Topre...more questions

[patrickgeekhack]

I know these questions have been asked many many times, but I think it's work asking them again since elitekeyboards.com is going to sell Topre keyboards as from next week.

Many of us (at least me) who have no experience with Topre or HHKB are very curious about these keyboards, but are not too sure about investing so much in a keyboard they have never seen in person, let alone tried. So here are my questions. I would grateful if the Topre owners could give some feedback.

1. How do they feel? I admit this is a very tough question to answer. Since they have rubber domes, do they feel mushy? Mechanical keyswitches like Cherry, ALPS, or Buckling Spring are very distinctive from rubber dome mainly because they don't have rubber domes inside to begin with. But, Topres do and this is what makes me curious.

2. Any idea about longevity? Very important according to me since once again they have rubber domes and they cost a lot. Rubber as we know it tend to degrade over time and can become stiffer.

3. Are they worth it? I know this is a very subjective question, but important notheless.

I'm asking these questions because I initially planned on getting a Filco with Cherry brown mainly because I have never tried the Cherry Brown and like the Cherry Blues a lot. I'm looking for a quieter version of the Blues because I may need to move my computer in the master bedroom in the next couple of years. But now that I've read that elitekeyboards.com will be selling Topre, I am even more undecided. On one hand, people have said that they are very quiet. On the other,  like many I would like to try one at least once in my life.

Thanks for any input.

[kyamei]

Here's my take on it:

1.  The faster I type on a mechanical switch board, the more linear the feel.  I end up just plowing through the tactile bump so it becomes less and less noticeable the faster I type.  Topre boards on the other hand seem to feel more tactile the faster I type.  When you press a key slowly on a Topre it doesn't seem too different from a rubber dome, other than being a lot smoother, but when you actually type on it, it feels quite different from anything else.  And no it doesn't feel mushy (to me at least).

2.  Longevity...I really don't type all THAT much and I've only had my Topre for several months now so I wouldn't know.

3.  Well I've got a Realforce and an HHKB and I'm still itching for another, so I'd say its worth it.  If I were disappointed in my Realforce, I would have never spent another 300 on an HHKB.

[IBI]

A slightly related question.

Has anyone who's got a Torpe tried a Gateway Anykey (or the non-anykey version), and if so how do they compare?

[rdjack21]

1. How do they feel? I admit this is a very tough question to answer. Since they have rubber domes, do they feel mushy? Mechanical keyswitches like Cherry, ALPS, or Buckling Spring are very distinctive from rubber dome mainly because they don't have rubber domes inside to begin with. But, Topres do and this is what makes me curious.

Yes this is a very hard question to answer because I really feel that the Topre boards have a very distinct feel to them. Of the mechanical keyboards it is close to the Cherry switch as far as weight goes. By that I mean the Topre has a light action verses say the heavy action of a BS or a white Alps. I think the best way to describe it would be to take a cherry switch and the best rubber dome board you can find and combine the best of both. The quiteness of a rubber dome. Solid feel and crispness of a cherry. Then add a really nice under stated tactile feel.

2. Any idea about longevity? Very important according to me since once again they have rubber domes and they cost a lot. Rubber as we know it tend to degrade over time and can become stiffer.

There are other members here that can answer that question better. But considering how well these boards are built (especialy the Realforce ones) I'm not too concered about it. Besides there are people here and other places that have had the HHKB Pro for many years.

3. Are they worth it? I know this is a very subjective question, but important notheless.

That is the question I asked myself more than once before getting my first one. I started with the Realforce because I did not want the layout of the HHKB Pro to affect the way I felt about the board. The number one thing that really answered this question for me was that the vast majority of the people that have them want another one or have already purchased another one. I really think that one thing tells the real story about what people think about the Topre boards. Why would those that get them want more? And yes I want another one but this time a HHKB Pro now that I have statisfied my questions about the Topre boards.

I'm asking these questions because I initially planned on getting a Filco with Cherry brown mainly because I have never tried the Cherry Brown and like the Cherry Blues a lot. I'm looking for a quieter version of the Blues because I may need to move my computer in the master bedroom in the next couple of years. But now that I've read that elitekeyboards.com will be selling Topre, I am even more undecided. On one hand, people have said that they are very quiet. On the other,  like many I would like to try one at least once in my life.

Well I don't really want to sway you one way or the other. But while I was waiting for my first Topre board to get here I purchased the Filco tenkeyless with cherry browns. I really do like the Filco but well the Filco has been sitting its box ever since I got the Topre board.

Now to throw some water on this Topre Love fest. There are some people that do not like the Topre boards and feel that the boards are way over priced. But there are not that many of them. And even they will admit that that the Topre's are good boards. What I have noticed is that those that really like the BS or any of the heaver swiches and really can't stand the lighter cherry switches are the ones that don't like the Topre.

Any ways that is my 2 cents worth.

[MANISH7]

I believe that the Topre is very well built & all with solid plastic etc but...isn't the rubber dome part going to wear out over time? Just like regular rubber dome keyboards? Rubber is not as durable as the mechanical parts of a cherry brown keyboard.

[patrickgeekhack]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll read the Ripster's thread tonight. I still won't be completely sure though, but never will anyway :-)

[itlnstln]

I believe that the Topre is very well built & all with solid plastic etc but...isn't the rubber dome part going to wear out over time? Just like regular rubber dome keyboards? Rubber is not as durable as the mechanical parts of a cherry brown keyboard.

A good question, although, just by looking at the pics iMav has posted with the HHKB internals, the rubber domes in the Topre 'boards are nothing like those in a standard rubber dome 'board.  I would also imagine that they would use more durable materials than a standard dome 'board as well.  Lastly, since you don't have to bottom out Topre switches like traditional rubber domes, there will be less wear as well (although, that will vary by user).

[IBI]

Lots of answers are located in the "Secrets of The Topre Revealed" thread here.

It's a shame that's not a channel 5 documentry.

[ozar]

I know these questions have been asked many many times, but I think it's work asking them again since elitekeyboards.com is going to sell Topre keyboards as from next week.

Many of us (at least me) who have no experience with Topre or HHKB are very curious about these keyboards, but are not too sure about investing so much in a keyboard they have never seen in person, let alone tried. So here are my questions. I would grateful if the Topre owners could give some feedback.

1. How do they feel? I admit this is a very tough question to answer. Since they have rubber domes, do they feel mushy? Mechanical keyswitches like Cherry, ALPS, or Buckling Spring are very distinctive from rubber dome mainly because they don't have rubber domes inside to begin with. But, Topres do and this is what makes me curious.

2. Any idea about longevity? Very important according to me since once again they have rubber domes and they cost a lot. Rubber as we know it tend to degrade over time and can become stiffer.

3. Are they worth it? I know this is a very subjective question, but important notheless.

I'm asking these questions because I initially planned on getting a Filco with Cherry brown mainly because I have never tried the Cherry Brown and like the Cherry Blues a lot. I'm looking for a quieter version of the Blues because I may need to move my computer in the master bedroom in the next couple of years. But now that I've read that elitekeyboards.com will be selling Topre, I am even more undecided. On one hand, people have said that they are very quiet. On the other,  like many I would like to try one at least once in my life.

Thanks for any input.

1) great; no
2) no
3) yes

[MsKeyboard]

Ripster,
Have you played with one of these mini keyboards?

We got a first hand Demo of this board from the designer, and it was amazing what he was able to do with all the built-in shortcuts/functions.

I know that some people have questioned the manufacturers build quality, but we have not had any issues with these yet.

Did not mean to move in on another subject, just thought I would ask when you mentioned shortcuts.

Thanks.........Ms Keyboard

[ssb]

Honestly I don't have enough experience with Topre keyboards, it's only a month since I've got my first one, a Realforce 87U, and use it on daily basis.

1. How does it feel? Great and different from any known mechanical or rubber dome keyboard.
2. It's too early to comment Topre mechanism longevity. However, I wouldn't say that I'm very happy with Topre's much praised materials quality. Plastics wore out pretty quickly.
3. Is it a good keyboard? Yes it is! Is it worth the >$350 I paid for my 87u? Absolutely not; (Sorry Topre fans!)

Just my opinion though! :smile:

[patrickgeekhack]

Thank you all for your input. Having given the topic enough thought and still unable to decide, I think the best thing for me is to wait :-) I have tried black ALPS, buckling spring, fake black ALPS and Cherry MX Blue and work with each quite a bit. So far, although I like all of them, I think my favourite is the Cherry MX Blue. Why do I say that? I like the sound and the feel on one hand, and I also make less mistakes and get less tired on the other hand. However, the design I like the most has got to be the ABS.

Next step: Cherry MX Brown :-)

[ssb]

SSB, thanks for the honest appraisal.  I think you were starting to get shiny keytops if I remember correctly.  If you get lettering wear in the next 6 months or whatever please post a pic.  You must really type a lot!

Actually I'm not! I only use Realforce at home for 3-4 hours per day, definitely not for typing a ...novel. Just browsing, mailing, typing forum messages, things like that.
Regular keys didn't wear; it's the space key that's starting to shine, and the bottom left corner of the keyboard where my left palm touch plastic cover when I type.

In any case, Realforce has been proven more wear resistant than other keyboards I own (Cherries, Das, Filcos) but definitely not wear-proof. For example, I type a lot more on my four months old HP 8530w laptop but keys showed no marks of wear or shining. (Seems that HP Durakeys coating really works.)

Maybe I was expecting too much, but it's a >$300 device not the regular cheapo MS/Logitech keyboard. :smile:

[neptunebadger]

I am very happy with my Realforce 87U. I had been wanting a Realforce ever since I started reading about them on these forums, and my girlfriend was the one who finally convinced me to just get it. The only problem I have with my 87U is the lack of numpad. I know there are a lot of people here that actually prefer a tenkeyless, but I found that I have become too accustomed to having it there.

I was tempted to get a Realforce 101, but since I am using a Mac, I wanted to have the Windows key to use as my command key. Luckily for me, my girlfriend's family lives in Taiwan, where they have the Realforce 103, which comes in black, has a numpad, and has Windows keys! My girlfriend is actually going to hook me up with a Taiwanese Realforce! ^^

[kyamei]

I had been wanting a Realforce ever since I started reading about them on these forums, and my girlfriend was the one who finally convinced me to just get it.

Definitely a keeper.

[IBI]

2. It's too early to comment Topre mechanism longevity. However, I wouldn't say that I'm very happy with Topre's much praised materials quality. Plastics wore out pretty quickly.

So they're not worn out then, just a little shiny?

[ssb]

So they're not worn out then, just a little shiny?

Exactly!

[robertsig]

Has anyone who's got a Torpe tried a Gateway Anykey (or the non-anykey version), and if so how do they compare?

This is an old thread, but after my Anykey keyboard died, the only suitable replacement was a Topre 45g uniform weighted keyboard (Realforce 87U).  I might be a few years late, but no Cherry switch compares.  Max Switch keyboards (OEM Gateway Anykey) are fairly close.

[fourzeropooh]

Has anyone who's got a Torpe tried a Gateway Anykey (or the non-anykey version), and if so how do they compare?

This is an old thread, but after my Anykey keyboard died, the only suitable replacement was a Topre 45g uniform weighted keyboard (Realforce 87U).  I might be a few years late, but no Cherry switch compares.  Max Switch keyboards (OEM Gateway Anykey) are fairly close.

Holy Bump!

[riotonthebay]

SPAMRAY, YOU GOTTA COME SEE THIS NECRO BUMP!

[Glenn315]

Wow...

[SpAmRaY]

SPAMRAY, YOU GOTTA COME SEE THIS NECRO BUMP!

I saw the signal in the sky!

[dorkvader]

At least he's on topic.

Has anyone who's got a Torpe tried a Gateway Anykey (or the non-anykey version), and if so how do they compare?

This is an old thread, but after my Anykey keyboard died, the only suitable replacement was a Topre 45g uniform weighted keyboard (Realforce 87U).  I might be a few years late, but no Cherry switch compares.  Max Switch keyboards (OEM Gateway Anykey) are fairly close.

Wow, I didn't know maxi switch OEM'd the gateway anykey! That's good information to know.

[SpAmRaY]

Now that I think about it about 20 or so years ago my mom had a gateway keyboard at her work place, the keys were cupped, lower profile and textured, seems like they were a little rubbery almost, that was the smoothest typing keyboard I've ever used. Not sure what model it was or anything. It had a gray/white color scheme.