Are topres worth it

[daerid]

Topre products and Cherry products aren't comparable. At least not in terms of what you get for your money. Either way you get a keyboard.

I look at it like: Japanese luxury imported product. Expensive? Yes. Feels better? Yes? Designed better? Yes.

And don't try to tell me I'm rationalizing an expense, it was a gift, so while I understand what the prices are it doesn't change how I feel about the keyboard when I'm typing on it (like right now). I'm probably going to end up buying another.

If the product didn't warrant the charge then it wouldn't sell to the extent it has. This isn't just a rich kid toy, there are thousands of Topre products in the hands of discerning enthusiasts, enough that I don't think they could get away with a sub-par product.

If you don't think it's worth the price don't buy one. But don't pretend it isn't "worth" the money if you haven't given one a shot.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[orlando]

I wonder if some Topre owners are so subjective because they must convince themselves the $300+ they just spent on a board was worth it.

Gosh I must be insane then because I will be purchasing a second hhkb. I guess the reason I'm doing that is just so I can convince myself my initial $300 was worth it. 

[jwaz]

I wonder if some Topre owners are so subjective because they must convince themselves the $300+ they just spent on a board was worth it.

Gosh I must be insane then because I will be purchasing a second hhkb. I guess the reason I'm doing that is just so I can convince myself my initial $300 was worth it. 

Double or nothing right?

[Michael]

I liked Cherry boards from the DIY perspective. It was great building your own board, customizing it and tinker with them. But in the end, after building probably the most ideal setup, it just didn't compare to the feel of topre switches. I felt like I was just wasting my money trying to match the feel of topre switches.

There shouldn't be an argument about the price of Topre boards. To get an MX board comparable in feel and quality, you will spend 300 or more, easily (Korean customs).

[L4yercake]

I liked Cherry boards from the DIY perspective. It was great building your own board, customizing it and tinker with them. But in the end, after building probably the most ideal setup, it just didn't compare to the feel of topre switches. I felt like I was just wasting my money trying to match the feel of topre switches.

There shouldn't be an argument about the price of Topre boards. To get an MX board comparable in feel and quality, you will spend 300 or more, easily (Korean customs).

Wrong and here's why.

This is my point regarding subjectivity of keyboards. I don't personally feel either can be replicated or beaten in quality because they are two different switches and both have a different feel. I love the rawness that CherryMX gives me with each key-press. My biggest issue with the Topre at the end of the day is that it feels to much like a membrane keyboard WHICH is exactly what it is. Don't sell people on a product by comparing apples to oranges.

For example I just pulled out my old gaming board I used for 5 years the Logitech G15. It feels nearly exactly the same to the Topre key-press with a slightly bigger bump at the end of the press. The build quality is great in my opinion but I paid significantly less and feel it is better for gaming because it has that tiny extra bump at the end which gives the key-press more solidity IN MY OPINION.

[Macsmasher]

I liked Cherry boards from the DIY perspective. It was great building your own board, customizing it and tinker with them. But in the end, after building probably the most ideal setup, it just didn't compare to the feel of topre switches. I felt like I was just wasting my money trying to match the feel of topre switches.

There shouldn't be an argument about the price of Topre boards. To get an MX board comparable in feel and quality, you will spend 300 or more, easily (Korean customs).

I know this was a troll post...but this point still stands. I love Cherry switches. I just love the feel of Topre more. And not by a small margin. It's large.

I'm not a hater. Cherry switches are great, because they constantly confirm why I so enjoy Topre switches.

Seriously, if Topre gets much more market share, Cherry needs to refine their offerings. A "Silenced Blue"? Maybe do something about the hard bottoming out. In fact, the ONLY reason Topre hasn't completely stomped Cherry's butt is because of the cost. I understand staying with Cherry switches if cost is a factor. I know what it's like to watch budget every month. Really. But cost aside, Cherry can't hold a candle to Topre. Call me a fanboy. I'm old enough to not give a rip. I'm telling you that in my 30 + years in a keyboard, I've found the Holy Grail keyboard switch. And it ain't Cherry.

[Abacus1234]

Yeah, do not understand these "worth it" type posts.  Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but that value varies by individual. I would personally rather own a cherry mx brown board than a topre. So for me, it is not worth it. If you love Topre super duper much, it might be worth it. No one can answer that question for you. Typing on my Quickfire TK or my Leopold, I just don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I think they both give me an amazing typing experience that is really not leaving anything to be desired.

I don't understand these statements that make it sound like you're wrong if you don't appreciate topre more than cherry. It is completely apples or oranges.

[Michael]

IN MY OPINION.

This was the only truth to the statement.

[tjcaustin]

I liked Cherry boards from the DIY perspective. It was great building your own board, customizing it and tinker with them. But in the end, after building probably the most ideal setup, it just didn't compare to the feel of topre switches. I felt like I was just wasting my money trying to match the feel of topre switches.

There shouldn't be an argument about the price of Topre boards. To get an MX board comparable in feel and quality, you will spend 300 or more, easily (Korean customs).

Wrong and here's why.

This is my point regarding subjectivity of keyboards. I don't personally feel either can be replicated or beaten in quality because they are two different switches and both have a different feel. I love the rawness that CherryMX gives me with each key-press. My biggest issue with the Topre at the end of the day is that it feels to much like a membrane keyboard WHICH is exactly what it is. Don't sell people on a product by comparing apples to oranges.

For example I just pulled out my old gaming board I used for 5 years the Logitech G15. It feels nearly exactly the same to the Topre key-press with a slightly bigger bump at the end of the press. The build quality is great in my opinion but I paid significantly less and feel it is better for gaming because it has that tiny extra bump at the end which gives the key-press more solidity IN MY OPINION.

As another guy that owns one of those old G15s that had to use it recently, I can firmly say "you know what they say about opinions."

I am so completely over this goddamned topic.  It's rare to see a thread like "Are Korean Customs worth it?" and it's even rarer to see someone that doesn't own one (because of choice, budget limitations or switch preference) say things like every time this stupid topic comes up.   Some people like topre and others like cherry, let them.

[jwaz]

Topre somewhat close to Logitech rubberdome? *facepalm*

yuuup ahuuh. kk.

Abacus: It isn't that if you don't appreciate Topre you have terrible taste, it is more that those arguing in favor of the Topre board as a product feel that it is definitely "worth" the price differential.

[Abacus1234]

Topre somewhat close to Logitech rubberdome? *facepalm*

yuuup ahuuh. kk.

Abacus: It isn't that if you don't appreciate Topre you have terrible taste, it is more that those arguing in favor of the Topre board as a product feel that it is definitely "worth" the price differential.

It is statements like this, " But cost aside, Cherry can't hold a candle to Topre."

That statement makes a judgment that Topre is objectively better.

[L4yercake]

Topre somewhat close to Logitech rubberdome? *facepalm*

Meh... I just feel Topre is too "inbetween" mechanical and rubberdome. But like I said earlier I enjoy typing on Topre but it just doesn't suit me for gaming.

[tjcaustin]

You know what these threads remind me of?  Petty console wars.

[Polymer]

Topre somewhat close to Logitech rubberdome? *facepalm*

Meh... I just feel Topre is too "inbetween" mechanical and rubberdome. But like I said earlier I enjoy typing on Topre but it just doesn't suit me for gaming.

Some people can't get over it being somewhat similar to a normal rubber dome..that somehow that means it can't possibly be good...

Some people see beyond that...

But either way, you don't have to like it..If by you saying they feel too much like rubber dome means you don't like the way they feel..that's fair enough..but to me Topre feel very solid, very well made, smooth and you get this oneness you just don't get on a normal rubber dome keyboard...The G15 feels like junk in comparison...nowhere near the stability or feel...

But I do agree with you on one point...I don't like using them for gaming...Something doesn't feel right mashing them in gaming...but for typing they're really fantastic...they make my Cherry boards feel a bit cheap in comparison....and I love using my Cherry boards...

[Michael]

Topre somewhat close to Logitech rubberdome? *facepalm*

Meh... I just feel Topre is too "inbetween" mechanical and rubberdome. But like I said earlier I enjoy typing on Topre but it just doesn't suit me for gaming.

Some people can't get over it being somewhat similar to a normal rubber dome..that somehow that means it can't possibly be good...

Some people see beyond that...

But either way, you don't have to like it..If by you saying they feel too much like rubber dome means you don't like the way they feel..that's fair enough..but to me Topre feel very solid, very well made, smooth and you get this oneness you just don't get on a normal rubber dome keyboard...The G15 feels like junk in comparison...nowhere near the stability or feel...

But I do agree with you on one point...I don't like using them for gaming...Something doesn't feel right mashing them in gaming...but for typing they're really fantastic...they make my Cherry boards feel a bit cheap in comparison....and I love using my Cherry boards...

Honda Civics are really close to Mercedes Benz, because they both use rubber tires.

[swagpiratex]

YOLO

LOL 10char

[tjcaustin]

Topre somewhat close to Logitech rubberdome? *facepalm*

Meh... I just feel Topre is too "inbetween" mechanical and rubberdome. But like I said earlier I enjoy typing on Topre but it just doesn't suit me for gaming.

Some people can't get over it being somewhat similar to a normal rubber dome..that somehow that means it can't possibly be good...

Some people see beyond that...

But either way, you don't have to like it..If by you saying they feel too much like rubber dome means you don't like the way they feel..that's fair enough..but to me Topre feel very solid, very well made, smooth and you get this oneness you just don't get on a normal rubber dome keyboard...The G15 feels like junk in comparison...nowhere near the stability or feel...

But I do agree with you on one point...I don't like using them for gaming...Something doesn't feel right mashing them in gaming...but for typing they're really fantastic...they make my Cherry boards feel a bit cheap in comparison....and I love using my Cherry boards...

Well, when you're in a community that can typically agree that rubber dome keyboards are for the unkempt and unwashed masses and comments like "topre are just rubber dome" get thrown around, I can see how that can be taken as someone saying "topre aren't any good"

Bluntly, this ends up boiling down to someone trying to denigrate someone else's choice to justify that their own choice is the "best" one.  You see it essentially everywhere there's a major choice involved, consoles, cars, cell phones, computers and other expensive things that start with the letter "c".  Now that I think about it, you see it everywhere two people can make a different choice, even silly things like coke vs pepsi.

Topre somewhat close to Logitech rubberdome? *facepalm*

Meh... I just feel Topre is too "inbetween" mechanical and rubberdome. But like I said earlier I enjoy typing on Topre but it just doesn't suit me for gaming.

Some people can't get over it being somewhat similar to a normal rubber dome..that somehow that means it can't possibly be good...

Some people see beyond that...

But either way, you don't have to like it..If by you saying they feel too much like rubber dome means you don't like the way they feel..that's fair enough..but to me Topre feel very solid, very well made, smooth and you get this oneness you just don't get on a normal rubber dome keyboard...The G15 feels like junk in comparison...nowhere near the stability or feel...

But I do agree with you on one point...I don't like using them for gaming...Something doesn't feel right mashing them in gaming...but for typing they're really fantastic...they make my Cherry boards feel a bit cheap in comparison....and I love using my Cherry boards...

Honda Civics are really close to Mercedes Benz, because they both use rubber tires.

A more apt comparison would be Hyundai vs Lexus.  A typical OEM cherry board (Hyundai Sonata (good mid-size sedan)) isn't going to have quite the same feel(but still be better than it could be) as a RF or HHKB (Lexus LS series (better mid-size sedan)) , but spend similar money and that difference ends up getting less noticeable (As you've mentioned)(Equus vs GS)

[L4yercake]

I just don't want somebody who is new to Mechanicals to feel compelled to go out and buy a Topre right off the bat because they read "its better then Cherry" because its not. When I say its NOT I don't mean its worse because its NOT. It's just completely different.

I realise now it's pointless arguing but whatever have fun guys...

[Glod]

This may be the insomnia and booze talking but why the hell are you guys making this into some sort of keyboard user's hierarchy with every glod damn topic like this. People are allowed to like different **** in life and not just silly Geekhack stuff like switches; give it a rest.

But I got to say...
You want to have an opinion about something?, TRY IT FIRST.
You want to suggest something for someone?, TRY IT FIRST.
Don't be hating on something you never tried children.

Glod damn.....next up let's start making topics like "are red heads worth it?" where more than half the people with an opinion never dated a red head chick in their entire life (they are crazy btw, just sayin).

I think I'll go pass out now..

[noisyturtle]

The build quality on redheads is crap. I got one and she had all these marks all over her. Plus I left her out in the sun for like 20mins and she came back looking like a lobster. They are fun to type on however, easy to bottom out though.

[Glod]

The build quality on redheads is crap. I got one and she had all these marks all over her. Plus I left her out in the sun for like 20mins and she came back looking like a lobster. They are fun to type on however, easy to bottom out though.

dude I just busted out laughing in my bed, woke up my wife. bravo sir.

[davkol]

Yeah, do not understand these "worth it" type posts.  Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, but that value varies by individual.

Is Mad Catz STRIKE 7 worth it?

[davkol]

It's rare to see a thread like "Are Korean Customs worth it?" and it's even rarer to see someone that doesn't own one (because of choice, budget limitations or switch preference) say things like every time this stupid topic comes up.   Some people like topre and others like cherry, let them.

Because it's obvious they aren't worth it. It's like asking whether luxurious SUVs/supersports are worth it, or not. Obviously they aren't, but some people still buy them—for fun, as collector items... or as penis extensions.

But I got to say...
You want to have an opinion about something?, TRY IT FIRST.
You want to suggest something for someone?, TRY IT FIRST.
Don't be hating on something you never tried children.

Let's talk about butt sex.

[joules]

[Let's talk about butt sex.

EOT

[thegunner100]

Well, this thread seems to be spiraling downwards... And just wanted to add that topre keyboards have PBT dyesubbed keycaps, which normally cost about $100 or so.

[lazerpointer]

Lol. I once said this would happen again and agree about the stickies or polls.

This is not the last thread like this I would wager, unless the search engine gets a bit of an upgrade )

There's definitely a ridiculous premium for EK boards... But they have good service and a 1 year warranty, not to mention a high quality board. It was worth it for me - if your budget leaves you crying yourself to sleep after buying a Cherry board though, don't come crying when you pay for three and get one keyboard, it's Just A Keyboard after all. I find them nice though, and always come back to mine.

[AKIMbO]

I like all the switch types and switch among them pretty regularly. If I had to pick one keyboard to use for the rest of my life it would probably be an HHKB.

This is exactly how I feel...except with a Realforce (I don't own an HHKB).  I love buckling springs because of their click and tactility....but they are too damn loud for 24/7 use and gaming on them isn't fun.  I love reds for gaming, typing not so much.

Topre is an excellent mix of tactility, softness, and silence. 

[MJ45]

Some people love them and some don't, i think they are worth it and provide the best typing experience available, but for intense gaming action I prefer MX blacks or reds. I think most that would buy a Topre board would most likely have several keyboards anyway. But If you find you don't like them don't buy them or knock the them or the ones who do that's why there is so many different keyboard, switch type etc. available. 

[Saturn]

I'm sure Topre keyboards are amazing, and I've always wanted one.

But sometimes you can tell that at least some of the Topre fans try really hard to justify the purchase to themselves, or they're just advocating way harder than they need to be.  When people talk about a Filco, they say it's a good solid keyboard with very high build quality and an excellent reputation.  But when Topre zealots talk about a Topre, they want you to know that it's not just a good keyboard, but THE BEST.  Way better than any Cherry keyboard out there.  It kind of reminds me of apple/mac fans.

What is it about Topre that inspires such religious devotion?

[daerid]

What is it about Topre that inspires such religious devotion?

A higher quality product, same as Apple

[davkol]

You nailed it.

/sarcasm

[llovro]

Topre's are love/hate keyboards. You either love it a lot or you hate it. Simple as that.

[orlando]

Some drive a toyota others prefer a Lexus.

[Michael]

I don't think anyone here has attempted to 'justify their purchase' other than personal preference. So stop trolling and stick with what keyboard works best for you.

[Glod]

truth

I got it reiterate my rant earlier, if you haven't tried something how is it right for you guys to make an opinion on something. alot of those who prefer topre have cherry boards (mmb ^), so I would say their opinions are the most valid in this argument as long as we don't make this into some keyboard user's hierarchy with topre on top.

[davkol]

I got it reiterate my rant earlier, if you haven't tried something how is it right for you guys to make an opinion on something.

How dare all those historians have opinions on WWII, if they haven't experienced it?

[Glod]

I got it reiterate my rant earlier, if you haven't tried something how is it right for you guys to make an opinion on something.

How dare all those historians have opinions on WWII, if they haven't experienced it?

The war is documented by people who were there and evidence accumulated over the period of the war (mass graves, etc) and historians analyse evidence, documentation, etc.

The question in this topic is "are topres worth it" which means the responses should only come from those who have actually tried topre. is it that hard to understand?

[twilek]

My wallet has gotten up from his somber and sad position, wiped the tears off of his eyes, and is fully prepared for yet another day of abuse. Now the question remains, what amount of force in grams should I get my hhkb in? Also, can you get them in different force amounts?

[Glod]

HHKB = 45g

[L4yercake]

I dual wield these f**kers come at me.



In all seriousness though I don't even like Topre and I own two 

[tjcaustin]

I got it reiterate my rant earlier, if you haven't tried something how is it right for you guys to make an opinion on something.

How dare all those historians have opinions on WWII, if they haven't experienced it?

That's a ridiculous strawman, sir.  Historians are paid money to investigate, research, verify, research and compile written, recorded and word-of-mouth accounts of what happened.

People that haven't touched a topre that offer an opinion is more like a person criticizing food they've never ate based on price and the availability of cheaper food.

[davkol]

Sure, some opinions are more valid than other opinions. Enjoy your elitist circlejerk.

[longweight]

Sure, some opinions are more valid than other opinions. Enjoy your elitist circlejerk.

Do you own Topre?

[davkol]

People that haven't touched a topre that offer an opinion is more like a person criticizing food they've never ate based on price and the availability of cheaper food.

Whether a keyboard is worth the price, or not can be based on subjective matters (feel, looks) as you're trying to suggest, but it can be also based on facts. As I've mentioned in my first comment in this thread, there's exactly one ergonomic design with Topre switches, and its availability is inferior to competition. This is a fact.

[longweight]

People that haven't touched a topre that offer an opinion is more like a person criticizing food they've never ate based on price and the availability of cheaper food.

Whether a keyboard is worth the price, or not can be based on subjective matters (feel, looks) as you're trying to suggest, but it can be also based on facts. As I've mentioned in my first comment in this thread, there's exactly one ergonomic design with Topre switches, and its availability is inferior to competition. This is a fact.

Complete bollocks.


Have you ever owned a Topre board?

[TheQsanity]

Looks like im late to the party.

I have had may cherry mx but just the price of two cherry mx lets you try topre.

I have yet to try topre but happy hacking layout and size is quite unique. Thats what I'd be getting if or when I get one.

[Grim Fandango]

Damn this board and making me feel like I need to spend at least a couple of hundred bucks more in my quest for the perfect keyboard.

[noisyturtle]

OK well I think we can all agree some people like them and some do not or haven't tried them. Does that about sum it up?
I would be interested to see the production cost of an individual board however.

[longweight]

OK well I think we can all agree some people like them and some do not or haven't tried them. Does that about sum it up?
I would be interested to see the production cost of an individual board however.

Probably not much more than the cost of making an MX board.

[orlando]

All jokes aside we are all different and enjoy different products. What might be worth it for you might not be worth it for me and vice versa.