Topre vs Filco, am I weird?

[Jago]

I've had a Filco Majestouch with browns for about 4 months and now I've also had a Topre 88UB all-45 for almost 2 weeks. Generally on this forum it seems that people suggest Topre for typing and MX brown switches for gaming, however, in my experience it should be exactly the opposite.

I really like how the Topre feels for gaming, it feels "just right", however I notice that when typing for longer periods of time, the surface of my fingertips gets kind of "tired". When gaming, fingers generally stay always in the same place, but if I have to move my fingers around the keyboard repeatedly, given some time I get this strange feeling of discomfort on my fingertips. Now the Filco feels absolutely amazing for typing, for both short and long typing sessions, but for gaming (both RTS and FPS types of games) I do not feel it is as good as the Topre.

Am I really alone in being this backwards?

[noodles256]

no, its called personal preference

[keyboardlover]

If you're as weird as the rest of us, you should feel right at home

[RiGS]

Yeah, it is the price.

[theferenc]

You mean that that's the proportion of people who vote in the polls and were willing to spend that much money on a keyboard?

I wouldn't be surprised if the proportion of folks on these boards that have even used a topre isn't much higher than 15%. I'm not saying it is "the best", but it's definitely one of my personal favorites. But it is definitely an expensive proposition, and since most Cherry based keyboards are so much less money, that's what tends to be used, especially after the influx of the teen gamer crowd. There's nothing wrong with them preferring less expensive, more gaming oriented options, but that does skew the numbers away from the more typist oriented keyboards such as the Topres and the Model Ms.

[N8N]

I dunno, I wouldn't spend that much money on a keyboard without taking it for a test drive first, and I'm not aware of any used 'n' cheap board to try before you buy like there are with Cherry switches (e.g. before you buy a Filco, try a Cherry POS board or two to see what switches you like.)  Unless you live near Akihabara, where can you just walk into a store and try out a Topre board?  Heck, I had to order a Cherry board off eBay to try.

Now if there's anyone local to me with a Topre that is willing to let me try it out, I'm willing to give it a go  But then again, I'm quite happy with the boards that I do have compared to the average run of the mill boards that people type on because they don't know any better...  and in a perverse way it has motivated me to become a better typist, which isn't a bad thing.  (although I found myself still hitting "b" with my right hand while typing this message...  yeah, I've still got some bad habits to break.)

[hella]

Nah, it's not that uncommon for Filco/Topre users that have both to say the Topre isn't "springy" enough.   The Topre is easy to sell.

 
Rip, do you currently have a topre board?  How do you like it compared to cherry browns?

[keyboardlover]

Rip, do you currently have a topre board?  How do you like it compared to cherry browns?

In his old sig (way better than the current one) he had that stuff ranked.

[didjamatic]

I hit my max typing speed on 2 keyboards... Topre and IBM AT Model F (modified).  I couldn't achieve it with any cherry switch, yet I use Cherry browns more than Topre and BS combined because they are easy on my hands.

A year ago people said browns were bad for gaming and blacks were l33t.  Next year people will be back on blacks or who knows what saying that reds are too ____.

It's all personal preference.  Find what works for you and enjoy it.  Topres are fun but expensive, if you can't afford them no worries, there are plenty of other great switches out there.

[hella]

In his old sig (way better than the current one) he had that stuff ranked.

Speaking of forum pics and sigs, whyd you change your epic avatar dude.

[keyboardlover]

Speaking of forum pics and sigs, whyd you change your epic avatar dude.

Lol...did you prefer the old one?

Guilleguillaume posted this pic of his KL keycap and I loved it so much I decided to make it my avatar

[hella]

Totally dude.  That picture made your bouts with ripster even more entertaining

[keyboardlover]

Hmm...it may make it's way back eventually

[Trueepower]

no, its called personal preference

 
Nope, as Noodles said, preference. Some people prefer rubber domes. Topre have their force at the top of the switch which helps prevent accidental presses, so that helps for gaming (could be one reason).

[Crazy9000]

I love my Topre for gaming, and do prefer it over any Cherry Mx for typing as well.

[MKB]

I have to agree on the avatar...

[woody]

Topre have their force at the top of the switch which helps prevent accidental presses, so that helps for gaming (could be one reason).

Ignoring gaming, the bump position at the beginning is a poor tactility for typing as it's detached from activation point.

[Surly73]

I really like how the Topre feels for gaming, it feels "just right", however I notice that when typing for longer periods of time, the surface of my fingertips gets kind of "tired".

I noticed this on my 103UB 55g, and it was the reason I didn't keep it.  I have no problem with a Model M in the office in the same conditions, but the 55g was somehow tiring and slowed me down.  I love lots of things about the Topre feel and I'm still interested in trying variable to see if it solves what I observed.

On the other hand, I'm not sure who is down-talking browns for typing.

[N8N]

I won't talk smack about browns, but I find that both blues and clears I find better for typing as it is easier to avoid bottoming out on those switches.  But browns are OK, just not very tactile IMO.

[ch_123]

You mean that that's the proportion of people who vote in the polls and were willing to spend that much money on a keyboard?

 
Reading statistics was never Ripster's strong point.

[Jago]

I am pretty sure it's the Topre keycaps or their coating or whatever (what else could it be?). Has anyone else who has run into this issue figured out what can be done about this?

[Jago]

An update:

Well this is weird, now that I've used the Topre for about 2 1/2 weeks, I no longer have the problem with the tension I was experiencing in my fingertips when typing for long periods of time. So either my fingers have somehow adjusted or the Topre keycap surface has worn out in some way just enough for whatever was the cause of the problem to no longer manifest itself.

[flaming_june]

I love my Topre for gaming, and do prefer it over any Cherry Mx for typing as well.

That's crazy talk.  Cherry browns are the official gaming switch.  You're crazy.

[Playtrumpet]

Hah, this is so weird. I'm dying to try a topre switch now. I'm typing on Browns right now, and even though I really like the touch and have for a while, I think like they could be "stronger" in a way. I just feel the plastic sometimes, and when focusing on a slow key press, it just doesn't feel very smooth or as sturdy as I'd like. Sigh. Darn topres for being twice as expensive.

[wupi]

An update:

Well this is weird, now that I've used the Topre for about 2 1/2 weeks, I no longer have the problem with the tension I was experiencing in my fingertips when typing for long periods of time. So either my fingers have somehow adjusted or the Topre keycap surface has worn out in some way just enough for whatever was the cause of the problem to no longer manifest itself.

I think you are much stronger now.
  I'm sure you look now like Conan without the sword !

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 24465[/ATTACH]

[Aznguyen316]

I found I really enjoy my Topre HHKB for SC2 more than my Reds.  The tactile feel actually helped me make sure I was pressing keys in SC2.  The difference was instantly noticeable when I started playing SC2.  I did not have an issue with the Cherry Reds when playing, but the topres (and probably most other tactile switches) allowed my head to register, "yes I pressed the key move onto the next action."

[Arc'xer]

For the ones who prefer the topre for gaming over the other mechanical switches. By any chance are you the type of person who is fine with gaming and or typing on a membrane dome keyboard but always annoyed by how fast they wore out, more so after picking up mechanical keyboard and noticing the consistency of the keys.

 Just wondering because it sounds like some of the people who prefer the topre switches maybe not everyone but some are like "If only they sold a high-end membrane/rubber dome switch keyboard with significant longevity and feel(Topre/Keytronic(thumb domes))". Almost like a I'm fine with bottoming out with typing and whatnot just the cheapness is the hindrance.

[hcry4]

For the ones who prefer the topre for gaming over the other mechanical switches. By any chance are you the type of person who is fine with gaming and or typing on a membrane dome keyboard but always annoyed by how fast they wore out, more so after picking up mechanical keyboard and noticing the consistency of the keys.

 Just wondering because it sounds like some of the people who prefer the topre switches maybe not everyone but some are like "If only they sold a high-end membrane/rubber dome switch keyboard with significant longevity and feel(Topre/Keytronic(thumb domes))". Almost like a I'm fine with bottoming out with typing and whatnot just the cheapness is the hindrance.

 
For me, HHKB Pro 2 is less fatiguing on the fingers than the HHKB Lite 2. I would rather not use a rubber dome if I didn't have to. Nothing to do with wearing out or cheapness, but the feel is just plain better. Not sure if that answers your question though.

[theferenc]

For the ones who prefer the topre for gaming over the other mechanical switches. By any chance are you the type of person who is fine with gaming and or typing on a membrane dome keyboard but always annoyed by how fast they wore out, more so after picking up mechanical keyboard and noticing the consistency of the keys.

 Just wondering because it sounds like some of the people who prefer the topre switches maybe not everyone but some are like "If only they sold a high-end membrane/rubber dome switch keyboard with significant longevity and feel(Topre/Keytronic(thumb domes))". Almost like a I'm fine with bottoming out with typing and whatnot just the cheapness is the hindrance.

My Sun Type 6 USB keyboards wearing out so quickly is what led me to the HHKB. Same layout, highly superior lengevity. After typing on it for almost a year now, mixed with Model Ms, I honestly hate it when I have to use someone else's keyboard, both in terms of feel and in terms of layout. Using a laptop's keyboard just drives me absolutely batty.

[stuiees]

I set aside my Filcos for my 86U.  My primary concern is gaming and I found the Topre to be my favorite.  The Cherry boards always felt hollow when the keys would hit the back plate.  I dont have that feeling with the Topre, every stroke is solid feeling.  I bottom out when I game, and the chatter free keys really do just feel so nice.

For the ones who prefer the topre for gaming over the other mechanical switches. By any chance are you the type of person who is fine with gaming and or typing on a membrane dome keyboard but always annoyed by how fast they wore out, more so after picking up mechanical keyboard and noticing the consistency of the keys.

I cant even play on a RD keyboard anymore, they just dont have enough bounce for my liking now.  Its really a big difference.

[Trueepower]

For the ones who prefer the topre for gaming over the other mechanical switches. By any chance are you the type of person who is fine with gaming and or typing on a membrane dome keyboard but always annoyed by how fast they wore out, more so after picking up mechanical keyboard and noticing the consistency of the keys.

 Just wondering because it sounds like some of the people who prefer the topre switches maybe not everyone but some are like "If only they sold a high-end membrane/rubber dome switch keyboard with significant longevity and feel(Topre/Keytronic(thumb domes))". Almost like a I'm fine with bottoming out with typing and whatnot just the cheapness is the hindrance.

Like most Geekhacker's on here I have an appreciation for all the switches I've tried. It can be hard to simply pick one switch over another. However, with a Topre board I get a mix of everything. I get awesome quality caps, and board (long-lasting overall). As for the noise, the Topre's satisfy me a lot more than a rubber dome board (and or a cherry board). They have the satisfying "thonk" with the back stroke spring "tink" noise (at least on the non silent models). The "tink" noise is something I really like which I think has been eliminated on the "silent" models (or reduced). Also, the feel of a Topre rubber dome wise feels different than other rubber domes (because of the shape of the dome, and quality of material). Typing on a realforce is extremely smooth, and as you type on one you can appreciate the type of tactility that they do have (which a rubber dome doesn't have). So to just sum it up a Topre keyboard has the noise, feel, look, and quality that really is impossible to match. Even though I may never use a HHK I still appreciate the layout and what they offer as well.

[whizz]

If you compare Filco MX brown with variable Relaforce, which is "easier" to type on? I found that my fingers a are a bit tired on my Filco compared to Logitech scissors I had before

[RiGS]

The Filco with MX brown or red.

[nhwhaup]

If you compare Filco MX brown with variable Relaforce, which is "easier" to type on? I found that my fingers a are a bit tired on my Filco compared to Logitech scissors I had before

I can't comment on the Filco MX Brown but the Filco MX Red is definitely easier or lighter to type on than the RealForce.

[whizz]

Sadly I am not able to say if my fingers are tired because of the force or because I am bottoming. The Filco is very hard at the bottom it is like typing on a rock.

[whizz]

that makes sense