Noppoo EC-108 details, and should I expect a tenkeyless 35g Topre-style board?

[MPZ]

Hello Everyone,

I made a thread on...  I think it was Friday about jumping into the mechanical world with a KUL ES-87, a Novatouch, and a set of Leopold thick PBT keycaps. In any event, the conclusion I came to is that due to my small, weak hands I really benefit from lower profile keycaps (like my leopolds), and also that as much as I love the Topre-style Novatouch switches, 45g is too heavy for me with thick low-profile keycaps (I suspect reds feel light enough because they only hit 45g at 2mm, while topre-style switches hit it far sooner in the key travel). While it's possible that I would have a better time on my Novatouch with thin, lightweight low profile keycaps that don't have as much inertia to overcome, I suspect that I am simply a a 35g capacitive switch guy. Thus, I am returning my Novatouch, and possibly getting rid of my KUL as well.

That being said, I need some advice about what to do. I am very much a tenkeyless kind of guy, as I enjoy both the ergonomic and portability aspects of them. So, excited as I am about the existence of the Noppoo EC108 Pro, I don't know if I should buy it, or hang onto my KUL until a tenkeyless 35g capacitive switch board is released.

I hate to ask anyone to predict the future, but I just don't know what to do at this point. Since I recently discovered that banggood has the EC108, at present I am leaning towards keeping a red switch board around and waiting to see what's what (having tried capacitive it makes me sad, but I can live with red switches, as they are actually light enough for me even with my Leopold caps on them). Heck, if I get lucky and the EC108 goes on sale with an amazon return policy, I could even try it before I throw down cash.

What do you guys think?

also this can be the EC108-Pro thread if people want it to- I want every detail I can get about 35g capacitive boards

Thanks,
MPZ

[xuanwumen]

Here is one link .

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Noppoo-new-108-electrostic-capacitive-pro-mechanical-keyboard-topre-clone-switches-gaming-keyboard-PBT-keycap-detachable/2039433313.html

[Oobly]

Very interesting.

Topre 45g switches have a peak force of 45g before collapsing, MX Reds actuate at around the same force, 45g, and then continue to increase in resistance up to almost 60g at bottom out. So, technically Reds are harder than Topre 45g to press, so I think you're right, that perhaps that the force increases too quickly on Topre before the dome collapses.

Keycap profile height has nothing to do with how weak or strong your hands are or the force required to press the keys (except for the mass, but that depends more on thickness than height), so any thinner, lighter caps may feel better to you.

My advice: Keep the Novatouch, buy an EC-108. Swap the rubber domes = 35g NovaTouch. If the keycaps feel to heavy still, put the stock ones back on.

[MPZ]

Here is one link .

Lol I actually just joined the massdrop on one of those- I was looking at picture and noticed that the EC108 actually looks really narrow, so I checked and discovered that there's only 3.1-3.4 inches of difference between it and a tenkeyless. I decided I can live with that much extra width. Now that I've joined the drop it only needs one more person to go through, or one person to convert from committing at the 30-person price, so I should be good 

 

Very interesting.

Topre 45g switches have a peak force of 45g before collapsing, MX Reds actuate at around the same force, 45g, and then continue to increase in resistance up to almost 60g at bottom out. So, technically Reds are harder than Topre 45g to press, so I think you're right, that perhaps that the force increases too quickly on Topre before the dome collapses.

Keycap profile height has nothing to do with how weak or strong your hands are or the force required to press the keys (except for the mass, but that depends more on thickness than height), so any thinner, lighter caps may feel better to you.

My advice: Keep the Novatouch, buy an EC-108. Swap the rubber domes = 35g NovaTouch. If the keycaps feel to heavy still, put the stock ones back on.

Appreciate the advice and feedback. I suppose I should have been more specific in regards to my Leopold keycaps. The low profile benefit for me (i think, this could be entirely in my head) is that it seems easier to reach the keys- oh and also the smaller tops on the caps decrease accidental presses. Any difference in keypress effort based on profile should be negligible, as you say (the only way I can think of would be a slight change in the angle of my hand relative to the keys, allowing gravity to help my fingers the tiniest bit more). The main reason they require more force is that they're really thick. As to your advice, I might do just that. I should be getting an EC-108 (hell, I could even buy 2 to make sure the drop goes through and sell one lol), so if the extra 3.2 inches annoys me, I will keep an eye out for a cheap novatouch. If I feel brave enough to attempt such an extensive mod