Author Topic: New Topre Realforce 87U all-55g weight, model SE08K0 (Read 6172 times)

dvanaria · « **on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 00:36:04 »

I think this particular Topre model has all the best features of the different Realforce keyboards:

1. The all 55g weighted keys don't suffer from the annoying repeated 'a' and ';' problem that I've heard a lot of other people mention.

2. It's nice to have a light on the capslock key. I like to keep the keyboard in a standard configuration but find it annoying when I'm using an editor like vi and can't tell I've accidentally hit the capslock key until it's too late.

3. The numpad overlay is a cool idea, I often use the keypad on full-size keyboards, but like the tenkeyless more, because i can have the mouse closer to the keyboard.

4. The bright white keycaps and black lettering is easier to see in low-light. And the lettering is bigger and thicker than on the 86 series models.

It was tough to get this keyboard in the US, and I had to pay a lot for it, much more than I thought I'd ever pay for a keyboard, but I think it's totally worth it.

I may be able to get more of these, indirectly through Leopold. If so, are there people here who have been trying to get one? It's hard to justify the expense of getting these keyboards over here, but if other people are looking, maybe we can work something out.

reaper · « **Reply #1 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 00:42:13 »

Nice! A white 87U. How or where did you get it from if I may ask? Is it from Barbi over at Leopold (Japan)?

dvanaria · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 01:06:42 »

I would have to put them up for sale for perhaps $500 each, plus shipping (within U.S). I know...

dvanaria · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 01:08:27 »

No, I have a friend in Korea who is able to buy them from Leopold. As hard as I tried, I couldn't figure out how to order from them directly - I don't think they offer that (yet). I've heard rumors that they may offer to sell directly soon however.

reaper · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 01:17:28 »

Quote from: dvanaria;367559

I would have to put them up for sale for perhaps $500 each, plus shipping (within U.S). I know...

Man, $500 not including shipping is a little out of my range. This hobby is becoming too expensive. lol Anywho, thanks for the info and you should do a group buy for those that might be interested.

dvanaria · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 01:18:47 »

Ok, I agree, there's no other way I can justify obtaining the keyboards for others, since it cost me almost as much. I'll look into doing a group buy.

elitekeyboards · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 02:26:21 »

For a keyboard ! ?

Lpb45 · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 03:01:39 »

if this dude can get them surely Bambi at Leopold Japan has to be able to get them, someone should contact her and get a price.

dvanaria · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 07:44:15 »

I was able to get in touch with Bambi at Leopold and she said they are currently in negotiations with EliteKeyboard to sell these new models. I just couldn't wait to get one, so I was willing to pay extra. Does anyone know why the manufacturer (Topre) would only have one distributor overseas, and that distributor in turn would only have one distributor in the United States (I'm assuming EliteKeyboards is a U.S. based company, I could be wrong). These keyboards are the best, and they seem to be in high demand, at least by people like subscribers to this forum (myself included).

Lpb45 · « **Reply #9 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 10:52:04 »

The fact is if they do get them at EK no way they will be $500 USD. Sorry if I am crapping on your thread dvanaria as I wanna get one of these bad but cannot justify $500.

Lpb45 · « **Reply #10 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 10:53:10 »

Quote from: dvanaria;367652

I was able to get in touch with Bambi at Leopold and she said they are currently in negotiations with EliteKeyboard to sell these new models. I just couldn't wait to get one, so I was willing to pay extra. Does anyone know why the manufacturer (Topre) would only have one distributor overseas, and that distributor in turn would only have one distributor in the United States (I'm assuming EliteKeyboards is a U.S. based company, I could be wrong). These keyboards are the best, and they seem to be in high demand, at least by people like subscribers to this forum (myself included).

More then likely because they sell them from Leopold.lp and the loepold korea site to the respective countries but no US distribution.

Lpb45 · « **Reply #11 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 14:54:24 »

Quote from: voltrons*lips;367786

If EK sold Realforce Topre w/ uniform keys from the factory for under 300 I would definitely buy one.

I dont know about under 300 but I would hope they would be under 500

ironman31 · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 17:19:54 »

Quote from: voltrons*lips;367786

If EK sold Realforce Topre w/ uniform keys from the factory for under 300 I would definitely buy one.

Shoulda been into keyboards last year.

elitekeyboards · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 17:30:56 »

This year is good too IMHO.

reaper · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 17:33:45 »

^ Haha.. let's hope you get some white ones. =P

bionicroach · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 18:17:56 »

Quote from: voltrons*lips;367786

If EK sold Realforce Topre w/ uniform keys from the factory for under 300 I would definitely buy one.

All Realforce at EK have always been under $300 (before shipping) as far as I can recall. The big *IF* is if they ever get the newer ones in stock. I get the impression Topres have never been great sellers for EK and as such aren't really a top priority. Not to suggest EK doesn't want to support the Topre brand; I just don't think it's been very profitable for them. Always has been a boutique product in the USA and always will be.

Here's an old thread where Ripster accused EK of selling old Topre stock and withholding his dongle. EK argued that the extra Windows key on the 104U wasn't worth the upgrade, but I disagree. Having owned both the 103U and the 104U, I have to say that I actually like the feel of the shorter space bar on the 104U quite a bit better. Maybe it was just an isolated issue with my particular 103U, but I found the longer space bar to be kind of rattly and generally "out of tune" with the rest of the keys. Not so on my 104U. Much smoother overall. I also use the right hand Windows key all the time to lock the desktop one handed after I've gotten up from from my chair. (Win+L)

elitekeyboards · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 18:36:13 »

Quote from: bionicroach;368030

All Realforce at EK have always been under $300 (before shipping) as far as I can recall. The big *IF* is if they ever get the newer ones in stock. I get the impression Topres have never been great sellers for EK and as such aren't really a top priority. Not to suggest EK doesn't want to support the Topre brand; I just don't think it's been very profitable for them. Always has been a boutique product in the USA and always will be.

Here's an old thread where Ripster accused EK of selling old Topre stock and withholding his dongle. EK argued that the extra Windows key on the 104U wasn't worth the upgrade, but I disagree. Having owned both the 103U and the 104U, I have to say that I actually like the feel of the shorter space bar on the 104U quite a bit better. Maybe it was just an isolated issue with my particular 103U, but I found the longer space bar to be kind of rattly and generally "out of tune" with the rest of the keys. Not so on my 104U. Much smoother overall. I also use the right hand Windows key all the time to lock the desktop one handed after I've gotten up from from my chair. (Win+L)

That one extra key demanded an additional $30 in wholesale cost...it's hard enough to convince folks to spend $250 on a keyboard, hence my hesitation. Currently my number one contention for carrying the 104 is that I feel it is incomplete. Topre is using a 103U case which does not provide access to the DIP switches - you have to open the keyboard to access what is an advertised feature. It's gonna take a wholesale discount of sorts for me to suggest customers open their $250-300 keyboards and fiddle with the innards.

bionicroach · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 18:41:35 »

Quote from: elitekeyboards;368056

Topre is using a 103U case which does not provide access to the DIP switches - you have to open the keyboard to access what is an advertised feature.

I completely agree on the dip switches thing. Luckily, I don't really care about them on the 104 as the defaults are fine for me, but...yeah, that was a lazy choice by Topre.

Lpb45 · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 18:49:20 »

Quote from: elitekeyboards;368056

That one extra key demanded an additional $30 in wholesale cost...it's hard enough to convince folks to spend $250 on a keyboard, hence my hesitation. Currently my number one contention for carrying the 104 is that I feel it is incomplete. Topre is using a 103U case which does not provide access to the DIP switches - you have to open the keyboard to access what is an advertised feature. It's gonna take a wholesale discount of sorts for me to suggest customers open their $250-300 keyboards and fiddle with the innards.

Can you atleast comment if there is even a tiny chance you will carry the White or Black Uniform 87U? Anytime soon? I will take any bit of details you wanna give.

dvanaria · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 25 June 2011, 19:47:04 »

This keyboard was around that price, about $300, but it was the international shipping and handling and tax that jacked up the price so much. I can understand this, they are heavy keyboards (almost 4 lbs shipping weight I believe) and so it made sense to me what the final price was. But I guess if Topre doesn't want to supply directly to American distributors, or offer direct sales, we don't really have a choice. Even with a group buy, I'm not sure how much we could cut down on the shipping rates, and the base price of the keyboard will be the same from Leopold I believe. I was tempted to order a bunch of these 87U all-55g white models, but like I said I would have to charge so much to recover the cost of getting them here, it wouldn't be worth it to anybody. Not sure, still thinking there must be a better way of getting these, like you said. Anyone know anybody that works at Topre? ha..

alanfen · « **Reply #20 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 11:49:30 »

Hi, I used Realforce 87U all-55g weight and sold it this month. It's no more new keyboard to some koreans keenly interested in Realforce in Korea. Its price is not as high as you guys mentioned above like USD 500. I bought it at around USD 320 with tax and delivery charge included. In Korea, white one is more popular than black and the price of white(used) is a little higher. It's somewhat easier and quicker to be sold. If you plan to sell or replace it after some use, white might be better in negotiation.

bionicroach · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 11:56:26 »

Quote from: dvanaria;368138

Not sure, still thinking there must be a better way of getting these, like you said.

Somali pirates for hire?

reaper · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 11:57:56 »

^ They might hold your Realforce for more money/ransom. lol =D

Engine · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 14:01:07 »

Quote from: elitekeyboards;367994

This year is good too IMHO.

Are you willing/able to tell us any details on this new "uniform" white Realforce that is apparently coming out of your shop or are you keeping your cards close to your chest?

elitekeyboards · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 14:38:28 »

Quote from: Engine;368531

Are you willing/able to tell us any details on this new "uniform" white Realforce that is apparently coming out of your shop or are you keeping your cards close to your chest?

Sorry, someone made that rumor up. I believe some allusion I made to the consideration such a model has been exaggerated into an actual product.

Engine · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 14:49:08 »

Quote from: elitekeyboards;368546

Sorry, someone made that rumor up. I believe some allusion I made to the consideration such a model has been exaggerated into an actual product.

Well, that rumor came from someone in your sales dept.

"We have a uniform white Topre in the works, the weighting isn't decided yet."

Sounds like a pretty sure product to me, although not much detail of course.

elitekeyboards · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 15:06:17 »

Quote from: Engine;368550

Well, that rumor came from someone in your sales dept.

Then it's just a rumor;)

keyboardlover · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 15:08:16 »

Damn. Effective marketing!

Engine · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 26 June 2011, 15:32:12 »

Quote from: elitekeyboards;368554

Then it's just a rumor;)

Like I said, "cards close to the chest" =)

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Author Topic: New Topre Realforce 87U all-55g weight, model SE08K0 (Read 6172 times)