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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Lolcakes on Mon, 04 February 2013, 15:46:08

Title: Choosing between Var. Realforce (243 $) and All-45g Realforce (326 $)
Post by: Lolcakes on Mon, 04 February 2013, 15:46:08: It has been a while since I last posted on these boards. Recently I started a new job, of the software engineering kind which of course involves a lot of typing. This refueled my interest in premium keyboards and this time around I am looking to get a Topre one.
Since I am now based in Sweden, I would like to get a board with Swedish layout. I realize that the arrangement of the {} [] keys in the Swedish layout is specifically inconvenient for a programmer, but I guess I would get used to that.
I am debating if I should get an all-45g Realforce from Keyboardco (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=866) for ~326 $ incl. shipping, which will be in stock in the coming weeks, or get a Variable Realforce from Verkkokauppa (http://www.verkkokauppa.com/fi/product/43872/cjscv/Topre-Realforce-105UFW-White-langallinen-nappaimisto) for ~243 $ incl. shipping.
If the one at Verkkokauppa was an all-45g I'd buy it straight away, however it is not and I am not sure if I would like it that way.
On the other hand the one at Keyboardco has the black on black lettering, in addition to being a lot more expensive.

There are a few things I dont know... How bad is the black on black lettering? Considering that I am getting used to a new layout with the {} [] - _/?@#>< keys at different locations than the ones I am used to (possibly even more, I can only think of those atm). I will be using the board in an office environment.
Additionally, I would like to ask, how big of a deal the variable key switches are? I would not be gaming on this board, and to me it doesnt matter if it is with or without the num pad.

Further info: My current keyboard is Leopold with MX Reds, so I am used to light typing, however I must admit that I am not a proper touch typist.... With that I mean I do not have a proper form of typing and I dont always press keys like QA and P with my pinkey fingers (Even though I sometimes try). Would that fact impact somehow on my experience with a variable Topre board?

Any sort of advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
Title: Re: Choosing between Var. Realforce (243 $) and All-45g Realforce (326 $)
Post by: BucklingSpring on Mon, 04 February 2013, 18:57:48: I hate my variable weight RealForce and love the all 55g

But 45g is still fairly light. So maybe you will not notice the difference as much.
Title: Re: Choosing between Var. Realforce (243 $) and All-45g Realforce (326 $)
Post by: LaPoune on Mon, 04 February 2013, 21:50:50: I personally love the variable realforces much more than the uniform versions (I seem to be one of the few). Typing on anything else feels forceful after a while on the variable. It truly does work.

The lettering is readable depending on the angle if you have good lighting. Without a direct light though you probably won't be able to tell at a glance what key your on.

If you get the variable...the 35g switches you will probably find very light (the A key especially I would activate by only resting my finger on it while gaming). Personally I got used to it in a couple days' use and now I love it.

I have every kind of realforce switch layout except those rare all-35g.

Edit: I just saw that you use a cherry red right now, you probably won't have a problem with the 35g keys at all
Title: Re: Choosing between Var. Realforce (243 $) and All-45g Realforce (326 $)
Post by: khaangaaroo on Mon, 04 February 2013, 22:57:56: I also don't use proper form when typing, so the variable weighting didn't feel right for me. My right hand was ok, since I keep my right index finger is over the "J" key most of the time. But my left hand takes more of a gamer position with index finger on the "D" instead of "F." So I use my ring finger to press the 1/Q/A/Z keys, and my pinky for the Shift/Ctrl keys. I think it would feel more natural if the left modifier keys were light as well, but having your pinky do more work than your ring finger feels weird.

If you're up for modding the keyboard, you can move the domes around so that the 45g keys from the function row take the place of the 1/Q/A/Z keys. Or else I would spring for the all-45g.

Oh and regarding the black-on-black. If you're in a well-lit office environment it would be fine. I have trouble seeing black-on-black when the sun goes down at my house, but at work it's ok. I personally prefer white keys, cause I like to admire the crisp dyesub text.
Title: Re: Choosing between Var. Realforce (243 $) and All-45g Realforce (326 $)
Post by: spherific on Tue, 05 February 2013, 02:21:28: Are you a touch typist? The black on black lettering may be an inconvenience at first but after a week it should be in muscle memory.