HHKBP2 Type S

[nilogram]

Has anyone noticed how much smoother the typing feels in comparison to the non silenced version?  I don't think I can use the original anymore, its not even the sound dampening that is nice it just feels smoother overall.  Anyone have experience with both boards and came out with this conclusion?

[Latin00032]

I'd like to know, too.

I couldn't imagine it having that much of an effect.

[Flyersfan1]

From my understanding, the only difference between the type-s and non type-s variant is foam in the sliders to dampen the sound of the upstroke of each key.  There's a popular dental band mod that's very easy to do that can really help dampen the typing sound, but will slightly alter the travel of the bottom row of keys. If you want a "smoother" typing experience, I would highly recommend picking up a thick lube kit once mechanicalkeyboards.com gets more in stock and try lubing the sliders.  That should definitely help eliminate any friction you might be feeling while typing.

Here's the guide should you be interested in trying it: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34972.0

[AKIMbO]

Type-S feels grittier compared to the non-silenced HHKB. 

[iLLucionist]

Has anyone noticed how much smoother the typing feels in comparison to the non silenced version?  I don't think I can use the original anymore, its not even the sound dampening that is nice it just feels smoother overall.  Anyone have experience with both boards and came out with this conclusion?

Damn, first I bought a Filco MJT2 TKL knowingly that I would want to buy a HHKB Pro 2.. One week ago I received my HHKB Pro 2, knowingly that I already wanted to upgrade to the Type S. You only make me want the Type S more!

[daerid]

Dental banding both my Topres as soon as possible.

[avtar]

Type-S feels grittier compared to the non-silenced HHKB.

I had a black HHKB Pro 2 and the keycaps it shipped with felt gritty at times. I ordered the white/grey keycaps from EK and they felt smoother. The Type-S that I'm using now feels the smoothest.

[jwaz]

Type-S feels grittier compared to the non-silenced HHKB. 

Type-S does not feel grittier at all (maybe you just need to re-lube), in fact, I would say it's smoother (and better stabilized) than my Pro 2.

Dental bands suck, they reduce the travel way too much. I used them for quite a long time to try and get used to 'em and much prefer the Type-S.

blah blah blah subjective.

[Rafen]

Dental banding both my Topres as soon as possible.

Is there a  reference on how to do this?

[rowdy]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34972.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51403.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40582.0

[Sniping]

Dental banding both my Topres as soon as possible.

Just go with the real thing. The dental bands make the switches feel less like Topre, less tactile because of the reduced space for key travel.

[Rafen]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34972.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51403.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40582.0

Thanks a lot. Might have to look into this once I have my board a bit longer.

[cphead]

I got both and I actually like my normal topre with dental bands more than the silenced version. If you get the 1/8" dental bands they're super slim when stretched out, almost the same as the foam dampeners on the Type S. Also my Type S had that whistling sound problem so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it as much.

[iLLucionist]

I got both and I actually like my normal topre with dental bands more than the silenced version. If you get the 1/8" dental bands they're super slim when stretched out, almost the same as the foam dampeners on the Type S. Also my Type S had that whistling sound problem so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it as much.

Never heard of it... what is that... the "whistling sound"?

[cphead]

I got both and I actually like my normal topre with dental bands more than the silenced version. If you get the 1/8" dental bands they're super slim when stretched out, almost the same as the foam dampeners on the Type S. Also my Type S had that whistling sound problem so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it as much.

Never heard of it... what is that... the "whistling sound"?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55333.0

That thread goes into some detail. By switching domes and sliders and stuff I narrowed it down to the sliders. I think it's just a side effect of the way the Type S sliders are designed. That being said, it seems a lot of people don't get the whistling sound, so who knows 

[iLLucionist]

I got both and I actually like my normal topre with dental bands more than the silenced version. If you get the 1/8" dental bands they're super slim when stretched out, almost the same as the foam dampeners on the Type S. Also my Type S had that whistling sound problem so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it as much.

Never heard of it... what is that... the "whistling sound"?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55333.0

That thread goes into some detail. By switching domes and sliders and stuff I narrowed it down to the sliders. I think it's just a side effect of the way the Type S sliders are designed. That being said, it seems a lot of people don't get the whistling sound, so who knows 

Thanks! Just got the HHKB Pro 2 (two weeks in now) and already thinking about buying the Type S, so this is quite useful for me.

[Sniping]

I got both and I actually like my normal topre with dental bands more than the silenced version. If you get the 1/8" dental bands they're super slim when stretched out, almost the same as the foam dampeners on the Type S. Also my Type S had that whistling sound problem so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it as much.

Never heard of it... what is that... the "whistling sound"?

I'm pretty sure this is just friction from the sliders. For some reason I felt like there was more friction on the sliders of my Type-S than my Leopold.

[mrsone]

Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting the silenced HHKB for myself, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra price. I already have two HHKBs, and I am thinking about getting rid of both and getting the type S. I have used dampened keyboards before, with pads and o-rings, and I do not like them (the ones that I tried) because they reduced the travel of the keys. Does the dampening on the type S seem to reduce the travel any? I am still juggling the idea of buying because having a smoother feel overall is very appealing to me, but I do not want to have any weird swooshing or squeaking on my keyboard.

Decisions, decisions....

[nilogram]

Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting the silenced HHKB for myself, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra price. I already have two HHKBs, and I am thinking about getting rid of both and getting the type S. I have used dampened keyboards before, with pads and o-rings, and I do not like them (the ones that I tried) because they reduced the travel of the keys. Does the dampening on the type S seem to reduce the travel any? I am still juggling the idea of buying because having a smoother feel overall is very appealing to me, but I do not want to have any weird swooshing or squeaking on my keyboard.

Decisions, decisions....

I would sell one board and try the type s and if you love it then sell the other.  I don't notice any swooshing or squeaking just an overall smoother experience,  haven't tried the dental bands so I have no way to compare

[mrsone]

Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting the silenced HHKB for myself, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra price. I already have two HHKBs, and I am thinking about getting rid of both and getting the type S. I have used dampened keyboards before, with pads and o-rings, and I do not like them (the ones that I tried) because they reduced the travel of the keys. Does the dampening on the type S seem to reduce the travel any? I am still juggling the idea of buying because having a smoother feel overall is very appealing to me, but I do not want to have any weird swooshing or squeaking on my keyboard.

Decisions, decisions....

I would sell one board and try the type s and if you love it then sell the other.  I don't notice any swooshing or squeaking just an overall smoother experience,  haven't tried the dental bands so I have no way to compare

You are wise! That is exactly what I did, and I am NOT disappointed. I sprung for the Leopold 660C with the topre switches (cause I need arrow keys sometimes), and also the HHKB Type-S. I am thoroughly pleased with both of them. I will be getting rid of the other HHKBs as the typing really is much smoother with the type S. Like the OP mentioned, it is almost linear, and there is not much of a noticeable reduction in the key travel. Also, it is WAY quieter than the original HHKB. I am surprised at how much the difference is. I viewed videos on YouTube comparing the two and the sound difference did not seem to be that great, but in real life, it is the quietest of my keyboards, even quieter than the supposed Mini Quiet Pro from Mattias.

Also, I am happy to report that my keyboard has no swooshing or squeaking of any kind! It is smooth like butter. If you are experiencing this issue it cannot hurt to try to get a warranty repair if your keyboard is still in warranty. I am glad I made the jump! Also, I noticed that for the non-silent type topre keyboards, I like the plating on the Leopold 660C better than the PCB mount on the HHKB, as it quiets the "thock" just enough to make it pleasant.

[nilogram]

Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting the silenced HHKB for myself, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra price. I already have two HHKBs, and I am thinking about getting rid of both and getting the type S. I have used dampened keyboards before, with pads and o-rings, and I do not like them (the ones that I tried) because they reduced the travel of the keys. Does the dampening on the type S seem to reduce the travel any? I am still juggling the idea of buying because having a smoother feel overall is very appealing to me, but I do not want to have any weird swooshing or squeaking on my keyboard.

Decisions, decisions....

I would sell one board and try the type s and if you love it then sell the other.  I don't notice any swooshing or squeaking just an overall smoother experience,  haven't tried the dental bands so I have no way to compare

You are wise! That is exactly what I did, and I am NOT disappointed. I sprung for the Leopold 660C with the topre switches (cause I need arrow keys sometimes), and also the HHKB Type-S. I am thoroughly pleased with both of them. I will be getting rid of the other HHKBs as the typing really is much smoother with the type S. Like the OP mentioned, it is almost linear, and there is not much of a noticeable reduction in the key travel. Also, it is WAY quieter than the original HHKB. I am surprised at how much the difference is. I viewed videos on YouTube comparing the two and the sound difference did not seem to be that great, but in real life, it is the quietest of my keyboards, even quieter than the supposed Mini Quiet Pro from Mattias.

Also, I am happy to report that my keyboard has no swooshing or squeaking of any kind! It is smooth like butter. If you are experiencing this issue it cannot hurt to try to get a warranty repair if your keyboard is still in warranty. I am glad I made the jump! Also, I noticed that for the non-silent type topre keyboards, I like the plating on the Leopold 660C better than the PCB mount on the HHKB, as it quiets the "thock" just enough to make it pleasant.

I am happy to hear it worked out for you, I actually have that same leopold and love it as well, I do find my normal HHKBP2 loud but its my only black one.  I wish they made the type S in Black, or if I wasn't too chicken **** to go and mod the case myself.   

[daerid]

Dental banding both my Topres as soon as possible.

Just go with the real thing. The dental bands make the switches feel less like Topre, less tactile because of the reduced space for key travel.

I didn't want to believe it, but you're right. The problem is I can't stand the HHKB layout. It hurts my hands. So my only option really is to get like, two silenced realforces and cannibalize the sliders for my 55g RF and 660C. Unfortunately, won't have the scrilla for that in quite a while.

[iLLucionist]

Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting the silenced HHKB for myself, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra price. I already have two HHKBs, and I am thinking about getting rid of both and getting the type S. I have used dampened keyboards before, with pads and o-rings, and I do not like them (the ones that I tried) because they reduced the travel of the keys. Does the dampening on the type S seem to reduce the travel any? I am still juggling the idea of buying because having a smoother feel overall is very appealing to me, but I do not want to have any weird swooshing or squeaking on my keyboard.

Decisions, decisions....

Money, money... if you ask me What's holding me back, is the price, the shipping, and the import tax 

[epzy]

Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting the silenced HHKB for myself, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra price. I already have two HHKBs, and I am thinking about getting rid of both and getting the type S. I have used dampened keyboards before, with pads and o-rings, and I do not like them (the ones that I tried) because they reduced the travel of the keys. Does the dampening on the type S seem to reduce the travel any? I am still juggling the idea of buying because having a smoother feel overall is very appealing to me, but I do not want to have any weird swooshing or squeaking on my keyboard.

Decisions, decisions....

Money, money... if you ask me What's holding me back, is the price, the shipping, and the import tax 

After overpaying an insane amount because of import taxes I've decided that I will never buy a keyboard from a retail store ever again, unless it's my only option. It's much better to buy keyboard stuff second hand and get it marked as a personal gift, that way you can regulate the value so you don't have to pay VAT. Or you could simply use a proxy and still buy from retail stores, but that'd be a little extra in shipping costs and what not, but still better than buying straight from a store.

[iLLucionist]

Thanks for this post! I was thinking about getting the silenced HHKB for myself, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra price. I already have two HHKBs, and I am thinking about getting rid of both and getting the type S. I have used dampened keyboards before, with pads and o-rings, and I do not like them (the ones that I tried) because they reduced the travel of the keys. Does the dampening on the type S seem to reduce the travel any? I am still juggling the idea of buying because having a smoother feel overall is very appealing to me, but I do not want to have any weird swooshing or squeaking on my keyboard.

Decisions, decisions....

Money, money... if you ask me What's holding me back, is the price, the shipping, and the import tax 

After overpaying an insane amount because of import taxes I've decided that I will never buy a keyboard from a retail store ever again, unless it's my only option. It's much better to buy keyboard stuff second hand and get it marked as a personal gift, that way you can regulate the value so you don't have to pay VAT. Or you could simply use a proxy and still buy from retail stores, but that'd be a little extra in shipping costs and what not, but still better than buying straight from a store.

That's genius. Those taxes and shipping costs feel like wasted money.