3278 vs 3278 Mini RPQ?

[filcomanfilthy]

So I am wondering between the 3278 and 3278 Mini RPQ what the key differences are between the models.

[Myoth]

none, beamspring sux

 

EDIT : to get back on topic, I think the regular 3278 has 12 more keys on the right

[tron]

none, beamspring sux

 

EDIT : to get back on topic, I think the regular 3278 has 12 more keys on the right

@Myoth: I have to ask. What is it about beamsprings you don’t like? The model and condition play a major role in the overall usability and feel. None of the beamsprings I’ve tried feel the same, some have heavier springs and feel clunky like a Selectric and some feel lighter with rounder tactility….. All I can say is if you get a good one they are amazing to type on and very usable as a daily driver.

Regarding the 3278 RPQ. It’s a special variant of the compact 3278 with a unique case that was made in Japan (backstory from Orihalcon is that it was special ordered by Bulgarian Intelligence and sold as used equipment to the Ebay dealer). If you look closely at the typing angle it’s less steep compared to the standard 3278 while only being a hair taller (I believe the 3101 and 3277 share the same typing angle as the compact RPQ 3278 but I haven’t compared them in person). It shares design features of the 3279 color (zinc chromate hardware, zinc chromate coated springs, zinc chromate coated stems, thicker metal shell, thicker bottom pan, thicker plastic door) the standard 3278 (case shape, similar case height, metal shell construction, cap colors, flip out door) and the 3101/3277 (less steep typing angle).

A few nice perks of the RPQ include a dedicated larger horizontal key that can be programmed to enter, regular size left shift and HHKB style backspace. Since beamspring keys don’t bind when you hit them off center you can use the vertical enter key as an FN key and hit it in the same spot as a split right shift FN. If you can touch type on an HHKB it won’t take long to adapt to the layout (admittedly I had to set multiple enter and backspace keys so everything is in the same location as a standard board when touch typing). Only a few compact 3278 RPQ boards have been found to date and come with dual English/Cyrillic alpha numeric legends. I have an extra set of 3278 English alpha numeric keys I transferred over to make it a bit more usable.

Here’s my restoration gallery: https://imgur.com/gallery/D1XHKll

Since the RPQ version of the compact 3278 is so rare I would say the regular English layout compact 3278 carries the same weight in regards to best tradeoff for height, usability, typing comfort, mouse space and IMO aesthetics. I believe Orihalcon is restoring his compact 3278 RPQ and will put it up for sale soon if you’re interested. If you prefer the standard compact 3278 model in English I think he has an extra that will be listed soon. The last time I checked in he was still working on the restoration and needed to repaint the case.

Compared to the compact RPQ 3278 the full size standard 3278 has slightly shorter case height and a slightly steeper typing angle. The typing angle is just a bit steeper and I believe it’s similar to the 5251/Displaywriter typing angle but with a lower overall case height and built in wrist rest (should call it a wrist deck lol). I actually prefer the full size 3278 as a work board due to the extra keys/nav cluster that can be set up like a standard TKL nav cluster.

Regarding aesthetics, I’ve noticed most people like the compact 3278 model a bit more due to the symmetrical key layout and smaller size.

Regarding the layout. Some will argue the 5251 has a better layout. If you’re used to typing on a model F XT, work from home (or a closed office) and do a lot of data entry the 5251 layout may have an advantage. IMO most “work from home” remote jobs are primarily programming, coding, business applications and typing. With this in mind I would say the full size 3278 w/tkl nav block has the better layout for most people.

IMO the market prices are a bit out of control so when my schedule clears up I plan on making a beamspring buyers guide that includes all the questions you should ask the seller if you’re paying a large sum of money. There is nothing wrong with shelling out a lot of money for a rare board as long as the price is in line with the condition. 

[Myoth]

none, beamspring sux

 

EDIT : to get back on topic, I think the regular 3278 has 12 more keys on the right

@Myoth: I have to ask. What is it about beamsprings you don’t like? The model and condition play a major role in the overall usability and feel. None of the beamsprings I’ve tried feel the same, some have heavier springs and feel clunky like a Selectric and some feel lighter with rounder tactility….. All I can say is if you get a good one they are amazing to type on and very usable as a daily driver.

The height, the sound, the layout, the availability, the overall hype surrounding them, and the elitism it suggests. And each alone would be okay if it wasn't for all the other ones on top of eachother. Too many compromises. (the physical aspects will just concern the Displaywriter since it was the one I had, but I don't think the others are much much different, apart maybe from the 3278 which looks quite flat actually)

1) The height : just no, it's like 10cm tall, it's just not comfortable unless you have a very specific setup, which I don't have.

2) The sound : it doesn't sound as good as the F's, I find it inconsistent and just ... weird, but that's preference really.

3) The layout, I'm not one to bash layouts usually as I can adapt to pretty much anything (my love in the XT layout shows it the best), but man, beamspring layouts are on another level, enters suck, mods suck, and everything that isn't on the alpha cluster sucks, the 5251 is the most usable, but again, too many compromises...

4) The availability : you know how it goes ... one pops up on ebay, as an auction, GL if you just want to try one for cheap, and if you don't like it ... the same thing happens again ... which leads to the next point :

5) The hype surrounding them : it's just a huge circlejerk, people who buy them are either people that love vintage stuff and therefore are forced by themselves to like it, or people who hoards them (and have went through the former process already), I know so many people who have some and yet still use boards from 1981(when was that flatter keyboards rule again ?) onward, they just keep it because it has a boasting value, they might from time to time, enjoy them, but I don't know of many people who absolutely daily drive them for months or years straight ... which once again leads to the next point :

6) The elitism they suggest : do you ever just think they're the best keyboards on the world ? doesn't anyone think that ? I mean look at the audience of chyrosran22, getting a beamspring is for them like finding the grail. Which makes anyone involved in beamspring either elite or wannabe-elite. It's tiring to see people shill beamspring when they haven't tried, and even more so when they deem them "the gosh darn best keeb". For once I don't think the elitism it's oozing is coming from the people who have them, but it's from the people who want them, and deem the former "elite".

It's like those bands who have a toxic following, you might like some of their songs, but the rest of their discography, and their toxic fanbase that forces down your throat with their "bro have you listened to X ? they're so good and underrated, broooooooooooo they're so good, are you sure you don't like them ? broooooo they're literally so much better than anything else out there", you may not hate them, but you've grown tired of them.

:shrug:

[tron]

none, beamspring sux

 

EDIT : to get back on topic, I think the regular 3278 has 12 more keys on the right

@Myoth: I have to ask. What is it about beamsprings you don’t like? The model and condition play a major role in the overall usability and feel. None of the beamsprings I’ve tried feel the same, some have heavier springs and feel clunky like a Selectric and some feel lighter with rounder tactility….. All I can say is if you get a good one they are amazing to type on and very usable as a daily driver.

The height, the sound, the layout, the availability, the overall hype surrounding them, and the elitism it suggests. And each alone would be okay if it wasn't for all the other ones on top of eachother. Too many compromises. (the physical aspects will just concern the Displaywriter since it was the one I had, but I don't think the others are much much different, apart maybe from the 3278 which looks quite flat actually)

1) The height : just no, it's like 10cm tall, it's just not comfortable unless you have a very specific setup, which I don't have.

2) The sound : it doesn't sound as good as the F's, I find it inconsistent and just ... weird, but that's preference really.

3) The layout, I'm not one to bash layouts usually as I can adapt to pretty much anything (my love in the XT layout shows it the best), but man, beamspring layouts are on another level, enters suck, mods suck, and everything that isn't on the alpha cluster sucks, the 5251 is the most usable, but again, too many compromises...

4) The availability : you know how it goes ... one pops up on ebay, as an auction, GL if you just want to try one for cheap, and if you don't like it ... the same thing happens again ... which leads to the next point :

5) The hype surrounding them : it's just a huge circlejerk, people who buy them are either people that love vintage stuff and therefore are forced by themselves to like it, or people who hoards them (and have went through the former process already), I know so many people who have some and yet still use boards from 1981(when was that flatter keyboards rule again ?) onward, they just keep it because it has a boasting value, they might from time to time, enjoy them, but I don't know of many people who absolutely daily drive them for months or years straight ... which once again leads to the next point :

6) The elitism they suggest : do you ever just think they're the best keyboards on the world ? doesn't anyone think that ? I mean look at the audience of chyrosran22, getting a beamspring is for them like finding the grail. Which makes anyone involved in beamspring either elite or wannabe-elite. It's tiring to see people shill beamspring when they haven't tried, and even more so when they deem them "the gosh darn best keeb". For once I don't think the elitism it's oozing is coming from the people who have them, but it's from the people who want them, and deem the former "elite".

It's like those bands who have a toxic following, you might like some of their songs, but the rest of their discography, and their toxic fanbase that forces down your throat with their "bro have you listened to X ? they're so good and underrated, broooooooooooo they're so good, are you sure you don't like them ? broooooo they're literally so much better than anything else out there", you may not hate them, but you've grown tired of them.

:shrug:

The perception of elitism is unfortunate and IMO extends to other types of high end boards in the community such as Topre customs, Cherry customs, Unsavers, rare or one of a kind Alps switches/builds, etc. The price level for all high end boards is going up, just look at the aftermarket prices for TGR Alice ($1k-1200) and HiPro Norbaforce builds ($800-1K). I can’t imagine buying an Alice, not liking the layout in the long run and getting stuck with it when V2 or a flood of cheaper clones come out. Fortunately beamsprings are showing up at meetups more regularly now so I highly recommend trying before buying (or get a switch tester).

I agree with some of your points. I think a buyer’s guide will help people figure out if beamsprings are worth the time and investment. Personally I like to rotate my favorite boards every few weeks to keep things interesting. Even though I think beamspring technically feels the best out of all of them IMO variety is the spice of life.

[ch_123]

RPQ = Request Price Quotation in IBM's terminology. It is a generic term for custom modifications or made to order parts, as opposed to a particular model of keyboard.

[tron]

I uploaded a handful of shots from the maintenance library manual if anyone's interested.