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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: keyboardlover on Wed, 22 September 2010, 12:35:59

Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 22 September 2010, 12:35:59
Is there a big difference between the two? For example, I love my 55g...but is it possible I might hate a variable-weight Realforce?
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 22 September 2010, 13:12:38
The variable weight is lighter (obviously), but I doubt you would notice the variable part without pressing on individual keys to compare.  The lighter Topres don't have the same snappy feel as the 55g.  They are little smoother and more linear, if you will.  I like them better than the 55g. Esc on mine.  The 55g. kinda feels more rubber domey to me where the lighter ones feel more buttery smooth.  It's hard to explain, especially since I am on a Cherry brown today.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: ironman31 on Wed, 22 September 2010, 14:10:17
I see you are curious as I was, lol.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 22 September 2010, 14:15:45
Do it.

/enabler
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: Arc'xer on Wed, 22 September 2010, 14:16:09
Quote from: itlnstln;225456
The variable weight is lighter (obviously), but I doubt you would notice the variable part without pressing on individual keys to compare.  The lighter Topres don't have the same snappy feel as the 55g.  They are little smoother and more linear, if you will.  I like them better than the 55g. Esc on mine.  The 55g. kinda feels more rubber domey to me where the lighter ones feel more buttery smooth.  It's hard to explain, especially since I am on a Cherry brown today.


This is one of the reasons why many have been wanting a middle-ground 45g Topre. It's only 10g less but there is a difference from what some have mentioned on both the HHKB P2 and obscure Japanese Topres with 45s.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: ironman31 on Wed, 22 September 2010, 14:22:28
I've actually been debating one what small form factor Topre I should get. Does the better feel of the Realforce outweigh the perfect portability of the HHKB? or is it the other way around..
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 22 September 2010, 14:25:18
The variable weight version is all-45g. except for the "pinky" keys (30g.) and the Esc key (55g.).  If it bothers you that much, you can always mod the handful of 30g. keys with, say, the F-keys or something.  The HHKB feels pretty mediocre compared to the Realforce.  I would skip it if you're looking for keyfeel.  If you're looking for a 'board with a kick-ass layout and is very efficient, then the HHKB is what you want.  I hope if there is a future HHKB revision, it feels like the Realforce.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 22 September 2010, 14:27:15
Quote from: ironman31;225478
I've actually been debating one what small form factor Topre I should get. Does the better feel of the Realforce outweigh the perfect portability of the HHKB? or is it the other way around..


The HHKB is efficient beyond it's portability.  The problem becomes what you prefer more.  In my case, I use the RF at my desk, and I tote the HHKB.  If the HHKB felt like the RF, you would see my RF in the Marketplace.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: ironman31 on Wed, 22 September 2010, 14:34:06
I asked emailed Elitekeyboards about any future Space Saving Topre boards, but I'm not sure how much he knows at the moment.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 22 September 2010, 15:50:06
I asked him the same question when I bought my RF a couple of months ago, and he said there wasn't anything new coming down the pike for Topre (except for the 103U-UW which had just come in at the time).  Looking at their conference pics that I found sometime back, about the coolest thing they had was a keychain.

Bottom line: you probably aren't going to buy an "obsolete" Topre right now.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 22 September 2010, 15:58:17
Shhh.  Don't give my plan away.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: ironman31 on Wed, 22 September 2010, 16:17:45
Quote from: ripster;225504
The next day after someone here buys a HHKB2.

Boom - the HHKB3 comes along.


That's what's going to happen to me. And then my obsolete hhkbp2 will drop to 100 dollars and no one will want to buy it, and ill cry.
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: ironman31 on Wed, 22 September 2010, 16:54:55
Don't worry, my tears are made of lithium grease
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 22 September 2010, 17:18:11
Quote from: itlnstln;225480
The variable weight version is all-45g. except for the "pinky" keys (30g.) and the Esc key (55g.).  If it bothers you that much, you can always mod the handful of 30g. keys with, say, the F-keys or something.  The HHKB feels pretty mediocre compared to the Realforce.  I would skip it if you're looking for keyfeel.  If you're looking for a 'board with a kick-ass layout and is very efficient, then the HHKB is what you want.  I hope if there is a future HHKB revision, it feels like the Realforce.


Good info; it doesn't seem like there'd be enough reason to hate it, although I suspect I would still like the 55g better. thanks.

Quote from: Arc'xer;225477
This is one of the reasons why many have been wanting a middle-ground 45g Topre. It's only 10g less but there is a difference from what some have mentioned on both the HHKB P2 and obscure Japanese Topres with 45s.


Here's one (http://benippon.com/en/topre-realforce-108uh-all-45g-white).
Title: Realforce 55g vs variable weight
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 22 September 2010, 18:36:22
Quote from: ripster;225576

I think you worry too much about the variable weighting thing.


(http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/What-me-worry-715605.jpg)