HHKB review
IntroductionFor those of you who are not familiar with the HHKB. The HHKB is a minimalistic keyboard and uses Topre switches. Keys which are less frequently used(and in good postitions) are moved to function layers or harder to reach positions.
LayoutLets start with the control button. The control button have moved to the capslock position and the capslock has been moved to fn+tab. As a usual tenkeyless keyboard user i usually replace capslock with either backspace or escape(vim).
So i was not unfamiliar with having capslock replaced. However having the control button moved to this position still needed some getting used to.
I was constanly hitting shift instead of control when for example i wanted to save my code or text in a document, which you can imagine lead to some compilation errors and a bunch of capital S:s in my documents.
After a while, i got used to this, but cant say im completly sold on the position. I would much rather have backspace/escape on this position.
And have the ctrl button else where, either replace one of the command buttons with control or have a simple 60% layout.
The delete button got changed to Backspace directly(lite mode). I dont often use the delete button, in vim i use the native commands and i only use delete when im logging into my computer.
Backspace i use more frequently for example when chatting and when using vim. Lite mode also changes the command buttons to windows buttons, with another dip siwtch i changed the left command button to be another function button.
I can honestly say i have still not getting used to the alt and the right function button. I cant seem to reach them without abnormal effort, as for the alt buttons im not sure if i should use the little finger or my thumb.
As for the right function button it is simply just too far away. So i am only using it for the delete button(when im loggin in) otherwise im using my left command as a function button.
Maybe its not thought of using while keeping your hands in the typing poisiton, i get that you can have your little finger on the function button and then use lets say the arrow keys.
But im using my little finger for the arrow keys when i need them and my left thumb on the left command.
SwitchesMy history trying switches involves trying all kinds of variaties of mx switches and some alps. I was able to borrow a colleagues realforce and then decided to buy the HHKB.
The HHKB uses Topre switches, topre switches are a unique type of ELctrostatic Capacitve Switches
which work in the following manner:
(image borrowed from elite keyboards)
As per preference of all my testing of switches i must say that topre is top 5 in my book, the tactile feedback is marvelous and i must say the rubberdomeish feeling. Kind of reminds me a little of Keytronic Ergo Force.
Which was a popularized gaming keyboard in my day. The sound to me is perfect of clack and thomp. Im not perticularly found of keyboards without sound. The sound is a big amount of the experience.
All in all im happy with my HHKB and will not sell it in a forseen future. Im currently using it at work(where i do most of my keyboarding.) but it will soon be replaced by my upcoming LZ-FE Another review coming i guess
Im behind in the reviewing department. And will try to do some more.
