Author Topic: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review  (Read 7133 times)

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Offline kenmai9

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Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« on: Wed, 05 March 2014, 23:35:54 »
Hello.

I'm just going to write a quick review of this keyboard. I will update this page as I continue to use it.

Day 1

I just received this keyboard today, and this is my 2nd time trying out Topre. My first topre was a Leopold F660C. I liked that keyboard a lot, but I shortly went back to MX after a month or so. I'm trying this one again because I found a good deal through classifieds and was really interested in trying out Silent topre switches.

Impressions
Sounds
It sounds really good.

Feels
Although, I fear that this feels almost like a glorified rubber dome keyboard, I am giving it a chance.  I like how the spacebar feels, and I wish the entire keyboard felt this way. The variable weight is just okay, I would've probably preferred 55g. I can't rest my finger on Q without triggering it, which is kind of annoying. Perhaps I'll get used to that.

Looks
What a ****ing beautiful keyboard. The black on grey dyesubs are perfect. Just enough visibility, and just enough invisibility. I love it.
I'll hold off on the white keycaps for now, since the CM Novatouch will come out soon.

Day 2
Feels
I'm actually getting really comfortable typing with this. I did some programming today and it felt really really good typing everything. There was no strain in my hands, as there was sometimes with my ergo-clear keyboard (65/67g). I'm getting used to it.

I just did a typing test, on my second try I got:

My first try I got 100. Very very nice typing.

56479-1
56481-2
« Last Edit: Fri, 07 March 2014, 04:19:58 by kenmai9 »

Offline Pacifist

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 20:37:06 »
After a week, how does the board feel? Still like glorified RDs or something much better?

Offline histevenhere

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 11 March 2014, 20:45:03 »
Have you ever had the problem where your pinky would hold down a or ' by accident because of the lightness?
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Offline kenmai9

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 13 March 2014, 11:46:24 »
After a week, how does the board feel? Still like glorified RDs or something much better?

Kind of. I think its because its not 45g or 55g uniform. I have to try heavier domes. These feel too soft. I miss that hard resistance like I get from ergo clears. The tactility is kind of mushy.

Have you ever had the problem where your pinky would hold down a or ' by accident because of the lightness?

When I play PoE I hold my finger on Q, and sometimes it triggers, which is annoying. Again, I need a 55g or 45g dome.. I guess I'll have to invest in a board to steal it from and resell it haha.

Offline tbc

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 13 March 2014, 23:42:08 »
variable rf is just boring.  it's heavily refined.

but it's a heavily refined boring.  which is boring...

if that's your thing sure (it's VERY nice for extended pure typing sessions) but it is what it is. 
« Last Edit: Fri, 14 March 2014, 00:35:59 by tbc »
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Offline RESPRiT

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 03:32:44 »
variable rf is just boring.  it's heavily refined.

but it's a heavily refined boring.  which is boring...

if that's your thing sure (it's VERY nice for extended pure typing sessions) but it is what it is.

Er, what's "exciting" then?
;)

Offline tbc

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 04:46:14 »
buckling spring.  exciting = something that makes you alert.  a metal spring 'breaking' is much more noticable than a rubberdome that ia optimized for a soft quiet landing.
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Offline Polymer

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 16 March 2014, 11:38:28 »
Have you ever had the problem where your pinky would hold down a or ' by accident because of the lightness?

I think this happens to a lot of people...it used to happen to me when I first tried variable..it still does but less often...

I can't imagine gaming on a variable though..that would just be incredibly annoying and really, the light keys are REALLY light..

From a typing perspective, I don't mind that the pinky keys are light...I don't really notice they're not as tactile as the 45g keys but I do notice it how much easier it is on my hands when I go to something like a HHKB..

Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 09 April 2014, 16:36:11 »
Lovely review, would love to go ahead and buy one for myself, but they are just too big for me. :(


Too used to my Noppoo choc mini, fml.
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Offline Rafen

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 08 May 2014, 06:04:18 »
Lovely review, would love to go ahead and buy one for myself, but they are just too big for me. :(


Too used to my Noppoo choc mini, fml.

You could always get an HHKB or 660. They are both small form factor and have 45g topre.


Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 10 May 2014, 23:04:33 »
I'd love to get my hands on a topre board, but at this moment in time,  I just cannot justify the price point.


It's a shame really. Love review though man, great read and lots of lovely pictures to eyegasm over, thanks .
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Offline kohi

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 12 May 2014, 15:48:31 »
is the spacebar on the variable rf 55g? or is it 45g

Offline daerid

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Re: Realforce 87UB Silent (Variable weight) Review
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 13 May 2014, 23:52:48 »
I'd love to get my hands on a topre board, but at this moment in time,  I just cannot justify the price point.


It's a shame really. Love review though man, great read and lots of lovely pictures to eyegasm over, thanks .

http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se07t0

$189 Variable 87UW.

Not much more expensive than some Cherry boards.