I replaced the stock domes in my HHKB Pro 2 with BKE Redux Light domes, and in most respects I’m happy with the change.
I have had a RealForce 87U with 55g domes. These BKE Redux light domes feel very similar to the force required to actuate the 55g RealForce domes, but these domes are much more tactile.
I was a little apprehensive about swapping domes for two reasons: 1) they are widely reported to be a fair bit louder than stock domes 2) many people have a tough time keeping the domes aligned while attaching them to the PCB.
Originally, I had installed Hypersphere silencing rings. They do a great job reducing noise, but I didn’t like the trade-off with the the slight reduction in travel. But with the reported additional noise from the Redux domes, I was willing to install them again.
I took the opportunity to lube my slider housings while board was disassembled. And the noise with these domes is a non-issue when combined with the silencing rings. I have another stock HHKB (stock, but lubed), and the Redux domes (with silencing rings) is no louder than a stock, lubed HHKB. So I’m really pleased the noise is no issue.
But I did have a hard time keeping the domes aligned while attaching the PCB. Having installed silencing rings and a few other boards, it wasn’t an issue of being new to the process—it’s just really fiddly.
I think the issue with getting the domes to fit correctly is a small manufacturing issue. On about 10% of the domes there is excess flashing on the left or right side cutouts. It’s not hard to cut the excess out with a precise pair of scissors.
I have boards with Kailh Box Whites and Box Pale Blues. I like the sound and feel of the Pale Blues better, but with long typing sessions, the Pale Blues fatigue my fingers a bit, so I stick with the Box Whites mostly. To get a longer, continuous typing experience with the Redux domes, I put a NYTimes article into a typing site (keybr.com) and typed the whole thing out (about 20 minutes at about 75 WPM).
I only felt minor fatigue at the end of 20 minute of continuous typing. A soon as I finished the article with the Redux domes, I switched back to my stock HHKB. There isn’t much of a difference in force required for actuation, but the Redux domes are slightly “heavier.”
But the difference in switch/dome feel is significant. The stock HHKB feels like it has a governor slowing down the key rebound.
The human eye can perceive the speed of the key rebound in the stock HHKB—you press a key down and you can watch it return. With a Redux dome, you can’t really see the rebound of the key press. The quick rebound really compensates nicely for the lack of a crisp bottom out in the HHKB’s plastic plate.
In summary, the BKE Redux domes just feel better and right; the stock HHKB feels like topping out at 20 miles per hour in a golf cart when you’re in a hurry to get somewhere. It feels like the keyboard can’t keep up with you—not really the case for me as I only approach 100 WPM an short bursts—but if does feel much less responsive.
The only reasons to consider not using these domes is the finicky fit (I’ve got to open up the board again to fix one inconsistent dome) and the fact you’re going to be sad when you’re required to use other keyboards which feel flat after using these domes.
I’ve tried to give a little context, but everything in keyboards is relegated to personal tastes. It's very challenging to to make a decision about these domes from reading reviews with any confidence…my reading made me skeptical they’d be a fit for me, but I’m going to get another set. Just wish I could get jchan to drop by to install them for me.
