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11
Keyboards / Re: Realforce R4
« Last post by Jucko on Mon, 23 February 2026, 19:20:43 »
I recently received my R4 its a solid feeling board overall but it has its problems. For one its a huge PITA to open, and nearly impossible to open without slightly damaging the case (might be skill issue lol). The domes inside are weirdly grippy like sticky tack, typing they feel exactly the same as every other oem dome. The dome strips (1-4) are pitted on the bottom, something Ive never seen before while the dome sheets are pristine, it could be that their molds are getting worn out.

Techbeezin did a great teardown and review over on KT if anyone is interested: https://www.keebtalk.com/t/realforce-r4-r4hd11-teardown/23658

What do you mean pitted at the bottom? What does it mean?

I'm wondering, I think I would liek to get a Realforce keyboard and mod it with mx sliders and everything that DES made for topre so far. I don't even know what its there, last time I modded RF was 3-5 years ago.
What is new now for topre? I mean what is good to use from DES to mod the boards nowadays. Definitely wuld take heavy domes, like 80-90g, but what about other bits they sell? Should I think of housings swap? Springs? All those pads etc?

Would R4 be good for modding? I know its PITA to open etc but overall, what would be better. I only modded R1, R2 and HHKBs.
Maybe should pick R3? R3 or R4, I dont want to do cable mod anymore, just have USB-C.

If I like 80g linear cherry mx switches (or 75g tactiles), should I go with 85g green des domes, or better go with grey 70g?


There are some pics of the dome pitting in the link from my last post (they kinda look like swiss cheese), it doesn't effect the feel of the domes (at least that i can tell) it seems like just visual imperfections.

As for modding, DES isn't the only place to get parts anymore, recently Dynacap and Metapulse launched with their own domes and mx compatible sliders and housings. Id highly recommend you check them out. As for gaskets and pads and such I believe DES is the only supplier.

Honestly I cant really recommend the R4 as a good modding platform, it takes WAY to much effort to open and its really easy to damage the case while doing so, if you want usb-c id have to say go with the R3 its definitely a lot more difficult then say an R1 but its infinitely easier to open than an R4.

Its pretty difficult to compare mx switch weight with topre/ec dome weights as they dont really translate that well, ive found that dome weights usually run heavier than their mx counterparts, for example 45g oem domes feel more like 50-55g. DES has some great dome offerings but id look into some of the newer domes as well like Astrodomes, Metapulse, and Dynacap. If youre looking for the most tactility id recommend BKE style domes.
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Off Topic / Re: What's Bothering You? (The thread about what is bothering you.)
« Last post by JaccoW on Mon, 23 February 2026, 18:28:52 »
Going over my Paypal expenses from 2015 since Kin25 is posting again then running into my Miami Nights invoice:
Show Image

At least the Euro was stronger back then.
Got messaged on Reddit about selling Miami Nights. Never got it. Finally checked in here since 5 years and got reminded of the Ivan Ivanovich scam GB.  :-\

Ah well, wouldn't mind getting that back but it's long gone and forgotten.

Mostly spending money of Hifi and bikes nowadays.

Thought I could use a new PCB for my Duck Keypad to match the Orion. Messed it up one day while soldering and never managed to repair it again.

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Interest Checks / Re: [IC] KKB Stratos - A Tribute to the Lancia Stratos
« Last post by anson42 on Mon, 23 February 2026, 17:13:12 »
Added the R3 1.25U Enters and updated the main post! (had another request for it too, so it makes sense to add!)

Brilliant!
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Interest Checks / Re: [IC] KeyKobo Emoji by KEI 绘文字
« Last post by Flybeck on Mon, 23 February 2026, 16:45:20 »
Looks great, good job
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Keyboard Keycaps / Re: keycap profile demonstration props
« Last post by varloca3 on Mon, 23 February 2026, 14:50:17 »
I am quite new to this subreddit, and havn't explored the world of mechanical keyboards at all yet (other than the manufactured ones from the big companies). Is this a representations of keys from the top-most row (right) to the bottom row (left)? And if so, what is the benefit of keys being shaped differently, depending on row?
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Interest Checks / Re: [IC]篆Seal TKL - The story of 1 keyboard and 7 systems
« Last post by ylothar on Mon, 23 February 2026, 14:28:32 »
Shame about the nav cluster accent, I much prefer the look of the seal100.

+1

I also think that the simplicity of the seal100 was its strong point: I find the accent above the navigation cluster decidedly artificial, an unnecessary forcing.
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Interest Checks / Re: [IC] KeyKobo Emoji by KEI 绘文字
« Last post by Zahul on Mon, 23 February 2026, 09:20:47 »
This looks great! Any chance of a black mod kit?
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Interest Checks / Re: [IC] KKB Stratos - A Tribute to the Lancia Stratos
« Last post by Shark on Mon, 23 February 2026, 09:13:15 »
Hi anson, appreciate you comment! I had a look at Lillies of the Valley, and I think a similar layout could work for this. Here is an initial 40s kit:

That looks great! I also really like both accent colors for the Enter keys, an often missed detail. The extra shift keys are also appreciated. This kitting covers most of my 40s boards but for R3 1.25u Enters that many KKB 40s kits also include. If you can't get those in, I can't really complain.

If you can get this 40s kitting and enhanced spacebars into the final offering, you can count me in!

Cheers!

Added the R3 1.25U Enters and updated the main post! (had another request for it too, so it makes sense to add!)
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Interest Checks / Re: [IC]篆Seal TKL - The story of 1 keyboard and 7 systems
« Last post by SENSY LAB on Mon, 23 February 2026, 06:22:54 »
Helloooo =)

We have updated the vendor list haha
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Interest Checks / Re: [IC]篆Seal TKL - The story of 1 keyboard and 7 systems
« Last post by SENSY LAB on Mon, 23 February 2026, 06:10:48 »
hey  :D
ive been wondering yesterday after seeing this how the board will sound with those "force break" type strips.
Will be board sound more Thin due to the Middle part or can this be prevented by using Copper or ABS instead of TPU?
The board itself looks amazing to me and will be my next board for sure  :thumb:

In our opinion, using TPU will make the sound cleaner, while using ABS to test the sound is more like a original keyboard.
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