Realforce 10th Anniversary Uniform 55gr

[002]

They are kinda boring. This is why I still take an interest in other switches. Topre is just ol' faithful to me now. I have fun every now and then with Cherry or Alps or NMB but at the end of the day, I will always go back to my comfort switch.

[cookie]

I think a wel dampered MX ergo clear could kick topres ASS!
I like the thok, it's actually not that boring, the quality and caps are pretty exiting!
But I know what you mean, I think for me it wll be hard to go back from now on, not because of the topre switch itself otherwise because of layout, keycaps, quality! Not only the switch is essential for the typing expiriance, its the whole thing!

RF and HHKB are hard to beat overall!

[Muirium]

I think a wel dampered MX ergo clear could kick topres ASS!

Wha-huh? That's crazy monkey balls!

Clears are fine and all, but they are nowhere near Topre. The force curve is a line with a kink in it. Cherry's mechanism just doesn't have the capability to give the S shaped curve in feel that Topre does. No modding can fix that. Needs a whole new design.

But you're right about Realforce and HHKB getting the whole package right. That's the magic of competing on quality instead of price.

[matt3o]

More time has passed and I have to report a sad fact.

Do not buy a Realforce because you can't use any other keyboard after that. Really.

Topre are switches that grow on you. Initially they seem underwhelming but after a while you understand that you can't type on anything different.

I forced myself on a SSK for a couple of days, it's a great keyboard, I totally love it, but when I turned back to the realforce I found myself home instantly. I thought I would have hated the Topres after a while on the SSK... I was ready to sell the realforce already... but it didn't happen. I took the realforce back and it was pure paradise.

I also confirm my impression on 55gr, they are great. You might need some time to get used to them, but they are so much better than 45gr.

Now I need some funds to get another HHKB and convert it into 55gr Maybe I can sell the SSK... naaah can't do that!

[Muirium]

Play back a recording of the glorious sound of typing on your SSK whenever you use your Topre. Best of both worlds…

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Do not buy a Realforce because you can't use any other keyboard after that. Really.

Topre are switches that grow on you. Initially they seem underwhelming but after a while you understand that you can't type on anything different.

Maybe I am just perverse (OK, this is not in doubt), but I prefer Cherry MX brown over Topre. Topre is undeniably good, but they're something rubbery about it, and MX switches are just clean and crisp in a way that little else is. I was surprised how good MX clear was when I tried it again the other day — the problem there isn't the switches, but that Cherry fail to put standoffs in the middle of the case to support the PCB. I like the feel and sound of PCB mount Cherry MX, but Cherry really cheap out on their keyboards.

I have my Topre Realforce 105UB (variable) keyboard within reach, but I just don't reach for it. I will never sell it though.

[Muirium]

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt until that last line. Sitting on a Realforce that you don't use is definitely perverse!

Cherry's sharpness is something I quite enjoy, in the clicky switches. It's a bit like buckling spring's definitive snap. But Cherry's tactile switches don't please me at all. Clear gets the nod over brown for actually being there (I'm just too rough to notice browns I guess) but I'd rather just go linear. Perhaps I should try bashing away on my greens with some headphones on so I can't hear them, and the same for buckling spring. Sound features in comparison a lot for me.

[Cafeine]

Topre... <3 I have a RF 88UB 45g, the FC660C from leopold (FANTASTIC feeling) and I do want that RF 55g. Because 55g, because qwerty (I'm switching ANSI layout on all my keyboards...). My 2 next and final boards will be the RF 10th anniversary and the HHKB 2 Type-S. (hello, oh sorry my bank is calling).

My ONLY problem : I want to buy Topre keycaps but NOT from EK. And I don't find any other source. :/

[cookie]

Same here... I want some caps but not the overpriced EK shit!

[Cafeine]

I don't understand how it's possible that in 2013, it's not easier to find those keycaps... Topre IS selling.

[Burz]

I think a wel dampered MX ergo clear could kick topres ASS!

Modify Quiet Pro switches with a click leaf... I think Edgar Matias even mentioned on GH this could be done. Then you'd have a tactile, clicky switch with some of the dampened RD qualities, plus the actuation point near the top.

EDIT: One upshot of doing this would be the bonus of more consistent keyfeel (at only +/-5g, assuming that doing manual work inside the switches doesn't somehow throw them off).

[Daniel Beardsmore]

That would then leave you with a batch of undampened tactile switches, which is something else I wish was available.

[matt3o]

is it just me or the realforce caps edges are "sharp"?

PS: even 55gr is too light, or maybe the the activation point is too high (ie: close to the top). Sometimes I find myself pressing "return" by mistake.

[Cafeine]

No the feeling is a bit different from HHKB and Leopold indeed.
For the enter key, I never do that on the Leopold but I concluded it's too easy to activate the key on the ISO version of my RF.

[matt3o]

More time has passed. I tried many more alternatives in these months but every time I take my realforce back I feel like home. It's hard to part from such a great typing experience. This almost kills all my desire to test new keyboards (almost...).

Is the realforce worth its price? No.
Is the best keyboard money could buy? Yes.

[Muirium]

Fortunately, with Leopold joining the club, there's more new Topre switch keyboards to test these days too.

[matt3o]

Fortunately, with Leopold joining the club, there's more new Topre switch keyboards to test these days too.

you know, 45gr is hardly an option (for me at least)

[Muirium]

If EK's all 55g model keeps selling, Topre might notice and take the hint.

I found the lighter switches in 002's Realforce to be more tactile than I expected. I reckon I could live with 45g quite easily. Or even variable weight!

The force curve and high activation point are what matters to me, not so much the weight, apparently.

[matt3o]

One week without my RF and I miss it so much This macbook keyboard became so lousy suddenly.

[Cafeine]

I try to buy one on the leopold website but I can't find the 10th y edition. (in 55g) Only the black or white...

[Hypersphere]

<snip>
Clears are fine and all, but they are nowhere near Topre. The force curve is a line with a kink in it. Cherry's mechanism just doesn't have the capability to give the S shaped curve in feel that Topre does. No modding can fix that. Needs a whole new design.
<snip>

Exactly!