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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: LifeIsGooD2 on Sat, 16 February 2013, 17:36:38

Title: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Sat, 16 February 2013, 17:36:38
its coming monday ... its my first topre but I dont have ridiculous expectations ... although I do hope it is nicer than my filco with browns I wont be shocked if it is not ...

mainly I am hoping it might cause a little less strain over time on my hand and fingers( I heard it might) my filco doesnt really either but when I have to use them for about 8 hours a day at work any little bit helps

so just looking to see what  I should expect ? also will I notice a difference due to the PBT caps ? they are very appealing on the eye IMO but I have never used them to type before
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: calavera on Sat, 16 February 2013, 17:48:42
It's hard to describe but it feels like you're typing on bouncy jelly. :P It will take some time for the feel to sink in and really appreciate them though.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Hyde on Sat, 16 February 2013, 17:49:23
Uh I've never used a Topre either, I'm getting mine next year.  I have filled my quota for my "scheduled keyboard purchase" this year  :)

From what I heard is that it will basically feel like a very high quality rubber dome, because it's basically what it is.  It has rubber cups inside.

So you might be a bit disappointed initially.  But if you stick to it and use it for a while, when you go back to cherry switch you'll start to notice the difference and by then you won't be able to use anything else.  Or at least this what I've heard.

Hope it helps  :P
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: jpm804 on Sat, 16 February 2013, 19:00:04
I personally like it better than MX browns....Definitely something I think everyone (who is into keyboards) should try once, but its defintely not for everyone.

It definitely is something different if you are coming from MX switches and even rubber domes even though that is a closer comparison ( at least in my opinion). Which version did you get? .... Also I do like the texture to the PBT RF keycaps better than the PBT MX keycaps... I am not sure if the its combination of switches and PBT's but it feels good to me.

Let us know how it feels when you do get it... like you I started with browns then got my first Topre.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 16 February 2013, 20:37:41
You can expect Rubber-Dome, usually "lighter" than the ones you're used to, unless you've had very thin dome boards...

and the travel is quite rigidly-straight...
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: karljs on Sat, 16 February 2013, 23:13:55
I think the only correct answer here is that you will experience the "good feeling of oneness with cup rubber."  :D
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 16 February 2013, 23:38:47
Quote from: karljs on Sat, 16 February 2013, 23:13:55
I think the only correct answer here is that you will experience the "good feeling of oneness with cup rubber."  :D

That, or if you live in a liberal country, "dang, shoulda gotten 12x BJs instead for that much."
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: KangarooZombies on Sat, 16 February 2013, 23:55:12
I'm used to using browns as well, and id like to know your thoughts on the switch to topre.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Sun, 17 February 2013, 02:56:54
It's different, to say the least.

To me it seems like it requires more energy to type on Topre and my highest speed yet was 97 WPM on typeracer (was only to get that once out of the week I've had the board.) I'm still getting used to the switches, but I'm also looking into scissor switch boards because of the way Topres work. I'm actually considering a Razer Deathstalker. It just seems like with Topre I can't flow so easily... Maybe it's cause I'm used to lighter actuation force? (Using a 55g.)

Anyway I haven't had enough time with the Topres to conclude, but ATM I will make typos like accidentally adding extra letters or missing a letter. Backspace key is getting LOTS of love right now >.>
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 17 February 2013, 04:45:07
Quote from: Flip on Sun, 17 February 2013, 02:56:54
It's different, to say the least.

To me it seems like it requires more energy to type on Topre and my highest speed yet was 97 WPM on typeracer (was only to get that once out of the week I've had the board.) I'm still getting used to the switches, but I'm also looking into scissor switch boards because of the way Topres work. I'm actually considering a Razer Deathstalker. It just seems like with Topre I can't flow so easily... Maybe it's cause I'm used to lighter actuation force? (Using a 55g.)

Anyway I haven't had enough time with the Topres to conclude, but ATM I will make typos like accidentally adding extra letters or missing a letter. Backspace key is getting LOTS of love right now >.>

:D, I've seen this before, blame the keyboard for your crappy typing skillz :D
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Sun, 17 February 2013, 04:47:07
I am trying sooooooo hard, lol. I want to like this keyboard - not giving up just yet! Maybe I need to take a break from it for a few days.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: durainello on Sun, 17 February 2013, 05:44:58
it took me 2 weeks to get back my old wpm on my 55g after my filco brown
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Mon, 18 February 2013, 12:27:49
Bit of an update here. I was over analyzing it.... I was trying Wayyy too hard. You have to relax and flow with Topre switches... Don't worry about minor details - remember the board is there to be your friend... your comfortable, smooth keyboard for long typing sessions. It IS sitting in front of my main home monitor right now, after going and buying that Deathstalker (made me remember why I moved on from scissor switch in the first place)

Side note;
bought a Ducky green alps for the living room computer... I liked the sound of it on youtube vids :3
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Mon, 18 February 2013, 12:31:42
so far I am really liking it ...its fairly similar to my browns in some ways but its definitely like nothing else I have typed on not sure whether it will totally replace my browns but so far I think its great


off to try it for some sc2
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Mon, 18 February 2013, 12:33:38
the only thing that I dislike so far is the spacebar not being the same type of cap
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: eth0s on Mon, 18 February 2013, 14:07:38
Quote from: karljs on Sat, 16 February 2013, 23:13:55
I think the only correct answer here is that you will experience the "good feeling of oneness with cup rubber."  :D

Hmm, is that how you translated the Japanese?  Because I think a closer translation is "typing on this gives good feeling of a cloud of boobs."
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: HybridCore on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:21:32
Topre is sort of the middle ground between mechanical and rubber dome keyboards so expect a slightly mushy mechanical switch. I didn't really like Topre all that much because I love having no mushiness at all. It definitely had really smooth travel though which I did enjoy a lot.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Michael on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:43:16
Topre is not the 'middle ground', but that's personal preference. 55g RF's do not feel mushy. They are quite snappy and have a very pronounced tactile bump.

If you like scratchy, or obnoxiously loud clicky switches, stick with MX :)
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:48:25
there is nothing mechanical about topre switch actuation... they don't feel mechanical in the slightest. they feel like really nice rubber domes because they are really nice rubber domes.

cup rubber is not a four letter word
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: eth0s on Mon, 18 February 2013, 17:31:03
Quote from: Bro Caps on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:43:16
Topre is not the 'middle ground', but that's personal preference. 55g RF's do not feel mushy. They are quite snappy and have a very pronounced tactile bump.

If you like scratchy, or obnoxiously loud clicky switches, stick with MX :)

Yeah, TBH, I think all the fuss over stickers and lube, and special Korean springs, is just part of an attempt to make a Cherry MX switch feel smooth like a Topre.  Why go through all that hassle, when you can just get Topre?

With that said, I am currently adding stickers and lube and special springs to my Phantom project.  So I am one of those people too.  But at least I know I'm trying to get my MX switches to feel more like my Topre switches, and I'm not kidding myself.

Oh and the Silent (purple) Topre switches are superior to the regular (black) ones.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Michael on Mon, 18 February 2013, 17:47:33
Quote from: eth0s on Mon, 18 February 2013, 17:31:03
Quote from: Bro Caps on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:43:16
Topre is not the 'middle ground', but that's personal preference. 55g RF's do not feel mushy. They are quite snappy and have a very pronounced tactile bump.

If you like scratchy, or obnoxiously loud clicky switches, stick with MX :)

Yeah, TBH, I think all the fuss over stickers and lube, and special Korean springs, is just part of an attempt to make a Cherry MX switch feel smooth like a Topre.  Why go through all that hassle, when you can just get Topre?

With that said, I am currently adding stickers and lube and special springs to my Phantom project.  So I am one of those people too.  But at least I know I'm trying to get my MX switches to feel more like my Topre switches, and I'm not kidding myself.

Oh and the Silent (purple) Topre switches are superior to the regular (black) ones.

This.

I have built the epitome of cherry switch boards. Best lube, stickers, etc. At the end of the day, my RF 55g still felt better. Call it a rubber dome if you like, it feels nothing like one.
If you had to compare it to an MX switch, an MX clear would be the closest in terms of tactile bump. I am sure there are plenty of haters that don't understand why the price premium,
but spend enough time with a RF or HHKB and you will understand why.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:12:14
Quote from: Bro Caps on Mon, 18 February 2013, 17:47:33
Call it a rubber dome if you like, it feels nothing like one.

i have used a couple of  rdoms boards that do feel closer to topre than others. i just wish we could get past the 'rubber dome = bad' or the association between rubber dome and RDOMS.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:18:14
Quote from: Bro Caps on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:43:16
They are quite snappy and have a very pronounced tactile bump

On MY 55g, there's really no "bump" but more of a "collapse" of the rubber cup, which indicates that within a milometer or so, the switch will actuate. (The tactile bump people keep referring to does NOT happen when the switch is actuated. It only changes the resistance of the switch in a kind of pleasant way, so that A- you know when the switch is being depressed, and B- when you bottom out, it's very soft and smooth.)

IMO with Topre (as opposed to cherry browns) you will rely more on relative positioning and spacial awareness (muscle memory, like a linear switch) rather than tactile feedback.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Michael on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:24:51
Quote from: sth on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:12:14
i have used a couple of  rdoms boards that do feel closer to topre than others. i just wish we could get past the 'rubber dome = bad' or the association between rubber dome and RDOMS.

I guess when I think of rubber dome, I think of the current gen of Logitech-type boards. So that's what I am basing it off of. But I have used some higher quality rubber domes that feel nice. Not as nice as my 55g, but nice.

Quote from: Flip on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:18:14
On MY 55g, there's really no "bump" but more of a "collapse" of the rubber cup, which indicates that within a milometer or so, the switch will actuate. (The tactile bump people keep referring to does NOT happen when the switch is actuated. It only changes the resistance of the switch in a kind of pleasant way, so that A- you know when the switch is being depressed, and B- when you bottom out, it's very soft and smooth.)

IMO with Topre (as opposed to cherry browns) you will rely more on relative positioning and spacial awareness (muscle memory, like a linear switch) rather than tactile feedback.

I guess if you consider MX switches as the 'traditional' tactile bump, then topre is an entirely different beast. But it's still a tactile bump, and quite pleasing to type on. So you definitely don't rely on that bump to tell you when the switch is activated, but you definitely enjoy topre because of it.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Nunez on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:30:01
All I can say is, be open minded about it. Give them a chance and you'll most likely grow to love them. I love all my keyboards, in their own unique way.


Typing this on 104U Variable.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Mon, 18 February 2013, 20:51:26
Whenever I type on a typical rubber dome, I think of this:

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lepo5v9lvZ1qzaibio1_500.jpg)

But when I type on a Topre, I'm constantly reminded of this:

(http://xmhsth.net/Upload/%E4%BA%A7%E5%93%81/comressionspring/yasuotanhuang_05-10322216798.jpg)

Which is basically what it is. It certainly has rubber, but there are springs underneath it, so the overall feeling is like a... springy rubber. Or a rubbery spring. If that makes sense.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: o2dazone on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:09:57
I got tired of sleeping with all the 16 year old hussies (cherry), and eventually wanted to settle down to a more mature board that I never have to fiddle with, and will take care of my needs (topre)
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:10:51
Quote from: o2dazone on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:09:57
I got tired of sleeping with all the 16 year old hussies (cherry), and eventually wanted to settle down to a more mature board that I never have to fiddle with, and will take care of my needs (topre)
you're the hussy in that example

nttawwt
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: o2dazone on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:16:47
Quote from: sth on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:10:51
Quote from: o2dazone on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:09:57
I got tired of sleeping with all the 16 year old hussies (cherry), and eventually wanted to settle down to a more mature board that I never have to fiddle with, and will take care of my needs (topre)
you're the hussy in that example

nttawwt

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGOhLRcJZDo/UN9MFJ0YsTI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/ysUPMzTuTlo/s1600/WW-Hell-No-84353749801.jpeg)
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: o2dazone on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:21:26
Quote from: Nunez on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:30:01
All I can say is, be open minded about it. Give them a chance and you'll most likely grow to love them. I love all my keyboards, in their own unique way.


Typing this on 104U Variable.

Well said. People love the mechanical feel. The actuation, the tactile bump, the click, the clack. Those who can't live without it, will look at Topre switches, and find them boring.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: AKIMbO on Mon, 18 February 2013, 21:34:56
Topres are their own beast.  They are tactile, just not as sharp as a cherry switch.  The best comparison is a dampened alps switch.  But even the dampened alps switch is sharper than a Topre.  When I'm old and arthritic, I will turn to topre....for now....I'm young and want dem hussies!
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: simingma on Tue, 19 February 2013, 00:38:16
You will like it, it's technically rubber dome, but it has a tactile feel of its own category. Keep them all! lol
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: eth0s on Tue, 19 February 2013, 00:54:00
Boom:  Topre Baby

(http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/eth0sz/TopreRealForce87UVariable.jpg)
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: kboardvintage on Tue, 19 February 2013, 04:19:35
Quote from: eth0s on Tue, 19 February 2013, 00:54:00
Boom:  Topre Baby

Show Image
(http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/eth0sz/TopreRealForce87UVariable.jpg)



looks sooo tasty
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 05:29:28
Quote from: eth0s on Tue, 19 February 2013, 00:54:00
Boom:  Topre Baby

Show Image
(http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/eth0sz/TopreRealForce87UVariable.jpg)


:'(
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 07:47:15

just in case anyone missed my earlier post I am really really liking it

just wish the spacebar was the same as the rest of the keycaps
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 09:28:16
update I will be using my filco again since I play so much starcraft

I should have listened when people said topre is not good for gaming so I will be selling it if anyone is interested I will be posting in classifieds sometime today when I know what to ask for


but I have zero regrets ...for those people wanting to try topre DO IT ... it is an amazing keyboard if it wasnt for so much gaming I would never think of getting rid of it .. if I had to make a review I would say it is nicer build quality and feel than cherry MX but for me it is not optimal ...

thanks guys

Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: AKIMbO on Tue, 19 February 2013, 09:41:24
Quote from: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 09:28:16
update I will be using my filco again since I play so much starcraft

I should have listened when people said topre is not good for gaming so I will be selling it if anyone is interested I will be posting in classifieds sometime today when I know what to ask for


but I have zero regrets ...for those people wanting to try topre DO IT ... it is an amazing keyboard if it wasnt for so much gaming I would never think of getting rid of it .. if I had to make a review I would say it is nicer build quality and feel than cherry MX but for me it is not optimal ...

thanks guys



Might I ask why you say it isn't good for gaming?  I use my 87u all the time for late night CS:GO, BF3 sessions, and L4D2 sessions.  I'm not an RTS gamer.....is it the key layout?
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 09:49:51
Im not sure if its actually bad for gaming

I prefer the realforce for typing I prefer the filco with browns for gaming ... gaming is the biggest need for me so Im going with the filco ...this is the scenario I figured would happen but I am glad to try the realforce so now I know ... it really is a fantastic keyboard
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Tue, 19 February 2013, 11:17:03
Really? I love the Realforce for gaming, but, to each their own I guess.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 19 February 2013, 11:38:06
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:14:41
Quote from: fuzzybaffy on Tue, 19 February 2013, 11:17:03
Really? I love the Realforce for gaming, but, to each their own I guess.

its probably more of how much I love my filco and being so used to it

Ive tried

Black widow MX Blue
Npoppo Choch red
filco red
now realforce topre

and always end up back with my trusty filco browns
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:28:46
Quote from: Flip on Mon, 18 February 2013, 18:18:14
Quote from: Bro Caps on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:43:16
They are quite snappy and have a very pronounced tactile bump

On MY 55g, there's really no "bump" but more of a "collapse" of the rubber cup, which indicates that within a milometer or so, the switch will actuate. (The tactile bump people keep referring to does NOT happen when the switch is actuated. It only changes the resistance of the switch in a kind of pleasant way, so that A- you know when the switch is being depressed, and B- when you bottom out, it's very soft and smooth.)

IMO with Topre (as opposed to cherry browns) you will rely more on relative positioning and spacial awareness (muscle memory, like a linear switch) rather than tactile feedback.

I'm selling my Deathstalker if interested.

I'd also be willing to trade it for a Realforce 87U.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:34:46
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:28:46
I'd also be willing to trade it for a Realforce 87U.

LOL. LOL.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: calavera on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:35:08
I actually prefer gaming on my realforce. Dunno why you feel the opposite.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:42:40
I find it's fine for gaming now - I was really over thinking it that day, and was a bit pissed off. I mentioned that I did actually go pick up a scissor switch board to try it for a while, but then went back to mainly using my Topre. Mouse = 20x more important when it comes to gaming anyways. If anybody's curious, I'm mainly using a Logitech g400 atm.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:44:23
Quote from: Flip on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:34:46
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:28:46
I'd also be willing to trade it for a Realforce 87U.

LOL. LOL.

For extra money obviously, not a one to one trade.

Even though a Deathstalker new is the same price as an 87U. So still, I don't understand the sarcasm.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:46:51
Sorry about that, uncalled for. I intend to keep both my 87u and my Deathstalker.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:50:46
Quote from: Flip on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:46:51
Sorry about that, uncalled for. I intend to keep both my 87u and my Deathstalker.

All good. I got an offer of $200 for the Deathstalker. I think I'm just going to flip it. I am really not impressed with it. Maybe because light feels cheap or I am spoiled by the heaviness of my mechs.

Nevertheless, it feels cheap to me.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: KangarooZombies on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:53:55
 :eek:
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:56:37
Ohhhhh! You weren't specific enough - you meant the Deathstalker Ultimate. Yeah I went the cheap route and got the regular Deathstalker.... I can't imagine paying 250 for some dang scissor switches. (I know, it's the touch screen that ads the value up)
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 13:05:50
Quote from: Flip on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:56:37
Ohhhhh! You weren't specific enough - you meant the Deathstalker Ultimate. Yeah I went the cheap route and got the regular Deathstalker.... I can't imagine paying 250 for some dang scissor switches. (I know, it's the touch screen that ads the value up)

Yeah sorry, that was my fault not specifying.

Edit: And yeah I'm dumb. Sometimes it takes some mistakes to realize how much better mechanical keyboards are.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 14:43:47

I think my hands were slow/cold this morning

this keyboard is amazing ...

please forgive me
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Michael on Tue, 19 February 2013, 14:50:31
You are forgiven. Now embrace the oneness of cup rubber.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 14:54:08
Quote from: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 14:43:47

I think my hands were slow/cold this morning

this keyboard is amazing ...

please forgive me

haha :) sometimes it takes a little bit of time to get used to topre.
even if you dont use it for gaming, as long as it's financially sound you could just keep it around for typing and pull out the filco for gaming... don't worry, a lot of us do that here, so even if it's weird, you're in good company.
Title: Re: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: AKIMbO on Tue, 19 February 2013, 15:19:45
Quote from: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 14:54:08
Quote from: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 14:43:47

I think my hands were slow/cold this morning

this keyboard is amazing ...

please forgive me

haha :) sometimes it takes a little bit of time to get used to topre.
even if you dont use it for gaming, as long as it's financially sound you could just keep it around for typing and pull out the filco for gaming... don't worry, a lot of us do that here, so even if it's weird, you're in good company.

Pshhh....bro....I'm the Shiva of geekhack.  I use all of my boards at the sametime.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Tue, 19 February 2013, 15:25:30
I think my 87u was more "stiff" NIB than how it is now which may have contributed to my initial impressions of typing on it. Like I think I "broke in" the rubber a bit and it feels hella better now.

One other thing I did to REALLY improve my experience with my 87U was removing my wrist rest from the equation. I had been using "HandStands - Memory Foam Wrist Rest" which was actually situated higher up than the case of the Topre. This forced my fingers to try to depress the switch lower than my actual wrist. My fingers are long enough not to need a wrist rest, I guess. (I'm six foot five)

Thinking about getting one of the Ducky TKL rests because it looks shorter than the HandStands one.

I know what you mean now MMB / sth - I am now one with cup rubber  :D
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Michael on Tue, 19 February 2013, 15:29:37
Quote from: Flip on Tue, 19 February 2013, 15:25:30
I "broke in" the rubber a bit and it feels hella better now.

twss.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: lazerpointer on Tue, 19 February 2013, 15:32:25
LOL
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: kaporkle on Tue, 19 February 2013, 15:48:51
sth, do you have a photo of that yellow-on-white 87u? I only saw a closeup pic in one of the threads here and it looked like hot stuff.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 16:01:44
thank god I gave it another try

I feel like Im typing on a cloud

this keyboard is truly amazing
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: eth0s on Tue, 19 February 2013, 16:40:39
Quote from: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 16:01:44
thank god I gave it another try

I feel like Im typing on a cloud

this keyboard is truly amazing

Yeah, Topre switches are pretty awesome.  Welcome to the Topre owner's club, btw.

So I got lost during this thread, you liked Topre, then you hated Topre, and then you loved Topre?  Is that right?

And I never figured out which RF 87U did you get?  Variable or 45g?  If you wanted a gaming keyboard, I woulda told you to get the all-45g version (or all 55-g if you have fat fingers).   But oh well, ultimately it doesn't matter really, since once you get into Topre, you'll eventually get them both.  If you got the variable, you'll get the all-45g, or vice versa.  Now, take my advice and get yourself a sweet set of replacement keytops before they run out of stock again:  http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys&pid=xf0100kt11. 

Like this (Hack Orange Clack, not included):

(http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/eth0sz/TopreRealForce87USilent.jpg)

Show us a pic of ur Topre!


Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 16:42:08
Quote from: kaporkle on Tue, 19 February 2013, 15:48:51
sth, do you have a photo of that yellow-on-white 87u? I only saw a closeup pic in one of the threads here and it looked like hot stuff.

i'll have to poke around on my computer. i took the yellow keys off the RF and put them on my HHKB.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: LifeIsGooD2 on Tue, 19 February 2013, 17:06:38
It wasnt that I didnt like it at first I could tell it was very nice  ...it kind of felt slower while playing SC2 than my filco though I think my hands were cold this morning (dont know why but makes hands feel sluggish)

I was going to sell it but after one more try I decided to keep it

those green keycaps are pretty sick if my filco reds sells in classified I might get them
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 17:10:43
here's a shot of my RF with yellow keys behind my kmac guts:
(http://i.imgur.com/JA7eWf5.jpg)
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: ValerieV on Tue, 19 February 2013, 18:03:11
I actually sold my HHKB and regretted it. I bought it again and i am never going to give it up. The more i type on it the more i like it! They do take some getting used to but once you give the keys a chance they are really the best things by far to type on.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:03:53
Any modded cases for the Topre? Something about that RealForce logo annoys me.

Maybe when i get mine I will just have a custom sticker made up and cover it.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:10:07
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:03:53
Any modded cases for the Topre? Something about that RealForce logo annoys me.

Maybe when i get mine I will just have a custom sticker made up and cover it.

yes, there is the guillotine/battlestation case. i have one but i dunno where the pictures of it went. Metalliqaz (sp?) has one too.

there are also some ludicrously overpriced aluminum shells on ebay. they're pretty ugly too.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Girtarded on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:55:04
I kindof had the same experience. Bought a topre and loved it for typing, but I simply can't play sc2 as well with it vs my filco with browns. I've tried switching back and forth but every time I go back to topre it takes a long time for me to get used to it again. Considering reselling.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: HybridCore on Tue, 19 February 2013, 20:21:11
Quote from: Bro Caps on Mon, 18 February 2013, 16:43:16
Topre is not the 'middle ground', but that's personal preference. 55g RF's do not feel mushy. They are quite snappy and have a very pronounced tactile bump.

If you like scratchy, or obnoxiously loud clicky switches, stick with MX :)

Exactly why I said "sort of". :D

Topre's are fine with me but I can feel a little bit of mushiness. It's just the smallest bit (only if you bottom out usually) but other than that, in most cases you won't feel it. My fingers are a bit sensitive because of piano. It's really easy to feel the difference when switching from one piano to another (sound and the feel of the action in the piano). The same applies to me with switches.

Eh, MX isn't too scratchy IMO. I can deal with it because I can't really justify for the price of topre keyboards. The rubber dome in it probably won't outlast MX switches either (it should last pretty long though).
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 20:28:13
i'm drawing an interesting comparison between topre vs MX and OS X font rendering vs Windows font rendering

People who appreciate topre like the solid, smooth feel and aren't bothered by a little bit of 'mush' -- much like OS X renders fonts a bit softer than Cleartype (because of the nature of their subpixel rendering)
People who like Cherry MX like the snappy, sharp feel of the switch and aren't bothered as much with the rough feel that some switches provide (not including lubed switches).

really not intending to start a 'which rendering system/switch is better' war, or that macs and topres go together or Windows + Cherry do either,  but there's an interesting parallel there :)
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: karljs on Wed, 20 February 2013, 01:10:18
Quote from: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 20:28:13
i'm drawing an interesting comparison between topre vs MX and OS X font rendering vs Windows font rendering

People who appreciate topre like the solid, smooth feel and aren't bothered by a little bit of 'mush' -- much like OS X renders fonts a bit softer than Cleartype (because of the nature of their subpixel rendering)
People who like Cherry MX like the snappy, sharp feel of the switch and aren't bothered as much with the rough feel that some switches provide (not including lubed switches).

really not intending to start a 'which rendering system/switch is better' war, or that macs and topres go together or Windows + Cherry do either,  but there's an interesting parallel there :)

I like that analogy, but what about Linux fonts?  :))
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 20 February 2013, 09:27:43
Those are Rubber Domes
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Wed, 20 February 2013, 10:59:11
Quote from: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:10:07
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:03:53
Any modded cases for the Topre? Something about that RealForce logo annoys me.

Maybe when i get mine I will just have a custom sticker made up and cover it.

yes, there is the guillotine/battlestation case. i have one but i dunno where the pictures of it went. Metalliqaz (sp?) has one too.

there are also some ludicrously overpriced aluminum shells on ebay. they're pretty ugly too.

I found this while searching for a case for the Realforce:

http://i.imgur.com/dHGEm.jpg

Looks really nice. Do you know where to get it?
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Binge on Wed, 20 February 2013, 11:01:00
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Wed, 20 February 2013, 10:59:11
Quote from: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:10:07
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:03:53
Any modded cases for the Topre? Something about that RealForce logo annoys me.

Maybe when i get mine I will just have a custom sticker made up and cover it.

yes, there is the guillotine/battlestation case. i have one but i dunno where the pictures of it went. Metalliqaz (sp?) has one too.

there are also some ludicrously overpriced aluminum shells on ebay. they're pretty ugly too.

I found this while searching for a case for the Realforce:

http://i.imgur.com/dHGEm.jpg

Looks really nice. Do you know where to get it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Full-Aluminum-Keyboard-Housing-with-USB-2-0-HUB-for-Topre-Realforce-87U-/160978076284?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item257b0a827c

GLWT
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 20 February 2013, 11:07:36
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Wed, 20 February 2013, 10:59:11
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/dHGEm.jpg)


That's not the same as:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Full-Aluminum-Keyboard-Housing-with-USB-2-0-HUB-for-Topre-Realforce-87U-/00/s/NDc4WDgwMA==/$T2eC16RHJGQE9noM,Bu7BQLRP5gefQ~~60_3.JPG)

That's not even a RealForce in the first pic.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Wed, 20 February 2013, 11:10:08
Quote from: Binge on Wed, 20 February 2013, 11:01:00
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Wed, 20 February 2013, 10:59:11
Quote from: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:10:07
Quote from: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:03:53
Any modded cases for the Topre? Something about that RealForce logo annoys me.

Maybe when i get mine I will just have a custom sticker made up and cover it.

yes, there is the guillotine/battlestation case. i have one but i dunno where the pictures of it went. Metalliqaz (sp?) has one too.

there are also some ludicrously overpriced aluminum shells on ebay. they're pretty ugly too.

I found this while searching for a case for the Realforce:

http://i.imgur.com/dHGEm.jpg

Looks really nice. Do you know where to get it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Full-Aluminum-Keyboard-Housing-with-USB-2-0-HUB-for-Topre-Realforce-87U-/160978076284?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item257b0a827c

GLWT

No luck needed. I'm good lol.

All these aluminum cases are pricey. Probably just going to wait until aluminum becomes more main stream. Or when something comes out that meets my perfect keyboard standards.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: vipjun on Tue, 02 April 2013, 18:01:35
Using the realforce for the first day right now and i also have the same initial impressions.  Think the key doesn't bounce back strong / fast enough.  This is coming from mx blacks.

I'm not sure if its the usb connection or i'm just not use to the kb atm but I do feel a bit of control loss.
I am mainly testing this out on a tetris game and there is a difference between holding on to the key and tapping the key.

On the realforce sometimes the tapping registers as a hold.  The difference between the two is about 8 - 16 milliseconds.

can I actually see the difference between 16 milliseconds ? No probably not, but the game client is detecting holds when i'm tapping.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Macsmasher on Tue, 02 April 2013, 21:53:19
Quote from: Flip on Sun, 17 February 2013, 04:47:07
I am trying sooooooo hard, lol. I want to like this keyboard - not giving up just yet! Maybe I need to take a break from it for a few days.

Mine continued to lighten up for a month of constant, daily use. Once broken in, it's a different animal. More responsive.
Title: Re: what to expect in my realforce 87u ?
Post by: Macsmasher on Wed, 03 April 2013, 06:20:58
Quote from: sth on Tue, 19 February 2013, 20:28:13
i'm drawing an interesting comparison between topre vs MX and OS X font rendering vs Windows font rendering

People who appreciate topre like the solid, smooth feel and aren't bothered by a little bit of 'mush' -- much like OS X renders fonts a bit softer than Cleartype (because of the nature of their subpixel rendering)
People who like Cherry MX like the snappy, sharp feel of the switch and aren't bothered as much with the rough feel that some switches provide (not including lubed switches).

really not intending to start a 'which rendering system/switch is better' war, or that macs and topres go together or Windows + Cherry do either,  but there's an interesting parallel there :)

Dood, you are a poet. Couldn't have said it better myself.