Realforce vs HHKB vs Unicomp

[SamirD]

This is why the keyboard gatherings are so important--one gets the ability to be hands on with another product and discuss all this face-to-face.  Such fun!  Can't believe I missed the Chicago one.

[Polymer]

With Topre, yes.  I am justifiably clueless.

Yet you wrote this in response to someone saying that to you..

Be careful what you are saying:

From: The Tech Report (Topre's Type Heaven mechanical keyboard reviewed)

http://techreport.com/review/25558/topre-type-heaven-mechanical-keyboard-reviewed
-snip-
I must really not know.  Let me see, here is a NovaTouch Topre design....
http://benchmarkreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/topre_key_diagram.jpg

I am very aware.

Anyways, all good...

[Snowdog993]

With Topre, yes.  I am justifiably clueless.

Yet you wrote this in response to someone saying that to you..

Be careful what you are saying:

From: The Tech Report (Topre's Type Heaven mechanical keyboard reviewed)

http://techreport.com/review/25558/topre-type-heaven-mechanical-keyboard-reviewed
-snip-
I must really not know.  Let me see, here is a NovaTouch Topre design....
http://benchmarkreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/topre_key_diagram.jpg

I am very aware.

Anyways, all good...

Thanks.  I was being a bit of an idiot talking about something I have no clue about.  I just dug in from what I read.  It's stupid.

[rowdy]

OP's first and only post (so far).

I wonder if the discussion has been enlightening.

[SamirD]

It has for me, so at least one person got benefit from it. 

[balmung2]

Sorry for disappearing, been busy traveling for the past month and didn't get a chance to look at this thread.

Based on what I've read, I've decided to go with the Unicomp. It should provide a similar typing experience as the Model M, is built like a tank, and is cheaper than the topres. I still like the HHKB for its layout, but I can't justify the price difference between the two just yet. Of course, in traditional geekhack fashion, I'll probably end up owning all three keyboards eventually, but the Unicomp will be a good one to start with.

Thank you everyone for the help, and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[SamirD]

Sorry for disappearing, been busy traveling for the past month and didn't get a chance to look at this thread.

Based on what I've read, I've decided to go with the Unicomp. It should provide a similar typing experience as the Model M, is built like a tank, and is cheaper than the topres. I still like the HHKB for its layout, but I can't justify the price difference between the two just yet. Of course, in traditional geekhack fashion, I'll probably end up owning all three keyboards eventually, but the Unicomp will be a good one to start with.

Thank you everyone for the help, and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Great choice!  And after I've bought a few things from Unicomp, you can easily get a new one with the mac keys on it for under $100.  Well worth it too.

[rowdy]

Sorry for disappearing, been busy traveling for the past month and didn't get a chance to look at this thread.

Based on what I've read, I've decided to go with the Unicomp. It should provide a similar typing experience as the Model M, is built like a tank, and is cheaper than the topres. I still like the HHKB for its layout, but I can't justify the price difference between the two just yet. Of course, in traditional geekhack fashion, I'll probably end up owning all three keyboards eventually, but the Unicomp will be a good one to start with.

Thank you everyone for the help, and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Were you lucky enough to get the discount?

[SamirD]

Sorry for disappearing, been busy traveling for the past month and didn't get a chance to look at this thread.

Based on what I've read, I've decided to go with the Unicomp. It should provide a similar typing experience as the Model M, is built like a tank, and is cheaper than the topres. I still like the HHKB for its layout, but I can't justify the price difference between the two just yet. Of course, in traditional geekhack fashion, I'll probably end up owning all three keyboards eventually, but the Unicomp will be a good one to start with.

Thank you everyone for the help, and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Were you lucky enough to get the discount?

Yeah, that cyber monday discount was pretty sweet.

[Macsmasher]

Yeap..and nothing wrong with that.

The funny part is, obviously you've never used it or know much about it...so you're automatically coming to the conclusion it must be inferior strictly on it being rubber dome...

I love when people like that end up trying it for awhile and get converted...

You're right.  I have never used Topre keyboards ever.  I am not coming to the conclusion it is inferior at all.  I know I don't like rubberdome keyboards, I have had some good ones and a lot of terrible ones.  The point I was making was that for a rubberdome, a Topre is very overpriced.
I even explained that it might not be bad if the springs were actually pushing back on the domes.  You explained that they are just used for capitance connection.  That makes sense.
I have the feeling I will not like Topre even after trying it.  It seems to be exactly what I don't want in a keyboard.

I am regularly perplexed by the number of people who say Topre keyboards are "very overpriced". If you buy a Filco with Cherry MX switches and pick up some PBT keycaps for it (which come stock on Realforce and HHKB boards, with the exception of Type Heaven), you're close to the same price. Most Topre boards are made in Japan. Filco is not. If someone is complaining about Topre being $20 more at that point and calling themselves a keyboard enthusiast, I'd say they were just a whiner.

Realforce does have a full size Topre keyboard with ABS keycaps and made in China. It's $151:

http://www.amazon.com/Topre-Type-Heaven-104-key-Keyboard/dp/B00DGJALYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449262496&sr=8-1&keywords=realforce+type+heaven

Filco has a full size board with ABS keycaps and Cherry browns. It's $169:

http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Keyboard-FKBN104M-EB2/dp/B004VKUSG6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1449262532&sr=8-6&keywords=filco+keyboard

If you want to express your reasons why you don't like Topre keyboards, great. But at least stick to points that have merit.

[Snowdog993]

Yeap..and nothing wrong with that.

The funny part is, obviously you've never used it or know much about it...so you're automatically coming to the conclusion it must be inferior strictly on it being rubber dome...

I love when people like that end up trying it for awhile and get converted...

You're right.  I have never used Topre keyboards ever.  I am not coming to the conclusion it is inferior at all.  I know I don't like rubberdome keyboards, I have had some good ones and a lot of terrible ones.  The point I was making was that for a rubberdome, a Topre is very overpriced.
I even explained that it might not be bad if the springs were actually pushing back on the domes.  You explained that they are just used for capitance connection.  That makes sense.
I have the feeling I will not like Topre even after trying it.  It seems to be exactly what I don't want in a keyboard.

I am regularly perplexed by the number of people who say Topre keyboards are "very overpriced". If you buy a Filco with Cherry MX switches and pick up some PBT keycaps for it (which come stock on Realforce and HHKB boards, with the exception of Type Heaven), you're close to the same price. Most Topre boards are made in Japan. Filco is not. If someone is complaining about Topre being $20 more at that point and calling themselves a keyboard enthusiast, I'd say they were just a whiner.

Realforce does have a full size Topre keyboard with ABS keycaps and made in China. It's $151:

http://www.amazon.com/Topre-Type-Heaven-104-key-Keyboard/dp/B00DGJALYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449262496&sr=8-1&keywords=realforce+type+heaven

Filco has a full size board with ABS keycaps and Cherry browns. It's $169:

http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Keyboard-FKBN104M-EB2/dp/B004VKUSG6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1449262532&sr=8-6&keywords=filco+keyboard

If you want to express your reasons why you don't like Topre keyboards, great. But at least stick to points that have merit.

You just simply can't compare a Topre to a Buckling Spring.  It makes no sense at all.