Silenced Novatouch vs Silenced HHKB Pro 2

[ajx]

Hello, i am wondering if someone who owns both keyboards, which one do you prefer?
I have silenced my HHKB Pro 2 but i am wondering if the feeling of silenced Novatouch is somehow better than HHKB

[derb2k2]

Hello, i am wondering if someone who owns both keyboards, which one do you prefer?
I have silenced my HHKB Pro 2 but i am wondering if the feeling of silenced Novatouch is somehow better than HHKB

What'd you use to silence them? Curious.

[ajx]

Ironed landing pads, it provides a nice thock sound and do not reduce travel and tactility too much

[derb2k2]

I don't have a Novatouch, but I know that it has some of the worst rattling in Topre boards so I'd imagine the silencing effect, regardless of method, is more amplified for it. I've also heard that its 'thock' is more pronounced and may result in a better feel or experience. Who doesn't derive pleasure from the thock!??!

[Bromono]

I would take a Real Force over a Novatouch.

If money is not a factor, you can buy the Anniversary Real Force which has special purple sliders, they silence the board and take none if the tactility away. I also prefer 55g in TKL, that is why I would choose Real Forces.

I currently own a Real Force with those sliders and a HHKB silenced with HyperSphere rings. I still prefer the Real Force over the HHKB. I do switch between them often though.

[Hypersphere]

My collection of Topre-switch keyboards includes HHKB Pro 2, HHHK Pro 2 w/ 55g domes, RF87UB45, RF87UB55, and Novatouch. I have installed Silencing Rings in all of them. The last one I silenced was a RF87UB55 -- on this one, I also lubed the stabilizers and slider rails on all the switches and put rubber shock absorbers under the spacebar. This silenced/lubed RF has become my favorite board with respect to the overall refinement and solidity of its sound and feel.

However, I still prefer the 60% form factor and layout of my HHKB Pro 2 boards, and I enjoy the springy feel of the case-mounted switches.

The Novatouch benefits the most from silencing, and I also like the novelty of being able to put Cherry mx caps on my Novatouch. However, I have found that in order to avoid bottoming-out noise on the Novatouch, it is best to use OEM or SA profile keycaps. This limits the choices among mx keycap sets.

I have the luxury of keeping all these boards and putting them in my rotation for variety. However, if I had to rank-order them, it would be something like the following (all are silenced):

RF87UB55 > RF87UB45 ~ HHKB Pro 2 55 ~ HHKB Pro 2 45 > Novatouch

It is difficult for me to rank these boards, because there is something to like about each of them.