Realforce 86U/87U vs. HHKB

[RiGS]

Also Realforce QA is horrible, as most of their metal plates are full of tiny scratches.
Yes, I got this information straight from the Korean distributor.

Not sure if troll or retard. Who the fuck cares about a plate you can't even see normally?

I can assure you I could show you some nasty pictures.
Maybe you are not as picky as I, but for more than 300 bucks I prefer a product to be flawless.
Yet Rf is one of my favourite keyboards, but it is still far from perfect.
I just wanted to point out this tiny detail, as the HHKB doesn't have a metal plate, thus it is likely scratch free.

[woody]

Via dip-switch?

Correct. I use the left Alt/Opt as second Fn. Check EliteKeyboards' HHKB page for short dip-switch explanation.

IMHO HHKB is nice for it's form factor, but overpriced. Also the Topre oneness with cup rubber is just meh, it's the capacitive sensing that partially saves the day. I'm with itlnstln that MX Brown is much better.
Never had Realforce, no plans ahead.

[Gilgam]

Very nice keyboard, i got one black and it 's a pleasure to type on.
The key feeling is different than the topre one. heavier and the keys tend to have a more noticeable bump. Different and not as nice as the realforce.
the arrows are not so hard to reach and use.
The quality is one step under the realforce indeed, and the price is a bit too high.
The only drawback (price aside) is that you can't customize keycaps...

[itlnstln]

Very nice keyboard, i got one black and it 's a pleasure to type on.
The key feeling is different than the topre one. heavier and the keys tend to have a more noticeable bump. Different and not as nice as the realforce.
the arrows are not so hard to reach and use.
The quality is one step under the realforce indeed, and the price is a bit too high.
The only drawback (price aside) is that you can't customize keycaps...

This is exactly what I noticed in terms of feel. I think the quality is top-notch considering it's a portable keyboard, thus not having a plate for weight reduction. It's a fantastic keyboard, I just don't think the key feel is as nice as a Realforce, but I prefer the springiness and "mechanicalness" of Cherry switches to Topres anyway.

[Jim66]

Stuff it, I'm going to order one. I'm sure I won't lose too much money re-selling it if I don't like it.

The quest for the holy grail typing experience continues...

[itlnstln]

Stuff it, I'm going to order one. I'm sure I won't lose too much money re-selling it if I don't like it.

The quest for the holy grail typing experience continues...

That's the correct answer. You will certainly get a good portion of your money back if you decide to sell it. The only way you'll know if you like it or not is if you get one and use it. Asking for consensus on key feel is probably the biggest waste of time.

[Jim66]

Yeah, eating is overrated anyway.

Input devices > Food.

[Icarium]

I love HHKB. That's why my Tipro's get the HHKB treatment.

Meaning what exactly?

[ripster]

Also Realforce QA is horrible, as most of their metal plates are full of tiny scratches.
Yes, I got this information straight from the Korean distributor.

Not sure if troll or retard. Who the fuck cares about a plate you can't even see normally?

My vote is for retard!

[Minskleip]

I love HHKB. That's why my Tipro's get the HHKB treatment.

Meaning what exactly?

Tipros are programmable, so I program a HHKB style layer!

[lootbag]

My vote goes towards trying the HHKB, love mine too.

It is my daily driver and the layout works great for me.
Totally programming my PHANTOM to resemble the HHKB layout haha.

Don't think you will be disappointed the quality, it is quite solid compared to the 86U and 87U I have owned.

[002]

I wouldn't be worried about the build quality of an HHKB.
REALFORCE and HHKB are so similar in build quality that it shouldn't even be a deciding factor. The deciding factor should be the layout/features when comparing these two boards.
If someone buys an HHKB and they decide they don't like it, I can almost guarantee it'll be because they don't have the patience to learn the layout before they say "this keyboard feels like a cheap piece of shit"

[webwit]

I also use the left Fn, this makes the cursor keys so accessible I hate it when I use an ordinary keyboard which doesn't have this.

[hasu]

I have never used left Fn and known how to use it effectively.
You operate cursor keys by right pinky? This is what I've never come up with.

[itlnstln]

I hold the right Fn with my pinky and use the arrow keys similarly to a standard keyboard. I had my HHKB set up with the left Fn, but I never used it. The right pinky location is perfect.

HHKB > all other mini 'boards.

[woody]

I hold the right Fn with my pinky and use the arrow keys similarly to a standard keyboard. I had my HHKB set up with the left Fn, but I never used it. The right pinky location is perfect.

Right pinky on right Fn for the arrows/navigation and Ins/Del is mostly ok. As I have already ranted, Home/End are bit uncomfortable to me.

Left finger (it depends) on left Fn on the Alt/Opt good for:
- {Ctrl, Alt, Shift} F1 up-to about F6 with left hand only (incl. Alt+F4)
- {Ctrl, Alt, Shift} F7 .. F12 with right hand
- bigger "diamond" keys remain as "Alt" and next to spacebar, where expected

In other words, dip-switch setting 1345 ftw.

HHKB > all other mini 'boards.

Umm ... nah.

[Jim66]

Pay day has arrived and my stupid home computer won't let me log EK. Odd, as I can access the site from the same laptop when I connect to a different network.

Looks like I'll have to order it tomorrow when I'm at work.

[Gilgam]

You've been banned from EK
too many keyboards you have young padawan

[Jim66]

You've been banned from EK
too many keyboards you have young padawan

Lol, this was my first thought.

[itlnstln]

I thought you may have had a "Circuit Breaker" on your bank account.