My 87U just arrived!! (Pics included)

[HungryPillow]

I'm typing this with the new keyboard and absolutely loving it. I wasn't really expecting the keyboard to be delivered today (a Saturday) so you can imagine my surprise when the doorbell ran and I saw a big huge Filco box :smile:

Take my brief review for what it's worth and a grain of salt as I can only compare the 87U to a Microsoft Natural 4000, a Logitech diNovo Edge and a Logitech LED keyboard. This keyboard TOTALLY KILLS them all.

Everything about this keyboard just feels fantastic. I don't have the "aaaaaaaa" or ";;;;;;;;;;;;;" problem I've read a few people mention on here. I don't know what it is about the keys or the design, but for lack of a better word it just feels like my fingers can "brush" the keys and they will register. I don't need to fully press the key down, just kind of roll over the keys and it will register.

I love how the charcoal keys look and feel and I love the sound the keys make while I'm typing (especially the sound the Backspace makes). In terms of loudness I think this is perfect. It's not as quiet as the other keyboards I have but I definitely would not want it any louder than this.

My typing speed is just over 100wpm on the other keyboards I have, and a brief test with the 87U got me to 97wpm. I'm one of those typers that don't really use the pinky finger for anything except the Enter key, so I'm hoping this will teach me to be a better typist. I'll try again once I'm more used to the feel and see if I can do any better.

Now maybe I will try swapping the CTRL and CAPS LOCK button to see if I like it better...

Obligatory pics below. Seems like my dog approves as she just decided to get comfy next to the keyboard while I was taking pics :peace:












Oh by the way, the site I ended up ordering from is http://www.inpad.com.tw. Highly recommended and pleasant to deal with, only downside is they don't speak English. What's cool is they even included a manual they wrote up themselves in Chinese on how to operate the dip switch and change the keys on the keyboard. Very professional!

[HungryPillow]

Thanks. I noticed that after typing a while my pinky finger becomes a bit irritated. I think I'm hitting the keys too hard and bottoming them out? My other fingers feel fine though so I'm not sure. This will definitely take a bit of getting used to. But the sound the keys make is definitely very soothing... I'd maybe go as far as to say they are heavenly sounding

My dog is a bit shy after my fiancee took her to the groomers last week, haha.

[ch_123]

My cat frequently attempts to type on my laptop keyboard, with rather humorous results.

[Xuan]

My cat frequently attempts to type on my laptop keyboard, with rather humorous results.

Share his jokes please

[msiegel]

is this for real?

[Rajagra]

Is that a Jack Russell? Keep it away from that spacebar, they are easily confused with bones by certain small dogs. :smile:

[rdjack21]

I know you where somewhat worried about the vendor you ordered from so I'm really glad it worked out and they ended up being great to work with. Congratulations on finally getting your first Topre board (it's hard to only have one) I'm really glad your first impressions are so positive. What is really cool about the Topre boards is that they get better the more you use them. Give it a few weeks to a month and let us know how you like it at that point.

[joneslee85]

97WPM!! Are u serious? The 87U is slowing down my typing speed. Maybe because I haven't got used to the heavy weight keys. With my Das,  I could get 87wpm, while only 75wpm with 87U. (I am not a fast typist anyway..)

[ch_123]

I think my sustained speed is about 70 on most keyboards... I tend to make a lot of mistakes when my fingers try and anticipate the next letter and fail... Either way, I can type sufficiently fast for most purposes.

[HungryPillow]

It's not a Jack Russell, it's a Shih Tzu that we had to nearly shave due to excessive matting in the hair. Long story...

Are there any accurate typing speed tests? I just used one of the ones on Facebook but I don't know how accurate it is...

Thanks guys. If it weren't for this site I would have never even known about Topre. I find myself looking for stuff to type now just so I can use the keyboard more often!

[joneslee85]

I am just wondering if 86U keycaps fit 87U?

[ch_123]

They would except for the bottom row ones, which would be differently sized to accommodate the extra key.

[didjamatic]

Are there any accurate typing speed tests? I just used one of the ones on Facebook but I don't know how accurate it is...

http://www.typingtest.com

[HungryPillow]

On my first try... guess it's pretty accurate:



I'm having a difficult time adjusting to the new CTRL and Caps locations, especially when trying to use shortcuts like copy/cut/paste. I'll give it a few more days to see if I can get used to it, but I'm already wanting to go back to the original layout...

[microsoft windows]

Judging from that picture, you're a pretty good typist! I usually get between 30 and 45 WPM.

[HungryPillow]

Just a quick update for those that care

It's been about a week since I got the keyboard and I now think I can understand where everyone is coming from when they say the keyboard gets better the longer you use it.

I find myself wanting to go home just to type on this keyboard. I try to find websites I can go to just so I can type more so I can hear the sound of the keys and feel them. I find myself posting more, updating Facebook more often, even going as far as to try and learn programming just so I can take advantage of this keyboard, haha.

I guess it's suffice to say I love this keyboard Hopefully it won't be too long before I can get another one, but dunno what the fiancee will have to say about that...

Now if only someone made a mouse equivalent of this keyboard I would be in heaven.

Oh I forgot one more comment. I've still got the CTRL on the left and the Caps on the bottom left, and I think I'm finally getting used to it. I'm not sure I like it any more than the traditional layout, but it is feeling more natural and I think I quite like it.

[rdjack21]

To help save your eventual marital bliss get your second board before you actually get married. Then it is just stuff you had before you got married.

[InSanCen]

To help save your eventual marital bliss get your second board before you actually get married. Then it is just stuff you had before you got married.

This is obviously a man who knows.

I am currently hoarding before I get hitched too...

Sadly, I want to upgrade the HiFi too, and that will make the keyboard buying pale in comparison. I just need to wait until my daughter stops posting things through the Bass ports, I have had my (crappy) wharfedale's open already to remove 14 trains, several In The Night Garden characters, many many balls and assorted food and biscuits. Thankfully, she hasn't yet discovered the front baffle's are removable, or I would fear for my drivers. Being metallic blue, thay would be an instant "oooohhhh... wassat" generator!

[HungryPillow]

Doh... I actually just bought a whole new HiFi set a few weeks before this keyboard (Wharfedales too) haha. Good advice though, I will have to consider it. Everything should be "just stuff I had before"

At this rate I will probably never get married. *Queue Tiger joke here*

Edit: Forgot to add, I'm still having a sensitive pinky figure issue (right hand). I *think* it's because I'm hitting the Enter key too hard but I'm not 100% certain... anyone else ever experience something like this?

[InSanCen]

Know what you mean.  Hang around DPReview for photography and AVSForum a bit and playing with keyboards seems like a pretty cheap hobby.

I avoid DPreview for a reaon. She would find new and inventive ways to hurt me if I pulled the trigger on a 5D MKII or 1D (non s) MKIII. Let alone the Glass I want for the end of it (24-105L, 100-400L, 100 Macro, and a 500 or 600 for motorsport and birding). I figure about £3,500 at the cheapest.

I don't need to go to AVforums thankfully, as I am a die-hard Stereo man, and know exactly what I want (Unison Unico, Modded Marantz CD400 and Mission 753F's). Thankfully, it's a bit older (the Missions are a lot older, but having sold my previous pair and regret it, I want another), and cheaper than new kit. The Unison is, for me, the perfect combo... Valves for the sound, Silicon for the power!). Must resist ebay... must resist.

[didjamatic]

I just got a Canon 40D, lens, bag, etc. and love it.

Oh, and I also got an 87u in the mail today.  

[ocdonkb]

Good job stimulating the economy. This is what we need.

[leos]

Good job stimulating the economy. This is what we need.

not only good, well-paid must be.

[didjamatic]

I got that complete 40D setup for $400.  Wasn't in the market for it, but too good of a deal to pass up.  It takes very good pictures.

[ricercar]

To help save your eventual marital bliss get your second board before you actually get married. Then it is just stuff you had before you got married.

I have a great wife. I was totally out of the HiFi habit until my wife brought home a set of Accoustat electrostatic panels that her boss thought were blown. Turns out the problem was with his amp. After she started hearing flaws in commercial recordings, she decided they were good enough, and told me one day, "Surround sound." Now we have 8 foot tall electrostatic panels for mains and rear surround, plus for the bedroom stereo.

Then she stole my Model M. Maybe she's too cool for me.

[msiegel]

ay, caramba

[rdjack21]

My son and daughter like the Buckling Springs best. My wife on the other hand runs off with my Topre boards.