Which last longer? topre or cherry

[Neo.X]

Someone said that a topre keyboard last much shorter than a cherry keyboard because it has rubber dome part. Just wondering if this is correct.

Does anyone have a topre keyboard for 2 or 3 years constantly using and find any change of the feeling when typing?


Thanks

[karljs]

There has actually been a lot of debate about how Topre's age. Rubber does change some as it ages, and Topre switches use rubber. It follows, therefore, that over years the feel will likely change somewhat. That said, I have an HHKB Pro 2 that's about 5 years old now and it still feels wonderful to type on.

It's not entirely fair to pick on Topre. Cherry switches also age as the moving parts pick up grime and dust.

I believe Cherry switches are rated for more keypresses, but if you're more concerned about a keyboard lasting forever than about the particular switch you'll want an IBM/Unicomp. It's interesting to note that buckling spring boards typically have a rubber dome as part of the hammer contact mechanism.

[tp4tissue]

How long something lasts will depend on the User and the Environment.

It is true that Amorphous plastics are significantly less durable. Such is the domes in Topre boards. On top of that they do not sell replacement parts for Topre, that's the double whammy.

Cherry, no matter how long switches last. you can replace them easily at any time.....

[Neo.X]

Thanks guys for the information. 

[tp4tissue]

You should still buy at least ONE topre board, just fo' show though... what's 300$, a week of top ramen, that's what. No harm done.

[thegunner100]

Topre will stiffen over (a really long) time. Not significantly enough to turn your 45g into a 55g though.

[tp4tissue]

Topre will stiffen over (a really long) time. Not significantly enough to turn your 45g into a 55g though.

Yup. Basically the oil leaks out of the domes dries/vaporizes.

[Neo.X]

Topre will stiffen over (a really long) time. Not significantly enough to turn your 45g into a 55g though.

Thanks for this. I was always wondering what the swith will be when it's worn out. Will it be softer or stiffer?

[dorkvader]

I believe Cherry switches are rated for more keypresses, but if you're more concerned about a keyboard lasting forever than about the particular switch you'll want an IBM/Unicomp. It's interesting to note that buckling spring boards typically have a rubber dome as part of the hammer contact mechanism.

They have a rubber sheet (Big difference) and they should still work without it, it just protects the PCB (for capacitive ones) or the membrane (for model M's). I imagine it'd have a shorter life without the rubber sheet, but a collapsing rubber dome like topre or a normal RDOM keyboard will undergo a much larger change. If the rubber sheet on an M starts to stiffen up, it's probably impossible to notice. (The only thing that hits it is the hammer, and after the actuation point, further pressing on the keycap has relatively little change on the hammer position.)

[daerid]

The way I understand it, the membrane on a rubber dome is much more like a Topre switch than it is a Cherry. Cherry switches rely on moving parts (the metal leaves/contacts) completing a circuit to activate the switch, whereas Topre/Buckling Spring rely on a capacitance change to trigger the switch. Not to say that BS or Topre boards don't have moving parts, but just that the switching mechanism itself doesn't rely on them.

[SmallFry]

You know, you're going to get another board before either wears out.

[daerid]

OP might, but I'm not so sure about me. I keep trying out my other boards, and they never last more than about 20 minutes before I go back to my Topres