Should I invest in a Topre

[y11971alex]

As stated in topic, should I invest in a Topre?  I heard it's highly recommended, but not quite sure about it

[DALExSNAIL]

If you only want one topre, I highly suggest spacebar topre. Very nice. 

[y11971alex]

If you only want one topre, I highly suggest spacebar topre. Very nice. 

I think I'm looking for an entire board

[Jesse36m3]

I wasn't sure about it either, but I jumped straight into a Realforce and I find it to be what I use the most for day to day typing because it's so comfortable.

[Beanhead]

I've posted this a few times, but I switched from a V60 with MX Cherry Clears to a Leopold FC660C and could not be happier. Topre keys are wonderful to type on and I can't suggest them enough.

[jonathanyu]

no

[xtrafrood]

Yup

[Moistgun]

Why not?

Whats the hesitation?

[Bucake]

yo i'll trade one of mine for ya beam spring


edit: Honeywell rubber domes IBM 09F4230 <- if you like this keyboard, topre has a good chance of being liked (more).

[Vagabond]

Realforce > HHKB

[1391406]

Everyone who likes Topre will say yes. Those who don't will say no. Personally, I like Topre and would recommend the Realforce 104U if you prefer full sized boards, but that's me.

[Erikdayo]

I think Topre is worth trying provided you don't mind selling for near retail value if you don't like what you got. When I first got a Realforce 45g I ended up getting rid of it soon after. Even though it was the nicest keyboard I had ever owned up to that point. I just felt the switches wouldn't be the best for me for gaming. And I think that's still true now.

 I recently picked up a FC660C that I love and have no plans to sell. When I had to do a lot of extended gaming recently I just busted out of the FC660M instead because I think it's less fatiguing for extended periods of gaming. And the linear feel of the Reds is just nicer for gaming, imo. For typing I prefer the Topre feel. I feel more precise and confident in my typing when I'm using a Topre compared to my Cherry MX Red. Currently I'm using my Topre for both typing and gaming because I can't be bothered to swap constantly. But if I'm playing for hours on end I'll probably swap in the FC660M again.

[y11971alex]

What's the difference between Realforce and Type Heaven?

[Dyaems]

If you already tried a Topre board and liked it, go buy. Otherwise, don't

What's the difference between Realforce and Type Heaven?

Type Heaven uses ABS keycaps AFAIK and probably lower build quality on the externals maybe? compared to Realforce.

[y11971alex]

If you already tried a Topre board and liked it, go buy. Otherwise, don't

What's the difference between Realforce and Type Heaven?

Type Heaven uses ABS keycaps AFAIK and probably lower build quality on the externals maybe? compared to Realforce.

The whole problem is that I haven't tried a Topre before.  Nobody does tours in Canada.

[pesky brat]

What's the difference between Realforce and Type Heaven?

Type Heaven is Topre's budget keyboard; cheaper caps (pad printed ABS vs. dyesub PBT on a Realforce), less weight/heft to the board, and just an overall less premium experience. In my opinion, and I think others will agree, it's worth the extra $60 or so to get the Realforce. Also, I personally prefer 55g which is only available on the Realforce.

[Dyaems]

If you already tried a Topre board and liked it, go buy. Otherwise, don't

What's the difference between Realforce and Type Heaven?

Type Heaven uses ABS keycaps AFAIK and probably lower build quality on the externals maybe? compared to Realforce.

The whole problem is that I haven't tried a Topre before.  Nobody does tours in Canada.

Even someone you know who owns a Topre board? haha. What I did with my Topre purchase is through... blind buy 

[y11971alex]

Yeah, nobody near Toronto has reached out to me

[y11971alex]

Is it just me or is RF SSK cheaper than full size? 

[Dyaems]

full size is generally more expensive then TKL simply because it has more keys/pcb parts/springs/domes/etc..

[y11971alex]

full size is generally more expensive then TKL simply because it has more keys/pcb parts/springs/domes/etc..

I guess it's only on Model M that SSK is more expensive by severalfold.

[E3E]

I prefer the way the fullsize looks, probably just because I'm accustomed to full-size vintages and the bulky case styling is reminiscent of that to me. The TKL design is a little more clumsy, imo. Space-wise, I definitely understand it though.

Topre's interesting. If I had jumped into Topre before Cherry MX (what I started with) and Alps (one true love), I probably would've absolutely adored it as the feel is similar to a rubber dome (and reminds me of the scissor switches I was used to typing on). There is something about the feel that is charming, but the clack of traditional mechanical switches is something I enjoy a bit too much.

[y11971alex]

I prefer the way the fullsize looks, probably just because I'm accustomed to full-size vintages and the bulky case styling is reminiscent of that to me. The TKL design is a little more clumsy, imo. Space-wise, I definitely understand it though.

Topre's interesting. If I had jumped into Topre before Cherry MX (what I started with) and Alps (one true love), I probably would've absolutely adored it as the feel is similar to a rubber dome (and reminds me of the scissor switches I was used to typing on). There is something about the feel that is charming, but the clack of traditional mechanical switches is something I enjoy a bit too much.

How do they compare with other rubber domes?

[Dyaems]

full size is generally more expensive then TKL simply because it has more keys/pcb parts/springs/domes/etc..

I guess it's only on Model M that SSK is more expensive by severalfold.

oh you are talking about model M SSK, i thought realforce TKL. SSK is i think harder to get, this is why it is so expensive!

[1391406]

full size is generally more expensive then TKL simply because it has more keys/pcb parts/springs/domes/etc..

I guess it's only on Model M that SSK is more expensive by severalfold.

Namely because SSK Model M's are far more rare, whereas Realforce TKL's are just as prevalent as their full sized counterparts.

[y11971alex]

full size is generally more expensive then TKL simply because it has more keys/pcb parts/springs/domes/etc..

I guess it's only on Model M that SSK is more expensive by severalfold.

oh you are talking about model M SSK, i thought realforce TKL. SSK is i think harder to get, this is why it is so expensive!

No.  I thought Topre SSK would be the same situation between 1401/1472.

[E3E]

How do they compare with other rubber domes?

Compared to something run-of-the-mill full-travel rubber dome, its eons ahead.

It reminds me of what I'd imagine a full-travel scissor switch would feel like. It's snappy and has a pleasant rubbery thock to it.

I've heard it compared to some BTC slider over dome switches before:

It's definitely got a feel that's similar to a rubber dome, but it's just a more refined feel because of the slider and quality of the dome sheet, I think. Someone with more Topre or rubber dome experience might want to chime in.

It also reminds me of Alps SKCM Green and Alps SKCM Brown if you're familiar with those switches.

[1391406]

What's the difference between Realforce and Type Heaven?

Type Heaven is Topre's budget keyboard; cheaper caps (pad printed ABS vs. dyesub PBT on a Realforce), less weight/heft to the board, and just an overall less premium experience. In my opinion, and I think others will agree, it's worth the extra $60 or so to get the Realforce. Also, I personally prefer 55g which is only available on the Realforce.

I own both and the Type Heaven actually weighs slightly more than my Realforce 104U. Personally, I prefer the look of my 104U / 87U, but after having swapped the domes from my Type Heaven with the domes in my 87U, I can tell you that the internals of the Type Heaven are qualitatively indistinguishable from the standard Realforce boards, at least as far as I can tell. Aesthetics aside though, the biggest difference comes down to the key caps(ABS vs. PBT), in my opinion.

[1391406]

I prefer the way the fullsize looks, probably just because I'm accustomed to full-size vintages and the bulky case styling is reminiscent of that to me. The TKL design is a little more clumsy, imo. Space-wise, I definitely understand it though.

Topre's interesting. If I had jumped into Topre before Cherry MX (what I started with) and Alps (one true love), I probably would've absolutely adored it as the feel is similar to a rubber dome (and reminds me of the scissor switches I was used to typing on). There is something about the feel that is charming, but the clack of traditional mechanical switches is something I enjoy a bit too much.

How do they compare with other rubber domes?

I've owned my share of rubber domes boards, and while I think the feel of Topre is a bit similar to one of my favorite rubber domes, it's not as mushy, and thanks to the capacitive nature of Topre, I don't have to worry about keys not registering. In a typical rubber dome over membrane board, the dome has to make physical contact with the underlying sheets (pressing them together) to actuate a key. Thus, it's necessary to bottom out on every keystroke. That's not the case with Topre.

In my opinion, the way Topre domes are shaped lends itself to a feel that's unlike any rubber dome board I've ever used, the typing experience of which is extremely gratifying. Most rubber dome boards I've owned or used feel downright sloppy by comparison. The closest thing I can compare it to would be the Orange Alps switches in my Apple Extended Keyboard. It feels closer to a linear mechanical switch than a rubber dome, though 45g Topre switches have a softer bottom out than MX Brown switches, in my opinion.

That said, out of all the switches I've tried(see my signature), Topre is my favorite.

[y11971alex]

Is it really different from Honeywell rubber domes?

[1391406]

I've never used a Honeywell, but Topre keys definitely aren't stiff nor require as much actuation force as Buckling Springs.

[rowdy]

Yes, or you will be forever wondering.

Or maybe one of those Top[re clone boards?  I believe they should have a feel similar to genuine Topre, and if you really like it then get a RealForce.

[aaron6301]

Sure, it might just be you're favorite switch. And like others have said, you will never know until you try.

When I received my first Topre board, a HHKB Type-S, I was a bit underwhelmed. After all the hype I've been reading about Topre being the end-all-be-all, I didn't quite understand. Perhaps it was the fact that I built it up so much in my head that it would be impossible for this keyboard to meet my expectations. In fact, the first time I typed on it, I actually disliked it quite a bit. Although, after putting in a little time, I now see why everyone was harping about the buttery smooth tactility that is Topre.

All that being said, it's worth the investment to try out. Worst comes to worst, you can always sell it and recoup all or nearly all of your funds.

[Geroximo]

Get one as soon as possible.
The fact that you opened this thread already tells me that you're going to try out Topre sooner or later, so the sooner the better.
Try it out for at least a month.
Worst case: You sell it, you lose a bit of money, but at least you then know if Topre is for you or not.

[xtrafrood]

Is it really different from Honeywell rubber domes?

Show Image

Does your Quiet Touch have rubber domes with springs? Sliders over dome right? Sliders over dome over membrane?

[y11971alex]

Where's a good place to buy it?

[y11971alex]

Is it really different from Honeywell rubber domes?

Show Image

Does your Quiet Touch have rubber domes with springs? Sliders over dome right? Sliders over dome over membrane?

Slider over spring over membrane.

[zslane]

As modern tactile switches go, I don't see how you can get much better than Topre to be honest. So to my mind the question isn't whether or not you'll like Topre, but whether or not you'll like tactile switches.

There are really only three kinds of tactile switches made today:

1. MX Brown/Clear (and their clones)
2. Topre (and its clones)
3. Matias "Quiet Click"

I will have a chance to try out the Matias switch tomorrow when my KBP-60 arrives, but between MX and Topre there's simply no contest in my view. MX Browns just feel like broken MX Reds to me. The tactile experience of a Topre switch is really nice, and quite addictive.

[dgneo]

Topre is always a sound investment!

[y11971alex]

Topre is always a sound investment!

But where should I get one to avoid being ripped off by eBay?

[HoffmanMyster]

Topre is always a sound investment!

But where should I get one to avoid being ripped off by eBay?

Elite Keyboards is a great place to buy Realforce and HHKB boards, and they do ship to Canada.

[xtrafrood]

Is it really different from Honeywell rubber domes?

Show Image

Does your Quiet Touch have rubber domes with springs? Sliders over dome right? Sliders over dome over membrane?

Slider over spring over membrane.

Wait what? IBM 73x3832? Yours is a different model? Not the same as the one with the Micro Switch ST & or Bud 115ST?

https://deskthority.net/wiki/IBM_73x3832_Quiet_Touch

[y11971alex]

Mine looks identical and has blue sliders.

[HoffmanMyster]

Get out of this thread and buy a Topre board already.    Preferably a 55g Realforce or an HHKB, depending on your layout preference.

[y11971alex]

Get out of this thread and buy a Topre board already.    Preferably a 55g Realforce or an HHKB, depending on your layout preference.

I also hear that the 55g version is highly praised, but I can't find a 55g Realforce in pearl/pebble, so I don't know where to begin.  Elitekeyboards.com is apparently out of them, and eBay sellers are charging a ridiculous premium above that.

[HoffmanMyster]

Get out of this thread and buy a Topre board already.    Preferably a 55g Realforce or an HHKB, depending on your layout preference.

I also hear that the 55g version is highly praised, but I can't find a 55g Realforce in pearl/pebble, so I don't know where to begin.  Elitekeyboards.com is apparently out of them, and eBay sellers are charging a ridiculous premium above that.

EK says the ETA for a re-stock is Sept 2016.  Obviously that's come and gone, but it may be worth emailing EK to ask for an updated estimate on timing.  It's possible that they'll be coming back in stock very soon.  I personally wouldn't pay a premium for those boards, they always sell out and come back in stock (someone correct me if this trend has changed recently).

[1391406]

Get out of this thread and buy a Topre board already.    Preferably a 55g Realforce or an HHKB, depending on your layout preference.

I also hear that the 55g version is highly praised, but I can't find a 55g Realforce in pearl/pebble, so I don't know where to begin.  Elitekeyboards.com is apparently out of them, and eBay sellers are charging a ridiculous premium above that.

The Keyboard Company sells them, and given the shipping estimate based on my location in the states, it would cost about the same as EK for me.

[yuppie]

As stated in topic, should I invest in a Topre?  I heard it's highly recommended, but not quite sure about it

yes

[moh18one]

Yes and buy a Leopold FC980C https://geekhack.org/Smileys/solosmileys/wink.gif

[xtrafrood]

Yes and buy a Leopold FC980C https://geekhack.org/Smileys/solosmileys/wink.gif

OR, silent cherry mx switch version. AND THEN, add some landing pads