Huge Update!

I am happy to announce that Astraeus is coming back under a new manufacture! All the prices for the kits are shown in the IC and all the vendors will be announced soon!

Quote from: phinix on Wed, 10 December 2025, 18:36:59

Quote from: nescio on Wed, 10 December 2025, 17:24:11

Quote from: phinix on Wed, 10 December 2025, 16:24:20

Quote from: nescio on Wed, 10 December 2025, 11:36:12

That backspace button is way too small. So, it could be the best keyboard in the world, but that alone kills it for me.

PS Why do I need to answer 6 questions for every comment I post?! Also, why are there no mods/admins to OK my topic?

this is just an example of R4, like some specific japanese version. There are standard ANSI ones.

Thank you for the clarification. I think your opening post could just have included that information; e.g. there is a series (you mentioned this word, so that part was clear) of keyboards with different layouts and for example color schemes.

In that case, the only way I would buy such a product, is if they would connect one to my computer for free for evaluation for three months of using it (which translates to probably a year or actual time, which they are never going to accept) to figure out whether or not there is added value. I don't think having a more expensive keyboard would provide much value to me. At the very least being able to physically test it in some store or seeing advanced metrics would be required. 

In a sense, you could say that their marketing engine doesn't work good enough for full market saturation. 

From all the keyboards on the planet, why would you want this one? I think, if I knew why I would want to have that particular keyboard, I would probably have enough knowledge to build my own custom one. In a way not being happy with a keyboard is kind of a curse, no? I mean, at some point a hobby becomes OCD for perfection or an addiction. I know why I bought the mechanical keyboard I currently have (ergonomics for having a mouse in place of the numpad and lower activation force to reduce stress on my wrists), but I have no idea why I should buy a Realforce R4.

What did I answer...

Right, so you are new to mech keebs, I see... 

I have only been using one for 15 years and did extensive research at the time, which is why I was happy with my purchase for at least 10 years of that. I think you have no idea who you are dealing with here.

All you are showing is that _you_ are new or too lazy to answer (which is understandable, since I am not paying you as my personal consultant, but don't do around saying things you don't know).

Hey kid, are you high or something?

However, a few switches in my batch were "off." They didn't sound or feel like the others. Maybe a factory-lubing issue. It was about 4% of my switches. Some horror-stories have reported up to 25% of a batch, but that is like one or two samples.

I haven't tested mine in a way to determine that but for the most part they seem all about the same, nothing jumped out at me (though I may have one or two). It is most likely a lube issue, that was one of my fears on ordering them but they've been pretty good so far and I have enough spares I can just swap in a replacement if a few do turn out to be weird. Swapping out one or two for spares is still a whole lot easier and faster than tearing them all apart and hand lubing.

Quote from: nescio on Wed, 10 December 2025, 17:24:11

Quote from: phinix on Wed, 10 December 2025, 16:24:20

Quote from: nescio on Wed, 10 December 2025, 11:36:12

That backspace button is way too small. So, it could be the best keyboard in the world, but that alone kills it for me.

PS Why do I need to answer 6 questions for every comment I post?! Also, why are there no mods/admins to OK my topic?

this is just an example of R4, like some specific japanese version. There are standard ANSI ones.

Thank you for the clarification. I think your opening post could just have included that information; e.g. there is a series (you mentioned this word, so that part was clear) of keyboards with different layouts and for example color schemes.

In that case, the only way I would buy such a product, is if they would connect one to my computer for free for evaluation for three months of using it (which translates to probably a year or actual time, which they are never going to accept) to figure out whether or not there is added value. I don't think having a more expensive keyboard would provide much value to me. At the very least being able to physically test it in some store or seeing advanced metrics would be required. 

In a sense, you could say that their marketing engine doesn't work good enough for full market saturation. 

From all the keyboards on the planet, why would you want this one? I think, if I knew why I would want to have that particular keyboard, I would probably have enough knowledge to build my own custom one. In a way not being happy with a keyboard is kind of a curse, no? I mean, at some point a hobby becomes OCD for perfection or an addiction. I know why I bought the mechanical keyboard I currently have (ergonomics for having a mouse in place of the numpad and lower activation force to reduce stress on my wrists), but I have no idea why I should buy a Realforce R4.

What did I answer...

Right, so you are new to mech keebs, I see... 

I have only been using one for 15 years and did extensive research at the time, which is why I was happy with my purchase for at least 10 years of that. I think you have no idea who you are dealing with here.

All you are showing is that _you_ are new or too lazy to answer (which is understandable, since I am not paying you as my personal consultant, but don't do around saying things you don't know).

i think it's more about how you carry yourself. this kind of mannerism can be fairly neutral if you just aren't being pretentious or annoying in general. i've been trying to lean less into people's issues, I find it really hard to get along with people when I do. generally, I feel like if you put anyone under a microscope for long enough, you'll find stuff you don't really jibe with. as in, no one's perfect, but if someone's imperfections are bothering you too much, it's probably not a good sign for you two. if it's a stranger, you probably won't have to face them for very long so just let it pass.

Yeah, I'm the same. Mostly let things roll off like tears in the rain, unless it is someone I see on a near-daily biases I'll make an effort to find a middle ground.
I'm not the type to stuff it down 'cause I know that leads to a dark place, so I need to nip serious personality clashes in the bud early. It's actually easier that way, because you don't know the person yet so the awkwardness is unfounded, and believe it or not, usually brings you closer in the long run due to the early-onset personal conversation.