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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:01:18

Title: Topre
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:01:18

If I were to buy a Topre, which one should I get? And do you have an idea of how much it cost in Japan? I just miss a golden opportunity. My uncle went to Japan for business and was back last Thursday. GRRRRRRRR

Title: Topre
Post by: ozar on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:10:10

You can find one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Topre-Realforce-86U_W0QQitemZ110350833665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item110350833665&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Title: Topre
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:15:12

Quote from: ozar;22183

You can find one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Topre-Realforce-86U_W0QQitemZ110350833665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item110350833665&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Do they cost that much or is it because shipping is included? If they cost that much, I may have to forget about owning one :(

Title: Topre
Post by: bhtooefr on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:34:30

It's some of both, although if you don't mind Korean printing (in addition to regular US printing) on the keys, the Realforce 86UK is cheaper, IIRC.

Title: Topre
Post by: ozar on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:35:33

They're pretty expensive, especially after shipping and other charges are added.  Here's another example:

http://benippon.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=18320

Title: Topre
Post by: FKSSR on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:36:31

Yeah, I'd love a Realforce or HHKB Pro, but they are just too much for me.  Maybe one day, but there are a lot of other things on my list that would take precedence.

Title: Topre
Post by: namelessguy on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:37:31

Topre keyboard prices? In short, they usually cost "twice as much as Majestouch".

On Amazon.co.jp, the older Realforce 101 is available around 16,000 yen, and 86U is a bit more expensive (a little less than 20,000 yen)
If you can live with JP layout, there are some more alternatives (like the insane "all-30g" models)

Title: Topre
Post by: xsphat on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:44:52

Quote from: FKSSR;22193

Yeah, I'd love a Realforce or HHKB Pro.

I love having both :)

Title: Topre
Post by: FKSSR on Thu, 19 February 2009, 20:57:26

Quote from: xsphat;22195

I love having both :)

Thanks.  That makes me feel better. haha ;)

Title: Topre
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 19 February 2009, 21:09:08

Quote from: xsphat;22195

I love having both :)

You are among the very lucky few who can afford both :) I have to put that project on hold for now. Like FKSSR said, there are other things on my list that take precedence. We don't always get to do what we want...unfortunately or fortunately.

Title: Topre
Post by: skriefal on Thu, 19 February 2009, 21:41:25

Quote from: bhtooefr;22191

It's some of both, although if you don't mind Korean printing (in addition to regular US printing) on the keys, the Realforce 86UK is cheaper, IIRC.

Unfortunately the Realforce keyboards have been "out of stock momentarily" (sic) on GMarket for quite some time.

Title: Topre
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 20 February 2009, 06:37:12

I want to try one, but unfortunately, I do not know anyone nearby whose I can try before I buy.  I love vocabualry words; it reminds me of Elementary/Primary school. :)

Title: Topre
Post by: obazavil on Fri, 20 February 2009, 06:56:48

Hi! that ebay offer is mine. Basically cost that much because of:

EMS shipping: like US$30, but you get insurance and tracking number, cheaper alternatives exist
Weak dolar-yen conversion
Ebay fee: if you want to do transaction outside ebay, costs 4% less

Actually, I don't get that much on every keyboard, but shipping+ebay+paypal take a lot of cash :P

if you are interested, well, just let me know :) I almost got the money for my own HHKB muahaha :)

Title: Topre
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Fri, 20 February 2009, 08:28:02

Quote from: obazavil;22239

Hi! that ebay offer is mine. Basically cost that much because of:

EMS shipping: like US$30, but you get insurance and tracking number, cheaper alternatives exist
Weak dolar-yen conversion
Ebay fee: if you want to do transaction outside ebay, costs 4% less

Actually, I don't get that much on every keyboard, but shipping+ebay+paypal take a lot of cash :P

if you are interested, well, just let me know :) I almost got the money for my own HHKB muahaha :)

Hi Obazavil. I did not know that these keyboards were so expensive. Even without shipping (my uncle goes to Japan quite often), I won't be able to afford one for now. Maybe one I day I will :)

EDIT: Quite often is a big stretch. He goes to Japan once or twice a year.

Title: Topre
Post by: lowpoly on Fri, 20 February 2009, 09:41:32

Quote from: patrickgeekhack;22243

Hi Obazavil. I did not know that these keyboards were so expensive. Even without shipping (my uncle goes to Japan quite often), I won't be able to afford one for now. Maybe one I day I will :)

EDIT: Quite often is a big stretch. He goes to Japan once or twice a year.

IIRC, keyboards in Japan are much cheaper if you mail order them. So if your uncle goes to Akihabara or elsewhere to buy it then the saving might not be as significant.

Title: Topre
Post by: Parn on Fri, 20 February 2009, 11:12:44

Quote from: lowpoly;22246

IIRC, keyboards in Japan are much cheaper if you mail order them. So if your uncle goes to Akihabara or elsewhere to buy it then the saving might not be as significant.

I  find some interesting Realforce keyboards on Amazon co jp

http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Realforce+&x=29&y=18

However Amazon jp will not ship these keyboards to foreign countries.

Title: Topre
Post by: bhtooefr on Fri, 20 February 2009, 11:32:57

That's why buying services exist. Or check the marketplace forum, there's a guy acting as one.

Title: Topre
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 20 February 2009, 11:43:02

Quote

That's why buying services exist.

There should be a list of them in the Wiki.

Title: Topre
Post by: lal on Fri, 20 February 2009, 12:03:52

Quote from: itlnstln;22256

There should be a list of them in the Wiki.

There is one. (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=799) Under the "Shopping" heading.

Title: Topre
Post by: lowpoly on Fri, 20 February 2009, 12:54:15

Quote from: itlnstln;22256

There should be a list of them in the Wiki.

There should be an FAQ for n00bs.

Title: Topre
Post by: Parn on Fri, 20 February 2009, 20:16:21

Quote from: lal;22260

There is one. (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=799) Under the "Shopping" heading.

Very useful
Thank you

Title: Topre
Post by: lal on Sat, 21 February 2009, 13:24:50

Quote from: lowpoly;22266

There should be an FAQ for n00bs.

We should work more on the wiki. There is lots and lots of useful info sprinkled all over thousands of forum postings which should be accessible in an ordered way. Yes I know, it's a wiki so I could do it. If I only had more time...

Title: Topre
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 21 February 2009, 18:48:28

Quote from: lowpoly;22246

IIRC, keyboards in Japan are much cheaper if you mail order them. So if your uncle goes to Akihabara or elsewhere to buy it then the saving might not be as significant.

I did not know this. Regardless though, I just cannot afford to spend $300 on a keyboard...for now :) If win the big jackpot on tonight's Lotto, things might change a bit.