Finally tried Topre for the fist time at EK.

[lightsout714]

Just got back from Elite Keyboards store front. Tried a 55g 87u, variable 87u, HHKB, F660c, type heaven.

I was digging the topre feel. I think my favorites were the 55g 87u followed by the HHKB.

Had the opportunity to get a used variable 87u for $170. Had a really hard time not pulling the trigger but felt the 35g keys would be too light for me.

Ended walking out with what went there to get, the KUL87 w/clears.

Gotta say Brian was a really nice guy, had a great conversation with him about all things keyboards. Not sure where any of the hate I have seen him get comes from.

[Xowie]

Just got back from Elite Keyboards store front. Tried a 55g 87u, variable 87u, HHKB, F660c, type heaven.

I was digging the topre feel. I think my favorites were the 55g 87u followed by the HHKB.

Had the opportunity to get a used variable 87u for $170. Had a really hard time not pulling the trigger but felt the 35g keys would be too light for me.

Ended walking out with what went there to get, the KUL87 w/clears.

Gotta say Brian was a really nice guy, had a great conversation with him about all things keyboards. Not sure where any of the hate I have seen him get comes from.

How did you feel about the variable weight and 55g boards? My current internal dilemma is trying to pick out of thes three boards: 87u variable, 87u 55g, and novatouch. I go back and forth many times a day.

Also odd, I have only heard good things about Brian.

[JinDesu]

35g keys are so light that if you get a light tolerance version, resting your fingers will activate them lol

it's cool that you can go visit EK, I'm jealous

[jdcarpe]

You made the right choice. Topre are actually quite nice, once you learn to love them. But this KUL-87 is easily the best stock (MX) keyboard I've ever tried.

[lightsout714]

Just got back from Elite Keyboards store front. Tried a 55g 87u, variable 87u, HHKB, F660c, type heaven.

I was digging the topre feel. I think my favorites were the 55g 87u followed by the HHKB.

Had the opportunity to get a used variable 87u for $170. Had a really hard time not pulling the trigger but felt the 35g keys would be too light for me.

Ended walking out with what went there to get, the KUL87 w/clears.

Gotta say Brian was a really nice guy, had a great conversation with him about all things keyboards. Not sure where any of the hate I have seen him get comes from.

How did you feel about the variable weight and 55g boards? My current internal dilemma is trying to pick out of thes three boards: 87u variable, 87u 55g, and novatouch. I go back and forth many times a day.

Also odd, I have only heard good things about Brian.

I really liked the 55g. When they get more in stock I would like to buy one if funds permit.

You made the right choice. Topre are actually quite nice, once you learn to love them. But this KUL-87 is easily the best stock (MX) keyboard I've ever tried.

I am really liking the board myself. Feels very solid. Haven't used clears in a couple years happy to be back on them, they feel nice and snappy. Have you figured out how to turn the Esc LED off? Won't be much of a problem once I install some other caps but I'm keeping stock for a bit.

[Danule]

You made the right choice. Topre are actually quite nice, once you learn to love them. But this KUL-87 is easily the best stock (MX) keyboard I've ever tried.

How does the KUL87 compare to filco? What stabs does it use? 

[BlueBär]

How does the KUL87 compare to filco? What stabs does it use?

Cherry stabilizers. People praise it a lot so I think it is on a par with Filco.

["Edgar Allen Pho is Dead."]

You made the right choice. Topre are actually quite nice, once you learn to love them. But this KUL-87 is easily the best stock (MX) keyboard I've ever tried.

How does the KUL87 compare to filco? What stabs does it use? 

Both of them are great quality but KUL gets extra points for offering MX Clear and dib switches.

[Justintoxicated]

Not sure where all the hate comes from but It's been days and I still have no response from my email on the Topre FC660C Crtl-Shift-Esc issue. I hope I don't have to drive up there in person to get a response but I am off tomorrow and have my car back now so I guess I could if I really want to.

I was thinking about trying everything in person myself but decided the $50 in gas + time probably wasn't worth it.  Did you try the FC660C?  If so how is the stiffness compared to the 55g?  I have heard it feels like a 50g topre, but I'm thinking I might be happier with the all 45g switch board since it wouldn't have issues in windows VM's.

[lightsout714]

Not sure where all the hate comes from but It's been days and I still have no response from my email on the Topre FC660C Crtl-Shift-Esc issue. I hope I don't have to drive up there in person to get a response but I am off tomorrow and have my car back now so I guess I could if I really want to.

I was thinking about trying everything in person myself but decided the $50 in gas + time probably wasn't worth it.  Did you try the FC660C?  If so how is the stiffness compared to the 55g?  I have heard it feels like a 50g topre, but I'm thinking I might be happier with the all 45g switch board since it wouldn't have issues in windows VM's.

I didn't spend a lot of time with the 660C so I don't want to steer you in the wrong direction.  I will say that like I have read on this site different topre boards feel different, even if they are all 45g.

HHKB had its own feel.
Type heaven I probably liked the least
660C felt good to me but I can't really say where it stood weight wise.

When I can get the money together and hoping they get plenty of stock I plan to buy a 55g 87u. That was my favorite. The cool thing about going to EK is you can also score discounted boards if your into that, stuff that was returned, but looked brand new to me.

[Speakeazy]

I actually got to try the variable Topre keyboard from EK, too. It was a great keyboard, although it does take a bit to get used to the variable weighting. The Topre feel is very different from MX Switches. The actuation is very high, practically near the top. After that, the key smoothly "collapse" into the bottom with a very nice solid sound. I think the PBT keys and the overall build really lend to the premium feel of the keyboard.

That said, even with the slightly heavier feel, I think I'm more prone to making mistakes on it compared to my heavier MX Clears on my Keycool 108, which is by far my favorite Cherry switches.

That being said, the KUL 87U does feel a lot more solid than my Keycool, and I'm tempted to get the KUL 87u if I can find a separate NumPad with MX Clears to go alongside with it.

I use a Logitech M570 trackball and what I want to do is to place the trackball between the tenkeyless keyboard and the tenkey numpad

[lightsout714]

MX switches felt a bit "cheaper" after trying the Topre boards. I noticed much less key wobble on the Topres. I am happy with the feel of the clears now that I have them home. But in the store if definitely felt like I was settling for an inferior switch. That said I have my eyes on a RF now.

[dante]

I still encourage people to try the Typeheaven.  No, it's not made in Japan.  Yes, it comes with ABS keycaps and some of the plastic rattles - but my hands feel fresh after a 14 hour coding run where as the Realforce leaves me with this buzzy vibrating sensation in my joints ... not a fan.

Still loving the 660C too.  When it comes to Topre: China > Japan.

[lightsout714]

I still encourage people to try the Typeheaven.  No, it's not made in Japan.  Yes, it comes with ABS keycaps and some of the plastic rattles - but my hands feel fresh after a 14 hour coding run where as the Realforce leaves me with this buzzy vibrating sensation in my joints ... not a fan.

Still loving the 660C too.  When it comes to Topre: China > Japan.

Hmm thats interesting. I didn't give it much of a chance as it was full size. I was offered one for $100. Pretty good deal for anything Topre.

[Beca]

I still encourage people to try the Typeheaven.  No, it's not made in Japan.  Yes, it comes with ABS keycaps and some of the plastic rattles - but my hands feel fresh after a 14 hour coding run where as the Realforce leaves me with this buzzy vibrating sensation in my joints ... not a fan.

Still loving the 660C too.  When it comes to Topre: China > Japan.

Have you tried an HHKB2 yet?

Too bad the Typeheaven is full-sized

[dante]

I still encourage people to try the Typeheaven.  No, it's not made in Japan.  Yes, it comes with ABS keycaps and some of the plastic rattles - but my hands feel fresh after a 14 hour coding run where as the Realforce leaves me with this buzzy vibrating sensation in my joints ... not a fan.

Still loving the 660C too.  When it comes to Topre: China > Japan.

Have you tried an HHKB2 yet?

Too bad the Typeheaven is full-sized

I didn't give the HHKB a chance - tried one not very long at one of the keyboard gatherings in Chicago for just a few minutes.  I think I would have to borrow one for a week to see if I could live with the embedded layers.  Other than that it typed very nice.

[lightsout714]

I really liked the feel of the HHKB. Not sure I love the quirky layout though.

[rowdy]

I really liked the feel of the HHKB. Not sure I love the quirky layout though.

You can get used to it, unless you really, really need dedicated arrow and function keys.

Can't beat it for portability though

[dante]

I would love to see a youtube video of someone doing extensive text editing of a file w/ a hhkb; a camera shot of the screen as well as the keyboard at the same time.

[lightsout714]

I really liked the feel of the HHKB. Not sure I love the quirky layout though.

You can get used to it, unless you really, really need dedicated arrow and function keys.

Can't beat it for portability though

I definitely could. I noticed when I had my Poker I would get used to the layout then at a different PC with a TKL it would throw me off. I decided to just stick with TKL. Either that or go all 60% but I like having the arrow keys and nav cluster.