Plans to buy a Realforce 87U Tenkeyless 55g (White/Gray)

[delidana]

Hi,

I have plans to buy a RealForce 87U after having tried my friend's NovaTouch for 1 week. I must say I love the feel of the Topre switches. Right now I have a Filco MJ2 Tkl Mx blues and a QFR with browns.

I have a couple of questions before I order.


1. Will there be a big difference in build quality and feel of the topre switches between NovaTouch and the RealForce 87U ?

2. What color would you choose, white or black? I like white more 

3. The 45-gram switch feels quite nice but it seems that many of you guys prefer the 55-gram switch because of the feeling. Is there a big difference between these two in terms of feel? Can you explain the difference in feel?

4. Do you think that EK will have sales any time soon or should I order now?

I will use it as my main keyboard for gaming and writing

Looks like a dream

[exitfire401]

1. Will there be a big difference in build quality and feel of the topre switches between NovaTouch and the RealForce 87U ?
Build quality: The Realforce will be a little less rigid because of the way the case comes apart, but they're both ridiculously solid boards with a nice amount of heft. As for feel, 55g Topre is very snappy, but from the Novatouch I've sampled, the domes in the Novatouch are almost snappier than the 55g Topre domes, so if you enjoyed the feeling of the Novatouch, I would suggest just going with that.

2. What color would you choose, white or black? I like white more 
Personally, I prefer the black. The black legends on charcoal caps look great imo.

3. The 45-gram switch feels quite nice but it seems that many of you guys prefer the 55-gram switch because of the feeling. Is there a big difference between these two in terms of feel? Can you explain the difference in feel?
As I stated in the first question, they both feel very nice and snappy, but the novatouch domes are just a touch snappier. Both feel very similar to an MX clear.

4. Do you think that EK will have sales any time soon or should I order now?
Nope. EK rarely has sales, and only usually has them when they're clearing out inventory.

[Altis]

I got the white myself as I love the look of the light grey modifiers and white keys. It looks as delicious as it sounds!

While I like the sound and feel of my 55g 87U, I have to confess that I think they are a little taxing on the joints/hands. They are very tactile and heavy enough that once you pass the breaking point of the domes, your finger bottoms out pretty hard. Just something to consider, though I don't claim to have the best hands/joints to begin with but I have noticed a few others making this comment.

Otherwise, I love it. I'm just thinking I might love it more in 45g, despite the loss in a bit of the tactility.

[Heliosphere]

White is better in my opinion. Black, while cool, is so dark that it's difficult to read the legends in certain lighting conditions.

I just got a 55g and I agree that due to the higher actuation weight, it feels harsher on the fingers. Harder to press and harder bottoming out. I've been used to using MX red and brown comfortably, and a Model F to some extent. Model F feels similar to the 55g Topre in terms of weight, but my fingers seem to become sort using the Topre. I'll have to use this longer to see if I end up getting used to it. I wouldn't mind getting a white 45g 87U.

[delidana]

1. Will there be a big difference in build quality and feel of the topre switches between NovaTouch and the RealForce 87U ?
Build quality: The Realforce will be a little less rigid because of the way the case comes apart, but they're both ridiculously solid boards with a nice amount of heft. As for feel, 55g Topre is very snappy, but from the Novatouch I've sampled, the domes in the Novatouch are almost snappier than the 55g Topre domes, so if you enjoyed the feeling of the Novatouch, I would suggest just going with that.

2. What color would you choose, white or black? I like white more 
Personally, I prefer the black. The black legends on charcoal caps look great imo.

3. The 45-gram switch feels quite nice but it seems that many of you guys prefer the 55-gram switch because of the feeling. Is there a big difference between these two in terms of feel? Can you explain the difference in feel?
As I stated in the first question, they both feel very nice and snappy, but the novatouch domes are just a touch snappier. Both feel very similar to an MX clear.

4. Do you think that EK will have sales any time soon or should I order now?
Nope. EK rarely has sales, and only usually has them when they're clearing out inventory.

Okay if the 55-gram switches on the RF are like the switches on the Novatouch then 55-gram is definitely perfect for me! Guys thanks for all your replies 

[Puddsy]

Novatouch is 45g.

[ablooga]

novatouch feels dirtier than realforces

[delidana]

Novatouch is 45g.

I know, exitfire401 wrote that Novatouch 45g feels snappier than RF 55g. I meant that if Novatouch 45-g feels like 55g RF then probably i will like the RF 55g.

[skuko]

you got PM sir.

[intelli78]

I agree that the Novatouch is snappier than a 55g Realforce, even though it is lighter. I think the perception of snappiness has a lot to do with the sound of the upstroke; it's not actually all in the tactility.

There is not a major quality difference between the two boards. There is a slight one. The Novatouch is probably 90% of the RF, and of course its stock caps are just thin ABS.

The 55g is thockier and more taxing on the fingers. To me it is tiring and 45g is exactly right.

EK will not likely have a sale soon.

I prefer white caps on a black case:

[delidana]

I agree that the Novatouch is snappier than a 55g Realforce, even though it is lighter. I think the perception of snappiness has a lot to do with the sound of the upstroke; it's not actually all in the tactility.

There is not a major quality difference between the two boards. There is a slight one. The Novatouch is probably 90% of the RF, and of course its stock caps are just thin ABS.

The 55g is thockier and more taxing on the fingers. To me it is tiring and 45g is exactly right.

EK will not likely have a sale soon.

I prefer white caps on a black case:

Show Image

Looks nice  :D Some of you guys seem to think that 55g i tiring, maybe i should look for 45g because 45g on Novatouch is perfect. But i dont think there is a white in 45g uniform.

[intelli78]

There is but it wasn't sold by EK, at least not recently.  There is one in classifieds now, the price reflects the relative scarcity.  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61819.0

Regarding 55g, some people talk like it's this great thing,  but eh. the extra tactility does make it interesting but make no mistake, it can get tiring. If you like 45g maybe best to go with that, there is no guarantee you'll like 55g more.

[Heliosphere]

Having used the 55g for a few days, I'm liking it more than I did initially. It takes a while for the fingers to adjust to the higher weight, but once they do the keyboard feels very responsive. I had no issues gaming on 55g. I agree with intelli - typing on it still feels tiring, and I think 45g is more versatile and is a safer bet.

Edit: delidana - I just tried out both Realforce 45g and 55g and made a review here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=66306.msg1552347#msg1552347
Please give it a read!