Which is stiffer: 55g Topre or Cherry MX black?

[macguy80]

Hi,

I am trying to decide between getting:

- A Cherry G80-11900 with MX Blacks
- All-55g Topre 87U

I know there's a price difference, but I am leaving that out of the equation for now.

My thoughts:

- I know Cherry blacks aren't favored by most for typing. I'm not a gamer, but I just love the sound of a Cherry Black bottoming out.
- I already own an all 45g 87U. I love Topre, but I find the 45g's entirely too light, and my accuracy goes out the window on them.
- Either board has PBT keycaps, which I love.

It's been ages since I've typed on Cherry blacks, and I've never had the pleasure of Topre 55g, so I'd like to know which is stiffer, and any other thoughts you may have between these two.

Thanks!

[jameslr]

I think the main difference is the tactility of the switches. You'll find the 55g Topre pleasantly stiff, but not strenuous to type on if you're accustomed to rubber dome boards. Topre has a nice smooth tactile bump at the top of the stroke whereas MX black is linear with no built-in tactility.

I prefer tactile switches in general and would recommend the 55G Topre if you can afford it.

[rowdy]

There's a lot more to it than just how stiff the switches are.

There is the sound - the MX thump compared to the Topre thock.

There is replacement keycap availability - MX sets or all types are readily available, Topre - good luck finding any!

Price, as you say, is not an issue, however everything Topre is generally a lot more than the equivalent MX.

The feel of the keys - Topre and MX have a different force curve.  Topre are tactile, MX black are linear.

[eth0s]

Hmm, well MX blacks and Topre are totally different.  But, if you can find some buttery smooth vintage blacks, they are quite appealing.  And I'm a Topre loving fool, but I like the feel of the vintage blacks.

[macguy80]

Sounds like the only solution is to own both! The only question is, which to get first?

I think I'll get the Cherry first, because it's got good build quality, a compact layout, and is a switch I don't currently have anything that comes close to, and you don't find a good deal on an actual Cherry board every day.

The 55g Topre will be there later, and I can then replace the 45g Topre board.

Or is the 55g Topre board *so* superior to the 45g Topre that I'd be doing my fingers a disservice? 

I just don't know! 

[rowdy]

Sounds like the only solution is to own both! The only question is, which to get first?

I think I'll get the Cherry first, because it's got good build quality, a compact layout, and is a switch I don't currently have anything that comes close to, and you don't find a good deal on an actual Cherry board every day.

The 55g Topre will be there later, and I can then replace the 45g Topre board.

Or is the 55g Topre board *so* superior to the 45g Topre that I'd be doing my fingers a disservice? 

I just don't know! 

Getting both sounds like the best idea!

You'd probably end up with both eventually anyway

[Heezy]

You could get the Black and then compare with the 45g, and then if it's not enough, try to imagine the topre with 55g. 

Sounds like the only solution is to own both! The only question is, which to get first?

I think I'll get the Cherry first, because it's got good build quality, a compact layout, and is a switch I don't currently have anything that comes close to, and you don't find a good deal on an actual Cherry board every day.

The 55g Topre will be there later, and I can then replace the 45g Topre board.

Or is the 55g Topre board *so* superior to the 45g Topre that I'd be doing my fingers a disservice? 

I just don't know! 

[Polymer]

I find it difficult to believe 45g Topre is so light you're barely brushing them and they're creating additional mistakes..I suppose it is possible but would be really odd.  So that said, I don't think 55g Topre will solve your problem.

55g Topre WILL feel a little snappier and take more to push down so if you like Topre, that is a good way to go.

Blacks actually aren't that hard to press down..but I think a lot of people find extended sessions with them to be tiring unless you spend time getting used to it..and that is because of how much force it takes to bottom or close to bottoming out....

I actually think MX Blacks are very solid, feel very smooth and also ver stable compared to Red/Blue/Brown.  The main reason I think people aren't using them is just that relative to everything else, it just takes more energy to use and ultimately there aren't any advantages...

[aref]

I've owned both Topre 55-gram and MX Black (Filco and Leopold) keyboards. If I had to choose one, it'd be an MX Black keyboard. Topre's 55g switch is considerably heavier than their 45g switch; and I didn't care for the lack of feel in the 45g 87UB I owned. For me, the liner MX Black switch has a nicer feel than Topre's 55g, which has a barely perceptible tactile bump; and if you're a WPM is high, you won't notice the tactile bump when up to speed.

Both key switches are tiring over lengthy typing sessions; but the feel of MX Black switches have, for me, a nicer feel to when compared to Topre 55g switches. The opinions of others may differ from mine; but after owning, selling, and re-buying the keyboards, I'm going back to MX Black switches. After owning almost all the MX and 45g/55g Topre switches, I have preference for the smooth 'slide' of linear key-switches.

[macguy80]

I'm leaning towards the Cherry blacks at the moment. The 55g Topre will still be there when finances allow.

I do still want to try the 55g. One review that I saw on Youtube stated that they reminded the reviewer of his beloved Model M. I gotta at least check it out, and being a Topre, I doubt I'll love it less than my 45g.

[Puddsy]

55g Topre feels nothing like a model m

But I do like both of those things

[macguy80]

Good to know. But the 55g Topre will still be on my to-do list.

I can't help but think I'll be likely to type more accurately on it than my 45g. The heavier switch, I think, will counteract the spasticity in my fingers. I think this is why I type so much better on my QuietPro than the 45g Topre.

I haven't had a chance to try mx browns or reds to confirm or disprove my theory that lighter switches impact my accuracy. Few shops around here stock them, and the ones I have found seem to have an aversion toward putting out display models or unboxing one for a quick test, even if doing so could result in a sale.

[aref]

55g Topre switches feel nothing like IBM Buckling Spring switches.

[rowdy]

55g Topre switches feel nothing like IBM Buckling Spring switches.

That's the joy of having several different keyboards - you can enjoy the feeling or more than one switch type

[PointyFox]

Get one with vintage blacks and one with Topre 55g.

[macguy80]

That's the joy of having several different keyboards - you can enjoy the feeling or more than one switch type

True! Cherry G80-11900LUMEU-2 on the way. Not vintage blacks, but blacks nonetheless, and no PS/2-to-USB adapter needed, as I suspect would probably be the case if I *did* get vintage blacks.

In truth, I wish it were a G80-1800, but beggars can't be choosers. Just glad to have an actual Cherry-brand board on the way. I'd also have gone for white, if I had a choice.

Next on the list, replace my 45g 87U with 55g 87U...