Just received my first Topre keyboard: a Type Heaven. My ongoing analysis...

[paco]

From the switches I have used, here is my preference:

Matias ALPS > MX Green > MX Brown > MX Red > MX Black

I absolutely loved the Matias ALPS switches, but for some reason, I had to get rid of the keyboard.
I really liked the QFS with MX Greens, but it was too noisy. My gf wanted to kill me (she always does..)
I had a Max Blackbird with MX Browns, but didn't like it. I think I might have been too quick to dismiss it because I thought the keys were too grindy. Maybe it required more breakin'.
I recently purchased a Poker II with MX Reds. I kept on reading Browns were simply dirty Reds. I bought into that and it was a mistake. Typing on Reds is boring to me.
I had a Deck 82 with MX Blacks and never liked it. I always thought it was a chore to type on.

So, I was still looking for that perfect keyboard.

I kept on reading Topre were the ****. Topre switches are the best. You depress on a key and can feel a small bump followed by a smooth actuation to a glorious mushy bottom. How could I resist? Plus the Type Heaven was on sale. I went for it.

And I got it today.

And I opened the box.

And I set the keyboard on my desk and I delicately depressed a switch to get the feeling of a Topre and......

..... f-word.

What is this ****?

For those saying it simply is a rubber dome keyboard, I have to say, I agree 100%.

I understand the "buttery feel". There is a smooth operation to them.

But... fun wise? A big fat zero. This is no ALPS or MX Green!!

Damn it. I figured, worst comes to shove, the keyboard would become my new work place keyboard. But it is so boring, I don't even know if I want to bring it at work.

Very, very disappointed.

And thinking it was either that keyboard or a Filco Brown...... but I had to know. Costs an arm and a leg to know Topre is hyper overrated.

I know people say you should give a couple of weeks to the keyboard before deciding, so this was my initial impressions.

I'll come back to it in a couple of days/weeks.

p.s.: damn... no way the keys are 45g. I don't have to press the space bar, I have to beat the space bar!

[Puddsy]

Welcome to the Topre hate club!

I quite like it here, without rubber in my keyboard.

Don't let the hivemind dissuade you from the true path of MX (or ALPS) switches!

Serious: I don't like Topre either. As with all keyboards, it's subjective what you like and don't like. Keep using what you think is good.

[Pacifist]

So topre isn't all that its been hyped up?

[Polymer]

Just keep using it for awhile..Use it for a week..come back to your MX for an hour..go back to your Topre for a few more days...

Give it a few weeks/month...

You wouldn't be the first person to hate Topre when they first used it...You wouldn't be the first to continue to hate it either if that was the case...or the first to love it after a few weeks...

[jabar]

I like my Topre FC660C but... no backlighting in my dim environ makes it hard to justify using.

[riotonthebay]

I like my Topre FC660C but... no backlighting in my dim environ makes it hard to justify using.

Or maybe it makes it easier to justify learning to fully touch type

[divito]

Kind of confirms what I will probably feel when I try/buy a Topre. Not sure I'll ever like using a rubberdome.

[SpAmRaY]

Kind of confirms what I will probably feel when I try/buy a Topre. Not sure I'll ever like using a rubberdome.

Typing on a type heaven isn't anything like typing on a realforce and/or a HHKB.

[rowdy]

Topre is not for everyone, but ... please try it for more than a few keypresses.  Most people say to try using it exclusively for a week and then go back MX or Alps or whatever.

OTOH if you prefer something with tactile and audible feedback, then perhaps Topre really isn't for you.

[Ahlitah]

I sorta agree with you. the Topre's are kinda boring!

Doesn't compare to typing on a Fun Mx Green switch or Alps. (i've only tried the Ducky Fake Green Alps, board is cheap, but boy is it fun to type on)

They do feel like rubber domes but a high quality one, with a nice spring to the touch.

For plain typing, I think I like the Topre. But if i'm bored and want to have fun with my typing i'll pull out a Mx Green or an Alps board every time.

[Abacus1234]

Kind of confirms what I will probably feel when I try/buy a Topre. Not sure I'll ever like using a rubberdome.

Typing on a type heaven isn't anything like typing on a realforce and/or a HHKB.

I strongly disagree. In fact, I felt that the experience was a lot more satisfying than the realforce 45g. I do prefer to 55g overall, but the Type Heaven is just as nice. They are genuine Topre switches. There is nothing remarkably distinct about the board. The price difference is in the caps. And for ABS caps, I actually REALLY like the Type Heaven's.

[Novus]

Topre feels more linear even though it has a tactile bump. So I can see why you don't like them.
You probably also should have gotten a 55G.
45G gives a more red/brown experience.

[daerid]

OMG Topre is just rubber dome?

WHEN WAS SOMEBODY GOING TO TELL ME

[tbc]

topre is for SMOOTH BORING typing.  If this is important to you, then I would argue topre does it better than anyone (45g or less, i THINK 55g is tactile enough to appeal to a different crowd)

bucking spring and imitations is for ACCURATE, EXCITING typing (accurate is in, you can practice and work on techniques to change the sound and speed of your typing).

some people like both types.  I would say most people only like one type.  mindblowing eh?

[daerid]

topre is for SMOOTH BORING typing.  If this is important to you, then I would argue topre does it better than anyone (45g or less, i THINK 55g is tactile enough to appeal to a different crowd)

bucking spring and imitations is for ACCURATE, EXCITING typing (accurate is in, you can practice and work on techniques to change the sound and speed of your typing).

some people like both types.  I would say most people only like one type.  mindblowing eh?

I was being facetious. Sarcasm on the internet is hard.

Well, as far as I'm concerned, Topre is the finest typing experience I've ever encountered. And I've tried everything except for hall-effect switches. While I like Cherry MX, I find it completely sterile and boring compared to Topre which I find exhilarating to type on.

[tbc]

^ no, your post was amusing.  i liked it.  more than topre.

[daerid]

NUH-UH :-P

[isaske]

topre is for SMOOTH BORING typing.  If this is important to you, then I would argue topre does it better than anyone (45g or less, i THINK 55g is tactile enough to appeal to a different crowd)

bucking spring and imitations is for ACCURATE, EXCITING typing (accurate is in, you can practice and work on techniques to change the sound and speed of your typing).

some people like both types.  I would say most people only like one type.  mindblowing eh?

I was being facetious. Sarcasm on the internet is hard.

It's not, it was quite obvious. I actually lol'd while reading your post 

[knguyen553]

What?! Someone hating Torpe? JK, some people like topre.. some people don't.

[RESPRiT]

It's almost like there's a personal preference to all switch types...

I don't blame you for getting Topre, it gets hyped up a lot, although seeing as you rank Reds/Browns so low compared to tactile switches, that would have a been a good indicator that Topre might not have been what you would want.

[epzy]

Cringeworthy review...

>Matias ALPS > MX Green > MX Brown > MX Red > MX Black
- Why did you choose 45g Topre?

>I kept on reading Topre were the ****. Topre switches are the best. You depress on a key and can feel a small bump followed by a smooth actuation to a glorious mushy bottom. How could I resist? Plus the Type Heaven was on sale. I went for it.
- People praise Realforces, Fc660c's and HHKB Pro 2's, not the cheapest of them all with terrible keycaps.

>For those saying it simply is a rubber dome keyboard, I have to say, I agree 100%.
- I'm afraid it's a bit more complicated than that.

>I understand the "buttery feel". There is a smooth operation to them.
- Nice, bro.

>But... fun wise? A big fat zero. This is no ALPS or MX Green!!
- No, it's Topre. Don't expect to get bananas when you pay for oranges. I don't what you look for in switches, but I think most people look for comfort, not 'fun'... altough the notorious Topre 'thock' makes it quite 'fun' to type on. No idea how pronounced the 'thock' is on the Type Heaven, though.

>Very, very disappointed.
- xD

>And thinking it was either that keyboard or a Filco Brown...... but I had to know. Costs an arm and a leg to know Topre is hyper overrated.
- Wasn't it on sale, and isn't the Type Heaven $150 before discounts?

>I'll come back to it in a couple of days/weeks.
- Okay, looking forward to it.

>p.s.: damn... no way the keys are 45g. I don't have to press the space bar, I have to beat the space bar!
- Fingers of a 9 year old. <3

[Belfong]

You want to drive a Mercedes. Then you bought a 2 door Smart car made by Mercedes. Then you screamed 'what is this sh*t!'

But Smart car is not a Mercedes.

[adhoc]

When was the last time you used a membrane keyboard? I had to endure it not long ago at work, until I got a second HHKB. They're MILES apart. Topre isn't even CLOSE to membrane tactile feedback (ON/OFF switches lol) nor audio feedback.

I'm not sure what typeheaven feels like, but Topre is the best switch I've typed on and I've tried most MX switches, ALPS and buckling spring. Hell, I even have spare keyboards with most switches from above at home.

I think you're mixing the quality of a keyboard with clicky sounds. It's OK, I was like that too, long time ago.

[Linkbane]

Congratulations on finding the donuts for the Topre police. Geekhack prides itself on being a lovely community until someone says that they don't enjoy a switch. Then it's all a battle to convince them why they're an idiot and wrong, as you can see.

[adhoc]

Geekhack prides itself on being a lovely community

Really? I feel like this is a constant piss pool* of trolls and bad mouthing all the time.

*There are some exceptions, of course.

[BlueBär]

What?! Someone hating Torpe? JK, some people like topre.. some people don't.

Seriosuly guys, this dude has 6 posts and he knows something that many of you seem to ignore right now:
It's a matter of taste.

So calm down. I think OP is more of a clicky switch guy, so Topre might just not be his thing. Oh and @OP: Afaik there is an extra spring under the spacebar, if you remove that it should be lighter.

[RESPRiT]

I think when it comes to switch preference, people need to be more careful with how they phrase things. I don't like Blues, but I don't go around saying Blue switches are ****, because as true as that is to me, it obviously isn't for other people. The backlash against Topre hate I think stems from the fact that people who don't like Topre can sometimes be aggressive about it from being disappointed. Honestly, I think if users would just word their preferences more kindly, there would be a lot less conflict when it comes to "I hate X switch" statements, because, let's be real, you're going to piss off a lot less people if you say "Topre isn't for me because X" as opposed to "Topre is complete garbage because X".

[BlueBär]

I don't like Blues,...

What?! On the stake with him!

But seriously, I completly agree with you. I also don't see why some people try to convince other people that a switch is actually good if the person thinks it is not. If somebody doesn't like a switch, he might like it in a year or so, but right now he doesn't. I don't see how you could convince somebody to change his taste. Sure, encourage him to try it some more, but don't force him to like something

[Hyde]

What?! Someone hating Torpe? JK, some people like topre.. some people don't.

Seriosuly guys, this dude has 6 posts and he knows something that many of you seem to ignore right now:
It's a matter of taste.

So calm down. I think OP is more of a clicky switch guy, so Topre might just not be his thing. Oh and @OP: Afaik there is an extra spring under the spacebar, if you remove that it should be lighter.

Yeah based on his switch preference, I already know he won't like Topre before he tries it.

Sounds like he's more of a sharp tactile switch kind of guy.  Nothing wrong with that it's just preference.

I'd suggest you try maybe Ergo Clear or Buckling Spring?

Or why not get another Matias again?  If Matias is too loud buy the Quiet Pro, if Quiet Pro is too mushy take out the dampers (which I plan to do on mine soon lol, I'll let you guys know how it goes later).

[Linkbane]

What?! Someone hating Torpe? JK, some people like topre.. some people don't.

Seriosuly guys, this dude has 6 posts and he knows something that many of you seem to ignore right now:
It's a matter of taste.

So calm down. I think OP is more of a clicky switch guy, so Topre might just not be his thing. Oh and @OP: Afaik there is an extra spring under the spacebar, if you remove that it should be lighter.

Thanks.

[Abacus1234]

God so many people in this thread dissing the Type Heaven that have never tried one. I have one and a Realfroce 45g. The Type Heaven is, if anything, nicer. Keys also feel firmer and better than the F660c. I have 4 Topre boards at the moment, and the Type Heaven is actually my second favorite, behind the Realforce 55g.

So much elitist circle jerking. So little actual experience. It is okay if this guy doesn't like Topre. Please don't act like the reason he doesn't like it is because of the Topre board he chose, not because the switches simply aren't to his taste.

[Linkbane]

I wish I could type that post out, but the almighty moderators would permaban me for it. Despite using Topre as my main board, I love MX and find it quite sad when other owners act like schoolchild bullies and put down others because their feelings are hurt when people don't agree with them.

[dante]

I briefly owned a Realforce 87U Silent but discovered I preferred more noise and a number pad - so then I got a 104U; it was good but ultimately decided the PBT keycaps were a bit harsh/stiff for my hands.  I then bought a Topre TypeHeaven and love it.  After how many keyboards I prefer the Typeheaven and its keycaps.  Also I like that I can actually read the wording on the keycaps better than the black Realforce dyesub.  Any negatives?  I wish it was variable instead of 45g uniform but it's a small price to pay; it's still easy enough for me to type on.

The keyboard is nothing special - it just happens to be the most comfortable typing experience (both physically, and aurally) that I've come across for my personal preferences.

[demik]

find it quite sad when other owners act like schoolchild bullies and put down others because their feelings are hurt when people don't agree with them.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

with that said, OP, topre isn't for everybody.

I love my hhkb, it's my only keyboard and I wouldn't trade it for the world. BUT, if I didn't have this, MX green all the way. I just love the sound of that click. And blues are too light for me.

[zig_ziglar]

  I've never tried Topre (shipping to Aus makes the cost difficult to justify). I can empathise with the OP for his disappointment, but it is wise to remember to take accountability for our own actions. Not pointing fingers at all. Just remember people, if you take accountability and ownership of your OWN decisions and actions that have lead to undesirable consequences, you will avoid becoming a bitter and irrational person who stagnates rather than evolves.

I love all switches I have tried, each for their own qualities. Some cause pain over time so I avoid them, some are not as engaging to use as others, but I enjoy having the option to choose which one I'm in the mood for at the time or which one is more appropriate in any given circumstances.

Topre is not for you. Nevermind, man - on-sell it and try clears instead

[rowdy]

I've never tried Topre (shipping to Aus makes the cost difficult to justify). I can empathise with the OP for his disappointment, but it is wise to remember to take accountability for our own actions. Not pointing fingers at all. Just remember people, if you take accountability and ownership of your OWN decisions and actions that have lead to undesirable consequences, you will avoid becoming a bitter and irrational person who stagnates rather than evolves.

I love all switches I have tried, each for their own qualities. Some cause pain over time so I avoid them, some are not as engaging to use as others, but I enjoy having the option to choose which one I'm in the mood for at the time or which one is more appropriate in any given circumstances.

Topre is not for you. Nevermind, man - on-sell it and try clears instead

Topre boards do appear on Ebay.au occasionally.  Where I found my HHKB

[BlueBär]

BUT, if I didn't have this, MX green all the way. I just love the sound of that click. And blues are too light for me.

Hmm out of interest, have you ever tried Alps? Personally I prefer the sound of white or blue Alps to MX Blues/Greens.

[demik]

BUT, if I didn't have this, MX green all the way. I just love the sound of that click. And blues are too light for me.

Hmm out of interest, have you ever tried Alps? Personally I prefer the sound of white or blue Alps to MX Blues/Greens.

"fake" alps that came in a siig minitouch and abs m1. i believe they have a different name (fukkas? xm?). but other than, i haven't touched any other alps boards. i'd love to, but, every one i've seen has that big ass enter which i'm not a fan of.

[Pacifist]

BUT, if I didn't have this, MX green all the way. I just love the sound of that click. And blues are too light for me.

Hmm out of interest, have you ever tried Alps? Personally I prefer the sound of white or blue Alps to MX Blues/Greens.

"fake" alps that came in a siig minitouch and abs m1. i believe they have a different name (fukkas? xm?). but other than, i haven't touched any other alps boards. i'd love to, but, every one i've seen has that big ass enter which i'm not a fan of.

AT101W is 100% standard ANSI and is pretty common

[tribade]

I went from my first board (razer BWU) with blues to an HHKB.  I feel in love with the aesthetics of it from the moment I set my eyes on it.  I probably should have done a lot more research, but damn I just couldn't stop myself.  For me, it wasn't disappointing because I could tell the build quality was just so much better than the razer, and I was personally pretty happy with the switches.  But, as I am wont to do, I eventually decided that I needed to delve further into the world of mechanical keyboards, and for me that meant going back to the Cherry MX switch.  My next board would be a KMAC mini with 55g blacks, which I happen to be typing with right this minute.  And I love it.  But I found myself coming back to the HHKB as well.  Then I got a QFR stealth in order to try Greens, and again I liked it (although it isn't as solid as I would have liked) but I kept coming back to the HHKB.  A Model M was next in line, and I didn't like it all that much, and now two duckys.  One to try blues again because maybe it was just the POS board that made me not like them that much, and one to try whites.  And again it was back to the HHKB (and I use my KMAC a lot as well).  Basically for a lot of us there is no ultimate switch, and we sure as hell aren't going to be able to find it without a lot of money and time spent.  I would say that people that have found the switch for them without a whole lot of searching are the exception to the rule.  I hope you liked Topre, but even if you didn't I hope you think of it as a learning experience, and that it will help guide you to a board you really truly feel "oneness" with.

TL:DR Different strokes for different folks, and it's about the journey as much as the destination.

[demik]

BUT, if I didn't have this, MX green all the way. I just love the sound of that click. And blues are too light for me.

Hmm out of interest, have you ever tried Alps? Personally I prefer the sound of white or blue Alps to MX Blues/Greens.

"fake" alps that came in a siig minitouch and abs m1. i believe they have a different name (fukkas? xm?). but other than, i haven't touched any other alps boards. i'd love to, but, every one i've seen has that big ass enter which i'm not a fan of.

AT101W is 100% standard ANSI and is pretty common

guess i'll add this:

60% or tkl. i dont like big boards.

[Belfong]

TL:DR Different strokes for different folks, and it's about the journey as much as the destination.

+1 to what you say. I also have a few boards from Blues, Clears, Alps and Topre. But I always end up with the HHKB and Topre. It's a love-hate relationship but the cup rubber is irresistible.

[Polymer]

Despite using Topre as my main board

Do you find it inconsistent that you talk about not bottoming out to type properly but your main is now a board you bottom out on all the time?  Have you seen it make a big difference in your speed having to bottom out on Topre?

[remdell]

I don't really blame paco for not liking Topre.  The switches you like are simply a matter of preference, and this can change over time. 

I can honestly say that I probably would not have ranked Topre so high if I had not tried other mechanical switches.  Before my first mechanical keyboard, I was using a Logitech Illuminated keyboard with scissor switches, a Goldtouch, and a Keytronic keyboard for a few years.  Once I tried MX Browns on a Cherry G80-8200, I was amazed and intrigued by how differently they felt in comparison to rubber domes.  However, I'm sure that if I was given Topre as my first mechanical keyboard, I would not have been as amazed as I was using MX browns.  When I tried my MX browns, I couldn't dub MX browns as similar to anything, but I'm sure that I would have dubbed Topre as a combination of Keytronic rubber domes and Logitech scissor switches. 

It is my development of using various mechanical keyboards that has got me to really appreciate Topre.  My fingers are able to recognize the slight differences Topre has in comparison to rubber domes and other mechs and blow up those slight differences into epic proportions.  Given that I've just tried Topre (on an 86U) for the first time yesterday, I see 45g Topre as a smooth linear switch before actuation, but upon actuation and small tactile bump, it acts like a weightless switch or even like a magnet that just pulls your fingers down until the switch bottoms itself out. That feeling after actuation is so unique and so premium that it gives me similar chills to when I tried a mechanical keyboard (MX browns) for the first time.

[Linkbane]

Despite using Topre as my main board

Do you find it inconsistent that you talk about not bottoming out to type properly but your main is now a board you bottom out on all the time?  Have you seen it make a big difference in your speed having to bottom out on Topre?

No, because while I do bottom out for the most part, it still registers the feather-light presses when I wouldn't expect another keyboard to. My speed is about the same on most keyboards, give or take a few percent less on RDs.

[Polymer]

Despite using Topre as my main board

Do you find it inconsistent that you talk about not bottoming out to type properly but your main is now a board you bottom out on all the time?  Have you seen it make a big difference in your speed having to bottom out on Topre?

No, because while I do bottom out for the most part, it still registers the feather-light presses when I wouldn't expect another keyboard to. My speed is about the same on most keyboards, give or take a few percent less on RDs.

So if you bottom out on Topre but retain the same speed, you're saying that isn't inconsistent with your theory you need to not bottom out to type fast?  I think your own typing is disproving your own theory...the two definitely are not consistent with each other. 

On a different subject....You now like Topre eh? 

[mougrim]

I don't understand... If OP liked greens but greens were too loud for his gf, why not try MX blues? Quieter, not so stiff version of greens. Or vice versa.

[BlueBär]

I don't understand... If OP liked greens but greens were too loud for his gf, why not try MX blues? Quieter, not so stiff version of greens. Or vice versa.

I don't think Blues are that much quieter that it would matter.

[mougrim]

I don't understand... If OP liked greens but greens were too loud for his gf, why not try MX blues? Quieter, not so stiff version of greens. Or vice versa.

I don't think Blues are that much quieter that it would matter.

Then there are always O-rings.

[BlueBär]

Then there are always O-rings.

Which don't dampen the click sound. The click sound is quite high-pitched and more prominent than the bottoming out sound, if somebody gets annoyed by the sound of a keyboard with MX Blues it probably isn't because the person is bottoming out.