---
# System prepended metadata

title: 'Tangent''s Unofficial Spec Comparison Note of CharaChorder Devices, Master Forge and Svalboard'
tags: [CC / Forge]

---

## Comparison Table

Notice:

1. You could learn more differences between CC2 and CC1 from the [CC2 Product Page](https://www.charachorder.com/products/cc2).
2. It seems to me that other unmentioned specs of CC devices would be similar to those of CC1, and they would be marked with an * in the comparison table. 
3. CCU and CC2.1 uses the same PCB as CC2, so some of the specs of them would be same to those of CC2.
4. You could further confirm the specs on their Discord server if you have any questions.
5. `???` are the specs which I am not sure about or cannot find information about. If you know of any helpful resources, please message me on Discord (Tangent Chang, @andy23512).
6. This comparison note has [a web application version](https://andy23512.github.io/device-comparator/).
7. If you prefer a comparison from my experience, check out my review articles.
    - [Review to CC1](/@andy23512/rJJQ3D0tA)
    - [Review to CC2](/@andy23512/BkJDa4xLkg)
    - [Review to Key Caps of CC1 and CC2](/@andy23512/H1e7-2y8lg)
    - [Review to M4G](/@andy23512/SJaiz3eLgl)
 
|                                                               | [Master Forge (M4G)](https://forgekeyboard.com/products/master-forge)                                                                | [CCU](https://www.charachorder.com/products/ccu)                                    |[CharaChorder Two (CC2.1)](https://www.charachorder.com/products/cc2) | CharaChorder Two (CC2)                 | CharaChorder One (CC1)                                                              | [CharaChorder Lite (CCL)](https://www.charachorder.com/products/charachorder-lite) | [CharaChorder X (CCX)](https://www.charachorder.com/products/charachorder-x) | [Svalboard (Sval)](https://svalboard.com/)    | Market Leading Keyboard              |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| ==**Computational**==                                         | ==**------M4G------**==                                                                                                              | ==**------CCU------**==                                                             | ==**------CC2.1------**==    | ==**------CC2------**==                                                             | ==**------CC1------**==                                                             | ==**------CCL------**==                                                            | ==**------CCX------**==                                                      | ==**------Sval------**==                      | ==**--------------**==               |
| **Modalities**                                                | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations                                                                                                 | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations                                                | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations    | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations                                                | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations                                                | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations                                               | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations                                         | Programmable Keys & Key Combinations          | Individually Programmable Keys Only  |
| **Possible Inputs**                                           | > 13,000,000,000                                                                                                                     | > 13,000,000,000                                                                    | > 13,000,000,000    | > 13,000,000,000                                                                    | > 13,000,000,000                                                                    | > 17,000,000,000                                                                   | > 17,000,000,000[^ccx_possible_input]                                        | ???                                           | < 200                                |
| **Memory**                                                    | 1,000,000 Actions                                                                                                                    | 60,000 Actions                                                                      | 60,000 Actions    | 60,000 Actions                                                                      | 16,000 Actions                                                                      | 65,000 Actions[^ccl_memory]                                                        | 65,000 Actions[^ccx_memory]                                                  | ???                                           | Uses Host CPU Resources              |
| **Memory Type**                                               | Embedded                                                                                                                             | Embedded                                                                            | Embedded    | Embedded                                                                            | Embedded                                                                            | Embedded                                                                           | Embedded                                                                     | Embedded                                      | Uses Host CPU Resources              |
| **Driver**                                                    | Driverless OS                                                                                                                        | Driverless OS                                                                       | Driverless    | Driverless OS                                                                       | Driverless OS                                                                       | Driverless OS                                                                      | Driverless OS                                                                | ???                                           | Requires Custom Driver from Host CPU |
| **Configuration**                                             | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline                                                                                                         | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline                                                        | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline    | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline                                                        | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline                                                        | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline                                                       | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline                                                 | Web Based FOSS/Libre offline                  | Requires Proprietary Software        |
| **Microprocessor**                                            | 240 MHz Dual Core                                                                                                                    | 240 MHz Dual Core                                                                   | 240 MHz Dual Core    | 240 MHz Dual Core                                                                   | 48 MHz                                                                              | ???                                                                                | ???                                                                          | 133 MHz Dual Core                             | 150 MHz Single Core                  |
| **Input Style**                                               | Fluid Chorded / Character Entry                                                                                                      | Fluid Chorded / Character Entry                                                     | Fluid Chorded / Character Entry    | Fluid Chorded / Character Entry                                                     | Fluid Chorded / Character Entry                                                     | Fluid Chorded / Character Entry                                                    | Fluid Chorded / Character Entry                                              | Character Entry and Combos[^sval_input_style] | Character Entry Only                 |
| **API**                                                       | Open Serial API Specification                                                                                                        | Open Serial API Specification                                                       | Open Serial API Specification    | Open Serial API Specification                                                       | Open Serial API Specification                                                       | Open Serial API Specification                                                      | Open Serial API Specification                                                | ???                                           | None                                 |
| ==**Electrical**==                                            | ==**------M4G------**==                                                                                                              | ==**------CCU------**==                                                             | ==**------CC2.1------**==    | ==**------CC2------**==                                                             | ==**------CC1------**==                                                             | ==**------CCL------**==                                                            | ==**------CCX------**==                                                      | ==**------Sval------**==                      | ==**--------------**==               |
| **Routing Style**                                             | AntiMatrix with Dedicated Channels                                                                                                   | AntiMatrix with Dedicated Channels*                                                 | AntiMatrix with Dedicated Channels*     | AntiMatrix with Dedicated Channels*                                                 | AntiMatrix with Dedicated Channels                                                  | AntiMatrix with Dedicated Channels*                                                | N/A[^ccx_dependence]                                                         | ???                                           | Traditional Key Matrix               |
| **Anti-Ghosting**                                             | NKRO+                                                                                                                                | NKRO+*                                                                              | NKRO+*    | NKRO+*                                                                              | NKRO+                                                                               | NKRO+*                                                                             | N/A[^ccx_dependence]                                                         | NKRO                                          | NKRO                                 |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |
| **HID Keyboard Schema**                                       | Extended 12 Key Schema                                                                                                               | Extended 12 Key Schema*                                                             | Extended 12 Key Schema*    | Extended 12 Key Schema*                                                             | Extended 12 Key Schema                                                              | Extended 12 Key Schema*                                                            | Extended 12 Key Schema*                                                      | ???                                           | 6 Key Schema                         |
| **USB-Hub Ports**                                             | 3                                                                                                                                    | X                                                                                   | X    | X                                                                                   | X                                                                                   | X                                                                                  | X                                                                            | ???                                           | 0-1                                  |
| ==**Mechanical**==                                            | ==**------M4G------**==                                                                                                              | ==**------CCU------**==                                                             | ==**------CC2.1------**==    | ==**------CC2------**==                                                             | ==**------CC1------**==                                                             | ==**------CCL------**==                                                            | ==**------CCX------**==                                                      | ==**------Sval------**==                      | ==**--------------**==               |
| **Size (L\*W\*H)**                                            | 228\*115\*38 (mm)                                                                                                                    | N/A[^ccu_externals_dependence]                                                                                 | ???    | 295\*111\*29 (mm)[^cc2_size]                                                        | 296\*110\*38 (mm)                                                                   | 295\*105\*33 (mm)[^cclite_size]                                                    | 59\*23.25\*16.15 (mm)[^ccx_size]                                             | 190\*130\*90 (mm)[^sval_size]                 | 450\*158\*38 (mm)                    |
| **Weight (Full Device, both hands)**                          | 346-500 g                                                                                                                            | N/A[^ccu_externals_dependence]                                                                                 | ???    | 303 g[^cc2_weight]                                                                  | 308 g                                                                               | 468 g[^cclite_weight]                                                              | ???                                                                          | 550 g[^sval_weight]                           | 989 g                                |
| **Switch Style**                                              | 3-D Snap Action                                                                                                                      | 3-D Tactile                                                                         | 3-D Tactile    | 3-D Tactile                                                                         | 3-D Tactile                                                                         | 1-D Mechanical[^ccl_switch]                                                        | N/A[^ccx_dependence]                                                         | 3-D Magneto-optical                           | 1-D Mechanical / Optical / Halls     |
| **Actuation Force (4-direction / press-down for 3-D switch)** | 55-57 gf / N/A [^m4g_actuation_force]                                                                                                | N/A[^ccu_key_cap_dependence]                                                                                 | ???    | 42 gf / 240 gf                                                                      | 70 gf / 240 gf                                                                      | 35 gf[^ccl_switch]                                                                 | N/A[^ccx_dependence]                                                         | 20 gf / 20 gf                                 | 40-80 gf                             |
| **Hardware Interface**                                        | Picatinny Railing                                                                                                                    | Female ¼”-20 Thread                                                                 | Female ¼”-20 Thread    | Female ¼”-20 Thread (Depth: 1.5 cm)[^cc2_mounting_hole_depth]                                                                | N/A                                                                                 | N/A                                                                                | N/A                                                                          | Female M5 and ¼”-20 Thread                    | N/A                                  |
| **Switch Durability (cycles each direction)**                 | 20,000,000[^m4g_switch_durability]                                                                                                   | 1,000,000                                                                           | 1,000,000    | 1,000,000[^cc2_switch_durability]                                                   | 200,000[^cc1_switch_durability]                                                     | ???                                                                                | N/A[^ccx_dependence]                                                         | ???                                           | ???                                  |
| **Number of 3D Switches**                                     | 16[^m4g_number_of_3d_switches]                                                                                                       | 18                                                                                  | 18    | 18                                                                                  | 18                                                                                  | N/A                                                                                | N/A                                                                          | 10 (Key Clusters)                             | N/A                                  |
| **Number of Keys on each 3D Switch**                          | 4[^m4g_keys_per_switch]                                                                                                              | 5                                                                                   | 5    | 5                                                                                   | 5                                                                                   | N/A                                                                                | N/A                                                                          | 5                                             | N/A                                  |
| **Switch**                                                    | [Omron Electronics D2LS-21(20M)](https://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Omron-Electronics/D2LS-2120M?qs=OcgtsXO%2B3gskSBgTf6V7tw%3D%3D) | [Alps Alpine SKRHADE010](https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/detail/SKRHADE010/) | [Alps Alpine SKRHADE010](https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/detail/SKRHADE010/)    | [Alps Alpine SKRHADE010](https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/detail/SKRHADE010/) | [Alps Alpine SKRHABE010](https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/detail/SKRHABE010/) | Gateron Clear/White                                                                | N/A                                                                          | ???                                           | ???                                  |
| **Key Travel (4-direction / press-down for 3-D switch)**      | 0.33 mm (derived) / N/A[^m4g_key_travel]                                                                                             | N/A[^ccu_key_cap_dependence]                                                                                 | ???    | 0.73 mm (derived) / 0.15 mm[^cc2_key_travel]                                        | 0.45 mm (derived) / 0.15 mm[^cc1_key_travel]                                        | 2 mm actuation, 4 mm total                                                         | N/A                                                                          | 2 mm / 1.7 mm                                 | ???                                  |
| ==**Material**==                                              | ==**------M4G------**==                                                                                                              | ==**------CCU------**==                                                             |  ==**------CC2.1------**==   | ==**------CC2------**==                                                             | ==**------CC1------**==                                                             | ==**------CCL------**==                                                            | ==**------CCX------**==                                                      | ==**------Sval------**==                      | ==**--------------**==               |
| **Shell**                                                     | 5052 Aluminium Alloy[^m4g_shell_material]                                                                                            | N/A[^ccu_externals_dependence]                                                                                 | Injection Molded ABS Plastic    | Injection Molded ABS Plastic[^cc2_half_material]                                    | Injection Molded ABS Plastic[^cc1_half_material]                                    | ABS Plastic[^ccl_shell_material]                                                   | Injection Molded Plastic[^ccx_shell_material]                                | ABS Plastic                                   | ???                                  |
| **Baseplate**                                                 | 3D-printed Plastic[^m4g_base_material]                                                                                               | N/A[^ccu_externals_dependence]                                                                                 | 3D-printed Plastic | 3D-printed Plastic[^cc2_half_material]                                              | Injection Molded ABS Plastic[^cc1_half_material]                                    | ABS Plastic[^ccl_base_material]                                                    | N/A                                                                          | N/A                                           | ???                                  |
| **Key Cap**                                                   | Rubber X-Ring + 3D-printed Plastic                                                                                                   | N/A[^ccu_externals_dependence]                                                                                 |    Molded and Textured Rubber | Rubber X-Ring + 3D-printed Plastic                                                          | Bead-blasted Aluminum and ABS Plastic                                               | ???                                                                                | N/A                                                                          | ???                                           | ???                                  |
| **Other**                                                     | ==**------M4G------**==                                                                                                              | ==**------CCU------**==                                                             | ==**------CC2.1------**==    | ==**------CC2------**==                                                             | ==**------CC1------**==                                                             | ==**------CCL------**==                                                            | ==**------CCX------**==                                                      | ==**------Sval------**==                      | ==**--------------**==               |
| **Pointing Device**[^pointing_device]                         | Trackball / None[^m4g_pointing_device]                                                                                               | Cursor Movement Key                                                                 | Cursor Movement Key    | Cursor Movement Key                                                                 | Cursor Movement Key                                                                 | None                                                                               | None                                                                         | Trackball / Touchpad / Trackpoint / None      | ???                                  |
| **Quietness Ranking**                                         | 4th                                                                                                                                  | N/A[^ccu_externals_dependence]                                                                                 | 1st    | 2nd                                                                                 | 3rd                                                                                 | ???                                                                                | N/A[^ccx_dependence]                                                                          | ???                                           | ???                                  |
|**LED**|:heavy_check_mark:|:x:|:x:|:x:|:x:|:heavy_check_mark:|:x:|:x:|???|

## References

### CharaChorder and Forge

- ["Master Forge: Specs Reveal" Video](https://youtu.be/x2swE9URxeA?feature=shared)
- [CC2 Product Page](https://www.charachorder.com/products/cc2)
- [CCL Product Page](https://www.charachorder.com/products/charachorder-lite)
- [CCX Kickstarter Page](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/charachorder/charachorder-x-type-at-the-speed-of-thought/) 
- [CharaChorder Official Documentation](https://docs.charachorder.com)
- [CharaChorder Discord Server](https://discord.gg/charachorder)

### Svalboard

- [Svalboard Product Page](https://svalboard.com/products/lightly)
- [Svalboard Manual](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Um4EAIK-GLQGw-9xHUFe-aCtHJDENYUSzhcqQi9ppwU/edit?tab=t.0)
- [QMK Combos Documentation](https://docs.qmk.fm/features/combo)
- [Svalboard Discord Server](https://discord.gg/DnGcHM4Rg8) 

[^m4g_switch_durability]: 20M ops according to [the switch detail page]( https://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Omron-Electronics/D2LS-2120M?qs=OcgtsXO%2B3gskSBgTf6V7tw%3D%3D).

[^cc2_switch_durability]: According to [the CC2 product page](https://www.charachorder.com/products/cc2#:~:text=CC2%20switches%20are%20built%20tougher%2C%20and%20are%20engineered%20to%20last%205X%20longer%20than%20switches%20from%20the%201st%20generation), CC2 switches are built tougher, and are engineered to last 5X longer than switches from the 1st generation.

[^cc1_switch_durability]: 200,000 cycles for each direction according to [this Discord message](https://discord.com/channels/861730583092658206/938239528454475787/1068002221855363082).

[^ccx_memory]: 65,000 chords according to [the CCX Kickstarter page](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/charachorder/charachorder-x-type-at-the-speed-of-thought/description#:~:text=CharaChorder%20X%20can%20store%20%2B65%2C000%20custom%20chords!)

[^ccx_dependence]: It depends on the spec of the connected keyboard so it doesn't seem to be the spec of CCX itself.

[^ccx_size]: Shell size of CCX from [the CharaChorder official documentation](https://docs.charachorder.com/CharaChorder%20X.html#id1:~:text=CharaChorder%20X%20Dimensions) is used.

[^ccx_possible_input]: CharaChorder Lite has over 17 billion possible input according to [the product page of it](https://www.charachorder.com/products/charachorder-lite#:~:text=Limitless%20Customization-,Over%2017%20Billion), so I think that CCX probably has a similar amount when using with a normal 60% keyboard.

[^m4g_actuation_force]: 55 gF is from [the comparison table in the specs reveal video](https://youtu.be/x2swE9URxeA?feature=shared&t=613). 57 gF is from [the measurement result in that video](https://youtu.be/x2swE9URxeA?feature=shared&t=562). Therefore I listed it as a range (55-57 gF) in table. Besides, regarding the press-down actuation force, since M4G doesn't have 3D press keys, I would define it as N/A here.

[^ccl_memory]: According to [this outdated wiki](https://charachorder.notion.site/FAQs-List-Lite-4a08faf376204974adaa57e8d098ad6d), 65k chords up to 247 actions (eg characters) in length can be stored in the memory

[^ccl_switch]: According to [the Switches section in the official CCL documentation](https://docs.charachorder.com/CharaChorder_Lite.html#switches)

[^cc2_size]: According to [CC2 Dimension and Weight in official CharaChorder document](https://docs.charachorder.com/FAQs.html#dimensions-and-weight), 11 ⅝” x 4 ⅜” x 1 ⅛”.

[^cc2_weight]: According to [CC2 Dimension and Weight in official CharaChorder document](https://docs.charachorder.com/FAQs.html#dimensions-and-weight), 10.7 oz without USB-C.

[^cclite_weight]: According to [CC Lite Dimensions and Weight in official CharaChorder document](https://docs.charachorder.com/FAQs.html#id1:~:text=or%200.52%20lbs-,CharaChorder%20Lite%20FAQs,Dimensions%20and%20Weight,-%EF%83%81), 1 lb 0.5 oz.

[^cclite_size]: According to [CC Lite Dimensions and Weight](https://docs.charachorder.com/FAQs.html#id1:~:text=or%200.52%20lbs-,CharaChorder%20Lite%20FAQs,Dimensions%20and%20Weight,-%EF%83%81), 11 ⅝” (length) x 4 ⅛” (width) x 1 5/16” (height).

[^cc2_half_material]: According to [the official CC2 documentation]( https://docs.charachorder.com/CharaChorder%20Two.html#the-halves).

[^cc1_half_material]: According to [the official CC1 documentation](https://docs.charachorder.com/CharaChorder%20One.html#the-halves)

[^ccl_base_material]: According to [the official CCL documentation](https://docs.charachorder.com/CharaChorder_Lite.html#base)

[^ccl_shell_material]: According to [the official CCL documentation](https://docs.charachorder.com/CharaChorder_Lite.html#key-plate)

[^ccx_shell_material]: According to [the official CCX documentation](https://docs.charachorder.com/CharaChorder%20X.html#the-body)

[^m4g_base_material]: The baseplate (called endoskeleton) is made by 3D printing according to [this video](https://youtu.be/7wb-JlZ2qP0?feature=shared&t=299).

[^m4g_shell_material]: The shell (called exoskeleton) is made of 5052 aluminium alloy according to [this video](https://youtu.be/7wb-JlZ2qP0?feature=shared&t=693). 

[^sval_weight]: According to [this message in Svalboard Discord server](https://discord.com/channels/1053081626898337902/1124364902811844739/1150412902457692221), 275 g per side.

[^sval_size]: According to [this message in Svalboard Discord server](https://discord.com/channels/1053081626898337902/1124364902811844739/1224420873663156224).

[^sval_input_style]: It is possible to use the combo feature of qmk to achieve the chording entry, but it seems that not many users do it.

[^pointing_device]: The default pointing devices on each device are listed. You can remap the cursor movement keys on CC devices, Master Forge, and Svalboard.

[^m4g_pointing_device]: Some tiers of Master Forge bundle don't include the Trackball Bolt-on.

[^m4g_keys_per_switch]: Unlike CC1 and CC2, M4G doesn't have 3D press keys. When you do a 3D press on M4G, you hit all four keys on that switch.

[^m4g_number_of_3d_switches]: M4G has two thumb switches fewer than CC1 and CC2. Multiple types of mouse control bolt-ons are planned to be offered on the Forge ecosystem instead of the digital mouse switches on CC1 and CC2. On M4G, the third thumb switch keys have moved to where the digital mouse control keys are.

[^m4g_key_travel]: The 4-direction key travel is derived from the conservation of energy. According to the datasheet, the switch component's actuation force is 61 gf, and it's travel distance is 0.3 mm. Therefore, if we use the measured actuation force on the keycap, which is 55 gf, the finger travel to generate the same amount of energy to actuate the switch is calculated as $\frac{61\times0.3}{55}=0.33\ mm$.

[^cc2_key_travel]: The 4-direction key travel is derived from the conservation of energy. According to the datasheet, the switch component's actuation force (4-direction) is 122 gf (1.2 N), and it's travel distance is 0.25 mm. Therefore, if we use the measured actuation force on the keycap, which is 42 gf, the finger travel to generate the same amount of energy to actuate the switch is calculated as $\frac{122\times0.25}{42}=0.73\ mm$. The press-down key travel is the travel of center push on the datasheet.

[^cc1_key_travel]: The 4-direction key travel is derived from the conservation of energy. According to the datasheet, the switch component's actuation force (4-direction) is 125 gf (1.23 N), and it's travel distance is 0.25 mm. Therefore, if we use the measured actuation force on the keycap, which is 70 gf, the finger travel to generate the same amount of energy to actuate the switch is calculated as $\frac{125\times0.25}{70}=0.45\ mm$. The press-down key travel is the travel of center push on the datasheet.

[^cc2_mounting_hole_depth]: I measured this depth. I screwed a long and straight 1/4"-20 screw into a CC2 til the end, marked the position, and measured the length between the screw tip and the mark.

[^ccu_externals_dependence]: You can customize the externals of CCU, and this spec will depend on the externals.

[^ccu_key_cap_dependence]: You can customize the key caps of CCU, and this spec will depend on the shape of the key caps.