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geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: steve.v on Mon, 10 February 2014, 00:17:45

Title: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: steve.v on Mon, 10 February 2014, 00:17:45

I got myself caught in a dilemma, first if was coming here  ^-^ , so from an ergonomic standpoint I am having a difficult time choosing my next keyboard; HHKB pro 2 or the Realforce 87u variable weight keys. From an ergonomic standpoint, I can see that the realforce has a very nice feature of having different weights on certain keys whereas it is a constant 45g all around for the HHKB. I mainly program and enjoy typing. For users who has experience with both boards, which do your prefer? Are there noticeable improvements in the experience of typing using the realforce over the hhkb?

If I understand correctly, the weights goes from 35g on the outer keys, 40g inner and ending up in 45g for the most inner keys?

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: intelli78 on Mon, 10 February 2014, 00:22:04

Official RF force chart:

(http://i.imgur.com/RnpGv.jpg)

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: hoggy on Mon, 10 February 2014, 06:59:57

Seriously thinking about getting one of those for myself...

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: Matt3o on Mon, 10 February 2014, 07:07:23

I find the variable weight distracting.

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: mauikutan on Mon, 10 February 2014, 10:11:40

Quote from: intelli78 on Mon, 10 February 2014, 00:22:04

Official RF force chart:

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/RnpGv.jpg)

i personally always asking in my mind, why does ESC get soo heavy?
if the reason people always strongly pushing it, then what about arrow keys?


 :'(

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: Wildcard on Tue, 11 February 2014, 01:06:20

Quote from: mauikutan on Mon, 10 February 2014, 10:11:40

Quote from: intelli78 on Mon, 10 February 2014, 00:22:04

Official RF force chart:

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/RnpGv.jpg)

i personally always asking in my mind, why does ESC get soo heavy?
if the reason people always strongly pushing it, then what about arrow keys?


 :'(

The 55g ESC is oddly the one thing I enjoy about my variable RF.

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: davkol on Tue, 11 February 2014, 14:55:05

Alright, why aren't the modifiers, Enter, Backspace etc. lighter as well? Pinkies press them too.

I do get that it wouldn't be so great for use while not typing, i.e. with index fingers, but it sounds like an awful compromise.

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 11 February 2014, 21:44:07

The official force chart is not too accurate. Some variable-weighted keyboards have keys in the index finger columns that are around 50g in weight.

I find the pinky keys to be too light. I would rather go for a 45g uniformly weighted keyboard.

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: dante on Tue, 11 February 2014, 22:02:01

I just received a 87 variable silent this evening.

At least on my board the weight of the keys is not so different that it would feel weird playing FPS on.  The 'A' is linear but still for me it's not much of a distraction.

Until this thread I forgot about the Escape being 55g - truth is the 55g doesn't feel special at all -  It doesn't feel as poppy as online descriptions talk about which makes me wonder if the silencing really neuters the feel of it.

Keep in mind I am 110% satisfied with my board - but I really, really enjoy the 35g linear keys a lot.  If Coolermaster comes out with a Uniform 35g NovaTouch I'd definitely have to try that out.

Full disclosure: Currently having nerve issues/motor skill problems in my left hand making even 45g uniform way too much.

Title: Re: Topre Variable Weight keys
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 13 February 2014, 02:57:34

Shifting to ESDF for gaming will help with the feel, although I prefer uniform weighting myself.

I also don't understand having heavier modifiers. It makes much more sense to me to use light switches for all the "pinkie" keys.

I used to have a Ducky Tactile mix board (Browns on alpha keys, clears on mods) and didn't like the harder shifts, ctrls, alts, backspace, and enter. Space was nice to have a harder switch, though.