Realforce 87U Variable or 55g?

[johnsmith123321]

I'm looking to buy a Realforce 87U.

I never play games. I'm pretty much only ever touch typing. Oh, I also use Dvorak (I'm not sure if that affects anything).

Which would be better for me? A variable or a 55g?

I'm thinking variable, because I touch type properly, so it would make sense to put less strain on my pinkies, but I need some advice on how they feel and perform compared to the 55g.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

This kind of thing is entirely subjective.  You might find you absolutely hate a variable keyboard, whereas others love them.

Best thing is if you can try one of each, but that would be difficult, especially with RealForce keyboards.

Variable is generally better for typing, and proper touch typing with fingers on the home keys.

55g uniform (or 45g uniform) is good for typing and gaming equally.

Maybe check with the vendor if you can return it if you don't like it, and swap for the other one.

[oumakavoula]

If only it was available in stores ...

[1391406]

The question is, which weightings have you tried and do you have a preference?

[romevi]

55g.
Best tactile switch on the market.

[demik]

55g no contest.

Best out of the box keyboard hands down.

[SBJ]

55g.
Best tactile switch on the market.

I am still lurking on ebay to see if I can get lucky and get one. 267 dollars through elitekeyboards right now and then I have to add 25% sales tax once it reaches Denmark. UGH!

[1391406]

I've used 55g, 45g, and variable weighted Realforce boards in both 104 and 87 key configurations extensively. Personally, and this is just me, I find 55g too heavy and tend to make more mistakes when using them. 45g feels more fluid, and while I could adjust if I had to, I ultimately preferred variable weighted. I didn't think I'd like it because I'd repeatedly heard the weighting was inconsistent and far too light, but to my surprise it was unexpectedly perfect, and I'm not a touch typist.

[Polymer]

Yeap....

55g feels too heavy for me...45g is fine..

I didn't think I'd like variable but I ended up really liking it and use it as my work keyboard......it is just so easy on the hands.

It is the least "thocky" of all the keyboards though....

[Hyde]

I like 45g uniform.

I didn't like variable and 55g felt a bit too heavy.

So if you like light switches, go for 45g, if you like heavy switch, go for 55g.

[OfTheWild]

I liked the 55g uniform but i ended up going with the variable. I tend to get a few misses on p's, q's, and periods when i'm typing quickly at work. I think it actually feels more uniform to me with the variable. I dunno, just my preference.

[losing_ctrl]

Just my two cents, but I have both the 87U 55g and a 108U 45g keyboard, and the 55g is my clear preference. The 55g is a buttery smooth "medium" switch that is neither light nor heavy. The 45g feels very light to me, so I can imagine that the lighter than 45g Topre switches must feel REALLY light. I'd like to try one just to see how it feels. I'd also like to try a 55g Type-S if they exist too.

[brizzzle]

Got the chance to try both 45 and 55 at the Seattle meetup. I prefer the 55g, the 45's felt too light.

[Macsmasher]

The fact that you type Dvorak will make a difference in your key weight preference. I've been Colemak for 3+ years. Both of these alternate layouts dramatically reduce finger travel over qwerty, meaning many times your fingers are resting on or right above the needed key. I now prefer a lighter weighted keyboard. I currently have a RF 87U 55g and a variable silent and prefer the variable for extended typing. If I were still qwerty, I'd probably prefer the 55g simply because of the additional finger travel.

[rowdy]

Testimonials from both sides.

Made a decision yet?

[bocahgundul]

Try both

I would go for the variable one cause the 55g is too heavy for me too

[Liocer]

The Variable is horrible, I'd highly recommend 55g all day.

[1391406]

The Variable is horrible

Maybe if you don't like light switches, but for those who prefer them, variables can be great.

[Liocer]

The Variable is horrible

Maybe if you don't like light switches, but for those who prefer them, variables can be great.

I don't know that it feels too light, it just feels inconsistent which of course it is and that feels really off too me, on my friends variable 104, I keep tapping esc and wishing all of the keys feel like that.

My daily driver is a 45g HHKB.

[1391406]

The Variable is horrible

Maybe if you don't like light switches, but for those who prefer them, variables can be great.

I don't know that it feels too light, it just feels inconsistent which of course it is and that feels really off too me

I only notice weighting discrepancies if I press each key with very slow, conscious intent. The differences are so subtle that when I'm actually typing, I don't notice any difference at all. I'm not a touch typist, either.

[Bucake]

subtle??? ?? ?? ?
what.... .... ...

you are talking about the variable realforce??

edit: maybe it's just my sensitive nerdy fingers, but not in a hundred years could i call it subtle. i have one right here so i'm not just talking from memory

[SpAmRaY]

The Variable is horrible

Maybe if you don't like light switches, but for those who prefer them, variables can be great.

Yep. I've had uniform 55g, uniform 45g and variable and I like variable best.

[1391406]

subtle??? ?? ?? ?
what.... .... ...

you are talking about the variable realforce??

I've repeatedly heard that the differences in key feel among variable weighted boards is exceedingly noticeable. I'd consistently heard that before ever purchasing my variable to the point that it was the main reason I originally planned to mod a 104U silent variable I purchased from Massdrop awhile back with 45g domes from a Type Heaven. Before receiving it, I went in fully expecting the differences to be rather stark. However, after trying it out, I was pleasantly shocked at just how subtle the differences in weighting actually felt. So much so that I decided to keep it as is, and it's been my daily driver ever since. To me, the differences in weighting among the various keys is so subtle and negligible as to be practically non-existent when typing. I certainly don't notice at all unless I make a conscious effort to press each key slowly and methodically.

[Macsmasher]

I'm a touch typist and I don't understand the problem with the variable. It's a fact that your ring and pinky fingers are weaker. With that in mind, I find the variable a MORE consistent typing experience than a uni because I use the same level of "effort" with all fingers.

[mikes41720]

I think the 55g RF87U is a very fun keyboard, and it provides such a bouncy and thocky feel, it's amazing! However, it's a bit fatiguing.

I also have a RF91U in JIS lay-out, which was initially variable. I enjoyed it, but I'm not a Dvorak typist. I have a weird typing style, but I just use QWERTY. Learned Colemak for a bit though. I think the 30g or 35g domes were too light for my liking, almost too mushy.

I now have a 45g uniform HHKB type-S and I think this is the best set-up for me. Although the 55g domes are fun to type on, this is the best for a long day of typing at the office. Not fatiguing, just the right amount of bounciness and thockiness.

However, again, it's purely subjective. Best of luck!

[willbarrow]

Variable.

[romevi]

Variable.

[1391406]

Variable.

(Attachment Link)

There's no accounting for taste.

[romevi]

Variable.

(Attachment Link)

There is accounting for taste.

That's correct!

[1391406]

Variable.

(Attachment Link)

There's no accounting for taste.

I love variables!

Me too.

[tiger]

Which would be better for me? A variable or a 55g?

It will depend on your hand size and strength. If you're a typical 6 ft American male, then you'll love the 55g. If you're more on the petite scale, then you'll be wishing for a 30g uniform.

[1391406]

Which would be better for me? A variable or a 55g?

It will depend on your hand size and strength. If you're a typical 6 ft American male, then you'll love the 55g. If you're more on the petite scale, then you'll be wishing for a 30g uniform.

I'm right at 6 feet, above average fitness, and find 55g too fatiguing for long typing sessions.

[OfTheWild]

I feel like your weight preference is dependent on how type not your size or strength.

I am also of the camp that can barely tell the variable difference... until  been 8 hours at work typing and your forearms aren't sore.

[Macsmasher]

Another thing that should be considered is the intended primary use for the keyboard. When coding, the 55g if fine. I'm doing a lot of shortcuts like copy and paste. Typing is a few lines of code at a time then stopping to think. But if I have to type constantly for a period of time, there's no substitute for the variable 87U. If I could only have one keyboard, it would be the variable.

[rowdy]

Variable.

(Attachment Link)

There's no accounting for taste.

I don't know what any of my keyboards taste like!

[Quakemz]

I really enjoy the 55g Topre experience, though I prefer it lubed.

45 is just a tad light for me, and I feel like it offers a little less tactility. Variable-weight is mostly 45g or lighter, which really doesn't do it for me. Admittedly, I don't type "correctly", so perhaps variable weight could be for you, but 55g feels WAY more crisp to me, which I really enjoy. 

[Screwdriver]

I dislike light keys, and am missing the pinky finger on my left hand ....I bought the 55g.

[czarek]

55G feels best, but after I was using it for one and half year it killed couple fingers in my right hand. It's basically just as heavy as Model M. I don't have any experience with variable but I don't think I'd like it as I do play games sometimes (FPS and RTS). I am using HHKB right now and I think it's a sweet spot, although of course Realforce feels better so if you don't need compactness and layout of HHKB, definitely go with uniform 45G Realforce and be done with it