Author Topic: Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?  (Read 3234 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline oneproduct

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 859
  • Location: Montreal, Canada
  • @Ubisoft
Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?
« on: Wed, 16 November 2011, 23:40:13 »
Was looking at some force graphs on the wikis and it seems to me that Topres have their weights given according to their peak force while on the other hand Cherry MXs have their weights given according to the force at activation. We talk about browns being 45g at activation but having 55g peak force. Not sure how many people have had the opportunity to try all of browns, 45g Topres and 55g Topres, but can anyone comment about my speculation (based from force graphs and not experience) that 55g weighted Topres are more similar in feel to browns than 45g weighted Topres?
Layout: Colemak
Fastest typing speed: 131 WPM on typeracer, 136 WPM on 10fastfingers.
Daily driver: Filco Tenkeyless MX Brown with ergonomically weighted, lubed springs.
Ergo keyboards: Truly Ergonomic, Kinesis Advantage, Ergodox

Offline Autolyze

  • Posts: 263
Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 17 November 2011, 07:07:11 »
I normally think of all the switches in terms of peak force rather than force at actuation, since I feel like that makes more sense for the non-linear switches in general.

I haven't used the 55g Topres, but I would assume that they'd be closer to browns than the 45g Topres, which feel much more like reds to me.

Offline Soarer

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 1918
  • Location: UK
Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 17 November 2011, 07:25:58 »
'Peak force before activation' works for all switches, linear as well ;-)

But it doesn't tell the whole story as far as feel goes. I think another useful number when comparing is the initial force - more of it will make the switch feel 'tighter', but will also make it more work to press, which would make it feel like a heavier switch even if the peak force is the same.

Offline Trueepower

  • Posts: 102
Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 18 November 2011, 16:31:51 »
Quote from: oneproduct;453747
Was looking at some force graphs on the wikis and it seems to me that Topres have their weights given according to their peak force while on the other hand Cherry MXs have their weights given according to the force at activation. We talk about browns being 45g at activation but having 55g peak force. Not sure how many people have had the opportunity to try all of browns, 45g Topres and 55g Topres, but can anyone comment about my speculation (based from force graphs and not experience) that 55g weighted Topres are more similar in feel to browns than 45g weighted Topres?


The force of a Topre's activation force is their peak force. The spring on the cherry switches creates an increased force, along with the bump on the switch (look at Ripster's force gradient charts for a better example of the switches). That is not so with a Topre switch. I wouldn't compare a 55g Topre with either a brown switch, or red switch in force because they just feel lighter in comparison to a 55g Topre switch. The better comparison would be to compare them to a 45g Topre switch, and even though browns technically require a little more force its not as noticeable as compared to a 55g Topre which is going to feel much heavier.

You can't compare the two switches in feel (do to the force gradient difference) , but most would agree browns, reds, Topre 45g - all light switches. While a 55g Topre switch would not be considered in that category for most users. Goodluck!
Topre Realforce 87ub 55g Topre Realforce 87ub 45g
Luxeed MK5

Offline oneproduct

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 859
  • Location: Montreal, Canada
  • @Ubisoft
Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 18 November 2011, 20:42:44 »
Quote from: Trueepower;455115
The force of a Topre's activation force is their peak force. The spring on the cherry switches creates an increased force, along with the bump on the switch (look at Ripster's force gradient charts for a better example of the switches). That is not so with a Topre switch. I wouldn't compare a 55g Topre with either a brown switch, or red switch in force because they just feel lighter in comparison to a 55g Topre switch. The better comparison would be to compare them to a 45g Topre switch, and even though browns technically require a little more force its not as noticeable as compared to a 55g Topre which is going to feel much heavier.

You can't compare the two switches in feel (do to the force gradient difference) , but most would agree browns, reds, Topre 45g - all light switches. While a 55g Topre switch would not be considered in that category for most users. Goodluck!

Thanks, that's just the input I was looking for. I'm interested in getting a Realforce as my next keyboard and wasn't sure if I should go for 45g or 55g to better match browns. I guess what I really was asking about is weight rather than feel so much, as you've pointed out that it's not fair to compare their feel. I find blues are too heavy and browns are just about right so if you place 55g Topres in a heavier category then I'd probably be safer with 45g.
Layout: Colemak
Fastest typing speed: 131 WPM on typeracer, 136 WPM on 10fastfingers.
Daily driver: Filco Tenkeyless MX Brown with ergonomically weighted, lubed springs.
Ergo keyboards: Truly Ergonomic, Kinesis Advantage, Ergodox

Offline gregh

  • Posts: 36
Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 19 November 2011, 10:19:27 »
I've used variable force topre and 55g topre switches. 55g topres are much stiffer than browns/blues, I would say. I would more equate them with clears. I didn't really like the 55g at all, but obviously, others would disagree.

Offline lazerpointer

  • Posts: 602
  • Location: 35°55'00.0"N 83°53'00.0"W
  • ya gotta stay phresh
Re: Topre weight rated by peak force, Cherry by activation force?
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 08 February 2013, 13:44:24 »
About to be going from buckling springs to Topre 55g. Can anybody compare these two switches? My 87U should come early next week :)
i type, therefore i geekhack