Are the Realforce keyboards the only ones with Topre switches?

[wilse]

Hi all-

New here - fascinating community you have!  I've been reading a lot.  I think the Topre switch is the right one for me, as the sound profile matches what I'm looking for.  I'm curious - are the Realforce boards the only Topre keyboards out there?  I'd love to find a 108-key keyboard so I can set up a few multimedia keys, but I can't find such a thing really.  Any input is greatly appreciated!

Oh, also - are there any vendors that make colored keycaps for Topre keys?

Thanks!

[ch_123]

HHKB and Realforce are the only keyboards with Topre switches. You can sometimes see keyboards with Topres from other makers, but these are just OEM branded versions of the Realforces.

[didjamatic]

Here are a couple more, but your best bet by far is to pick up a Realforce or HHKB Pro II from Elitekeyboards, depending on what part of the world you live in.

Topre MD01B0/HE0100

Nissho KB106DE

[wilse]

Thanks for the quick replies, guys.  You confirmed what I suspected - if I want a Topre keyboard, I'll need to get a Realforce from elitekeyboards.  It is kind of too bad, because I really love love love the look of the 108-key keyboards like this one:



I like how it is filled in on the upper right hand corner instead of being all empty - those extra keys could be mapped to volume control - awesome!  But, I think the cherry keys are too loud for me, so I cannot use it.  That's why I'm looking at the Topre keys - quieter.

So, thanks again - oh, and if anyone knows where to get colored keycaps for Topre keys, please let me know!

[didjamatic]

You're in the same boat as me with noise.  I have to stick to more quiet boards most of the time and Topres are perfect.

Just an FYI, you can use a great program called AutoHotKey to custom map any keys you want on any keyboard, so you don't need a keyboard like the Ducky above to have volume controls on your board.  I've never setup volume controls with AHK but I'm sure you can do it.  I use it to create a layer of shortcuts on alpha keys using my Windows key as a modifier.

[AndrewZorn]

is topre that much worse than cherry brown?
but the 108 layout does look nice
id also rather have dedicated volume buttons before email/calc

[didjamatic]

Topre is quieter than Cherry Browns.

I'm sure you could map Win+J as volume up  Win+K as volume down so you'd never have to leave home row, or use any modifier plus arrow up/down for volume.

[rdjack21]

Topre does make a 108 and a 106 key keyboard but they are not imported to the US. If you are in the US drop EliteKeyoards a email and ask them to get you one (they will but you may have to wait a few months for it).

Realforce 106 - no longer in production but can still be had, It should also be noted that you can find this one on Yahoo Japan for a good price if you don't mind used.


Realforce 108U - Still in production and would be the one EliteKeyboards could get new, I don't see very many of these on Yahoo Japan.


Realforce 108UB (Black version):


Price for the 108U(B) should be about the same as the current one EliteKeyboards sales but may be a little more I'm not sure because I have not priced them in a while.

If you want tenkeyless then you would want the 91U(B) but they are more expensive and have more options.

[ch_123]

I think what he means is 104 + Media keys, like those Ducky boards.

[rdjack21]

Well just went and looked and there are a few currently listed on Yahoo Japan:

Realforce 108UH currently sitting at 6,500 yen (about $75 before expenses and shipping) 5 days left I bet it will go for under 10,000 yen which is about half the cost of a new one but then again once you pay expenses and shipping it may not be much cheaper than getting it new from Elite.

Realforce 106 currently sitting at 6,000 yen day and 1/2 left.

[rdjack21]

I think what he means is 104 + Media keys, like those Ducky boards.

Well if that is what he means then they don't make one. But you can use the extra Japanese keys for those functions if you want. My self I use the extra keys for modifiers and such. Those language shift keys are really great as Ctrl or Alt because you really don't have to reach for them just slide you thumb over and you have it.

[wilse]

Wow - thanks rdjack.  Those aren't exactly what I was looking for, but I really appreciate the detailed response and, frankly, I'm amazed at the wealth of knowledge - very cool.  I think I may just get a regular Realforce 103UB and mess around with the keymappings to give me the media functions I want.  Thanks again!

[GenEric35]

Well just went and looked and there are a few currently listed on Yahoo Japan:

Realforce 108UH currently sitting at 6,500 yen (about $75 before expenses and shipping) 5 days left I bet it will go for under 10,000 yen which is about half the cost of a new one but then again once you pay expenses and shipping it may not be much cheaper than getting it new from Elite.

Realforce 106 currently sitting at 6,000 yen day and 1/2 left.

nice deals, elite has good prices on topre 103 these days, i might actualy buy one soon, or if someone wants to get rid of his 103u for a good price

[rdjack21]

Yea the 103 is cheaper than the others but I personally prefer the tenkeyless version or better yet even smaller like the HHKB Pro 2 or like my MD01B0. But still it is a good buy if you don't mind a bigger keyboard.