Realforce 87u 55g Review!

[terrpn]

so about 2.6 lbs.

was curious in how the weight compared to a filco or cooler master tkl

not badgering the board..........it speaks for itself, just checking the heft

[avtar]

EK lists the weight on their site as well http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se1800

[terrpn]

so then it looks to be a tad heavier than a qfr, which is listed at 2.1 lbs. and lighter than a filco (tkl) listed at 2.9 lbs.

right in the middle......

[tbc]

lighter than a filco?

damn...the RF feels chunky enough for comfort as it is.  that filco has alot of cushion for the pushing...jeez...

[Travellerr]

This keyboard is so good, be warned I find it very hard to type on my Leopold fc660c(which is an amazing keyboard for those of you have not tried it out yet). At first I hated the 55g RF, but after I would say a whopping 20 minutes I was already taking a liking to this beauty. I have had mine for about 5 days perhaps....and already I find it very hard to type on the Leo just because of the change in size and weighting, and the thing is I kind of prefer 60% keyboards and I thought it would be a bit weird going back to a standard tenkeyless...but it was easier than going back to the  60%. I will say the weight does take a bit to warm up to if you are or have become more comfortable with a 45g weighting, but it is worth the work because it feels amazing and sounds great too.

[SpAmRaY]

so then it looks to be a tad heavier than a qfr, which is listed at 2.1 lbs. and lighter than a filco (tkl) listed at 2.9 lbs.

right in the middle......

I wonder what makes the filco so much heavier than the QFR?

[Flyersfan1]

so then it looks to be a tad heavier than a qfr, which is listed at 2.1 lbs. and lighter than a filco (tkl) listed at 2.9 lbs.

right in the middle......

I wonder what makes the filco so much heavier than the QFR?

Could it be better case material or the double sided pcb?

[Flyersfan1]

Could it be better case material or the double sided pcb?  I would like to know too! 
edit:double post, sorry.

[Elrick]

so then it looks to be a tad heavier than a qfr, which is listed at 2.1 lbs. and lighter than a filco (tkl) listed at 2.9 lbs.

right in the middle......

I wonder what makes the filco so much heavier than the QFR?

Could it be better case material or the double sided pcb?

A Filco is always better quality and better constructed than anything made by Realforce  .  Waiting for a response from some of the angry thorpie users  ) ) ) ) .

[Belfong]

I'm not angry. No need to get angry at Cherry peasant

[Elrick]

I'm not angry. No need to get angry at Cherry peasant

As opposed to being an RDD expert, a Rubber-Dome Dodo  .

[Belfong]

You win!
Ha ha !

[Elrick]

You win!
Ha ha !

Sh1t, this takes me back to the old school days when talking trash was the norm.  Sorry for making such idiot comments for no actual reason, didn't do much of anything  .

[Belfong]

Nah, don't worry. I am as silly, waiting for the Toxic group buy. These waits can make one talk trash. LOL!

[FlareonTheFalse]

I received one of these in the mail today.


This keyboard is VERY difficult to type on; The keys have a lot of resistance to them. I practically have to hammer down on it. I suppose I'm just not used to a keyboard being this resistant when it comes to the keys; But I do feel like I would get fatigue after typing on this for an extended period of time.

[kenmai9]

I received one of these in the mail today.


This keyboard is VERY difficult to type on; The keys have a lot of resistance to them. I practically have to hammer down on it. I suppose I'm just not used to a keyboard being this resistant when it comes to the keys; But I do feel like I would get fatigue after typing on this for an extended period of time.

Want to trade domes? I have a variable real force, and I'd be interested in trying a 55g one.

[FlareonTheFalse]

I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I'd like a variable very much.


I'm coming from a cheap, and I mean cheap rubber dome Logitech keyboard that I've been using for the past five years. In fact, I've been using rubber domes (standard, cheap rubber domes, nothing close to topre) for all my computing life, so this is a big change. Maybe I just need to adjust to it?

[Belfong]

Hang on there FlareonTheFlase - Topre typically needs about a week to get used to. And then you will never want any other board. Seriously - even if you start with a lighter switch, eg a 45g Topre such as HHKB, after you are used to that, you want a 55g and when you got a 55g, it is just right. Because you moved from a cheapo rubber dome to a Master-race keyboard, this type of sudden escalation in 'luxury' takes time to get used to, you know

[histevenhere]

Hang on there FlareonTheFlase - Topre typically needs about a week to get used to. And then you will never want any other board. Seriously - even if you start with a lighter switch, eg a 45g Topre such as HHKB, after you are used to that, you want a 55g and when you got a 55g, it is just right. Because you moved from a cheapo rubber dome to a Master-race keyboard, this type of sudden escalation in 'luxury' takes time to get used to, you know

This is exactly what happened to me . Exactly.

[FlareonTheFalse]

It feels like its hurting my right wrist to type on it

[terrpn]

look what you guys made me do.....

this thing is unbelievable!!

real force should be paying you guys commision

[avtar]

look what you guys made me do.....

I like the decisions that you're making in life.

Here's another Realforce 55g review http://www.hardcoreware.net/topre-realforce-87u-55g-review/

[nobee]

look what you guys made me do.....

this thing is unbelievable!!

real force should be paying you guys commision

Don't worry terrpn, you're not the only one. I fell victim too, but I'm so happy I bought mine. It's just the best feeling keyboard I've ever typed on!

look what you guys made me do.....

I like the decisions that you're making in life.

Here's another Realforce 55g review http://www.hardcoreware.net/topre-realforce-87u-55g-review/

That's a very good review of the RF 55g.  I like the gifs. The rubber dome is so springy. That's what true feeling of oneness with cup rubber looks like.

[histevenhere]

look what you guys made me do.....

I like the decisions that you're making in life.

Here's another Realforce 55g review http://www.hardcoreware.net/topre-realforce-87u-55g-review/

Oh no, he is pulling out the keycap with that puller :S .

[avtar]

Oh no, he is pulling out the keycap with that puller :S .

Yeah I cringed when I saw that :/

[Belfong]

look what you guys made me do.....

I like the decisions that you're making in life.

Here's another Realforce 55g review http://www.hardcoreware.net/topre-realforce-87u-55g-review/

I finally sat down to read this review and I love the GIFs showing the spring and rubber dome in action. I'm surprise that the mechanism is so simple - the spring and rubber domes are just sitting on top of each other and not glued to the board. I'm not sure what I was expecting but definitely not something as simple as this. How does it know you have type a character? I guess that's the capacitive part - meaning the green PBC board itself is touch sensitive? And modding the silencing mod must be maddening if you have to juggle between all these moving domes.

[Smasher816]

look what you guys made me do.....

I like the decisions that you're making in life.

Here's another Realforce 55g review http://www.hardcoreware.net/topre-realforce-87u-55g-review/

I finally sat down to read this review and I love the GIFs showing the spring and rubber dome in action. I'm surprise that the mechanism is so simple - the spring and rubber domes are just sitting on top of each other and not glued to the board. I'm not sure what I was expecting but definitely not something as simple as this. How does it know you have type a character? I guess that's the capacitive part - meaning the green PBC board itself is touch sensitive? And modding the silencing mod must be maddening if you have to juggle between all these moving domes.

One of the simplest forms of capacitors are two parallel plates. As the plates get closer the capacitance increases (C=εA/d). Although a spring isn't a plate I'm sure it has similar properties as it compresses. Without getting into anything too complicated (calculus and some physics equations) this change in capacitance will change other variables in the electronic system (such as the current). These changes can then be picked up by the microcontroller to register a key press.

[gh_pp]

Don't want to create a new thread for it, but check this out.

http://www.hardcoreware.net/topre-realforce-87u-55g-review/

He has review for other boards as well

http://www.hardcoreware.net/vortex-kbt-race-ii-review/

[Smasher816]

Don't want to create a new thread for it, but check this out.

http://www.hardcoreware.net/topre-realforce-87u-55g-review/

He has review for other boards as well
i
http://www.hardcoreware.net/vortex-kbt-race-ii-review/

I saw the first one mentioned somewhere else in the forums. The gifs are a very nice addition.

[lunr]

I just got mine today and first impressions, it's really well built. Typing on this is heavenly. I think I won't touch a MX switch keyboard ever again (maybe MX clears). Although, I have to say, it does feel I have to extort a bit of pressure just to press the key (compared to MX blues/browns where I can just type all day with out any issues) and I do feel a bit fatigue typing on this for a few hours but I guess it takes time just to get use to it like any person being introduced into a new switch.

I say this is probably one of the best purchases I made in a while. Now if only I can find some colour keycaps for this

[Belfong]

Just being the devil's advocate - how can this be the best purchase when your hand tire after long session? You wouldn't be productive as when you were on Browns, would you?

[lunr]

Just being the devil's advocate - how can this be the best purchase when your hand tire after long session? You wouldn't be productive as when you were on Browns, would you?

You are right. I would be more productive with browns but I simply love the feeling typing on this board now. I probably should have add that it's my first time typing on topre switches. Of course there's going to be some issues in the beginning but I think once I get pass over them, this would be a great board

[atlas3686]

Just got my 55g and it is too amazing, even thinking of selling one of my HHKBs although it's too soon to do anything that drastic 
The extra weight is amazing, makes it feel so snappy.

[Belfong]

Just got my 55g and it is too amazing, even thinking of selling one of my HHKBs although it's too soon to do anything that drastic 
The extra weight is amazing, makes it feel so snappy.

No, don't sell your HHKB. Buy another RF 55g to extract the spring/domes and mod your HHKB to 55g. That is THE end game!

[atlas3686]

Just got my 55g and it is too amazing, even thinking of selling one of my HHKBs although it's too soon to do anything that drastic 
The extra weight is amazing, makes it feel so snappy.

No, don't sell your HHKB. Buy another RF 55g to extract the spring/domes and mod your HHKB to 55g. That is THE end game!

Cannot do this, solemnly promised my GF that I would not buy anymore keyboards until I got rid of some Have been considering modding my Type-s to 55g but it wouldn't make too much difference to me would just mean I have a 55g at work instead of at home. That being said I am curious as to how a 55g type-s would feel.....

[ajunakey]

Just got my 55g and it is too amazing, even thinking of selling one of my HHKBs although it's too soon to do anything that drastic 
The extra weight is amazing, makes it feel so snappy.

No, don't sell your HHKB. Buy another RF 55g to extract the spring/domes and mod your HHKB to 55g. That is THE end game!

Cannot do this, solemnly promised my GF that I would not buy anymore keyboards until I got rid of some Have been considering modding my Type-s to 55g but it wouldn't make too much difference to me would just mean I have a 55g at work instead of at home. That being said I am curious as to how a 55g type-s would feel.....

Ah, i wanna try 55g too. Only have tried 45g and it's a little light, so I would assume 55g Silenced is heaven

[balanar]

I got a 55g realforce in the mail today and initial impressions after typing on it are.....underwhelming to be honest. I expected it to be more orgasmic on the fingers after hearing so much about it. 55g feels lighter than I imagined. I've been using Cherry MX Blues for the past several months. A couple of Topre convert friends have told me to give it some time so that's what I'm going to do.

[rowdy]

I got a 55g realforce in the mail today and initial impressions after typing on it are.....underwhelming to be honest. I expected it to be more orgasmic on the fingers after hearing so much about it. 55g feels lighter than I imagined. I've been using Cherry MX Blues for the past several months. A couple of Topre convert friends have told me to give it some time so that's what I'm going to do.

Yes, please use it for a few days, or a week if you can.

If, after that, you are still underwhelmed, then maybe Topre is not for you.

But many people warm to Topre so much that they cannot use anything else once they become accustomed to Topre.

[gh_pp]

Yes, please use it for a few days, or a week if you can.

If, after that, you are still underwhelmed, then maybe Topre is not for you.

But many people warm to Topre so much that they cannot use anything else once they become accustomed to Topre.

I disagree about the conclusion that topre might not be for him after just trying the 55g.

55g, 45g and variable silence are all quite different. I haven't tried a FC600C yet but people said it sounds the best among topre. TKL only for me though.

I got a 55g realforce in the mail today and initial impressions after typing on it are.....underwhelming to be honest. I expected it to be more orgasmic on the fingers after hearing so much about it. 55g feels lighter than I imagined. I've been using Cherry MX Blues for the past several months. A couple of Topre convert friends have told me to give it some time so that's what I'm going to do.

Sorry to hear. Some people swear by 55g but like I mentioned in my review they are all personal.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34474.msg1273808#msg1273808

I should have given you my dental bands along with the board. I bought it thinking I would mod it myself but  got a type-s instead. I miss the thock but there's always a tradeoff.

[rowdy]

Yes, please use it for a few days, or a week if you can.

If, after that, you are still underwhelmed, then maybe Topre is not for you.

But many people warm to Topre so much that they cannot use anything else once they become accustomed to Topre.

I disagree about the conclusion that topre might not be for him after just trying the 55g.

55g, 45g and variable silence are all quite different. I haven't tried a FC600C yet but people said it sounds the best among topre. TKL only for me though.

The difference between variable and uniform is only relevant if you use the keyboard for something other than typing.

Typing only - variable is probably better.

Gaming (or non-touch-typing) only - uniform is probably better.

YMMV.

Also if someone doesn't like the feel of Topre, then it doesn't matter how heavy they are - they won't like them.

Conversely, someone might like the feel of typing on Topre, but feel that the keys are too heavy or too light.

From that perspective 45g would be best to start with as it is middle of the range.

[gh_pp]

But I read quite a few testimonies on here that they hate 45g but LOVE 55g.

Too lazy to dig those up. Would that be enough as counter argument?

I personally hate the 55g but love my v type-s and 45g. So that's another data point.

That's like saying if you hate MX-green then cherry MX is not for you...

Like I said I believe it all comes down to personal preferences.

[hopefully I'm not coming off as argumentative, online cannot convey emotions well]

[rowdy]

But I read quite a few testimonies on here that they hate 45g but LOVE 55g.

Too lazy to dig those up. Would that be enough as counter argument?

I personally hate the 55g but love my v type-s and 45g. So that's another data point.

That's like saying if you hate MX-green then cherry MX is not for you...

Like I said I believe it all comes down to personal preferences.

[hopefully I'm not coming off as argumentative, online cannot convey emotions well]

Not argumentative at all - well, maybe a little bit

AFAIK one Topre switch feels just like any other, except for the force required to press it.  The force graph and behaviour are the same for all weight switches.

Cherry MX varies considerably more.  Blue and green and white have a tactile and audible click.

Brown, clear and tactile gray have slight tactile feedback, but no audible click.

Red, black and linear gray have no feedback at all.

If you don't like green, try black.  Or brown.  They are all quiet different in feel.

[gh_pp]

Just curious, have you tried 55g & variable type-s?

45g & 55g are similar to red vs black or brown vs clear (well 55g is slightly less heavier than black).

Although the switch type is the same, depending on whether you like to bottom out the key feel is quite different.

The removal of the thock and clack in the type-s makes it a lot different than the 45g & 55g.

V Type-s is more extreme than mx-red. Not quite as big of a difference between blue & red but it's a totally different beast.

I like to bottom out and 45g is the loudest (especially the clack) for me.

[ajunakey]

Just curious, have you tried 55g & variable type-s?

45g & 55g are similar to red vs black or brown vs clear (well 55g is slightly less heavier than black).

Although the switch type is the same, depending on whether you like to bottom out the key feel is quite different.

The removal of the thock and clack in the type-s makes it a lot different than the 45g & 55g.

V Type-s is more extreme than mx-red. Not quite as big of a difference between blue & red but it's a totally different beast.

I like to bottom out and 45g is the loudest (especially the clack) for me.

would you prefer 45g or 55g topre? Never tried it but always been curious

[rowdy]

Just curious, have you tried 55g & variable type-s?

45g & 55g are similar to red vs black or brown vs clear (well 55g is slightly less heavier than black).

Although the switch type is the same, depending on whether you like to bottom out the key feel is quite different.

The removal of the thock and clack in the type-s makes it a lot different than the 45g & 55g.

V Type-s is more extreme than mx-red. Not quite as big of a difference between blue & red but it's a totally different beast.

I like to bottom out and 45g is the loudest (especially the clack) for me.

I have only tried 45g in my HHKB.

MX-wise I prefer blacks and greens.

I don't mind a bit of noise from keyboards, hence my liking for Model M (I have two).  But I need a quieter keyboard for late night and early morning sessions at home, which usually turns out to be my HHKB.

I also bottom out all the time (even on blacks and greens and Model M).

I like the feel of Topre switches, the oneness with cup rubber.

I suspect that 55g Topre will fele nice to me, as the HHKB always feels a bit light.

[atlas3686]

Just curious, have you tried 55g & variable type-s?

45g & 55g are similar to red vs black or brown vs clear (well 55g is slightly less heavier than black).

Although the switch type is the same, depending on whether you like to bottom out the key feel is quite different.

The removal of the thock and clack in the type-s makes it a lot different than the 45g & 55g.

V Type-s is more extreme than mx-red. Not quite as big of a difference between blue & red but it's a totally different beast.

I like to bottom out and 45g is the loudest (especially the clack) for me.

would you prefer 45g or 55g topre? Never tried it but always been curious

I prefer 55g as I also feel 45g is a little light but I do like heavier switches.

[Belfong]

I believe that the reason I like 55g so much is because I started Topre on a HHKB, thus I was mesmerised by the thock and the switch. I used it daily for almost 3 months before I bought a 55g and by then, 55g feels just right. It clicked immediately. I would think that if one started their Topre experience on a 55g, it will be a shock and will find it hard to get used to, especially if you come from an even lighter MX board.

[MJ45]

My first Topre experience was a HHKB Pro 2 also. I liked it very much and wanted another Topre board. I was torn between a 87u 45g and 55g, lots of users said the 45g RF felt softer or even mushy compared to the HHKB so I went with 55g and glad I did. The HHKB is about the lightest that would work for me. I thought about modding my HHKB with 55g domes but besides the cost and already having a RF 55g the HHKB's 45g is very good like it is and its nice to have some variety.

[Belfong]

Some users claimed that a 55g HHKB is THE end game, MJ45. Aren't you tempted?

[MJ45]

Some users claimed that a 55g HHKB is THE end game, MJ45. Aren't you tempted?

Yes I have been tempted but like I said having the RF 55g the HHKB 45g is a nice change sometimes. Especially for long typing sessions the HHKB is nice.