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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: typo on Sat, 26 January 2019, 22:49:43

Title: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Sat, 26 January 2019, 22:49:43
I have bathed it in soda and still works fine. My Decks I thought were so great all failed. So much for the last keyboard you will ever need. I think Topre is much less soldering and SMD LED's. That is obviously why it is so sturdy. I personally find it just like 104UB. The action and thwack is no different to me. If you are looking for a tough backlit board I do not know any other.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: Sup on Sun, 27 January 2019, 15:11:30
Water proof*. I would also clean it with alcohol so there is no corrosion in the future. 
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Mon, 28 January 2019, 00:43:36
You mean take it apart and clean PCB or soak it? I have spray alcohol so will just evaporate. Fact it was plugged in and did not short is amazing. Issue with Cherry boards is all the solder joints IMO. That is all that will fail.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: FrostyToast on Mon, 28 January 2019, 02:11:09
Topre boards are super easy to take apart and clean. You might as well open it up and give it a good wipe.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Mon, 28 January 2019, 04:44:54
Done. Case comes apart very easy. Mainly snaps together. I guess that is why Topre cases "shift". I know it is said RGB is not built as well but I see no difference in 104UB.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: Polymer on Mon, 28 January 2019, 09:48:07
It sounds terrible...that's the main problem...
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Mon, 28 January 2019, 15:55:07
To me sounds same as 104UB. All I hear is the bottom out anyways. Rebound sounds the same. Sounds good in fact.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: mattlach on Mon, 28 January 2019, 16:05:53
I've heard quite a few people speak positively about these.   The $200 pricetag is a bit steep though.

I wish I could test type on one of these boards somewhere to see how I like the keyboard feel.

I've been a Model M guy my entire life, constantly hoping that Unicomp (or someone else) would eventually give us a sleek modern industrial design with buckling spring switches, double shot keys, backlighting for nightime use, USB, NKRO, etc., all the modern features people have come to expect, but I have given up.   I guess it will never happen.

I ordered a Ducky One with MX Greens recently to see if it can replace my Model M's, but I'm not sure I'll like it.  Maybe I should have gone with the Topre instead...
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: mattlach on Mon, 28 January 2019, 16:16:13
Does anyone know if there are available doubleshot PBT keycaps for this board that let through the light?

I have considered picking one up, but the ABS keycaps have had be a little hesitant.  The PBT keycaps on the Ducky boards I have typed on have just felt so magnificent.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Mon, 28 January 2019, 16:54:42
Don't worry. Real DS is only ABS. Not China junk. The keys feel awesome. Hardly get shiny but wasd a little bit. They are very high quality keys. I replaced all mine with 3 GMK sets because I like the lighting underneath. If cost is already a concern doubt you would do that. If you look hard enough I have sometimes seen it for $170. Anyways GMK is same thing, ABS. You have to try quality ABS not Chinese. No offense to China though.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: mattlach on Mon, 28 January 2019, 17:07:02
Don't worry. Real DS is only ABS. Not China junk. The keys feel awesome. Hardly get shiny but wasd a little bit. They are very high quality keys. I replaced all mine with 3 GMK sets because I like the lighting underneath. If cost is already a concern doubt you would do that. If you look hard enough I have sometimes seen it for $170. Anyways GMK is same thing, ABS. You have to try quality ABS not Chinese. No offense to China though.

I just read through a couple of reviews of the Realforce RGB, which suggest it takes standard MX-style keycaps, which I was not expecting. Have I understood this correctly?   Any MX-style keycap works?  That certainly makes things easier.

I've been very impressed by Ducky's doubleshot PBT caps.  If I got a Realforce RGB, I might be tempted to stick a set of Ducky keycaps on it.   They appear to sell them separately on Mechanicalkeyboards.com (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2573)

Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Mon, 28 January 2019, 18:31:55
Correct. However GMK which is ABS is 10x as good. 10x the price too. Light does not shine through GMK either. Get the Ducky if you must but I say you are wasting money. The stock keycaps 5x better than Ducky. The Ducky will fit no problem though. Now you have a $300 board. My board is like a Grand lol.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: Tempest790 on Tue, 29 January 2019, 19:16:12
I swapped out white PBT caps on my Realforce RGB.  Yes, the Realforce RGB (only) takes Cherry MX compatible key caps.  The PBT improved the key sound slightly, but it definitely improves the amount of light coming through.  I'm very pleased with it.  This was the Ducky brand PBT.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/809/40099999715_0f72fa81fe_k.jpg)
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: mattlach on Tue, 29 January 2019, 21:22:51
Well, I still havent typed on one, but I spent some time with review videos of Topre switches, and I have come to the conclusion that the "oneness with cup rubber" probably isn't for me.  It's a shame really, as I wanted to like it.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Wed, 30 January 2019, 02:09:45
Must behold the Cup rubber. bow down!
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: Geroximo on Wed, 30 January 2019, 09:53:06
As long as they don't offer replacement keycaps, I won't buy a realforce.
It would be so easy for them, yet they don't do it. So annoying.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: typo on Wed, 30 January 2019, 13:38:50
If you will accept the RGB it has Cherry stems. The 104U, 87U are business machines for offices. No one is replacing on those. They are not going to cater to 1% of us but they actually did in fact.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: ander on Sun, 03 February 2019, 05:38:27
I've found that .22s bounce off of them well enough, but anything .45 or larger and you're taking your chances.
Title: Re: RealForce RGB=Bulletproof
Post by: Polymer on Sun, 03 February 2019, 13:50:09
To me sounds same as 104UB. All I hear is the bottom out anyways. Rebound sounds the same. Sounds good in fact.

It doesn't...not at all..

Silencing it will help the sound..but without that it does not sound like a normal RF...that's LOL..