HHKB Pro 2 vs Pro 2 Type-S

[kfmfe04]

I just bought a black Filco TKL (MX red) with black Ducky PBT keys that I move from machine to machine.

I'm planning to buy the beige version of the hhkb pro 2 or pro 2 type-S in the next couple of months so I don't need to do this.
Or at the very least, I intend to carry this one with my laptop as it will be the smallest keyboard in my planned arsenal.

For owners of either one, is the difference worth the extra $100 or so?
Besides the dampening on the upstroke, are there any additional features?

Also, is the grey actually bluer on the type-S?  It looks like it in my eyes on their website, but I wonder if it actually is a different color:
http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/type-s/

[SpAmRaY]

There is a beige HHKB?

[kfmfe04]

Ooops - sry about that - meant white...  白 as on the website

[Air tree]

buy the regular version and do the landing pad/ Dental band mod.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49046.0

[SpAmRaY]

Ooops - sry about that - meant white...  白 as on the website

Whew....thought I was missing something!!

[tuxsavvy]

If you can afford to do it yourself silencing then go for that. Though silenced Topre goes through the foam route as opposed to dental band route.

The work required on foam is a bit more than dental band as it requires cutting the foam to the right sizes for each of the keys. I was also pointed out to threads like this by OO2: http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/hhkp-pro-jp-variable-force-silencing-mods-t5196.html?hilit=silencing%20mod

There is also this (by OO2) showing the difference in silenced Topre slider versus the non-silenced Topre slider. Both OO2 and myself aren't exactly sure why the base of the slider (not slider housing) seems more oblong on the silenced variant compared to non-silenced version. (facepalm self) Forgot the link: http://imgur.com/a/8vnHb

I may in the future take off the foam off my Type-S and see if the sound is restored for my HHKB JP. There is also something else of a peculiar interest with the Type-S versus non Type-S. The slider looks more smoothed out on the Type-S whereas the non Type-S looks more rough. Then again in essence I guess you are paying for about $100 more for foam based factory silencing, the Type-S logo and probably smoother slider.

[theMANtonio]

I'm actually really happy with the way my HHKB sounds and feels with a dental band mod. Still the same thock, but less rattle on the way up. It seemed to add just a tad of resistance, but feels good.


I used these for the HHKB: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AGKNQBY - Clear 3/16" 2.5 Oz.


I ordered these for my RF 87U (I have 2): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DB6OERK - Amber 3/16" 2.5 Oz. (Probably the exact same thing, but it was cheaper since it was 2 packs of 100 bands each).

[Mikey Mo]

...maybe just the noice? oh..l never used hhkb....

[SuperiorKarate]

Arggg. Now I must try the dental band mod...

[spiceBar]

If you can afford to do it yourself silencing then go for that. Though silenced Topre goes through the foam route as opposed to dental band route.

The work required on foam is a bit more than dental band as it requires cutting the foam to the right sizes for each of the keys. I was also pointed out to threads like this by OO2: http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/hhkp-pro-jp-variable-force-silencing-mods-t5196.html?hilit=silencing%20mod

There is also this (by OO2) showing the difference in silenced Topre slider versus the non-silenced Topre slider. Both OO2 and myself aren't exactly sure why the base of the slider (not slider housing) seems more oblong on the silenced variant compared to non-silenced version. (facepalm self) Forgot the link: http://imgur.com/a/8vnHb

I may in the future take off the foam off my Type-S and see if the sound is restored for my HHKB JP. There is also something else of a peculiar interest with the Type-S versus non Type-S. The slider looks more smoothed out on the Type-S whereas the non Type-S looks more rough. Then again in essence I guess you are paying for about $100 more for foam based factory silencing, the Type-S logo and probably smoother slider.

I went with the foam rubber route as I could not get any dental bands locally:
  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49046.msg1056220#msg1056220

It's on a FC660C, but I think it applies to the HHKB as well.

The landing pads are a little too thick out of the box, so I have used a clothing iron to slim them down when I modded my Realforce 87U. The silencing effect is very good and the "Thock" is preserved:
  http://www.chesstiger.com/images/keyboards/RF87_silenced_before_after.mp4

You need to slim the landing pads down to half their initial width (or just slightly more) so they end up being 0.5mm thick.

Ironing the landing pads is probably less work than cutting a sheet of rubber foam.

I wanted to post an how-to on this. I have taken the pictures while I was doing the mod, but I still have to write the guide.

[Emospence]

I haven't really noticed enough bothersome "rattle" to justify the cost of Type-S

[ValerieV]

I haven't really noticed enough bothersome "rattle" to justify the cost of Type-S

I agree. the sound the keyboard makes is what makes me love the topre so much. i love the sound but if it is something that really bothers you, than i guess try the S model. I have never tried one so i don't know what it is like. For those who have it, does it impact your typing speed?

[terran5992]

I think that there are a few threads about this alr

[theMANtonio]

Arggg. Now I must try the dental band mod...

Do it! Finished my HHKB in about an hour. My RF 87U 55g is my daily, but sometimes I just quickly type random letters on the HHKB cuz it sounds so good lol.

[spiceBar]

I haven't really noticed enough bothersome "rattle" to justify the cost of Type-S

I agree. the sound the keyboard makes is what makes me love the topre so much. i love the sound but if it is something that really bothers you, than i guess try the S model. I have never tried one so i don't know what it is like. For those who have it, does it impact your typing speed?

A pregnant girlfriend and a 2 years old sleeping in the room where you are working is all it takes to really appreciate a silenced keyboard.

When they are sleeping, I even stop using my mouse because even a mouse click may be too much. I use an Apple trackpad.

Totally silent work sessions.

[SpAmRaY]

I've heard its better to make noise so the kids get used to it, instead of trying to be super quiet.

[tuxsavvy]

I haven't really noticed enough bothersome "rattle" to justify the cost of Type-S

I agree. the sound the keyboard makes is what makes me love the topre so much. i love the sound but if it is something that really bothers you, than i guess try the S model. I have never tried one so i don't know what it is like. For those who have it, does it impact your typing speed?

Not so much for me, I have probably lost at most 2 wpm. However strictly speaking my HHKB JP is quite specific to a point.