Realforce 87U Tenkeyless (Black)

[snerd]

So this is the only tenkeyless Topre keyboard available on elitekeyboards, and I was wondering why.  It seems like the different activation weights could be a little disconcerting at first, but I could see really getting used to them.

Let me explain why I'm looking into this. I really like the feel of the cherry browns filco, but  the clack sound when I bottom out (gaming) is annoying my fiance. I thought it would be a little quieter.  We live in really close quarters, and my PC is set up basically in our living room.

I would like to try a HHKBP2 or tenkeyless realforce, should I wait until I can find the former or an all 55g of the latter? Any ringing endorsements for the variable activation version? I'm definitely put off by the price. But I'm really big on build quality and feeling good at my computer (way too many hours per day).  Wish I could have jumped on the one that sold for $235 on this board a few days ago.

[didjamatic]

I think you'll Love the Realforce 87u.  I love Cherry Browns as well, but even they are a little loud.  I happen to work in 2 quiet environments.  1 - A Cube Farm full of developers and system admins.   You can hear a pin drop there because people aren't often on phone. 2 - Home office near 2 sleeping kids and a wife that doesn't appreciate the qualities of a good loud keyboard

Cherry Blues or Buckling Springs are out of the question for me.  Even Cherry browns are a little loud in some cases, but Topres are perfect.

The variable force on the 87u is no bother to me at all.  The 103u I had was much lighter on pinky keys than my 87u is, but I could have just got a really sensitive 103u.

[ch_123]

I've heard that the 55g one isn't all that great, and that the Topre switch is better with lower resistance. On the other hand, from what I read, most have no issues getting used to the variable resistance.

The HHKB Pro is all-45g by the way, although whether the games you play lend themselves to being played on that layout in another question.

[snerd]

From the replies so far, it sounds like the one that's available IS the right one. Then again, I think you guys would say anything to get people to spend more money on keyboards

[snerd]

A Brown Cherry is annoying?  

Just dump your fiance - it's an omen.

She has never expressed annoyance, but I am self conscious of the sound compared to the level of the TV.

[rdjack21]

Like others have said I think the 35/45/55 variable weighted keys on the 87U/86U/89 are about perfect but I also think an all 45g board would be just as good. The only 55g Topre board I have is the short throw MD01B0/HE0100/Sun short type and on those boards I do like the 55g keys but I don't think I would like the heaver key on a full throw keyboard.  

Also seeing that you are coming off a Cherry Brown board I would think you would prefer the lighter 45g board verses a heaver 55g board.

[maxlugar]

From the replies so far, it sounds like the one that's available IS the right one. Then again, I think you guys would say anything to get people to spend more money on keyboards

Keep in mind that Topre key switches are not exactly silent either.

If you are heavy handed, they will make a sound when you bottom out, although it is a softer landing than Cherry Browns.

Also, the space bar on Topre boards makes a distinctive thunking sound that is much louder than your run of the mill rubber dome keyboard.

I alternate between my HHKB Pro 2 (my travel keyboard) where all the keys are 45g and my Realforce 87U with the variable key weighting and don't really notice any appreciable difference.  At least, the different key weightings don't impact my typing speed or accuracy.

[ch_123]

Yeah, one thing that struck me about these is how thocky they are. Even though I don't pound on keys usually, I bottom out on them a lot.

[snerd]

Oh look, the all 55g just popped up again on elitekeyboards. But now you've convinced me that the lighter activation is nicer... I'll decide tomorrow.

[majestouch]

Also seeing that you are coming off a Cherry Brown board I would think you would prefer the lighter 45g board verses a heaver 55g board.

Being a long time Cherry brown user, I'd say this statement is pretty accurate, though I wouldn't describe my experience as "preference." Coming off a long period of brown Cherry usage, I find 45g is very comfortable while 55g seems a tad heavy, but after a day or two of 55g use, my fingers adjust and the extra tactility of the 55g becomes rather fun to whack at, so I'd have a hard time saying I prefer one over the other.

[maxlugar]

Being a long time Cherry brown user, I'd say this statement is pretty accurate, though I wouldn't describe my experience as "preference." Coming off a long period of brown Cherry usage, I find 45g is very comfortable while 55g seems a tad heavy, but after a day or two of 55g use, my fingers adjust and the extra tactility of the 55g becomes rather fun to whack at, so I'd have a hard time saying I prefer one over the other.

That's sounds plausible.  I know my fingers quickly adjust back to my 84-key PC AT keyboard after having used Topre or Cherry MX key switches.  However, I personally don't think I would prefer a 55g non-clicky key switch.  Heavier key presses on buckling springs are OK, but 45g or less seems more ideal for the Topre key switch boards.

However, if I ever get the opportunity to type on an all 55g Topre keyboard, I reserve the right to change my mind  

[elbowglue]

I suggest this:
g80-3000 from datacal:
http://www.datacal.com/p-1254-cherry-g80-3000-keyboard-with-brown-switches.aspx

The bottoming out noise should be much gentler than the filco, bottoms out into PCB instead of metal plate.  I don't have this exact board but my experience with plate mounted vs PCB mounted cherry brown switches is a significant difference in nose.

Now, you might find the flex of a PCB mounted brown cherry board to be bothersome... (I do on my MX8100 but not my g86-compact layout brown cherry)

[itlnstln]

I'd call it more of a change in tone than loudness comparing my PCB mounted Cherry Corp SPOS keyboard and the plate mounted Filco. I suspect MOST of the difference is the keys but haven't dumped double shots onto that keyboard yet to confirm.
 
I'll add the Cherry SPOS keyboard to the sound samples sometime.

The 3000 is quieter than the SPOS.  I'm not sure why, though.  The SPOS sounds a little "hollow," too.  I guess that sound can vary between 'boards of the same brand.  My new Filco is a little quieter than my old one, but that might be that my old one has loosened up a bit.