RealForce is made by Leopold?

[Lunatique]

Whenever I see people talking about RealForce, they always call it Topre RealForce, made by the company Topre, who happens to also make the Topre switch. But I looked at the back of the RealForce 87U Type-S I just received today, and it says Leopold RealForce, and there's a small line of Korean text too, but it also says Made In Japan.

So what's the relationship between Topre and Leopold? I thought Leopold made their Topre switch FC660C, while RealForce is Topre's line of keyboards? Or is Leopold the official manufacturer of RealForce, while the design and trademark is Topre's?

[Flyersfan1]

Whenever I see people talking about RealForce, they always call it Topre RealForce, made by the company Topre, who happens to also make the Topre switch. But I looked at the back of the RealForce 87U Type-S I just received today, and it says Leopold RealForce, and there's a small line of Korean text too, but it also says Made In Japan.

So what's the relationship between Topre and Leopold? I thought Leopold made their Topre switch FC660C, while RealForce is Topre's line of keyboards? Or is Leopold the official manufacturer of RealForce, while the design and trademark is Topre's?

Leopold is one of the distributors of Realforce keyboards, but they've also come forward with their own FC660C topre keyboard made and distributed by them.
http://www.topre.co.jp/en/products/elec/keyboards/shoplist.html

[Lunatique]

Leopold is one of the distributors of Realforce keyboards, but they've also come forward with their own FC660C topre keyboard made and distributed by them.
http://www.topre.co.jp/en/products/elec/keyboards/shoplist.html

I see. That's a little odd, since usually the company that does the distribution does not put their name on the product--only the manufacturer/designer does. Also, since there are other distributors around the world listed on that page, does that mean all of them put their company names on the keyboard too?

[Lunatique]

My first reaction to Topre was just like many others had previously described--"This is so much like a frakking normal rubber dome keyboard! I paid over two hundred dollars for a glorified rubber dome?!" But then after typing on it for a bit, I totally understood the "smoothest, premium rubber dome in the world" description. It's not nearly as tactile as I thought it would be (I thought it would be quite tactile, but just rounder instead of sharp), but it's definitely extremely quiet--the most quiet keyboard I've ever typed on, with the softest, smoothest feel. Can't say for sure if I prefer this for typing over buckling spring or blue Cherry MX, but at least for other uses like image editing, media navigation, web browsing, etc, it's a lot more pleasant than the really clicky and tactile switches (calling too much attention to themselves when I don't need them to). But then again, for these other uses, just any cheap rubber dome keyboard is fine, so in order for me to keep this, it'll really need to prove itself as a typing machine. I guess I'll give it some time and see how I feel.

[Heliosphere]

The thing is Topre doesn't feel squishy like a lot of rubber domes. Instead, it's responsive and pleasant to type on. I just got my FC660C and it feels great, love it. Love my 55g Realforce too. I hope to get a Novatouch too to use those custom MX keysets.

[tbc]

Leopold is one of the distributors of Realforce keyboards, but they've also come forward with their own FC660C topre keyboard made and distributed by them.
http://www.topre.co.jp/en/products/elec/keyboards/shoplist.html

I see. That's a little odd, since usually the company that does the distribution does not put their name on the product--only the manufacturer/designer does. Also, since there are other distributors around the world listed on that page, does that mean all of them put their company names on the keyboard too?

there are ducky branded topre boards as well.

[dorkvader]

Leopold is one of the distributors of Realforce keyboards, but they've also come forward with their own FC660C topre keyboard made and distributed by them.
http://www.topre.co.jp/en/products/elec/keyboards/shoplist.html

I see. That's a little odd, since usually the company that does the distribution does not put their name on the product--only the manufacturer/designer does. Also, since there are other distributors around the world listed on that page, does that mean all of them put their company names on the keyboard too?

there are ducky branded topre boards as well.

EK has their own version as well.
Topre can make small runs for their distributors.

[Lunatique]

Leopold is one of the distributors of Realforce keyboards, but they've also come forward with their own FC660C topre keyboard made and distributed by them.
http://www.topre.co.jp/en/products/elec/keyboards/shoplist.html

I see. That's a little odd, since usually the company that does the distribution does not put their name on the product--only the manufacturer/designer does. Also, since there are other distributors around the world listed on that page, does that mean all of them put their company names on the keyboard too?

there are ducky branded topre boards as well.

Yeah, but those aren't RealForce, right? I'm talking specifically about RealForce keyboards, which I was under the impression is Topre's own line of keyboards. Other companies might use Topre switches, but they're designing their own keyboard product lines.

[Lunatique]

Leopold is one of the distributors of Realforce keyboards, but they've also come forward with their own FC660C topre keyboard made and distributed by them.
http://www.topre.co.jp/en/products/elec/keyboards/shoplist.html

I see. That's a little odd, since usually the company that does the distribution does not put their name on the product--only the manufacturer/designer does. Also, since there are other distributors around the world listed on that page, does that mean all of them put their company names on the keyboard too?

there are ducky branded topre boards as well.

EK has their own version as well.
Topre can make small runs for their distributors.

So those are all RealForce keyboards?

[dustinhxc]

Leopold is one of the distributors of Realforce keyboards, but they've also come forward with their own FC660C topre keyboard made and distributed by them.
http://www.topre.co.jp/en/products/elec/keyboards/shoplist.html

I see. That's a little odd, since usually the company that does the distribution does not put their name on the product--only the manufacturer/designer does. Also, since there are other distributors around the world listed on that page, does that mean all of them put their company names on the keyboard too?

there are ducky branded topre boards as well.

Yep! I have the realforce 104-ubdk (ducky)

[Jumpjet]

Interesting. My HiPro (arrived this week) has 'LEO-Realforce' on the bottom sticker. Mine was bought from the European distributors, but it looks like Leopold's relationship is a little deeper than simply selling them on...

It's my first Topre too, and while I'm holding back on any final opinion, my early impressions are extremely positive. Rubber dome, yes, but unlike any key switch I've tried: Weirdly more mechanical than my Cherries. The best comparison I've seen is that of a piano key. There is a distinctly 'counter-weighted' nature to the switch action. Very pleasant. The negative aspect of the Topre is that it's made my other (excellent), boards seem slightly crude and flimsy.

I'm still debating the presence of an (admittedly extremely well made), hardcore business device as my main board, and wether it's suitable for design and editing work, but early impressions are 'probably yes'.  For any typing it's an 'absolutely yes' though.

Couple of weeks to go...

[Lunatique]

The thing is Topre doesn't feel squishy like a lot of rubber domes. Instead, it's responsive and pleasant to type on. I just got my FC660C and it feels great, love it. Love my 55g Realforce too. I hope to get a Novatouch too to use those custom MX keysets.

While that's true for the cheaper rubber domes, the more expensive ones are also significantly beter than the cheap crap, which means the difference between Topre and the higher-end rubber domes (such as the premium non-mechanical gaming keyboards) is a lot less significant. My Logitech G110's keys feel much more solid and smooth than the cheaper keyboards I have (such as the A4Tech left-handed keyboard), and objectively, it feels fine typing on it. It's not as fun or luxurious as the mechanical keyboards I have, but it's certainly not a mushy mess either.

Also, after doing lots of typing tests with each of the new keyboards I got lately (Unicomp Endurapro, Razer Blackwidow Chroma, RealForce 87U Type-S), I can't really say that I'm typing much faster or more accurately on them. Placebo effect, yes, but consistent hard proof, no--at least not so far.

So it leads me to think that much of what I'm paying for is the more interesting typing experience and the fun of owning premium products, and not qualitatively more efficient performance.

[Polymer]

While that's true for the cheaper rubber domes, the more expensive ones are also significantly beter than the cheap crap, which means the difference between Topre and the higher-end rubber domes (such as the premium non-mechanical gaming keyboards) is a lot less significant. My Logitech G110's keys feel much more solid and smooth than the cheaper keyboards I have (such as the A4Tech left-handed keyboard), and objectively, it feels fine typing on it. It's not as fun or luxurious as the mechanical keyboards I have, but it's certainly not a mushy mess either.

There are plenty of very good normal rubber dome keyboards out there.  There is a feel difference though and the fact that Topre don't have to bottom out makes them feel a bit more responsive...But it is like everything, you can get by perfectly fine with a 20 dollar keyboard..it will work just as good.  Feel wise is all subjective but lets just assume you do enjoy a mechanical keyboard a little bit more..you've paid a lot more for that bit of extra enjoyment..whether that is worth it to you is really a personal choice. 

Also, after doing lots of typing tests with each of the new keyboards I got lately (Unicomp Endurapro, Razer Blackwidow Chroma, RealForce 87U Type-S), I can't really say that I'm typing much faster or more accurately on them. Placebo effect, yes, but consistent hard proof, no--at least not so far.

So it leads me to think that much of what I'm paying for is the more interesting typing experience and the fun of owning premium products, and not qualitatively more efficient performance.

Who has said you will get better performance?  You don't.  Some people may enjoy having a premium product but really, if you're not enjoying using them more (as in, the experience is more enjoyable) then yeah, maybe these products aren't for you (or not you but someone else). 

I look at it this way..I use a keyboard a lot...So over 5 years lets just say I use it 300 days a year and my keyboard, whatever it is, is going to die in 5 years so I have used it 1500 days.  If I spend 20 dollars on a keyboard and it is just meh experience that's fine.  Or I could spend 200 on a keyboard and it is a bit more enjoyable.  Did I get 180 dollars worth of enjoyment over 5 years?  Or put another way, would I have paid 14 cents a day to have had a more enjoyable experience?  For me, definitely...If my keyboard was a regular keyboard but if I put a quarter in a slot it would turn into whatever keyboard I wanted for that day, would I do it?  Sure would...each and everyday. It didn't help me type faster..it probably made no difference in ergonomics...but I enjoyed using it more so it is worth it to ME. 

If you don't enjoy using it and you can't justify the extra cost (or for many, it is too much of a cost to afford which is fair enough) then mech keyboards are not for you...There is nothing wrong with saying you're perfectly happy with a 20 dollar whatever keyboard..nothing at all..

[dustinhxc]

Ill admit I do have 2 rubber domes..

NMB RT6855T+, Grey, Rubberdome (Green Domes), Winkeyless

Cherry G83-6000, Grey, Rubberdome (Cyrillic Layout)

[Lunatique]

If you don't enjoy using it and you can't justify the extra cost (or for many, it is too much of a cost to afford which is fair enough) then mech keyboards are not for you...There is nothing wrong with saying you're perfectly happy with a 20 dollar whatever keyboard..nothing at all..

I definitely do enjoy the fancy keyboards, since the tactile ones are much more satisfying to type on for actual typing (as opposed to doing image/video editing or just typical browsing or even gaming). For that reason alone, I would keep the keyboards and use them when doing actual writing (novels, forum posts, blogging, etc). The Topre is so silent, smooth, and soft that it's well-suited to just about any kind of usage (unless you want really sharp tactility), so I think my RealForce Type-S 87U will likely become my daily driver. When I need to feel that extra satisfaction of typing up a storm, I'll switch to one of the really tactile keyboards (I'll likely keep them all--one buckling spring, one blue Cherry MX, and the Matias too, if it turns out to tick that box for me when it arrives in the mail). The Leopold FC660C I'll definitely keep too, just because I need to have at least one small form-factor keyboard when I write in bed (hooked up to my Galaxy Note 3) or for travel.

So, that means I'll likely keep all of them. I think the enjoyment I get out of them is worth the price spent, regardless if they actually help me type better/faster.