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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: iMav on Thu, 15 April 2010, 04:12:12

Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: iMav on Thu, 15 April 2010, 04:12:12
HHKB Lite 2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/HHKB-Lite-2-Mini-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ370364949596QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item563b78a45c#ht_4928wt_948)

great layout, crappy feel.  

If you aren't sure you can deal with the layout of the HHKB Pro, here is a cheap way to find out.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ricercar on Thu, 29 April 2010, 18:32:02
Mine. This board really helps enforce home row at-rest positioning, and touch typing.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: bigpook on Thu, 29 April 2010, 18:35:54
nice. less than $25 dollars shipped.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ricercar on Thu, 29 April 2010, 18:54:53
Yeah, $25 was my limit. I heard they're not worth much for typing feel, but I wanted to try out the HHKB layout and criticize the DIP switches knowledgeably.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: bigpook on Thu, 29 April 2010, 18:56:28
lol, yeah, thats one way of putting it. The layout is tits for sure, can't say much about the feel though.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ricercar on Thu, 29 April 2010, 19:02:38
The square-slider feel is reminiscent of the modern IBM RapidAcccess, the iRocks 6280E backlit, and the Goldtouch ergonomic adjustable. IMHO there's far less lateral movement (a good thing) on a square slider rubber dome.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: bigpook on Thu, 29 April 2010, 19:28:48
you know, I didn't quite mean it that way.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: Rajagra on Thu, 29 April 2010, 22:38:48
A relative brought a PC around today for me to fix some things on. I needed a PS/2 keyboard (to get into BIOS not set up for USB) that had a Windows key (Windows + E and R  save a lot of time.)

My HHKB Lite was perfect for the job. The keyfeel isn't great, but it isn't bad enough to outweigh the usefulness.

Overall it is less problematic than boards with Cherry ML switches. At least the keys move every time you hit them.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 30 April 2010, 17:09:31
The size of the HHKB Lite is a problem. I feel like one of those man-sized clowns squeezing into a toddler-sized go cart, elbows akimbo, like a wild duck.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: aegrotatio on Mon, 21 June 2010, 21:27:50
What exactly is the keyboard type of the HHKB Lite and HHKB Lite 2?  Who made it and how does it differ, from the original HHKB from back then (not today's model).  They were much cheaper than the original HHKB and I don't really remember how or why.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: chimera15 on Tue, 22 June 2010, 00:54:27
I typed on one for at least a year, maybe two, and the end of that time the keys were so wobbly I thought they were going to pop off in the middle of me typing.  They're great to be reborn as mechanical hacks though. lol  This was the last type of board I had before I discovered minitouches, mechanicals, and got my model f at.  I thought they were the bees knees, I got 3 2's and 3 originals.  They were cool because the jp versions were fairly gettable, and not many compact japanese boards are available in the states.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: chimera15 on Tue, 22 June 2010, 01:00:54
Quote from: aegrotatio;195344
What exactly is the keyboard type of the HHKB Lite and HHKB Lite 2?  Who made it and how does it differ, from the original HHKB from back then (not today's model).  They were much cheaper than the original HHKB and I don't really remember how or why.

Both are made by pfu.  The first version doesn't have arrow keys and looks a lot more like the pro.  The lite 2 has the arrow keys.  The lite 2 also has the japanese version, which is pretty neat.  They cost usually around 50-80 depending on the version.  I think I paid about $40 each for my lite 1s off ebay when the lite 2's were starting to sell for around $60-80.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: aegrotatio on Wed, 23 June 2010, 13:30:32
Thanks but I was looking for how the Lites differ from the Pros (I have Lite and Lite 2 already but no original HHKB or HHKB Pros).  I wasn't really sure but I think I am a little more sure now, but the answers so far have been fairly obtuse to be honest with you.  Back then what we call the "Pro" was just called "HHKB" with no "Pro" after it and I wonder too if that was different from today's Pro.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ricercar on Wed, 23 June 2010, 13:36:23
> the answers so far have been fairly obtuse to be honest with you

the lites are rubber dome, and the pros are not. Pros are high-quality capacitive switches by Topre. Is that acute enough?
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 23 June 2010, 13:44:29
Quote from: aegrotatio;195770
Thanks but I was looking for how the Lites differ from the Pros (I have Lite and Lite 2 already but no original HHKB or HHKB Pros).  I wasn't really sure but I think I am a little more sure now, but the answers so far have been fairly obtuse to be honest with you.  Back then what we call the "Pro" was just called "HHKB" with no "Pro" after it and I wonder too if that was different from today's Pro.


The original HHKB was rubber dome. Then the product line diverged into the Topre-equipped Pro model and the rubber dome Lite model. The Lites are meant to be pretty crap to type on.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: aegrotatio on Wed, 23 June 2010, 14:15:44
Hmm, Geekhack Wiki says Topre uses rubber domes, too.
I'm just saying it's hard, for me, to get the facts straight around here.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ricercar on Wed, 23 June 2010, 14:32:33
Topre have rubber domes, but they also have springs. Cheapo rubber domes don't have springs nor do they have capacitance switches.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: didjamatic on Wed, 23 June 2010, 14:34:58
It's true the Topres use rubber domes, but they are nothing like other rubber dome keyboards.  Until you have used both extensively, you'll have to take my word for it, or someone who has used both.

The HHKB Lite is nothing like the HHKB Pro 2 in terms of it's switch, feel and typing experience.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: MsKeyboard on Wed, 23 June 2010, 16:39:37
Quote from: ripster;195811
Without Webwit the trolling has gotten awful dull around here


I noticed a shift in the Force, but could not put my finger on it!

Hopefully back soon?
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: kishy on Wed, 23 June 2010, 17:35:49
Webwit's not a troll. He sold me those lovely purple TrackPoint caps.

(I understand the second statement bears no relevance whatsoever to the first)
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 23 June 2010, 17:39:48
There is a difference between a troll and someone who is straight with their opinions... People seem to have the two confused.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 23 June 2010, 17:54:46
You all know the problem with that lite keyboard: It's dark black.
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 24 June 2010, 07:59:50
Quote from: microsoft windows;195833
You all know the problem with that lite keyboard: It's dark black.


Why are you so horribly racist towards keyboards?
Title: HHKB Lite 2
Post by: British on Thu, 24 June 2010, 08:06:18
Black is the new grey.