Topre REALFORCE108UW-HiPro 30 Anniversary

[Bison]

Ok, just registered to post this one. A Topre 108, 45g uniform with spherical retro caps.
This would be my perfect keyboard if it launch in 91 and silent.





https://www.justmyshop.com/camp/realforcehipro/

Or one could get it just for the keycaps. 

[GL1TCH3D]

TKL would have been beast =(

Too bad it's 108 key because I'd really never find a time to use it on my cluttered desk

[Jumpjet]

God yes, that's pretty. Sphericals are an acquired taste but worth the effort.

[bazh]

you can get an ANSI version of the same color scheme at leopold, they've been selling 104UK for awhile

[Bison]

Oh, I didn't realize the hi-pro had sphericals, thanks.
I'm actually looking for a JP layout.

[rowdy]

That's a fairly specific layout too - do the Japanese go for ISO?

[ComradeSniper]

That's a fairly specific layout too - do the Japanese go for ISO?

What do you mean? It's just JIS layout.

[Flyersfan1]

I want that sweet shopping bag.

[rowdy]

That's a fairly specific layout too - do the Japanese go for ISO?

What do you mean? It's just JIS layout.

JIS has ISO-like Enter?

Ok.  TIL.

[Jumpjet]

OP- worth bearing in mind that the Hi in HiPro refers to the tall spherical caps (they're varying heights in fact). Only the bottom row is Topre regular. The height gives the caps a 'controlled' wobble as they 'ride' slightly on the rubber dome. Stroke feel is also inconsistent between rows, with some keys having a soft bottoming-out, while others strike the plastic cap on the stem for a noticeably hard impact. Finally, the spherical caps used are so dished they could hold a pool of water! By contrast, the Filco doubleshot sphericals have a light indent that's easy to slide over.  Taken as a whole, it might not give you that typical Topre experience you're expecting.

All that being said, it's built like an industrial, hardcore office device worthy of frontline action on any global trading floor, and it produces a sound straight out of the late 70s! Once you acclimatise to the caps, you'll be flying across the board too. It's a unique experience!

[GL1TCH3D]

OP- worth bearing in mind that the Hi in HiPro refers to the tall spherical caps (they're varying heights in fact). Only the bottom row is Topre regular. The height gives the caps a 'controlled' wobble as they 'ride' slightly on the rubber dome. Stroke feel is also inconsistent between rows, with some keys having a soft bottoming-out, while others strike the plastic cap on the stem for a noticeably hard impact. Finally, the spherical caps used are so dished they could hold a pool of water! By contrast, the Filco doubleshot sphericals have a light indent that's easy to slide over.  Taken as a whole, it might not give you that typical Topre experience you're expecting.

All that being said, it's built like an industrial, hardcore office device worthy of frontline action on any global trading floor, and it produces a sound straight out of the late 70s! Once you acclimatise to the caps, you'll be flying across the board too. It's a unique experience!

I think they should just have done DSA Topre

But each profile and layout is a different experience. Always wanted to try a hipro topre

[Bison]

OP- worth bearing in mind that the Hi in HiPro refers to the tall spherical caps (they're varying heights in fact). Only the bottom row is Topre regular. The height gives the caps a 'controlled' wobble as they 'ride' slightly on the rubber dome. Stroke feel is also inconsistent between rows, with some keys having a soft bottoming-out, while others strike the plastic cap on the stem for a noticeably hard impact. Finally, the spherical caps used are so dished they could hold a pool of water! By contrast, the Filco doubleshot sphericals have a light indent that's easy to slide over.  Taken as a whole, it might not give you that typical Topre experience you're expecting.

All that being said, it's built like an industrial, hardcore office device worthy of frontline action on any global trading floor, and it produces a sound straight out of the late 70s! Once you acclimatise to the caps, you'll be flying across the board too. It's a unique experience!

Nice feedback, worth to consider. Luckily, I'll give the keyboards a try before buying.

[zshang]

I wonder how can I use the JIS-layout to code, if it has an ANSI-layout I will definitely add it to my collection

[Bison]

The HI-PRO has an ANSI layout, but not with this color scheme.

[GL1TCH3D]

Are there enough keys to cover a Japanese version HHKB?

[Heliosphere]

I should point out that HiPro keycaps are not exactly compatible with standard Topre keyboards, and vice versa. The HiPro keycaps have longer stems to accommodate the taller profile, and the housing is different as well. During KeyCon I think some guys attempted to try swapping the keycaps to some success, but it wasn't perfect.

Point is, I wouldn't recommend buying a HiPro to attempt using the keycaps on a non-HiPro keyboard.

[GL1TCH3D]

I should point out that HiPro keycaps are not exactly compatible with standard Topre keyboards, and vice versa. The HiPro keycaps have longer stems to accommodate the taller profile, and the housing is different as well. During KeyCon I think some guys attempted to try swapping the keycaps to some success, but it wasn't perfect.

Point is, I wouldn't recommend buying a HiPro to attempt using the keycaps on a non-HiPro keyboard.

That's a bit disappointing to hear =[

Would have loved to swap the tkl part onto a JIS TKL topre

[Jumpjet]

Anyone ever manage to get their mitts on one of these babies?

[Flyersfan1]

I think this would be the closest you'd get to it in an ANSI layout.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Realforce-104UK-Hipro-Electrostatic-Capacitive-Switch-Keyboard-Korean-English-/271731511083?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3f4475cf2b

[GL1TCH3D]

Anyone ever manage to get their mitts on one of these babies?

I have two on order. Took me several hours to navigate through the sign up and purchase of these along with the reshipper service. (Since they don't ship outside Japan)

[Jumpjet]

Anyone ever manage to get their mitts on one of these babies?

I have two on order. Took me several hours to navigate through the sign up and purchase of these along with the reshipper service. (Since they don't ship outside Japan)

Great! Do let us know how you get on. I've got the HiPro but light colour format would be very useful for me. Out of interest, what re-shipper service are you using?

[GL1TCH3D]

Anyone ever manage to get their mitts on one of these babies?

I have two on order. Took me several hours to navigate through the sign up and purchase of these along with the reshipper service. (Since they don't ship outside Japan)

Great! Do let us know how you get on. I've got the HiPro but light colour format would be very useful for me. Out of interest, what re-shipper service are you using?

Used my own card to pay then tenso will reship. Otherwise to go through a buying agent like celga you're paying at least 5% of the price of the keyboard in fees.

But the site is strictly Japanese and their shipping form is weird so it took a while (and I can only hope I did it properly)