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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: keyboardlover on Sun, 06 February 2011, 08:42:53

Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 06 February 2011, 08:42:53: Link: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=8665571694 (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=8665571694)

I have no idea how much these normally are. All I know is that rdjack21 has one and they are rare. This seems like a good deal. This board is all 55g and the keys have a shorter throw than Realforce keys (so it's almost like a laptop Topre keyboard. Only major layout issue seems to be the right shift key which supposedly takes some getting used to. May be an HHKB killer?? ;) ;)

(http://geekhack.org/picture.php?albumid=8&pictureid=64)
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 06 February 2011, 10:39:46: THis is a super tempting price to try Topre, but I'm an American Taobao virgin. If someone in the US is ordering, can I piggyback on your order?
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 06 February 2011, 11:23:48: I'm in the same boat. Maybe if we get enough interest we could do a group buy?
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 06 February 2011, 13:32:47: Indeed.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: sixty on Sun, 06 February 2011, 13:48:57: Quote
(库存1件)

Group buy for one item? Umad?
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: HaaTa on Sun, 06 February 2011, 13:49:37: Damn, that is a good deal. Cleverly has them listed as 15,970円 (that's the other ¥ symbol), which is approx. $195...

http://www.clevery.co.jp/eshop/g/g2030423060013/ (http://www.clevery.co.jp/eshop/g/g2030423060013/)

Edit: Lol Sixty, just put it through Google Translate :P
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: HaaTa on Sun, 06 February 2011, 14:07:11: I did :P.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_6WOoTO_7VuQ/SyMwO7C06MI/AAAAAAAAAM8/fjvd-WtWvFo/s800/%2Fsdcard%2Fdcim%2Fcamera%2F2009-12-12%2014.24.46.jpg)

Sorta hidden away.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 06 February 2011, 16:40:33: Quote from: sixty;290830
Group buy for one item? Umad?

Ahh didn't realize that. Whoops!

Edit: I contacted obook about it. I'll let y'all know how I make out.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: Laggy-gaga on Mon, 07 February 2011, 05:47:23: It works on NEC system
I am not sure whether it only works on NEC or not
The adaptor for NEC to PC is hard to find .
It is NKRO, PBT Keycaps
shouldn't miss it if ur a realforce fans.
BTW, u can find a lot of them in Japan lower than 50 USD

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVhnnrMAI/AAAAAAACx8M/ljgqZWvC3jA/s800/IMG_2791.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVqASSevI/AAAAAAACx90/9ac1hlM3PCo/s800/IMG_2805.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVwxoldII/AAAAAAACx_Q/aMvC2smLTyE/s800/IMG_2822.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVwLFj8AI/AAAAAAACx_I/eVfgKGGVUOI/s800/IMG_2821.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVjJ6otXI/AAAAAAACx8c/IjK4KSYPX0c/s800/IMG_2793.jpg)
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 07 February 2011, 07:41:38: Hmm...the description says PS/2. Are you sure there weren't some made with PS/2?
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:11:31: I got confirmation that it's PS/2 and bit the bullet on it (why didn't any of you try to stop me???) ;)

Will update when I get it.

Edit: anyone know where I can get a BlueCube adapter for it?
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:13:08: You're turning into a regular rdjack21.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:22:43: Where is that guy anyway? Total came out to $131.50 shipped. I chose EMS over Airmail because of the crazy delays in China (20-25 day delays until at least the end of this month). Hope I like it but if I don't, I have a feeling someone will be interested in a Topre under $200 :D
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:32:59: Quote from: keyboardlover;291319
Hope I like it but if I don't, I have a feeling someone will be interested in a Topre under $200 :D

IIRC, these are short-throw switches. That would be similar to offering up ML switches for someone wanting to try MX browns.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 07 February 2011, 14:16:46: They are short-throw, but it's a Topre keyboard so I doubt that's a fair comparison.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 07 February 2011, 21:39:32: Also if I DO like it enough to keep, I'll be selling my 86U :D
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: stuiees on Fri, 11 February 2011, 19:47:19: really interested on what you think about it. any idea on ETA?
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 11 February 2011, 19:48:31: Not yet, Taobao said ill get a tracking number soon.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 12 February 2011, 08:48:25: Ok they sent me the tracking number today and said that the package got shipped. I only have one complaint about obook though, look at what was also in the email:

Quote from: taobao
FINAL SETTLEMENT

Please kindly top up your account by transferring US$5.05 to our paypal account. The underpaid amount was mainly due to the following:

- Underestimation of parcel weight

Are you kidding me? They want me to pay for their mistake in miscalculating the weight of the package? Not gonna happen my friends.

So my plan is, just wait it out. I'll track my package in a couple days and just make sure it's on its way. It's not like they can delay it at this point. And if they say anything, I'll simply say that I refuse to pay for their mistake.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: kidchunks on Sat, 12 February 2011, 09:45:31: Happen with me and obook. But I only owe them $0.31 so they told me on my next purchase I have to include that amount.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 12 February 2011, 09:59:28: They can cancel the shipment.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 12 February 2011, 10:19:47: If it's over $5, let them. I'm not paying for their mistake. And why would they? Then they'd have to face losing a sale.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 12 February 2011, 10:59:00: Lol...I'm contemplating emailing them in a few days and saying: you can take the $5.05 out of your commission for the sale since it was your mistake :D
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: spolia optima on Sat, 12 February 2011, 12:05:30: $5? Kinda stingy for a guy with 2 realforces :/ No offense.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 12 February 2011, 16:14:02: It's the principle. It's a bull**** thing to charge someone for.

BTW I didn't pay full price for any of my Realforces.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: Minskleip on Sat, 12 February 2011, 16:56:50: Good man, don't take any ****! Looking forward to hear how it turns out.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: wanabe on Sat, 12 February 2011, 18:02:24: the principle? it sounds like an honest mistake. you must be the guy that never gets things wrong.

they say that the customer is always right, but some customers just aren't worth the trouble.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 12 February 2011, 18:12:34: And you must be the type of consumer who always pays whatever anyone tells them.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: ironman31 on Sun, 13 February 2011, 10:04:36: I had the same thing happen to me. But I was warned beforehand that that could happen. So I just paid anyways.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 14 February 2011, 09:10:18: Update: Package arrived in New York today.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=15467&stc=1&d=1297696197)

They might get that extra $5 from me anyway. With the Chinese new year, I hadn't expected this to ship for at least a week or so. Definitely impressed.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: DanGWanG on Mon, 14 February 2011, 10:28:19: Business mechanics and process expectations differ when dealing with sellers from different countries. You couldn't ask for a bigger difference comparing US and China customer service standards.

I can see both sides of the story. But you have to keep in mind, Customer Service in China virtually didn't exist until recently. This is a big step for them to deal directly with US consumers on an international level, so I can give some lenience to our fellow Obook agents if they slip a little.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 14 February 2011, 10:32:39: Agreed. I did end up giving them the extra cash, mainly since I was so impressed with the shipping speed. However my perspective is, I'm helping them to improve their customer service! ;)
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: pitashen on Mon, 14 February 2011, 10:48:59: I would not judge KBL about whether KBL should be bothered by the $5 it or not, but if I were to do business, I would absorb the underestimation instead of asking my customer to make up the difference AND make sure I do better estimation next time! Or overestimate the shipping and refund the customer later.
Overall it is just not a positive feeling to be asked to pay more (justified or not) when unexpected and I would avoid taking chances of offending my customer like this if possible.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 14 February 2011, 10:52:14: Yea, exactly. It's a trust thing. What if the extra cost was $10, $20, $50? Why should I be expected to cover THEIR ass??
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 15 February 2011, 10:58:17: Holy crap it's out for delivery today! Will post a review hopefully before the end of the week.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: DanGWanG on Wed, 16 February 2011, 11:54:28: You get it yet?!
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 16 February 2011, 12:16:56: Yep but didn't get a chance to open it yet. Will do so tonight =)
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: db_Iodine on Wed, 16 February 2011, 16:47:37: I'm looking forward to hearing if these low profile Topres are good or not.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: bugfix on Wed, 16 February 2011, 16:52:29: I'm kinda skeptical, but then again I of course hope it doesn't turn out to be a mispurchase for you.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 16 February 2011, 18:46:01: Update: Photos and mini-review are here (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=296366#post296366). The short throw switches are cool but kinda weird. It's like typing on a 55g Topre laptop keyboard. WAY better than any laptop keyboard but I don't like them as much as regular-throw Topre switches. Going to type on it for a week before I form a more solid opinion.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 16 February 2011, 22:43:16: Quote from: keyboardlover;296400
Update: Photos and mini-review are here (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=296366#post296366). The short throw switches are cool but kinda weird. It's like typing on a 55g Topre laptop keyboard. WAY better than any laptop keyboard but I don't like them as much as regular-throw Topre switches. Going to type on it for a week before I form a more solid opinion.

Yea they take a little getting used to. I do use mine but I feel it is a little too stiff. Oh why didn't they make this little baby in 45g if they had I would use it much more than I currently do.

This thread reminds me I need to switch boards out maybe I switch to the sun short type (just like the one you have but slightly different layout)
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 16 February 2011, 22:51:01: Quote from: Laggy-gaga;291137
It works on NEC system
I am not sure whether it only works on NEC or not
The adaptor for NEC to PC is hard to find .
It is NKRO, PBT Keycaps
shouldn't miss it if ur a realforce fans.
BTW, u can find a lot of them in Japan lower than 50 USD

Show Image
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVhnnrMAI/AAAAAAACx8M/ljgqZWvC3jA/s800/IMG_2791.jpg)

Show Image
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVqASSevI/AAAAAAACx90/9ac1hlM3PCo/s800/IMG_2805.jpg)

Show Image
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVwxoldII/AAAAAAACx_Q/aMvC2smLTyE/s800/IMG_2822.jpg)

Show Image
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVwLFj8AI/AAAAAAACx_I/eVfgKGGVUOI/s800/IMG_2821.jpg)

Show Image
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_ja6XW7vy_VA/TFpVjJ6otXI/AAAAAAACx8c/IjK4KSYPX0c/s800/IMG_2793.jpg)

That is a Sun Short Type keyboard I'm typing on one right now. The converter shown in the picture converts from sun to pc or in this case maybe NEC. If you can get these for $50 us then please let us know where. In the year I was lurking on Yahoo I only saw 3 of them listed true they where not expensive but then again not plentiful either. I would not mind having another one for backup to the one I do have.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 17 February 2011, 06:00:14: Glad to see you stop by, rdjack.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 22 February 2011, 21:09:38: Another one of these is up on Taobao (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=8665571694). This one is starting at $121.59 USD though.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: Carefoot on Wed, 23 February 2011, 05:59:04: Quote from: keyboardlover;299641
Another one of these is up on Taobao (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=8665571694). This one is starting at $121.59 USD though.

Albeit I translated the page I have no idea how I'm supposed to pay. You want to do this for me? :P
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 23 February 2011, 06:09:04: You can't order from that website - you have to go through a broker. Obook is a good one and many here have had a good experience with them. Just send them an email at obook@yahoo.cn telling them what you want with a hyperlink to the page on taobao. They'll respond with an estimate and you can choose to accept it or not. If you accept it you pay using paypal. I highly recommend choosing EMS shipping as airmail will take a long time. Let me know how you make out!

Mine was listed at $76 on Taobao and I ultimately pay just over $131. Your mileage may vary...doesn't hurt to just get an estimate.
Title: $76 Topre HE00100 JAP layout on Taobao (PS/2)
Post by: Carefoot on Wed, 23 February 2011, 13:38:08: Quote from: keyboardlover;299759
You can't order from that website - you have to go through a broker. Obook is a good one and many here have had a good experience with them. Just send them an email at obook@yahoo.cn telling them what you want with a hyperlink to the page on taobao. They'll respond with an estimate and you can choose to accept it or not. If you accept it you pay using paypal. I highly recommend choosing EMS shipping as airmail will take a long time. Let me know how you make out!

Mine was listed at $76 on Taobao and I ultimately pay just over $131. Your mileage may vary...doesn't hurt to just get an estimate.

Appreciate all this just fired off an email. Let me fill you up with a cup o' hot dopeness!