Topre vs Cherry MX

[Fragil1ty]

I know this topic has probably been done to death, but I couldn't find any relevant topics that have answered the questions that I'm looking for.

Those of you who have both, what would you say the better switch is? I've only ever really used MX Cherry Reds. (I've also used Razer oranges and MX Cherry Browns for a while, but I didn't like them all that much. I've also used blues/blacks, but they just weren't my cup of tea what so ever).

So yeah, I guess my question or questions are the following;

1. Which switch do you prefer and why?
2. Would you consider Topre more of a typing/general use switch or would you consider it a gaming switch?
3. If you switched to Topre, did you stay with that keyboard, if not; why did you switch back? if so; why did you stick with the switch?
4. Feel free to add any more comements pertaining to the switch, generic information about it and what not,  I know little about the switch but with my HHKB coming on Friday, I want to know what to expect.


Thanks.

[SpAmRaY]

Expect not to like topre at first but give it a few days to a week and then go back and try your MX board.

[Defect]

1. Love all switches.  Each has its own design flaws and each has environments where they excel.

2. Would not consider it a gaming switch, but have gamed on topre with no issues.  I still consider MX linear to be the best gaming switch.

3. Switch back.  Use my Topre for a week at work once a month.  Rotate frequently.

4. It's a smooth, solid, very good feeling rubber dome that actuated at midway and has a cushioned bottom out.  Cushioned meaning when you actually bottom out, the rubber is cushiony.  There is no up force to cushioned the bottom out travel, after you collapse the dome, force is nearly gone (55g).

I always say Topre is a $150 Rubber Dome.  It's a dumb statement but my point is that it's VERY nice, but also extremely overhyped and overpriced.

Bring the hate.

[Frenir]

Expect not to like topre at first but give it a few days to a week and then go back and try your MX board.

This. Switching between different switch types is the best.

[osi]

1. Topre - butter smooth, feels like miniature piano keys with crisp tactility.

2. This is a very personal preference--mine : Topre for all purposes EXCEPT FPS gaming.

3. Topre4life

4. <--- Online FPS gamer since team fortress, quake mod. CS player from ~beta 4 ; competitively 1.1 - 1.6

I love my hhkb. You will either have mutual feelings or hate it to death.

How many times a day are you refreshing that tracking?!

[epzy]

1. Topre. Topre switches makes MX switches feel cheap in comparison, but I still enjoy reds/blues.

2. Mostly a typing switch due the fact that you're almost forced to bottom out, BUT I use Topre for gaming and have no problems with it. I play LoL at Diamond level, and WoW at Gladiator level.

3. I had a lot of MX keyboards prior to getting my Realforce 88UB, but went back to MX because the RF's bezel is too big for me. When I got a HHKB however, there was no going back to MX for a extended period of time. HHKB layout is the best thing since sliced bread, son. Now I have 88UB, Pro 2 and Pro 2 Type-S.

4. Thock.

[rowdy]

1. No real preference - MX, Topre or BS will do fine.  I so prefer stiffer switches, like BS, MX greens or blacks.  I'd like to try Topre 55g (I only have 45g HHKB).

2. Both - I game and type (documents and programs) on Topre without any problems.

3. I switch around all the time.  Why?  Partly to give all my keyboards equal desk time, partly to try different keycap sets (all MX, unfortunately), and partly just to experience the different switches from time to time.

4. At the moment I would probably consider either SSK or 55g RealForce TKL to be my ultimate keyboard.  Unfortunately I have neither.  Between the two I would probably lean towards RF, as I acn use that at home at night without upsetting anyone trying to sleep.

[Polymer]

1.  I prefer Topre for typing and Cherry for gaming.  I think Topre gives a more enjoyable typing experience.  When switching back to Cherry for typing I actually start missing my Topre.  I don't feel that way about Cherry.  For gaming though, I don't like Topre at all...I'm not quite sure but it just doesn't have the right feel for that.  Cherry, which feels much more mechanical, feels great for gaming.  I feel like I can slam the keys, spam, do whatever....

2.  Typing/General use.  People do game on it...I just don't like to.  I also think the variable is terrible for gaming.  Again, some people claim they use it but frankly, the really light keys on a variable are far too light for gaming unless you don't care if you press stuff without meaning to.

3.  I switch back and forth all the time.  I think when you first use Topre, use it for awhile...it'll be when you switch back and forth after using Topre for awhile that you'l be able to decide which feels best for you.  In any case, I don't consider anything to be "The End" switch...some variety is good and they're both excellent choices..

[dante]

1. Which switch do you prefer and why?
2. Would you consider Topre more of a typing/general use switch or would you consider it a gaming switch?
3. If you switched to Topre, did you stay with that keyboard, if not; why did you switch back? if so; why did you stick with the switch?
4. Feel free to add any more comements pertaining to the switch, generic information about it and what not,  I know little about the switch but with my HHKB coming on Friday, I want to know what to expect.

1. This is too difficult to answer.  Different switches whether Topre or Cherry feel different on different boards.  For example, I much prefer the Chinese made Topre Type Heaven and 660C over the others.  Similarly with Cherry MX certain boards brought out the best of certain switches.  Often I get bored of one switch too - even though it may be my favorite and I'll buy extras just for backups - I get bored and try other switches.  Overall however if I had to send a message back in time I'd say to stick with the Type Heaven for work and FC660C for home.

2. I use both Topre/Cherry for both.  Before mechanical keyboards I used a Microsoft 4000 Ergo for both Typing and Gaming.  Lack of tactility doesn't bother me for gaming, linear switches don't bother me for typing.

3. I went back and forth - especially in the beginning.  Long before the Chinese made Topre boards people kept chanting "Topre, Topre, Topre!" but I didn't buy it... Then the Chinese boards came out and I fell in love.  The quality doesn't feel as good as the Japanese but it is a much better experience.  I do want to try and find a 103UB 55g some day but that is a unicorn board.  Topre Typeheaven has been my main workboard for a while and I have no desire to change except occasionally when no one is around I drag out a noisy alps thing.

4. You're going to love it or hate it.  The general thought around here is "type on it for a few weeks and if you think it sucks you will later love it."  I never encountered that on the Realforce.  But on the Type Heaven/660C it was love at first type.

[fuzzybaffy]

1. Which switch do you prefer and why?

I haven't made any conclusive decisions yet, but I think I prefer Topre. I think I prefer Topre because it has more of an "all-or-nothing" aspect to its switch action. It's more like hitting a piano key, whereas with the Cherry MX switches it's like hitting springy switches. I just find the "all-or-nothing" aspect more comfortable and more appealing when it comes to typing, compared to the "springy" action of the MX switch. (Please note the word "springy"; I know the Topre has springs underneath the rubber cones, but MX switches have a far more "springy" action than Topre switches do).

2. Would you consider Topre more of a typing/general use switch or would you consider it a gaming switch?

Honestly, I've never seen Topre switches as "bad" for gaming. I've gamed perfectly fine on them with Starcraft 2, Dota 2, and Crysis 3. I find the switches to be consistent and reliable, which is probably good for gaming (note word "probably"; haven't made definitive conclusions). But then again, I'm not a professional gamer or anything, so my experiences definitely aren't definitive.

3. If you switched to Topre, did you stay with that keyboard, if not; why did you switch back? if so; why did you stick with the switch?

What happened with me is I purchased a Topre board first, around a year and a half ago. And then around 5 or 6 months ago, purchased a Filco with MX Browns, and an extra set of sub-dyed PBT caps. I'm on the Filco board right now, but I've been thinking of switching/wanting to switch back to the Thorpe (for a while now). I just haven't because I want to give this Cherry MX board a little more time, but I really do think I prefer the Thorpe.

4. Feel free to add any more comements pertaining to the switch, generic information about it and what not,  I know little about the switch but with my HHKB coming on Friday, I want to know what to expect.

If you're coming from an MX board, I can see how the Topre might seem underwhelming at first. Personally, I loved my Topre board the moment I got it, but since you're coming from an MX board, you might find the Topre not as "fun" since it's not as "mechanical".

That was actually my line of thought when I first received my Filco with MX Browns, too (remember that my MX board came after I purchased a Thorpe). But after using the Filco for several months, I've been slowly starting to miss the Topre board (for the reasons outlined in #1), and I'm not into my MX board as much as I used to be.

Finally, people say Topre boards are just a "more expensive" rubber dome, but I've never seen the Topre in that way, even from the moment I received the board. I think the fact that people want to feel "special" for using "mechanical" switches might have something to do with the way they diss Topre's use of rubber, but, of course, that's something we can never know for sure.

[noisyturtle]

1. I prefer MX because the difference in feel is far more pronounced vs a standard rubber-dome board. Also because of the versatility of the many switch types, and  available customization boards

2. People use this term 'gaming switch' and 'gaming keyboard.' I think these terms are nothing more than marketing gimmicks, and completely arbitrary labels to put on a keyboard. You like what you like, end of discussion.

3. I bought a 104-UG Realforce some months back and only used it for a couple weeks. Not because I didn't like Topre, but because I didn't like the high profile caps. Although I do prefer the feel of lubed reds and ergo/panda clears to the feel of Topre. They just feel more tangible to me and mechanical, I don't know how to explain it.

4. If I had the money to build another board right now, I would go with panda-clears over ergo-clears. I am finding lubed pandas to be the best feeling switch I've ever used.

[Oobly]

I prefer MX for customisation. You can really tweak how they feel and sound.

If you're the type to just buy something and use it as is, then it's just personal preference of which switch type really floats your boat. None of the stock switches do it for me.

My favourites are 62g stickered and lubed ErgoClears with trampoline and latex mods. Best for typing, best for gaming, best...

<noisyturtle and Defect have got me thinking about Black switches, though, for Ghost Blacks and PandaClears.... more to try, sigh>

[noisyturtle]

I prefer MX for customisation. You can really tweak how they feel and sound.

trampoline and latex mods

Could you please give a brief explanation of this, or link to a description? If trampoline is what it sounds like, it's exactly what I need to fix my one issue with ergo-clears.

[Oobly]

I prefer MX for customisation. You can really tweak how they feel and sound.

trampoline and latex mods

Could you please give a brief explanation of this, or link to a description? If trampoline is what it sounds like, it's exactly what I need to fix my one issue with ergo-clears.

You buy some of these: http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=88

And put them inside the little tube that the slider pole goes into. They reduce the bottom out sound significantly and provide a softer landing with less shock.

I first tried using pieces of oring, then pieces punched out of a rubber sheet, then I discovered IMSTO selling those balls. They each feel a little different, but the balls are the easiest way to go.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50632.0

[daerid]

I'm just going to chime in and say:

There's no "versus". They're waaaaay different.

[fuzzybaffy]

 ^ Pretty much.

The question shouldn't be "which switch is better?", because there will never be a correct answer. It's all about your personal preferences. The way I see it (based on my previous post):

1. Cherry MX switch: The "fun" switch. This is what you buy if you care about the switch feel.
2. Topre switch: The "higher quality" switch. This is what you buy if you care about the typing feel.

You go for whatever you want to go for.

[Quardah]

MX because MX sounds like some crazy weaponry from outer space.

MX Famas sounds like some crazy french adventurer weapon
MX-AK-47 sounds like a badass version of the AK
MXRPG sounds like a nuclear launching RPG
MX-1911 sounds like an updated version of this heroic glorious american pistolé
MX-Panzer sounds like the final boss of nazi germany

See, that sounds as awesome as Obama.

Topres are nice but too expensive and lacks variety.

Topre Famas sounds dumb.
Topre AK-47 sounds dumber than a rock.

Ok imma stop here not to make TopreFans cry.

[Lammie]

Forget MX switches.  Try Matias switches first. Way better than MX switched in my opinion. Topre is also a must-have I think.

["Edgar Allen Pho is Dead."]

1.Topre
2.Topre
3.Topre
4.Topre

PS: Topre

[Fragil1ty]

1. Topre - butter smooth, feels like miniature piano keys with crisp tactility.

2. This is a very personal preference--mine : Topre for all purposes EXCEPT FPS gaming.

3. Topre4life

4. <--- Online FPS gamer since team fortress, quake mod. CS player from ~beta 4 ; competitively 1.1 - 1.6

I love my hhkb. You will either have mutual feelings or hate it to death.

How many times a day are you refreshing that tracking?!

It's already in england at customs, but too ****ing many, haha!
I'm just really worried about the amount that the customs charges are going to amount too. :/ demfeels.

[Puddsy]

1. MX. better for gaming

2. Typing for sure. It's really hard to play things like Quake or TF2 on Topre. I do play DotA with my RF every now and then, though.

3. I prefer MX, but topre isn't crap