What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
That said, I freaking love this board and have no intention of selling mine! I got one a few weeks ago from the previous run of this drop and have really enjoyed using it so far. I was pleasantly surprised at how decent the stock caps are and I actually vastly prefer the near-silent "thock" of this board over both my Novatouch (very rattly in stock form) and even the previous genuine Realforce boards I have owned. I have never used one of the newer "silent" Topre boards which I imagine are similar, but those boards are more than twice the price of the RC930, so I probably won't be trying one any time soon. This board is much quieter than the average rubber dome / membrane "generic" office keyboard. It is actually my office mates with "standard issue" boards who are annoying me with their loud typing by comparison now.
IMO, the RC930 is an absolute steal for the price in this drop and should be purchased without reservation if you're into Topre-style switches. Thanks to Massdrop for making it happen!
I did own a 55g Realforce 104UB at one point and it was very nice, but I ended up selling it because at the time I found it to be too stiff. Ironically, not too long after I sold that board, I went on a Cherry MX Clear kick when the CODE keyboard came out, so that got me used to heavier switches and may have strengthened my fingers after several months.
Anyway, in comparison, the 55g RC930 feels *much* lighter to me, though take that with a grain of salt as I no longer have the 55g Realforce for a side by side comparison. One thing I am sure about though is that the tactile bump and "spring back" was much snappier on the Realforce than on the RC930. The RC930 feels much closer to linear in comparison, as I think some others have mentioned as well. It is definitely *not* truly linear, though, as I also have a Cherry MX Red board and the action is completely different from that.
The closest comparison I have in my current collection is a Novatouch, which has 45g rated genuine Topre switches. Compared to that, the RC930 does feel slightly heavier to me, but I still think it feels lighter than "genuine" 55g Topre switches do. So I would rank the 55g RC930 in between a Novatouch and a 55g Topre for resistance.
Overall, though, I really do like the typing feel of the RC930 quite a bit, and mentioned earlier, I personally prefer the experience over my Novatouch due to the much quieter and more pleasing "thock".