HHKB Pro 2 Love

[dustinhxc]

I've got the same problem, I am keen to buy a 55g 87u but I would never be able to gut it for the 55g domes. Need to find someone who is just selling the domes but it would seem that is a tall order. Not many broken 87u's out there How does the HHKB feel with 55g is it quite different?

Feels way more alive, very snappy. I thought it would be a very extreme weight but it's actually just a bit more to make it perfect. Not sure why they chose 45g for all models. They should have the option like RF gives you. But I've got enough left over to have a 45g 87U w 55g alphas. So it'll be nice.

[atlas3686]

I've got the same problem, I am keen to buy a 55g 87u but I would never be able to gut it for the 55g domes. Need to find someone who is just selling the domes but it would seem that is a tall order. Not many broken 87u's out there How does the HHKB feel with 55g is it quite different?

Feels way more alive, very snappy. I thought it would be a very extreme weight but it's actually just a bit more to make it perfect. Not sure why they chose 45g for all models. They should have the option like RF gives you. But I've got enough left over to have a 45g 87U w 55g alphas. So it'll be nice.

Great that is what I was hoping for, going to have to pull the trigger on a 55g soon and do something similar. They really should offer a 55g model but I suppose the product is niche as it is so more options must be tough.

[osi]

I've got the same problem, I am keen to buy a 55g 87u but I would never be able to gut it for the 55g domes. Need to find someone who is just selling the domes but it would seem that is a tall order. Not many broken 87u's out there How does the HHKB feel with 55g is it quite different?

Feels way more alive, very snappy. I thought it would be a very extreme weight but it's actually just a bit more to make it perfect. Not sure why they chose 45g for all models. They should have the option like RF gives you. But I've got enough left over to have a 45g 87U w 55g alphas. So it'll be nice.

Dustin--have you ever typed on a Leo FC660C? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the different feels there.

[reziak]

Received my Type-S in the mail today! I actually feel like I can type faster on this thing, but I don't really know why. It somehow feels lighter than my standard Pro 2 - maybe it has a slightly shorter throw or something? Anyway, quick question for all you Type-S veterans -- a number of the sliders on my alphas make this high pitched, whistling kind of sound that doesn't occur on my standard Pro 2 or my FC660C. It seems to be from the slider itself, as I can hear it when I take the cap off. Feels like it's from the friction of plastic on plastic. Is that normal? If it is, does it go away as it gets broken in or with some lube? I'm perfectly happy with the board, but hadn't hear that sound in any YouTube videos or mentioned anywhere. It's a very minor thing, I'm just more curious than anything! It's certainly a hell of a lot quieter than my other two Topre boards, which will come in handy when I move into a studio with my fiance!

[SuperiorKarate]

I've got the same problem, I am keen to buy a 55g 87u but I would never be able to gut it for the 55g domes. Need to find someone who is just selling the domes but it would seem that is a tall order. Not many broken 87u's out there How does the HHKB feel with 55g is it quite different?

Feels way more alive, very snappy. I thought it would be a very extreme weight but it's actually just a bit more to make it perfect. Not sure why they chose 45g for all models. They should have the option like RF gives you. But I've got enough left over to have a 45g 87U w 55g alphas. So it'll be nice.

Is it just the domes that give the added weight, or the dome plus springs? Also 87u doesn't have an option that's silenced AND 55g, correct?

[VesperSAINT]

I've got the same problem, I am keen to buy a 55g 87u but I would never be able to gut it for the 55g domes. Need to find someone who is just selling the domes but it would seem that is a tall order. Not many broken 87u's out there How does the HHKB feel with 55g is it quite different?

Feels way more alive, very snappy. I thought it would be a very extreme weight but it's actually just a bit more to make it perfect. Not sure why they chose 45g for all models. They should have the option like RF gives you. But I've got enough left over to have a 45g 87U w 55g alphas. So it'll be nice.

Is it just the domes that give the added weight, or the dome plus springs? Also 87u doesn't have an option that's silenced AND 55g, correct?

Just the domes, and they do not have a silenced 55g. They don't even have a silenced all 45g. Only silenced variable weight.

[avtar]

Is it just the domes that give the added weight, or the dome plus springs? Also 87u doesn't have an option that's silenced AND 55g, correct?

Just the domes, and they do not have a silenced 55g. They don't even have a silenced all 45g. Only silenced variable weight.

If you want to see silenced 55g Realforce options then be sure to express this to EK.

[1pq]

Is it just the domes that give the added weight, or the dome plus springs? Also 87u doesn't have an option that's silenced AND 55g, correct?

Just the domes, and they do not have a silenced 55g. They don't even have a silenced all 45g. Only silenced variable weight.

If you want to see silenced 55g Realforce options then be sure to express this to EK.

Since EK doesn't manufacture Realforces, if they tried to offer silenced 55g realforces, they'd have to manually swap the sliders or domes. Are you suggesting that EK might be able to convince Topre to manufacture silent 55g RFs?

[VesperSAINT]

Is it just the domes that give the added weight, or the dome plus springs? Also 87u doesn't have an option that's silenced AND 55g, correct?

Just the domes, and they do not have a silenced 55g. They don't even have a silenced all 45g. Only silenced variable weight.

If you want to see silenced 55g Realforce options then be sure to express this to EK.

Since EK doesn't manufacture Realforces, if they tried to offer silenced 55g realforces, they'd have to manually swap the sliders or domes. Are you suggesting that EK might be able to convince Topre to manufacture silent 55g RFs?

That would be interesting, but I'd say they'd do it themselves But unlikely. 55g is naturally pretty silent though (in a RF that has a plate). Can't speak for how loud they are in HHKB though.

[1pq]

Is it just the domes that give the added weight, or the dome plus springs? Also 87u doesn't have an option that's silenced AND 55g, correct?

Just the domes, and they do not have a silenced 55g. They don't even have a silenced all 45g. Only silenced variable weight.

If you want to see silenced 55g Realforce options then be sure to express this to EK.

Since EK doesn't manufacture Realforces, if they tried to offer silenced 55g realforces, they'd have to manually swap the sliders or domes. Are you suggesting that EK might be able to convince Topre to manufacture silent 55g RFs?

That would be interesting, but I'd say they'd do it themselves But unlikely. 55g is naturally pretty silent though (in a RF that has a plate). Can't speak for how loud they are in HHKB though.

They're pretty silent because they have less thock, not because they have a dampened upstroke, though, right?

[VesperSAINT]

Is it just the domes that give the added weight, or the dome plus springs? Also 87u doesn't have an option that's silenced AND 55g, correct?

Just the domes, and they do not have a silenced 55g. They don't even have a silenced all 45g. Only silenced variable weight.

If you want to see silenced 55g Realforce options then be sure to express this to EK.

Since EK doesn't manufacture Realforces, if they tried to offer silenced 55g realforces, they'd have to manually swap the sliders or domes. Are you suggesting that EK might be able to convince Topre to manufacture silent 55g RFs?

That would be interesting, but I'd say they'd do it themselves But unlikely. 55g is naturally pretty silent though (in a RF that has a plate). Can't speak for how loud they are in HHKB though.

They're pretty silent because they have less thock, not because they have a dampened upstroke, though, right?

I wouldn't say they have less thock. Probably has more do with the plate and less play when key reaches the top.

[1pq]

I wouldn't say they have less thock. Probably has more do with the plate and less play when key reaches the top.

Hmm, I've always heard that HHKB > FC660C > RF in terms of thock. You'd disagree? (I value your opinion a lot since you own all three)

[VesperSAINT]

I wouldn't say they have less thock. Probably has more do with the plate and less play when key reaches the top.

Hmm, I've always heard that HHKB > FC660C > RF in terms of thock. You'd disagree? (I value your opinion a lot since you own all three)

I'd agree with that in terms of the volume of the thock. If you're talking about which one has the best thock, well I think that is more of a subjective nature.  I think that the "thock" of these keyboards are all slightly different because of their unique construction, materials, and form factor.

When talking about the characteristics of thock, most people tend to prefer the raw thock of the HHKB because of the lack of a metal plate, therefore giving the maximum amount of sound. The RF 55g has a more deeper/low-tone and snappier/poppier sound due to the more responsive rubber cup and the addition of a metal plate, which I like equally to the HHKB. The 660C can pretty much be described as being in between the HHKB and the RF 55g, taking the best aspects of both boards and balancing out (lighter than 55g, soft bottoming out because of plate while still providing snappy and responsive feel with enough a good thock). This however, I've found, makes it kind of unexciting and I found myself typing on the 2 extremes (HHKB or 55g), but don't get me wrong, the 660C is an awesome all round board. In my opinion, the RF 45g is in between the HHKB and the 660C, which makes it kind of the combination of the downsides of the 2 boards, making it bland and boring.

I know I've said this before but I'll try to make a video of the HHKB and RF 55g, and maybe the RF 45g (23UB) so you can compare it to the sound of my 660C. I know they won't be too accurate but at least you'll have a comparison between all of them from the same environment and same source. You can adjust/calibrate based on the actual sound of your own 660C.

[avtar]

If you want to see silenced 55g Realforce options then be sure to express this to EK.

Since EK doesn't manufacture Realforces, if they tried to offer silenced 55g realforces, they'd have to manually swap the sliders or domes. Are you suggesting that EK might be able to convince Topre to manufacture silent 55g RFs?

Yes, the latter. This was Brian thinking out loud about what EK might attempt in the future to differentiate themselves from Cooler Master's offering.

[VesperSAINT]

If you want to see silenced 55g Realforce options then be sure to express this to EK.

Since EK doesn't manufacture Realforces, if they tried to offer silenced 55g realforces, they'd have to manually swap the sliders or domes. Are you suggesting that EK might be able to convince Topre to manufacture silent 55g RFs?

Yes, the latter. This was Brian thinking out loud about what EK might attempt in the future to differentiate themselves from Cooler Master's offering.

Well, that is quite interesting! Will look forward to hearing more about this. If this were to actually go through, people wouldn't have to buy 2-3 different keyboards to get the Topre board that they want, and end up trying to sell 1-2 left over Frankenstein boards.

[SuperiorKarate]

Has there been any nuanced discussion here on swapping out HHKB domes for 55g? I've seen a few people mention it, I'm curious to know more about what it would entail... is it super hard to do?

[SpAmRaY]

Has there been any nuanced discussion here on swapping out HHKB domes for 55g? I've seen a few people mention it, I'm curious to know more about what it would entail... is it super hard to do?

It's not super hard. On the HHKB you gotta be careful you don't break the tabs when you open it up. Then you want to make sure your on a good work surface and you don't lose any of the springs. Then once you get the domes etc all put back in and you put the HHKB together you gotta get it just right or keys won't register.

While you are at it you might as well do a silencing mod and lube as well.

[avtar]

Has there been any nuanced discussion here on swapping out HHKB domes for 55g? I've seen a few people mention it, I'm curious to know more about what it would entail... is it super hard to do?

Getting an entire keyboard just for the domes seems pretty extravagant but I would still like to attempt this at some point. Anything less than 55g now feels too light :/  I wonder how much the resulting Realforce keyboards with the HHKB stock domes sell for.

[avtar]

While you are at it you might as well do a silencing mod and lube as well.

I would definitely want to do the silencing mod at the same time. Does a new'ish HHKB need lube though or is it better to wait to do that?

[SpAmRaY]

Has there been any nuanced discussion here on swapping out HHKB domes for 55g? I've seen a few people mention it, I'm curious to know more about what it would entail... is it super hard to do?

Getting an entire keyboard just for the domes seems pretty extravagant but I would still like to attempt this at some point. Anything less than 55g now feels too light :/  I wonder how much the resulting Realforce keyboards with the HHKB stock domes sell for.

My white 87U donor board is still in pieces 

[avtar]

My white 87U donor board is still in pieces 

Damn, those are even pricier HHKBs then

[riotonthebay]

Someone just handed me a HHKB OMG

[avtar]

What? Congrats! But again, what? How?

[dustinhxc]

I've got the same problem, I am keen to buy a 55g 87u but I would never be able to gut it for the 55g domes. Need to find someone who is just selling the domes but it would seem that is a tall order. Not many broken 87u's out there How does the HHKB feel with 55g is it quite different?

Feels way more alive, very snappy. I thought it would be a very extreme weight but it's actually just a bit more to make it perfect. Not sure why they chose 45g for all models. They should have the option like RF gives you. But I've got enough left over to have a 45g 87U w 55g alphas. So it'll be nice.

Dustin--have you ever typed on a Leo FC660C? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the different feels there.

Nope but mine comes today! I will Silence it and Lube it!

Has there been any nuanced discussion here on swapping out HHKB domes for 55g? I've seen a few people mention it, I'm curious to know more about what it would entail... is it super hard to do?

Getting an entire keyboard just for the domes seems pretty extravagant but I would still like to attempt this at some point. Anything less than 55g now feels too light :/  I wonder how much the resulting Realforce keyboards with the HHKB stock domes sell for.

My white 87U donor board is still in pieces 

haha I put both my 87Us back together the same week I took them apart. But the 55g model I have to re do the dome for the Enter key. *facepalm* Oh well, Im a pro at opening them now..

[riotonthebay]

What? Congrats! But again, what? How?

Well, I had to hand the same guy some money, but it was still a pretty good deal

[riotonthebay]

Well, I handed them money, but still

[SuperiorKarate]

It's not super hard. On the HHKB you gotta be careful you don't break the tabs when you open it up. Then you want to make sure your on a good work surface and you don't lose any of the springs. Then once you get the domes etc all put back in and you put the HHKB together you gotta get it just right or keys won't register.

While you are at it you might as well do a silencing mod and lube as well.

The domes are attached to the PCB how? Glued? How would I remove them safely and then re-attach them?

[SpAmRaY]

It's not super hard. On the HHKB you gotta be careful you don't break the tabs when you open it up. Then you want to make sure your on a good work surface and you don't lose any of the springs. Then once you get the domes etc all put back in and you put the HHKB together you gotta get it just right or keys won't register.

While you are at it you might as well do a silencing mod and lube as well.

The domes are attached to the PCB how? Glued? How would I remove them safely and then re-attach them?

Mine just came right off. There might be a slightly sticky residue but its not like super glue or anything

Got side tracked here is a photo of the two pcbs with some stuff removed etc.

[spiceBar]

It's not super hard. On the HHKB you gotta be careful you don't break the tabs when you open it up. Then you want to make sure your on a good work surface and you don't lose any of the springs. Then once you get the domes etc all put back in and you put the HHKB together you gotta get it just right or keys won't register.

While you are at it you might as well do a silencing mod and lube as well.

The domes are attached to the PCB how? Glued? How would I remove them safely and then re-attach them?

The domes are not glued at all, and it's actually a problem because most of the time when you open the keyboard you would like them to stay in place.

As they are made of rubber and pressed hard on the PCB when the keyboard is assembled, they tend to stick just a little bit to the PCB. But they are very easy to remove.

The problem then is to put them back in place precisely centered on the PCB's key sensor. If you misalign one, the dome will stay compressed when you reassemble the keyboard, which result in a stuck key and you must open and fix... Not funny.

You can find my silencing mod for the FC660C here, with pictures. It also works for other Topre boards, including the HHKB:
  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49046.0

[SuperiorKarate]

Mine just came right off. There might be a slightly sticky residue but its not like super glue or anything

Got side tracked here is a photo of the two pcbs with some stuff removed etc.

(Attachment Link)

Thanks for your support/information guys, I just took my board apart, removed and reset the domes to get a sense of what it's like - I'm gonna go for the mod!

[osi]

My hhkb has been my main driver at work for a few months. Now I frequently make mistakes when typing on other boards, turning caps lock on, not backspacing correctly, etc. The caps lock really kills me if I'm in vi and not paying attention.

My hands and mind are now really acquainted to the hhkb layout. The reasons for my frequent errors on other boards are caused by me wanting to type in the hhkb layout on EVERYTHING. A hindrance that I now expect when using other boards.

For me, the hkkb layout is by far my favorite to type on. Will probably pick up another for the house eventually.

<3

[riotonthebay]

I got through the top row of the silencing mod that uses ironed soft-landing pads, and after putting everything back together to test that I was doing things correctly, decided that I like the feel and sound of the un-silenced HHKB better anyways . I could have lubed everything while it was opened, but I think I want to give everything a couple of months to break in before I go that route.

HHKB 4 lyfe

[argcargv]

I got through the top row of the silencing mod that uses ironed soft-landing pads, and after putting everything back together to test that I was doing things correctly, decided that I like the feel and sound of the un-silenced HHKB better anyways . I could have lubed everything while it was opened, but I think I want to give everything a couple of months to break in before I go that route.

HHKB 4 lyfe

Un-silenced HHKB is the best 

[iMav]

I just use it for my Fitbit receiver. Pretty good place for it since I carry my HHKB to/from work, that way I can have the receiver with me most of the time.

Resurrecting this thread simply to say...

  brilliant

[daerid]

I just use it for my Fitbit receiver. Pretty good place for it since I carry my HHKB to/from work, that way I can have the receiver with me most of the time.

Resurrecting this thread simply to say...

  brilliant

I just got a Charge for xmas, and HOLY CRAP that's genius.

[sethk_]

I will be getting my HHKB soon and the hype is unreal.

[daerid]

I'll probably end up getting a HHKB Type-S one of these days, depending if I can get used to the Infinity or not.

[Hypersphere]

I'll probably end up getting a HHKB Type-S one of these days, depending if I can get used to the Infinity or not.

I have an Infinity 60 with Matias switches and Hacker layout on order. In the meantime, I purchased two KBP V60 Matias switch boards, one with Matias Click and the other with Matias Quiet switches. Using Karabiner software, I've remapped them to the HHKB layout. I really like the V60 boards. If they were completely programmable and if dye-sublimated PBT keycaps were easier to find for Alps-mount/Matias switches, the V60 Matias-switch keyboards could be real contenders. I am typing this on my V60MTS-C and really enjoying it. When I need quiet typing, the V60MTS-Q is even quieter than my HHKB Type-S.

[derb2k2]

Mines will be here tomorrow! Wish EK had added Saturday delivery...the anticipation is killing me. I foresee this being my main driver for all work-related projects.

CHEERS!

[sethk_]

Mines will be here tomorrow! Wish EK had added Saturday delivery...the anticipation is killing me. I foresee this being my main driver for all work-related projects.

CHEERS!

If you live in the US I don't think you will get it tomorrow unless the post delivers on MLK day

[derb2k2]

Mines will be here tomorrow! Wish EK had added Saturday delivery...the anticipation is killing me. I foresee this being my main driver for all work-related projects.

CHEERS!

If you live in the US I don't think you will get it tomorrow unless the post delivers on MLK day

I checked Fedex Home delivery and it seems that they do deliver on MLK. Yea I was a bit worried but I know for sure that UPS works so I'm sure Fedex will too. If not, something bad might happen... )

[sethk_]

Mines will be here tomorrow! Wish EK had added Saturday delivery...the anticipation is killing me. I foresee this being my main driver for all work-related projects.

CHEERS!

If you live in the US I don't think you will get it tomorrow unless the post delivers on MLK day

I checked Fedex Home delivery and it seems that they do deliver on MLK. Yea I was a bit worried but I know for sure that UPS works so I'm sure Fedex will too. If not, something bad might happen... )

What color did you get? I have a white gray printed and I absolutely love it

[Joey Quinn]

I'm really starting to want a second HHKB (white with black printed caps) and I haven't even owned mine for a month yet. I really don't need a type s but I may go for it in the future.

[derb2k2]

I'm really starting to want a second HHKB (white with black printed caps) and I haven't even owned mine for a month yet. I really don't need a type s but I may go for it in the future.

Mines will be here tomorrow! Wish EK had added Saturday delivery...the anticipation is killing me. I foresee this being my main driver for all work-related projects.

CHEERS!

If you live in the US I don't think you will get it tomorrow unless the post delivers on MLK day

I checked Fedex Home delivery and it seems that they do deliver on MLK. Yea I was a bit worried but I know for sure that UPS works so I'm sure Fedex will too. If not, something bad might happen... )

What color did you get? I have a white gray printed and I absolutely love it

 ah I got the all dark one since it will be on my workdesk and I was afraid it would look out of place what with the monitor and computer case all black.

I'm really starting to want a second HHKB (white with black printed caps) and I haven't even owned mine for a month yet. I really don't need a type s but I may go for it in the future.

I preferred the white one with dark legends but had to opt for dark. I'm a little bit worried about the noise it will make since I've seen this issue brought up a bit. I didn't get the type-s and it is certainly out of my $ range. I don't want to resort to lubing it since I'm a bit clumsy with those things. Not even close to MX blues though, right?

[Joey Quinn]

I'm really starting to want a second HHKB (white with black printed caps) and I haven't even owned mine for a month yet. I really don't need a type s but I may go for it in the future.

I preferred the white one with dark legends but had to opt for dark. I'm a little bit worried about the noise it will make since I've seen this issue brought up a bit. I didn't get the type-s and it is certainly out of my $ range. I don't want to resort to lubing it since I'm a bit clumsy with those things. Not even close to MX blues though, right?

I plan to lube mine as soon as Bunny starts selling the Topre lube he talked about. My 55g is nowhere even close to Blues.

[derb2k2]

I'm really starting to want a second HHKB (white with black printed caps) and I haven't even owned mine for a month yet. I really don't need a type s but I may go for it in the future.

I preferred the white one with dark legends but had to opt for dark. I'm a little bit worried about the noise it will make since I've seen this issue brought up a bit. I didn't get the type-s and it is certainly out of my $ range. I don't want to resort to lubing it since I'm a bit clumsy with those things. Not even close to MX blues though, right?

I plan to lube mine as soon as Bunny starts selling the Topre lube he talked about. My 55g is nowhere even close to Blues.

Hrmm.. I guess I'm just a bit scared since I'm not familiar with Topre and the price tag lol. If I have to, I'll end up lubing it.

[Hypersphere]

Here is my HHKB Pro 2 fitted with a set of Topre blue keycaps with some red accents.

[Keybatant]

I'll probably end up getting a HHKB Type-S one of these days, depending if I can get used to the Infinity or not.

I did not so far ago, this "whisper" sound of it is damn addictive...

[Sencha]

Here is my HHKB Pro 2 fitted with a set of Topre blue keycaps with some red accents.

(Attachment Link)

Nice!

[monotagary]

I love my HHKB Pro 2. I've been using this thing everyday for 8 hours at work for the past week and it's been getting plenty of love at home.


The layout is so great. I love having control on my home row, and the delete/backspace above enter is so much better than standard ansi. The feel and sound is great. I was using a Realforce 87u 55g as my daily driver until I got this thing, and although I do love the Realforce, and still use it a lot at home, the HHKB feels so much better to use for long periods of time.

Having 2 USB ports is also a really nice bonus.