Realforce 88UB (Topre 45g)
Posted: 21 Feb 2015, 00:26
Hi guys, I'm here to make a small review about the Realforce 88UB (45g uniform) that I recently acquired from noobie94 here on DT. This review is not meant to be objective, it's a very personal and biased view of the keyboard. As such, I feel like it's appropriate to share a bit of my keyboard background and hopefully someone will relate to me and find this review helpful. If you just want to read about the keyboard then skip it 
Background
My name is Cosme, I'm 26 years old and I'm a software developer. I game a bit in my free time but I mainly type of a lot of non-sense with my keyboard heh
My first mechanical keyboard was a Razer Blackwidow with MX Blues a couple of years ago. Fortunately the keyboard had serious QC issues and I RMAd it three consecutive times, which in Portugal means you get your money back. This time I searched a bit more about mechanical keyboards (on Reddit, where I am now a very active visitor) and I bought a Filco Majestouch 2 with MX reds. I was in love. The switches felt super smooth, perfect for my fingers. I had this amazing feeling when typing, I didn't want to stop. Since I didn't want to carry the keyboard to work everyday, I decided to go on a quest for the right keyboard to use at work. I tried a lot of boards but none of them fully satisfied me. Everyday I would get home from work and found typing on my Filco much more enjoyable. Here's what I tried:
* Ducky Shine 3 with browns: felt like reds with sand on the stems, didn't enjoy it very much
* WASD V2 with blues: bought it very cheap on DT but since it's so noisy I decided to re-sell it for the same price
* WASD V2 with blacks: not bad, a bit too stiff for my taste but I just felt that linear was not the right choice for work
* Ducky G2 Pro with clears: I really enjoyed the bump but the switch was SOOO stiff that my pinky finger would hurt from pressing the Enter key...
* Ducky G2 Pro with 62g ergo-clears: I decided to learn how to solder and replace the Ducky's springs with a lighter one. At first it felt okay, but I still felt like it was too stiff and over time I started to really dislike the bump
I've had enough with Cherry MX switches, time to see what this Topre fuss is all about.
Build Quality
This is my first Topre board so it's hard for me to compare it against other Topre boards because, welp, I've never tried another Topre board.
When I took it out of the box I was excited to see that the keyboard was in mint condition. Absolutely no shine on the spacebar, no scratches, everything seemed great.
The keycaps are thin PBT (spacebar is ABS) and have a distinct rough texture that I really enjoy touching. I think it's cool how the Realforce provides a premium experience right from the first touch.
The board feels very sturdy and solid with no creaking or pinging noises. I really like the plastic material used in the case, it gives a clean and comfortable feel. Some people would argue that the Realforce design is boring but I enjoy the simplistic look it provides. No LEDs, obnoxious branding or anything of the sort. The board is extremely clean.
It's a shame that it has a non-detachable cable because I'd like to use my Pexon cable on it - sadly I had to order a new one. I dislike the fact that it doesn't have rubber feet on the back of the keyboard, just the front. While this isn't a huge deal it's something I'd appreciate to have. The only thing that actually annoys me is the Windows key and that plastic orb. Why??
When compared to the other MX keyboards I have owned I think the Realforce is the highest build quality I ever owned, close to the Filco. Filco feels a bit heavier, which I enjoy a lot, but Realforce feels just as nice. This is a high quality keyboard for sure.
Typing experience
Being my first Topre board and having read what people thought about it I was extremely curious: do Topre feel good or not? I was warned by Muirium that it could be a bit underwhelming at first but that I wouldn't be able to go back to MX reds.
The first time I typed on them they felt amazing. It felt like Topre had the things I loved the most in cherry MX switches: smooth(er) as MX reds and a more satisfying bump than MX clears. It's hard to explain on words what I feel is wrong with the MX clears bump. It feels like the bump doesn't have a smooth transition, it's like you drop into a shaft of sorts. Also, the increasing force after the bump makes it a disruptive experience. In Topre the bump feels right. It's smooth and subtle, yet noticeable. However this makes it really hard (for me at least) to not bottom out.
I love MX reds and really appreciate the fact that they're a very light switch. Reading that both MX reds and Realforce 88UB had 45g force, I was hoping them to be very similar. The Topre 45g feels considerably heavier than MX reds, close to blacks I would say. Whenever I get home type on my MX reds I feel like I'm smashing the keyboard, at least in the first couple of minutes. I'd like the Topres to be a bit lighter but I enjoy them non the less.
The stabilized keys are amazing, it feels as good as the Costar stabilizers but without any rattle. It's absolutely perfect.
Sound
I've read a lot of people modding their topre keyboards with landing pads or dental bands but to me the sound is not really an issue to me. Yes, it makes a bit of sound but I doesn't really bother me. It's as quiet/loud as MX ergo-clears. My work mates don't seem to mind it so it's perfectly fine for me.
I like how Topres sound, it's quite satisfying. I really like to bang the enter key heh
Gaming experience
I feel like the switches aren't that bad for gaming, actually. I appreciated the tactile feedback when playing Starcraft II but not when playing Dota2 or WoW. I feel more comfortable playing with the MX reds, which was to be expected.
Veredict
I would totally recommend this keyboard because I feel it's the best keyboard I've owned so far. Typing on Realforce 88UB gave me that "I don't want to stop typing" feeling back, one that I had long forgotten. I'm really glad to have it back.
Pros:
* Good build quality, premium experience
* Topre switches feel great
* Enjoyable to type even for long periods of time
Cons:
* No rubber feet on the back
* No DIP switches
* Ugly/weird windows keys
* Low quantity of aftermarket keycaps
* Doesn't stop me from typing crap
Background
My name is Cosme, I'm 26 years old and I'm a software developer. I game a bit in my free time but I mainly type of a lot of non-sense with my keyboard heh
My first mechanical keyboard was a Razer Blackwidow with MX Blues a couple of years ago. Fortunately the keyboard had serious QC issues and I RMAd it three consecutive times, which in Portugal means you get your money back. This time I searched a bit more about mechanical keyboards (on Reddit, where I am now a very active visitor) and I bought a Filco Majestouch 2 with MX reds. I was in love. The switches felt super smooth, perfect for my fingers. I had this amazing feeling when typing, I didn't want to stop. Since I didn't want to carry the keyboard to work everyday, I decided to go on a quest for the right keyboard to use at work. I tried a lot of boards but none of them fully satisfied me. Everyday I would get home from work and found typing on my Filco much more enjoyable. Here's what I tried:
* Ducky Shine 3 with browns: felt like reds with sand on the stems, didn't enjoy it very much
* WASD V2 with blues: bought it very cheap on DT but since it's so noisy I decided to re-sell it for the same price
* WASD V2 with blacks: not bad, a bit too stiff for my taste but I just felt that linear was not the right choice for work
* Ducky G2 Pro with clears: I really enjoyed the bump but the switch was SOOO stiff that my pinky finger would hurt from pressing the Enter key...
* Ducky G2 Pro with 62g ergo-clears: I decided to learn how to solder and replace the Ducky's springs with a lighter one. At first it felt okay, but I still felt like it was too stiff and over time I started to really dislike the bump
I've had enough with Cherry MX switches, time to see what this Topre fuss is all about.
Build Quality
This is my first Topre board so it's hard for me to compare it against other Topre boards because, welp, I've never tried another Topre board.
When I took it out of the box I was excited to see that the keyboard was in mint condition. Absolutely no shine on the spacebar, no scratches, everything seemed great.
The keycaps are thin PBT (spacebar is ABS) and have a distinct rough texture that I really enjoy touching. I think it's cool how the Realforce provides a premium experience right from the first touch.
The board feels very sturdy and solid with no creaking or pinging noises. I really like the plastic material used in the case, it gives a clean and comfortable feel. Some people would argue that the Realforce design is boring but I enjoy the simplistic look it provides. No LEDs, obnoxious branding or anything of the sort. The board is extremely clean.
It's a shame that it has a non-detachable cable because I'd like to use my Pexon cable on it - sadly I had to order a new one. I dislike the fact that it doesn't have rubber feet on the back of the keyboard, just the front. While this isn't a huge deal it's something I'd appreciate to have. The only thing that actually annoys me is the Windows key and that plastic orb. Why??
When compared to the other MX keyboards I have owned I think the Realforce is the highest build quality I ever owned, close to the Filco. Filco feels a bit heavier, which I enjoy a lot, but Realforce feels just as nice. This is a high quality keyboard for sure.
Typing experience
Being my first Topre board and having read what people thought about it I was extremely curious: do Topre feel good or not? I was warned by Muirium that it could be a bit underwhelming at first but that I wouldn't be able to go back to MX reds.
The first time I typed on them they felt amazing. It felt like Topre had the things I loved the most in cherry MX switches: smooth(er) as MX reds and a more satisfying bump than MX clears. It's hard to explain on words what I feel is wrong with the MX clears bump. It feels like the bump doesn't have a smooth transition, it's like you drop into a shaft of sorts. Also, the increasing force after the bump makes it a disruptive experience. In Topre the bump feels right. It's smooth and subtle, yet noticeable. However this makes it really hard (for me at least) to not bottom out.
I love MX reds and really appreciate the fact that they're a very light switch. Reading that both MX reds and Realforce 88UB had 45g force, I was hoping them to be very similar. The Topre 45g feels considerably heavier than MX reds, close to blacks I would say. Whenever I get home type on my MX reds I feel like I'm smashing the keyboard, at least in the first couple of minutes. I'd like the Topres to be a bit lighter but I enjoy them non the less.
The stabilized keys are amazing, it feels as good as the Costar stabilizers but without any rattle. It's absolutely perfect.
Sound
I've read a lot of people modding their topre keyboards with landing pads or dental bands but to me the sound is not really an issue to me. Yes, it makes a bit of sound but I doesn't really bother me. It's as quiet/loud as MX ergo-clears. My work mates don't seem to mind it so it's perfectly fine for me.
I like how Topres sound, it's quite satisfying. I really like to bang the enter key heh
Gaming experience
I feel like the switches aren't that bad for gaming, actually. I appreciated the tactile feedback when playing Starcraft II but not when playing Dota2 or WoW. I feel more comfortable playing with the MX reds, which was to be expected.
Veredict
I would totally recommend this keyboard because I feel it's the best keyboard I've owned so far. Typing on Realforce 88UB gave me that "I don't want to stop typing" feeling back, one that I had long forgotten. I'm really glad to have it back.
Pros:
* Good build quality, premium experience
* Topre switches feel great
* Enjoyable to type even for long periods of time
Cons:
* No rubber feet on the back
* No DIP switches
* Ugly/weird windows keys
* Low quantity of aftermarket keycaps
* Doesn't stop me from typing crap
