Topre Hi-Pro worth it? Worth 100$ more than Type Heaven?

[paco]

I live in Canada and NCIX Canada currently has a special on Topre keyboards. I am looking for a Topre keyboard for home, so, good timing.

Initially, I wanted a Realforce 87U 55g from EK, but read that to ship it to Canada, I would have to pay 30$ for shipping and another ~50$ for customs. With the 87U 55g going for 225$US, this means I would have to shell around 330$ CND for that keyboard, which is.... a **** load of money.

I recently bought a Type Heaven for work and went from 'meh' to 'hmm.. pretty good!' with it.

I could buy it again for 140$CND, shipping included. But, I am not too keen on its keycaps.

I was wondering if I would make a mistake by going with the Hi-Pro (YK2100) for 100$ more (it is currently for sale at 240$, shipping included). I think I found three reviews of the keyboard and everybody seems to say "great keyboard, but not a fan of the hi profile keycaps, won't keep".

I kinda like the "Space Cadet" look of the keyboard. Plus, it is a true Realforce ; made in Japan I presume. And PBT keycaps.

Is the Hi-Pro worth 100$ compared to the Type Heaven?

Thanks guys!

[Puddsy]

Type heaven is the "worst" topre board. I've typed on one before, and it was meh, especially when compared to a realforce. Plus, it has ABS keycaps. Have fun trying to replace them when they start to deteriorate (hint: it'll probably cost you more than the keyboard).

I'd say grab the hi-pro, if you can get used to it, it's a really good board. I've been typing on my realforce for a few days now, and I can safely tell you it's better built than my Filcos. And I really like my Filcos.

[kaiteoki]

the high pro is totally worth the price of 3x standard priced mechanical keyboards <(ಠ_ಠ)>

[CPTBadAss]

Those spherical caps on the Hi-Pro are *so nice*. I think that Hi-Pro board was hands down my favorite Topre board (the other being a 10AE). But if I were to buy a Topre board, it'd definitely be this one. Really, those caps are amazing.

[paco]

Those spherical caps on the Hi-Pro are *so nice*. I think that Hi-Pro board was hands down my favorite Topre board (the other being a 10AE). But if I were to buy a Topre board, it'd definitely be this one. Really, those caps are amazing.

Thanks for letting me know you liked it that much. One more thing. Someone here said they wrote to EK asking about that keyboard and EK warned them that this was not a keyboard for touch typist and rather a keyboard for precise data entry.

I don't consider myself a touch typist, but still, are the hi-profile keys fatiguing to type on after a while?

What are the big cons of using hi-profile keycaps?

[morpheus]

Don't do it bro.

[BucklingSpring]

I live in Canada and NCIX Canada currently has a special on Topre keyboards. I am looking for a Topre keyboard for home, so, good timing.

I guess you didn't see my thread http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56468.0 -> "Why did I killed my wallet for this?"
NCIX had the Hi Pro on sale last week for $239.00 + taxes and shipping fees. So $275CAD shipped in Canada! WOW, I had to have one of these.

I love Topre 55g - I hate 45g (Hi Pro is 45g) - Matter of taste I guess.

I highly recommend you any Topre models in 55g !!!
But PM me if you want my week old Hi Pro.

[nuclearsandwich]

Like CPTBadass if I were to use a Topre board this would be it. I bought one for my coworker and he's digging it. He was previously using my Realforce 55g and before that a Unicomp buckling spring board and but for wishing it was 55g this is his favorite board so far.

[BucklingSpring]

I don't consider myself a touch typist, but still, are the hi-profile keys fatiguing to type on after a while?

Fatigue is not the issue. I only have it for few days. I used to glide from one keys to the other.

With this keyboard, the scoop's edges are in the way and you feel them all the time. So I'm starting to lift my fingers higher in order to move above the edges and land dead center on the keys. It is not exactly pleasant.

I'm very skeptical that this design will increase accuracy of data entry freaks.

Anyway, some one just told me I don't deserve this Keyboard, so another good reason to part with it.

[avtar]

Initially, I wanted a Realforce 87U 55g from EK, but read that to ship it to Canada, I would have to pay 30$ for shipping and another ~50$ for customs. With the 87U 55g going for 225$US, this means I would have to shell around 330$ CND for that keyboard, which is.... a **** load of money.

I vote for pursuing the 87U 55g option It seems like a safer bet in terms of keycaps. You could save on shipping and customs if you know someone who's going to visit the U.S. in the near future. Or just keep an eye on the classifieds forum for Canadian sales.

[Abacus1234]

My opinion is that it is not worth almost double the price of a Type Heaven. I am using a Type Heaven right now, and I only like it SLIGHTLY less than my Realforce 55g. I would not recommend spending that much unless you have a ton of disposable income. I should mention that some people actually prefer the 45g Topre, and I think the Type Heaven's switches feel pretty close to a 55G already. They are certainly heavier than my F660C.

Do whatever you want, but if you're asking on Geekhack, you already know what answer 99% of people are going to give you when it comes to this. I almost feel like some people were butthurt that a $150 Topre board came out, cause it made their club a little more affordable to join.

[Hyde]

I don't consider myself a touch typist, but still, are the hi-profile keys fatiguing to type on after a while?

Fatigue is not the issue. I only have it for few days. I used to glide from one keys to the other.

With this keyboard, the scoop's edges are in the way and you feel them all the time. So I'm starting to lift my fingers higher in order to move above the edges and land dead center on the keys. It is not exactly pleasant.

I'm very skeptical that this design will increase accuracy of data entry freaks.

Anyway, some one just told me I don't deserve this Keyboard, so another good reason to part with it.

Yeah I kinda wonder about those scoop too.  When I was using DSA I also felt like I'm hitting the edge of keycap all the time.  It's hard to explain, it almost feel like the top surface got smaller.

I suspect I'm just too used to the cylindrical curve instead of the all directional dome on those old school style keycaps.

Was tempted to pull the trigger on it but I'll wait a bit longer and see.

[BucklingSpring]

Yeah I kinda wonder about those scoop too.  When I was using DSA I also felt like I'm hitting the edge of keycap all the time.  It's hard to explain, it almost feel like the top surface got smaller.

I suspect I'm just too used to the cylindrical curve instead of the all directional dome on those old school style keycaps.

Was tempted to pull the trigger on it but I'll wait a bit longer and see.

Speaking of the scoops... I was annoyed by the fact that F and J didn't have bumps. Then someone said SDF and JKL got deeper scoops.   
Now that I know, I feel it which serves the same purpose as the bumps. I was so brainwashed at seeking the bumps, I even filed a notch on F's and J's lower edge.

[kaiteoki]

Yeah I kinda wonder about those scoop too.  When I was using DSA I also felt like I'm hitting the edge of keycap all the time.  It's hard to explain, it almost feel like the top surface got smaller.

I suspect I'm just too used to the cylindrical curve instead of the all directional dome on those old school style keycaps.

Was tempted to pull the trigger on it but I'll wait a bit longer and see.

Gj ruining a keyboard that you don't deserve to use.
You aren't worthy enough to use that keyboard.
You must be an idiot to not know where the home row lies.
And even a bigger idiot to not realize topre intentionally didn't add bumps to the keyboard beause it would ruin the spherical feel of it.
Thus adding deeping bumps.
But an idiot like you had to ruin that 300$ keyboard.
What an imbecile.

Speaking of the scoops... I was annoyed by the fact that F and J didn't have bumps. Then someone said SDF and JKL got deeper scoops.   
Now that I know, I feel it which serves the same purpose as the bumps. I was so brainwashed at seeking the bumps, I even filed a notch on F's and J's lower edge.

[Belfong]

In my opinion, high profile key caps are not for everybody. If you had a Round 4 spherical caps, you will have an understanding of how difficult it is to adjust to these key caps. I am not sure if the Hi-Pro is PBT, but if it is ABS, it means that you are sacrificing the PBT caps and then have a unnatural higher profile caps. Not sure if it is worth the additional $100.

[paco]

My opinion is that it is not worth almost double the price of a Type Heaven. I am using a Type Heaven right now, and I only like it SLIGHTLY less than my Realforce 55g. I would not recommend spending that much unless you have a ton of disposable income. I should mention that some people actually prefer the 45g Topre, and I think the Type Heaven's switches feel pretty close to a 55G already. They are certainly heavier than my F660C.

Do whatever you want, but if you're asking on Geekhack, you already know what answer 99% of people are going to give you when it comes to this. I almost feel like some people were butthurt that a $150 Topre board came out, cause it made their club a little more affordable to join.

I believe you when you say the Type Heaven 45g is closer to a RF 55g than anything else. I read (too lazy for source) from others that the TH was pretty much the stiffest 45g of the Topres. Also, I have a MX Red board and cannot relate at all to people saying the Topre 45g requires about the same to actuate than a MX Red. My TH 45g requires much more IMO.

After reading all the answers, I decided not to go forward with the Hi-Pro.

I am torn. Another Type Heaven for 140$ would be the sanest thing to do (money wise). But for 210$, I could get a variable weight 104 key Realforce. Or for about 330$ the Realforce 55g TKL.

If the Type Heaven feels 90% like a RF 55g, I think I would rather go for a variable weight.

I know this has been rehashed again and again.. but I also wonder if I should go for a variable if I ain't a touch typist and I will mostly code.

Thanks for all your input.

[Belfong]

I am not a touch typist and I don't think a variable will work for me. It will be messing with my head if my pointing finger are typing different weighted keys. The constant surprise in each key press would be unnerving. If you absolutely need to buy another keyboard, why not Leopold 660C which was cited by many as one of the best 45g feel? Or a HHKB?

[Puddsy]

I am not a touch typist and I don't think a variable will work for me. It will be messing with my head if my pointing finger are typing different weighted keys. The constant surprise in each key press would be unnerving. If you absolutely need to buy another keyboard, why not Leopold 660C which was cited by many as one of the best 45g feel? Or a HHKB?

HHKB layout can be hard for some people.

I'd say 660c is a great choice though.

[paco]

I really like the layout of the FC660C. I think the overloading of the arrow keys for page navigation is smart.

The problem is, I live in Canada, and from what I understand, in North America, I can only buy a FC660C from EK. That would be a 190$US + 30$US shipping + 50$ customs + currency exchange ~= 300$CND proposition.

Vs 140$ CND for the Type Heaven..... or 150$CND for a Filco TKL?

I don't want to mix everything but, I also can't ignore the price gap.

Because the only Topre boards I have access to here in Canada are the Type Heaven, Hi-Pro and variable weights and because I ruled out the Hi-Pro and the variable weights and because I am not satisfied enough with my Type Heaven to actually buy a second one for home, I guess I'll pass on Topre for now.

Thanks for all your inputs guys!

[BucklingSpring]

Gj ruining a keyboard that you don't deserve to use.
You aren't worthy enough to use that keyboard.
You must be an idiot to not know where the home row lies.
And even a bigger idiot to not realize topre intentionally didn't add bumps to the keyboard beause it would ruin the spherical feel of it.
Thus adding deeping bumps.
But an idiot like you had to ruin that 300$ keyboard.
What an imbecile.

[X] Report to moderator

[CPTBadAss]

I don't consider myself a touch typist, but still, are the hi-profile keys fatiguing to type on after a while?

What are the big cons of using hi-profile keycaps?

For me, I don't find the spherical profile caps to be more or less fatiguing than say Cherry profile caps. They just feel different, in a good way, to me.

[BucklingSpring]

The problem is, I live in Canada, and from what I understand, in North America, I can only buy a FC660C from EK. That would be a 190$US + 30$US shipping + 50$ customs + currency exchange ~= 300$CND proposition.

Yeah

Maybe NCIX can special order other models since they are now a big reseller for Topre. I would call them if I were you.

Speaking of NCIX, I find it a bit annoying as they don't put the switch weight in their Topre lineups.

[tbc]

^ it would confuse the heck out of customers.

ncix actually had customers saying that 'cherry mx blue' was a type of wild cherry or something ridiculously made up by some weirdo trying to look smart.

[PolaBurrr]

The 55g gets my vote. Somehow feels more "thud" than type heaven. I personally wouldn't prefer hi-pro, as that may introduce wrist fatigue by angling hands up more, not to mention taller keycaps usually means more torque when pressing keys = less smooth (although probably only to a small degree).

[kaiteoki]

Yes i duno. Seems expensive

[kaiteoki]

I don't consider myself a touch typist, but still, are the hi-profile keys fatiguing to type on after a while?

Fatigue is not the issue. I only have it for few days. I used to glide from one keys to the other.

With this keyboard, the scoop's edges are in the way and you feel them all the time. So I'm starting to lift my fingers higher in order to move above the edges and land dead center on the keys. It is not exactly pleasant.

I'm very skeptical that this design will increase accuracy of data entry freaks.

Anyway, some one just told me I don't deserve this Keyboard, so another good reason to part with it.

im the one that told you, yiu dont deserve it. I also was the one ti tell yiu it had deeper grroves to replace the bumps cause u were dumb enough to want to ruin an expensive masterpiece of a product

[nubbinator]

im the one that told you, yiu dont deserve it. I also was the one ti tell yiu it had deeper grroves to replace the bumps cause u were dumb enough to want to ruin an expensive masterpiece of a product

Can't tell if you're an *******, a troll, or both.  In either case, there's no reason to talk to OP like that.  Not only that, but everyone has their own opinions and preferences when it comes to stuff like this.

[tbc]

im the one that told you, yiu dont deserve it. I also was the one ti tell yiu it had deeper grroves to replace the bumps cause u were dumb enough to want to ruin an expensive masterpiece of a product

Can't tell if you're an *******, a troll, or both.  In either case, there's no reason to talk to OP like that.  Not only that, but everyone has their own opinions and preferences when it comes to stuff like this.

he's really REALLY weird, even relative to ripster.

did you see his post history yet?  i laughed.

[kaiteoki]

badabing bada boom? monkey monkey dog dog cat gorilla elephant karate.. hai hai bai bai le tet le b00bies and thingy in the bang boom bada beep bop

[Firebolt1914]

Just don't respond/reply to his posts