REΛLFORCE R2

[_PixelNinja]

If they are going full tilt towards RGB Vegas Lighting, then I fear that ABS spacerbars will be it's future.

I actually had the Realforce R2 line in head when I wrote that, since so far, ANSI Topre keyboard stock spacebars have been ABS.

Also I don't get the hate. Again — if RGB is not your thing, the R2 line is there. Choice/options is pro-consumer.

[TuxKey]

On a side note — the Topre RGB TKL is scheduled for release next year:

is Topre taking any community suggestions ? for me to spend up to and above $200 with import fees they need to improve more than a few things to the TKL version. Topre almost seems to look like Apple not being in touch with lots of their pro customers. And yes we all are pro's because most people i talk to will not pay $200 for a keyboard

[seebart]

Topre almost seems to look like Apple not being in touch with lots of their pro customers. And yes we all are pro's because most people i talk to will not pay $200 for a keyboard

That's what Topre seemed like to me all along but now they've "jumped on the RGB-gamer train" since even they realize that's where the $$$ is to be made.

[zslane]

... if RGB is not your thing, the R2 line is there. Choice/options is pro-consumer.

Well, not for me. I only type on keycaps with MX mounts (SA mostly, sometimes DSA), and so the RGB is my only option if I want a Topre board (and not a clone). The R2 doesn't do me a bit of good.

[Elrick]

That's what Topre seemed like to me all along but now they've "jumped on the RGB-gamer train" since even they realize that's where the $$$ is to be made.

That is unfortunate for them.

Although being the full, unadulterated hypocrite of the 21st Century, I do find the Logitech G810 keyboard rather useful at night when all the lights have been turned off.

They got the RGB lighting done right with only the legends allowing light through, instead of the standard Vegas lighting of MX technology that allows huge light spillage underneath and around the keyboard itself. Making it look terribly messy and executed quite horribly. In the end it makes your desktop surface look like some cheap and dirty night club for drug addicts and ex-porn stars.

I believe in RGB, ONLY if it's done right, having it going through all the legends and nowhere else, it looks neat and quite appropriate in every way. If it can not be done that way, then forget RGB altogether and go back to white dye-subbed key-caps.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

The test for backlighting is whether it floodlights all the keyboard chow …

[Phenix]

Having the option for illumination is ok - but I do not like it nor use it that much. Actually only my anne pro is lit, and i use her rarely (interestingly, one of my first thread was about the search for a backlight board. oh damn it. Glad i converted..).

As long as Realforce stays with (atleast) their PBT caps its ok - tough I would likely (if I were on the fence for one) pick up one of the old ones in my beloved JIS layout.

the wireless option (if it comes) is gonna be a nice touch, as its a nice feature (if the battery holds up well enough)

[seebart]

Since I've only seen pictures of it online all this is quite preliminary...

[Myoth]

Topre would break the market with a regular 60% ... though I don't think they would make one, sadly.

[_PixelNinja]

Topre would break the market with a regular 60% ... though I don't think they would make one, sadly.

Break the market with a niche, inside a niche, of a niche ? With what magic ?

[enrique.aliaga]

Topre would break the market with a regular 60% ... though I don't think they would make one, sadly.

Hmmm... doesn't the HHKB have Topre switches? Also, the Leopold FC660C. I think the 60% Topre market is well covered by those keyboards.

[Phenix]

Topre should make topre modular so that DIYers can actually build Topre boards themselfes easily.

(technically possible? I dont know. But it had be the niche^4)

[andrewjoy]

I just want a set of sliders to convert a realforce to MX so i can use my cherry profile PBT black on grey dye sub caps .

[seebart]

I just want a set of sliders to convert a realforce to MX so i can use my cherry profile PBT black on grey dye sub caps .

.Exactly.

[andrewjoy]

ITSMO black on grey are just the best MX keycaps. ( sorry 7bit but PBT rules)

As much as i love them on my NT i want that realforce quality

[zslane]

Topre would break the market with a regular 60% ... though I don't think they would make one, sadly.

Hmmm... doesn't the HHKB have Topre switches? Also, the Leopold FC660C. I think the 60% Topre market is well covered by those keyboards.

Not quite. I can't put any of my SA or DSA keycap sets on them. Any keyboard that I can't do that to is utterly useless to me.

[Phenix]

The novatouch had mx compatible sliders. But I don’t recall if they were OG Topre or like Nano knock-offs

[E3E]

The novatouch had mx compatible sliders. But I don’t recall if they were OG Topre or like Nano knock-offs

They were topre-made as far as I've read.

[Myoth]

Topre would break the market with a regular 60% ... though I don't think they would make one, sadly.

Hmmm... doesn't the HHKB have Topre switches? Also, the Leopold FC660C. I think the 60% Topre market is well covered by those keyboards.

That's why I said regular, FC660C and HHKB need specific keycaps for them to be fully covered. Whereas a regular 60% (regular bottom row) would need 0 specific coverage..

[Myoth]

Topre would break the market with a regular 60% ... though I don't think they would make one, sadly.

Break the market with a niche, inside a niche, of a niche ? With what magic ?

The magic of premium, I'm sure people would get all over a regular but premium 60% with Topre, if people are crazy enough to buy a HHKB to try out Topre, I'm sure there would more of them to buy a keyboard with a regular layout. And about the FC660C, I know quite a lot of people who actually don't like it and would prefer a regular 60% over it.

EDIT : not saying that EVERYBODY prefers regular 60% over the FC660C but it's showing something.

[Myoth]

Topre should make topre modular so that DIYers can actually build Topre boards themselfes easily.

(technically possible? I dont know. But it had be the niche^4)

I recall someone designing his own ergo keyboard with Topre. And custom pcbs so ... this could happene sooner than you think

[Phenix]

Topre should make topre modular so that DIYers can actually build Topre boards themselfes easily.

(technically possible? I dont know. But it had be the niche^4)

I recall someone designing his own ergo keyboard with Topre. And custom pcbs so ... this could happene sooner than you think

I know (and sadly it is not finished / buyable as of now).
I meant it like LEGO-pcbs for Topre.. might be neat for mx as well.

[TuxKey]

Topre would break the market with a regular 60% ... though I don't think they would make one, sadly.

Hmmm... doesn't the HHKB have Topre switches? Also, the Leopold FC660C. I think the 60% Topre market is well covered by those keyboards.

That's why I said regular, FC660C and HHKB need specific keycaps for them to be fully covered. Whereas a regular 60% (regular bottom row) would need 0 specific coverage..

i fully understand and share you're gripes in regards to the bottom row. i absolutely love my FC660C layout.
For me it's a 60% with arrow cluster, basically how compact i'm willing to go. And not needing a learning curve or getting used to , or other switching issues.

My point is why go to 60% if the issue is a regular bottom row, why not simply make it 100% compatible / default size and still give us an arrow cluster. Sort of having your cake and eating it too

oepss have to go the misses is calling.. haha

[zslane]

I use 60% boards strictly with my iPad, and for that I only occasionally need the arrow keys. I like having them as FN+IJKL when I need them, but I would not want to add extra width to a 60% board just for a few keys I only use now and then.

The biggest issue with using mech boards with tablets is size vs. functionality. Anything larger than 60% is too wide (except for the Plum Nano 75 which adds an F-row while keeping the width at standard 60% width), and anything smaller than 60% cuts out too many useful keys. The standard (i.e., Pok3r-style) 60% layout strikes just the right balance.

So what's the best 60% board with Topre switches and MX compatibility? Sadly, there is no such thing. The next best thing is the Plum Nano 75, which adds 14 keys I don't really need, but at least it is no wider than a Pok3r, and it enjoys full keycap coverage from any standard TKL keycap set.

[czarek]

I just hope they continue to make the classic Realforces. This new asteatic is definitely not my cup of tea.

[andrewjoy]

I just hope they continue to make the classic Realforces. This new asteatic is definitely not my cup of tea.

tell that to the many people who want to buy the classic 101 realforce .

[seebart]

I just hope they continue to make the classic Realforces. This new asteatic is definitely not my cup of tea.

Like I said, if Topre kills the classic RF line those will go $$$$$$ for the enthusiasts.

[_PixelNinja]

The magic of premium, I'm sure people would get all over a regular but premium 60% with Topre, if people are crazy enough to buy a HHKB to try out Topre, I'm sure there would more of them to buy a keyboard with a regular layout. And about the FC660C, I know quite a lot of people who actually don't like it and would prefer a regular 60% over it.

EDIT : not saying that EVERYBODY prefers regular 60% over the FC660C but it's showing something.

That is still a merely a drop in the lake that is this market. And you are greatly over-evaluating the population which buys premium keyboards. Nothing will 'break' with such a niche.

On a side note — Cooler Master quickly dropped the idea of a 60% Novatouch despite the requests because it was not, in their eyes, a viable project (granted that wasn't the only potential issue) and that is a brand that has a much bigger audience than Topre in our side of the world.

[kekstee]

Well, they seem to be a bit cheaper and got the APC gimmick to choose from switch activation points further up or further down the keystroke.

Design wise I lean more on the classic side myself.

[Elrick]

EDIT : And you are greatly over-evaluating the population which buys premium keyboards. Nothing will 'break' with such a niche.

On a side note — Cooler Master quickly dropped the idea of a 60% Novatouch despite the requests because it was not, in their eyes, a viable project (granted that wasn't the only potential issue) and that is a brand that has a much bigger audience than Topre in our side of the world.

NEVER over evaluate anything, when it comes to the World of Topre .

Cooler Master isn't a Niche Manufacturer and would never be one. In fact Leopold has surprised me with their further adventures into the Topre domain which is a super fine decision for us the Thorpie Addicts.

I'm not disappointed with CM at all because their focus is for the idiot Mainstream and the Thorpie isn't for the mainstream and hopefully will never be that way. Downside is where Realforce is going, lowering their standards down to the gutter masters known as 'Gamers' who's main contribution is atrocious colors and blaring Vegas Lighting to attract moronic moths.

It's just for us who grew to hold Realforce up to a much higher standard and have now been kicked in our ball-sacks by pre-pubescent gamer's, thinking this is Superb. All it will do is make us, collect the older Realforce's with even more gusto and hold onto them, like what IBM SSK's, Blue-Alps switched keyboard collectors have done for some time now.