Topre - Are they worth the switch?

[Danule]

After having one for 8 months I'd say yes. It is my favorite keyboard to type on, worth the price.

[tribade]

Okay now for the whammy.
TOPRE VS KMAC/PHANTOM or sprit custom.

NOW what do you pick?

Why not both?   )

I went from a razer blackwidow to HHKB to KMAC, and I honestly couldn't really choose between those last two.  So I switch between them pretty regularly.  Sometimes I just long to be one with the cuprubber 

I'm too lazy to unplug keyboards and then walk over to the keyboard storage.
Then I have to wrap and secure the cord and then get another keyboard, unwrap the cord and plug it in.
Way too tedious 

Haha, well that's the best part about my desk at school; it has a drawer that is perfectly TKL sized and therefore perfect for the good ol' keyboard hot swap.  The model M and QFR get the closet treatment, though.  They're for special occasions 

[noisyturtle]

Also Topre is louder than many of my MX boards, save for blues. It's the first time my roommates ever complained about my late night clackings.

[SpAmRaY]

Also Topre is louder than many of my MX boards, save for blues. It's the first time my roommates ever complained about my late night clackings.

Your doing it wrong

[Sniping]

Also Topre is louder than many of my MX boards, save for blues. It's the first time my roommates ever complained about my late night clackings.

Your doing it wrong

*Type-S*

[noisyturtle]

Also Topre is louder than many of my MX boards, save for blues. It's the first time my roommates ever complained about my late night clackings.

Your doing it wrong

I bottom err day, I'm not ashamed 

[SpAmRaY]

Also Topre is louder than many of my MX boards, save for blues. It's the first time my roommates ever complained about my late night clackings.

Your doing it wrong

I bottom err day, I'm not ashamed 

I'm curious if those hi-profile caps are louder also?

[terran5992]

Worth every penny

[geogga]

Personally, the only reason I don't like HHKB is the control key. I mean yes, it makes it more unique than other 60% keyboards but I need it for gaming; it is my crouch key. I have been accustomed to it for years and since getting a computer. But as that fellow mentioned, you can use caps lock to crouch, using your ring finger instead of your pinky( I don't find any strain or fatigue after sessions) but I havnt tried that..
A realforce would be the more realistic approach. I have yet to get one, hopefully I try it if not resell it.
Good luck

[kfmfe04]

Personally, the control key is the premier reason for my wanting the hhkb.

UNIX placement is ideal for C++/vim/emacs programming.

For years, I would only buy the Japanese version of the MacBook Pro because the control key is in the right place.  These days, built-in software switching in OSX makes this less of an issue, but that's still the first thing I look for in any OS/keyboard combination.

[noisyturtle]

Also Topre is louder than many of my MX boards, save for blues. It's the first time my roommates ever complained about my late night clackings.

Your doing it wrong

I bottom err day, I'm not ashamed 

I'm curious if those hi-profile caps are louder also?

I guess they must be, but I have no comparison.

[rowdy]

Also Topre is louder than many of my MX boards, save for blues. It's the first time my roommates ever complained about my late night clackings.

My HHKB is the quietest recent keyboard I have.

Except, maybe, for something with MX black if I don't bottom out, but then I bottom out all the time

[fuzzybaffy]

Interesting... I'm pretty sure my Filco with MX Browns are louder than my RF87u.

[kfmfe04]

My experience is the same as that of Rowdy's - my hhkb is much quieter than my Filco TKL MX Reds with doubleshots.

[atlas3686]

Ya the hhkb is quite silent. My Filco with browns is definitely louder. As rowdy said I think if you don't bottom out blacks they can be a little quieter. The type-s is almost entirely silent except for the awesome dull thock.

[nar]

Gotta remember your also paying a lot for default PBT keycaps and having it all made in Japan. The Type Heaven is much closer in price to a normal Filco and still uses the same Topre switches so you can try that if your worried about the price.

[HongKongFui]

For me they're not worth it, for others they are worth it.

what else can you say? nothing...

[Ghetto Caps]

if only they made a topre switch tester for like 10 bucks

[dustinhxc]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230996149797

Get a keychain! I have an MX board Clears Lubed, MX numberpad Browns, and HHKB Pro 2 45G Dental Banded, 2 MX Keychains (i swap switch types in them all the time, right now blue and clear), 2 Topre keychains (Realforce Brand)

I love both, ill be honest. If the MX isnt lubed than I dont like it but lubed I love it. Topre I love unlubed or lubed. Just get one. Dont switch but enjoy both like me. 

[Linkbane]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230996149797

Get a keychain! I have an MX board Clears Lubed, MX numberpad Browns, and HHKB Pro 2 45G Dental Banded, 2 MX Keychains (i swap switch types in them all the time, right now blue and clear), 2 Topre keychains (Realforce Brand)

I love both, ill be honest. If the MX isnt lubed than I dont like it but lubed I love it. Topre I love unlubed or lubed. Just get one. Dont switch but enjoy both like me. 

That's nearly the price of a QFR on sale.. Someone would make a fortune selling a 104u's switches in acrylic for $15 each.

[mljs54]

I'm sure this has been said but If you happen to like Topre switches I would look at it this way:

Once you get good caps for any of the higher-end MX boards (e.g. Filco), you're not *that* far off in price from a used Realforce/HHKB @ ~$180-220USD (HHKB obviously on the higher end of this range); you can get some fantastic Topre boards here in the classifieds that are basically like-new... seldom used in rotation, person bought from EK and didn't like the switches/layout, etc..  The price difference is really marginal especially for something that will potentially be your daily driver keyboard.  I happen to love the switches much more than MX and the premium I paid for both my HHKB and RF (both used from the classifieds here) to me is worth it.  Also, I happen to personally think the white HHKB and RF are the best stock looking boards you can buy outside of those $400-500 Korean KBs, and as a minimalist, I don't really need to do anything to them and am really content with what is on my desk at the moment.

Just my 2 cents.

[neunelfer]

Personally, the only reason I don't like HHKB is the control key. I mean yes, it makes it more unique than other 60% keyboards but I need it for gaming; it is my crouch key. I have been accustomed to it for years and since getting a computer. But as that fellow mentioned, you can use caps lock to crouch, using your ring finger instead of your pinky( I don't find any strain or fatigue after sessions) but I havnt tried that..
A realforce would be the more realistic approach. I have yet to get one, hopefully I try it if not resell it.
Good luck

If you were to use your ring finger, you would lose full WASD movement while crouching. I've always been accustomed to the control key, but had no problems adjusting to caps lock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230996149797

Get a keychain!

Sorry, but I think this is a bad idea - spending almost a quarter of what a Realforce would cost for a single switch? You can barely get a sense for the characteristics of a switch from a single key.

[dustinhxc]

Personally, the only reason I don't like HHKB is the control key. I mean yes, it makes it more unique than other 60% keyboards but I need it for gaming; it is my crouch key. I have been accustomed to it for years and since getting a computer. But as that fellow mentioned, you can use caps lock to crouch, using your ring finger instead of your pinky( I don't find any strain or fatigue after sessions) but I havnt tried that..
A realforce would be the more realistic approach. I have yet to get one, hopefully I try it if not resell it.
Good luck

If you were to use your ring finger, you would lose full WASD movement while crouching. I've always been accustomed to the control key, but had no problems adjusting to caps lock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230996149797

Get a keychain!

Sorry, but I think this is a bad idea - spending almost a quarter of what a Realforce would cost for a single switch? You can barely get a sense for the characteristics of a switch from a single key.

I know, the boards are so spendy so if he wasnt willing to drop $240 + Shipping then just get the keychain for 1/6 the price.

[rowdy]

if only they made a topre switch tester for like 10 bucks

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38541.0

[neunelfer]

Personally, the only reason I don't like HHKB is the control key. I mean yes, it makes it more unique than other 60% keyboards but I need it for gaming; it is my crouch key. I have been accustomed to it for years and since getting a computer. But as that fellow mentioned, you can use caps lock to crouch, using your ring finger instead of your pinky( I don't find any strain or fatigue after sessions) but I havnt tried that..
A realforce would be the more realistic approach. I have yet to get one, hopefully I try it if not resell it.
Good luck

If you were to use your ring finger, you would lose full WASD movement while crouching. I've always been accustomed to the control key, but had no problems adjusting to caps lock.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230996149797

Get a keychain!

Sorry, but I think this is a bad idea - spending almost a quarter of what a Realforce would cost for a single switch? You can barely get a sense for the characteristics of a switch from a single key.

I know, the boards are so spendy so if he wasnt willing to drop $240 + Shipping then just get the keychain for 1/6 the price.

The $199 45g is a really good deal, and they could always sell it on here if they didn't like it.

[Emospence]

Here in the holy grail of capitalism, we're SOL when it comes to actually trying things first :/ ... at least when they don't appeal to a broad audience

Just buy one then, you will probably like it.

If not, if you're located in the US, they shouldn't be too hard to sell

[HAL9000]

I bought my first Topre 2 months ago. I chose the 55g version since I have been using IBM Model M for the last 20 years. I realy like it.

[robertsig]

I enjoy a uniform Topre 45g more than any keyboard I've owned.  The Topre 55g version is second.  But I was not a die hard mechanical keyboard guy, so I'm not expecting Cherry behavior.  I have a Cherry MX Clear based board on order, and I imagine an ergo version of that might be close, but not quite.  I prefer silent keys the most, but can't make the switch (pun intended) to a scissor based board for those extra couple decibels.

[noons]

I enjoy a uniform Topre 45g more than any keyboard I've owned.  The Topre 55g version is second.  But I was not a die hard mechanical keyboard guy, so I'm not expecting Cherry behavior.  I have a Cherry MX Clear based board on order, and I imagine an ergo version of that might be close, but not quite.  I prefer silent keys the most, but can't make the switch (pun intended) to a scissor based board for those extra couple decibels.

I love my Topre 45g as well, however I also enjoy my cherry mx brown at work. I think my fingers just like the different experience both offer. After typing all weekend on my Topre going to the office and typing on my browns I am always like " wow I love these things" then vice versa when I get home. For me I wouldn't say it is worth the switch entirely as I still enjoy my mx browns, however I would say it is definitely worth the purchase.

I owned a HHKB pro 2 for a month or two at one point however I just couldn't get used to the layout. The thing that killed me the most, more then the arrow keys was the placement of the \ and the backspace. I am in a linux terminal almost all day and constantly use | , so when I would get to work or use my laptop I constantly made mistakes. Only way I could use one is if I used it exclusively, bouncing back and forth just didn't work out for me.

[Polymer]

I owned a HHKB pro 2 for a month or two at one point however I just couldn't get used to the layout. The thing that killed me the most, more then the arrow keys was the placement of the \ and the backspace. I am in a linux terminal almost all day and constantly use | , so when I would get to work or use my laptop I constantly made mistakes. Only way I could use one is if I used it exclusively, bouncing back and forth just didn't work out for me.

                                           

When I first got my HHKB I had the same problem.  I told myself either I'd get used to going back and forth between the HHKB backspace and the normal one or I'd probably end up selling it.  It took awhile but for whatever reason, it is completely natural to go back and forth..I'm not quite sure why either...Same with the CTRL key although for whatever oddball reason, when using my RF, even though I've moved the CTRL key to the same position as it is on my HHKB, it isn't as natural for me to use it..not sure why...

I just figure it is like learning to drive on both sides of the road..it is hard to switch back and forth but eventually you can do it...

[mljs54]

I owned a HHKB pro 2 for a month or two at one point however I just couldn't get used to the layout. The thing that killed me the most, more then the arrow keys was the placement of the \ and the backspace. I am in a linux terminal almost all day and constantly use | , so when I would get to work or use my laptop I constantly made mistakes. Only way I could use one is if I used it exclusively, bouncing back and forth just didn't work out for me.

                                           

When I first got my HHKB I had the same problem.  I told myself either I'd get used to going back and forth between the HHKB backspace and the normal one or I'd probably end up selling it.  It took awhile but for whatever reason, it is completely natural to go back and forth..I'm not quite sure why either...Same with the CTRL key although for whatever oddball reason, when using my RF, even though I've moved the CTRL key to the same position as it is on my HHKB, it isn't as natural for me to use it..not sure why...

I just figure it is like learning to drive on both sides of the road..it is hard to switch back and forth but eventually you can do it...

I don't have the Ctrl / Backspace issue either going back and forth between HHKB at home and a standard 104 layout at work (can't even swap Ctrl/Caps because of no admins rights).

The hardest thing to get used to on the HHKB for me was/is naturally knowing where Home/End was vs. Page Up/Page Pown without thinking about it (i.e. looking down at the keys or hovering over slowly from the arrow diamond).  The arrow diamond is actually really natural and didn't take more than a day to get used to.  Same thing with ~/Del.

If you use the HHKB exclusively, I don't see it taking more than a week (maybe?) to get used to the layout IMO.

[Polymer]

Yeah, it isn't the layout that is was the problem...it was switching back and forth that was difficult at first...I'd get used to the backspace on the HHKB...I'd have dozens of \\\\ when going back to any other keyboard..it was really painful (although oddly enough, going back to the HHKB I didn't have issues..it was always going back to a normal layout after using a HHKB). 

[1pq]

You don't need to TRYOUT  a topre board..

It feels identical to any other rubber dome keyboard.. 

Heavy resistance at the top,,  once the dome buckles, it feels linear the rest of the way down.


The improvement of the Topre from rubber dome, is not in FEEL, it's mostly that it actuates at 2mm like cherry..


If you remember, on a rubber dome vanilla, there are times where you're compelled to Press the keys really hard to make sure they register...

That is alleviated by the 2mm travel distance..


THAT"S it..... anyone that tells you differently is delusional..... and merely trying to justify their purchase...



I am not saying the board isn't worth whatever they paid (market price is market price),

I'm merely saying the Fanbois are delusional and have created magical keyboard properties to which they attribute to Topre that DO NOT EXIST.

Show Image

Well if this isn't opinion stated as fact again...

As to the OP: vintage blacks and topre are some of my favorite switches. They're quite different though. If you're totally happy with your reds, then you don't really need to worry about topre. If you want a smooth tactile and "thocky" switch, you might like topre. Unfortunately, the only real way to find out is to try it.

[Linkbane]

Just got my own board, and I honestly think that there isn't really particularly much 'thock' to it, but it's very comfortable nevertheless. Maybe I wouldn't recommend it for the price, but it's still quite nice nevertheless.

[Polymer]

Give it some time.  I think Topre is very underwhelming for people when they first try it...It isn't until you've used it awhile, compared it with Cherry MX and going back and forth do you start appreciating it.  You'll then start seeing how it differs from normal rubber dome keyboards because at first they'll seem very similar....

I think the worst thing you can do it evaluate it for a few minutes/hours/days and think you know what it'll be like.  It isn't like your resale will be impacted if you use it for a bit longer and see...

[Pacifist]

Is there a topre tester?

[Novus]

Is there a topre tester?

Rich friends

[SpAmRaY]

Is there a topre tester?

There was one on DT.

And there is always the Topre keychains.

[Pacifist]

Is there a topre tester?

There was one on DT.

And there is always the Topre keychains.

Where do we get the keychain?

[Linkbane]

Give it some time.  I think Topre is very underwhelming for people when they first try it...It isn't until you've used it awhile, compared it with Cherry MX and going back and forth do you start appreciating it.  You'll then start seeing how it differs from normal rubber dome keyboards because at first they'll seem very similar....

I think the worst thing you can do it evaluate it for a few minutes/hours/days and think you know what it'll be like.  It isn't like your resale will be impacted if you use it for a bit longer and see...

The first thing I did was compare it to a RD, and notice the differences which separate it. Perhaps the tactility is of the dome variety, but it's very comfortable and not so harsh to type on. It's also rather difficult to not bottom out on, especially compared to my Blue boards. Also, it's taking some time getting used to the layout, but overall no complaints (except the annoying lack of cable channels).

And there is always the Topre keychains.

Where do we get the keychain?

You cancelled it, don't you remember?

[SpAmRaY]

Is there a topre tester?

There was one on DT.

And there is always the Topre keychains.

Where do we get the keychain?

well for now you can buy one off ebay

one day there might be one for sale from one of the members here but he's a busy guy

[Pacifist]

Is there a topre tester?

There was one on DT.

And there is always the Topre keychains.

Where do we get the keychain?

well for now you can buy one off ebay

one day there might be one for sale from one of the members here but he's a busy guy

got a link? topre keychain and realforce keychain got 0 results.

[neunelfer]

Just got my own board, and I honestly think that there isn't really particularly much 'thock' to it, but it's very comfortable nevertheless. Maybe I wouldn't recommend it for the price, but it's still quite nice nevertheless.

I think most of the thock with the HHKB comes from the switches being case mounted as opposed to plate mounted.

[SpAmRaY]

Is there a topre tester?

There was one on DT.

And there is always the Topre keychains.

Where do we get the keychain?

well for now you can buy one off ebay

one day there might be one for sale from one of the members here but he's a busy guy

got a link? topre keychain and realforce keychain got 0 results.

feng had them recently perhaps they sold out

[Pacifist]

Is there a topre tester?

There was one on DT.

And there is always the Topre keychains.

Where do we get the keychain?

well for now you can buy one off ebay

one day there might be one for sale from one of the members here but he's a busy guy

got a link? topre keychain and realforce keychain got 0 results.

feng had them recently perhaps they sold out

how did I miss that

[SpAmRaY]

Is there a topre tester?

There was one on DT.

And there is always the Topre keychains.

Where do we get the keychain?

well for now you can buy one off ebay

one day there might be one for sale from one of the members here but he's a busy guy

got a link? topre keychain and realforce keychain got 0 results.

feng had them recently perhaps they sold out

how did I miss that

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230996149797


keychain is spelled wrong probably messing with the search function

[riotonthebay]

6 of those and you have a HHKB!

Wait a second...

[SpAmRaY]

6 of those and you have a HHKB!

Wait a second...

yeah but you won't get a fancy realforce cap

and the blue model costs even more

[demik]

45 ****ing dollars for a keychain?

does it cook and clean?

[SpAmRaY]

45 ****ing dollars for a keychain?

does it cook and clean?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Realforce-Keycain-w-Blue-PBT-Dyesub-Keycap-/330896362942

$59 if you want blue