CM Novatouch

[phinix]

Hi, I'm planning to buy CM Novatouch and wanted to ask you guys for your opinion - any comments from someone who has it - do you like it? Any cons?
I have Filco tkl on mx blues and Topre tkl already.
I want to have a topre switch keyboard with ability to add nice key caps, thats the reason for novatouch.

[Stabilized]

I think the general consensus is that it has pros and cons, but the typing experience doesn't compare to a Realforce.
Here are some of my pros and cons:
Pros would be the interchangeable Cherry mount keycaps, and the price.
Cons would be the rattle it gives and the general build quality compared to other more expensive Topre boards. These both affect the typing experience for me.

[robotsokk]

I have a NovaTouch (it's my main board at work), and after silencing it using Hypersphere's silencing ring mod, it's made a huge difference on the typing experience, namely by eliminating the upstroke rattle that Stabilized mentioned. It's one of my favorite boards now.

I've only typed on a coworkers Realforce briefly, and have to agree that the NovaTouch isn't a perfect clone of that typing experience. There was just a refinement with the Realforce that the NT doesn't quite capture. Plus, the NT only comes in 45g; there aren't any 55g options (unless you do a dome swap yourself).

For some people, changing out the keycaps is not at all important to them in their keyboard selection. Personally, the ability to use my MX-compatible keycap sets on the NovaTouch made it a definite buy for me. Overall, I have no regrets on the purchase, and I intend to hold on to the board indefinitely.

[phinix]

Just to share my experience - I got my Novatouch and have to say it is awesome. I dot hear that rattling. I think it sounds good, even too quiet for me:)

Keycaps are kinds small I think. Same like on my Topre TKL. Cherry are bit bigger I think.

It is time to get some SA set on it...

[spacemonkey001]

I got a Novatouch a couple months ago and I added Hypersphere's o-rings and Modern Selectric. At first I was underwhelmed but it slowly grew on me and now I'm totally obsessed with the rubber thocking sound. I've used blues and buckling springs for years and now I can barely stand them. My Whitefox assembled with Blues finally arrived last week and I used it for exactly one day before going back to the Novatouch. I'm actually kinda sad I like it so much since it's fun to buy keyboards and I may have found my endgame.

So yes I recommend it.

[phinix]

Cool. I wish I could have a SA set for my Nova right now.

Unfortunately therte is nothing to buy around now.
Especially I have it in ISO UK layout.

[spacemonkey001]

You can buy Modern Selectric black from the clueboard store right now:

https://shop.clueboard.co/Modern-Select ... L-Set.html

But yeah SP has gotten so far behind it's pretty hard to get SA sets.

[phinix]

You can buy Modern Selectric black from the clueboard store right now:

https://shop.clueboard.co/Modern-Select ... L-Set.html

But yeah SP has gotten so far behind it's pretty hard to get SA sets.

These are out of stock and don't have ISO:(

[phinix]

I was wondering - did anyone do force modding on this keyboard?
I mean like change it from 45g to 55g etc?

Would it need rubber domes changed or those springs under it?

[mmaruda]

You need the dome, springs only provide lie 5g resistance and I believe there are all the same for every Topre board. I know people have swapped to 55g from Realforce and I think that the dome from it fit without any modification. However that would require actually buying a Realforce, so this begs a question - would you still need a Novatouch.

One idea I had was to place springs over the keycaps, just like the spacebar has to increase resistance. I was planning on getting a cheap BTC foam-over-foil keyboard and harvest the springs from there, as they look like they would fit, but never got around to it or actually found a BTC board for an acceptable price.

[phinix]

I see. I guess I could buy topre 55g, swap it and then sell topre as 45g...

Is there really a huge difference between 45 and 55g?
I'm used to mx blues and now when I use Novatouch I feel those keys go down so easily, a little bit more resistance would be nice.
Would 55g make a difference?

[vivalarevolución]

I think the difference between 45g and 55g is quite noticeable. The 55g are much stiffer, you really can feel the greater amount of force you need to actuate a 55g Topre switch.

[mmaruda]

I dental-banded mine again today, lubed the slider housings, wiped them so no greese would cause any stickyness, but the plastic would still stay smooth and did a very thorough job of selecting the thinnest dental bands and placing them on the stems. Finally I am pleased with the result. I would say that this helps a bit with the key resistance, they still go down at 45g, but since the keys are stiffer now, they feel a bit more resistant and typing is a lot easier, almost like touch-typing, but I would say that despite a minimal loss of keytravel, the whole experience is much better. It's hard to describe it, but this initial wobble of the key when you reach the point when the dome collapses is gone, you just feel the resistance of the dome right away. It's impossible to do an accidental keypress, very firm feeling on the keys there, but at the same time very tactile.

I prefer a heavier board too - I use a V60 with Clears at work and I also use the Model M, yet for some reason, the Novatouch now feels like the best out of the three when typing is concerned. No idea what I screwed up with my first attempt at dental bands, but I just can't get enough of hitting those keys now.

One thing that I noticed though - and I guess it's important to point out when doing any king of mod on the board - the top case crackles a bit when pressing on the sides. I guess when you open the case up the plastic stretches a bit and is no longer that firm. Not a big issue, but whether it's silencing or just swapping the domes, be very careful when sliding a card between the seems. Take your time, don't stretch it too much.