Thinking of going all Topre

[atlas3686]

Hey,

So I recently made the switch from Filco to HHKB. I absolutely love the Topre switches but I have kept my fullsize Filco just because it's nice having a full-size board occasionally and my girlfriend doesn't like the blank HHKBs. With the drop in the price of the Realforce boards I have been thinking of trying to trade my Filco MJ2 fullsize (brown) with extra ducky side printed PBT caps and PBT RGB modifiers (maybe even a couple other extra mx novelty caps) for a 55g realforce. I am a little reluctant to let go off MX entirely because I do really like the Filco but I just don't think I will ever actually use them anymore. Has anyone gone Topre and then decided they actually like to use MX sometimes or for certain activities? Also anyone with a 55g realforce, what do you think? I think I just need some reassurance before I take the plunge to all Topre. 

I do generally prefer heavier switches and actually really like my Filco TKL with Blacks I just don't like the fact that you don't really know when they have actuated.

Thanks

[sth]

yeah do it

[atlas3686]

Concise I like it what's your daily driver STH?

[sth]

hhkb professional (the old one without the usb hub)

it's pretty much my only driver at this point

[atlas3686]

Nice, the USB hub is mostly quite useless anyway.

[oTurtlez]

Nice, the USB hub is mostly quite useless anyway.

Not nearly enough power for a two port hub. I went all Topre for a while and then missed the feel of MX after about 6 months. Decided to get two MX boards to fill that hole, though my 87u is still my DD.

[atlas3686]

Nice, the USB hub is mostly quite useless anyway.

Not nearly enough power for a two port hub. I went all Topre for a while and then missed the feel of MX after about 6 months. Decided to get two MX boards to fill that hole, though my 87u is still my DD.

This is pretty much what I am concerned about 

[osi]

Buy a realforce then sell off your MX boards as they start to collect dust. No need to go all in unless you need to sell your stash to get a realforce in the first place.

[MJ45]

Nice, the USB hub is mostly quite useless anyway.

Not nearly enough power for a two port hub. I went all Topre for a while and then missed the feel of MX after about 6 months. Decided to get two MX boards to fill that hole, though my 87u is still my DD.

Topre's are my favorite, I have an HHKB Pro2 and Realforce 87UB 55g. But still like having MX boards for change of feel plus they are the best for gaming action. Besides where else would I put my double shot keycaps? 

[demik]

Go all topre. Topre kingdom > cherry peasantry

[sth]

Go all topre. Topre kingdom > cherry peasantry

plus you can tie it to your dog

[demik]

Go all topre. Topre kingdom > cherry peasantry

plus you can tie it to your dog

Always a plus

[neunelfer]

The $199 55g is very tempting..

[atlas3686]

Buy a realforce then sell off your MX boards as they start to collect dust. No need to go all in unless you need to sell your stash to get a realforce in the first place.

The $199 55g is very tempting..

Really promised myself I wouldn't spend anymore on boards, it costs a fortune to get stuff here add customs and it's crazy. My fullsize Filco cost me around $280 all in! That $199 55g would be mighty tempting if my currency hadn't just gone to ****, literally the worst performing in the world at the moment. So if I am going to do it I need to turn one of my current boards into cash or trade. I think I am going to get rid of the Filco TKL (blacks) anyway, it's already gathering dust. Then maybe think about adding some cash for the 55g.

[Macsmasher]

I went Topre about two years ago. I now have three 87Us, an HHKB Pro2 and a Realforce numpad.

I finally just yesterday mailed my Das Ultimate to a buddy in Cali. I'd been keeping it around thinking I'd use it someday. But every time I pulled it out, I couldn't stand more than five minutes on it.

I bought a Filco Majestouch 2 TKL with browns for a client last month. I used it for half a day before he picked it up. Very nice build quality. However, I couldn't see myself ever using it if I owned it.

Honestly, Cherry is going to have to refine their switches if keyboard manufactures begin adding Topre based boards to their product lines. The new entry level Topre boards we've seen come out in the last year also prove they can compete on price as well. The new Leo FC660 is only about $190 and comes with PBT keycaps. Add PBT keycaps to a Filco and you're there.

[oTurtlez]

Nice, the USB hub is mostly quite useless anyway.

Not nearly enough power for a two port hub. I went all Topre for a while and then missed the feel of MX after about 6 months. Decided to get two MX boards to fill that hole, though my 87u is still my DD.

This is pretty much what I am concerned about 

I'm gonna probably sell my phantom soon simply because I prefer my ergo-dox. I don't mind switching off.

Nice, the USB hub is mostly quite useless anyway.

Not nearly enough power for a two port hub. I went all Topre for a while and then missed the feel of MX after about 6 months. Decided to get two MX boards to fill that hole, though my 87u is still my DD.

Topre's are my favorite, I have an HHKB Pro2 and Realforce 87UB 55g. But still like having MX boards for change of feel plus they are the best for gaming action. Besides where else would I put my double shot keycaps? 

I use my cherry boards for my special caps as well haha. They're a good change every now and then. I personally have no issue gaming on topre vs mx. The only deciding factor in which board I game with is whichever I'm typing on at the moment lol. )

[Linkbane]

I'm actually really liking my Topre, despite being a Blue fan. I don't really prefer one for typing over another; in fact, I really can't compare them well, but if my fingers are tired after typing (which they are pretty much all the time), then it's more comfortable to use a cushy 45g Topre over a sharp, tactile Blue.

[zoolzoo]

is dynex or logitech better?

[quickcrx702]

Fawk yes on the 55g Realforce!!!  I still use my 45g, and various other MX switches when I want to change things up.  Actually, the Matias laptop pro gets used pretty often as well, much more than the MX switches, but still not as much as the 55g.  The 55g is that nice.  If you prefer heavy switches like you said, you won't be disappointed.

[dustinhxc]

I run both. If I were you Id save up to get a Realforce. Its good to have both switches for multiple keysets and keycaps. Sucks being limited to one type. 

[eth0s]

I run both. If I were you Id save up to get a Realforce. Its good to have both switches for multiple keysets and keycaps. Sucks being limited to one type. 

lol.  This is true, but I am keeping my MX boards merely as a place to store my MX keycaps.  I don't actually use them anymore.   Actually, I should sell them to somebody who will give them the love and attention they deserve.

Go all Topre, and don't look back is my advice.

[atlas3686]

All good points, I think I am gonna get rid of one filco and save a little for the 55g. Anyone know what a Filco MJ2 tkl (black) goes for?

[quickcrx702]

All good points, I think I am gonna get rid of one filco and save a little for the 55g.

 

[Polymer]

I'm actually really liking my Topre, despite being a Blue fan. I don't really prefer one for typing over another; in fact, I really can't compare them well, but if my fingers are tired after typing (which they are pretty much all the time), then it's more comfortable to use a cushy 45g Topre over a sharp, tactile Blue.

How has the Topre impacted your speed?

I use Topre almost exclusively...I use Cherry for gaming and that is about it (because I dislike Topre for games).  Typing wise it is fine though, I like Cherry still and I like typing on them..just not as much as Topre...

[fatmav]

If your gf doesn't like the blank keycaps on the HHKB, then she may not like the black-on-black caps Realforce either since the printing is very hard to read. Think about getting the black-on-white/grey. Just FYI.

[ComradeSniper]

I had a Poker and a Filco before getting my first topre board (FC660c), ended up selling both and going full Topre. No regrets, my MX stuff only would've collected dust.

[Hull]

I was a Cherry and dome user for a long time but always knew something was not right with the feel of my keyboards.

From my distant youth, I remembered something wonderful, something indescribable. That something was Topre.

As I bought my first Topre, the feeling from my youth returned, oh yes, this is heaven! I never look back, its like leaving your body and becoming pure energy. You can do anything and everything feels perfect! You do not want to return.

It's like dying a horrible death just to wake up realizing it was just a bad dream.
It's like falling asleep in Hell just to unexpectedly wake up in Heaven.
It is like different souls you skip between every time you start dreaming, hoping you dream of Topre again.

Do it!

[demik]

I was a Cherry and dome user for a long time but always knew something was not right with the feel of my keyboards.

From my distant youth, I remembered something wonderful, something indescribable. That something was Topre.

As I bought my first Topre, the feeling from my youth returned, oh yes, this is heaven! I never look back, its like leaving your body and becoming pure energy. You can do anything and everything feels perfect! You do not want to return.

It's like dying a horrible death just to wake up realizing it was just a bad dream.
It's like falling asleep in Hell just to unexpectedly wake up in Heaven.
It is like different souls you skip between every time you start dreaming, hoping you dream of Topre again.

Do it!

poetry

i will quote you every time a cherry peasant tries to tell me his weak switch is better

[neunelfer]

I was a Cherry and dome user for a long time but always knew something was not right with the feel of my keyboards.

From my distant youth, I remembered something wonderful, something indescribable. That something was Topre.

As I bought my first Topre, the feeling from my youth returned, oh yes, this is heaven! I never look back, its like leaving your body and becoming pure energy. You can do anything and everything feels perfect! You do not want to return.

It's like dying a horrible death just to wake up realizing it was just a bad dream.
It's like falling asleep in Hell just to unexpectedly wake up in Heaven.
It is like different souls you skip between every time you start dreaming, hoping you dream of Topre again.

Do it!

poetry

i will quote you every time a cherry peasant tries to tell me his weak switch is better

Hahaha

Hull, if you're serious, do you remember what keyboard it was?

[Hull]

neunelfer:

No. I'm sorry to say I cannot remember, I will do some research but I guess it was something I was looking for that I assume was from my youth, but could as easily be from another life. Maybe it is some universal feeling that everyone is looking for subconsciously but very rarely find. And even more rarely can actually touch and experience with your hands.

Any which way, the feeling is so great it is comparable to the best things in life.

The mysterious thing is that it also grows on you the more you experience it. Not many things in life does.

[dante]

Fawk yes on the 55g Realforce!!!  I still use my 45g, and various other MX switches when I want to change things up.  Actually, the Matias laptop pro gets used pretty often as well, much more than the MX switches, but still not as much as the 55g.  The 55g is that nice.  If you prefer heavy switches like you said, you won't be disappointed.

Which is stiffer - the 55g Realforce or Quiet Pro?

[quickcrx702]

I don't have a bunch of nickels to do the Rip-o-meter, and I'm too lazy to look up the specs, but I can tell you just by feeling the 55g feels stiffer.  I would say that the laptop pro feels like a more mechanical keyboard, somewhere between Cherry MX brown and a 55g.  The 55g feels like some sort of cyborg keyboard that is half natural and half mechanical.

[atlas3686]

Thanks for all the advice, Hull that was beautiful!

[tuxsavvy]

I sort of started Topre and am slowly working my way from there in terms of mechanical keyboards of varied sorts. Topre isn't my first mechanical keyboard but it is my expensive keyboard that I have ever purchased to date after not knowing and haven't properly used a mechanical keyboard for a long time.

Recently I bought G80-5000 (Cherry MX brown). The keyboard is way older than my Topre board but one thing for certain is that I cannot let go of Cherry MX for many reasons (most of which are personal). I think to stick with Topre and to never for instance having properly tried out other switches may give indications of one's biasness in all honesty. Sure Topre is nice but one has never felt what a bad keyboard could be like for instance as well. I must admit that even the aging G80-5000 that I bought still feels much nicer than the Tai-Hao semi-mechanical keyboard I also have. Though that is really one of the many reasons I have that I won't let go of G80-5000 easily.

[Oobly]

Do what you sense is best.

What I would do: Sell both Filcos and get a TKL with Browns (or in your case, Clears since you like heavier switches). HHKB for Topre, Filco TKL for MX. That is all.

MX are better for gaming, so it is worth keeping one around, IMHO.

[atlas3686]

MX are better for gaming, so it is worth keeping one around, IMHO.

I must admit, I always hear people saying this but I haven't found it unpleasant to game on my HHKB at all, in fact it's great. I have only been playing tf2 lately so haven't really tried it with other games.

[MJ45]

MX are better for gaming, so it is worth keeping one around, IMHO.

I must admit, I always hear people saying this but I haven't found it unpleasant to game on my HHKB at all, in fact it's great. I have only been playing tf2 lately so haven't really tried it with other games.

Gaming on Topres is pleasant and better with the RF 87 55g but I still score higher and have better faster response with MX switches. Its much easier to ride the actuation point on MX switches for rapid response. I mostly prefer MX blacks for gaming but my latest Phantom build I went with clears and they are pretty good for gaming and typing as well.

[fatmav]

Which is stiffer - the 55g Realforce or Quiet Pro?

I did a penny test for you tonight using the keys on the home row. My 55g triggers at the 18-20th penny depending on the key, whereas my Matias Laptop Pro triggers at the 22nd penny consistently across all keys. Both keyboards are over a year old, and I estimate that I use the 55g about half as frequently as the Laptop Pro.

Curiosity drove me to do the test on my Mini Tactile Pro: it triggers at the 24th penny.

[quickcrx702]

Which is stiffer - the 55g Realforce or Quiet Pro?

I did a penny test for you tonight using the keys on the home row. My 55g triggers at the 18-20th penny depending on the key, whereas my Matias Laptop Pro triggers at the 22nd penny consistently across all keys. Both keyboards are over a year old, and I estimate that I use the 55g about half as frequently as the Laptop Pro.

Curiosity drove me to do the test on my Mini Tactile Pro: it triggers at the 24th penny.

Seems like there is some variance in your test.  Did you ensure that the pennies were all from the same series?  There is actually a bit of variation in weight, up to half a gram for each penny, which can add up with that many pennies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_(United_States_coin)

Nickels are used because the variance is much less.  Either way those are interesting results.  Maybe the Topre just feels heavier because the weight is all at the very top.  What are your impressions since you have both, based off of feeling?

[fatmav]

I can redo the test later once I have amassed enough nickels. When I was doing the test I noticed that the pennies have very different color and age, and so I made sure the pennies were stacked in the same order so the test is meaningful as a relative comparison.

To my fingers, the 55g and the Laptop Pro feel very similar in terms of the triggering strength. That's why I thought I would do a penny test. But if you ask me which keyboard I prefer, I tend to side with the Laptop Pro (and MX Brown) for everyday use. The only time I have an absolute preference on the Topre is when I am doing a type race with my officemate. Topre has very high tolerance on the hitting angle, and that is a definite advantage.

[quickcrx702]

Cool.  Thanks for the input.  Hopefully this helps other people make a decision about a keyboard.  I agree with you that the laptop pro is an excellent keyboard that gives the 55g a run for it's money, though for me it comes in at second place.  Either one is a great choice though.

[Emospence]

I got rid of my Filco and Rosewill and now have 2 Topres for home and work.

Do it.

[kod]

my Matias Laptop Pro triggers at the 22nd penny consistently across all keys. Both keyboards are over a year old, and I estimate that I use the 55g about half as frequently as the Laptop Pro.

Curiosity drove me to do the test on my Mini Tactile Pro: it triggers at the 24th penny.

It's a little odd to me that the tactile pro is 10% stiffer, from what I can tell the matias quiet click switches are the same as the noisy switches.  Is that keyboard newer?

[fatmav]

You are correct---it does get quite a bit less use than my Laptop Pro since I keep the Mini Tactile Pro for home use only. (I don't dare to use the other keyboards at work. Only Brown, Topre 55g, and Laptop Pro in office.)

However, if my feeling is to be trusted (doubtful, but a data point anyway), the Laptop Pro actually softens up nicely over time, whereas the Mini Tactile Pro never seems to "break in" much.

[Wildcard]

Go big or go home

[aref]

I 'invested' in Topre re Realforce 87U/55-gram keyboards; also love my old IBM SSK. These are my two favorite keyboards and the only ones I use these days. Sold off or gave away my Filcos, CMQFRs, and Leopolds. I had a couple 45-gram 87U KBs, but the required down force was a bit too light for me, I sold both 45g keyboards. I do have one Unicomp Ultra Classic that gets an occasional bit of computer time. For the past six months it's been the the SSK and my 87U/55-gram keyboards.

[kod]

You are correct---it does get quite a bit less use than my Laptop Pro since I keep the Mini Tactile Pro for home use only. (I don't dare to use the other keyboards at work. Only Brown, Topre 55g, and Laptop Pro in office.)

Haha, is the tactile pro really that loud that your coworkers would come after you with axes?

[aref]

I got rid of my Filco and Rosewill and now have 2 Topres for home and work.

Do it.

Same here: I got rid of my MX switches and picked up two Realforce 87U/55-gram keyboards. I had this keyboard with all 45-gram switches, but the 55-gram has a superior to me. Opinions vary; and RF has a large 45-gram following. But, for me, the 55g is ever so crisp and responsive.

[aref]

Fawk yes on the 55g Realforce!!!  I still use my 45g, and various other MX switches when I want to change things up.  Actually, the Matias laptop pro gets used pretty often as well, much more than the MX switches, but still not as much as the 55g.  The 55g is that nice.  If you prefer heavy switches like you said, you won't be disappointed.

When I had a 45-gram and my 55-gram, switching as the day wore on, I found the 45-gram too light and made too many accidental key actuations. I can go between buckling-spring and 55g Topre, but I have difficulty trying to get into a lighter switch after using my 55g boards. Now I pretty much stay with my 55g for writing. I've yet to find a switch I prefer to the 55-gram Topre.

[fatmav]

Haha, is the tactile pro really that loud that your coworkers would come after you with axes?

The tactile pro can get too noisy for me even when I am studying at home and taking notes. The clicks are just too disruptive to my thoughts. When I am studying, I swap in an MX Brown.

I am sure my coworkers won't do anything to me regardless of what keyboard I use, but that's because they are all nice people. The problem is we sit in cubicles in this office. There is this one guy who decides that he feels more productive with an MX Blue. Everyone around him are wearing headphones or earplugs right now. What for?

My closest office neighbor uses an MX Brown, and I rotate between a Laptop Pro (2/3) and a Topre 55g (1/3). We are both happy with the "noise to tactility ratio".