation are fairly gimmicky. I love the fact it comes with mx sliders. If they released a slicenced TKL version of this board I'm sure many more people would buy it.

I can see what you're saying. But honestly... I am wary about the RGB. ABS caps? I dunno... ABS caps? Yeah of course you can replace them but the board is not cheap! Good to hear that the board is solid. Do you think quality is as good as Realforce's other boards?
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 17 January 2017, 17:57:27
Man u can get a 980C in Europe easy without custom fee...take that :D Or also a fc660C
Some people want a TKL instead of getting the 660C or an 1800 board.

Must say the 1800 layout looks interesting. Only 1 inch wider than the 87U approximately.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 17 January 2017, 17:58:40
Btw.. what's this fuzz about that damm RGB keyboard? Why is Realforce going all Razer now?

Desperately trying to remain relevant.  Xenophobia can be a ***** on the balance sheets.

Good thinking. In my opinion, the only thing they have to do is start making caps and perhaps make the case more modern, perhaps offering a aluminum case and a silenced uniform 55g. That's it. Just refine what you have like Win95 --> Win98. Or Win 3.0 --> Win 3.1 --> Win 3.11.

Did I understand correctly that the RGB even has ABS CAPS? Like W T F. Man.. Why am I so upset about this.

Check this one out, I've almost pulled the trigger on this but for some reason haven't:

http://www.smartimports.net/topre-realforce-87usw-low-noise-model-keyboard/

It looks to be a silenced uniform 55g. If only it was a 104USW I would have bought it when I first came across it.

Is this seriously legit? Does anybody have experiences with smartimports? Is this really factory silenced properly like the Type-S???? Or is it modded by enthusiasts and then sold on?
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 17 January 2017, 17:58:57
EK's estimated restock date is notoriously inaccurate and has been for a long time. It's nothing new.

Thanks, wasn't aware of this.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: Cocopah on Tue, 17 January 2017, 21:25:39
I emailed EK inquiring about a different Realforce product. They said they're expecting a topre shipment by the end of January. I don't know if it will include the kb you want. The delay may have something to do with customs/holidays. I know ducky shipments got delayed.

Thanks. Would it help to mail them? Or would you suggest just waiting till the end of January? I'm heavily hesitating between the FC980C and the 87U now, as I could get the FC980C but then I know how good the quality of the RF is.

It wouldn't hurt to email EK,  Brian responded very quickly. I was up in the air as well. I wasn't sure whether to get the Realforce, Leopold, or the Hhkb. I ended up getting the Realforce RGB. I knew going into it the sound and feel was going to be lacking. It is great after I hypersphered and lubed it. It is incredibly silent and feels rock solid. I know the rgb and the adjustable actuation are fairly gimmicky. I love the fact it comes with mx sliders. If they released a slicenced TKL version of this board I'm sure many more people would buy it.

I can see what you're saying. But honestly... I am wary about the RGB. ABS caps? I dunno... ABS caps? Yeah of course you can replace them but the board is not cheap! Good to hear that the board is solid. Do you think quality is as good as Realforce's other boards?

Well I haven't personally owned other Realforce keyboards. I have had the chance to use them. I would say the Realforce quality is there. It feels different, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. They had to change the housing and sliders to accommodate the RGB. The ABS caps are a downside. Personally I don't care, I took them off as soon as I got the board. If they did come with PBT keycaps I still wouldn't use them. One of the main reasons I got the board was the MX Sliders to use my other keycap sets. I will say though, these are very good quality ABS keycaps. They are thicker than a couple of my PBT sets.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: 1391406 on Tue, 17 January 2017, 21:27:15
Is this really factory silenced properly like the Type-S???? Or is it modded by enthusiasts and then sold on?

These are not modded by enthusiasts, but rather stock silenced. They (model SE070S) can be found on Amazon and Elitekeyboards(when available).

Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: hking0036 on Tue, 17 January 2017, 21:39:51
Man u can get a 980C in Europe easy without custom fee...take that :D Or also a fc660C
Some people want a TKL instead of getting the 660C or an 1800 board.

Must say the 1800 layout looks interesting. Only 1 inch wider than the 87U approximately.
It does look very interesting, but I don't think it's for everyone. At the same time, it's probably the only 1800 layout you'll see on Topre, but who knows. Topre seems to have fairly decent choices in terms of layout these days. I love the Leopold feel but the Realforce is king in terms of brand recognition. I don't think I'd like to scrunch my keyboard together in order to get a numpad.
Title: Re: Elitekeyboards stock.. anybody know what's up?
Post by: losing_ctrl on Tue, 17 January 2017, 23:04:29
Is this seriously legit? Does anybody have experiences with smartimports? Is this really factory silenced properly like the Type-S???? Or is it modded by enthusiasts and then sold on?

I've purchased a HHKB Pro JP keyboard and a spare set of HHKB keycaps from them, and I was pleased with my experience. I've heard others complain about their slow customer service, part of which may be because they are located in Japan - SmartImports seems to be a couple of dudes running a small mail order business for Japanese-centric items. So they're not slick like Amazon, but they do seem to know their stuff.