HHKB Pro JP vs HHKB PRO 2

[cactux]

Hi,

I am planing to buy a HHKB JP because it has the built in arrow keys, which is a nice feature over the HHKB Pro2 . I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this model.

BTW The HHKB Pro JP  web site they said that some of the features in this model are "Array model or mark-free Japanese " and "JIS 69 key sequence", What does it mean ?.

Is this model USB 1.1 or 2.0?

[guilleguillaume]

I remember that someone here on Geekhack have the JP version. If I'm not wrong is a canadian user.

Maybe he can aswer your questions.

[hasu]

"Array model or mark-free Japanese ":
Google completely failed.
The words says "Japanese layout model without Kana legend".
Kana is Japanese alphabet. Most Japanese keyboards have Kana legend.

"JIS 69 key sequence":
JIS means Japanese Industrial Standards like ANSI, in this case a standard for Japanese keyboard layout. "sequence" should be "layout".
That means HHKB JP is JIS layout keyboard and has 69 keys.

[LaPoune]

I have a JP and like Hasu said I think the "sequence" part refers to the layout. This means that you have to set it to JIS in windows if you want the legends and what you type to match. For exemple shift+9 will type ")" instead of "("  if you have your keyboard set to english in windows instead of JIS layout. I personally just use blanks and english layout with the unused keys mapped with autohotkey.

The lettered keys don't have any kana on them either (maybe that's what they mean by "mark-free japanese").

[guilleguillaume]

I remember that someone here on Geekhack have the JP version. If I'm not wrong is a canadian user.

Maybe he can aswer your questions.

I was actually wrong, the user I remember is this one:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?15666-HHKB-Professional-JP-SWE

[cactux]

I was actually wrong, the user I remember is this one:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?15666-HHKB-Professional-JP-SWE

thx man 

[cactux]

I have a JP and like Hasu said I think the "sequence" part refers to the layout. This means that you have to set it to JIS in windows if you want the legends and what you type to match. For exemple shift+9 will type ")" instead of "("  if you have your keyboard set to english in windows instead of JIS layout. I personally just use blanks and english layout with the unused keys mapped with autohotkey.

The lettered keys don't have any kana on them either (maybe that's what they mean by "mark-free japanese").

So if you setup this keyboard to english
* it will work okay right?
* How many keys will not mapped?
* have tried a hhkb pro2 any diff?
* are you happy with it?

By any chance have you tried in unix/linux?

[LaPoune]

Both of mine work perfectly in when setup in english (my black one I can't see the wrong legends and my white I just put blanks on it).

You have several extra keys at the bottom of the keyboard that you can map to your liking. Some round symbols, kana keys etc...

I also have a white hhkb2 and other than the layout they are the same. The JP also does not have the usb hub.

Never tried them in linux...I don't expect them to work any differently though keyboard codes are pretty universal...

Edit: As ripster mentioned the spacebar is a good deal smaller. I personally hit spacebar right below the N on a standard spacebar and the JP one suits me just fine. I hit the edge of the key and it doesn't bother me at all...

[redpill]

Anyone ordered from this place before?

http://www.geekstuff4u.com/computers/peripherals/keyboard-mouse/happy-hacking-keyboard-pro-2-japanese.html

[domin8r]

Somebody needs to do a JIS layout wiki.  I'm never going to get around to it.

Think of it as a regular keyboard with oddly labeled number row keys, toss in a few extra keys for the lulz, and a very small spacebar.  Otherwise it behaves just like any other keyboard.

Wow! That is indeed a tiny spacebar!

Design is amazing though, love how it looks!

[eMps]

I have the JP one as well, and I'm really happy with it. I rest my right thumb on the first button to the right of the space bar, so I rebound that to shift. I also like having the dedicated arrow keys. The only thing that's slightly annoying is the backspace key; the one-key size of it makes it feel like I'm pressing any other button, which just feels wrong.