Talk me out of buying a topre....please!

[AKIMbO]

Been itching to get a Topre (realforce) board for a while now.  Someone talk me out of it.  Is the difference (in comparison to cherry switches) that noticeable?  I took part in the topre tester tour, but don't really think I got a true comparison to cherry switches.

[boost]

Cost too much

[Quarzac]

They're really nothing special, in my opinion. Their tactility leaves much to be desired, the switches are mushy, and they really just feel like smooth rubber domes. They also make an annoying "fssht" noise occasionally. Wasn't worth the $160 I paid for the Realforce 55g uniform.

[jpc]

No can do. They are nice.

I had a variable weighted 86U. Probably shouldn't have sold it. The switches are soft, the tactile point is very smooth, the variable weighting implementation is done so well you won't even notice it.

They're similar to brown Cherries but less frictiony.

[RotaryFist]

Have you actually gone to a store that maybe carries them or used a friend's keyboard? You just need to FEEL one. I am surprised that there is a store near my house that carries peripherals and things that aren't sold at best buy-- which is crazy because I don't live in a big city. I don't see a problem with buying something awesome unless you have a big money spending problem that would leave you unable to pay bills or feed yourself. Hahah

[thegunner100]

Can I talk you INTO getting one?

[AKIMbO]

Can I talk you INTO getting one?

...yes

[RotaryFist]

Can I talk you INTO getting one?

...yes

Oh man I see what you are doing here. I do this with friends when I go shopping. Hahah! Eithe way I am probably going to be sold on getting one of these keyboards also. I was looking at hhkbs earlier but I want to try out some ergonomically weighted keys.

Spending time on this forum is going to make me need a comfortable board. All this typing and stuff. hahaha

[thegunner100]

Topre switches are really nothing like cherries. I started with the variable(sold it), currently using a 45g RF & HHKB, and waiting for a 55g RF,(should arrive tomorrow). Honestly when I first tried the variable, I didnt think that it was worth the $200 that I paid for it. But after I used it for a week, I knew that topres were the way to go for me . You really have to get the keyboard and test it for yourself.

The main selling point of topres to me, is that they're so smooth to type on; the bottom out feeling is very nice as well. Some people say that the topres dont have tactility, but I can definitely feel it once I press down on the switch. The topres are also very quiet compared to the cherries, they make a nice "thock" sound.

The RF 87u 45g EK edition is still on sale if you want to grab the cheapest one from EK, otherwise you'll eventually find one for a decent price on the classifieds section. I was lucky to get my variable for $200, 45g for $215, and HHKB for $235.

[eth0s]

I agree with jpc above ^.

My favorite keyboard has become my RealForce 87U Silent.  I also have an 87U 45g, but the 87U Silent is nicer.  It feels luxurious and smooth, and of course quiet (but not entirely silent).  Like jpc said, the Topre switches are most like MX Browns without the gritty feeling, although they are different as well since all of the tactile "bump" occurs at the top of the keystroke, instead of in the middle like the MX Brown.  The regular Topre switches are nice, but the Silent version is just a bit nicer.  However, the variable weighting may take some getting used to.  Although once you get used to variable weighting, you will appreciate how great it is for typing (you will feel less fatigue in your hands and fingers).   Now for gaming, I prefer my 87U 45g even-weighted switches, because the variable-weighting makes the WASD cluster feel a bit "off", since the "A" is only 30g.  So if you are a big gamer, get a 45g board.  Do not get a 55g, as 55g is too stiff for either typing or gaming, IMO.  I just wish RealForce manufactured a keyboard populated entirely with the Topre 45g Silent switches, because that would be the best gamer board of all time.  It would be smooth and silky, and nearly silent.  And I would not have to switch back and forth from my 87U Silent for typing, and my 87U 45g for gaming.  (Note:  I have, or have had, keyboards with Topre Variable, Silent, 45g and 55g switches, as well as MX Blue, Brown, Black, Clear and Red switches, so I've tried them all (except MX green and grey, i guess), so I know something about which I speak.)

[Roguemaster8]

You can't rice it up like you can with MX switches.

[AKIMbO]

You can't rice it up like you can with MX switches.

Lol...I don't really rice out my keyboards.  I usually roll one keycap set and if I do roll a novelty key, it's usually only one and in the tilde keyswitch position.

[eth0s]

You can't rice it up like you can with MX switches.

Hmm, well I guess you mean that you cannot mod a Topre board?  Not true.  It's easier to get sets of custom PBT dye-sub keycaps from Elitekeyboards.com for your RealForce than to acquire any MX sets.  For Topre sets you just have to order them online, and wait approx. 7 days, but to get MX sets, you have to rely on dodgy group buys (R4?), or strip shiny ones from vintage keyboards with MX switches.

[jcrouse]

I'm with Gunner and ethos. I had a 10th anniversary 55g uniform and traded it away. I'm still new here and have only tried MX blues in a DAS Model S Professional so I really can't judge all the MX variants but for the hour or so I used the Topre, to me it felt far superior.

Just my 2 cents,
John

[AKIMbO]

Too late...I took the plunge.  87u EK edition 45g uniform weighted on its way...I'm so ashamed of myself.  I have no self-control.

[thegunner100]

It's ok... not like you didnt have any help xD

Grats on the purchase! Im sure you'll love the 45g as long as you give it a chance.

[longweight]

HHKB2 or nothing!

[quanticle]

It depends on what you're looking for in a mechanical keyboard. I, at least, want my mechanical keyboard to feel different than a rubber dome. If you want a smoother rubber dome feel, then that's fine and Topre switches might be the best bet. But I, for one, want my keyboard to feel like a mechanical keyboard, not a glorified rubber dome keyboard.

EDIT: I missed the part where you said you already bought it. I stand by my opinion on Topre switches, though.

[mkawa]

why? they're awesome. BUY IT

[quanticle]

Farther down in the thread, he says that he did.

[mkawa]

ho ho ho, excellent. the topre army grows by the day...

[litster]

Topre is great.  You will like it.  And with the lower price now, there is no better time to buy than now.  It is super well-buillt.  And the keycaps are dye sub.  The only think you can knock it is its ABS spacebar.  

Enjoy it.

[bazemk1979]

Been itching to get a Topre (realforce) board for a while now.  Someone talk me out of it.  Is the difference (in comparison to cherry switches) that noticeable?  I took part in the topre tester tour, but don't really think I got a true comparison to cherry switches.

dont do it!!!! LOL

[Findecanor]

The Topre Realforce keyboards are rubber dome keyboards, and they feel like rubber dome keyboards. What sets them most apart from other rubber dome keyboards are that the action is very smooth and that they are not mushy when you bottom out.
Get a Realforce keyboard only if you prefer rubber domes over other switches. No other keyboard comes close to Realforce when it comes to build quality. Key feel is something very subjective.

The Topre' switch's tactile point is high in the stroke, while a Cherry MX's tactile point is in the middle. I find that the Topre switches on my variable-weighted Realforce board feel heavier, and give me more fatigue than my Cherry board with MX Clear switches, even though the heaviest switch on the Topre is rated lower than Cherry MX Clear.  The high tactile point means that you often overshoot and bottom out a lot -- something that I rarely do when I type on Cherry MX Blue or Clear.
I think that if you plotted force/travel graphs on actual key presses, then the area in the graph under the curve would be higher for Topre than for any Cherry MX switch.
My sig is incorrect. My Realforce has been laying in a box for several months while I have been using my Cherry MX Blue and Clear boards.

[jcrouse]

I'm curious, are there still any new RF 10th anniv 55g's still available anywhere? Not really seriously looking atm so I didn't want to post in the classifieds, just curious at this point.

Thanks,
John

[mkawa]

I'm curious, are there still any new RF 10th anniv 55g's still available anywhere? Not really seriously looking atm so I didn't want to post in the classifieds, just curious at this point.

Thanks,
John

i believe leopold is still OOS at the moment. they should be coming in soon though.

[TexasFlood]

Been itching to get a Topre (realforce) board for a while now.  Someone talk me out of it.  Is the difference (in comparison to cherry switches) that noticeable?  I took part in the topre tester tour, but don't really think I got a true comparison to cherry switches.

Too late...I took the plunge.  87u EK edition 45g uniform weighted on its way...I'm so ashamed of myself.  I have no self-control.

Hope you like it. I've been tempted myself but combination of not being able to try one and being cheap have saved me so far.

Have you actually gone to a store that maybe carries them or used a friend's keyboard? You just need to FEEL one. I am surprised that there is a store near my house that carries peripherals and things that aren't sold at best buy-- which is crazy because I don't live in a big city. I don't see a problem with buying something awesome unless you have a big money spending problem that would leave you unable to pay bills or feed yourself. Hahah

I'd love to try one just not sure where to do so, :sad: Then again I might NEED one if I were able to which would conflict with my cheap gene, my head might explode.

Topre is great.  You will like it.  And with the lower price now, there is no better time to buy than now.  It is super well-buillt.  And the keycaps are dye sub.  The only think you can knock it is its ABS spacebar.

Lower price, guess you mean the like $20-30 off at EK? I wish they were a LOT lower, but then, I'm cheap, don't deny it.

[jwaz]

They're aimed at luxury goods market in japan so the price isn't justified other than by more $$ = better mentality.

[okyup]

The Topres did not feel immediately different to me, so don't go into it with that expectation or you may be let down. The difference is subtle and grows on you. It is mostly the stability and the slight tactile response, which makes typing a lot more comfortable and pleasurable. I didn't really realize how well I had adjusted to the Topres until I went back to type on my old rubber domes board for a night and it felt like I had to use twice the force and the keyboard was jiggling all over the place.

[Wildcard]

You really don't want Topre, they're just so soft and smooth. It's like typing on a cloud, a soft, white cloud..... Who really wants to type on a cloud anyways?

Good thing I'm not an AA sponsor.

Edit:

Really though, I think my Realforce is built very well. I do think a uniform board would have suited me better though. I tried 55g for a little bit and didn't like it so much. Holding out for a nice 45g uniform RF sometime soon.

But on another note, I really like feedback in my switches which is why my main drivers at home have been either MX Blues or Model F (capacitive buckling spring)

[cinch]

Topre... because silence is golden.

[Wildcard]

So AKIMbO, you need to post an update on how you're liking your new board since you were talked into it