Geekhack!!!

[The Hobbiest]

Feels great to be making this introduction to this fine community. Just wanted to say thank you to you guys already.  I've been lurking pretty hardcore over the last couple months and picked up quite a bit of knowledge which lead me to purchase a kul es87 (Cherry Reds).  Definitely much happier with tkl format over my old full size QF Ultimate.  The QF was my first venture into mechanical switches three years ago and I went with browns as a "jack of all trades" switch that was good for typing and gaming.  This Kul on the other hand will be my dedicated gaming board (need the F keys for the games I play hence the tkl).  Already ordered and received some Ducky thick pbt as well.

So, all in all, I got to say you guys haven't let me down one bit by the influencing my with your opinions when I made these purchases.  I'm definitely really enjoying the new board (wow, so solid) and keycaps and look forward to diving in even deeper into 60% and topre boards for a dedicated type/work board.  Also, although i'm not really into single custom caps that much I really do admire the design and group buy process you guys have going for keycap sets. Really beautiful stuff and a great option/service for this community/hobby.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Looks like the QF Ultimate has a non-standard bottom row, so you'll definitely find it easier sourcing replacement keycaps for the KUL!

I haven't really heard anything bad about the KUL yet, definitely a good keyboard to recommend

MX reds are a bit too light for me, although my one keyboard with reds is currently doing duty as the keyboard on my gaming PC.

You've heard of the HHKB, right?  Topre and 60% in one wonderful package

And if you're going to join a group buy, make sure you have plenty of patience, as they can sometimes stretch out for months!

[The Hobbiest]

Thanks rowdy.  The reds are light but the combination of the light linear switches with the solidness of the kul plate allow me to button mash unimpeded with absolutely no give/flex when bottoming out.  Tactility is nice and in theory one would be able to hold the buttons down right above the actuation point and then hit button with just enough force to register and not bottom giving the fastest reaction/presses BUT my concentration on actuation goes out the window when gaming rendering tactility no advantage to me.  Then after watching some of the higher skilled people streaming it becomes obvious that repeated button mashing with force seems to be the norm.  Yes some of the guys use Mx Blues but even they are bottoming out when mashing.  The only drawbacks i've found in the Reds compared to the Browns is that you will really have to step up your finger awareness when dormant.  A couple times my left ring finger hassssssssssssssssssssssssss......you get the picture. Typing on Reds isn't so bad either (two day adjustment for me) but I definitely see why tactility is preferred.

As far as Topre boards go, yes I have heard of the HHKB.  Been reading all the HHKB and Realforce threads.  That's partly what influenced me to get the Kul with it's ability to change the layout to the HHKB's. Going to give it some time before I choose between the two though.  Both have their merits and offer something the other doesnt.  I'd love to be able to be able to get my hands on any topre switch just to see how they feel but unfortunately the MicroCentre in Denver has its only Novatouch in the box security banded closed.

[W_hinklebottom]

Hello and welcome, It is a fun journey into the world of Mechanical Keyboards. If your are curious about Topre boards I don't think it is absolutely necessary to try before you buy. If you hang around the classifieds you can pick one up used pretty easily. But what if you don't care for your new 200$ investment? No problem, Topre hold their value ridiculously well and there is always someone looking to pick it up. So for the cost of shipping it somewhere it isn't a bad way to test it out.  Also sometimes a member will send their board on a tour to test it out and you only pay to ship it to the next person.

[The Hobbiest]

I'll definitely keep my eyes open on the classifieds. I don't mind buying things to try and then moving them on for a small loss.  Many of my other hobbies like firearms, musical equipment, and disc golf have worked along the same lines.  Luckily I have always used items from previous hobbies to fund my next hobby so i'm looking forward to some really nice keyboards and keycap sets.   

[rowdy]

Thanks rowdy.  The reds are light but the combination of the light linear switches with the solidness of the kul plate allow me to button mash unimpeded with absolutely no give/flex when bottoming out.  Tactility is nice and in theory one would be able to hold the buttons down right above the actuation point and then hit button with just enough force to register and not bottom giving the fastest reaction/presses BUT my concentration on actuation goes out the window when gaming rendering tactility no advantage to me.  Then after watching some of the higher skilled people streaming it becomes obvious that repeated button mashing with force seems to be the norm.  Yes some of the guys use Mx Blues but even they are bottoming out when mashing.  The only drawbacks i've found in the Reds compared to the Browns is that you will really have to step up your finger awareness when dormant.  A couple times my left ring finger hassssssssssssssssssssssssss......you get the picture. Typing on Reds isn't so bad either (two day adjustment for me) but I definitely see why tactility is preferred.

As far as Topre boards go, yes I have heard of the HHKB.  Been reading all the HHKB and Realforce threads.  That's partly what influenced me to get the Kul with it's ability to change the layout to the HHKB's. Going to give it some time before I choose between the two though.  Both have their merits and offer something the other doesnt.  I'd love to be able to be able to get my hands on any topre switch just to see how they feel but unfortunately the MicroCentre in Denver has its only Novatouch in the box security banded closed.

If you're quick, Massdrop has the CM switch tester V2 with a single Topre switch: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/cooler-master-switch-testerv2?mode=guest_open

Won't give you the same impression as typing on a full keyboard of Topre switches, but you might be able to generally compare with MX.