Considering to buy 3rd Topre keyboard...

[NickPham]

Hello,

I'm have been using FC660C (45g) and FC980C (45g) for awhile now and the type feeling is pretty good. But they are Topre standard (black switch). An e-commercial page in Vietnam is selling some Topre keyboards with discounts from 5-15%. There are many models so I don't know which one to buy, I think I would skip Variable one. I have few questions before buying a 3rd Topre keyboard.

-Do you think Topre stock silent is good enough?
-Will APC helpful? Would I need that function?
-Does 55g keyboards too loud for office?
-I'm still considering between TKL and Fullsize. Which would you prefer?
-Does Realforce R2 regular or APC version have PBT spacebar?

Here's the image of the deal that I mentioned above: https://imgur.com/a/VEcZS35

[Sup]

Topre stock is normal. No need to get a silent version for in the office. If you need the numpad get a fullsize otherwise TKL.

[Polymer]

Hello,

I'm have been using FC660C (45g) and FC980C (45g) for awhile now and the type feeling is pretty good. But they are Topre standard (black switch). An e-commercial page in Vietnam is selling some Topre keyboards with discounts from 5-15%. There are many models so I don't know which one to buy, I think I would skip Variable one. I have few questions before buying a 3rd Topre keyboard.

-Do you think Topre stock silent is good enough?
-Will APC helpful? Would I need that function?
-Does 55g keyboards too loud for office?
-I'm still considering between TKL and Fullsize. Which would you prefer?
-Does Realforce R2 regular or APC version have PBT spacebar?

Here's the image of the deal that I mentioned above: https://imgur.com/a/VEcZS35

Topre Stock silent is great...Some people like to silence/lube themselves...I'd much rather get full travel.
APC might be useful for you..at least as far as overall feel.  But if you have other Topre and expect to use them, you'll notice a difference when you switch back and forth.
All Topre keyboards are pretty quiet..even non-silenced.  I don't think you'll see a big difference between that and the Leopold Topres you already have. 
TKL - Unless you need a numberpad...Need is you work with a lot of numbers all the time.  Need isn't, well I have to put in ip addresses. (obviously all my opinion).
R2 I think is all PBT spacebar..my limited is PBT...I assume everything else is as it doesn't make sense if not.   

[xrayos]

yes, Topre stock silent is great!

I have 2 of the Realforce keyboards. Both in TKL. The R1 is a non-silent 55g weighted board that I have in storage. The R2 is a factory silent 45g PFU with the APC function. It's very good. I would be happy with either the 45g or 55g boards. The variable and 30g, I would imagine are all too light.

Only model that I do not have is a factory 55g silent. If you can get a factory silent keyboard then by all means do so. You will be very happy. The non-silent keyboard is also ok, as long as your office environment does not require it. For certain the APC is not necessary at all.

Now, I only wish I could find PBT Topre keycaps for the Mac modifier keys. The Mac specific Realforce keyboards only come as 30g or variable weighting.

[jologskyblues]

-Do you think Topre stock silent is good enough?
-Will APC helpful? Would I need that function?
-I'm still considering between TKL and Fullsize. Which would you prefer?

-I've compared the stock Topre silent switches with the vanilla ones, and the silents are much better. They're smoother, quieter (obviously), and have a higher quality feel. I type on them better too.
-I have APC set to 3.0mm since I have a tendency to do unintended key-presses so APC has been useful in keeping the typos to a minimum
-I prefer full-size because it's faster and more convenient to use for numerical data entry and it's generally nice to have because you never know when you're going to need it.

[Riverman]

Now, I only wish I could find PBT Topre keycaps for the Mac modifier keys. The Mac specific Realforce keyboards only come as 30g or variable weighting.

There are two options for that.  You can either try to find keycaps from a Happy Hacking Keyboard, which have Mac legends for the Command and Option keys, or you can get the 2020 set that KBDFans sells.  It comes with Command and Option keycaps for Macs, but unfortunately there are still no alternate legends for the function keys.  I have the 2020 set on a Type Heaven that I use on my iMac, and I love it.  The colors might not be for everyone, though.

[xrayos]

I just saw the 2020 set from kbdfans. I'm surprised to read that it does not support the R2 keyboard. I would've thought they're the same.

The R1 row has 1.25u modifiers on the ANSI Realforce keyboard, but on the Mac keycaps  it's 1.5u for the command key. I suspect that will not work, correct?

[typo]

Get the R2. Actuation is great. so long as you remember where it is.  Do not get mixed. No one gets that. Get 45g silenced high. Silenced is not much of a deal though if it costs more. I am pretty sure the space bar is still ABS. Most PBT space bars warp regardless of what anyone says. I have many warped ones.

[Polymer]

Get the R2. Actuation is great. so long as you remember where it is.  Do not get mixed. No one gets that. Get 45g silenced high. Silenced is not much of a deal though if it costs more. I am pretty sure the space bar is still ABS. Most PBT space bars warp regardless of what anyone says. I have many warped ones.

What does what everyone else get have to do with what you would get?  By mixed I assume you mean variable.

For people who use "proper" form for typing, variable is great.  If you're a 2-3 finger typist, it will suck.  For pure typing, variable is so much better for your hands and makes absolute sense once you start using it.  When you switch back to a uniform keyboard you realize how much more your fingers (especially your pinkie fingers) had to work...which then translates into wear and tear on your hands.  I'd not want to game on variable though..

[Riverman]

I have a variable weight Realforce that I use at work sometimes.  It really is nice when I try to use proper form and use my pinkies for the keys they're supposed to be used for.  A regular keyboard feels very heavy under my pinkies after using that one.  I also like how the num lock key is extra heavy.  It keeps me from hitting it by mistake sometimes.