Topre Dome Replacements (Complete? Wasn't a GB tho.)

[jchan94]

Available Now
https://www.keyclack.com/product/bkeDomeReplacements
for retail. no gb

BKE Dome Tutorial
Please read thoroughly.

https://imgur.com/a/Wmg0B

What People are saying!

!!! Ohhhh bboooyy!! Got my heavy domes installed in HHKB... bajeesus. Whoever compared these to breakin off pieces of a Hershey bar was absolutely spot on. The crisp. The Thock.
Bless.

I've been typing on the heavies for a few days now. My biggest complaint is that they totally ruined stock topre switches for me. I left one 55g dome in on my f12 key - it pretty much feels linear in comparison to the new domes.

Mine arrived yesterday, didn't have the chance to actually swap them into a board but I did have a loose 45g dome to compare them with, and these things really do live up to the bubblewrap/hershey bar comparisons.  Now my only problem is that I want to get a ton of them to swap all my boards, though I will have to test out whether I like the heavy or light more.

Just got my BKE Redux Dome Replacements from Keyclack, the feeling is just heavenly <3

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7fzjh9/photos_bke_redux_norbatouch_with_mito_canvas/

Got my heavies this morning. I haven't installed them yet because I'm still waiting on a few things for my novatouch rebuild, but just sitting here comparing the tactility to the 45g topre domes is like night and day. I think what others have said is true: this will ruin standard topre domes for you, the BKE domes feel so much more comfortable and like 400% more tactile. They're spectacular. I wish I went with the 110 pack now

I'm so eager to get these installed... HURRY UP JTK TOXIC!

I completely agree with the community's consensus, these are leaps and bounds more tactile than stock domes. The hershey's bar analogy is really apt. I have another fc660c with stock domes, and it feels totally mushy in comparison. I'm going to have to do another domeswap for my RF now, too.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7gbf1g/bke_redux_variable_dome_swap_on_silenced_fc660c/dqhvx2u/

Before this, I thought stock topre and MX Clears were tactile, but the snappiness of these domes completely **** on every switch I've ever tried. The best way I can describe them is comparing them to the feeling of popping bubble wrap. Who doesn't like bubble wrap? That **** is amazing, and these domes are just as amazing

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7g9l6h/redux_bke_domes_thoughts/

I've been typing nonstop this past weekend and I have to say that I am quite impressed with these. THEY ARE SO DAMN SNAPPY AND TACTILE. They are everything that I wanted and more! This is my first review on this subreddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7g2j4y/realforce_rgb_bke_redux_dome_swap/

The tactile bump on these is satisfyingly strong. Very snappy so it needs to be silenced. Other than that I am a happy camper

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7fqrag/just_installed_bke_redux_heavy_domes_with/dqdpy4g/

Friends. I must say this mod is amazing. Much tactile such bounce. I only installed them on the modifiers for now. OMG the space bar definitely needed this!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7fctjh/new_bke_dome_swap_coming_up/

Sound Tests!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7fhs5c/as_requested_hhkb_with_bke_heavy_domes_sound/

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7g9xkd/reviewtyping_video_bke_redux_heavy_vs_stock_45g/

Pricing

More

Topre Domes Samples (5 light, 5 heavy)- $10
Topre Domes Light - 25 units - $18
Topre Domes Light - 70 units - $50
Topre Domes Light - 110 units - $66
Topre Domes Heavy - 25 units - $18
Topre Domes Heavy - 70 units - $50
Topre Domes Heavy - 110 units - $66

Interest Check

https://goo.gl/forms/rdGkfbEdO2CKuoqC2

Old Stuff

More

I recently acquired a Novatouch & Realforce 87U beige (thanks Apolotary) and after a lot of back n forth, I personally prefer the 45G, but I like the RF more feel more overall. I'd love to get something more heavy than 45g, but can't handle 55g.

So I'm going to try to undergo a project, and hopefully I'll see some support. I've already done some of the legwork so we'll see how to go forward.

The Goal

The goal is to produce a spring that, when placed between the housing and the keycap of a 45g topre board, will mimic the feel of a 55g board. (ghetto domeswap)

My Focus

My focus is on quality, and that's why I'm working to make the first batch in USA first, then making it in China.

Why do this?

cheap heavier switches.  aka the ghetto dome swap

heavier than 55g switches for those of you with fingers that flex

replace lost spacebar springs

Here's what I have.

1) Topre Spacebar uses approximately 40g to compress (nickel test)

2) Approximate weight of the spring should be 10g or so to get a ghetto 55g actuation force.

Here's a nice chart made by ek.com for reference.



3) I found some local spring factories in SoCal that I will be working with on top of my Mechanical Engineer friend to work on this design of the spring. After we finalize the design and produce the initial batch here in Los Angeles, we will be moving forwarding with a production with a spring factory in Hong Kong.

What's the next step?

Well I've done some research, but even with that, nothing has been pushed on my end

I will be going to the SoCal factory this week and measuring the NT & RF. I'll be measuring force curve & the compression of the springs with keycaps on and off.

A likely asked question

Why don't I just buy the ones off taobao from Topre clones?

AFAIK, those don't fit properly in Topre boards, but you can correct me if I'm wrong.

[sony]

I lost my space bar spring and springs I got off taobao only fit on the topre clones. It's finally going to happen. Ghetto 55g swaps incoming!

Oh and the taobao springs for the rc930 and the likes doesn't fit around the little lip of the topre housing so the spring crunches.

[kawasaki161]

Definitely a cool idea, if it works out at the end I'll maybe buy some to test them out.
Are you still working on the MX springs or was that plan dropped?

[xondat]

Cool idea.

I use two springs on my Realforce spacebar, so having different weights would be great to offer. Something like 10g, 20g, and 40g?

[jchan94]

Cool idea.

I use two springs on my Realforce spacebar, so having different weights would be great to offer. Something like 10g, 20g, and 40g?

Different weights are definitely the way to go. I'd personally want to try a 52g topre.

Definitely a cool idea, if it works out at the end I'll maybe buy some to test them out.
Are you still working on the MX springs or was that plan dropped?

MX is in the back burner right now and was going to get canceled with spirits GB but it looks like I might have to manufacture that.

For now,  focused more on topre since it's something I'd personally like to have more

[romevi]

That sounds awesome!

[yomammary]

So I guess the spring would also make a 55g board into 65g? 
Count me in.

[duynguyenle]

Cool idea.

I use two springs on my Realforce spacebar, so having different weights would be great to offer. Something like 10g, 20g, and 40g?

Different weights are definitely the way to go. I'd personally want to try a 52g topre.

Definitely a cool idea, if it works out at the end I'll maybe buy some to test them out.
Are you still working on the MX springs or was that plan dropped?

MX is in the back burner right now and was going to get canceled with spirits GB but it looks like I might have to manufacture that.

For now,  focused more on topre since it's something I'd personally like to have more

From my understanding of Topre switches, the tactile feedback and most of the weighting of the switch is provided by the domes, not the swpring, so swapping to a heavier weight spring to similate 55g may not provide the same feel as an actual Topre 55g dome, is this correct? I feel we need more testing 

(I don't currently have any Topre boards, having sold my Novatouch, but I do have a so-called 'Nopre' clone from Royal Kludge with 55g actuation (supposedly, I haven't quantitatively tested this yet). Would be interested to find out if it would work with this board and how aftermarket springs affect the actuation distance (If I recall, the spring is actually the sensing element of the capacitive detection mechanism)

[xondat]

You're putting a 10g switch under the keycap/on the stem, not in the keyboard itself. Effectively it will add 10g.

[duynguyenle]

You're putting a 10g switch under the keycap/on the stem, not in the keyboard itself. Effectively it will add 10g.

I see, I think I misunderstood, I thought we are trying to replace the capacitive spring under the dome itself.

[xondat]

You're putting a 10g switch under the keycap/on the stem, not in the keyboard itself. Effectively it will add 10g.

I see, I think I misunderstood, I thought we are trying to replace the capacitive spring under the dome itself.

Those would be way too hard to recreate. But you're right, it's the domes that depict the weight.

[TheBestUkester]

In!

[deci]

Very interesting.

Definitely want to try this out.

[Giorgio]

Very interested in springs identical to novatouch.

But obviously it all depends on the price ;-)

[zer09]

How about a spring that will get more heavier if it is depress more, to give cushion when the dome collapse.

[iamtootallforthis]

I would be in for heavier springs like 20, 30 or 40g

[ntw]

I have these springs from NT and they are not the same spec as the ones found on my Leopold Spacebars. I have to nudge them in properly to make sure they stay on around the slider housing instead of on it (compare the spring on Ins key that is not seated properly with the ones on Home, End and PgUp)

The springs are a ghetto fix to make the key feels heavier but it has this squishy feeling when bottomed out that sucks. I found that it is because the springs have more coils and when you bottom out you are rubbing the spring coils against each other and makes the squishy feeling.

[ticktwo]

awesome!

[jchan94]

Just wanted to update this!

We are changing the project to become a TOPRE DOME project instead. We are currently working on the 3D model of the domes.

Hype!

[yomammary]

Just wanted to update this!

We are changing the project to become a TOPRE DOME project instead. We are currently working on the 3D model of the domes.

Hype!

Quality will need to be top notch.

[menuhin]

Should totally do that!
This can potentially make my PLUM taste like a RealForce!

What's the price point by the way? Like some of those Korean rubber dome sheets on eBay?

[SJHL]

Just wanted to update this!

We are changing the project to become a TOPRE DOME project instead. We are currently working on the 3D model of the domes.

Hype!

Was debating with the springs but now im definitely in with the domes.

[jchan94]

Just wanted to update this!

We are changing the project to become a TOPRE DOME project instead. We are currently working on the 3D model of the domes.

Hype!

Quality will need to be top notch.

Will PM RAMA about it. Hope he can spare a minute to help me on this .

[iamtootallforthis]

Just wanted to update this!

We are changing the project to become a TOPRE DOME project instead. We are currently working on the 3D model of the domes.

Hype!

Quality will need to be top notch.

Will PM RAMA about it. Hope he can spare a minute to help me on this .

Do you have a list of weight options in mind for the domes?

[steven_g]

I'm interested in this. Can you ballpark a price?

[dilbertprogrammer]

65g Topre domes PLEEEEEEEASE   

[jchan94]

Just wanted to update this!

We are changing the project to become a TOPRE DOME project instead. We are currently working on the 3D model of the domes.

Hype!

Quality will need to be top notch.

Will PM RAMA about it. Hope he can spare a minute to help me on this .

Do you have a list of weight options in mind for the domes?

55g, 60g, and 65g i believe.

No ballpark on price. No Quotes.

[iamtootallforthis]

Just wanted to update this!

We are changing the project to become a TOPRE DOME project instead. We are currently working on the 3D model of the domes.

Hype!

Quality will need to be top notch.

Will PM RAMA about it. Hope he can spare a minute to help me on this .

Do you have a list of weight options in mind for the domes?

55g, 60g, and 65g i believe.

No ballpark on price. No Quotes.

Oh awesome! Hoping these get made as I would love to have a heavier Topre board.

[richard912]

If these fit into a Novatouch, I'm in for the 55g

[asen1994]

hope i can get the 55g domes

[r5d]

I'd like some 55g domes for my 2 Novatouches. Interested.

[mrkevint]

Awesome project! I'd be interested in domes for my Novatouch and HHKB. I'm glad I no longer have to justify getting a new board lol.

[feediko]

Also interested in domes for my 2 Novatouches

[robotmaxtron]

Interested.

[dante]

How expensive is it to make a dome sheet?  I'm trying to figure out $$$ for creating a custom 87 scissor switch keyboard.

[ixtopolis]

Definitely interested.

[inosint]

Very interested, an offering in the 70g+ range would be very appealing

[WNovizar]

Does that mean you are no longer offering replacements for spacebar springs? I lost my novatouch springs......

[jchan94]

The spacebar springs are going through some work in a USA-based manufacturer. I've been in chats with them for a little while and we should have samples in January. I know it's been a long time coming, but I'd rather have this done properly .

Recently, I got a hold of the topre-dome models, and I'll be working on bring those up to speed as well. We have a rubber molding manufacturer that has proven to be really good with their turnaround times, and development of rubber-based products. They are the same manufacturer as the rubber feet for the M65-A and we'll be working with them in order to bring these domes together.

[rabbitfire]

Interested! 

[bbmathlvr]

Filled out the form, definitely interested in trying different topre weights!

[dyrdevil]

This project is exciting; I thought I'd add an observation from a recent experiment I did: 

I bought some of the knockoff "55g" sheets from ebay and put them in my HHKB.  The feel wasn't bad, but what I didn't expect was that the sheets, or at least parts of them, seemed a touch thinner than the stock HHKB rubber sheets.  As a result, the travel was increased just enough for the top of the slider to go beneath the housing.  This produced a very loud and unwanted clacking sound on the downstroke, I believe from the bottom of the keycap striking the housing. 

I'm sure you're exploring everything in full, just wanted to recommend making the sheets thick enough!

[BAS1C]

Hey Jchan, I know you are koving offices etc and have lots on the go, but curious if this is still getting worked on and if there are any updates from recent months?

[arninja21]

I hope this materializes.

[kmba]

Seems like this and the hhkb mods got put on hold for other more immediate projects. Hopefully now that he's moved offices, XDA, camping, m65a, etc group buys are nearing completion, attention will be given back to the topre projects.

[midnight2903]

One can only wait. The topre game has always been like that, waiting.

[Vadurr]

Definitely would love to see this come back to life!

[madhias]

Filled out the interest check form!

[Burt Macklin]

Yeah, I did too.
Somehow missed the IC when it was posted 

[SICAR187]

+1

Filled in form