NovaTouch sliders on a Topre 23U?

[zslane]

I have two questions regarding the viability of replacing the stock sliders in a Topre 23U external numpad with NovaTouch sliders:

1. Would the Topre stabilizers (on the 2u keys) be a problem? IOW, do they make it infeasible to install MX-stemmed keycaps?

2. Does anyone know where 23 NovaTouch sliders can be acquired now that CM has discontinued the product? (Note, I'm not too keen on using the Chinese knock-offs found in Aliexpress).

[sony]

Novatouch has mx compatible stabilized keys so if you swap the whole housing and slider, those should not be a problem.

As for sourcing them, if you want to be able to use mx keys for the 2u keys, you'd have to get a novatouch or part of a novatouch. Ctrlalt is also making mx compatible Topre sliders, but I am not certain on their availability.

[Bromono]

I have two questions regarding the viability of replacing the stock sliders in a Topre 23U external numpad with NovaTouch sliders:

1. Would the Topre stabilizers (on the 2u keys) be a problem? IOW, do they make it infeasible to install MX-stemmed keycaps?

2. Does anyone know where 23 NovaTouch sliders can be acquired now that CM has discontinued the product? (Note, I'm not too keen on using the Chinese knock-offs found in Aliexpress).

I have never owned a 23u, is it plate mounted or is is plastic like the hhkb?

If it is plate mounted like the realforce it should be easy.

If it is plastic mounted like the hhkb, some modding will be needed.

You can still buy barebone novatouchs from their site until they are sold out.

[SpAmRaY]

I have two questions regarding the viability of replacing the stock sliders in a Topre 23U external numpad with NovaTouch sliders:

1. Would the Topre stabilizers (on the 2u keys) be a problem? IOW, do they make it infeasible to install MX-stemmed keycaps?

2. Does anyone know where 23 NovaTouch sliders can be acquired now that CM has discontinued the product? (Note, I'm not too keen on using the Chinese knock-offs found in Aliexpress).

I have never owned a 23u, is it plate mounted or is is plastic like the hhkb?

If it is plate mounted like the realforce it should be easy.

If it is plastic mounted like the hhkb, some modding will be needed.

You can still buy barebone novatouchs from their site until they are sold out.

The 23U is plate mounted.

http://imgur.com/a/QZ3KE

[zslane]

You can still buy barebone novatouchs from their site until they are sold out.

I already have a NovaTouch. It lacks a numpad, which is why I am investigating a Topre 23U in the first place. But I'd like the 23U to have the same sliders as the NT it would be sitting next to. I wasn't aware that I'd have to get another NT just to harvest its stabilizers. That alone probably kills the whole idea for me.

[Bromono]

You can still buy barebone novatouchs from their site until they are sold out.

I already have a NovaTouch. It lacks a numpad, which is why I am investigating a Topre 23U in the first place. But I'd like the 23U to have the same sliders as the NT it would be sitting next to. I wasn't aware that I'd have to get another NT just to harvest its stabilizers. That alone probably kills the whole idea for me.

Only other way to source sliders is marketplace or Chinese ones.

Sorry =(

[zslane]

Well, as I'm discovering, it isn't just about the sliders.

It was possible at one time to get bare NovaTouch sliders, but AFAIK those did not come with NovaTouch stabilizer housings. So even if I could find someone with spare NT sliders and willing to sell some, I'd still need to find a source for the stabilizer housings. Are there Chinese sources for those too?

[Bromono]

Well, as I'm discovering, it isn't just about the sliders.

It was possible at one time to get bare NovaTouch sliders, but AFAIK those did not come with NovaTouch stabilizer housings. So even if I could find someone with spare NT sliders and willing to sell some, I'd still need to find a source for the stabilizer housings. Are there Chinese sources for those too?

When I bought a novatouch to harvest the sliders for my hhkb, I sold all my leftovers which included the housings.

[zslane]

Okay so basically I am either looking at harvesting a second NT myself, or looking for someone who has leftover sliders and stabilizer housings from a harvesting session of their own.

Thanks for the info everyone!

[Puddsy]

Okay so basically I am either looking at harvesting a second NT myself, or looking for someone who has leftover sliders and stabilizer housings from a harvesting session of their own.

Thanks for the info everyone!

Sliders and stabs can be had on aliexpress and taobao, iirc.

[keykaiser]

JTK sounds like they will have sliders.

[zslane]

Okay so basically I am either looking at harvesting a second NT myself, or looking for someone who has leftover sliders and stabilizer housings from a harvesting session of their own.

Thanks for the info everyone!

Sliders and stabs can be had on aliexpress and taobao, iirc.

Aliexpress and Taobao...you're talking about Chinese knock-offs of the components in a NovaTouch, yes?

[zslane]

JTK sounds like they will have sliders.

Apologies for my ignorance, but what is JTK?

[SpAmRaY]

Okay so basically I am either looking at harvesting a second NT myself, or looking for someone who has leftover sliders and stabilizer housings from a harvesting session of their own.

Thanks for the info everyone!

Sliders and stabs can be had on aliexpress and taobao, iirc.

I've only seen sliders. You have a link for stabs?

JTK sounds like they will have sliders.

Apologies for my ignorance, but what is JTK?

JTK is a new manufacturer working with ctrlalt on making cherry profile keycaps as well as topre mx compatible sliders including stabilizers and replacement cherry profile topre space bars.

They have not shipped yet but should be soon.

[Puddsy]

Okay so basically I am either looking at harvesting a second NT myself, or looking for someone who has leftover sliders and stabilizer housings from a harvesting session of their own.

Thanks for the info everyone!

Sliders and stabs can be had on aliexpress and taobao, iirc.

I've only seen sliders. You have a link for stabs?

Quick dig pulls up nothing, but I don't actually think I've seen them before.