New Realforce R2 RGB vs Novatouch? Norbatouch vs Norbaforce Mark2?

[txeni]

Hi there,

Just learnt about the new Realforce TKL with cherry keycaps compatibility.
I own a Novatouch, which I really enjoy after lubing and putting some hypersphere rings.
Anyone owns both keyboards or at least has tried both?
What are the differences? Feeling? Sound?
Which one did you prefer?

Funnily enough I just ordered a black Norbatouch from Norbauer.
I had been wanting one of those forever and I saw there was some stock today so I went for it.
Then an hour later see him on youtube talking about the new Norbaforce Mark2 and the cherry compatible Realforce RGB )

I mean, I still love the novatouch and the case, so I’m sure I’ll be happy either way.
But what do you guys think?
Which one you think is the better board?
I’m mainly curious about sound and feeling, aesthetically I do prefer the Norbaforce.

Thanks!

[shadowku]

The Norbatouch case is pretty sweet. It's very solid.

I have a Novatouch, which I absolutely hate. It barely feels like Topre to me compared to my HHKBs, RF87, FC660C, and FC980C.
I was going to mod it with Silent-X rings and if I liked it after, I was going to get the Norbatouch too. But I figured that I don't want to spend more money on it and I'll just get rid of it when I find a buyer.

I believe I tried the RF RGB which is the full size version. It feels quite similar to the normal RF R2, which is pretty solid feeling. I don't like the case, personally, because it feels like a cheaper plastic compared to the R1. My favorite R2 is the special edition which is silenced with purple sliders.

I think if you're comparing sliders, the RGB sliders are probably better. The Novatouch sliders are too short so you would need the thinnest silencing rings possible. Deskey has new very thin rings which are very similar to the stock silencing rings on silenced variants of Topre boards.

If you enjoy your Novatouch, you'll definitely enjoy the Norbatouch. I'd say, if you're enthused enough, to just eventually have both. The best of both worlds might be the Norbatouch interiors with the RGB sliders but that would be an expensive build.

[txeni]

Interesting, in my case the Novatouch totally changed when I lubed it properly and installed the hypersphere silencers.
From really bad to one of the keyboards I enjoy to use the most, pretty significant change.
I didn't know the sliders are shorter!
The silencers I use were the first ones made by the community, they are definitely on the thick side, however I actually enjoy shorter keypresses so that may be the reason why I enjoy the Novatouch and you hate it 
Other reason could be that I have never actually tried a Realforce   
Have you seen the Norbaforce?
It's quite expensive but It looks amazing if topre is your thing.
Thanks!

[shadowku]

I have not seen a Norbaforce in person, but I'd expect it to feel substantial like the Norbatouch.

Yeah, Hypersphere rings were the first decent silencing rings for Topre, which I have in my first HHKB. They're really not that bad, and I use them with BKE Redux domes which has become one of my favourite keyboards. Now there are a lot more options for silencing rings so you can try them out when building your Norbatouch.

I bought a FC980C recently so I probably should sell the Novatouch since I really don't need both. I also don't like TKL because it's too big, but I do sometimes need a numpad.

[poodude]

I went with a Norbaforce R2. I've searched extensively about MX compatible sliders and the consensus is that it changes the sound in a negative way. Both the sliders off the RGB and novatouch do not sound anywhere as nice as regular Topre sliders. They tend to make higher pitched rattly sounds. If you want a side by side comparison, have a look at the recent Norbauer interview on the Norbaforce R2 on twitch or youtube. Losing the Topre sound kind of defeats the purpose for me in having mx compatibility.

The best sound I've been able to achieve thus far is using a realforce 87u with 55g domes lubed with #3 silencing rings from deskeys. Super deep bassy thocks.