deskthority

Thank's for the review 002, I would like to see the RF RGB out of its case. Probably not possible with the review sample. I am sure there will be someone posting the internals soon.

The Realforce firmware and Mac OS don't mesh, but if you wake the Mac with a mouse click instead the Realforce will work fine. The RF TKL num pad will work on Mac's using Karabiner remapping software, the num lock light even lights up.

@Mu because; mouse keys, ability to toggle or tap toggle FN layers and NKRO on Macs. I have a num pad layer that is like the one on a Realforce TKL. Function row keys that mimic stock Apple OS positions (media & vol) etc. I have the USB version I really don't need the Bluetooth. The stock HHKB is ...

One of Hasu's HHKB Alt Controllers can be the best option for any HHKB. After using mine almost a year I couldn't and wouldn't be without a programmable HHKB.

I've got a few Gateron switches, although I haven't put them in a keyboard yet, so it's hard to judge the tactile ones. However, it's quite easy to judge the linear ones..

They are superb. They are much smoother than any Cherry switch. In fact, I would put them down as the second smoothest linear ...

To me Cherry MX is a time proven product, Gateron is a newcomer how well will they hold up to use etc.? Your right Cherry is cheap I can get them 50¢ or less each add a bag of custom springs for $10 per 100 and I'm good to go.

What is the expected price range?

they're 75c US each -- considering the springs (and i suppose the clear tops, which do nothing for me particularly) the cost is at least on par with modding stock MX clears.

this is one of the reasons i only use 60% - it costs less to build boards :lol:
75 ...

@Muirium, HHKB's and Realforce cases are ABS plastic. It has ABS molded on the inside of the cases. I think ABS is a more durable case material (but yellows). PBT is nice but it is a more brittle type of plastic.

I voted for the RF 87u 55g when the poll came out but since reconsidered and voted for the HHKB Pro 2. Those are the only Topre keyboards I own so far but there is a special magic about the layout and feel of the HHKB that makes it #1 for me and RF 87ub 55g down to #2 spot.

The spacebar looks like all three stems are inserted in the cap posts, but on the others (smaller stab keys) only the center is inserted and the outer stems just sit on the top of the stabilizer posts.

That's what I was wondering. I guess it makes sense really, since pressing on either side will ...

I still don't get how those stabilisers work. How do they attach to a Cherry keycap? Inserts?
They appear to work like Cherry stabilizers on a Cherry mx board. You install the Cherry mx keycap by simply pressing down over the stem.
The spacebar looks like all three stems are inserted in the cap ...

The HHKB comes with a usb cable and some Japanese intructions, that is about it. Lucky for new owners they leave out the Topre keyscratcher that's included with Realforce boards.

the golden epitaph is: "you really spent $250 in a keyboard? I spent $6 on my Trust and I can't feel any difference with yours"

Nice, but I refuse to let anyone know how much money I've spent on various Key-cap Group Buys over the past 2 years, It would deeply shock many 'normal' people out there ...

Thanks for all the replies! I will certainly follow the plate modding/Phantom future GBs.
I admit, perhaps i'm looking for the cheapest / faster solution. Can't one just "file" the edges of each switch rectangle hole from the plate, to make those "ears" needed for the switch removal?
If you have ...

@127001 Wow I've seen some pretty nice IBM collections here on DT and some of the other forums but yours is Most Impressive. I really appreciate serious collectors like you sharing your passions, Thanks.

Well EK started offering Topre spacebars recently for $4.50 USD only black so far. They were never available before so I bought a few in case. In my opinion I don't think they will discontinue HHKB replacement caps, only the colored RF caps but only time will tell.

If you don't mind taking it apart you could switch with a stiffer less used dome (maybe insert or whatnot) they are not too hard to disassemble and swap.

Nice Keyboard, those were the days they were built to last several (human) lifetimes. Having a industrial maintenance mechanic backround I know how reliable Micro Switch products can be, also when made in the U.S.A.

I decided to try my hand at a wood wrist-rest for my Realforce 87u55g. The Realforce's are very low profile and most rests are way too thick. I made this from Cocobolo wood with a low profile to fit my preference, it also sets off a plain black RF.

Half-Saint wrote:OK so how do I get one?

I'm a "newb" here at DT and have hardly any posts, no real contributions to speak of and from the U.S.A. But I did slept at a "HOLIDAY INN" last night.

I have also read (don't recall where or who) that his HHKB domes got softer even mushy on most used keys. He was very disappointed in the HHKB Pro2 because of the uneven key feel that developed. So I've heard both ways, but more stiffening than softening.

I was thinking of swapping my HHKB Pro2 45g domes for 55g Realforce. But maybe I should reconsider and let time do it for me for free.

The keyboard is really nice actually but I fucked up the whole cleaning with some thick silicone lube.... man I am so mad at me right now and it is a pain to remove all the sticky parts and clean them up.

Pro1 and Pro2 are exactely the same, the Pro2 has an USB port on it.

@002 Such a number is ...

The colors look like Dolch, nice find. It will be interesting if you can find out what g80-0xxx you have. The Dolch colorways are my personal favorite.

Muirium wrote:Maybe these are the white on black alphas I need for Round 5…

I think they are a very dark brown (almost black) but they would work for mixing with R5 keys.

Not being familiar with the JP layout what function do the kana keys provide?

Are row 2 Tab and hhkb style Backspace / Delete updates possible for Round 4 SPH? Those would round off my layout just nicely under a full row 1.
I already posted this ...

Right!
:-)

Tab and Backspace \| etc in row 2 are important for the look, but bottom row mods and Shift keys don't good odd ...

Muirium wrote:Yes, 7bit said he would do just that on the Round 5 thread.

I will have to keep an eye on the Round 5 group buy so I can get those for my set. Thanks

I was hoping if the R5 set grey was the same as R4 gray one could make a set similar to the IBM 5251 terminal. Using the R4 alfa's and the R5 Honey black FUNMOD kit + Honey CURSOR kit + F1to12 kit. With those one could make a IBM 5251 looking set with that combination I think. (just a thought).

Somewhere in the Round 5 discussions I read that new tooling was available to make proper sized modifiers in SPH caps. Like the 2.25, 2.75 etc., will proper sized modifiers be made available for the R4 SPH sets? I would like to get some for the R4 TKL set that I have. Thanks MJ