Realforce 87u 55g Review!

[Belfong]

Yeah agree. I use the HHKB at work, so that's like a 8-10 hours of typing. It's pleasant and my fingers do not feel sore. I haven't tried typing so long on the 55g. I'll try that some day.

[balanar]

I got a 55g realforce in the mail today and initial impressions after typing on it are.....underwhelming to be honest. I expected it to be more orgasmic on the fingers after hearing so much about it. 55g feels lighter than I imagined. I've been using Cherry MX Blues for the past several months. A couple of Topre convert friends have told me to give it some time so that's what I'm going to do.

Yes, please use it for a few days, or a week if you can.

If, after that, you are still underwhelmed, then maybe Topre is not for you.

But many people warm to Topre so much that they cannot use anything else once they become accustomed to Topre.

Well I took the advice and I have been using it as much as I can lately. I must say that since I jumped onto Topre from MX Blues, I'd forgotten what MX Browns (EWWWWW) felt like and thought they felt alot like those horrid switches. I've since had a unexpected chance to try those due to an impromptu trip to the girlfriend's place and oh my god, Topre feels NOTHING like MX Browns (EWWWW). The tactile feedback is so much better and its actually alot stiffer than my initial impressions before I had a chance to compare. I now realise my misconceptions about the Topre being similar to MX Browns (EEWWWWW) might have clouded my judgement.

On another note, I love the stealthy look of the low contrast between the legends and keycaps but they are hard to use for a non touch typist like me in low light conditions. This is actually a bigger issue than I initially expected it to be so just a heads up for all the others out there who aren't able to type without sneaking a glance at their boards once in a while.

[rowdy]

Well I took the advice and I have been using it as much as I can lately. I must say that since I jumped onto Topre from MX Blues, I'd forgotten what MX Browns (EWWWWW) felt like and thought they felt alot like those horrid switches. I've since had a unexpected chance to try those due to an impromptu trip to the girlfriend's place and oh my god, Topre feels NOTHING like MX Browns (EWWWW). The tactile feedback is so much better and its actually alot stiffer than my initial impressions before I had a chance to compare. I now realise my misconceptions about the Topre being similar to MX Browns (EEWWWWW) might have clouded my judgement.

On another note, I love the stealthy look of the low contrast between the legends and keycaps but they are hard to use for a non touch typist like me in low light conditions. This is actually a bigger issue than I initially expected it to be so just a heads up for all the others out there who aren't able to type without sneaking a glance at their boards once in a while.

Indeed 55g Topre would be notably stiffer than whatever browns and 45g blues are.  Especially with the different force curve.

[Belfong]

I have a HHKB black on black keyboard and I typed pretty well. At times I thought I could even type without looking. Feeling extremely confidence, I bough the black white-grey caps and fitted the HHKB with that. While I could still type, I had a lot of stress because there were many times I made mistakes. The subtle stress made typing no fun and I realise I have a lot to learn. Swap it back to alphas and I am totally confident again. But blanks caps are so beautiful!

[tbc]

Well I took the advice and I have been using it as much as I can lately. I must say that since I jumped onto Topre from MX Blues, I'd forgotten what MX Browns (EWWWWW) felt like and thought they felt alot like those horrid switches. I've since had a unexpected chance to try those due to an impromptu trip to the girlfriend's place and oh my god, Topre feels NOTHING like MX Browns (EWWWW). The tactile feedback is so much better and its actually alot stiffer than my initial impressions before I had a chance to compare. I now realise my misconceptions about the Topre being similar to MX Browns (EEWWWWW) might have clouded my judgement.

On another note, I love the stealthy look of the low contrast between the legends and keycaps but they are hard to use for a non touch typist like me in low light conditions. This is actually a bigger issue than I initially expected it to be so just a heads up for all the others out there who aren't able to type without sneaking a glance at their boards once in a while.

yep.  i would say ANY topre is better than mx browns(and especially 55g).  they're not similiar to browns at all and that is a GREAT thing.

[atlas3686]

I have a HHKB black on black keyboard and I typed pretty well. At times I thought I could even type without looking. Feeling extremely confidence, I bough the black white-grey caps and fitted the HHKB with that. While I could still type, I had a lot of stress because there were many times I made mistakes. The subtle stress made typing no fun and I realise I have a lot to learn. Swap it back to alphas and I am totally confident again. But blanks caps are so beautiful!

Just got to give yourself some time on the blanks, they are a little daunting at first but it doesn't take long to get used to them and as you say they are beautiful.

[juguerre]

Hi, I just read at deskthority that RF 55g is an exclusive product of Elite Keyboards...
Is it true?

[rowdy]

Hi, I just read at deskthority that RF 55g is an exclusive product of Elite Keyboards...
Is it true?

An interesting thought - back when PCCG sold RealForce keyboards they only had the variable weight versions.

There could be some truth to the rumour ...

[daerid]

That would be a supporting factor in Brian's aggressiveness in protecting that relationship w/ Topre/Leopold

[Sniping]

That would be a supporting factor in Brian's aggressiveness in protecting that relationship w/ Topre/Leopold

lol omg that gb last year though

[Belfong]

I am curious, is there a RF 10th AE that is 55g? I saw it on sale from a guy in VN but it was really old. Did this come from EK as well? It seemed to be on sale in Leopold Korea website but that is a variable version, not 55g.

[Rafen]

yep.  i would say ANY topre is better than mx browns(and especially 55g).  they're not similiar to browns at all and that is a GREAT thing.

Just coming from browns to Topre I can attest to this statement. I will not be going back to Cherry MX.

[nobee]

yep.  i would say ANY topre is better than mx browns(and especially 55g).  they're not similiar to browns at all and that is a GREAT thing.

Just coming from browns to Topre I can attest to this statement. I will not be going back to Cherry MX.

I went from MX Blues to Topre, and I immediately fell in love with it. I didn't need a few weeks to get used to it like for some people.

Having said that, I just replaced my Das with blues with a Filco Majestouch 2 with mx browns, and I absolutely love it!!! The typing experience is still better on Topre, that's why I have them at work. But for gaming, the browns feels so good on the Filco!

[juguerre]

I'm using at this moment clears (at home) and RG variable  topre (at work) and is true, topre grows in you. Now I'm considering buying RF 55g...  I read lots of comments saying that 45g topre feel different on RF board than on HHKB or than on Leopold  fc660c.  Any one could said if that difference is that big?
I'm just looking for an snappier topre...  Is RF 55g the best option?
Thanks!

[atlas3686]

I'm using at this moment clears (at home) and RG variable  topre (at work) and is true, topre grows in you. Now I'm considering buying RF 55g...  I read lots of comments saying that 45g topre feel different on RF board than on HHKB or than on Leopold  fc660c.  Any one could said if that difference is that big?
I'm just looking for an snappier topre...  Is RF 55g the best option?
Thanks!

Yes 55g is a snappier topre switch, I far prefer it.

[gh_pp]

not sure if it's of any interest, but the hell's shop in hong kong is selling realforce 55g silent edition for $350 usd.

i think it's the 10th edition color

[Belfong]

From the side printing it says 30g, 45g and 55g. So it's not uniform 55g. Very likely 10AE. Can they open the box to show the keyboard?

[atlas3686]

not sure if it's of any interest, but the hell's shop in hong kong is selling realforce 55g silent edition for $350 usd.

i think it's the 10th edition color

Show Image

Damn, I just want those 10th AE keycaps but not worth it for $350 :(

[noisyturtle]

I wanna see someone write the scathing 104-UG review that I'm too lazy to bother with

[Smasher816]

Indeed 55g Topre would be notably stiffer than whatever browns and 45g blues are.  Especially with the different force curve.

Are there an pictures of the Topre force curves? I have not seen them.

I am really curious why 45g browns feel too light for me but 45g topre feels fine. I now use a HHKB at home and clears at work and have no issue switching between the two. They both seem to have about the weight that I like

[EvillePanda]

Are the Realforce keyboards programmable?  Or are you stuck with Qwerty?

[rowdy]

Indeed 55g Topre would be notably stiffer than whatever browns and 45g blues are.  Especially with the different force curve.

Are there an pictures of the Topre force curves? I have not seen them.

I am really curious why 45g browns feel too light for me but 45g topre feels fine. I now use a HHKB at home and clears at work and have no issue switching between the two. They both seem to have about the weight that I like

There's one about 1/3 the way down this page: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/why-not-t7889.html

[Smasher816]

Indeed 55g Topre would be notably stiffer than whatever browns and 45g blues are.  Especially with the different force curve.

Are there an pictures of the Topre force curves? I have not seen them.

I am really curious why 45g browns feel too light for me but 45g topre feels fine. I now use a HHKB at home and clears at work and have no issue switching between the two. They both seem to have about the weight that I like

There's one about 1/3 the way down this page: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/why-not-t7889.html

Thanks. Anyone know their Kanji and can tell the difference between the two 45g lines? It would also be cool to have one that also shows 55g.

It does do a good job at showing the smooth nature of the topre switch

[kaiserreich]

Its already saying there. Operating and release.

[Smasher816]

Its already saying there. Operating and release.

Ohh, I am stupid. I thought they were just pointing to that vertical spot on the graph.