Looking To Buy A Realforce But I Need Some Questions Answered.

[JC_III]

Ok I've been looking at the Realforce 87U model. I bought a Choc Mini with browns and a Poker with reds to test the feel of the switches. They both feel pretty good actually. I'm just looking for an overall comfy feel and build quality so that way I have one keyboard instead of 2 or 3. The 87u model actually has everything I need in a keyboard. TKL layout and a number pad integrated into it. Now on to the questions...

1. Are the Realforce Keyboards a better quality keyboard than say a Filco/Leo/Rosewill, etc.?

2. How does the Realforce feel when being typed on or which switch does it closely resemble?

3. Does the price justify the quality and the typing experience, gaming,etc?

4. Why do some people on GH have so many KB's including Topre,Cherry, and Alps switches?(I know its off topic)

Just looking for answers from people who own one or someone who has tried them and liked them/ not liked them. Cause if its anything like browns or reds I'm just going to sell the ones I have to buy a Realforce 87U.

[demik]

1) similar, but they come with dye sub pbt keycaps (besides the abs spacebar)
2) i'd say reds, but i like topre switches better.
3) that's up to you to decide. some say yes, some say no.
4) why not?

[Human]

1) similar, but they come with dye sub pbt keycaps (besides the abs spacebar)
2) i'd say reds, but i like topre switches better.
3) that's up to you to decide. some say yes, some say no.
4) why not?

I like the no. 4

[nhwhaup]

1.  I would say that the Realforce is definitely a quality built board.  The Filcos are great quality as well but generally come with ABS keycaps as mentioned above.

2.  To me the Realforce is it's own animal when it comes to feel and sound.  The weight to activate the topres is similar to the reds but that's where it ends.  I think the feel is way different.  I can type away very quickly with the reds and lightly enough not to bottom out.  However, on the topres, I bottom out all the time but it is not a bad feel and doesn't cause any fatigue.

3.  I'm not a gamer but use the topres as my daily driver at work.  If you are a little bit of a keyboard nut like most on this forum, then yes, the Realforce is worth the money.  I currently have two of the silent 87U's.  One for at work and another for at home.

4.  I am one to try out a multitude of items to find what is the absolute best for me.  And usually I can do that with a little bit of research and then settle on the best for me and get rid of the rest.  However, with the keyboards in addition to my Realforces, I have a Filco TKL with reds and a Poker with reds.  I can say the silent Realforces are my favorites but when I switch at times to the reds, I love them all over again.  So I will keep the reds for a change of pace.  I also think that the reds are the lightest key

switch out there.  

Another thought on the Realforce - I have tried the regular versions and then the silent.  I like the silent the best.  They are just so quiet and have a wonderful feel.  I can only explain the difference - it's like putting your fingers to piano keys.  Just soft like butter in feeling and sound.  My husband also likes the quiet.

I have tried a few of the Realforces - bought 4 - one full sized, one 86U (both sold) and then the two silent 87U's (keepers).

Go for the Realforce and if you are so inclined go for the silent one - there's nothing like it.

[JC_III]

Oh good answers.... Ok So what is the difference between Weighted Variables, Uniform and does the silent version means its the lightest Realforce to type on as well as being quiet?

Well I like my Poker with reds and my Choc mini with browns but I think I'm going to sell my Choc mini and save for the Realforce. I'll keep the Poker for when I travel and keep the Realforce(when I get it) at home. I also would like to try Clear switches but maybe after I get my Realforce.

[pitashen]

Oh good answers.... Ok So what is the difference between Weighted Variables, Uniform and does the silent version means its the lightest Realforce to type on as well as being quiet?

Well I like my Poker with reds and my Choc mini with browns but I think I'm going to sell my Choc mini and save for the Realforce. I'll keep the Poker for when I travel and keep the Realforce(when I get it) at home. I also would like to try Clear switches but maybe after I get my Realforce.

you own a few boards of different switches yourself and you are about to add another one. you basically answered your own question regarding to why Geek"Hoarder" own so many boards.

[JC_III]

you own a few boards of different switches yourself and you are about to add another one. you basically answered your own question regarding to why Geek"Hoarder" own so many boards.

I basically just want to own 2 boards max. One for traveling and one that will sit stationary at home. 2 KB's is not much compared to people who own maybe 5-10 KB's. I want to try the clears but if I'm satisfied with what I got no need to spend more money.

[ktkr]

Ah, justifying geekhoarding already. "X keyboards aren't anything compared to the crazy guys!" :heh:

If I had to choose a single keyboard, it would definitely be a variable or all-45g tenkeyless Realforce. But then you want to buy more Topre...

[JC_III]

Thanks nhwhaup and ktkr. But someone still hasn't told me the difference between what weighted variables and uniform means. Also what is the difference between the 86u and 87u?

[nhwhaup]

The uniform weighted keys are just that - same weight resistance to activate the key.  The variable weighted keyboards have lighter weight required for basically the keys that your pinkies type on.  A lot of geek hackers always seem to prefer the uniform weighed keys.  I think the gamers definitely like the uniform keys.  I use my keyboards for mainly typing and had no problem whatsoever with activating pinkies keys in error when holding my fingers on the keys.  This is a complaint that so many others will report.  I.e.  aaaaaaa by accident.  Hope that helps with explaining the variable vs. uniform.  There is a WIKI that actually shows exactly the differences in the keys on a variable Realforce.

The 86U has one less key than the 87U, duh, right?  I'm not sure which key is missing as I never noticed any that I'm missing going from the 86U to the 87U.  The main difference you'll find is that you can use an embedded number pad that's built into the right side of the keyboard.  I thought it would be a major improvement and I would use it on a regular basis but I really never use it and I mean never.  Someone else might definitely find it nice to have it built in, especially in you are working in spreadsheets or with numbers all the time.  The 86U also didn't come in a silent version and the 87U comes in both regular and silent.  I totally recommend the Silent - to me it's just so much better.  The weight of the keys is supposed to be the same as the variable 86U but I think in addition to the quietness, the keys feel even more like butter than the 86U.

I am totally all set with the Realforce 87U Silent and do not long for another.  However, if they ever come out with a HHKB Pro in silent with dedicated arrows keys, I might be enticed again.  But for now - I'm a happy geek hacker.

[bbbbqq]

The right windows key is the difference between 86u and 87u.

[keyboardlover]

Also the built in numpad and leds.

[RiGS]

Personally I have never had much use of the virtual numpad.

[mehkat1974]

I have been through 4 filcos in the last year to try different switches, camo etc.
Now have a realforce 86UB. It makes everything else look like a toy by comparison
1. Yes, much better
2. Bouncy with a very slight bump that you don't even notice when typing but can feel if you press the key down very slowly. The sound is what I like the best, silent on the down, low on the bottoming out and a dull click on the up. Best feeling board I have used to type on. I do miss my filco with blues though and have got another on the way.
3. I think so, but this is always going to be a personal decision relative to your financial situation.
4. Cos I like it. 150 on my first filco seemed like a lot, now it's nothing

[Reptile]

I had a Filco at home and a Filco at work.
I bought a 87u for home..
Now I HAVE to get one for work.
Does that help? :tongue:

Again as other people have mentioned its completely different than any MX board

[Surly73]

I had a 103UB 55g for a while to see what all of the Realforce hype was about.  I can say that the switch feel is like nothing I've ever felt before.  The problem was that for me PERSONALLY 55g wasn't a good match.  When "testing" the 55g Realforce switch it felt dreamy - smooth, low friction, lots of tactile pop - perfect!.  I have a Filco with MX browns as my main home keyboard and the Realforce felt so much better and more refined.  

The problem I found was that in real world typing (and I gave myself a month to adapt) I found that at the 55g force level my typing wasn't smoothly moving from key-to-key, starting to depress the next while still pressing the previous, but was more like stabbing individual keys.  That's not the case with my MX browns, ALPS or model M buckling springs - just the 55g Realforce.  It resulted in lower speed and more fingertip fatigue that I don't feel with my other board.  It's tough to analyze what your body does subconsciously and how muscle memory is formed, but that's my best analysis of what I didn't like about the 55g.  I still plan to buy a variable force 86U or 87U, preferably the silent variant, at some point when I'm in a buying mood when something well priced is up for sale.

[kaen]

Buy one, if you don't like it, return it or sell it on, you're unlikely to lose money.

[JC_III]

Op, you're thinking about this too much.

The only thing you have to ask yourself is how much money do you have to burn.

Yeah your right... I'm going to take the plunge.

Buy one, if you don't like it, return it or sell it on, you're unlikely to lose money.

That is a good point.

[jpm804]

Yeah your right... I'm going to take the plunge.

Hopefully if you decided on the 87U you got it before the new year since EK's sale ended yesterday.