First Topre

[saint_james]

I just jumped in the sea of Topre, feet first.  Ordered an RF 87U 55G white this morning.  It was love at first type when I tried it at EK a few weeks ago... the desire for Topre has been nagging at me and today it finally took over.  #wallethacked

[exitfire401]

I just jumped in the sea of Topre, feet first.  Ordered an RF 87U 55G white this morning.  It was love at first type when I tried it at EK a few weeks ago... the desire for Topre has been nagging at me and today it finally took over.  #wallethacked

Congrats! My personal Favorite RF and second favorite topre board overall. Nice purchase.

[saint_james]

I just jumped in the sea of Topre, feet first.  Ordered an RF 87U 55G white this morning.  It was love at first type when I tried it at EK a few weeks ago... the desire for Topre has been nagging at me and today it finally took over.  #wallethacked

Congrats! My personal Favorite RF and second favorite topre board overall. Nice purchase.

Exitfire, am I right in assuming (from your sig) that your personal favorite is the HHKB?  I already feel the pull of HHKB beckoning... must fight it...

[exitfire401]

Almost correct, 55g hhkb is by far my favorite. So snappy and i love the layout.

[Puddsy]

Nice!

55g seems to be the favorite choice as far as realforce goes. Personally, I like 45g better, but they're both pretty great.

[epzy]

I just jumped in the sea of Topre, feet first.  Ordered an RF 87U 55G white this morning.  It was love at first type when I tried it at EK a few weeks ago... the desire for Topre has been nagging at me and today it finally took over.  #wallethacked

Congrats! My personal Favorite RF and second favorite topre board overall. Nice purchase.

Exitfire, am I right in assuming (from your sig) that your personal favorite is the HHKB?  I already feel the pull of HHKB beckoning... must fight it...

dont fight it, just buy it, na mean

[Sent]

It's pretty useless to fight the pulls here.  You'll succumb eventually.  Nice pick up.

[pr0ximity]

Just got my first myself, a white 55g 87U as well  excellent choice!

[rowdy]

Welcome to the light side

[Tiramisuu]

It's probably a lot cheaper to start w/ the hhkb.   It saves a lot of intermediate steps.

[demik]

you just saved yourself a ton of money.

55g RF topre is best topre, hands down.

[Belfong]

you just saved yourself a ton of money.

55g RF topre is best topre, hands down.

Gotta agree with demik here. After I moved to Topre, I sold off my MX, except one. If I knew about Topre earlier, I'd have saved tons of money and time/trouble!!

[Polymer]

Nice!

55g seems to be the favorite choice as far as realforce goes. Personally, I like 45g better, but they're both pretty great.

It isn't...just the people using it are a bit more vocal about it.  It is a niche play...That doesn't mean it is any better or any worse..it is just less common.

For those that want slightly heavier switches, it is a great option...If you're used to something like MX browns, 45g will be closer to what you're used to..

[Fragil1ty]

I just jumped in the sea of Topre, feet first.  Ordered an RF 87U 55G white this morning.  It was love at first type when I tried it at EK a few weeks ago... the desire for Topre has been nagging at me and today it finally took over.  #wallethacked

Awesome dude, I hope you like it. It wasn't for me really, but if you loved it at first sight/touch or whatever, then I'm sure it will be a lovely daily driver for you, for the next couple of years.

Enjoy!

[Novus]

congrats!
You won't regret it.
 

[saint_james]

Nice!

55g seems to be the favorite choice as far as realforce goes. Personally, I like 45g better, but they're both pretty great.

While I was at EK I tried the 45G also... in fact I was slightly faster with the 45G vs. the 55G in back-to-back typeracer runs, but had a few more errors with the 45G.  It was really a coin toss as for which one to choose... on a scale of 1-to-100 for feel, the 55G was 100 and the 45G was a 98 or 99.

I have this feeling that I will end up with a 45G Topre board (maybe two) sooner or later.  The RF 87u 45g and the HHKB are definitely on the list.  I also want to try a Matias Ergo Pro when they come out in December.  Too many wants, not enough time or money!

[saint_james]

Nice!

55g seems to be the favorite choice as far as realforce goes. Personally, I like 45g better, but they're both pretty great.

It isn't...just the people using it are a bit more vocal about it.  It is a niche play...That doesn't mean it is any better or any worse..it is just less common.

For those that want slightly heavier switches, it is a great option...If you're used to something like MX browns, 45g will be closer to what you're used to..

I think you are correct in regards to people and their individual preferences, and that "better" or "worse" will vary according to those varied perceptions.

I tried browns and reds, neither suited me... way too light and not tactile enough for my tastes.  My other MX boards are blues and they are also a bit light for my tastes.  I guess I prefer heavier switches. I am a slow and deliberate typist, 60-70 wpm but trying to improve.

My son prefers MX reds and blues, and also liked the 45g Topre more than the 55g.  His taste runs toward lighter switches.  He also types 100 WPM routinely and effortlessly.

[rowdy]

I think you are correct in regards to people and their individual preferences, and that "better" or "worse" will vary according to those varied perceptions.

I tried browns and reds, neither suited me... way too light and not tactile enough for my tastes.  My other MX boards are blues and they are also a bit light for my tastes.  I guess I prefer heavier switches. I am a slow and deliberate typist, 60-70 wpm but trying to improve.

My son prefers MX reds and blues, and also liked the 45g Topre more than the 55g.  His taste runs toward lighter switches.  He also types 100 WPM routinely and effortlessly.

If you find MX blues a bit light, 45g Topre will probably also feel a bit light, although the force curve is different.

[saturnotaku]

I think you are correct in regards to people and their individual preferences, and that "better" or "worse" will vary according to those varied perceptions.

I tried browns and reds, neither suited me... way too light and not tactile enough for my tastes.  My other MX boards are blues and they are also a bit light for my tastes.  I guess I prefer heavier switches. I am a slow and deliberate typist, 60-70 wpm but trying to improve.

My son prefers MX reds and blues, and also liked the 45g Topre more than the 55g.  His taste runs toward lighter switches.  He also types 100 WPM routinely and effortlessly.

Though the comparison is largely apples and oranges, if you don't like MX Red or Brown, chances are you're not going to like 45g Topre, so I'd say you made a very good choice going with 55g. You're not the first person I've seen say that they like the heavier switches for more deliberate typing. It's too bad this particular dome weight is not offered on the HHKB or Novatouch as such a configuration would probably sell reasonably well. They could at least try a limited-edition run of 55g HHKBs to test the market. If it goes well, change the case color and/or keycaps for mass production.

Personally, I prefer the lighter Topre switches - 45g uniform for home use, which includes gaming and variable weight (30-45g) for work. I tend to hit the keys pretty hard, which is why MX Black and Clear switches tire out my fingers. No such issues on the lighter Topre. As an added bonus, I can type as firmly as I want and not annoy my co-workers, and more importantly, my wife. Win-win.

Hope you enjoy your new purchase.

[saint_james]

Thanks folks.  I received the 87u 55g today!  It feels just as awesome as I remembered from my test drive at EK. I have achieved "oneness with cup rubber!"

[rowdy]

Thanks folks.  I received the 87u 55g today!  It feels just as awesome as I remembered from my test drive at EK. I have achieved "oneness with cup rubber!"

Congratulations!

[paicrai]

k

[saint_james]

you just saved yourself a ton of money.

55g RF topre is best topre, hands down.

demik,
I think you are right. I am typing on the 55g topre switches now, and used it today at work... I don't think there is anything more I could need from a keyboard than this... except for maybe the portability and efficient format of a HHKB.  Thinking about selling my one-month old WASD to help fund one.  RF and HHKB could be my endgame keyboards.  Not really interested in any more MX cherry boards after this...

ETA:

It's probably a lot cheaper to start w/ the hhkb.   It saves a lot of intermediate steps.

This may be true.  That HHKB is awfully tempting.

[skuko]

hmm....i'm on the fence myself, right now i use MX reds at home (mostly gaming) and mx blacks at work. i like tactile switches though, but browns feel "scratchy" or "dirty" and blues are just too loud to use at work or at home (you know, people on teamspeak complaining, etc).

i want to try a topre, but in EU it's a really expensive thing to do. i know i would want a uniform board and a TKL, but keyboardco only has a 55g 87U. i fear that this will be significantly heavier than a MX red. if it's similar to MX blue, it would be ok (i know they both have the same spring), but if it's as heavy as MX black, that would be too much (at home where i game for 5+ hours, i started to have cramps in my fingers on mx blacks)

any suggestions? wait for novatouch in EU (i hear it's uniform 45g) or bite the bullet and get a 55g 87U RF?

[rowdy]

k

Potassium?

[wes1099]

I really want a TKL topre board, but they are so damn expensive...

[ynrozturk]

Everyone is probably going to rip on me for this but I just find the RF boards to be... ugly.

[Firebolt1914]

I find them ugly as well, but I'm about to get one

[Hypersphere]

Good choice!

After trying dozens of keyboards, my all-around favorite is the RF 87ub 55g, mainly for the sound and feel of the switches. My two other favorites are the IBM Model F XT, again for the sound and feel of the switches, and the HHKB Pro 2 for the form factor and layout. In addition, each of these has beautiful dye-sub PBT keycaps.

On my black RF, I have installed blue keycaps with black legends for the alpha, number, and arrow keys; the rest are black. On the RF, I also replaced the Windows bubble keys with black Opt/Alt keys from a black HHKB Pro 2.

I like the HHKB layout so much that I have remapped the RF to the HHKB/Mac configuation using Karabiner software for the Mac.

[saint_james]

Good choice!

After trying dozens of keyboards, my all-around favorite is the RF 87ub 55g, mainly for the sound and feel of the switches. My two other favorites are the IBM Model F XT, again for the sound and feel of the switches, and the HHKB Pro 2 for the form factor and layout. In addition, each of these has beautiful dye-sub PBT keycaps.

On my black RF, I have installed blue keycaps with black legends for the alpha, number, and arrow keys; the rest are black. On the RF, I also replaced the Windows bubble keys with black Opt/Alt keys from a black HHKB Pro 2.

I like the HHKB layout so much that I have remapped the RF to the HHKB/Mac configuation using Karabiner software for the Mac.

Hypersphere,

Thanks for the input.  I found a picture of a blue-capped 87u here on GH (might be yours, not sure) and it looks absolutely amazing.  I wish the HHKB was available from the factory with 55g domes...  Nevertheless, I will try to pick up a regular HHKB and am considering an attempt to install 55g domes cannibalized from an RF 87u.  I think some other folks have done this.

Do you think it is worth it to spring the extra $100 for the Type-S HHKB?

[frosty]

Wait, you get to try keyboards out at EK's storefront?
:O

[saint_james]

Wait, you get to try keyboards out at EK's storefront?
:O

Yes, I called the phone number for EK that I found on the Interwebs and made an appointment for a visit... he (Brian) was really accommodating and let me try all the display keyboards.  Well worth the three hour drive down to see the shop!

[saint_james]

any suggestions? wait for novatouch in EU (i hear it's uniform 45g) or bite the bullet and get a 55g 87U RF?

I don't think you can go wrong either way.  I liked the 45g weight just fine, but I liked the 55g a little bit more.  Personally, I'd bite the bullet and get the RF 87u 55g.  I personally do not find the 55g switches in the least bit heavy or fatiguing. 

[Hypersphere]

To me, the Novatouch felt lighter than other 45g Topre boards, including the RF EK edition, Leopold FC660C, and HHKB Pro 2.

I have both, a 45g RF and a 55g RF. These are both excellent, but the 55g feels and sounds slightly better to me. I am now using the 55g RF at home and my 45g HHKB at work. I plan eventually to install 55g domes in the HHKB.

[rowdy]

To me, the Novatouch felt lighter than other 45g Topre boards, including the RF EK edition, Leopold FC660C, and HHKB Pro 2.

I have both, a 45g RF and a 55g RF. These are both excellent, but the 55g feels and sounds slightly better to me. I am now using the 55g RF at home and my 45g HHKB at work. I plan eventually to install 55g domes in the HHKB.

Lighter is not good for me.  I find the HHKB a bit too light.  When I get typing, I don't notice it much, but it is too easy to accidentally press a key whilst resting my fingers on the keyboard.

[saint_james]

Hmmm... all this discussion is now making me think about the next Topre acquisition. 

The HHKB is obviously on the list, but I really would like to have a numpad at work... and the 23u would be just the thing...
or maybe I should try to find a 104 key Topre (the 104UB-DK appears to be 45g uniform, and was on massdrop a while back)...

 

[oscillik]

I do not regret buying an 87UB55 for the 55g domes to transplant into my HHKB.

best feels ever.