Thanks for the replies. The HHKB, while it looks fantastic, simply is too impractical for me. I have a large desk so shaving off the arrow keys is where I draw the line.
I usually type on MX Blue these days, as well as buckling springs.
The build quality isn't quite what I had hoped given the price. The board doesn't sit perfectly flat, with or without the feet extended, although I type on a large mat so this doesn't bother me too much.
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
because it's ugly and has non standard caps and an ugly lay out (srsly what's up with those 2 keys up there?!?)
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
because it's ugly and has non standard caps and an ugly lay out (srsly what's up with those 2 keys up there?!?)
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
because it's ugly and has non standard caps and an ugly lay out (srsly what's up with those 2 keys up there?!?)
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
ONE OF US ONE OF US
Overall, I'm really liking the typing experience. It makes me even more curious as to what the 45g boards feel like -- in particular, the FC660C.
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
because it's ugly and has non standard caps and an ugly lay out (srsly what's up with those 2 keys up there?!?)
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
because it's ugly and has non standard caps and an ugly lay out (srsly what's up with those 2 keys up there?!?)
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
Let me recruit you to the HHKBrotherhood. I'll give you $100 towards a HHKB, then it's not too expensive, or?
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
because it's ugly and has non standard caps and an ugly lay out (srsly what's up with those 2 keys up there?!?)
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
Let me recruit you to the HHKBrotherhood. I'll give you $100 towards a HHKB, then it's not too expensive, or?
RF 87u 55g (black):
Like: TKL form factor, appearance, dye-sub PBT caps, solid build, excellent sound and feel; ability to be reconfigured to a Mac/HHKB layout; DIP switches; embedded NumPad; LEDs for CapsLock and NumPad.
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
Let me recruit you to the HHKBrotherhood. I'll give you $100 towards a HHKB, then it's not too expensive, or?
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
Let me recruit you to the HHKBrotherhood. I'll give you $100 towards a HHKB, then it's not too expensive, or?
That's a very generous offer. Thank you.
That said, I'd have a very hard time taking your money like that. Whether it's pride, empathy for your wallet, or something else, I've just always had a hard time accepting that kind of generosity. I'll definitely consider your very generous offer, I just have a very hard time accrpting.
RF 87u 55g (black):
Like: TKL form factor, appearance, dye-sub PBT caps, solid build, excellent sound and feel; ability to be reconfigured to a Mac/HHKB layout; DIP switches; embedded NumPad; LEDs for CapsLock and NumPad.
I'm not understanding what you mean by the part I bolded. On the HHKB, the Mac layout can be hard-coded via the DIP switches. The Realforce can only swap caps lock with control, disable the Windows key (which functions as command on OS X), and enable/disable the built-in numpad (a feature that doesn't work on OS X).
You can make adjustments to the meta keys using system preferences in OS X, but this is something that can be done with any keyboard.
Just looking for a little clarification is all. :cool:
Thanks for your replies and advice, all.
I actually happen to really like the FC660C layout. It is basically a TKL with the top row embedded (which is good), and the arrows and 2*3 cluster are all still there/embedded in the arrows logically. Crucially, the delete key is where is always is, and the Home/End/PgUp/PgDown are intuitively placed into the arrows. I'm a big fan of this design to be honest.
I really am attracted to the HHKB, as it looks great and apparently sounds and feels amazing... However, I don't particularly like the layout, especially since I rotate keyboards a lot. I don't particularly feel isn't worth it to abandon the arrow keys, and moving the backspace key moved down one might be too much for my poor brain to deal with. Maybe I will get over this, but I just don't see the advantage of the layout... Call me what you will, but I use the arrow keys enough to justify having them there... especially if the alternative is just some empty space. However, that look/feel/sound might be worth it someday, regardless...
I'm not sure which it will be next, but I want to give a 45g a try at some point for sure. I don't think it will be the RF as I already have one... so it's really just down to the FC660C and the HHKB at this point.
Good point. You are correct that you cannot reconfigure the RF to a Mac/HHKB layout without using some additional software. I use Karabiner for Mac OS X. My point was that this can readily be done with the RF (and most keyboards). However, it was harder to do and I could not do it as completely with the FC660C.
The Novatouch is also okay in this regard -- even without DIP switches, it is possible to use software to reconfigure the layout. However, because the Novatouch has a hard-wired Fn key, this key cannot be reprogrammed using software. With the RF, you can program any key as Fn -- I used the Right Control. This then gave it full Mac/HHKB functionality. With the Novatouch, I ended up having the Fn key as a dead key.
Thanks for asking for this clarification! It did indeed need clarifying.
I really am attracted to the HHKB, as it looks great and apparently sounds and feels amazing... However, I don't particularly like the layout, especially since I rotate keyboards a lot. I don't particularly feel isn't worth it to abandon the arrow keys, and moving the backspace key moved down one might be too much for my poor brain to deal with. Maybe I will get over this, but I just don't see the advantage of the layout... Call me what you will, but I use the arrow keys enough to justify having them there...
Based on my Topre feelings so far, I'd go for one of the Realforce. For some reason, I just cannot like the FC660C.
because it's ugly and has non standard caps and an ugly lay out (srsly what's up with those 2 keys up there?!?)
More like because it feels like a bucket of meh compared to the HHKB (which is growing on me, but damn the price tag).
ONE OF US ONE OF USShow Image(http://ed_wp-content_v2.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/never.gif)
I've had the Realforce 87UW 55g for about half a year now. I know for sure that I do like Topre, as it's buttery smooth and makes a wonderful sound.Looks like you are inclined toward the FC660C. If you like the layout and appearance as well as the sound and feel, go for it.
The only thing is that I find the 55g bottom-out a little too harsh and perhaps are a bit too heavy for my fingers for extended use. The other thing that I notice is that the 55g board seems to make more of a "thumpy" kind of noise, in addition to the upstroke sound.
After listening to countless typing samples, I think I prefer the sound when it isn't so heavy. I think it's a combination of the heavy domes collapsing and the higher force when hitting the bottom.
I also think I'd like something that's not as heavy.
From what I've been able to find, it seems the FC660C, despite being 45g, feels heavier and snappier than the 45g in the 87U.
What I'm trying to figure out is which of the two I should go for: 45g 87U or FC660C. I don't want it to be so light and mushy that it ruins the feel, but I don't want it to be so fatiguing as the 55g. Ideally, I'd love if the thumpy sound were reduced, leaving just the nicer sounds.
The 87U can be had in 45g uniform for about 2/3 the cost of finding an FC660C these days, but I still feel slightly inclined towards the FC from what I've read/heard.
Thanks for your help, again!