[News] REΛLFORCE R2

[_PixelNinja]

Well, it seems Topre has revealed an update on the REΛLFORCE line of keyboards and will be called the REΛLFORCE R2:


REΛLFORCE R2 Standard (R2-JPV-IV) in ivory


Underside


New packaging

From what I gather the new R2 line will be available in Japan in four variations, each in ivory and black :

• REΛLFORCE R2 Standard — ¥19,800, available from October ;
• REΛLFORCE R2 Silent —  ¥21,300, available from November ;
• REΛLFORCE R2 APC (Actuation Point Changer) —  ¥22,800, available from December ;
• REΛLFORCE R2 APC Silent — ¥24,800, available from December.

ANSI, TKL and wireless units should be following up next year.

[Tactile]

I'd like to know the weight compared to the "old" Realforce.

[nickheller]

Why no TKL...

[DALExSNAIL]

Personally prefer the old design, but I'm sure when this comes out in TKL ansi I will try it out.

[hanya]

Well, it seems Topre has revealed an update on the REΛLFORCE line of keyboards and will be called the REΛLFORCE R2:

It tells, TKL, US layout, Mac layout and wireless are planned in next year (2017, wrong description?) or later.

[audax989]

realforce rgb tkl when

[HendyZone]

realforce rgb tkl when

i heard Topre will release the Realforce RGB TKL around next year, maybe shown on Computex 2018

[yomammary]

I'll wait for the TKL if anything.

[Lansky]

Not really digging the design, especially the large shiny badge. Hopefully it won't be present on the TKL version.

[shadowku]

Wow, STILL no detachable chord? I'm quite happy with everything else.. I wonder if they'll ever do another keyboard with cherry compatible sliders.

[zslane]

Not really digging the design, especially the large shiny badge. Hopefully it won't be present on the TKL version.

That shiny black badge is definitely annoying, especially on the white case. At least on a Realforce RGB it isn't quite as noticeable because that space is mostly covered by four keycaps.

[kasakka]

So what exactly are the differences? Other than that ugly black area around the logo.

[Duckyreddy]

Ugh that shiny panel, not a big fan of that

[Hyde]

Damn I'm excited they're releasing new products but I also wonder what's different?  And would be great if they can release 45g silent. 

[_PixelNinja]

That shiny black badge is definitely annoying, especially on the white case. At least on a Realforce RGB it isn't quite as noticeable because that space is mostly covered by four keycaps.

That is the Standard version. The APC units have the media and actuation point cluster there too:

And would be great if they can release 45g silent. 

The R2S-JP4-BK is 45g.

[Hyde]

And would be great if they can release 45g silent. 

The R2S-JP4-BK is 45g.

It's not variable anymore? 

If that's the case then it's great news because I like 45g uniform better. 

[hanya]

realforce rgb tkl when

i heard Topre will release the Realforce RGB TKL around next year, maybe shown on Computex 2018

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1082087.html

[shadowku]

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1082087.html

Naaaiiseee
About time. No mention about dip switches or other features that the 87U has though. I'm not optimistic.

I'd still likely buy one since I traded my Novatouch away.

[romevi]

realforce rgb tkl when

i heard Topre will release the Realforce RGB TKL around next year, maybe shown on Computex 2018

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1082087.html

Yuck.

[yomammary]

realforce rgb tkl when

i heard Topre will release the Realforce RGB TKL around next year, maybe shown on Computex 2018

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1082087.html

Yuck.

[hking0036]

It seems the JIS versions have come out:
http://www.realforce.co.jp/news/20180309/

Wondering when the ANSI ones will come around.

[killyou]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

[hking0036]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

PFU and Leopold are both third parties who make topre boards, I think they just don't want others to be making normal TKL/104-key layouts because that would compete with them directly.

[killyou]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

PFU and Leopold are both third parties who make topre boards, I think they just don't want others to be making normal TKL/104-key layouts because that would compete with them directly.

That's the whole point, make it available to anyone who is interested and pays the fees so they can compete. Otherwise people will be spending roughly the same mount of money for clones like NiZ.

[Hyde]

Damn it I think they decided to release all Japanese versions first before working on the English layout.

The Tenkeyless versions came out in Japan around March it seems.  So hopefully they'll work on ANSI layout soon.

[bizzy11]

Do the APC ones have variable weight?

[Hyde]

Do the APC ones have variable weight?

Not 100% sure but from the website it seems like there is APC regular version, White = 30g/45g/55g variable, Black = 45g uniform.

For APC silent version, White and Black both = 30g uniform.

So answer your question, buy the white APC normal version.

[method_]

That shiny black badge is definitely annoying, especially on the white case. At least on a Realforce RGB it isn't quite as noticeable because that space is mostly covered by four keycaps.

That is the Standard version. The APC units have the media and actuation point cluster there too:

(Attachment Link)

And would be great if they can release 45g silent. 

The R2S-JP4-BK is 45g.

This, is one ugly design.

[tp4tissue]

They still use fax machines over there..

There is a difference in attitude towards technology which also crosses over into the aesthetics of further iterations.

[bizzy11]

Do the APC ones have variable weight?

Not 100% sure but from the website it seems like there is APC regular version, White = 30g/45g/55g variable, Black = 45g uniform.

For APC silent version, White and Black both = 30g uniform.

So answer your question, buy the white APC normal version.

Ah ok thanks, thinking about trying a variable weight.

[duckboi]

They still use fax machines over there..

There is a difference in attitude towards technology which also crosses over into the aesthetics of further iterations.

That's pretty interesting actually, thanks tp4! 

[moh18one]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

PFU and Leopold are both third parties who make topre boards, I think they just don't want others to be making normal TKL/104-key layouts because that would compete with them directly.

PFU and Leopold don't make Topre keyboards. They are just partners that can sell keyboards that have capacitive switches and because of this partnership the HHKB and FCxxxC series exist. The only manufacturer is Topre and will always be Topre (unless you want to sued)

[hking0036]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

PFU and Leopold are both third parties who make topre boards, I think they just don't want others to be making normal TKL/104-key layouts because that would compete with them directly.

PFU and Leopold don't make Topre keyboards. They are just partners that can sell keyboards that have capacitive switches and because of this partnership the HHKB and FCxxxC series exist. The only manufacturer is Topre and will always be Topre (unless you want to sued)

If I recall, the majority of the FCXXXC boards are manufactured in china (Supposedly in the same place as Varmilo), and then "inspected in Japan." I can't say for PFU considering they're also a Japanese company, but they do build differently than Topre builds their RFs, so who knows.

[xondat]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

That'd make my life so much easier )

[romevi]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

That'd make my life so much easier )

Show Image

Now put that hand below your waist, and curve the index and thumb so they touch and keep the other fingers straight.
Then look at that hand.

[_PixelNinja]

For ****s sake topre, just license the usage of the technology or something to 3rd companies so we can have more keyboard designs. That's why we can't have nice things.

As mentioned above, Topre does license their technology. Their collaborators being/having been Leopold, PFU, Ducky and Cooler Master. You have to see Topre as an engine manufacturer, rather than a car manufacturer, if you see what I am getting at. They are however very conservative with their technology, and from what my contact at Cooler Master told me back when I was beta testing the Novatouch, very difficult to work with.

PFU and Leopold don't make Topre keyboards. They are just partners that can sell keyboards that have capacitive switches and because of this partnership the HHKB and FCxxxC series exist. The only manufacturer is Topre and will always be Topre (unless you want to sued)

Actually PFU and Leopold do make Topre keyboards. There are some variances in which parts are provided, but Topre will manufacture the core components (plungers, housings, rubber domes, springs, PCB, keycaps) and supply them to PFU and Leopold.

If I recall, the majority of the FCXXXC boards are manufactured in china (Supposedly in the same place as Varmilo), and then "inspected in Japan." I can't say for PFU considering they're also a Japanese company, but they do build differently than Topre builds their RFs, so who knows.

Until 2014, the FC660M was made in China by Varmilo. Leopold let Varmilo go after they tried to sell FC660Ms with Varmilo stickers. Leopold relocated the fabrication of the 2015 units to Taiwan and Varmilo came out with the VA68 form factor. The FC660C has thus far been made in China. The new upcoming units will be made in Japan.

[buckyballs]

As long as Topre is so bloody expensive I won't be using Topre... their prices are seriously unaffordable to anyone on a normal average salary.

[Puddsy]

As long as Topre is so bloody expensive I won't be using Topre... their prices are seriously unaffordable to anyone on a normal average salary.

i bought a mira while making below minimum wage

although i guess everyone's situation is different

[romevi]

As long as Topre is so bloody expensive I won't be using Topre... their prices are seriously unaffordable to anyone on a normal average salary.

It's the best out-of-box keyboard experience you will ever get.

[Puddsy]

As long as Topre is so bloody expensive I won't be using Topre... their prices are seriously unaffordable to anyone on a normal average salary.

It's the best out-of-box keyboard experience you will ever get.

normally i'd disagree but at the same time i know so many people who bought an HHKB/55g RF and just dropped off the map

[nmur]

As long as Topre is so bloody expensive I won't be using Topre... their prices are seriously unaffordable to anyone on a normal average salary.

It's the best out-of-box keyboard experience you will ever get.

normally i'd disagree but at the same time i know so many people who bought an HHKB/55g RF and just dropped off the map

if that was my goal it would be achieved with a stock HHKB type-s

however it took a while to reach a level of keyboard enthusiasm that let myself justify such a purchase

[Hyde]

As long as Topre is so bloody expensive I won't be using Topre... their prices are seriously unaffordable to anyone on a normal average salary.

It's the best out-of-box keyboard experience you will ever get.

normally i'd disagree but at the same time i know so many people who bought an HHKB/55g RF and just dropped off the map

if that was my goal it would be achieved with a stock HHKB type-s

however it took a while to reach a level of keyboard enthusiasm that let myself justify such a purchase

I'm waiting for the R2 45g Silent then I'll drop off the map. 

[madhias]

As long as Topre is so bloody expensive I won't be using Topre... their prices are seriously unaffordable to anyone on a normal average salary.

It's the best out-of-box keyboard experience you will ever get.

normally i'd disagree but at the same time i know so many people who bought an HHKB/55g RF and just dropped off the map

I got first I think the HHKB, then the Realforce, or vice-versa, and I think that these boards were the reason not to try another switch or whatever else – but currently typing this useful post on my SSK. CLICKCLACKCLICKCLACK

[duckboi]

It's the best out-of-box keyboard experience you will ever get.

Having 2 Topre keyboards I might be a little bit biased but I would agree. I think another really nice out of the box is Leopold. I was really impressed with their FC660M.

[Riverman]

I keep buying and selling Topre boards.  I'm on my third Type Heaven, and I've had a standard Realforce and a silent one.  They've all been amazing, but I couldn't stand the idea of shining up the Type Heaven's ABS keycaps, I didn't like the retro white color of my silent Realforce, and I couldn't read the black text on the black keys on my standard Realforce well enough.  Now I have a Realforce RGB coming that I can put some other keycaps on.  I think that will finally be my ultimate keyboard.  Until then, I'm thoroughly enjoying my latest Type Heaven at work.    I hope they really do come out with a Mac layout like one of the earlier posts mentioned so I can have one at home, too.

[thelaughingman]

normally i'd disagree but at the same time i know so many people who bought an HHKB/55g RF and just dropped off the map

Count me in the MIA list too, oh wait, I was never even on the map to begin with  )