geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: didjamatic on Sat, 05 June 2010, 09:41:29
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The Topre switch is the source of much controversy, some like it, some hate it, some love it a little too much. It's high price tag means many have never got to try a Topre keyboard such as the HHKB Pro 2 or the Realforce line of keyboards.
One thing is for sure, you have to use one for a while before you can truly appreciate it. Since it is a capacitive switch, requiring you to only press the switch part way through it's range for it to actuate... your typing habits must adjust to typing in a way that utilizes that switch before you can truly appreciate it.
The 3 common configurations are all 45g (HHKB) all 55g (Realforce 87u and variations) or variable 35/45g with a 55g Esc key (Realforce and relatives)
I have extensively used the all 55g and the variable force including a 2 week period where I used them side-by-side.
The all 55g is very springy, snappy and crisp, though the variable had excellent traits of it's own. After much comparison I was unable to choose a clear favorite between the 2 and ended up using the variable at work and the 55g at home. Of course now I'm using an ALPS board, but that's beside the point, we're talking about rubber domes here.
Though the design of a Topre switch makes one think it's just a plain old rubber dome, it's not. It doesn't feel like a regular rubber dome and it doesn't respond like a rubber dome. I have probably used every quality rubber dome keyboard out there and none are comparable to any Topre keyboard I have used.
To illustrate this for those who have not tried Topres before, I will make this crystal clear with media and settle this discussion once and for all...
35/45/55 Variable Realforce = Megan Fox (http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&q=megan+fox)
(http://thefilmwiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/megan-fox0.jpg)
All 55g Realforce = CharlieJames1975 (http://www.youtube.com/user/charliejames1975)
Keytronic/IBM/High end rubber domes = Woman at the store. Nice, friendly, attractive
(http://www.blogcdn.com/shopping.aol.com/articles/media/2008/10/woman_smile_jeans300-082306.jpg)
Average Rubber Dome Keyboard:
(http://www.parcbench.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/rosieksm.jpg)
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Those are great visual aids and surely if more people would read your thread then more people would throw their rubber dome in the trash right now this very minute. Its only the cheap rubber dome boards that are not only garbage, but also quite repulsive.
I gave away my cheapo...
(http://www.zulkey.com/ugly-dog.jpg)
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This thread should come with a warning. That is pretty much how the point needs to be made, for general folks to get it. I extremely rarely have nightmares, so if I do, I'm blaming you.
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My DFI keyboard uses rubber domes and doesn't require bottoming out. the activation happens about 3/4 of the way down. When does the Topre activate?