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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Aranair on Fri, 02 March 2012, 00:47:47

Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: Aranair on Fri, 02 March 2012, 00:47:47: hey guys! I need some second opinion on an impending HHKB purchase.

I started web app development work for a few months now and I use the keyboard 8-10 hours a day, 6-7 days a week…So thats quite some heavy use I'll say. After recently joining the mechanical keyboards wagon and massively reading on GH, I bought a filco TKL. (I have no idea how I survived so long on my MBA keyboard now). Due to the space constrains on my desk right now, I am addicted to small keyboards so I looked around for a more compact keyboard than the TKL and eventually have my eyes on a HHKB now.

I've tried the layout a little on my PC, through the use of AHK, and I think its not too hard to adjust but I hardly do any development on vim nor emacs currently (although I am thinking of switching from text-mate to vim for some speed) so the layout benefits of the HHKB might not be so evident for me.

I looked at KBC Poker as an alternative but decided against it because of the somewhat shady build quality. I am generally a little careless while handling my hardware and I would certainly hope that my keyboard can take somewhat of a beating. I'm also kinda a sucker for something that is well built and sturdy (my filco is pretty good)

Key switch wise, I've never tried a topre switch so I'm not sure how i'll take to that, but since some people regard that as similar to brown switches, I think I'll be more than happy with it. (Best scenario would be a cheaper hhkb in brown switch but oh well lol)

What other considerations should I be taking into account before I take the plunge to get the HHKB?

[PS: BTW, I think part of the purchase is decided by the gadget lust, (the lust that overcomes the price heh.)]
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: hashbaz on Fri, 02 March 2012, 00:55:39: Topre switches feel nothing like browns to me. The Poker's build quality isn't anywhere as good as a Filco, but it's still good enough to "take a beating". It's just really light and the case has some flex to it. Unless money is really not an issue or you just want to try Topre switches, I would suggest getting a Poker.

P.S. Welcome to geekhack!
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: Quarzac on Fri, 02 March 2012, 00:59:42: Topres to me were just RDs smoothed out on a much more well built board. I used them for a month, didn't really see the appeal, and sold them. I wouldn't readily compare them to browns. Browns are much more tactile. I second the vote for a poker. Even if it does break, you could get a second (and maybe a third) for less than one HHKB.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: Aranair on Fri, 02 March 2012, 01:59:45: Thanks hashbaz (:

Mmm, I think I prefer the second layer layout on the HHKB (yes, even though I don't use VIM) you need to move both your hands to get the arrow keys on the Poker right? I know you can change the left alt to FN but that button for me is kinda left for command on a mac (which I'm doing most of my development work on). And even with that issue aside, I find that to use the arrows with just the left hand, my thumb has to curl in to maintain the other fingers on wasd which might get uncomfortable over an extended period of time.

As for the build quality, I was a little wary of two things; 1. The usb connector area on the Poker revealing the board. I forsee plugging and unplugging the keyboard ALOT and I'm not sure how that part is going to hold up. 2. The PCB mount: my keyboards tend to get alot of things in there for some reason and being directly pcb mounted, I thought it might be a cause of problem in future. (not sure about this part, nevertheless still a concern.)

Lastly, I wouldn't say price isn't a concern (gf is throwing stones) but I recently sold off some old electronics to fund this so I won't feel too guilty :P I think part of me has gone for the hhkb which is probably why I seem to be trying to justify it heh. But yeah, it is indeed ALMOST 3 times more expensive than the Poker lol.

Hopefully I'll gather enough people to weigh in on this to make a decision! BTW, anyone know of any good japanese buying agents to ship from amazon jp, to my country, Singapore or just internationally? Also, is warranty going to be an issue with the HHKB from amazon jp? Has anyone received defective keyboards from Amazon?
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 02 March 2012, 02:27:04: Quote from: Aranair;532894
hey guys! I need some second opinion on an impending HHKB purchase.

I started web app development work for a few months now and I use the keyboard 8-10 hours a day, 6-7 days a week…So thats quite some heavy use I'll say. After recently joining the mechanical keyboards wagon and massively reading on GH, I bought a filco TKL. (I have no idea how I survived so long on my MBA keyboard now). Due to the space constrains on my desk right now, I am addicted to small keyboards so I looked around for a more compact keyboard than the TKL and eventually have my eyes on a HHKB now.

I've tried the layout a little on my PC, through the use of AHK, and I think its not too hard to adjust but I hardly do any development on vim nor emacs currently (although I am thinking of switching from text-mate to vim for some speed) so the layout benefits of the HHKB might not be so evident for me.

I looked at KBC Poker as an alternative but decided against it because of the somewhat shady build quality. I am generally a little careless while handling my hardware and I would certainly hope that my keyboard can take somewhat of a beating. I'm also kinda a sucker for something that is well built and sturdy (my filco is pretty good)

Key switch wise, I've never tried a topre switch so I'm not sure how i'll take to that, but since some people regard that as similar to brown switches, I think I'll be more than happy with it. (Best scenario would be a cheaper hhkb in brown switch but oh well lol)

What other considerations should I be taking into account before I take the plunge to get the HHKB?

[PS: BTW, I think part of the purchase is decided by the gadget lust, (the lust that overcomes the price heh.)]

It is soooo not as much typing as my 3 hour typeshark sesssions.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: fossala on Fri, 02 March 2012, 02:39:15: I hated the poker, the pcb flexes when you type (mine did have clear switches) and the build quailty is cheap and poor. I love HHKB first because I like the keyfeel and second because it is a compact board with very good build quality.
As for the second layer I also find HHKB keyboards better but I think they should add media controls and not just volume ones.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: fossala on Fri, 02 March 2012, 02:39:27: I hated the poker, the pcb flexes when you type (mine did have clear switches) and the build quailty is cheap and poor. I love HHKB first because I like the keyfeel and second because it is a compact board with very good build quality.
As for the second layer I also find HHKB keyboards better but I think they should add media controls and not just volume ones.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: Aranair on Fri, 02 March 2012, 02:54:12: Quote from: fossala;532957
I hated the poker, the pcb flexes when you type (mine did have clear switches) and the build quailty is cheap and poor. I love HHKB first because I like the keyfeel and second because it is a compact board with very good build quality.
As for the second layer I also find HHKB keyboards better but I think they should add media controls and not just volume ones.

Thanks, I almost thought no one was coming to root for the HHKB! I hardly use media controls I think lol. On my MBA all I use is the volume..and maybe the brightness, which I wouldn't mind going to the built-in keyboard for.

(PS: can't believe my gf just gave me the green light two mins ago lol)
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: Aranair on Sun, 04 March 2012, 19:35:55: i'll take that as a suggestion to look into how the keys feel Ripster:P
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: fossala on Mon, 05 March 2012, 00:33:32: I shaved my beard off for my new job about a month ago. Does that mean I can no longer own a HHKB?
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: FinancialWar on Mon, 05 March 2012, 01:38:03: I tried Topre, it feel just like rubber dome. My typing speed went from 80wpm to no more than 65wpm. It really sucked compared to brown imho
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: fossala on Mon, 05 March 2012, 01:47:50: Everyone is entiteled to their own opinion, just shame yours is wrong.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: HaiiYaa on Mon, 05 March 2012, 02:22:43: Quote from: fossala;535485
Everyone is entiteled to their own opinion, just shame yours is wrong.

I don't think he have tried a topre
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: quickcrx702 on Mon, 05 March 2012, 02:32:47: Quote from: FinancialWar;535482
I tried Topre, it feel just like rubber dome. My typing speed went from 80wpm to no more than 65wpm. It really sucked compared to brown imho

You obviously did not try the 55g. It feels NOTHING like a rubber dome. I could almost see the 45g or lower feeling like a very high end rubber dome, but even that is a BIG stretch. Either that or you have tried better rubber domes than I have, and I am an IT guy who has sat at literally thousands of other peoples desks over my career. I will agree with you that brown is the best cherry switch though :)
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: fossala on Mon, 05 March 2012, 02:35:04: I also doubt a switch could slow your typing speed by almost 20% (18.75%)
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: quickcrx702 on Mon, 05 March 2012, 02:36:35: Quote from: ripster;533165
I have found the most important thing is facial hair.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?22665-The-Dude-Answers-WHAT-****ING-KEYBOARD-SHOULD-I-GET!
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27993&d=1275233320)

ROFL!!!!

I have a shaved head and a goatee, which explains why I think the 55g Topre is the best keyboard evARRRR.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: laffindude on Mon, 05 March 2012, 03:27:08: Quote from: quickcrx702;535515
You obviously did not try the 55g. It feels NOTHING like a rubber dome. I could almost see the 45g or lower feeling like a very high end rubber dome, but even that is a BIG stretch. Either that or you have tried better rubber domes than I have, and I am an IT guy who has sat at literally thousands of other peoples desks over my career. I will agree with you that brown is the best cherry switch though :)

How can a rubber dome not feel like a rubber dome? Granted it is a very good rubber dome, but still one nonetheless.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: HaiiYaa on Mon, 05 March 2012, 03:29:54: Quote from: laffindude;535542
How can a rubber dome not feel like a rubber dome? Granted it is a very good rubber dome, but still one nonetheless.

You will know the day you have tried one ;)
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: laffindude on Mon, 05 March 2012, 03:30:32: I own one.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: HaiiYaa on Mon, 05 March 2012, 03:35:00: Quote from: laffindude;535544
I own one.

A rubberdome yes? I am talked about a topre
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: quickcrx702 on Mon, 05 March 2012, 04:08:57: Quote from: laffindude;535542
How can a rubber dome not feel like a rubber dome? Granted it is a very good rubber dome, but still one nonetheless.

You obviously don't own a Topre. That's like asking what's the difference between a $200 single malt Scotch and a $10 blend. How can Scotch not taste like Scotch? While they might technically be in the same category, they are not even close.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: laffindude on Mon, 05 March 2012, 05:14:18: Quote from: HaiiYaa;535548
A rubberdome yes? I am talked about a topre

I have a 104U.
Title: Need second opinons for a purchase (hhkb lol)
Post by: Aranair on Mon, 05 March 2012, 23:51:56: lol. maybe one day they'll be as famous as the Gartner quadrants.

Also, coincidentally, I shave my head (well not shaved but very very short), so I guess I kinda belong to the correct quarter:P

On a side note, (well actually its the main point of this thread but somehow it has gone off course), I just ordered a HHKB white from Amazon JP and sent it to Tenso. Hopefully, there will not be defects. Its so going to be a ***** to send it back.