Author Topic: Sad sad news for topre owners. (Read 42769 times)

Air tree · « **on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 02:40:00 »

Well some sads news has come to light. I emailed EK for some information on if the Topre Realforce keycaps will ever come back in stock and this is what I got back from them..

"Topre has told us only in the last week that they no longer wish to make keycaps. We are looking for other options, but this might not happen. Please join our newsletter for future updates.

Best regards,
Brian"

I'm not sure if this was already known but I'm just throwing it out there if it hasn't.

Belfong · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 02:54:46 »

Oh crap!

Is that the same for the HHKB blanks and printed key caps too?

terran5992 · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 02:57:02 »

NUUUUUUUUU

MKULTRA · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 03:13:37 »

Good thing CM is coming out with some Topper stuff.

rowdy · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 03:45:15 »

The rumour has been confirmed

Perhaps this explains why CM have invented the Topre keyboard with MX-compatible stems. Maybe they heeded the rumours before anyone else.

What I'm wondering is ... if Topre keyboards (RealForce, HHKB, FC660C) are still being made, will they be supplied without keycaps?

bueller · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 03:47:14 »

That's weird, don't they need to make caps for their boards or are the stock sets different?

rowdy · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:11:16 »

Quote from: bueller on Wed, 11 December 2013, 03:47:14

That's weird, don't they need to make caps for their boards or are the stock sets different?

Exactly!

Or are they ceasing keyboard production completely?

Neal · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:18:21 »

Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:11:16

Quote from: bueller on Wed, 11 December 2013, 03:47:14
That's weird, don't they need to make caps for their boards or are the stock sets different?

Exactly!

Or are they ceasing keyboard production completely?

The horror!

n0rdlad · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:19:34 »

Thats sad.. Hope the company is floating ok. For all the topre users you'd think maybe a new manufacturer would step up for the market space

Elrick · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:21:27 »

Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:11:16

Or are they ceasing keyboard production completely?

Oh gee, who really cares about it in the scheme of things. There will always be others that will see an opportunity and take advantage (CoolerMaster for one).

Even though I'm stuck with 3 Realforce Keyboards, not losing sleep over it at all. Besides, waiting to see what CM is releasing next, best thing for Thorpie's out there - for next year

.

Air tree · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:36:11 »

Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 11 December 2013, 03:45:15

The rumour has been confirmed

Perhaps this explains why CM have invented the Topre keyboard with MX-compatible stems. Maybe they heeded the rumours before anyone else.

What I'm wondering is ... if Topre keyboards (RealForce, HHKB, FC660C) are still being made, will they be supplied without keycaps?

I really hope the Cm keyboard is just as good as a HHKB or An Realforce.

Otherwise i would just want to drop in the Cherry mx compatible topre sliders into an HHKB.

God The life of topre is so Stressful

adhoc · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 05:24:23 »

That probably means we won't be able to buy aftermarket caps...or? I seriously doubt HHKB as well as Topre will just shut down their keyboard manufacturing...

Air tree · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 05:27:43 »

Quote from: adhoc on Wed, 11 December 2013, 05:24:23

That probably means we won't be able to buy aftermarket caps...or? I seriously doubt HHKB as well as Topre will just shut down their keyboard manufacturing...

I'm assuming we just won't see any more aftermarket Caps.

Moosecraft · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 05:44:50 »

Sad sad day, still maybe its finally time for sp to make a topre stem?

Wildcard · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 05:44:52 »

Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 11 December 2013, 04:11:16

Quote from: bueller on Wed, 11 December 2013, 03:47:14
That's weird, don't they need to make caps for their boards or are the stock sets different?

Exactly!

Or are they ceasing keyboard production completely?

Topre will continue to make key caps for regular production boards. It's the aftermarket caps that they're stopping production for.

I'd think we might still be able to get regular black/white sets, but I'm not sure yet.

Game Theory · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 05:45:24 »

Hope so!

absyrd · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 05:47:28 »

*waits for colored Topre sets to draw huge money on the classifieds

adhoc · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 06:09:45 »

Are those caps on EK original Topre (i.e. PBT)?

Moosecraft · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 06:21:04 »

Quote from: adhoc on Wed, 11 December 2013, 06:09:45

Are those caps on EK original Topre (i.e. PBT)?

Yeah

VolantPhalanx · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:32:22 »

Just in time for my christmas HHKB Pro 2. Just jolly.

esoomenona · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:35:48 »

Or maybe it's a ploy by EK to promote sales of stagnant Topre caps from their shop.

Puddsy · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:39:58 »

Quote from: VolantPhalanx on Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:32:22

Just in time for my christmas HHKB Pro 2. Just jolly.

sadtrombone.wav

rowdy · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:49:37 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:35:48

Or maybe it's a ploy by EK to promote sales of stagnant Topre caps from their shop.

But they have only discounted some of them.

ComradeSniper · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:53:44 »

I asked this in a different thread yesterday but I'll ask again here: What's stopping SP or a similar manufacturer from making a Topre mold?

Photoelectric · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:06:18 »

Quote from: ComradeSniper on Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:53:44

I asked this in a different thread yesterday but I'll ask again here: What's stopping SP or a similar manufacturer from making a Topre mold?

Probably licencing.

demik · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:06:25 »

copyright/trademark/insertlegaltermhere

osi · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:17:37 »

The colored caps were thick ABS and not PBT right? Just wondering; I could be wrong.

Photekq · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:19:02 »

thin pbt dyesubs, abs spacebar.

dustinhxc · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:20:28 »

That explains why EK never has stock. I got the last white set well one of them but just sold it. Also my orange set is pending.
It saddens me but I need money for clacks and bro bots! Maybe one day ill buy blanks in classifieds for a crazy markup lol

osi · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:20:57 »

Quote from: Photekq on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:19:02

thin pbt dyesubs, abs spacebar.

Ahh. Thanks

dustinhxc · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:25:06 »

Get your sets while you can! I already miss mine..

VesperSAINT · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:29:10 »

hmmm... red blank set or not to red blank set

dustinhxc · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:40:42 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:29:10

hmmm... red blank set or not to red blank set

Do it while they are available! Im just too hooked on clacks so had to sell my keysets

kenmai9 · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:49:09 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:29:10

hmmm... red blank set or not to red blank set

Any pics of it on boards?

rowdy · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:52:39 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:29:10

hmmm... red blank set or not to red blank set

Like dustin said, get or regret.

Worst case you can sell them here in classifieds - if you wait a few months you could sell for double the price

VesperSAINT · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:54:46 »

Quote from: dustinhxc on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:40:42

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:29:10
hmmm... red blank set or not to red blank set

Do it while they are available! Im just too hooked on clacks so had to sell my keysets

Lol. You cray.

Quote from: kenmai9 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:49:09

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:29:10
hmmm... red blank set or not to red blank set

Any pics of it on boards?

I've only seen lettered reds on boards before. The color is nice.

Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:52:39

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:29:10
hmmm... red blank set or not to red blank set

Like dustin said, get or regret.

Worst case you can sell them here in classifieds - if you wait a few months you could sell for double the price

Lol! If I buy them, I probably wouldn't sell them but I guess reselling is always an option, if I end up not liking them.

SuperiorKarate · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:17:38 »

I guess I'll just have to forego buying christmas gifts for my family so that I can get the orange blanks before they sell out. It's not really much of a decision if you think about it.

osi · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:21:35 »

Quote from: SuperiorKarate on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:17:38

I guess I'll just have to forego buying christmas gifts for my family so that I can get the orange blanks before they sell out. It's not really much of a decision if you think about it.

Lol

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #38 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:36:14 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:35:48

Or maybe it's a ploy by EK to promote sales of stagnant Topre caps from their shop.

I wondered this as well. Boost those year end sales.

noisyturtle · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:40:22 »

So what does this mean for others getting the rights to produce their proprietary design?

sth · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:59:39 »

Quote from: dustinhxc on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:25:06

Get your sets while you can! I already miss mine..

don't worry i'll take good care of the blanks

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:03:03 »

Quote from: noisyturtle on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:40:22

So what does this mean for others getting the rights to produce their proprietary design?

well someone has to make key caps for their boards, unless they do what coolermaster did and make inserts to use mx caps

BlackWidowMan777 · « **Reply #42 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:21:16 »

Can anybody tell me why Topre would not want to make key caps anymore?

Who rakes in the money anyways: Topre or re-sellers (EK)?

I guess once all the existing brand new set are sold out: Topre will be sitting pretty. Anyone wanting two sets of caps would have to buy two boards?

dustinhxc · « **Reply #43 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:22:19 »

Quote from: sth on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:59:39

Quote from: dustinhxc on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:25:06

Get your sets while you can! I already miss mine..

don't worry i'll take good care of the blanks

Yes please enjoy them!

BlackWidowMan777 · « **Reply #44 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:30:58 »

Topre are like Mercedes. Mercedes decided to make more cheap models like the A-class and it seems to have worked with them.

Now that topre is expanding its line up with entry level models (typeheaven), I guess they don't see selling loads of caps rather than keyboards as the most profitable route to take....

Edit: We might see the typeheaven instead available in a variety of colour options.

n0rdlad · « **Reply #45 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:33:48 »

Move in investor/scalpers

Air tree · « **Reply #46 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 23:39:08 »

Quote from: dustinhxc on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:25:06

Get your sets while you can! I already miss mine..

I'm trying to find a RF blank white set for my HHKB since i rather not have those grey modifiers.

Lets see if someone would give me a break and let me buy some

Pacifist · « **Reply #47 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 23:46:03 »

Hopefully this just means that cm will come out with qft-the quick fire topre with mx stems. then I have a reason for buying caps....

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #48 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 23:51:03 »

Quote from: Pacifist on Wed, 11 December 2013, 23:46:03

Hopefully this just means that cm will come out with qft-the quick fire topre with mx stems. then I have a reason for buying caps....

You realize those boards will probably be really expensive....have you tried topre?

Pacifist · « **Reply #49 on:** Wed, 11 December 2013, 23:57:56 »

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Wed, 11 December 2013, 23:51:03

Quote from: Pacifist on Wed, 11 December 2013, 23:46:03
Hopefully this just means that cm will come out with qft-the quick fire topre with mx stems. then I have a reason for buying caps....

You realize those boards will probably be really expensive....have you tried topre?

It'll probally be around f660c price, if CM makes it too expensive, they risk losing customers

News:

Author Topic: Sad sad news for topre owners. (Read 42769 times)