Well - I received my Type-S today and here is my report: first a little background. Here are the following keyboards I have owned and the modifications I have performed on them. A few of these I still own, and will be selling, but I'll save that for another post.
(This is in no particular order)
1) HHKB Pro 2 (black model, printed)
2) FC660C (grey die sublimated model)
3) RF87U 55g
4) IBM Model M #42H1292
5) Matias Secure Pro
6) Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
7) Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic
Leopold FC660M (MX Clears)
9) Northgate Omnikey Evolution Keyboard
10) Logitech K350
11) WASD Code TKL (MX Green)
12) Corsair Vengeance K70
13) CM Storm QuickFire TK
14) Ergodox (still not built)
....and finally... the HHKB Pro 2 Type "S"
Holy Cripe! When I list that out it appears as though I have a problem! Thanks Geekhack!
LOL
So the mods I have performed (not including simple keycap swaps) are:
- Dental Band Silencing mod 1/8" light neon ones super thin when streched ~ 1mm on the HHKB and the FC660C
- prior to that I tried the landing pads (the grey ones that I ironed out flat as can be - probably to 1mm.)
- Hasu's teensy alternative controller for HHKB (Kicks ass!)
- 55g Dome Swap from the RF to the HHKB Pro 2 (with leftovers given to the FC660C on the "primary finger" keys), and now moved over to the Type "S".
So after all this I can say one thing... you've probably read it before many times on the forums and brushed it aside, but I'll say it again. Save your self the time, and money and just get the HHKB Pro 2 Type "S" from the get-go and be done with it LOL!
No - really that is just a personal statement, and can't be applied to everybody since this entire hobby and what makes a "good" keyboard good, and the "Best" keyboard the "Best" is so subjective and personal. ..
But for me.... I absolutely love the layout of the HHKB Pro2. I love the Control key and the Delete (converted to BS) key. These 2 simple changes allow me to keep my fingers on the home row and type more comfortably.
(I'm a typer , not a gamer so much... I like ergonmic keyboards, but i LOVE Topre key switches.... to me there is no comparison against Cherry MX or any other. And as far as Silencing goes... none of the mod methods produce an acceptable result for me.... the loss of key travel ruins the Topre feel - so whats the point... I don't care if you had 1/2mm silicon, it still would reduce the travel and change the feel of the typing experience... your better off just leaving your HHKB, FC660M, or RF alone and deal with the clack. If you don't want the clack, then get the Type "S" (which is what I finally did and am so thankful I did it).
The 2 other critical mods for me are the 55G dome swap....and switching the controller to a teensy so you have programmability. Yes it is an expensive keyboard... you are talking $350 for the Type "S", ~ $200 for the donor board to get the 55G domes (but you can recoup alot of that by selling it as an inexpensive 45g RF. and a few bucks and time to do the controller mod. But the end result? for me... a NEAR PERFECT KEYBOARD! I'm as close to "the one"as I can get...
Could I come up with some things that would improve it
Yes. For 1 - I think the solidness of the FC660 is more desireable than the HHKB... that keyboard just oozes quality. and the way the switches are mounted I think provide a slightly better feel (and Thunk). If you are the kind of person that likes the layout of the FC660 (with the arrow keys and the dedicated delete key), then you apply the same things I did to my HHKB and put them on the FC660 - the only thing you lose is the "Type S" lack of clack!
(I wonder if they'll ever make a Type-S FC660???)
(Oh yeah - you GOTTA flip your spacebar! It's so much better for typing - that was a surprise to me when I learned about that on GH... never would have thought!)
Anyway sorry for the long drawn out post, but I'm actually enjoying typing on my new tricked out Type "S"!
- Oh I'll throw in a potato pic from my phone....maybe tomorrow I'll bust out my good camera
If anyone has any questions.... shoot! Happy Keyboarding!
-John