Topre PBT Spacebars

klikkyklik · 28 Sep 2015, 20:23

Original on the left, PBT on the right. Very slightly different in color, but close enough that I'm sure not going to complain!

: r20150928_121028.jpg (222.44 KiB) Viewed 3753 times

: r20150928_121119.jpg (176.52 KiB) Viewed 3753 times

chzel · 28 Sep 2015, 20:27

Oh, nice!
How does the color compare to the other PBT caps?

klikkyklik · 28 Sep 2015, 20:35

Really close in my opinion. But again, maybe just very slightly different.

ShivaYash · 29 Sep 2015, 00:18

My Massdrop envelope arrived today. Really pleased, the dark colour matches the HHKBP2 without any issue, its very very close. Will try my light spacebar on the 87u in due course...

Hypersphere · 30 Sep 2015, 00:50

When I started this thread on November 1, 2014, I did not hold out much hope that Topre PBT spacebars would become a reality. Now, thanks to Matt3o, on September 29, 2015, I received my shipment of these spacebars in the mail.

4 each of light gray, dark gray, blue, and red. They look great, and they appear to be perfectly straight with no detectable warp. And this is a first! PBT spacebars for Topre-switch keyboards!

It is such a wonderful feeling to be associated with a talented and dedicated group of people who know how to make good things happen.

Thanks, Matt3o!

klikkyklik · 30 Sep 2015, 00:52

Ditto! Cheers, Matt3o!

Muirium · 30 Sep 2015, 01:02

Yup, told you they're great! The first samples I got from Matteo were a bit off colour, but he sorted that right out. My HHKB and 87U are both much improved ever since the final versions arrived. Better feel and better sound! Magnifico.

By the way, these aren't the first PBT spacebars on Topre outright. Their Japanese layout boards have had sweet little PBT spacebars all along! But now we've finally crashed into the party.

Muirium · 30 Sep 2015, 02:49

zslane wrote: ↑Well, here are the profile dimensions of the HiPro spacebar:

If anyone can similarly measure the profile dimensions of a conventional RealForce spacebar (or already has those dimensions handy), please post them and we can compare.

Okay, here's my (not very accurate attempt at my) HHKB's:

: HHKB Spacebar.JPG (152.89 KiB) Viewed 3660 times

Doesn't look quite the same, alas. While the HHKB and the regular Realforce do indeed have identical spacebars.

zslane · 30 Sep 2015, 02:56

The shape is definitely different, but the height of the tallest edge is the same (11mm). I'd be willing to give one a try on my HiPro if there were any of a matching cream color. But, of course, there aren't.

Muirium · 30 Sep 2015, 02:59

My measurements are pretty lousy, so I wouldn't be too sure it's the right height. But I can see about sending you one of my spare prototypes if you like.

Belfong · 30 Sep 2015, 03:04

My memory is pretty bad. In my Massdrop page, I have this:

3× Options: 1 Light Gray + 1 Dark Gray

Does this mean I bought 3 sets of white+dark i.e. 6 space bars?

zslane · 30 Sep 2015, 03:05

Muirium wrote: ↑My measurements are pretty lousy, so I wouldn't be too sure it's the right height. But I can see about sending you one of my spare prototypes if you like.

I'd be more than happy to try out one of your spare prototypes. Throw it in with the Granite cap maybe... Thanks!!!

002 · 30 Sep 2015, 03:08

Belfong wrote: ↑My memory is pretty bad. In my Massdrop page, I have this:

3× Options: 1 Light Gray + 1 Dark Gray

Does this mean I bought 3 sets of white+dark i.e. 6 space bars?

lol...Glad I'm not the only one.
I think you're right and you will be getting 6 in total. 3 light grey and 3 charcoal.

Belfong · 30 Sep 2015, 03:13

Ha ha ha! Now, I'm glad I'm not the only one! I thought my memory was bad! Cool that I'm getting 6! Makes sense now since I have 2 Topre keyboards and multiple RealForce key sets. Thanks, 002.

ramnes · 01 Oct 2015, 11:46

Just received more than 100€ of PBT today.

Nice packing from Massdrop, and nice spacebars! They sound a bit more thin that stock spacebars, but they look and feel great. Color accuracy on white is perfect, a bit less on red and black, and I don't have anything to compare the blue.

Overall pretty satisfied, even if I would have liked them thicker. Thanks Matt3o!

matt3o · 01 Oct 2015, 13:11

just a note... technically we had to do the spacebar a pinch thicker than the original because of how PBT shrinks

ramnes · 01 Oct 2015, 13:34

I didn't see any difference visually actually, but the sound is different. Maybe the spacebar is a bit warped, hence the sound?

002 · 01 Oct 2015, 14:31

I might be wrong but I feel as though the more refined sound of the PBT spacebars might be because of the very snug fit on the stabiliser mounts. What did you buy, ramnes?

Muirium · 01 Oct 2015, 14:47

I've got all four colours (first prototypes) and white and black (final prototypes) and they *all* sound better than stock ABS, in both my HHKB and 55g 87U. The material is good, and the fit (once you break it in) is well suited for a nice clack!

002 · 01 Oct 2015, 14:51

Yup, that was my experience too, although the red spacebar that I have on my 104Pro at home seems to sound a tiny bit nicer and more bassy than the black PBT replacement I put on my thrash 87U at work. In all instances though, shits all over the ABS spacebars

Muirium · 01 Oct 2015, 15:06

Red? Fancy! What board is that?

002 · 01 Oct 2015, 15:28

The 104Pro is a weird creation for the Chinese market. I managed to get one for free and put it to use to show off the first set of prototypes that matt3o sent me.

Muirium · 01 Oct 2015, 15:39

Guess it didn't do quite as well over there in the Middle Kingdom as Topre expected.

_PixelNinja · 02 Oct 2015, 15:23

I wrote a post over at Geekhack but I'll write it here too: thanks Matt3o for making this happen. I received my space bars today and I am very happy with the result.

scottc · 02 Oct 2015, 15:26

I received mine recently also. Haven't had time to compare them to the prototypes, unfortunately!

jmmtn4aj · 02 Oct 2015, 16:18

Hey guys, how do I get these PBT spacebars? Got a 87u here

Muirium · 02 Oct 2015, 16:52

I like how interested latecomers never mention the colour they're looking for!

Anyway, to answer your question: I don't know. As I don't know where you are.

Cafeine · 03 Oct 2015, 00:57

Got mine today (8 in total) and I'm VERY happy with them :D I'll use some colored ones on the FC660C white because the board is not REALLY white so the white spacebar is not a perfect match like on the RF. Do I care ? Noooope, I have pares in blue & red & black anyway :D

sth · 05 Oct 2015, 12:59

already had some protos but i got my massdrop order in today so i decided to swap out the red for the blue

CORNFLOWER

Hypersphere · 06 Oct 2015, 16:29

@matt3o: Any news on when there will be another round of Topre PBT spacebars available for purchase?