HHKB Pro 2 - A few questions?

[Fragil1ty]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you lovely HHKB / Topre users would be able to help me out.

I've been in the market for a HHKB Pro 2 for quite some time now, I've finally got my bills out of the way and a bit of spare cash where I can go ahead and buy one, but I've just got a few questions.

1. Where would be the best place to pick up one? I don't want to buy from the states, I'd rather buy from JP or UK (I'm from UK and for the most part, if you buy from JP, it comes straight here with no stops in between and the custom charges aren't that expensive), so is there any preferred place to buy from? I did in-fact ask thekeyboardcompany if they would stock them, but apparently HHKB aren't interested in the EU, which is a bit of a shame.

2. I'm currently a 75% MX Red user (Noppoo Choc  Mini) and I'm just wondering if any of you have come from a similar layout and switch and remained switched on the HHKB or if you bought it and then switched back to the older layout after you used the layout for a while?  I'm just a little relucant as it's not as if I can just send it back and get a refund straight away, it would be a long/grueling process if I decidedI didn't like the keyboard.

3. Those of you that have switched, was it a smooth transition, was it hard to get used to the Topre keys? or was it quite seamless and what not?

4. Finally, I'm a heavy user of the F keys (only in games really), do you think choosing a HHKB with the fkeys on modifiers will cause me problems or are the modifiers quite easy to get too?

I mean, if I really wanted too, I could go ahead and buy a Realforce 87u from thekeyboardcompany who are based in England, but I just cannot use TKL boards, they are too big for me to enjoy comfortably and that's the only Topre board that they stock.

I've checked Amazon and Ebay and none of these suppliers have UK vendors or stockers. I have also done a geneal Google search, but there doesn't seem to be much coming up.

Thanks for any of you who read all of this and thanks for anyone who replies, I greatly appreciate it.

[Oobly]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keyboard-Professional2-capacitance-non-contact-PD-KB400W/dp/B000EXZ0V2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404563442&sr=8-1&keywords=hhkb

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hacking-Keyboard-Professional2-WINDOWS-PD-KB400B/dp/B000EXZ0VC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404563442&sr=8-2&keywords=hhkb

I can't answer your other questions, though, since I don't own one myself. I did find the switch to 60% layout quite easy (KBT Pure), but I'm only a moderate F key user (F5 for refresh, some others for Visual Studio). The 45g switches are similar weight to Reds. Very different feeling, though.

[Fragil1ty]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keyboard-Professional2-capacitance-non-contact-PD-KB400W/dp/B000EXZ0V2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404563442&sr=8-1&keywords=hhkb

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hacking-Keyboard-Professional2-WINDOWS-PD-KB400B/dp/B000EXZ0VC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404563442&sr=8-2&keywords=hhkb

I can't answer your other questions, though, since I don't own one myself. I did find the switch to 60% layout quite easy (KBT Pure), but I'm only a moderate F key user (F5 for refresh, some others for Visual Studio). The 45g switches are similar weight to Reds. Very different feeling, though.

Yeah those are the links that I was going to go with, well they're they are the only links that I've found thus far that seem to be worth while going with.


Thanks man.

[Kmynis]

I went from TKL MX red to hhkb and the transition was fast and easy. I think the keys are a little stiffer, but still light.
Buy it in the classifields, there is one epic offer now.
Heavy use of the F keys is not as easy as it seemed before getting this board. You will typically need two hands to press F-keys comfortably, which makes you move your hand from your mouse. It depends on the games you're playing so it's hard to give a decent advice on that.

[fuzzybaffy]

I can't speak for adjusting to different layouts, but I went from Realforce 87u --> Filco with MX Browns, and I think I, ever so slightly, prefer the Topre more. What I like about the MX Browns is that they're lighter and easier to press. What I like about Topre switches is that they are much more smoother, with a lot less wobble. This lets me type more accurately on Topre switches, and therefore more quickly. I average between 100 to 105 WPM on Typeracer, and my fastest typing speed has been around 130-140 WPM.

I can see how the Cherry MX switches can be more "fun" to type on, but in the end, I have to go with what I use keyboards for: typing. And Topre lets me type better. But that's IMO.

That said, I know Sean Wrona, one of the fastest typists in the world, once used a Das Keyboard with MX Blues (don't know what he uses now), but he also said he used the cheap rubber domes before moving onto the MX Blues, so it seems like the switches themselves don't make that big of a difference in terms of typing speed. I just like to go with what I'm comfortable with, and I think I'm more comfortable with the Topre.

[hjkl_over_wasd]

Do you know how much you have to pay in customs to get an HHKB into the UK?

There's also this: http://www.smartimports.net/search.php?search_query=happy+hacking&x=0&y=0 , but I don't know how much they charge for shipping to the UK.

[ComradeSniper]

Personally I'm not a fan of gaming on my hhkb. It only really becomes an issue in games like Arma where I'm frequently making use of caps lock and function keys, but generally I prefer to use a TKL, or at least the fc660c.

That being said, for everything but gaming the HHKB is my favorite keyboard. The layout is great for typing and programming.

[Fragil1ty]

Do you know how much you have to pay in customs to get an HHKB into the UK?

There's also this: http://www.smartimports.net/search.php?search_query=happy+hacking&x=0&y=0 , but I don't know how much they charge for shipping to the UK.

I don't know the exact amount unfortunately, but I've ordered from abroad numerous times, from the states, from japan, from china and the highest I've paid thus far in custom charges was like 28 pound and that was for my Feenix Nascita which cost about $151. So I'm assuming the import charges will be around 35-40 pounds.


It's not that bad really, but I obviously would prefer a UK supplier but none exist

[cphead]

For me it wasn't love at first type. It took me a while to get used to the switch and really start liking it. So if you get one I suggest sticking it out and keeping it even if you don't immediately like it.

[kohi]

For me it wasn't love at first type. It took me a while to get used to the switch and really start liking it. So if you get one I suggest sticking it out and keeping it even if you don't immediately like it.

same, it took me a few weeks to get used to it. didn't really understand the hype of topre when I first started typing on it;; but it slowly grew on me. as for gaming - it's alright.. good for some RTS (depends on the game, and how much you use F keys though). Since you use them a lot, I'd suggest just using your choc mini for gaming, and the hhkb for typing. mx reds indeed feel lighter, but the transition between the two shouldn't be too extreme.

[Fragil1ty]

Oh right okay, do you guys use them for gaming or do you have 2 keyboards for different things?


e.g. hhkb pro 2 = programming/typing/general use / mx cherry (switch here) for gaming etc.


Or do you use the hhkb for everything and use it as your primary main driver.

[cphead]

Oh right okay, do you guys use them for gaming or do you have 2 keyboards for different things?


e.g. hhkb pro 2 = programming/typing/general use / mx cherry (switch here) for gaming etc.


Or do you use the hhkb for everything and use it as your primary main driver.

I have like 4 keyboards that all get equal loving ( ), but hhkb could definitely be my main driver if it was the only one I had.

[exitfire401]

I use my Race 2 for gaming and on my desktop, and I use my HHKB at work or while traveling. It's an amazing little board, and for gaming on the go, it's fine.

[Kmynis]

Oh right okay, do you guys use them for gaming or do you have 2 keyboards for different things?


e.g. hhkb pro 2 = programming/typing/general use / mx cherry (switch here) for gaming etc.


Or do you use the hhkb for everything and use it as your primary main driver.

I treat my Filco with mx red like some xbox controller tbh.
If I want to play Dark souls, I plug my Xbox controller.
If I want to play ARMA3, I sometimes plug my TKL.
If I'm playing some other game or work, I use HHKB.

That being said, both boards are fine and I switch just because I have a choice and wouldn't whine if I didn't.

[kohi]

I used to switch off between 2 boards, but now that I don't game as much I just use my HHKB as my primary driver
oh yeah, and the hhkb layout might be a little weird at first - well it was for me, anyways haha

[Fragil1ty]

I used to switch off between 2 boards, but now that I don't game as much I just use my HHKB as my primary driver
oh yeah, and the hhkb layout might be a little weird at first - well it was for me, anyways haha

I already use caps lock as control, so that's not a huge detriment to me, I love having it there in place of caps lock, it's just so much easier, ease of use is a primary focus for me.


I think the only thing that I'm going to have getting trouble used too is the alt + f1 keys, that's going to be an annoyance if I do end up going through with the purchase and what not.

[TheO-RingGuys]

What exactly is the difference between the Topre keys and Cherry MX keys?

[Kmynis]

What exactly is the difference between the Topre keys and Cherry MX keys?

MX family is quite diverse in weights, tactility and audible feedback so it's hard to compare it all to Topre, but let me try.
At least for me, the biggest difference position of the actuation/tactile point and the switches behavior after it.

MX has the actuation point close to the middle and retains or increases the resistance after that point. This makes it possible to not bottom out if the switch has the tactile feedback.
Topre has the actuation point at the top of the key and the resistance becomes very low after it. I don't believe anyone can type using this switch at a normal speed without bottoming out.

 

[rowdy]

If you don't mind a secondhand HHKB, you can always search eBay.  Where I got mine from, seeing as no-one sells them new in Australia either.  Apart from a bit of shine on the space bar (to which I have probably contributed), and the fact that it didn't come with the box, I have had no problems at all!

What exactly is the difference between the Topre keys and Cherry MX keys?

Welcome to Geekhack!

If you mean the switches, the above description is probably as good as any.  It is something that is kinda difficult to quantify.

If you mean the keycaps, MX has a round stem with a + hole in the middle, Topre is more like "(  )".  They are not interchangeable, but there are MX-compatible Topre sliders, both as part of a commercial keyboard (CM Novatouch) and Matt3o's fantastic efforts to [rl=http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54942.0]produce his own[/url].

[solar]

The transition is very smooth from mx to hhkb.  The only issue you may have is the control being where the caps lock key usually is.  The other issue is having the backspace key where the backslash is, and having to transition between boards or to a laptop\\\\\\ <---- like that.

I am still getting used to it, but it is by far my favorite board due to the feel and portability to work and offsite. 

[flaming_june]

Personally I'm not a fan of gaming on my hhkb. It only really becomes an issue in games like Arma where I'm frequently making use of caps lock and function keys, but generally I prefer to use a TKL, or at least the fc660c.

That being said, for everything but gaming the HHKB is my favorite keyboard. The layout is great for typing and programming.

This.

I've had to go back to other keyboards because gaming on hhkb is just impossible for some games.

[Vaii]

I just received my HHKB in the mail, loving it at the moment.
It does require some getting used to yes, but it's really worth it!

[Fragil1ty]

The transition is very smooth from mx to hhkb.  The only issue you may have is the control being where the caps lock key usually is.  The other issue is having the backspace key where the backslash is, and having to transition between boards or to a laptop\\\\\\ <---- like that.

I am still getting used to it, but it is by far my favorite board due to the feel and portability to work and offsite.

Yeah, that's good man, I'm glad that you use it as your primary driver, but I already use it the caps lock as the control so that's not going to be too bad for me, the biggest change for me is going to be the arrows/f1 keys.

Personally I'm not a fan of gaming on my hhkb. It only really becomes an issue in games like Arma where I'm frequently making use of caps lock and function keys, but generally I prefer to use a TKL, or at least the fc660c. That being said, for everything but gaming the HHKB is my favorite keyboard. The layout is great for typing and programming.

This.I've had to go back to other keyboards because gaming on hhkb is just impossible for some games.

Uh oh, that's not good. I want a full keyboard replacement, I don't want to have to switch back and forth, I mean, I play a lot of arma, but I don't use the caps lock key to talk, I've got that bound to something else, come to think of it, I don't use any of the traditional keybinds apart from y, i and scroll wheel.

I just received my HHKB in the mail, loving it at the moment.It does require some getting used to yes, but it's really worth it!

That's amazing man, I'm glad you are happy with your purchase, I cannot wait for mine, should be here by friday hopefully.