Uniform 45-gram Topre or "Ergonomically weighted" Topre?

[zpcomstock17]

I would go for the 45g weighted Topre by nature, but the ergonomically weighted Topre keyboards sounds more exciting.
I don't want to throw cash for a Ergo Topre to find out that it feels unnatural or has no ergonomic use at all. Also the information on the ergonomic switches seem very vauge, the most useful information I found online that the function row of the keyboard is 55g (Esc to Pause Break) and the Letters are weighted 30-45g and numpad and rest are usually 45g only. There's a weight chart that's unclear too, does it step up 30g to 35g to 40g to 45g? or the outer letters are 30 grams and the inner letter 45 grams? Nothing seems to answer my concerns except buying the board and hopefully liking it.

[Polymer]

I think the only 55g key is the esc key..

It goes from 30-35g on the pinky keys to around 40g on the ring finger keys to 45g ...Modifiers are 45g...don't know about numberpad because full sucks .  These are all just estimates based on using them...I think there is some sort of layout that shows this as well but the point is, it goes from easy to hard gradually. 

It sucks for gaming IMO...but for typing its great...the biggest difference is on your pinky keys though..that's at least where I feel it when I switch to a non variable topre...For work or other things it just makes it easier on your hands.

I would also say you need to use "proper" form when typing if you plan on using it..if you hen peck or use your own form of typing, the variable keys will probably feel terrible and feel like something is wrong...but when you're using all of your fingers.

The only other part that takes a bit of getting used to is that if you rest your fingers on the keys, the light keys may activate...had a lot of aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa when I first got a variable. 

I think most people on here dislike the variable but for work I think it is fantastic..

[1391406]

I use a silent 104U and I'm not a touch typist. It doesn't feel weird at all to me. In fact, I don't notice the variable weighting when I'm typing. The difference in weighting is extremely subtle and I doubt most people would notice unless they were really paying attention. I certainly don't. Also, I use this board for gaming exclusively and it's awesome.

[zpcomstock17]

I think the only 55g key is the esc key..

It goes from 30-35g on the pinky keys to around 40g on the ring finger keys to 45g ...Modifiers are 45g...don't know about numberpad because full sucks .  These are all just estimates based on using them...I think there is some sort of layout that shows this as well but the point is, it goes from easy to hard gradually. 

It sucks for gaming IMO...but for typing its great...the biggest difference is on your pinky keys though..that's at least where I feel it when I switch to a non variable topre...For work or other things it just makes it easier on your hands.

I would also say you need to use "proper" form when typing if you plan on using it..if you hen peck or use your own form of typing, the variable keys will probably feel terrible and feel like something is wrong...but when you're using all of your fingers.

The only other part that takes a bit of getting used to is that if you rest your fingers on the keys, the light keys may activate...had a lot of aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa when I first got a variable. 

I think most people on here dislike the variable but for work I think it is fantastic..

Sounds like a gamble. When you explained the weight of the switches according to finger, the ergonomic design is starting to make sense. Topre variables must be the true "Type-Heaven" to type on.
My typing style is not the perfect touch-type style that has both fingers secured on the home keys and chattering away with little wrist movement. That's going to be a huge learning curve when starting to use the keyboard.
My best bet is a uniform 45g topre to make me happy, ergonomic seems like a hassle that's not worth trading off time and gaming comfortability off for.

I use a silent 104U and I'm not a touch typist. It doesn't feel weird at all to me. In fact, I don't notice the variable weighting when I'm typing. The difference in weighting is extremely subtle and I doubt most people would notice unless they were really paying attention. I certainly don't. Also, I use this board for gaming exclusively and it's awesome.

Oh... well this is really contradicting what I'm thinking right now.
It has to be at least somewhat noticeable, it's not a jump from 30 to 55g but it's still different weighted switches and must feel different somewhat.

[1391406]

Oh... well this is really contradicting what I'm thinking right now.
It has to be at least somewhat noticeable, it's not a jump from 30 to 55g but it's still different weighted switches and must feel different somewhat.

I thought the same thing before I bought one. In fact, I'd planned on swapping the 45g domes in a Type Heaven into the 104U because I didn't like the idea of variable weighting, and combined with reviews I'd read, I was convinced there would be a noticeable difference. I even spent $149 on a Topre Type Heaven specifically for that purpose. The reality belied my initial apprehension and I ended up so pleasantly surprised at how the 104U actually felt that I decided not to swap the domes after all and kept the 104U as is; something I definitely wouldn't have done if the differences were even slightly noticeable when typing.

[zpcomstock17]

Oh... well this is really contradicting what I'm thinking right now.
It has to be at least somewhat noticeable, it's not a jump from 30 to 55g but it's still different weighted switches and must feel different somewhat.

I thought the same thing before I bought one. In fact, I'd planned on swapping the 45g domes in a Type Heaven into the 104U because I didn't like the idea of variable weighting, and combined with reviews I'd read, I was convinced there would be a noticeable difference. I even spent $149 on a Topre Type Heaven specifically for that purpose. The reality belied my initial apprehension and I ended up so pleasantly surprised at how the 104U actually felt that I decided not to swap the domes after all and kept the 104U as is; something I definitely wouldn't have done if the differences were even slightly noticeable when typing.

How's the Type Heaven working out for you? I heard it's not the full Topre experience because of the build quality of it from keyboard gurus advising against buying it.

And also do you type with your pinkie fingers? I absolutely do not hit *any* of the letters with my pinkie finger and instead use it to pummel all of the large keys (backspace, enter, shift, caps lock, tab, etc) except space.

[1391406]

How's the Type Heaven working out for you? I heard it's not the full Topre experience because of the build quality of it from keyboard gurus advising against buying it.

I let a family member use it because I prefer the 104U by comparison. The ABS caps of the Type Heaven resulted in a clacking that the standard Realforce doesn't have. Further, the surface of the PBT caps on the Realforce are smooth, unlike the Type Heaven's, which feel a bit gritty. The Type Heaven's build quality is pretty solid, but the standard Realforce just offers a more refined experience overall, in my opinion.

And also do you type with your pinkie fingers? I absolutely do not hit *any* of the letters with my pinkie finger and instead use it to pummel all of the large keys (backspace, enter, shift, caps lock, tab, etc) except space.

Like you, I use my pinky fingers solely for modifier keys (eg. CTRL, ALT, SHIFT) and my thumbs for the space bar.

[need]

It seems like there are 3 different ones for the variable weighted model, as I've seen 3 different weight charts when I googled it.

[1391406]

It seems like there are 3 different ones for the variable weighted model, as I've seen 3 different weight charts when I googled it.

The variable weighting is the same. They're just not unified in how it's represented.

[need]

It seems like there are 3 different ones for the variable weighted model, as I've seen 3 different weight charts when I googled it.

The variable weighting is the same. They're just not unified on how it's represented.

Yeah you are right, here are the charts that confused me (first one seems pretty weird) :

[zpcomstock17]

It seems like there are 3 different ones for the variable weighted model, as I've seen 3 different weight charts when I googled it.

The variable weighting is the same. They're just not unified on how it's represented.

Yeah you are right, here are the charts that confused me (first one seems pretty weird) :

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

What is with that first one? Function keys heavier than a space bar? 55g Pause-break key? Looks like a Realforce keyboard designed for infants.

The second one is the most clear to me, the legend is well represented in the image unlike in the 3rd image. The legend in the 3rd image also doesn't reveal what the blue fade to white means, 30to35to40to45g? 30to35to45g? 30to40to45g?

[czarek]

Also remember Topre allows +- 15g variations in their keyboards so you might have some 30G and 60G keys in your uniform 45G keyboard and they still say it's fine.
Weght and tactility also changes in time slightly to make it even more organic.