Author Topic: Topre for gaming?  (Read 16002 times)

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Offline Keytrun

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Topre for gaming?
« on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 22:27:44 »
What do you all think of topre for gaming? How can you even game on the HHKB with the limited keys? The realforce looks really ugly, imo so its not something I would consider getting. I wish they would shorten that top area where it says realforce and it would be fine, but that extra half of inch of plastic just makes it look odd. Are there any other really good topre brands?

Offline tuxsavvy

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:03:05 »
There was a thread about gaming with HHKB. I am pretty sure one can remap the limited set of keys they have for something else that they would use in instance for gaming. There's softwares like autohotkey for windows and remapkey4mac (I think that is what it is called) for mac, so there is some options there. Failing that would then lead to one needing an open firmware and board in which Hasu has offered a TMK project to allow one to remap keys as they wish.

Gaming on Topre keys (and more so especially HHKB for that matter) is simply a matter of taste.  For me I would agree with what swill said when it comes to Topre vs MX (I actually don't have a MX board yet but may consider one in the future):

I do love the feel and I think I am probably going to get more topre boards in the future, but I still do like the clickity clack of an mx board too.  They are just different.  I will use my topre board when sipping fine wine and I will use my mx board when I feel like I want to break someones face...  haha...

As for your last question about other good topre brands. There really aren't that many Topre switches based keyboards around. I think you really only have four current manufacturers to choose from and with only one of them that manufacturers Topre based keyboard with 60% layout:
  • PFU HHKB Pro (60%)
  • Realforce (TKL, numpads, and full size)
  • Typeheaven (I think they offer mainly full sized for now)
  • Leopold FC660C (The only keyboard from Leopold as far as I know of that has Topre switches instead of their usual line of MX switches).
That said, there are a few other manufacturers in the past that have used Topre switches such as sony for instance but sourcing those keyboards wouldn't be easy let alone getting it to work with a more modern computer (some of those have proprietary cables/communication making it really hard for such keyboards to co-exist with a modern generic machine).
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Offline demik

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:03:30 »
topre for everything
No, he’s not around. How that sound to ya? Jot it down.

Offline rowdy

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:05:57 »
Thorpe for President!
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline demik

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:14:27 »
What do you all think of topre for gaming? How can you even game on the HHKB with the limited keys? The realforce looks really ugly, imo so its not something I would consider getting. I wish they would shorten that top area where it says realforce and it would be fine, but that extra half of inch of plastic just makes it look odd. Are there any other really good topre brands?

this reasoning gave me cancer.
No, he’s not around. How that sound to ya? Jot it down.

Offline rowdy

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:17:25 »
I'm happy and game to game using keys on on Happy Hacking Key Board.

Works for me.
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline Emospence

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:51:57 »
I mostly play MMOs so Topre is fine for me.

Go with whatever feels best to you to maximise your enjoyment ;)
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Offline ComradeSniper

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:58:07 »
I use the numpad a ton for Arma 2 & 3, otherwise I can't think of any game I own (mainly FPS & RTS)  that I can't play on my HHKB the same as I would on a fullsize or TKL.

If you need dedicated arrow keys the FC660C is an excellent middle ground.

Offline ithinkimkorean

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 13 November 2013, 23:59:16 »
How many keys do you need to play games? Numbers for MMO, Alpha/Shift/CTRL/Space for FPS

Only trouble I see would be something like sc2.

Offline unicomp_uc

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 00:01:22 »
What do you all think of topre for gaming? How can you even game on the HHKB with the limited keys? The realforce looks really ugly, imo so its not something I would consider getting. I wish they would shorten that top area where it says realforce and it would be fine, but that extra half of inch of plastic just makes it look odd. Are there any other really good topre brands?

this reasoning gave me cancer.

Can only be cured by constant contact with HHKB PBT caps... and more cowbell.
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Offline Keytrun

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 00:13:15 »
How can you use the f keys on the HHKB? Is there any need to replace the keycaps or are the stock PBT caps really nice? I've never even seen thick pbt topre.

Offline Sniping

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 00:18:44 »
How can you use the f keys on the HHKB? Is there any need to replace the keycaps or are the stock PBT caps really nice? I've never even seen thick pbt topre.

There are no dedicated F keys on the HHKB but you can still use them. I think blank HHKB keycaps look wonderful, especially the white set. Topre doesn't have thick PBT sets.

Offline Keytrun

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 00:22:45 »
I understand that there aren't dedicated f keys. How easy are they to use, though? Is it easy and fast to hit a modifier key + a number or something like that? Would it work in a game like sc2? How do the pbt caps FEEL?

Are they clicky at all? What kind of noise do they make? I love how clicky my blues are.

Offline Keytrun

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 00:55:48 »
Can someone tell me what the key next to alt is? Is there a way to set that to function so i can use my left thumb on it and hit numbers for function?

Offline Polymer

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:10:13 »
I really dislike Topre for gaming..love it for typing...I don't like it for gaming...or I should say I strongly prefer Cherry MX.  And beyond that, I HATE variable Topre for gaming....

But some people like it or use it fine...but I figure if I have both, why not use them for what I enjoy them for?

Offline Keytrun

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:21:00 »
What about the uniform 55g realforce? Or the 45g HHKB. I'm so overwhelmed! So confused!

Offline Michael

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:24:56 »
I use a 55g HHKB for typing and gaming (MMO's, FPS's). I can't use 45g, it's just too soft. Variable = no thanks.

Offline atlas3686

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:29:43 »
How can you use the f keys on the HHKB? Is there any need to replace the keycaps or are the stock PBT caps really nice? I've never even seen thick pbt topre.

The F keys are fn+numbers. I haven't used one myself but from what I have heard the stock PBT caps that come with the HHKB are really nice. As would be expected from a keyboard of that price.

Offline Keytrun

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #18 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:33:44 »
Does the 55g work well for double tapping? I need to double tap a lot in SC2. How hard is it to get a 55g HHKB? Should I be looking at the 55g realforce? Or should I just forget all of this and go back to my initial plan of getting a new mx blue board?

Offline Michael

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #19 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:35:52 »
Does the 55g work well for double tapping? I need to double tap a lot in SC2. How hard is it to get a 55g HHKB? Should I be looking at the 55g realforce? Or should I just forget all of this and go back to my initial plan of getting a new mx blue board?


You have to mode the HHKB to 55g. Never had an issue with double tapping. 55g realforce is nice, too.


Nobody can tell you what switch you will end up liking. You just need to try it for yourself.

Offline atlas3686

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #20 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:38:51 »
Can someone tell me what the key next to alt is? Is there a way to set that to function so i can use my left thumb on it and hit numbers for function?

The key next to alt is the super key (Windows key/ command key). I believe one of the dip switches swaps the left super to function.

As far as I know you can't buy a 55g HHKB new, has to be customised aftermarket. Also 45g vs 55g is very much about what's best for that specific person you are only going to get opinions :)

Offline atlas3686

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #21 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:40:16 »
Does the 55g work well for double tapping? I need to double tap a lot in SC2. How hard is it to get a 55g HHKB? Should I be looking at the 55g realforce? Or should I just forget all of this and go back to my initial plan of getting a new mx blue board?


You have to mode the HHKB to 55g. Never had an issue with double tapping. 55g realforce is nice, too.


Nobody can tell you what switch you will end up liking. You just need to try it for yourself.

Where do you get the pieces to mod a HHKB to 55g? Did you gut a Realforce 55g?

Offline Michael

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #22 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:41:42 »
Does the 55g work well for double tapping? I need to double tap a lot in SC2. How hard is it to get a 55g HHKB? Should I be looking at the 55g realforce? Or should I just forget all of this and go back to my initial plan of getting a new mx blue board?


You have to mode the HHKB to 55g. Never had an issue with double tapping. 55g realforce is nice, too.


Nobody can tell you what switch you will end up liking. You just need to try it for yourself.

Where do you get the pieces to mod a HHKB to 55g? Did you gut a Realforce 55g?


I gutted a new 55g Realforce, swapped domes with the HHKB, then sold the Realforce with the part 45/55g.

Offline Emospence

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #23 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:49:30 »
How can you use the f keys on the HHKB? Is there any need to replace the keycaps or are the stock PBT caps really nice? I've never even seen thick pbt topre.

They are the sex
Keyboards: Topre Realforce 87UW 55g x 2
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Mousepads: Artisan Hien VE x 2, Razer Mantis Speed

Offline Keytrun

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #24 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 01:51:04 »
What do you think of your HHKB? Anyone here use it at 45g for gaming? Is it "mushy"?

Offline terran5992

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #25 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 02:25:21 »
What do you think of your HHKB? Anyone here use it at 45g for gaming? Is it "mushy"?

Feels amazing.

Dosent feel mushy at all

Listokei Custom  |  HHKB Pro 2  |  Topre Realforce 103UBH  |  Armageddon MKA-3


Offline rowdy

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #26 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 03:06:19 »
Many of these questions can really only be answered by the OP actually trying HHKB for gaming.

Or another Topre board, although OP's impression of RealForce leaves a lot to be desired.
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline Oobly

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #27 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 03:10:31 »
I have read that the HHKB 45g switches may be a little stiffer and more consistent than the Realforce 45g. If you like light switches (blues, browns, reds), I think the HHKB will be fine to game on stock. If you like stiffer switches (greens, clears, blacks) then the 55g will suit you better, although I believe they are still a bit lighter than the "heavy" MX switches.

Me, I like the customizability(?) of Cherry MX switches. Loving my trampoline-modded browns right now!
Buying more keycaps,
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but I must have them.

Offline terran5992

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #28 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 03:13:02 »
I have read that the HHKB 45g switches may be a little stiffer and more consistent than the Realforce 45g. If you like light switches (blues, browns, reds), I think the HHKB will be fine to game on stock. If you like stiffer switches (greens, clears, blacks) then the 55g will suit you better, although I believe they are still a bit lighter than the "heavy" MX switches.

Me, I like the customizability(?) of Cherry MX switches. Loving my trampoline-modded browns right now!

They might feel different , HHKB uses PCB-mounted switches , the realforce uses Plate-mounted switches

Listokei Custom  |  HHKB Pro 2  |  Topre Realforce 103UBH  |  Armageddon MKA-3


Offline Keytrun

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 03:16:49 »
Many of these questions can really only be answered by the OP actually trying HHKB for gaming.

Or another Topre board, although OP's impression of RealForce leaves a lot to be desired.

I've changed my mind on the realfoce. If the realfoce 55g seems like the better option than the 45g HHKB, I'd be interested in that. Any idea if http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys realforce colored keycaps are the nice pbt that comes with the board? Or are they ABS?

Offline rowdy

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #30 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 03:18:48 »
I have read that the HHKB 45g switches may be a little stiffer and more consistent than the Realforce 45g. If you like light switches (blues, browns, reds), I think the HHKB will be fine to game on stock. If you like stiffer switches (greens, clears, blacks) then the 55g will suit you better, although I believe they are still a bit lighter than the "heavy" MX switches.

Me, I like the customizability(?) of Cherry MX switches. Loving my trampoline-modded browns right now!

They might feel different , HHKB uses PCB-mounted switches , the realforce uses Plate-mounted switches

Actually HHKB is case-mounted :)
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

NEC APC-H4100E | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED red | Ducky DK9008 Shine MX blue LED green | Link 900243-08 | CM QFR MX black | KeyCool 87 white MX reds | HHKB 2 Pro | Model M 02-Mar-1993 | Model M 29-Nov-1995 | CM Trigger (broken) | CM QFS MX green | Ducky DK9087 Shine 3 TKL Yellow Edition MX black | Lexmark SSK 21-Apr-1994 | IBM SSK 13-Oct-1987 | CODE TKL MX clear | Model M 122 01-Jun-1988

Ị̸͚̯̲́ͤ̃͑̇̑ͯ̊̂͟ͅs̞͚̩͉̝̪̲͗͊ͪ̽̚̚ ̭̦͖͕̑́͌ͬͩ͟t̷̻͔̙̑͟h̹̠̼͋ͤ͋i̤̜̣̦̱̫͈͔̞ͭ͑ͥ̌̔s̬͔͎̍̈ͥͫ̐̾ͣ̔̇͘ͅ ̩̘̼͆̐̕e̞̰͓̲̺̎͐̏ͬ̓̅̾͠͝ͅv̶̰͕̱̞̥̍ͣ̄̕e͕͙͖̬̜͓͎̤̊ͭ͐͝ṇ̰͎̱̤̟̭ͫ͌̌͢͠ͅ ̳̥̦ͮ̐ͤ̎̊ͣ͡͡n̤̜̙̺̪̒͜e̶̻̦̿ͮ̂̀c̝̘̝͖̠̖͐ͨͪ̈̐͌ͩ̀e̷̥͇̋ͦs̢̡̤ͤͤͯ͜s͈̠̉̑͘a̱͕̗͖̳̥̺ͬͦͧ͆̌̑͡r̶̟̖̈͘ỷ̮̦̩͙͔ͫ̾ͬ̔ͬͮ̌?̵̘͇͔͙ͥͪ͞ͅ

Offline terran5992

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Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #31 on: Thu, 14 November 2013, 03:20:13 »
Many of these questions can really only be answered by the OP actually trying HHKB for gaming.

Or another Topre board, although OP's impression of RealForce leaves a lot to be desired.

I've changed my mind on the realfoce. If the realfoce 55g seems like the better option than the 45g HHKB, I'd be interested in that. Any idea if http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys realforce colored keycaps are the nice pbt that comes with the board? Or are they ABS?

They are PBT

Listokei Custom  |  HHKB Pro 2  |  Topre Realforce 103UBH  |  Armageddon MKA-3


Offline geniekid

  • Posts: 763
  • Location: Chicago, IL
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 07 February 2014, 15:50:00 »
I know this thread is a little dated, but I had the same question 2 months ago and have since spent a month gaming on a QFR Red, QFR Brown, and HHKB.  It really is a matter of taste, but here is a little more detail that may help others.  Note that most of my gaming time was spent in Guild Wars 2 which I think is a very good game for testing different keyboards since MMOs require the use of many keys and key combinations compared to other games.  Here are some things that helped me decide which board to stick with:

1)  Tactile feedback: YMMV but what I've found is that tactile feedback is useful for typing but isn't very helpful for gaming.  In fact, the mid-press bump I get from the MX Browns actually confuses me a little when I'm double tapping.  For this reason I particularly liked the MX Red and Topre Switches. 

2)  Force/linearity:  I know the MX Red and HHKB are both rated at 45g of weight, but the Topre has higher initial resistance.  This can either be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on whether you're more worried about fatigue or accidental mis-presses.  Because the MX Reds are so light, sometimes I accidentally pressed a button when my wrist was in a resting position and my hand was on the keyboard.  However, this was never a problem when I was actively pressing keys, as my wrists would naturally rise.

3)  Layout:  This is really only relevant to the HHKB as the RealForce has a more or less traditional layout.  Because the HHKB doesn't have function keys, I remapped my GW2 keys from F1-4 to Ctrl1-4.  I actually found this to be a superior setup once I got used to it, especially with the placement of the Ctrl key on the HHKB (where the traditional Caps Lock is).  So superior, in fact, that I remapped my Caps Lock key system-wide so I could use Ctrl+# instead of F# even when using the QFRs.  Not having to reposition your hand after hitting a function key is something you can only appreciate once you don't have to do it any more.

Right now I'm leaning towards the QFR Red as my primary board with the caveat that I've remapped several keys to match the HHKB (tilde = ESC, caps = CTRL, backslash and backspace are swapped).  It comes down to MX Red being the easiest to press which is pretty crucial for gaming.  Nevertheless, the HHKB is more than adequate for gaming and its superiority for typing may yet grant it the title of being my primary board.  We'll see.

Offline reziak

  • Posts: 263
  • Location: MN
  • Topre/60% Enthusiast
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #33 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 01:17:07 »
I use a 55g HHKB for typing and gaming (MMO's, FPS's). I can't use 45g, it's just too soft. Variable = no thanks.

I think I've been afraid to game on my HHKB just because I feel like gaming is a lot more wear and tear on specific keys (I mainly play League of Legends, so QWER get mashed quite a bit) and I love this thing so much that I don't want to hurt it. Seems pretty silly, when I really think about it, but I'm just putting this into words for the first time. Is there any validity to that statement, or am I just being dumb?

HHKB Pro 2 | FC660C | HHKB Pro 2 Type-S

Offline C5Allroad

  • Formerly HUNTERANGEL121
  • Posts: 1237
  • Location: Miami, FL
  • Watch out, I post when half asleep.
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #34 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 01:24:40 »
I'm really wondering about that too.... I feel that way for my browns.... Maybe my WASD will feel smoother while the other keys will feel crisp.

Offline Shikarikato

  • Posts: 266
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #35 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 02:00:39 »
I use a 55g HHKB for typing and gaming (MMO's, FPS's). I can't use 45g, it's just too soft. Variable = no thanks.

I think I've been afraid to game on my HHKB just because I feel like gaming is a lot more wear and tear on specific keys (I mainly play League of Legends, so QWER get mashed quite a bit) and I love this thing so much that I don't want to hurt it. Seems pretty silly, when I really think about it, but I'm just putting this into words for the first time. Is there any validity to that statement, or am I just being dumb?
I'd just like to say you're paranoid. Then again a lot of people think $100 is expensive for a keyboard let alone $260+.
I play League and I'm more concerned about the longevity of my mouse rather than the keyboard I'm using.

Offline reziak

  • Posts: 263
  • Location: MN
  • Topre/60% Enthusiast
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #36 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 02:39:24 »
You're probably right. Then again, my mouse costs a lot less than my keyboard  :p

HHKB Pro 2 | FC660C | HHKB Pro 2 Type-S

Offline Hull

  • Posts: 15
  • Location: Sweden
  • I like everything with great quality and soul.
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #37 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 02:41:09 »
Topre is absolutely perfect for gaming. Its faster, more precise and never ever fails!
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Offline nar

  • Posts: 254
  • Location: Tokyo
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #38 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 11:20:25 »
Well I will say if anyone can get their hands on a Short Throw Topre, I feel thats the best Topre for gaming, I use it all the time for SC2, Dota 2 and LOL. Its a compact with full arrow keys, full F keys (In a double stacked formation so its actually even better than normal keyboards since I can reach F1-F12 with only my left hand) and all the other relevant keys. Only the numpad keys aren't included.
Keyboards: Topre HE0100 | REALFORCE 103UB & 104UB-DK | FILCO Majestouch 2 Ai Cherry MX Blue | CHERRY G84-4101SPAUS

Offline reziak

  • Posts: 263
  • Location: MN
  • Topre/60% Enthusiast
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #39 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 12:04:55 »
Well I will say if anyone can get their hands on a Short Throw Topre, I feel thats the best Topre for gaming, I use it all the time for SC2, Dota 2 and LOL. Its a compact with full arrow keys, full F keys (In a double stacked formation so its actually even better than normal keyboards since I can reach F1-F12 with only my left hand) and all the other relevant keys. Only the numpad keys aren't included.

Where can one acquire such a board?  :cool:

HHKB Pro 2 | FC660C | HHKB Pro 2 Type-S

Offline Danule

  • Posts: 430
  • Location: Canada
  • ###
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #40 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 14:32:12 »
Topre is ok for gaming. But i find doubletaping in sc2 a bit tougher.
45g Brown Brown Blue

Offline Macsmasher

  • Posts: 462
  • Location: Portland, OR
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #41 on: Sat, 08 February 2014, 19:45:14 »
What do you think of your HHKB? Anyone here use it at 45g for gaming? Is it "mushy"?

I have a RF 55g 87U, a RF variable silent and an HHKB Pro2. I only play FPS games (CS since the early days) FarCry3, L4D, etc. I mostly use my 55g for gaming, sometimes my 45g HHKB, never the variable.

I finally got rid of my last Cherry board with browns last week. Never used it for gaming once I moved to Topre switches. Obviously it's personal preference, but I prefer Topre over Cherry MX for gaming.

Offline nar

  • Posts: 254
  • Location: Tokyo
Re: Topre for gaming?
« Reply #42 on: Sun, 09 February 2014, 13:26:52 »
Well I will say if anyone can get their hands on a Short Throw Topre, I feel thats the best Topre for gaming, I use it all the time for SC2, Dota 2 and LOL. Its a compact with full arrow keys, full F keys (In a double stacked formation so its actually even better than normal keyboards since I can reach F1-F12 with only my left hand) and all the other relevant keys. Only the numpad keys aren't included.

Where can one acquire such a board?  :cool:

You can only acquire one used (as they don't sell them retail) and in general only from China and Japan. So you need to get it off of Taobao or Yahoo Auctions or similar places.
Keyboards: Topre HE0100 | REALFORCE 103UB & 104UB-DK | FILCO Majestouch 2 Ai Cherry MX Blue | CHERRY G84-4101SPAUS