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Author Topic: Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?  (Read 6824 times)

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Offline iggysaps

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 38
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 01:47:04 »
Hi there.  I have a friend who might be going to Japan, and I might ask him to purchase a Topre for me.  The problem is I don't know which particular model I want, but I definitely want one without the useless numpad.  

Can anyone enlighten me as to the differences between the  86U, 87U, 91U?  Also which would be better, similarly weighted keys, or those that need less force on pinkys, etc..

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
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Cherry G84-4100 cherry ML switches
Cherry G80-3000 blue cherries
Dell AT101W (2)
Solidtek ASK-6600
Unicomp Spacesaver buckling spring
Key tronic designer P2

Offline kyamei

  • Posts: 140
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 02:15:59 »
86U - 1 windows key, no lock LEDs, 30/45/55g weighted keys
87U - 2 windows keys, lock LEDs, 35/45/55g keys
91U - Japanese layout

There may be some other differences I forgot, but those are the main things I believe.

As for weighted keys vs. unweighted, that's a matter of preference.  I personally prefer the weighted keys.  You may not notice it when you're typing but that's the point.
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Topre:  Realforce 101, Realforce 87U, HHKB Pro 2
Cherry Brown:  Compaq MX11800
Cherry Blue:  Filco FKBN87MC/EB
Cherry Black:  K-202 numerical keypad
Alps Black:  AT101W, ABS M1
Alps White:  Focus FK-2001
Buckling Springs:  Model M 1391401, Lexmark Model M 82G2383, Model M2
Buckling Sleeves:  Unicomp Model M4
Futaba:  Sejin EAT-1010

Offline iggysaps

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 38
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 02:20:09 »
Thanks, I guess that clears it up a lot.

Guess the 86U or 87U should be fine then...:smile:
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Cherry G84-4100 cherry ML switches
Cherry G80-3000 blue cherries
Dell AT101W (2)
Solidtek ASK-6600
Unicomp Spacesaver buckling spring
Key tronic designer P2

Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 896
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 08:44:51 »
I have both the 87U and the 86U and you really can't tell the difference between the 35g on the 87U and the 30g on the 86U. So I think between the two it really comes down to whether or not you want a black or a white keyboard.
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Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline jayray999

  • Posts: 46
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 09:23:28 »
The link below compares a 86U and a modified "reduced force" Alps keyboard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_49ihAkNDCM

Does anyone know how this guy created  the "reduced force" Alps keyboard? I really like the sound of it.
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"In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed and they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love, five hundred years of democracy and peace, and what did they produce? The cuckoo clock."
Harry Lime (Orson Welles) :: The Third Man (1949)

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 09:26:18 »
Quote from: jayray999;91029
The link below compares a 86U and a modified "reduced force" Alps keyboard.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_49ihAkNDCM
 
Does anyone know how this guy created the "reduced force" Alps keyboard? I really like the sound of it.

He probably cut the springs.  There is a thread on how to do this in the Keyboard Modifications Forum.  I think it was originally done by Chloe using Cherry browns.
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Offline patrickgeekhack

  • Posts: 1460
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 09:38:46 »
Quote from: iggysaps;90991
I definitely want one without the useless numpad.  


I wish I could say the same. I cannot live (at least for long) without the numpad which I use a lot.

Please let me know how much it cost to get one from Japan if you do get one. Thanks.
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Offline ozar

  • Posts: 352
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 18:52:35 »
Quote from: rdjack21;91027
So I think between the two it really comes down to whether or not you want a black or a white keyboard.

...and LEDs since there are none on the 86U.  I think the 86U is only available in white now, if you want a new board, though.

If I were buying one, I'd prefer the white and they can be had for some good prices right now.
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Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 896
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 21:53:11 »
Quote from: ozar;91132
...and LEDs since there are none on the 86U.  I think the 86U is only available in white now, if you want a new board, though.

If I were buying one, I'd prefer the white and they can be had for some good prices right now.

Very true. I like both of them. But at the same time I'm leaning toward liking the 86U better just because I can see the keys. But then again the 87U has helped me become a better touch typer.

What kind of pricing are you seeing on the 86U? I may need to get another one for the wife.

I was actually a little surprised that they did not release a white 87U board to replace the current 86U.
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Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline ozar

  • Posts: 352
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #9 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 22:01:45 »
Quote from: rdjack21;91161
What kind of pricing are you seeing on the 86U? I may need to get another one for the wife.

NIB $259 from SmartImports.net
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Offline Manyak

  • Posts: 295
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #10 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 22:48:27 »
Quote from: kyamei;90993
86U - 1 windows key, no lock LEDs, 30/45/55g weighted keys
87U - 2 windows keys, lock LEDs, 35/45/55g keys
91U - Japanese layout

There may be some other differences I forgot, but those are the main things I believe.

As for weighted keys vs. unweighted, that's a matter of preference.  I personally prefer the weighted keys.  You may not notice it when you're typing but that's the point.


There's one thing that's always confused me.

When you say 30/45/55g weighted keys - are the keys themselves that weight (meaning heavier keys = easier to press), or is that the total force required to press them down (meaning more weight required = harder to press)?
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Currently Owned:
Filco FKBN104MC/EB - Model M 1390131 \'86 - Model M 1391401 NIB - Unicomp Endurapro NIB - iRocks KR-6230 - Compaq MX-11800 - Cherry G80-8113HRBUS-2 - Cherry ML-4100 - Cherry MY-8000-something - Dell AT101W (Black) - ABS M1 - Siig Minitouch - Chicony KB-5181 w/ SMK Montereys - Chicony KB-5181 w/ SMK Montereys NIB - Cherry G80-3494LYCUS-2 - Deck Legend

Offline skriefal

  • Posts: 235
  • Location: Utah, USA
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #11 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 23:00:25 »
The latter.
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Offline Manyak

  • Posts: 295
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #12 on: Fri, 15 May 2009, 23:08:17 »
Thanks
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Currently Owned:
Filco FKBN104MC/EB - Model M 1390131 \'86 - Model M 1391401 NIB - Unicomp Endurapro NIB - iRocks KR-6230 - Compaq MX-11800 - Cherry G80-8113HRBUS-2 - Cherry ML-4100 - Cherry MY-8000-something - Dell AT101W (Black) - ABS M1 - Siig Minitouch - Chicony KB-5181 w/ SMK Montereys - Chicony KB-5181 w/ SMK Montereys NIB - Cherry G80-3494LYCUS-2 - Deck Legend

Offline watduzhkstand4

  • Posts: 511
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 21 May 2009, 12:06:27 »
Quote from: kyamei;90993
86U - 1 windows key, no lock LEDs, 30/45/55g weighted keys
87U - 2 windows keys, lock LEDs, 35/45/55g keys
91U - Japanese layout

There may be some other differences I forgot, but those are the main things I believe.

As for weighted keys vs. unweighted, that's a matter of preference.  I personally prefer the weighted keys.  You may not notice it when you're typing but that's the point.


do they make different models where the 87u has all 55g weights?
I found an ebay listing from stlensbar and the 87u that he's selling is all 55g.
check this out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220410240994&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching
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KEYBOARDS
Cherry Blue *Filco Tenkeyless w/ blank keys* w/ red ESC key thanks to Megarat
Cherry Red Noppoo Choc Mini
IBM Model M 1391401 12/15/88
Siig Minitouch w/ White Alps

SOLD
HHKB Pro 2 white w/ blank keys red ESC key and blank WASD keys
HHKB L-2
Cherry Brown Compaq mx11800
Dell AT101W
Cherry Red Leopold 104-key Otaku FC500RR/ABN

Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 896
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 21 May 2009, 12:42:49 »
Quote from: watduzhkstand4;91929
do they make different models where the 87u has all 55g weights?
I found an ebay listing from stlensbar and the 87u that he's selling is all 55g.
check this out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220410240994&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

Yes they do. It is the Korean version of the 87U and is only available from Korea. It has both Korean and English on the keys. Take a look at this http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?t=5658&highlight=55g+87U

If I had the money I would get one of those myself. I keep thinking that I would like it. I just hope they will be available once I do have the money to get one.
« Last Edit: Thu, 21 May 2009, 12:45:44 by rdjack21 »
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Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline watduzhkstand4

  • Posts: 511
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 21 May 2009, 12:44:47 »
Quote from: rdjack21;91939
Yes they do. It is the Korean version of the 87U and is only available from Korea. It has both Korean and English on the keys. Take a look at this http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?t=5658&highlight=55g+87U


Thanks so much for the reply. I'm sorry I'm new to the forum and didn't do enough searching before posting!
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KEYBOARDS
Cherry Blue *Filco Tenkeyless w/ blank keys* w/ red ESC key thanks to Megarat
Cherry Red Noppoo Choc Mini
IBM Model M 1391401 12/15/88
Siig Minitouch w/ White Alps

SOLD
HHKB Pro 2 white w/ blank keys red ESC key and blank WASD keys
HHKB L-2
Cherry Brown Compaq mx11800
Dell AT101W
Cherry Red Leopold 104-key Otaku FC500RR/ABN

Offline watduzhkstand4

  • Posts: 511
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 21 May 2009, 13:02:55 »
lol I'll make sure I'm not gonna make the same mistake again master rpister =]
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KEYBOARDS
Cherry Blue *Filco Tenkeyless w/ blank keys* w/ red ESC key thanks to Megarat
Cherry Red Noppoo Choc Mini
IBM Model M 1391401 12/15/88
Siig Minitouch w/ White Alps

SOLD
HHKB Pro 2 white w/ blank keys red ESC key and blank WASD keys
HHKB L-2
Cherry Brown Compaq mx11800
Dell AT101W
Cherry Red Leopold 104-key Otaku FC500RR/ABN

Offline ozar

  • Posts: 352
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 21 May 2009, 15:58:35 »
Quote from: rdjack21;91939
Yes they do. It is the Korean version of the 87U and is only available from Korea. It has both Korean and English on the keys. Take a look at this http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?t=5658&highlight=55g+87U

If I had the money I would get one of those myself. I keep thinking that I would like it. I just hope they will be available once I do have the money to get one.

That's the one I have and like it very much.  Hope you get one before they are no longer available.
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Offline colbabe

  • Posts: 37
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #18 on: Sat, 19 June 2010, 17:32:42 »
Benippon has the the 86u in white but pricey $266.42 variable weight I assume.  http://benippon.com/en/topre-realforce-86u-se0500-english-usb-tenkeyless-keyboard

I'm still waiting on Elitekeyboards ...wish they'd hurry.
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Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #19 on: Sat, 19 June 2010, 18:36:50 »


Too bad Fentek or whoever it was decided not to import them as well.  I wonder what the heck is up with Topre that is causing rifts in the import to USA business.
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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline J888www

  • Posts: 270
Topre 86U, 87U, 91U? Differences?
« Reply #20 on: Sat, 19 June 2010, 19:24:52 »
I believe there's no problem, it's just the Japanese marketing attitude, they wish to keep all their best products for domestic market. ie. Grand Seiko , Credor, Brightz, Orient Star Royal, premium Citizen ( $k + ), premium Pilot pens, Sailor pens etc etc etc are only sold only in Japan.
« Last Edit: Sun, 20 June 2010, 10:45:15 by J888www »
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Often outspoken, please forgive any cause for offense.
Thank you all in GH for reading.

Keyboards & Pointing Devices :- [/FONT]One Too Many[/COLOR]
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