Getting a Topre for gaming. Need help choosing.

[amospalla]

Completely agree with Mu, but in my case only Matias Quiet deserves to be used (sorry Model M).

In fact, if I had a JIS Matias Quiet I would be using it as much as my Topre boards.

[Muirium]

I think every DT regular should make their own thread (or wiki page, but I wouldn't notice it…) about their collection, with pics, and occasional reviews of what they're using now and how their opinion has changed. You know each of us has long stories in them! Best to keep it organised.

Something else for my todo list when I'm able again. I'll need to ship all those damn caps before I have space to shoot pictures!

[seebart]

I think every DT regular should make their own thread (or wiki page, but I wouldn't notice it…) about their collection, with pics, and occasional reviews of what they're using now and how their opinion has changed. You know each of us has long stories in them! Best to keep it organised.

Something else for my todo list when I'm able again. I'll need to ship all those damn caps before I have space to shoot pictures!

wiki/Seebart

I think I got the reviews covered. More are in work as we speak.

[Muirium]

Trouble with wiki pages is they suck for conversation. You know we mostly want switch vs. switch firefights!

[seebart]

We've had enough coversation about my collection. The wiki page is just formality. I'll open new threads if I get interesting new (old) keyboards.

[adhoc]

In the past month, I've given a retry after several years to Cherry MX blue. I've also had vintage blues, vintage blacks (lubed, in an aluminum case and the whole shabang) and 55G Topre plate mounted in the past month under my fingertips.

They all felt very "meh" to me, except 55G Topres. Blues (non-vintage) are nice, but in the recent years I've grown to prefer more quiet boards it seems.

[seebart]

Ever tried clean Alps SKCM or SMK Monterey's adhoc?

[photekq]

I think every DT regular should make their own thread (or wiki page, but I wouldn't notice it…) about their collection, with pics, and occasional reviews of what they're using now and how their opinion has changed. You know each of us has long stories in them! Best to keep it organised.

Something else for my todo list when I'm able again. I'll need to ship all those damn caps before I have space to shoot pictures!

I'll work on cataloging/reviewing over summer. Proper teardowns and detailed photos of every keyboard might be possible if I can put together a good lighting setup. Also, typing videos!

[Muirium]

Yes, let's get the ball rolling! Scattered posts in random threads today, living archives tomorrow!


@adhoc: Sounds like my early impressions of MX. I'd just spent months on Model F (my first mech!) and MX green was quite a disappointing comparison.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss!

[seebart]

In your case that should be a serious amount of work photekq. Yeah, typing sound recordings is another thing I've got on my to do list. I remember Mu did some that were pretty consistent.

[photekq]

In your case that should be a serious amount of work photekq. Yeah, typing sound recordings is another thing I've got on my to do list. I remember Mu did some that were pretty consistent.

Indeed. That's why I won't even try until I've got a setup that will make it relatively easy!

[Spikebolt]

These discussions are usually super futile. Everyone has his/her preference and everyone is right. Such a personal choice. We've derailed OP so hard

Chyros is right of course, Topre is essentially a rubber dome with a spring. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, it's not like it's a secret or a cover up. Topre being an "elite" rubberdome shouldn't hurt your ego but please don't call it a membrane keyboard. That's insulting!

[seebart]

As you know by now Spikebolt:

Topre = the most expensive and best quality rubberdome in the world.

[Muirium]

As usual the problem is in the terms. "Rubberdome" doesn't tell you much about a keyboard. Neither does "mechanical". I ever remember some dummy here once trolling me by claiming buckling spring wasn't "mechanical". Come a little closer, sonny. My Kishsaver hasn't quite enough reach to clock you all the way from here…

[adhoc]

Ever tried clean Alps SKCM or SMK Monterey's adhoc?

Yes, SKCM black. Not a fan.

Yes, let's get the ball rolling! Scattered posts in random threads today, living archives tomorrow!


@adhoc: Sounds like my early impressions of MX. I'd just spent months on Model F (my first mech!) and MX green was quite a disappointing comparison.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss!

I've been in this keyboard game for nearly a decade mate. This was not my first encounter with these switches. I said I gave them a re-run (after being nearly exclusively on HHKB for about 2 years). I've used Cherry switches for well over 6 years prior to HHKB.

That said, MX Greens are actually my favorite of all Cherry switches. And I've tried just about every Cherry switch ever, buckling spring and some alps. Also both 45G and 55G Topre plate mounted and case mounted. I haven't tried beam springs yet, but I think that might change pretty soon.

[Muirium]

I said what I said. Your latest impression reminded me of my early impression. Since then I've basically embraced the fact MX is not for me. I could lump it if we were in a dark alternate reality where IBMs never existed and I'd never heard of Topre, but a quick glance at my shelves says not to worry!

Beamspring is well worth a try. It's got a lot of Topre swing to it, and a sharp click I prefer over any buckling spring. The keyboards themselves are much too big and poorly laid out, though. Which is a pity.

[photekq]

Beamspring is well worth a try. It's got a lot of Topre swing to it, and a sharp click I prefer over any buckling spring. The keyboards themselves are much too big and poorly laid out, though. Which is a pity.

Beamspring custom time!

In all seriousness, could anyone tell me the thickness of the beamspring plate/switch/backplate assembly? I do wonder how thin a beamspring could possibly be made. I'd measure my own but it's back at home.

[adhoc]

The layout and size of buckling/beam spring boards is exactly what I dislike about them. Even Realforce, which is arguably better than a HHKB, is gigantic compared to HHKB. I don't even have a small desk, au contraire, I have gigantic desk both at home and work, but the hand travel from mouse to keyboard is what I love about it.

That said, MX Blues are still switches I'm fastest on (most I got was 136 WPM on these). I don't come even near that with topre (most I got was 126 on a HHKB), but since my work isn't really retyping something, I'm not too worried about it.

And Cherries leave a lot to be desired, especially stock boards. We've been through this a thousand times, so I see no reason to restate these arguments in every post.

[Muirium]

Beam spring mechanism + PCB etc. assembly height comes to about 45 to 50 millimeters, I'd guess. But I too am far away from my board. They're huge switches. Not much scope for a radically smaller custom board based on those, especially at the front edge.

Model F was a quantum leap in depth reduction.

[seebart]

Ever tried clean Alps SKCM or SMK Monterey's adhoc?

Yes, SKCM black. Not a fan.

Like me you got a bad start to Alps, you need to try at least clean complicated white Alps to be able to judge them! If you are into mechanical keyboards for ten years of course you'd know that.

Beamspring is well worth a try. It's got a lot of Topre swing to it, and a sharp click I prefer over any buckling spring. The keyboards themselves are much too big and poorly laid out, though. Which is a pity.

Beamspring custom time!

In all seriousness, could anyone tell me the thickness of the beamspring plate/switch/backplate assembly? I do wonder how thin a beamspring could possibly be made. I'd measure my own but it's back at home.

It's not the plate but rather the switch that requires some space.

[adhoc]

I'm still trying out additional switches all the time. I come from a country that has much lower standard than yours does (as an engineer, I'd make about 400% more if I lived in Germany and my life expenses would be just about 33% higher), so I can't necessarily invest a couple thousand of euros into one hobby alone; although I have at one point in the past, it's just too much money to sink into a hobby at any single time for me now.

No worries my friend, had I had the funds I'd have a couple of closets of keyboards - and it wouldn't all be HHKBs, shockingly, right?

In these 10 years I've had about 50 keyboards go through my hands. Roughly 5 a year, I'd say.

[seebart]

I'm still trying out additional switches all the time.

So am I, that's the whole point right?

if I lived in Germany and my life expenses would be just about 33% higher

I know that to be true.

No worries my friend, had I had the funds I'd have a couple of closets of keyboards - and it wouldn't all be HHKBs, shockingly, right?

No, inspirational.

[cookie]

Well I think the OP wanted us to recommend certain Topre boards, that means he already decided to wan't one.
Recommending other options is okay I guess but we should get back on topic.

If he really needs Function keys, than a HHKB will not fit his needs "layout wise" but I personally had never problems with missing Function Keys, even not in Battlefield... I rarely used them in CS as well but I was just a gold/platin scrub so what I know

One other thing is that an HHKB is for me personally one of the most beautiful keyboards available, that was my biggest point in getting one. And the biggest benefit for gaming was its size, with a HHKB you have plenty space left to use your mouse, big benefit for a low sensitivity guy like me.

[adhoc]

I reached the global elite in cs go (highest rank) with a hhkb. Just saying.

Cherry blues, on the other hand, were awful for me (for gaming!).

[002]

I reached the global elite in cs go (highest rank) with a hhkb. Just saying.

Cherry blues, on the other hand, were awful for me (for gaming!).

Before or after the most recent Elo ranking revamp? Nevertheless, still impressive. I am DMG at the moment
Anyone who thinks their keyboard is going to seriously improve their game is kidding themselves really. I also was using Cherry MX Blues for CS back in CS:S and I agree that they are awful for gaming but it didn't have a noticeable impact on my scores. It was just mildly distracting to begin with (the constant stream of clicks) but otherwise perfectly functional.

[photekq]

That's right 002. The keyboard won't make much difference, so long as it works fine.

A good mouse on the other hand makes all the difference!

[cookie]

I reached the global elite in cs go (highest rank) with a hhkb. Just saying.

Cherry blues, on the other hand, were awful for me (for gaming!).

Before or after the most recent Elo ranking revamp? Nevertheless, still impressive. I am DMG at the moment
Anyone who thinks their keyboard is going to seriously improve their game is kidding themselves really. I also was using Cherry MX Blues for CS back in CS:S and I agree that they are awful for gaming but it didn't have a noticeable impact on my scores. It was just mildly distracting to begin with (the constant stream of clicks) but otherwise perfectly functional.

Absolutely true... It puts my current skill to shame compared to what ridiculous stuff I was able to pull off with 18 (on a shitty membrane) Still good enough for LEM

Like it or not but Razer is the one true evil here, fooling everyone with their marketing bullshit (sorry but I take every opportunity to bash them!).

That's right 002. The keyboard won't make much difference, so long as it works fine.

A good mouse on the other hand makes all the difference!

Absolutely true, sadly the best sensor I've ever had was in a Microsoft IE3 with such low quality that I had to switch back to logitech (wich have a ridiculous form, I hope mouse manufacturer will grow up one time).

Edit... well I derailed myself now... sorry #derailithy

[adhoc]

Before ELO revamp I was Legendary Eagle (the second one, I forgot what it's called) at most, after revamp Global Elite was much easier to reach. I think you're talking about this revamp, I haven't played CS GO for a long time now and might have missed out on something.

That said, I found Blues awful for gaming mostly due to double tapping being much harder to do than on, say, Topre. Mouse does actually make a much bigger impact on performance in-game than a keyboard, however.

Agreed cookie, G502 is hideous...but it's such a good mouse.

[cookie]

@adhoc Indeed... it is long time ago i've seen a pretty mouse though. Everything with a "gaming" tag on int makes me cringe

[Muirium]

The fact I love my Apple Magic Mouse (reduced weight + wireless charging via Mobee Magic Charger) pretty much disqualifies me from this derail! I'm a pinch gripping "low sensitivity" retired gamer who loves a low height mouse and can't stand anything without multitouch scrolling.

I did complete (ye olde) Sniper Elite 2 with my Magic Mouse and IBM Model F XT some years ago, but the inability to press buttons independently does make that mouse a whole extra layer of difficulty in itself! Mad clicky keyboard sounds while sneaking behind enemy's backs, however, is a joy to behold!