BKE Redux Light Domes [Short review]

[Sup]

It seems that this is gaining attention once more, so after seven years, I'm utilizing my improved grammar skills to rectify my previous mistakes.

Introduction

Today, I am reviewing the BKE Redux light domes from KeyClack. I installed these domes on a stock HHKB Pro 2, utilized them for five days, and now feel confident in sharing my experience with you all.

Product Information

The BKE Redux is a remade and retooled BKE rubber dome replacement. Crafted from silicone, these domes are compressed to deliver a crisp and tactile typing sensation.

Weight, Tactility, Sound

Weight: Initially advertised at 45 grams, these domes exhibit a weight closer to 60 grams in reality. A Geekhack user named _Rubik conducted a coin test on the heavier variant, advertised at 60 grams, revealing an activation force ranging between 86 and 92 grams. My informal testing with European coins (7x20 cents and 2x10 cents) suggests an activation force of approximately 48-50 grams. However, I must note that my testing conditions lacked precision since I did not evaluate the domes inside my keyboard.

Tactility: While undeniably tactile, I find the degree of tactility to be excessive, deviating from the original Topre feel.

Sound: The installation of these domes significantly amplified the typing noise of my HHKB Pro 2, Not using silencing rings or lubrication. The forceful return of the dome to its original form causes the plastic slider to strike the plate with considerable force, resulting in a noise level comparable to Alps clicky switches.

Quality

The craftsmanship of these domes is impeccable, exhibiting no discernible flaws and maintaining a visual and tactile resemblance to genuine Topre domes.

Is it Worth it?

Personally, I find these domes unsatisfactory due to their perceived heaviness and stiffness compared to the stock domes, along with an excessive level of tactility that diverges from the authentic Topre experience. Moreover, the increased typing noise may pose an issue for myself and others, though this may vary for Topre boards employing a steel plate. Thus, I hesitate to recommend them for typing purposes, but I acknowledge their potential suitability for gaming.

[microsoft windows]

EXCELLENT REVIEW!

[Techno Trousers]

Nice review, thanks. Interesting to hear that you think the weight is like 60g. I'm assuming you're not in the U.S., but can you do a weight test with coins of a known weight to see how much force it takes to collapse a light dome?

[Sup]

Nice review, thanks. Interesting to hear that you think the weight is like 60g. I'm assuming you're not in the U.S., but can you do a weight test with coins of a known weight to see how much force it takes to collapse a light dome?

I will try to figure out how much pressure is needed to collapse the BKE light dome

EXCELLENT REVIEW!

Thanks

[Techno Trousers]

I will try to figure out how much pressure is needed to collapse the BKE light dome

Much appreciated! The more hard data we have, the better.

[Sup]

I will try to figure out how much pressure is needed to collapse the BKE light dome

Much appreciated! The more hard data we have, the better.

Surprisingly the pressure to get the dome collapsed is around 48-50 grams. I am surprised since they do feel like 60 grams.

[Techno Trousers]

I will try to figure out how much pressure is needed to collapse the BKE light dome

Much appreciated! The more hard data we have, the better.

Surprisingly the pressure to get the dome collapsed is around 48-50 grams. I am surprised since they do feel like 60 grams.

Interesting indeed! Maybe I'll get a sample pack of those light domes to try in my RF 87U.

[Wirakocha]

nice review 

[mikehotel]

I've been considering BKE Redux domes for a while. What domes does the stock HHKB have? That keyboard feels great, so I'm thinking of adding these to a plum.

[corygrapher]

Wish they sell super light again.

[MperorM]

I received my BKEredux light's today.

After reading reviews like this one, I was very worried that even the lights would be too heavy for me, considering my preference for 35g switches.

However after putting them in (wasn't too much of a hassle) I found that they don't really feel heavier than my 45g domes. They do however feel much snappier, even more so than my clicky alps! This is just the right kind of tactility. Clicky simplified alps feel flimsy, and cherry mx feels outright linear. I really am enjoying the tactility

The upstroke is also absurdly loud, like, really loud. I didn't think I would mind it, I thought I would maybe even enjoy it, but that turned out not to be the case. The upstroke is annoyingly loud. the buttery smooth topre^tm "thock" is gone, replaced with an aggressive "THOCK THOCK THOCK".

so far I am quite satisfied, however I've only been typing on them for too long, so my opinion might change.

[Boaty]

PM