Does the new HHKB Pro Hybrid have a lighter key weight?

[phototristan]

I just got a new wireless HHKB Pro Hybrid (non Type-S) and the keys feel lighter than my normal original wired HHKB Pro 2. Am I just imagining this? I know the chassis is stronger  in the new one (less flex, better feet, etc), so perhaps that's a contributing factor to the slightly different keystroke feel?
Also, surprisingly, the sound in the new one is quieter as well, almost seems like a Type-S.
Thoughts?
 

[Sup]

The thing is why it feels lighter is because the domes in your Pro 2 aged. With aging the dome gets more stiff/tactile that gives you the feeling that the Pro 2 has heavier domes then the new HHKB hybrid.

Edit: I got a HHKB Pro 1 from 2003-05 the domes are way heavier then 45G more like 55G Realforce domes. After 17ish years this is what happens 

[phototristan]

The thing is why it feels lighter is because the domes in your Pro 2 aged. With aging the dome gets more stiff/tactile that gives you the feeling that the Pro 2 has heavier domes then the new HHKB hybrid.

Edit: I got a HHKB Pro 1 from 2003-05 the domes are way heavier then 45G more like 55G Realforce domes. After 17ish years this is what happens 

Thanks, makes sense.

[Polymer]

I just got a new wireless HHKB Pro Hybrid (non Type-S) and the keys feel lighter than my normal original wired HHKB Pro 2. Am I just imagining this? I know the chassis is stronger  in the new one (less flex, better feet, etc), so perhaps that's a contributing factor to the slightly different keystroke feel?
Also, surprisingly, the sound in the new one is quieter as well, almost seems like a Type-S.
Thoughts?
 

How does it sound?  Doesn't seem as low pitched/organic as the original HHKB2....I haven't seen it in person but so far it seems like the standard Hybrid sounds meh...the Type S sounds alright though...

[phototristan]

I just got a new wireless HHKB Pro Hybrid (non Type-S) and the keys feel lighter than my normal original wired HHKB Pro 2. Am I just imagining this? I know the chassis is stronger  in the new one (less flex, better feet, etc), so perhaps that's a contributing factor to the slightly different keystroke feel?
Also, surprisingly, the sound in the new one is quieter as well, almost seems like a Type-S.
Thoughts?
 

How does it sound?  Doesn't seem as low pitched/organic as the original HHKB2....I haven't seen it in person but so far it seems like the standard Hybrid sounds meh...the Type S sounds alright though...

Coming from an original wired Type-S, it's slightly louder, no complaints about the sound. I'd like to try the new Hybrid Type-S too though.

[DWawa]

I have had the same experience coming from a Pro 2 of maybe eight years' use. I've recently tried two new HHKB's, a new Pro 2 and a Hybrid, and both had the same lighter key feel than the old board. (Slightly off topic: I found myself disliking the battery hump a lot more than I thought I would.)

[phototristan]

I found myself disliking the battery hump a lot more than I thought I would.

I've certainly heard that before. It does detract from the overall top down look of the board for sure although you do get used to it.

[Sorry]

So I felt the same way but I was not comparing to an older hhkb. I ordered a Professional Classic as well as the HYBRID, and the HYBRID has insanely lighter keys. The Classic is great and very tactile, while the HYBRID is just not. I am trying to contact Fujitsu support about the problem.

[phototristan]

So I felt the same way but I was not comparing to an older hhkb. I ordered a Professional Classic as well as the HYBRID, and the HYBRID has insanely lighter keys. The Classic is great and very tactile, while the HYBRID is just not. I am trying to contact Fujitsu support about the problem.

Very interesting. So the same line, released around the same time, has totally different feels? And one isn't a Type-S or anything?

[Sorry]

So I felt the same way but I was not comparing to an older hhkb. I ordered a Professional Classic as well as the HYBRID, and the HYBRID has insanely lighter keys. The Classic is great and very tactile, while the HYBRID is just not. I am trying to contact Fujitsu support about the problem.

Very interesting. So the same line, released around the same time, has totally different feels? And one isn't a Type-S or anything?

Correct. Support actually got back to me and told me the HYBRID's are built slightly different than the Classics. Regardless of Type-S or not. Their response is below.

"Hybrid and it has the same feel as the Type-s. The keys feel softer than the classic. They still have the same weight but they just feel softer and less noisy."

So now that I know its not an issue with the board itself, I am going to give it more of a chance. Right off the bat, I was turned off since I expected the same feel as the Classic I was using.

[phototristan]

That's pretty confusing actually

[mercer]

phototristan, I felt exactly the same way—that the new Hybrid felt much lighter than my Pro 2, but what Sup said is correct. I have two Pro 2, both  over three years old, and they're both much stiffer than the Hybrid. I think I've just gradually grown accustomed to the aging domes, and have forgotten what new domes feel like. After a week of breaking in the new Hybrid, I actually prefer the lighter action now. I can confirm that all the new Hybrids are similarly light. I bought two Hybrids and two Hybrid Type-S (don't ask), and all four are much lighter than both Pro 2.

Regarding the sound difference you mention, on mine the main difference is that the upstroke clack is much quieter, but I think over time, after the rails are broken in, the familiar clack and and rattle should appear. Place your old Pro 2 and the new Hybrid side by side, and slide your fingers across the top of the keycaps. Notice how much looser and rattly the Pro 2 caps are? (Incidentally, when I do the same with my Hybrid with Hybrid Type-S, both brand new, the Type-S caps are much more stable with much less rattle.)

BTW, Fujitsu Computer Products of America (fujitsuscannerstore.com) doesn't take returns. I found out the hard way. I only need one set (one Hybrid and one Hybrid Type-S), so if you're serious about trying the Type-S, let me know. I need to sell both of the old Pro 2 and one each of the new Hybrid and Hybrid Type-S.

[theredbaron]

Found this thread after receiving my hybrid type s. I had exactly the same experience. The first thing I notice about the hybrid is how much softer and lighter the keys are comparing with my 4-year-old pro2 type s. I guess it's both the aging of pro2 type s and different build of hybrid. I like it but I think they should clearly state the difference. It happened with pro2 vs pro2 type s before. The typing experience is so different but only the sound is marketed.

[sth]

The thing is why it feels lighter is because the domes in your Pro 2 aged. With aging the dome gets more stiff/tactile that gives you the feeling that the Pro 2 has heavier domes then the new HHKB hybrid.

Edit: I got a HHKB Pro 1 from 2003-05 the domes are way heavier then 45G more like 55G Realforce domes. After 17ish years this is what happens 

people say this, but i've never seen any real proof or investigation into this. my pro1 definitely feels heavier/more tactile than my hybrid type-s, though.

[btctopre]

in my experience, if you don't have all three mounting posts firmly screwed together on a pro1/pro2, then it totally changes the feel of the domes from stock/aged to a more mushy feeling (even on an '05 pro1). so i'm guessing because of the way the center mounting post is setup on the hybrid (appears to be hidden in the battery compartment), the case isn't held together as "firm" as the older models (note that the classic appears to have traditional mounting), resulting in the change in typing experience.

for those of you that have both a hybrid and a pro2, try unscrewing all three screws from the pro2 and then typing on it. if it types similar to how your hybrid types, then there you go.