EC / Topre

EC and Topre keyboards: electro-capacitive boards and parts

EC stands for electro-capacitive. These keyboards, made known by Topre, detect the keystroke without contact through the capacitance between sensor pads. There is no contact wear and no bouncing. The typing feel comes from a rubber dome: a clear collapse, then no mushy resistance, and a deep, round sound – the famous thock.

What we carry

We do not currently carry original Topre parts or Realforce keyboards. Instead you find EC boards and building blocks from the custom scene: the MetaPulse EM60 V2 (60% EC PCB with VIA firmware), the MetaPulse GH60 EC Ready-to-Build Kit and the MetaPulse EC Parts Bundles. For the build, the Nexus case and the Kraze 65 with a Metapulse EC bundle fit, and AEBoards offers additional domes.

Mind compatibility

EC parts fit neither MX nor hall effect PCBs, and not even all EC components are compatible with each other. Domes are tied to their housing system. EC housings are designed for 1.2 mm plate thickness; a regular 1.5 mm MX plate does not fit without further ado.

Single parts and tuning

If you only need parts, you find domes, sliders, housings and springs under EC switches, domes & sliders. For the size question, the overview of 60% keyboards helps.

EC or mechanical?

EC feels different from any MX keyboard: softer, rounder, without a classic click. If you want a wide choice of switches, MX is the better fit.