Yes, 45g 86U, Not a typo. They are available on taobao.com. Looks like black only. 3 listings right now: http://search8.taobao.com/search?q=real ... =0&mode=63

Here is one from the popular 【败家馆】 http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13283335603

seferphier on geekhack bought one for around $270US shipped to him somewhere in Asia or China. Would be more if you use an agent. His picture below:



My guess is this is new. I think only newer Realforce keyboards have stickers on the outside of the box. For example the variable 87U I bought from EK in August 2011 didn't have a white sticker on it box. But the 10-year anniversary edition from IOMania and newer uniform 45g weight 87U from EK have white labels on their boxes.

I actually think this must be new too. My Realforce 91UBY I got on October 2010 didn't have that sticker outside the box, only the Realforce 87UW Uniform 45g have it.

Those are good news for Topre fans that want an uniform keyboard without having to pay the plus for the 87U.

Cool! Yeah that must be a new one. Until now I've never heard of a uniform 86.
~$200 AUD before shipping for a 45g Topre is pretty good price.

I hope they start to get them in other areas. The 104U "Pro" will be going on sale soon too (25th I think).

I'm sorely tempted. Is there a recommended broker, or maybe a benevolent forum member in the PRC?

Never used them but according to geekhack, some popular buying agents are:
OBook - http://www.myobook.net/
Taobaobee - http://www.taobaobee.com/

I guess I was more trying to draw aforementioned benevolent forum member out of hiding

obook quoted me $320 USD including EMS. Not too bad a price but precariously close to the 45g 87U at EK at the current sale price even with international shipping factored in. Somehow $45 for a newer model does not seem significant any more.

I could have been content with cherries, or buckling springs. But noooo, I just had to go and try a Topre.

Try taobaobee. They were cheaper than obook last time I used them.

If you're willing to wait, Keyboardco is gonna stock up on them 86U 45g in Black.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?10610-Topre-Keyboards-for-Europe/page31

litster wrote:Try taobaobee. They were cheaper than obook last time I used them.

Yeah, I noticed your thread.

Contacted them a few days ago, total cost according to their estimates would be ~$281 USD paypalled. Which seemed pretty reasonable, so I placed an order

Nice to see that they're coming to the UK as well.

$280 for a keyboard seems reasonable? When will this madness end?

phillyosophy wrote:If you're willing to wait, Keyboardco is gonna stock up on them 86U 45g in Black.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?10610-Topre-Keyboards-for-Europe/page31

I still don't understand why they won't stock 87U Also the 86U is not so cheap…