Topre PBT Spacebar (SECOND RUN!)

[romevi]

Maybe someone else can answer that for you; however, based on the pictures you referred, the difference you mentioned is not clear, you'd better post a side by side comparison instead, under the same light and other optics conditions, then, the difference should be clear.

I have only red ESC so can't make any real comparison, but I remember that people on this forum (maybe in the thread from the first spacebar massdrop) commented about different colors of these two. Caps Lock from elitekeyboards is little brigther than the original topre red, IIRC.

If this red PBT spacebar is color calibrated using aforementioned Caps Lock, that could be a problem, because it won't color fit anywhere else.

It would be great if someone could make direct comparison.

I think all buttons other than the space bars are made by Topre, so any color differences would be very minimal, if any.
As for the bars, matt3o spent a lot of time color calibrating them. Not sure if they're 100% matched, but they're pretty darn close.
In any case, these are your only PBT space bar options, so you have no other options.

[Matt3o]

white and black are color matched with a 98-99% color accuracy (matched to hhkb colors). Red and blue are in the 95-96% range (matched to special edition kit). Orange and green should be 99% (matched to original topre sets).

[rowdy]

white and black are color matched with a 98-99% color accuracy (matched to hhkb colors). Red and blue are in the 95-96% range (matched to special edition kit). Orange and green should be 99% (matched to original topre sets).

And yellow is forgotten

[Matt3o]

pink almost made it

[rowdy]

pink almost made it

That would probably have sold better than yellow )

Maybe R3 could introduce pink and yellow .......

[the_marsbar]

So it looks like more than 1600 spacebars so far. How many was ordered in the first round?

[romevi]

So it looks like more than 1600 spacebars so far. How many was ordered in the first round?

That's 1600 orders. Each order is at least two space bars.

[the_marsbar]

Ah yes, of course. Anyway, It'd be interesting to know the numbers IMO.

[Shikarikato]

if theres another run id be glad to buy a pink spacebar
white and red will have to do for now

[Elrick]

if theres another run id be glad to buy a pink spacebar
white and red will have to do for now

Maybe during late 2017/2018, it shall appear again  .

[Shikarikato]

if theres another run id be glad to buy a pink spacebar
white and red will have to do for now

Maybe during late 2017/2018, it shall appear again  .

all we have to do is start persuading every person on this planet to buy topre boards without pbt spacebars
then there will be a market and we can hit MOQ instantly

[zslane]

If anyone puts one of these on a Hi-Pro board I'd love to hear how well it works out. I may get a pair for mine if they ever make them matched to "104UK biege".

[jessica]

Just joined the drop, super excited to get my hands on a few more of these

Good work as usual, Matt

[dario]

I think all buttons other than the space bars are made by Topre, so any color differences would be very minimal, if any.

I'm not so sure about that. You see, it seems that there are two kinds of Topre red colors. One is of brighter shade, and the other is somewhat darker.

First would be:

- Limited Edition Control and Esc Kit

And in the second, darker red group, we found:

- complete Topre red keyset
- standalone Topre red ESC key
- standalone Topre red arrows keys

I only have a red Topre ESC key so I can't actually make any live comparison, but this is the information I got before on this forum, and judging from some of the images on the internet, it seems to be the truth. Red PBT spacebar rev1 really looks brighter and orange-like.

As for the bars, matt3o spent a lot of time color calibrating them. Not sure if they're 100% matched, but they're pretty darn close.

That's not the point.

In any case, these are your only PBT space bar options, so you have no other options.

I'm sure they will be pretty good, but it's just my OCD waiting its chance to go wild.

white and black are color matched with a 98-99% color accuracy (matched to hhkb colors). Red and blue are in the 95-96% range (matched to special edition kit). Orange and green should be 99% (matched to original topre sets).

I'm sure they are, but what I'm trying to tell you is - you've calibrated your spacebars using a wrong color sample, at least in the case of red.

[xondat]

pink almost made it

What is the MOQ per color?

[romevi]

I think all buttons other than the space bars are made by Topre, so any color differences would be very minimal, if any.

I'm not so sure about that. You see, it seems that there are two kinds of Topre red colors. One is of brighter shade, and the other is somewhat darker.

First would be:

- Limited Edition Control and Esc Kit

And in the second, darker red group, we found:

- complete Topre red keyset
- standalone Topre red ESC key
- standalone Topre red arrows keys

I only have a red Topre ESC key so I can't actually make any live comparison, but this is the information I got before on this forum, and judging from some of the images on the internet, it seems to be the truth. Red PBT spacebar rev1 really looks brighter and orange-like.

Show Image

white and black are color matched with a 98-99% color accuracy (matched to hhkb colors). Red and blue are in the 95-96% range (matched to special edition kit). Orange and green should be 99% (matched to original topre sets).

I'm sure they are, but what I'm trying to tell you is - you've calibrated your spacebars using a wrong color sample, at least in the case of red.

But why is it wrong if they're matched to a certain red hue made by Topre? They just don't match the red Esc you have, which is a different shade from what Matt3o calibrated. As you said, the space bar seems brighter, which makes sense considering he tried to calibrate it to the brighter Limited Edition HHKB set.

As for the bars, matt3o spent a lot of time color calibrating them. Not sure if they're 100% matched, but they're pretty darn close.

That's not the point.

It's kind of the point considering the set that Matt3o calibrated against was the set you don't have, which may be the reason why it doesn't match.

[nathanrosspowell]

I think all buttons other than the space bars are made by Topre, so any color differences would be very minimal, if any.

I'm not so sure about that. You see, it seems that there are two kinds of Topre red colors. One is of brighter shade, and the other is somewhat darker.

First would be:

- Limited Edition Control and Esc Kit

And in the second, darker red group, we found:

- complete Topre red keyset
- standalone Topre red ESC key
- standalone Topre red arrows keys

I only have a red Topre ESC key so I can't actually make any live comparison, but this is the information I got before on this forum, and judging from some of the images on the internet, it seems to be the truth. Red PBT spacebar rev1 really looks brighter and orange-like.

Show Image

white and black are color matched with a 98-99% color accuracy (matched to hhkb colors). Red and blue are in the 95-96% range (matched to special edition kit). Orange and green should be 99% (matched to original topre sets).

I'm sure they are, but what I'm trying to tell you is - you've calibrated your spacebars using a wrong color sample, at least in the case of red.

But why is it wrong if they're matched to a certain red hue made by Topre? They just don't match the red Esc you have, which is a different shade from what Matt3o calibrated. As you said, the space bar seems brighter, which makes sense considering he tried to calibrate it to the brighter Limited Edition HHKB set.

As for the bars, matt3o spent a lot of time color calibrating them. Not sure if they're 100% matched, but they're pretty darn close.

That's not the point.

It's kind of the point considering the set that Matt3o calibrated against was the set you don't have, which may be the reason why it doesn't match.

Well said, rombro.

dario, you've dubbed one "true red" (from Realforce) and the other "miscolored red" (from PFU/HHKB). Those are your opinions. Sorry these are not matched to your personal preference but saying Matt3o's work is 'wrong' is just plain rude.

[atlas3686]

Have I missed round 2? Would have definitely taken a pink or 2 as well

[xondat]

Have I missed round 2? Would have definitely taken a pink or 2 as well

It's on Massdrop now.

[romevi]

Have I missed round 2? Would have definitely taken a pink or 2 as well

It's on Massdrop now.

False.

[xondat]

Have I missed round 2? Would have definitely taken a pink or 2 as well

It's on Massdrop now.

False.

Oh. You missed it, atlas.

[[Lewynlight]]

i'll be waiting for the goods to come!

ordered 20 caps for my friends in Indonesia huehehe

[Geckt]

Not sure if I liked all the colors, but, hey it's either this or nowhere on the market will I ever find these BN again.

[atlas3686]

Have I missed round 2? Would have definitely taken a pink or 2 as well

It's on Massdrop now.

False.

Oh. You missed it, atlas.

no worries, I got all the colours from the first round, would have liked green though. Hopefully we get a round 3 with pink making the cut.

[Pestik]

So glad I didn't miss this! Can finally replace the crappy ABS space on my Realforce. Also if this GB is ever resurrected for an R3 a few years from now, a purple colorway may prove popular I know I'd be all over that.

[nickysan92]

Aww snap I missed the drop due to a payment error from my bank and I was unable to resolve it before the cut-off time.

Any idea if this will ever drop again or if there's any existing vendor that have these in stock?

[romevi]

Aww snap I missed the drop due to a payment error from my bank and I was unable to resolve it before the cut-off time.

Any idea if this will ever drop again or if there's any existing vendor that have these in stock?

There was a huge spike of orders at some point during the drop, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was a vendor.

[Elrick]

There was a huge spike of orders at some point during the drop, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was a vendor.

Not really, just ordered 4 of everything towards the end  .

Just like the first GB, always buy FOUR of everything like your life depends upon it.

[swimmingbird]

There was a huge spike of orders at some point during the drop, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was a vendor.

Not really, just ordered 4 of everything towards the end  .

Just like the first GB, always buy FOUR of everything like your life depends upon it.

Elrick speaks the truth

[RobotMalcolmX]

Aww snap I missed the drop due to a payment error from my bank and I was unable to resolve it before the cut-off time.

Any idea if this will ever drop again or if there's any existing vendor that have these in stock?

In regards to dropping again, I have a feeling it'll be some time before this comes back up on Massdrop. Luckily, a lot of people probably bought more than they need and you could probably pick one up from them.

[joric]

Damn! I missed the second run!

Another thing though.

All black stock ABS HHKB's spacebars (not PBT ones, those are perfect) apparently have tiny discolored spots, like after dried droplets of water:



Two upper ones are ABS stock spacebars, the bottom is the new PBT spacebar (it's absolutely perfect, it's just grease).

Could anyone confirm all stock ABS spacebars have this defect (discolored spots)?

I bought two black HHKBs with an year-long interval, and they both have these nasty and pretty much visible spots. Looks like all black HHKBs are
affected.

Can anyone confirm?

[kawasaki161]

Jup, mine also had it, but it's not miscolored, just mistextured, you can polish them out.

[suprsmo]

Bugger..too slow.

Got my RF and my FC660C.     :/

[rowdy]

Bugger..too slow.

Got my RF and my FC660C.     :/

Some vendors might have bought some.

Keep your eyes peeled just after they are delivered.

[the_marsbar]

So there's already some feedback that the spacebars are not as nice as the ones from the first run, even though the second run spacebars were supposed to be better, e.g., as it says on the Massdrop page for the drop, "this new iteration of the popular Topre space bar now features a refined texture much closer to the original".

Is there anything to do about this? If they're really as bad as the comments suggest, is this really tolerated?

There was a lot of manufacturing issues, but the updates on the Massdrop page said that the issues were resolved. I could live with the long wait (I haven't received shipping notice yet), but if the quality is also really low, then I'm really unhappy. Especially since I am most likely going to have to pay a high import tax on these spacebars (I ordered six).

[Geckt]

Now that they're in transit, I don't know if I'll ever use them with the RF RGBs incoming, must have a feel of those RF OG MX sliders.

[oscillik]

So there's already some feedback that the spacebars are not as nice as the ones from the first run, even though the second run spacebars were supposed to be better, e.g., as it says on the Massdrop page for the drop, "this new iteration of the popular Topre space bar now features a refined texture much closer to the original".

Is there anything to do about this? If they're really as bad as the comments suggest, is this really tolerated?

There was a lot of manufacturing issues, but the updates on the Massdrop page said that the issues were resolved. I could live with the long wait (I haven't received shipping notice yet), but if the quality is also really low, then I'm really unhappy. Especially since I am most likely going to have to pay a high import tax on these spacebars (I ordered six).

As the person who donated their ABS spacebar for the original mold, and who owns quite a few of the original run - there's nothing wrong with the texture on the first run. Don't know what Massdrop are smoking.

[SpAmRaY]

So there's already some feedback that the spacebars are not as nice as the ones from the first run, even though the second run spacebars were supposed to be better, e.g., as it says on the Massdrop page for the drop, "this new iteration of the popular Topre space bar now features a refined texture much closer to the original".

Is there anything to do about this? If they're really as bad as the comments suggest, is this really tolerated?

There was a lot of manufacturing issues, but the updates on the Massdrop page said that the issues were resolved. I could live with the long wait (I haven't received shipping notice yet), but if the quality is also really low, then I'm really unhappy. Especially since I am most likely going to have to pay a high import tax on these spacebars (I ordered six).

As the person who donated their ABS spacebar for the original mold, and who owns quite a few of the original run - there's nothing wrong with the texture on the first run. Don't know what Massdrop are smoking.

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say they changed manufacturing so they were cheaper to produce under the guise of making them 'better'.

[iamtootallforthis]

So there's already some feedback that the spacebars are not as nice as the ones from the first run, even though the second run spacebars were supposed to be better, e.g., as it says on the Massdrop page for the drop, "this new iteration of the popular Topre space bar now features a refined texture much closer to the original".

Is there anything to do about this? If they're really as bad as the comments suggest, is this really tolerated?

There was a lot of manufacturing issues, but the updates on the Massdrop page said that the issues were resolved. I could live with the long wait (I haven't received shipping notice yet), but if the quality is also really low, then I'm really unhappy. Especially since I am most likely going to have to pay a high import tax on these spacebars (I ordered six).

As the person who donated their ABS spacebar for the original mold, and who owns quite a few of the original run - there's nothing wrong with the texture on the first run. Don't know what Massdrop are smoking.

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say they changed manufacturing so they were cheaper to produce under the guise of making them 'better'.

That is what it sounded like as they said they had mold issues and such which was odd cause the molds made from the first run were great.

[Elrick]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say they changed manufacturing so they were cheaper to produce under the guise of making them 'better'.

Business 101, it's ALWAYS better when the company makes profit on what it produces, especially when it costs far less to make  .

Looking forward to see if this batch matches the previous one in quality, otherwise it's FULL on refund time from MD.  All for them making money on this BUT won't tolerate shoddy manufacturing under any circumstance.

[Mr.Lunchbox]

I received mine yesterday and while I don't have any samples from the first run I will say that the quiality of this second run is not great.

I ordered 2 spacebars and one was fine while the second had some minor abnormalities, looked like either the mold was not good or that particular injection wasn't right. Like it didn't fill the mold all the way in 1 or 2 spots.
I do have some that I ordered from AliExpress and I think the quality of those is better than this second run. Not by leaps and bounds mind you but better nonetheless.

For the time it took I'm not particularly happy with the results.

[jchan94]

I received mine yesterday and while I don't have any samples from the first run I will say that the quiality of this second run is not great.

I ordered 2 spacebars and one was fine while the second had some minor abnormalities, looked like either the mold was not good or that particular injection wasn't right. Like it didn't fill the mold all the way in 1 or 2 spots.
I do have some that I ordered from AliExpress and I think the quality of those is better than this second run. Not by leaps and bounds mind you but better nonetheless.

For the time it took I'm not particularly happy with the results.

Photos? would love to see a comparison of the aliexpress + md r2 ones.

[SpAmRaY]

So I got mine out to see if all the bad things being said are true and yeah these do seem to be sub par compared to the round 1 caps.

The texture feels quite a bit rougher to me and my dark gray (black) spacebar looks melted around the edges, I've never seen a cap that looked like that before. It's hard to photograph since it's basically just really shiny.

These do seem to be slightly different in profile compared to my other pbt topre spacebar I have from before when putting them side by side on my desk.

[iamtootallforthis]

So I got mine out to see if all the bad things being said are true and yeah these do seem to be sub par compared to the round 1 caps.

The texture feels quite a bit rougher to me and my dark gray (black) spacebar looks melted around the edges, I've never seen a cap that looked like that before. It's hard to photograph since it's basically just really shiny.

These do seem to be slightly different in profile compared to my other pbt topre spacebar I have from before when putting them side by side on my desk.

Well that sucks to hear. I may just ask for a refund than if they are noticeably worse than round 1.

[nathanrosspowell]

What people have been reporting is really a shame.

This was one of the only things that I've ordered from MD in a long time and it might be the last. Tons of delays (even if they sent out emails about them) and then ****ty end product and ****ty postage (in some case I've seen posted)... game over.

[Elrick]

What people have been reporting is really a shame.

This was one of the only things that I've ordered from MD in a long time and it might be the last. Tons of delays (even if they sent out emails about them) and then ****ty end product and ****ty postage (in some case I've seen posted)... game over.

Know how you feel, haven't gotten mine yet but if they arrive in a crappy condition, far less quality than the first round then I'm sending them back.

Think this will be the LAST Topre Space bar Group Buy, because MassDrop will be losing money on this.  Losing Group Buys are all avoided with in the future, and this looks like one of those "Loser" Categories.

[Belfong]

Hopefully this is not the case and (the bad quality) is just an exception. I am hoping to be able to get myself into the third round. I really do need a PBT orange space bar or a pink ones to match the Realforce key sets that I have. Come on, Mass Drop, don't disappoint.

[Lansky]

Damn, it sucks to hear about these quality issues. 

Unfortunately my order has already been shipped out and will be here within a few days, so too late to cancel it. Guess I'll just have to go with it for now and see what they look like. But it sucks having to wait almost three months for them to arrive, only to find out that they're worse than the previous run, while paying a premium for them. Oh well...

[the_marsbar]

Is it even possible to get a refund, if the quality of the product is that poor? Is it possible to write Massdrop now, and say that I don't want the spacebars because of the reports about poor quality?

[oscillik]

Is it possible to write Massdrop now, and say that I don't want the spacebars because of the reports about poor quality?

I very much doubt it. You'll likely have to just wait to judge for yourself, and then return for refund. Unless your order hasn't already passed the point of cancellation before dispatch, in which case then I would assume you can cancel.