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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: eternalmetal on Sun, 02 August 2015, 13:46:33

Title: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: eternalmetal on Sun, 02 August 2015, 13:46:33
I bought an mx blue board (QFR TKL) a couple of months ago, and at first I loved it.  Because of the sheer joy of typing on this board, I taught myself to type more traditionally after doing some form of advanced hunt and peck for ~20 years (true touch typing is amazing).  After getting more comfortable with touch typing on a keyboard, I am finding that the mx blue switch is less than ideal.  I am apparently more of a heavy handed typist, and I find the blues to feel really weak and flimsy, even with thick cherry profile PBT caps.  Bottoming out feels harsh, and I am starting to feel like the clicky sound sounds cheap (the novelty has wore off by now). 

I grew up using buckling spring boards, and not really liking them, I switched to cheap and quiet rubber dome keyboards around the mid-late 90s.  I eventually discovered that there was such a thing as mechanical keyboards, and switched to one with mx blues once my previous board started having issues.  I definitely like it more than the cheap rubber dome Dell keyboard I have as a backup, which is mushy and lifeless, but then again the rubber dome board is also smoother to type on, and I like the softness of pressing down into rubber rather than springs falling onto a steel plate.  This is where the prospect of topre comes into play.  Being praised as a high quality rubber dome, Topre is actually quite appealing to me.  So I did what any other member on this forum would do in this situation, and ordered a 55g Realforce board.  I know that I could probably just wait a few days and judge for myself, but I am curious what I should expect from a topre board compared to an mx blue.  I also hope it is significantly stiffer than my mx blues: should I expect this to be the case?
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 02 August 2015, 13:54:47
I could see the need for this thread if you hadn't already ordered the board (even though there are hundreds of other threads on this same thing), it's already in the mail. Try it when you get it. Like it or don't.
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: jerue on Sun, 02 August 2015, 13:55:55
Yup, 55g Topre is definitely stiffer than MX Blues. Make sure you give it a few days before making any broad judgement about Topre boards, it takes time to acclimate and break in the board  :)

I could see the need for this thread if you hadn't already ordered the board (even though there are hundreds of other threads on this same thing), it's already in the mail. Try it when you get it. Like it or don't.

I tend to be one of those people that asks a lot of questions after ordering something (or watching videos on youtube of the product), probably what is happening here.
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 02 August 2015, 13:57:36
I could see the need for this thread if you hadn't already ordered the board (even though there are hundreds of other threads on this same thing), it's already in the mail. Try it when you get it. Like it or don't.

I tend to be one of those people that asks a lot of questions after ordering something (or watching videos on youtube of the product), probably what is happening here.
I mean I still don't see the need. also:

(even though there are hundreds of other threads on this same thing)
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: eternalmetal on Sun, 02 August 2015, 14:18:16
Yup, 55g Topre is definitely stiffer than MX Blues. Make sure you give it a few days before making any broad judgement about Topre boards, it takes time to acclimate and break in the board  :)

Yea, ive heard people say that it takes them a little time to truly appreciate the topre experience, so ill definitely be mindful of that.



I could see the need for this thread if you hadn't already ordered the board (even though there are hundreds of other threads on this same thing), it's already in the mail. Try it when you get it. Like it or don't.

I tend to be one of those people that asks a lot of questions after ordering something (or watching videos on youtube of the product), probably what is happening here.
I mean I still don't see the need. also:

(even though there are hundreds of other threads on this same thing)

Topics specifically comparing mx blue to topre 55g?  Ive done quite a bit of lurking on the subject matter, but most people are more keen on comparing topre to stuff like mx clears and blacks.  I really havent read much about blues vs 55g topre, hence the reason why I created a topic to discuss it.

I tend to be one of those people that asks a lot of questions after ordering something (or watching videos on youtube of the product), probably what is happening here.

Yup, pretty much.  I did quite a bit of research reading about the board, but curiosity is getting the best of me and I want to see what people have to say.  Its more of an "expectations before arrival" thread than it is a legitimate thread about asking whether I should make the purchase or not.  I dont see much difference between the "you need to try it to see if you like it" response in 'looking to buy' threads vs a post purchase curiosity thread.  Better than another "whats the best keyboard for gaming?" thread, no? :p
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: daerid on Sun, 02 August 2015, 15:03:46
Quote
Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread

As one who's been dealing with this crap for years, can we just... ya know....not?
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: eternalmetal on Sun, 02 August 2015, 15:18:13
Quote
Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread

As one who's been dealing with this crap for years, can we just... ya know....not?

How about, just... ya know... ignoring my thread if you arent interested in contributing?
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: paicrai on Sun, 02 August 2015, 15:31:30
fight fight fight
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: daerid on Sun, 02 August 2015, 17:05:06
Quote from: eternalmetal link=topic=74110.msg1818544#msg1818544 date=1438546693[

How about, just... ya know... [i
ignoring[/i] my thread if you arent interested in contributing?

While I'm sure there's probably some good content in this thread to contribute to, the choice of wording for the Topic doesn't really indicate that.
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: demik on Sun, 02 August 2015, 17:57:36
RF 55g topre > anything cherry has put out or will put out
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: Air tree on Sun, 02 August 2015, 18:32:50
RF 55g topre > anything cherry has put out or will put out
Quit tempting me with that 55g RF, demik... You keep saying so much good stuff about plate mounted 55g topre...
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: digi on Sun, 02 August 2015, 18:43:33
If I didn't like soldering boards so much I'd only stick with a 55g RF. My ADD doesn't let me stay with one thing for too long.
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 02 August 2015, 19:02:22
RF 55g topre > anything cherry has put out or will put out

basically every clone > new cherry
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: demik on Sun, 02 August 2015, 19:03:11
RF 55g topre > anything cherry has put out or will put out
Quit tempting me with that 55g RF, demik... You keep saying so much good stuff about plate mounted 55g topre...


DO IT.

If I didn't like soldering boards so much I'd only stick with a 55g RF. My ADD doesn't let me stay with one thing for too long.

Lies.
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: jbondeson on Sun, 02 August 2015, 19:15:08
Topre was too mushy for me.

I'm a fan of crisp tactile feedback so Model F's and Monterey Blues are some of my favorites. For MX I like the tactility of Clears, but the springs are too heavy. I was about to make some ergo-clears when Zeal make his announcement, so when those come out my KUL and QFR are getting a makeover.
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 03 August 2015, 00:43:48
Why not just get another Model M?
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: Mattr567 on Mon, 03 August 2015, 01:34:54
How about Alps?
Title: Re: Yet Another MX vs Topre Thread
Post by: LunarisDream on Thu, 06 August 2015, 12:08:02
Topre was too mushy for me.

I'm a fan of crisp tactile feedback so Model F's and Monterey Blues are some of my favorites. For MX I like the tactility of Clears, but the springs are too heavy. I was about to make some ergo-clears when Zeal make his announcement, so when those come out my KUL and QFR are getting a makeover.
I don't like how Topre forced me to bottom out, coming from MX clears. My fingers were too used to the weight of clears for Topre to feel comfortable to me - just exhausting.