Convice me to buy/not buy a Topre 86u

[Elissar]

Hey GH,

Mechkeyboards in Australia has a very enticing sale on realforce 86u.

Now I'm not much of a big spender, but i do like comfort in typing, simply because I do it all day. I switched to mechanical keyboards to simply enhance my
experience in typing. I have tried all of the cherry keys. I currently own browns and blue, sold my blacks as I found them too heavy. I like the feel of
browns, they feel nice, I type faster on blues though. Now this enticement from mechkeyboards has somewhat struct me with questionable moment,

Should I buy a realforce?

The only thing that I've been searching for in a keyboard is just the ability to sit down and not feel like my fingers are slaving. I do bottom out a lot
and when typing on my browns, I feel as if i type rapidly and effectively slaving. The blues feel slower, a bit more heavy and I'm feeling a bit sluggish.

Does anyone have advice or recommendations for me to spend or not spend $200 on this.

I'm just a indecisive kid in a candy store.

Thanks XD

[Caaaarrrt]

I keep on looking at this too, it is quite a good deal and I want to try out topre. I would have bought it by now if I didn't buy a QFR with blues a week or 2 ago.

It is very tempting and I am trying to resist!

[Squelos]

Ive just gone topre a few days ago, and I can say that it is quite good.
Quite good compared to MX blues, browns, and reds.

Build quality is really good, keycaps are great.
Pricetag is ... high.

If you can afford it, try it

Edit : to sum up, typing experience is really smooth. Noise is low, but you still get a good tactile feedback. Not nearly as good as blues, but with nearly no noise compared to blues.

[tp4tissue]

Here's what's stopping me from Topre,, NO replacement parts.. unless you cannibalize, which doesn't count.

And given that this stuff WILL break down.. this is unacceptable.

[Saviant]

Here's what's stopping me from Topre,, NO replacement parts.. unless you cannibalize, which doesn't count.

And given that this stuff WILL break down.. this is unacceptable.

I have no issues with my Topre and there are many people here who have had them for years and don't have any issues. My only complaint is the ABS space bar and nothing else.

[tp4tissue]

I have no issues with my Topre and there are many people here who have had them for years and don't have any issues. My only complaint is the ABS space bar and nothing else.

You should count it lucky that they used an ABS spacebar, the engineers KNOW what they're doing, PBT spacebars are notorious for being bent, which causes sticky spacebar syndrome.

My PBT spacebar came bent, I was able to straighten it with my hair dryer, but not everyone is as crafty

People who have them for years, sure, but WHEN shait does go down, what do you do... pay for shipping to japan, and wait the 2 month for this thing to come back???

[mickd]

If you haven't already gotten one, the decision is simple: you can't because it's now sold out!

[hoggy]

Well, it's too late, but you wouldn't have too much trouble selling one on here making it far less of a risk.

[Elissar]

PCCG has their 87U for $280 shipped.

Also I can get the white version which I prefer.

For some reason I get the feeling that it will feel like browns with O ring mod. It seems similar to that, an almost redundant resistance, 45g weighting on most keys but with a rubber landing.

Sounds like browns with O rings which I very much disliked. BUT on the contrary, what I disliked most was the shortened bottom out, almost sharp. Maybe I didn't adjust to it properly.

I'll really have to think about this.

[tp4tissue]

PCCG has their 87U for $280 shipped.

Also I can get the white version which I prefer.

For some reason I get the feeling that it will feel like browns with O ring mod. It seems similar to that, an almost redundant resistance, 45g weighting on most keys but with a rubber landing.

Sounds like browns with O rings which I very much disliked. BUT on the contrary, what I disliked most was the shortened bottom out, almost sharp. Maybe I didn't adjust to it properly.

I'll really have to think about this.

You should find that topre is much smoother and less directional compared to the cherry switches. By less directional I mean because the shaft is wider and round.

[Elissar]

Funnily enough what I dislike about all the cherry boards I've tried is their sharpness. Feels like you're hitting concrete. I'm sorry bank account...

...

Hope I can claim this on tax.

[Forin]

At that price tag it should be programmable.

[fossala]

I didn't like variable. The 30g pinkies where to light compared to the rest.

[Elissar]

I ended up with the 87u

[fossala]

Congratz. Topre far surpass cherry or alps switches. Since getting into topre I have sold all my old cherry boards.

[Elissar]

I'll probably sell my blues, I hardly use them at all. I'll keeps browns for gaming I think.

[fossala]

Ahhh, I don't game so I wouldn't know what topre are like for that. If you want a click switch BS is the only way to go.

[Elissar]

Topre for work/writing/ etcetc

[Squelos]

Yeah, topre are really nice for working (dev/typing documents).
But really, even for games, there is nothing to them that could prevent you from gaming.

I find just that you cant really ride the activation point, such as you can on reds for instance. But its the same, even worse on blues.

[hemflit]

Some people do find Topres just "meh". Given the price tag, it's a good idea to find some way to try before you buy. (Though yeah, at least resale value is fair.)

FWIW if you're into this, the 86U has a very plain, stealthy look compared to 87U, it really doesn't draw attention. No lights anywhere on it, no extra markings for the NumLock level. (I wish it didn't have a domed Windows key.)

[Squelos]

Yeah, indeed, the 88ub and 86U versions, without the LEDs just look as if the only place that thing could be, is just there, on your desk.
It seems as if it has been placed there by divine intervention.
Doesnt draw any attention at all, because of the Black on dark grey lettering also I believe.

Edit : But yeah, Topre's are really just different compared to mechs. That's simply because they arent mechanicals.

[Tallon]

I'm glad you like the topres! I absolutely love mine. I use it for everything - if I could i wouldn't use any other keyboards . In fact, I currently have the 87u and I had to get a keypad so I can have the full keyboard feel... except the tenkey sucks ass. It's a blue cherry keyboard. Now I want a fullsize topre ;(. $$$$$$$$$$

But i neeeeeed it....

-Tallon

[mr626]

Missing ingredient: buckling spring board.

Like Topre: not for everyone, but not as expensive to try. Personally, I use buckling spring boards for everything at work and at home, other than gaming (for which I use cherry browns at home, and cherry MY at lan parties).

I guess I should try Topre sometime too, but even at $200 I find it hard to part with my cash when there's so many Model M variants I don't own yet :laugh:

[Elissar]

SO my Topre came in the mail today.

And long story short; my two CM QF's will be going on the classifieds soon. They don't rival this at all. That soft landing, that quiet muted tone of typing, slight resistance, as if she's telling you no, but really asking for more.

The way your fingers snap back softly to place. I type faster with my Topre than with my blues; They feel more delightful than my browns.

The variable nature feels right for me.

It just feels right.

[iodine131]

Currently using HHKB Pro2. I would say Topre kbs are good choices...... it never makes hands tired.
I switch from Filco MJ(I) Black to HHKB Pro2. The later one doesn't slow down my typing. (very surprising, I thought Black MX is already the best to have extremely fast typing)

....and congrats, enjoy!

[Typhaeon]

(...)slight resistance, as if she's telling you no, but really asking for more.

Wow, and I thought Australians were generally less horrible than my fellow Americans, considering the prosperity and progressiveness of their society at large.

Classy date-rape lingo, "mate".

[Squelos]

Great for the variable point. I think that could be weird if you dont type correctly like I do.

I dont know if its just me, but more and more people seem to be buying topre boards. Either the HHKB, which I find ... weird, or the realforces.
Hoping this make the world more productive

[Squelos]

Congrats!  

I was JUST listening to some Serge Gainsbourg...

Some french nudity...No, no, yes, yes!
[video=youtube;8K6y_CyOzHE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K6y_CyOzHE[/video]

What the hell ? How did you come up with that ?

Yeah, the topres are really nice to type on. Nice smooth landing, tactile feedback. What else would you want ?
I dont type faster on my topre than on my MX (blues, or whatever). I type faster than on rubber domes, but that is just because the key presses on rubber domes dont register all the ****ing time.

[Elissar]

Classy date-rape lingo, "mate".

I wouldn't refer what I said as date-rape lingo, in fact more as a reference to an anthropomorphic adaptation of how car enthusiasts explain their experience with brute force engines.

But, I guess you're more inclined to see it as a date-rape lingo for whatever purpose or experience you have with such application of my phrase.

[Typhaeon]

Point being "as if she's telling you no, but really asking for more" is probably a little too close to "she was asking for it" for the comfort of a little more than 50% of the world's population (and the vast majority of the more enlightened of the other half).  

Also my car is neither sapient nor sentient, and does not actually vocalize disapproval at certain actions, as it is a mechanical object (one without a gender, I might add) designed to function in a specific manner.  You cannot apply volition to an object.

[Elissar]

Well, I can only assume that without putting volition to an object, a vast majority of literature would sound bland and uninteresting.

If I amend my sentence it would be; 'there is initial resistance, but after that the switch will just give in'?

I don't know. I feel like I'm violating a Topre switch right now.

[Tisca]

SO my Topre came in the mail today.

And long story short; my two CM QF's will be going on the classifieds soon. They don't rival this at all. That soft landing, that quiet muted tone of typing, slight resistance, as if she's telling you no, but really asking for more.

The way your fingers snap back softly to place. I type faster with my Topre than with my blues; They feel more delightful than my browns.

The variable nature feels right for me.

It just feels right.

Was looking for info about CM QF vs. Topre. I could get a Topre Realforce 88 UB (SWE/FI) at twice the price of a QF. Comparing it to the QF only because it's so cheap.
Sounds from this post that the switches don't act the same even if they are or then I'm missing something concerning the mechanics (I'm certainly no expert). Does anyone have anything to add? Also, read another thread and got the impression that these Topre kb's are really hard to get hold of. Why is that?
I don't know what switches I'd like but I was looking at Cherry reds for gaming and browns for workstation. This Topre has blacks but I could give it a shot and I get the red QF model with the correct layout (at least yet).

[Squelos]

Well CM QF is using Cherry switches. Realforce use Topre switches, which are capacitive rubber domes.
I  would not hesitate, where I live realforce board are nearly 5times more expensive than CM QF.

[Tisca]

Well CM QF is using Cherry switches. Realforce use Topre switches, which are capacitive rubber domes.
I  would not hesitate, where I live realforce board are nearly 5times more expensive than CM QF.

Really, how the hell did I get that wrong. In that case:
Are Topre switches comparable to any other ones? I was looking for cherry reds or black, will I like Topre?
What keycaps fit? Do you have to buy Topre caps (small set of 12 costs like 30€)?

[didjamatic]

Topre is unlike anything else.  Only Topre key caps fit Topre keyboards and any board you buy will have them on them already so it's an optional add-on.

[mkawa]

shine builds character

it's the lack of variety that's distressing

[Tisca]

Yeah, what the hell. Just ordered a 88 UB. Won't know if I like before I try, right =).

[Squelos]

Hope you like it.
When you get it, give it at least a week before judging it.

The feeling is quite subtile.

Cherry switches are like : this one is really clicky and tactile(blues), this one is just .... smooth (reds), this one is quite smooth, but with a little bump (browns).

Topres are quite hard to understand and explain.
They are tactile, but smooth. Quite hard to understand when you use cherries. I would say browns would be the closest.


Then, you get great keycaps with the topre. Realllllllllllly great keycaps.

[mkawa]

my feeling is that the closest switch to a topre is a standard rubber dome. the major difference is that the topre switch feels extremely precise -- there isn't unnecessary wobble or friction in the mechanism, and because it's capacitive, the engagement point isn't at the absolute bottom, so you can type much lighter on a topre than a standard rubber dome.

[urbanus]

my feeling is that the closest switch to a topre is a standard rubber dome.

My feeling is that the closest thing to sex is masturbation.

[mkawa]

touche

[Tisca]

Hope you like it.
When you get it, give it at least a week before judging it.

Sounds like good advice. Typing this on my Logitech Illuminated which I bought only based on looks. To be honest, I've never really liked typing on it. I type faster on whatever rubber-domed kb's Dell/HP supply with their workstations.
If I don't like it I'm sure I can turn it over to someone else, noticed in another thread that some people are having problems getting hold of these.