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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Fragil1ty on Thu, 05 February 2015, 19:39:59

Title: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Fragil1ty on Thu, 05 February 2015, 19:39:59
I'm just curious really, when I had my HHKB Pro 2 I primary used it for typing for the short duration that I had it but I tried to game on it and the biggest set back for me were only two things;
So I'm just wondering, do any of you guys use a HHKB Pro 2 (in particular) for gaming, like rather extensively and if so, do you feel that there are any drawbacks in regards to it's popular compared switches (browns/reds)?

Would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 05 February 2015, 19:42:24
I'm 99% sure there are at least a half dozen threads asking the same thing.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: sethk_ on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:02:07
I use it for gaming. I have no issue with it for gaming. If you need more keys, buy a mmorpg mouse. I mostly play fps and single player games. If you play ARMA, you need to use a different board. Topre works fine, it feels amazing.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: byker on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:04:14
I am fine with my hhkb for gaming., its not ideal but it works. Most games I play don't use F-row keys so I am all good. I agree with ray, do some google-fu and you will find many threads regarding this.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Novus on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:05:48
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Purple Rain on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:09:47
Does your pinky get tired when gaming?? It looks like it would require some getting used to with the caps lock/control.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Kira on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:14:10
Quote from: the1onewolf on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:05:48
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.


Browns work perfectly fine for me. If you haven't noticed, lot of pro gamers use MX browns, and EVEN blues! That surprises me a bit.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: derb2k2 on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:26:35
Quote from: Kira on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:14:10
Quote from: the1onewolf on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:05:48
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.


Browns work perfectly fine for me. If you haven't noticed, lot of pro gamers use MX browns, and EVEN blues! That surprises me a bit.

I agree. Browns are pretty damn good for gaming and in my opinion, are better than reds for double-tapping.

I can't really pass judgement on Topre for gaming, but it doesn't seem very optimal for it. For me, Topre is best for typing though and MX switches now pale in comparison.   :))
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: sorijealut on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:36:56
I switch around between my MX red & HHKB for gaming.

It just feels fun because of the feedback. I can't seem to get used to CSGO on it simply due to shift/ctrl and slightly slower WASD movements, however.

I thought the "lighter" Realforce 45g would be perfect, but it's probably down to preference also.

My prediction is that professional gamers will start to use it more often for MOBA/RTS and what have you.
(http://i.imgur.com/nlc4BYf.jpg)
DOTA player BurNIng
(reddit) (http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2ui583/burning_dota_2_pro_uses_a_topre_realforce/)
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:43:37
There are dozens of threads about exactly this, and I get in trouble each time I list them all.

Yes.  Except for games that require quick or constant access to dedicated function keys or arrow keys.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Novus on Thu, 05 February 2015, 21:37:14
Quote from: Kira on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:14:10
Quote from: the1onewolf on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:05:48
Topre's and most tactile switches are terrible for gaming.
Double tapping and etc just isn't great.

Stick to linear switches like MX red for gaming.


Browns work perfectly fine for me. If you haven't noticed, lot of pro gamers use MX browns, and EVEN blues! That surprises me a bit.

Not really surprised really because the market back when mechs became more popular was blue and brown primarily. It's still kind of like that among the more popular brands like razer. Also sponsorships and things like that factor in.

Also I believe cherry mx red became popular because of sc2 pros
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: hasu on Thu, 05 February 2015, 22:51:52
HHKB has relatively slow scan rate. I don't have any problem myself but some gamer insisted that HHKB drops his stroke.
                                                                 
I don't game and don't know how fast scan rate is needed for game.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: MPZ on Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:03:57
I feel like this really depends on the game. I have seen sc2 pros using pretty much every MX switch type and Topres in tournament play... and starcraft requires a LOT of keypresses, and they have to be fast. Obviously function etc. key availability is a factor depending on the game as well. Outside of that, I feel like it really comes down to personal preference and IMO, how big/strong your fingers are. I don't think I could game well at all on really stiff switches with my small hands. Basically, the answer to this seems to be an individual one.

Sorry that's not more helpful  :thumb: 
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Polymer on Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:12:08
I'm sure people will get used to it..they're not all that different from a normal rubber dome keyboard in that regard...but I actually strongly prefer Cherry for gaming...It is a feel thing I think...It feels faster and I feel like I can spam and slam and not worry about it...Topre feels odd to me when I do that...
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Melvang on Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:16:42
Scan rate is mostly marketing buzzword hype anyway.  Just game on whatever you feel comfortable. 
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: monotagary on Fri, 06 February 2015, 01:33:54
I don't like gaming on my HHKB. I just don't find the layout all that great for games. On the other hand, I play a ton of League on my Realforce 55g, and I love that for games.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: skuko on Fri, 06 February 2015, 03:30:00
i've been playing planetside 2 and guild wars 2 on my FC660C for months now, no problems (aside from having to use fn+number keys to switch positions in vehicles in planetside, but i got eventually used to that)

Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Sencha on Fri, 06 February 2015, 12:13:20
I game on the HHKB and FC660c. The feel of Topre switches mean I can't go back to using Reds now.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: flaming_june on Fri, 06 February 2015, 13:01:25
Actually for me, in CS and other FPS, the HHKB layout is much better than the regular layout.  It allows for natural crouch and other movement of the fingers.  For any other game, it's frigging terrible.

Quote from: sorijealut on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:36:56
I switch around between my MX red & HHKB for gaming.

It just feels fun because of the feedback. I can't seem to get used to CSGO on it simply due to shift/ctrl and slightly slower WASD movements, however.

I thought the "lighter" Realforce 45g would be perfect, but it's probably down to preference also.

My prediction is that professional gamers will start to use it more often for MOBA/RTS and what have you.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/nlc4BYf.jpg)

DOTA player BurNIng
(reddit) (http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2ui583/burning_dota_2_pro_uses_a_topre_realforce/)

^ arguably the best carry player in all of Dota.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: sorijealut on Fri, 06 February 2015, 13:11:30
Quote from: flaming_june on Fri, 06 February 2015, 13:01:25
Actually for me, in CS and other FPS, the HHKB layout is much better than the regular layout.  It allows for natural crouch and other movement of the fingers.  For any other game, it's frigging terrible.

Quote from: sorijealut on Thu, 05 February 2015, 20:36:56
I switch around between my MX red & HHKB for gaming.

It just feels fun because of the feedback. I can't seem to get used to CSGO on it simply due to shift/ctrl and slightly slower WASD movements, however.

I thought the "lighter" Realforce 45g would be perfect, but it's probably down to preference also.

My prediction is that professional gamers will start to use it more often for MOBA/RTS and what have you.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/nlc4BYf.jpg)

DOTA player BurNIng
(reddit) (http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2ui583/burning_dota_2_pro_uses_a_topre_realforce/)

^ arguably the best carry player in all of Dota.

Yeah, I know what you mean, and I've been trying to better myself with the switched positions, but years of muscle memory is in the way atm.
I think the location for Ctrl being so far down is why pros always tilt their keyboards inward at an angle. The normal layout is pretty unnatural.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: saturnotaku on Fri, 06 February 2015, 13:28:24
I use the function layer a lot when I game, so the HHKB is not practical for my purposes. I have no issues with Topre in terms of feel, though, as I played quite a bit on my Realforce 87U.

This being said, now that I've switched back to an MX board at home, I have to say I ever-so-slightly prefer it to the Realforce for gaming.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: snipars on Fri, 06 February 2015, 14:18:55
Both topre switches and the hhkb layout are perfect for gaming in my opinion, although the switches are down to preference and the layout will be more convenient in some games than in others. 
i play csgo which only uses WASD, the FN keys and numbers 1-5, so it's fine, but if you're playing RTS games or something you might not have as much luck
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: epzy on Fri, 06 February 2015, 14:36:56
I use my HHKB for WoW, CS:GO, LoL, etc and I love it. I had to re-bind a few keys, but it's not bad at all, in fact, it's better because I always hated having to reach for control and the F-keys whenever I used a TKL or full-size. In WoW I use tons of keybinds, but it ain't a problem.
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: Fragil1ty on Fri, 06 February 2015, 18:07:10
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Thu, 05 February 2015, 19:42:24
I'm 99% sure there are at least a half dozen threads asking the same thing.

If that is true, then link me a few and I or a moderator can lock this post, I don't mind. (As I didn't see any on the first couple of pages).
Title: Re: Topre/HHKB - Gaming?
Post by: pr0ximity on Fri, 06 February 2015, 20:33:30
Love gaming on my 55g Realforce, but I don't do a ton of fast-paced gaming any more. I feel like the keys rebound quicker (or maybe just crisper) than with my MX Red Filco which is very nice.

Probably comes more down to your mechanics more than anything. I think Topre are better if your rapid keypresses are full-strokes (you let the keys reset all the way). Hovering around the actuation point isn't really great on Topre, so for FPS where you need to strafe quickly I'd say they can cause you problems. Quake strafe jumping is awesome on Topre, spacebar is very satisfying, but LG dueling is less great because of the strafing.

MOBA/RTS is great no matter what.