HHKB Pro buying guide.

[Obakemono]

Hi!

I remember reading about a guide for buying the HHKB pro relatively cheap from japan, but i can't find it now.

Anyone have the link?

Thanks!! 

[chill1217]

http://en.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/18387i/guide_bought_my_hhkb_pro_2_from_amazoncojp/

[Obakemono]

Thanks!! 

[chill1217]

no problem!

[jameslr]

They look to be considerably more expensive now than when that guide was originally written. EK is still your best bet for a new one although I'd recommend getting a gently used one from the classifieds or Ebay if you can find one.

[meiosis]

They look to be considerably more expensive now than when that guide was originally written. EK is still your best bet for a new one although I'd recommend getting a gently used one from the classifieds or Ebay if you can find one.

Nah, still $40 or so cheaper to get it directly from Japan, conversion rate actually got a bit better but the yen price increased, evens out sort of..

Type-S is the way to go though if you decide to proxy, much much cheaper, $300 or so after all the fees. So about $60 more

[jameslr]

They look to be considerably more expensive now than when that guide was originally written. EK is still your best bet for a new one although I'd recommend getting a gently used one from the classifieds or Ebay if you can find one.

Nah, still $40 or so cheaper to get it directly from Japan, conversion rate actually got a bit better but the yen price increased, evens out sort of..

Type-S is the way to go though if you decide to proxy, much much cheaper, $300 or so after all the fees. So about $60 more

Yeah for the Type-S definitely. But given current rates the HHKB Pro 2 in white is 22.7k yen which is around $230. I'm assuming your proxy with all taxes paid is still going to be more than EK's $260+shipping. Plus you get it much quicker.

Edit: Actually from what it looks like - the Type-S is 29,800 yen which is $301 USD. It might end up being slightly cheaper after all shipping and fees than the $400 + shipping, but not much.

Here's links for reference:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/B008GXT6SK/ref=dp_change_lang?ie=UTF8&language=en_JP

Current yen to USD conversion rate:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=29%2C800+yen+in+USD

[meiosis]

They look to be considerably more expensive now than when that guide was originally written. EK is still your best bet for a new one although I'd recommend getting a gently used one from the classifieds or Ebay if you can find one.

Nah, still $40 or so cheaper to get it directly from Japan, conversion rate actually got a bit better but the yen price increased, evens out sort of..

Type-S is the way to go though if you decide to proxy, much much cheaper, $300 or so after all the fees. So about $60 more

Yeah for the Type-S definitely. But given current rates the HHKB Pro 2 in white is 22.7k yen which is around $230. I'm assuming your proxy with all taxes paid is still going to be more than EK's $260+shipping. Plus you get it much quicker.

Edit: Actually from what it looks like - the Type-S is 29,800 yen which is $301 USD. It might end up being slightly cheaper after all shipping and fees than the $400 + shipping, but not much.

Here's links for reference:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/B008GXT6SK/ref=dp_change_lang?ie=UTF8&language=en_JP

Current yen to USD conversion rate:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=29%2C800+yen+in+USD

Ah last month it was 19,800 for a normal HHKB weird maybe gotta wait for it to go on sale

[hasu]

Pink line indicates last 2 year action of the best price of HHKB. It is clearly the worst timing to get it at this time.


What does this mean? HHKB 3 will be coming shortly?

[johndavis33]

Slightly off-topic, but why is the HHKB so expensive anyways? I get that topre switches/keyboards are expensive, but this is a 60 key board. How is a 104 key realforce more expensive? You'd expect less switch + smaller board = lower cost for material = lower prices.

[chill1217]

the hhkb 2 includes usb ports and detachable cable, so the innards are likely a bit more complex.  maybe they need to pay some overhead to license topre switches too, whereas the realforce is made inhouse by topre.  who knows

[rowdy]

Plus custom key caps - many of them have non-standard legends (and Topre keycap sets are difficult enough to find anyway).

Also there may be a slightly more limited market for these, due to the non-standard layout, so PFU/Fujitsu have to charge a bit more to recoup their setup costs.

[Mamajam]

If you live in the United States you really should buy it from EK. I have nothing but wonderful experiences buying from them, and they are very fast. In tight communities like this one, it is important to support the local economy, and support companies that are trying to do the right thing.

[Obakemono]

I'm in Spain, but the guide game me an idea, i know people who goes to Japan regularly and have an address there, so i can just buy it from amazon and ask them to act as a free proxy 

[Belfong]

This is a very useful guide to buy HHKB Pro from amazon.co.jp. Is there any guide as to buying from brick and mortal shop in Japan? What shop and at what price? Is amazon giving out the cheapest as like how it is in amazon.com USA?

[rowdy]

Most people probably ust get them from eBay.  I did

[Belfong]

I asked because my sister is going Japan next week. So I am wondering where she can help me get a HHKB

[kenmai9]

I asked because my sister is going Japan next week. So I am wondering where she can help me get a HHKB

Here are some threads for you to browse:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39970.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=32151.0

[Belfong]

I've searched the forums before I asked, thanks for the links, but these also don't have specifics. I guess we don't have native Jap forum members?

[kenmai9]

I've searched the forums before I asked, thanks for the links, but these also don't have specifics. I guess we don't have native Jap forum members?

Here's a post with some specifics !

I picked up a HHKB for 24,900 Yen in early January @ Sofmap. Yodobashi has them for about 22,800 but were out of stock in both Osaka and Akihabara, Tokyo when I was there.

sofmap: http://www.sofmap.com/

[Belfong]

Thanks, looks like amazon.co.jp is the cheapest. I may need to order online and ship to my sis hotel in advance!

[tuxsavvy]

I've searched the forums before I asked, thanks for the links, but these also don't have specifics. I guess we don't have native Jap forum members?

If you haven't noticed, Hasu (whom posted a reply here) is from Japan or at least he supplied his location as Japan.

Most people probably ust get them from eBay.  I did

I also got mine from ebay as well, at the time I was unsure of the proxies plus I am not too keen with buying stuff from other (or in general unfamiliar) websites. I paid a premium price for my Type-S (still waiting to appear in mail).  Having a proxy to do the work on your behalf is totally ideal if they (the proxies) does not overcharge you. Nonetheless you are free to shop around to get the best price.

Not sure if this proxy service was mentioned but there's a website called tenso.com which will do purchasing from sellers whom does not ship outside Japan to have it shipped to you. I haven't tried them yet and the site was mentioned by rakuten.co.jp.

Slightly off-topic, but why is the HHKB so expensive anyways? I get that topre switches/keyboards are expensive, but this is a 60 key board. How is a 104 key realforce more expensive? You'd expect less switch + smaller board = lower cost for material = lower prices.

I tend to say that maybe HHKB is trying to ride on fame. It's noted on wikipedia for that matter. Then again I'm more or less quoting what others have said. Then again what others have said could/may also be potentially true as either part of completely the reason behind expensive price tags.

[Belfong]

Good point on Hasu, I hope he doesn't mind me PM-ing him. Thanks mate!

[tuxsavvy]

Good point on Hasu, I hope he doesn't mind me PM-ing him. Thanks mate!

No worries, good luck on getting your HHKB and enjoying it!  I don't know if Hasu would mind or not, though I guess it's always polite to ask first than to do it. That's how I would do it. I guess that sort of comes from learning the Japanese culture. To be polite for first impressions.

Also whilst your sister is visiting/in Japan. There are probably some stockists whom may stock HHKB accessories. I have noted some of the accessories in that other thread "It's in the mail..". Of course not suggesting you must go buy them but I'm leaving the avenue open in case if you want to pamper your experience with HHKB. I know I would!

[Belfong]

My sister is not IT savvy so I rather make it simple for her to hunt things for me. Thanks for the suggestion. I think perhaps the easiest is to buy from amazon.co.jp and shipping to her.

[tuxsavvy]

My sister is not IT savvy so I rather make it simple for her to hunt things for me. Thanks for the suggestion. I think perhaps the easiest is to buy from amazon.co.jp and shipping to her.

Whilst you are at it buy all the accessories you need and ship it to her. I guess it's probably good in hindsight that your sister is not IT savvy. Otherwise if she gets a hint of the real reason why you are getting HHKB and all. She might keep it herself. hehe

[terran5992]

My sister is not IT savvy so I rather make it simple for her to hunt things for me. Thanks for the suggestion. I think perhaps the easiest is to buy from amazon.co.jp and shipping to her.

Whilst you are at it buy all the accessories you need and ship it to her. I guess it's probably good in hindsight that your sister is not IT savvy. Otherwise if she gets a hint of the real reason why you are getting HHKB and all. She might keep it herself. hehe

Isnt that kinda mean?

[tuxsavvy]

My sister is not IT savvy so I rather make it simple for her to hunt things for me. Thanks for the suggestion. I think perhaps the easiest is to buy from amazon.co.jp and shipping to her.

Whilst you are at it buy all the accessories you need and ship it to her. I guess it's probably good in hindsight that your sister is not IT savvy. Otherwise if she gets a hint of the real reason why you are getting HHKB and all. She might keep it herself. hehe

Isnt that kinda mean?

Not that I was implying she shouldn't know IT stuff neither is it best idea to take advantage of one not knowing IT but hey nobody said she's not allow to learn it.

Anyway, that's all really besides the point. The point I was trying to state was that there's accessories which one can buy whilst in Japan. It would somewhat be a bit of a waste if one bought the keyboard but didn't realise there was this or that and had to get them ordered and delievered overseas.

[terran5992]

My sister is not IT savvy so I rather make it simple for her to hunt things for me. Thanks for the suggestion. I think perhaps the easiest is to buy from amazon.co.jp and shipping to her.

Whilst you are at it buy all the accessories you need and ship it to her. I guess it's probably good in hindsight that your sister is not IT savvy. Otherwise if she gets a hint of the real reason why you are getting HHKB and all. She might keep it herself. hehe

Isnt that kinda mean?

Not that I was implying she shouldn't know IT stuff neither is it best idea to take advantage of one not knowing IT but hey nobody said she's not allow to learn it.

Anyway, that's all really besides the point. The point I was trying to state was that there's accessories which one can buy whilst in Japan. It would somewhat be a bit of a waste if one bought the keyboard but didn't realise there was this or that and had to get them ordered and delievered overseas.

True enough, hhkb is only for the IT savy

[hasu]

Price tag of HHKB Pro2 has retained the highest ever for last months unfortunately, as I posted with chart before.

I'd recommend amazon.co.jp if you have shpping address in Japan. They usually offer the best price.
The rocket high price makes Type-S relatively inexpensive, you may want to get Type-S instead of Pro2.

There are some useful links for shoppers in Japan.
First, you can find price list of online shops on kakaku.com.
http://kakaku.com/item/01506010306/

If you pick up a keyboard in Akihabara, these shops should be tried. But you still won't see better discount than amazon.
https://maps.google.co.jp/maps/ms?msid=203885028389912229351.0004d740c32113031f357&msa=0

PFU direct and their shop in amazon.co.jp which is the only place carries Type-S. I believe you can't spot Type-S elsewhere in Japan.
http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/direct/hhkb/
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&asin=&isAmazonFulfilled=&isCBA=&marketplaceID=A1VC38T7YXB528&orderID=&seller=A2JB8E672LPES7

[terran5992]

Price tag of HHKB Pro2 has retained the highest ever for last months unfortunately, as I posted with chart before.

I'd recommend amazon.co.jp if you have shpping address in Japan. They usually offer the best price.
The rocket high price makes Type-S relatively inexpensive, you may want to get Type-S instead of Pro2.

There are some useful links for shoppers in Japan.
First, you can find price list of online shops on kakaku.com.
http://kakaku.com/item/01506010306/

If you pick up a keyboard in Akihabara, these shops should be tried. But you still won't see better discount than amazon.
https://maps.google.co.jp/maps/ms?msid=203885028389912229351.0004d740c32113031f357&msa=0

PFU direct and their shop in amazon.co.jp which is the only place carries Type-S. I believe you can't spot Type-S elsewhere in Japan.
http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/direct/hhkb/
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&asin=&isAmazonFulfilled=&isCBA=&marketplaceID=A1VC38T7YXB528&orderID=&seller=A2JB8E672LPES7

Its a topre, expect to be paying tons of money

[Belfong]

I'd recommend amazon.co.jp if you have shpping address in Japan. They usually offer the best price.
The rocket high price makes Type-S relatively inexpensive, you may want to get Type-S instead of Pro2.

If you pick up a keyboard in Akihabara, these shops should be tried. But you still won't see better discount than amazon.
https://maps.google.co.jp/maps/ms?msid=203885028389912229351.0004d740c32113031f357&msa=0

Dear Hasu, the Google Maps is really useful. Thank you very much. This is a good thread for people to refer to in the future. Thanks!