Utterly Addicted....

[SirClickAlot]

I fought my way through 20 mechanical keyboards and came out addicted to this one particular brand.

From clicky to non-clicky, From linear to non-linear, From Tactile to non-tactile...

I finally found my holy grail ....

Aaaaahhhhhh.... The Topre Keyswitch....

I can finally stop searching.... I hope ;-)

Regards.

[Parabellum]

Very good.

[keyboardlover]

I fought my way through 20 mechanical keyboards and came out addicted to this one particular brand.

From clicky to non-clicky, From linear to non-linear, From Tactile to non-tactile...

I finally found my holy grail ....

Aaaaahhhhhh.... The Topre Keyswitch....

I can finally stop searching.... I hope ;-)

Regards.

Same here! Which keyboard did you get?

[MahBoi]

Yep, out of all the switches I've tried so far (not very many), the one that stands out to me is the Topre. It's on the HHKB Pro, though, and I really want to get a hand on a Realforce at some point because I've heard that the difference between them is pretty substantial. I still like the mini form factor and the layout of the HHKB, though, so I'd like to hold onto it.

[SirClickAlot]

Same here! Which keyboard did you get?

The Topre Realforce 103-U UW with weighted keys and the Topre Realforce 103UB 55g.

[MahBoi]

Not sure why, but I'm really digging that color scheme. I guess I'm just an odd duck.

[Zensuji]

Not sure why, but I'm really digging that color scheme. I guess I'm just an odd duck.

Its bruce lee style.

[MahBoi]

Its bruce lee style.

Huh. I knew there was something oddly appealing about it; I just couldn't quite put my finger on it.

[didjamatic]

Another black/yellow motif, also a copy, also from Kill Bill.

[Co-Op]

[magictoaster]

But now you have to try the Topre 106S (all 30g version).   And the Topre Silent version.  And the HHKB US and HHKB JP.   And THEN there's all the different colors.

Tell me about it...

[ricercar]

Not sure why, but I'm really digging that color scheme. I guess I'm just an odd duck.

Me too. I have ten yellow arcade buttons that I want to build into a game controller to use in conjunction with a keyboard in a black/yellow color scheme.

[colbabe]

Out of all the switches I've tried so far...

the Topre feels the most like a Rubber Dome.

And I don't have a HHKB but "substantial" difference between PCB  HHKB and Metal Plate RealForce is probably exaggerated.  ItlnStln is one of the "PCB Cherry Browns For Ultimate Tactile Feel" crowd.

Then why do rubber domes get so slammed?  

I still wish for a Topre.

The "actual feel" I suppose is subjective and dependent on the individual.

[washuai]

Because Topre is quality, tactile, smooth, consistent and durable, where as regular non capacitive domes are cheap, linear, mushy, inconsistent and break easy.

Not everyone slams domes.  There are dome lovers, just search the forums on keytronic.  If keytronic made a tenkeyless designer variable, I might have been typing on the po' man's Topre.  I'm quite giddy that I type on a realforce 87U variable instead, so it is just as fine with me that they don't.

That said the Topre is not my holy grail.  I like the key feel on my G80-8200 better.  A Topre with an embedded numberpad and detachable number pad, even less bezel, keys not staggered, all 45g, low noise, NKRO, detachable cable, firmware programmable and waterproof board on the other hand would come very close.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

Because Topre is quality, tactile, smooth, consistent and durable, where as regular non capacitive domes are cheap, linear, mushy, inconsistent and break easy.

Yeah, Topre switches are extremely smooth and reliable. I'm still waiting for a chance to try cherry browns, since I prefer light switches, but I'm very happy with my HHKB.

As for the comparison with rubber domes, well, they ARE rubber domes, but you can feel the difference (and not just the build-quality either, I think the spring inside probably is the reason for that). Topre switches also have an activation point that's pretty high - right below the "buckling" point, while standard rubbers require bottoming out.

[Rajagra]

Then why do rubber domes get so slammed?

(Bad) rubber domes + membrane switches = fail

(Good) rubber domes + capacitive switches = win

[keyboardlover]

Yeah, Topre switches are extremely smooth and reliable. I'm still waiting for a chance to try cherry browns, since I prefer light switches, but I'm very happy with my HHKB.

As for the comparison with rubber domes, well, they ARE rubber domes, but you can feel the difference (and not just the build-quality either, I think the spring inside probably is the reason for that). Topre switches also have an activation point that's pretty high - right below the "buckling" point, while standard rubbers require bottoming out.

I just got my 2nd cherry brown keyboard and they in no way compare to Topre. I even prefer KeyTronic to cherry brown. Unfortunately I think I will probably sell it soon and buy a tenkeyless Topre.

When you fall in love with Topre...you fall HARD

[washuai]

I agree that browns are different than Topre and I like my Topre more than my Filco or Compaq MX11800 browns, but not more than my G80-8200 browns.  The browns are like bouncing on a bouncy bed, where as Topre is like bouncing on a ball that goes flat, which even though it inflates afterwards, which just isn't as fun.  I guess I just like the keys to push back, more than collapse.

[MahBoi]

I'm still not sure what my favorite is yet, seeing as how I've only had the HHKB for two weeks. I still trade off regularly between that and the FILCO, and to be honest I really like both of them.

I guess typing on a crappy rubber dome for so many years gives me a more clear perspective on the Topre rubber domes. While the Logitech feels like typing on Play-Doh, the HHKB just feels smoother, more tactile, and more effortless to type on. It's a night and day difference for me. That and the fact that I'm still relatively new to all this still makes it an eye-opening experience every time I type on a new switch.

That said, I still do like the feeling of a tactile Cherry switch and the feedback you get from them (and the clickiness). Like I said, I'm still deciding between the two, but at this rate, I'm destined to switch back and forth between them forever. Or until at least one of them breaks.

[patrickgeekhack]

When you fall in love with Topre...you fall HARD

I can say the same, but for the blue Cherries. To me (others may disagree), the blue Cherry offers the best compromise of audio and tactile feedback. I am so happy that no one has told me that they are annoying at work. I was scared that they would.