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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ag36 on Mon, 21 May 2018, 10:36:24

Title: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: ag36 on Mon, 21 May 2018, 10:36:24
I have a JIS 108 35g, felt keys are too light and 1u backspace is too small also everything is shifted left on JIS layout so I type things wrong, liked hhkb but has no arrow keys or fn lock felt inconvenient. topre rgb's sound is worse then expected even with pbt keycaps. I just received my FC980C today I finally have a perfect topre for my use.

What's your story with Topre?
Correction:30g, not 35g.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: Sup on Mon, 21 May 2018, 12:44:09
Yes i regret buying a JIS. Because i mostly used the spacebar with my right thumb and had to adjust a bit it wasn't that bad but still didn't feel right. And i agree 1u spacebar is awful.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: haydoselefantes on Mon, 21 May 2018, 14:03:07
I have a JIS 108 35g, felt keys are too light

I have the opposite problem.  I love the outside keys on my variable weight so much, I wish the whole keyboard were that light.

I tried the ultra-light BKE domes.  I like the tactility and the weight, but the bottom out feels harsher to me than stock domes.  I'd actually been planning on importing a 30g JIS just to harvest the domes.

I actually have the stock domes from my 87u all-45g "EK Edition" that I'd love to trade for 30g from a JIS.  (could make up the dome count with my remaining BKE ultra lights)
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: davkol on Mon, 21 May 2018, 14:32:10
I have a variable-weight JIS Realforce and want uniform weight (WTB!), because of my custom keymap (that's why I got a JIS keyboard in the first place):

(https://i.imgur.com/jT3PLa6.png)
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: Riverman on Mon, 21 May 2018, 15:25:23
I currently have a uniform 45G Type Heaven, and I greatly prefer it to the variable weight Realforces I had before.  I thought the outer keys were far too mushy and lacked the "thock" sound.  If I could find a set of Realforce PBT keycaps to put on my Type Heaven, I think it would be perfect.  After using MX brown keyboards for so long, I wouldn't want a Topre with heavier domes than 45G, either.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: portbaron on Mon, 21 May 2018, 15:40:03
I'm typing on a 55g topre right now, and I like it a lot, maybe even more than the 45g (depends on day). I also have a 45g Leo fc980c and 45g RF RGB, which does feel a little different but is still nice. Topre aren't my fastest typing switches, but they are somehow satisfying in a unique way.
I would never consider a 35g or variable set, as they would be too light (browns are too light for me now).
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: OfTheWild on Mon, 21 May 2018, 16:23:49
I kinda wish i still had the RF87 that i put my 45g domes from the HHKB into... so i could swap them back.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: idlemao on Tue, 22 May 2018, 12:45:38
I kinda wish i still had the RF87 that i put my 45g domes from the HHKB into... so i could swap them back.  :rolleyes:
Funny, because I bought a RF87 that someone else swapped HHKB domes into, and the 45g feels... mushier in the Realforce? In the HHKB, 45 feels perfectly weighted. But maybe it's the different case or whatnot. I want to see if 55g would feel better in the RF, but I'm afraid they might be too heavy then I'll have the same regret you do.  :))
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: Pavilions on Tue, 22 May 2018, 13:27:26
Yes, I do regret I think I just found that I'm suited for 55g weight my 45g Topre is a little bit light for my taste. the next choice of Topre will be 55g for me. by the way, I do a lot of typing and don't game much.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: zslane on Tue, 22 May 2018, 14:21:35
I have found that a Realforce RBG (45g) with silencing rings is just perfect for me.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: daerid on Tue, 22 May 2018, 19:36:46
I used to be all about the 55g, now whenever I use it my fingers get a bit sore. I'd love to swap out my 55g 87U for a 45g 87U, but I don't think they make 'em anymore :(
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: billm on Tue, 22 May 2018, 22:40:03
Of my 3 topre boards I like my variable weight realforce the best. Some days I find the 45g fc660c too light, and other days it's fine. But I almost exclusively find the 45g in my novatouch to be too light, especially with SA caps.  This is so much the case with the novatouch that I'm thinking of an experiment to make it "variable" using one of those 55g ebay dome sheets.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: elcubismo on Tue, 22 May 2018, 23:15:46
Of my 3 topre boards I like my variable weight realforce the best. Some days I find the 45g fc660c too light, and other days it's fine. But I almost exclusively find the 45g in my novatouch to be too light, especially with SA caps.  This is so much the case with the novatouch that I'm thinking of an experiment to make it "variable" using one of those 55g ebay dome sheets.

That might be because the fc660c measures more about 50g in practice
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: Polymer on Wed, 23 May 2018, 02:53:31
Yeah..and the variable RFs feel overall much lighter than a 660c...

When I first got a variable RF, I sort of regretted it because I didn't like that I couldn't rest my fingers on the keyboard without getting a bunch of aaaaaaaaa across the screen...

But after using it for awhile I found I enjoy using it when I have to type a lot...More so than my HHKB...
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: elcubismo on Wed, 23 May 2018, 10:05:14
I think the confusion here is that there are at least 2 types of variable/ergonomic realforces, one with 45g alphas and 55g mods, and one with like 30g inner-alphas, 45g-outer-alphas and mods, and 55g only on the esc.

As for getting a 55g ebay dome sheet - don't! I've only ever heard bad things about them.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: bizzy11 on Wed, 23 May 2018, 20:14:18
I've been using the FC980C and love it. I heard the new black and blue/grey 660C are made in Japan and are actually 45g now, so I think I'm going to be picking those up to try.

I'm using the China made 660C at home now since I like the layout, but always end up switching back and forth from the 980C because I miss the light domes lol.

BTW has anyone with the new 660C's installed Hasu's controller? I just wanna be sure that it will still work.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: romevi on Wed, 23 May 2018, 20:16:55
Sometimes I wish I could be 10lbs lighter, but I know I'm where I am because of my inability to control my portions.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: ArchDill on Wed, 23 May 2018, 21:32:42
I have an HHKB with lubed purple silent RF sliders and 55g domes. I LOVE it.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: elcubismo on Thu, 24 May 2018, 09:46:44
Sometimes I wish I could be 10lbs lighter, but I know I'm where I am because of my inability to control my portions.

 :)) :thumb:
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: MajorKoos on Thu, 24 May 2018, 11:02:40
I have a 45g NT, a variable RF87u and a 55g RF87u.

I absolutely hate how the 55g RF87u feels - it makes my fingers hurt.
Variable is OK. 
Lubed 45g NT is best.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: czarek on Fri, 25 May 2018, 15:04:44
I am super happy with a variable weight (purple sliders, so slightly shorter action too).
Using any other Topre gives me pain in my right hand, which could be because my HHKB got stiffer with time, and don't even get me started on my RF 55G, which feels a ton heavier than my Model Ms and Unicomps :)
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: macguy80 on Fri, 25 May 2018, 15:20:35
My first Topre was an all-45 RF 87u; I hated it. It was too light, and I made all sorts of typos due to unintentional input.

I then upgraded to the all-55g 87u and the problems went away. I was much more accurate.

Then I wanted to try the HHKB, so I got a Type-S, which, like all stock HHKB's, is 45g as well.

Except...while the weighting is supposedly identical to my first RF, the HHKB is NOT too light, and I type very well on it. I can't reconcile the difference, other than to wonder if the difference has to do with the fact that the HHKB switches are case-mounted as opposed to plate-mounted.

The side effect of this, though, is that when I switch back to my 55g, I find it to be too heavy now, and get fatigued after a while. This despite being able to type without trouble on supposedly heavier switches like Orange Alps, Buckling Springs, etc.

I've always wanted to try the HiPro model, but I can't help but wonder if it would be too similar to the RF45g, or if it might be closer to the HHKB, where 45g is not a problem.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: nogoodnames444 on Sun, 27 May 2018, 02:50:47
I like the weighting on my fc660 because it feels like 50 grams not 45 so it's really feels like it is not too heavy
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: haydoselefantes on Sun, 27 May 2018, 16:08:51
Is there a general consensus that FC660Cs feel heavier than the 45g Realforce boards?
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: Hodgeman on Sun, 27 May 2018, 16:51:52
HHKB with stock domes and silencing rings is perfect for me.

I really like the fc660c layout and plan on getting one eventually. I really want to try out BKE Heavies on it and maybe some sliders.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: bizzy11 on Sun, 27 May 2018, 18:31:49
Is there a general consensus that FC660Cs feel heavier than the 45g Realforce boards?

Yes, they are definitely heavier. I have the new japan made 660c on the way though, so I'm hoping it's lighter than the previous China made models.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 27 May 2018, 19:16:06
Is there a general consensus that FC660Cs feel heavier than the 45g Realforce boards?

Yes, they are definitely heavier. I have the new japan made 660c on the way though, so I'm hoping it's lighter than the previous China made models.

lol am I the only one that liked the heavier FC660C?  Realforce 45g always feels too light for me, and FC660C 45g feels just right.  Topre Type heaven feels the same weight as FC660C.

So in short:

FC660C, Type Heaven and HHKB 45g feels just right.

Realforce 45g and variable feels too light, with the variable being my least favourite.

Realforce 55g is just too heavy for me.


I even bought a Realforce 104UW (variable) before and dome swap them to 45g from Type Heaven.  Though the resulted board still feels lighter than the stock Type Heaven so I start to wonder if it's partially because of the keycaps or the case construction.

I wonder how R2 45g domes will be.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: hyperlite218 on Mon, 28 May 2018, 00:19:07
I love the feel of the fc660cs stock pads but have been interested in the bke redux heavy pads.  I've heard good things about them
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: losing_ctrl on Mon, 28 May 2018, 15:59:24
I don't regret my choices on Topre, even though I've learned that I clearly have preferences on the weight.  I sort of think of it like a fun journey, where some stops along the way are better than others.  I currently have a low-noise variable weight RealForce 104U, a low-noise all 45g weight 87U, and a regular all 55g 87U, as well as an FC660C. I've previously owned a HHKB Type-S as well. 

My all-time fav is the 55g 87U - this would be my daily driver at work if it was a low-noise model. Sure would be nice if they offered a low-noise all 55g stock keyboard! The snappiness of the switches is just great.

I bought the variable 104U with much skepticism, as I like heavier switches, thinking that if I hated it I could either sell it for decent money or harvest the purple sliders and try to mod my 55g into a low-noise version. However I've found that I really like the variable at work because it is so quiet and feels so premium.

I was excited to order the 10th anniversary all 45g low-noise 87U. However it really does not feel much different then the variable in practice, which is to say it's a bit too light for me, however it is smooth and quiet, and also imparts a premium feeling overall.

I recently bought a Leopold FC660C (made in China), and even though it claims to use all 45g domes, it does feel closer to 50g/55g, and that is very appreciated by me. I love this keyboard.

The HHKB Type-S has a fantastic and unique Topre experience that is probably my favorite of all. However its layout is terrible - for me. So I can hope that someday there may be something that feels like the PCB mounted switches of HHKB in a more traditional layout, like TKL.

So at work I switch around my keyboards a lot and enjoy them all.

Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: macguy80 on Mon, 28 May 2018, 16:26:34
Does the stock HHKB feel any different from the type-S, or is the difference in sound only? I have the type-S.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: bizzy11 on Tue, 29 May 2018, 18:35:50
Is there a general consensus that FC660Cs feel heavier than the 45g Realforce boards?

Yes, they are definitely heavier. I have the new japan made 660c on the way though, so I'm hoping it's lighter than the previous China made models.

lol am I the only one that liked the heavier FC660C?  Realforce 45g always feels too light for me, and FC660C 45g feels just right.  Topre Type heaven feels the same weight as FC660C.

So in short:

FC660C, Type Heaven and HHKB 45g feels just right.

Realforce 45g and variable feels too light, with the variable being my least favourite.

Realforce 55g is just too heavy for me.


I even bought a Realforce 104UW (variable) before and dome swap them to 45g from Type Heaven.  Though the resulted board still feels lighter than the stock Type Heaven so I start to wonder if it's partially because of the keycaps or the case construction.

I wonder how R2 45g domes will be.

No, from what I've seen many seem to prefer heavier domes over the lighter ones. It's just preference.

I guess I wouldn't really mind heavier domes for just typing, but I hate them when I'm playing games.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: 1Weeb on Thu, 31 May 2018, 02:08:53
Tried BKE Redux Light domes on my HHKB a while back. For some reason I don't like the super tactile feeling of topre domes, but I'm fine with other tactile switches such as orange alps and holy panda's. So I still use the stock HHKB domes and I don't think I'll ever try BKE domes again.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: jackcauliflower on Thu, 07 June 2018, 12:50:21
Typing on my 45G domes on my Novatouch and they are perfect. I tried 55G domes and they were just too heavy for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: romevi on Thu, 07 June 2018, 12:50:58
My 55g Realforce is in my drawer.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: MajorKoos on Thu, 07 June 2018, 13:09:02
Got some BKE Redux Lights to do a dome swap on my 55g 87u.
Hoping it makes it usable   :p
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: SmilingPolitely on Thu, 07 June 2018, 13:20:01
Went with 45g uniform and I've got no regrets at all.

My mech progression was MX Brown -> MX Red -> MX Red Silent -> 45g Topre.

Never felt like I had to make a significant transition, though the switch to Topre was lovely. 45g should feel just right for anyone coming from MX Reds or equivalent.
Title: Re: Topre owner, do you regret your choice on weight?
Post by: hilltopchill on Thu, 07 June 2018, 19:23:50
I'm really pleased with my 45g HHKB, it's the perfect weight for me. Have you considered using BKE domes?