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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mark2ft on Thu, 06 June 2013, 09:12:00

Title: Review: Topre Realforce 104UG Hi-Pro, model YK2100
Post by: mark2ft on Thu, 06 June 2013, 09:12:00
Greetings,

I've posted a review of the 104UG Hi-Pro on my blog at http://listx.github.io/post/2013-06-06-realforce-104ug-hi-pro.html (http://listx.github.io/post/2013-06-06-realforce-104ug-hi-pro.html)

Sorry for the lack of video or pics -- I am lazy. Use Google/Youtube for those  ;).
Title: Re: Review: Topre Realforce 104UG Hi-Pro, model YK2100
Post by: keymaster on Thu, 06 June 2013, 09:30:13
Very good review. Since you only had experience with buckling spring switches prior to this purchase, what made you go with Topre instead of Cherry MX?
Title: Re: Review: Topre Realforce 104UG Hi-Pro, model YK2100
Post by: mark2ft on Thu, 06 June 2013, 10:05:50
Very good review. Since you only had experience with buckling spring switches prior to this purchase, what made you go with Topre instead of Cherry MX?

Well, I tried out the Cherry MX blue switch at Best Buy (a Razer keyboard had a cutout letting you try out the arrow keys!) but found it highly unsatisfactory. It just felt too plasticy and light compared to buckling springs. And I really did not like all the clicky sounds it made (the tactile part already makes a sound, and then you add a high pitched click sound, ugh) --- I just want to type, not bask in the glory of the sounds coming from the keyboard. I would have purchased the mx browns if it weren't for the fact that the model I want is sold out at EK... One of these days I am going to try out the browns (or clears) though.

A fair number of people on this forum highly recommend the Topre, so I wanted to see what the fuss was all about, too.
Title: Re: Review: Topre Realforce 104UG Hi-Pro, model YK2100
Post by: mark2ft on Mon, 10 June 2013, 17:52:17
Hmm, thanks to the family computer needing an upgrade, I just ordered a Leopold cherry brown tenkeyless, so I'll probably do a review on that within a few weeks as well. To those who want to compare cherry vs. topre vs. unicomp, stay tuned! ;D
Title: Re: Review: Topre Realforce 104UG Hi-Pro, model YK2100
Post by: jabar on Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:08:23
The lack of a DIP switch kills this board for me. I like having an easy Ctrl <> Caps remap without having to screw around with AHK.
Title: Re: Review: Topre Realforce 104UG Hi-Pro, model YK2100
Post by: typo on Mon, 10 June 2013, 23:47:07
I got mine. I really like the spherical keys. I thought I would. I still prefer my deck I recently got. I just like the feel of a "real" mechanical keyboard. well, mainly the noise. plus I like heavy keys. the clears with the double shot pbt suits me fine. i like to get as close to the feel of the selectric as i can. even the deck is not really there. i want like 80g keys!
Title: Re: Review: Topre Realforce 104UG Hi-Pro, model YK2100
Post by: mark2ft on Sun, 16 June 2013, 17:15:25
All right, I just posted my review of the Leopold (Cherry MX brown). Read it at http://listx.github.io/post/2013-06-13-leopold-cherry-brown-mx.html (http://listx.github.io/post/2013-06-13-leopold-cherry-brown-mx.html)

In short, I really like the cherry browns, too! No real heavy favorite though --- but the Leopold I got is definitely worth the $99 price tag.