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Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

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Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#231

Post by fomine3 »

satysin wrote: post #200
fomine3 wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Topre is very rock solid because of its origin is for professional inputter. I know many people use same RealForce/HHKB for 10 years (in Japan).

Is ten years really that old for a keyboard? My father still uses a generic Dell keyboard he got with a PC in 2002 because he didn’t like all the media keys on the keyboards that came with new computers.

It also depends on how many typed. Also, IIRC cheap bundled keyboards in 2002 was better quality compared to in 2021. I remembered membrane keyboard bundled with server in 2005 was comfortable.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#232

Post by TacticalCoder »

duckfruit wrote: post #163
nicopappl wrote: post #49

I have the privilege of owning a Happy Hacking 2, it has topre keys. I used it for about a year. And I hated it! It's insanely noisy, to the point of distraction. It's so damn loud. But the dealbreaker for me is how heavy and deep the keys are. It's just too much energy and travel time for efficient typing IMO. After long sessions my fingertips felt sore from the blunt damage of pushing down the keys. But I'll recogn…

I would be surprised if it starts to show wear within the next 10 years. I've been using mine daily for around 10 years, and yes, you are entirely correct. If I could somehow clean all the coffee stains and grime it has accumulated it could probably pass off as new! And while I personally love the feel of topre keys, I can see why people might not like them - to each his own. I just wish the new wireless HHKBs weren'…

> I've been using mine daily for around 10 years, and yes, you are entirely correct. If I could somehow clean all the coffee stains and grime it has accumulated it could probably pass off as new!

Same... Once in a while I took all the keycaps off of my HHKBs and vaccuum clean everything, then clean everything using q-tips, clean all the keycaps one by one. They're looking close to new despite heavy years of daily usage.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#233

Post by TacticalCoder »

hnrj95 wrote: post #227
TacticalCoder wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've got a totally different experience... I own three HHKB: two HHKB Pro JP (for they have a narrower spacebar and more modifiers: so less thumb travel: I do have very close Japanese family but I don't speak Japanese) and one HHKB Pro 2 (the first I got). They are, to me, out of this world. They ruined me forever in that I'll never be able to use something else than a Topre. I've got lots of IBM Model Ms, several Ch…

100%. i’ve tried everything. model m, model f, cherry, etc. nothing feels the same way the hhkb does for me. and the layout, as an emacs user, is sublime

Model Fs are the capacitive ones? I know they're good but I never got into that: I found Topre before going there and I'm a happy camper since then!

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#234

Post by 2muchcoffeeman »

wyclif wrote: post #207
csdvrx wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So many people seem to rant and rave about mechanical keyboard that I'm still willing to give them a try! Could you recommend a model that's not too noisy and doesn't require too much force, but which also has the page up and page down keys on both sides of the up arrow? This seems a rarity for mechanical keyboards, while it's quite standard on laptops. Since I spend most of my time on laptops, I'd like to at least m…

Your best bet for mechanical switches that aren't too noisy are probably Cherry MX Browns.

I’m using silent red and I don’t find them too noisy.

One of the main advantages of a mechanical is that they are often programmable so you no longer have to rely on software based methods to change key mappings. Caps lock is Escape everywhere all the time.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#235

Post by fomine3 »

Findecanor wrote: post #214
csdvrx wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree so much!! I've tried my best to like mechanical keyboards... but no, I hate them. The noise is distracting, they require too much strength on every key, and they are big and expansive! I thought I might have the wrong keytypes, so I even purchased key testers: the red keys are less noisy, but that doesn't solve the other problems. So I just can't find a reason to like them. My favorite keyboard is the Thinkpa…

Topre Realforce aren't really mechanical keyboards — they are rubber dome keyboards. They get lumped together with them only because they are high quality rubber domes, with a luxurious feel. I would best compare Topre to Key Tronic Lifetime and ErgoForce rubber dome keyboards from the '90s. Both those and Topre are full-travel, and have a distinct bottom-out feel, but they still require you to bottom out. They are a…

Libertouch was also a luxury high quality rubber dome keyboard like Realforce, but it's not known outside Japan. It uses simple electrical contact switch rather than capacitive, but feeling/mechanism are similar to Realforce. It also support changing weight by replacing rubber. US ANSI layout is also available.

Libertouch is the best feeling switch I've ever used including Realforce/HHKB. I love this but its full layout with tenkey is pain.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#236

Post by stereoradonc »

I have a dedicated Telegram group for mechanical keyboards, and some enthusiasts (around 500+) hang around. I discovered the joys of keyboard during the pandemic, and it made for a delightful experience. I have cycled through several options (PBT keycaps/ switches) and found the "perfect combination" through hotswap (that allows me to replace switches) and pudding keycaps that makes for a delightful visual experience.

I am not a gamer, but a typist. It's reassuring that the strokes are happening the instant I expect them to. Totally worth the experience.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#237

Post by TacticalCoder »

Pmop wrote: post #133

I happen to own a Topre keyboard: Leopold FC660C, the silent version. I don't think it's expensive or a luxury item at all. If you indulge in mechanical keyboards with switches, your expenditures can easily go beyond $250 price tag: you buy expensive, special, limited supply switches because most switches are shit, and then you have to lube all of those or pay someone else to do it because otherwise it feels and soun…

> I don't think it's expensive or a luxury item at all.

They are expensive though. I own three (I've got several computers and I take one with me when I travel) and I love them (daily driver since years and years and years: I can throw anything at them, they're rated for 150 million keypresses... per key) but... I do hate the pricepoint.

Just checking on Yahoo Japan for an HHKB Pro JP like I have: 40 800 JPY / 350 USD / 320 EUR.

Common... However good it is, it's still just a keyboard.

The criticism on the pricepoint / luxury item: I do agree with.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#238

Post by drewg123 »

Does there exist an ergo (split) keyboard with the same layout as the Realforce R2?

That keyboard has exactly the layout I want. But every single split keyboard has a horrific layout. Why can't there be a split keyboard with a normal layout and good keys..

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#239

Post by TacticalCoder »

TheRealDunkirk wrote: post #39

After about my 6th mech, I finally ordered one from Amazon to see what all the fuss was about. I put it back in the box after 2 minutes, and returned it. What can I say? I like blues. It just comes down to what you prefer.

> What can I say? I like blues.

Well... If your thing is really clicky, then indeed Topre may not be for you. I do like blues too and I used Model Ms for years (even way clickier than blues) before finding Topre switches. Clicky switches lovers are, I think, a category of their own.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#240

Post by buggythebug »

nicopappl wrote: post #49

I have the privilege of owning a Happy Hacking 2, it has topre keys. I used it for about a year. And I hated it! It's insanely noisy, to the point of distraction. It's so damn loud. But the dealbreaker for me is how heavy and deep the keys are. It's just too much energy and travel time for efficient typing IMO. After long sessions my fingertips felt sore from the blunt damage of pushing down the keys. But I'll recogn…

Why privilege? It's not gucci bag.
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