4 ms·

I have been using Topre switches for over 10 years both at work and at home, even going as far as traveling with one of them if I need to use a desktop at my de

I have been using Topre switches for over 10 years both at work and at home, even going as far as traveling with one of them if I need to use a desktop at my destination. I have only tried Cherry {red, brown, clear} and the Keytronic "Model M" variant but I still prefer the Topre switches. I do have quite fond memories of various IBM Model M keyboards when I was younger but for now I'm quite happy with Topre. Would be curious to hear of people having been in a similar situation that ultimately found another switch they prefer over Topre.

voldacar 4y ago
Try the model F. It's significantly better than the M. Still the polar opposite of topre
TacticalCoder 4y ago
Same as you basically. Tried so many of them back in the days... To me the switch is way more important than the physical layout: if the physical layout is good enough, it's good enough. Buckling springs: I stockpiled IBM Model M back when it wasn't a thing and used that for years. Alps. Cherry MXes. Then I tried a board with Topre switch and since then I'm happily camping with my HHKB Pro JP (japanese). I'd try these fancy ergonomic / self made keyboards but only the day they'll start making them with Topre switches. That's my "hack": seen that I couldn't get any custom keyboard with Topre switches, I picked the next best thing to me... A japanese Topre keyboard. Now the funny thing is: despite having some japanese family, I don't speak japanese at all (well, ok, I know the names of a few animals and know the hiraganas but that's it). I really only picked a japanese keyboard for the very narrow space bar (the point is not that the space bar is tiny but that a tiny space bar makes for modifiers left and right of the spacebar easy to reach with the thumbs as the thumbs have much less distance to travel). Another bonus of having more modifiers is that can have these additional modifiers acting as Super and Hyper. P.S: as a european for whatever reason it wasn't easy to get a Japanese HHKB Pro JP shipped to me, so I got my family in Japan to bring me two when they visited me.
CarVac 4y ago
I prefer Topre for extremely fast typing, but for "casual use" I prefer really heavy really tactile switches like Kailh Box Navy. The 3.5mm travel bothers me when I'm typing extremely fast, but the heavy weight and strong tactility helps prevent misinputs otherwise. Additionally, I can have Box Navy in an ergo layout. I have a Model F reproduction (F77) but I prefer Topre over it.
- stereoradonc 4y ago
  Hello to a few Box Navy user! I thought I was in the minority :-)
electrograv 4y ago
I was in a similar situation, and found a solution that works for me! TDLR; Topre’s feel is still best, but Cherry SILENT Red (not to be confused with Cherry Red) is “close enough”, while opening the door to the larger world of custom and specialized ergonomic keyboards. Like you, I prefer the sensation of typing with Topre switches. But I cannot escape the fact that ergonomics is by far the most important factor for my health — and as you know, there are sadly few keyboards on the market with Topre switches, let alone those focused on extreme ergonomics. (Again to emphasize the importance of ergonomics; as pleasing as aesthetics and sound and feel can be, they do not cancel out RSI). Fortunately, I found a keyboard (and switch) with incredible ergonomics, aesthetics, AND great tactile and auditory sensation! Specifically, I use the ZSA Moonlander with Cherry MX Silent Red switches. I’ll spare you the rant about how amazing the ZSA Moonlander keyboard is with its ergonomics and firmware customizability, and explain Cherry Silent Red versus Topre. The main problem I have with most mechanical “spring” key switches is the jarring nature when they bottom-out (as well as the loud click of some, which I personally hate); it’s very clear when the switch bottoms out abruptly and violently and makes a “clack” sound (not to be confused with the loud “click” sound that clicky switches like Cherry Blue make that some people like). I prefer a smoother sound and feel. Unlike any other Cherry switch (or any others I’m aware of), the Cherry Silent Red has effectively a rubber pad on both the downstroke and the upstroke, avoiding the harshest “clacking” you get from mechanical spring switches that also is shared by Topre. Now with that said, Topre still has an overall smoother and more graceful “force curve” than any “linear” spring switch will provide. But the rubber padding makes a huge difference and is (at least for me) good enough.
- jdmichal 4y ago
  I haven't used Topre switches, but I've had a Das Keyboard Quiet with Cherry MX Silent Red switches for over 10 years now. And I second everything you say about them. I also don't mind the linear feel, since I do a fair bit of gaming with it in addition to work. And even in the middle of some fierce button mashing, the noise is enough to confirm to me that I'm hitting the key, but not enough to distract from what's going on.

voldacar 4y ago

Try the model F. It's significantly better than the M. Still the polar opposite of topre

TacticalCoder 4y ago

Same as you basically. Tried so many of them back in the days... To me the switch is way more important than the physical layout: if the physical layout is good enough, it's good enough. Buckling springs: I stockpiled IBM Model M back when it wasn't a thing and used that for years. Alps. Cherry MXes. Then I tried a board with Topre switch and since then I'm happily camping with my HHKB Pro JP (japanese). I'd try these fancy ergonomic / self made keyboards but only the day they'll start making them with Topre switches. That's my "hack": seen that I couldn't get any custom keyboard with Topre switches, I picked the next best thing to me... A japanese Topre keyboard. Now the funny thing is: despite having some japanese family, I don't speak japanese at all (well, ok, I know the names of a few animals and know the hiraganas but that's it). I really only picked a japanese keyboard for the very narrow space bar (the point is not that the space bar is tiny but that a tiny space bar makes for modifiers left and right of the spacebar easy to reach with the thumbs as the thumbs have much less distance to travel). Another bonus of having more modifiers is that can have these additional modifiers acting as Super and Hyper. P.S: as a european for whatever reason it wasn't easy to get a Japanese HHKB Pro JP shipped to me, so I got my family in Japan to bring me two when they visited me.

CarVac 4y ago

I prefer Topre for extremely fast typing, but for "casual use" I prefer really heavy really tactile switches like Kailh Box Navy. The 3.5mm travel bothers me when I'm typing extremely fast, but the heavy weight and strong tactility helps prevent misinputs otherwise. Additionally, I can have Box Navy in an ergo layout. I have a Model F reproduction (F77) but I prefer Topre over it.

stereoradonc 4y ago
Hello to a few Box Navy user! I thought I was in the minority :-)

electrograv 4y ago

I was in a similar situation, and found a solution that works for me! TDLR; Topre’s feel is still best, but Cherry SILENT Red (not to be confused with Cherry Red) is “close enough”, while opening the door to the larger world of custom and specialized ergonomic keyboards. Like you, I prefer the sensation of typing with Topre switches. But I cannot escape the fact that ergonomics is by far the most important factor for my health — and as you know, there are sadly few keyboards on the market with Topre switches, let alone those focused on extreme ergonomics. (Again to emphasize the importance of ergonomics; as pleasing as aesthetics and sound and feel can be, they do not cancel out RSI). Fortunately, I found a keyboard (and switch) with incredible ergonomics, aesthetics, AND great tactile and auditory sensation! Specifically, I use the ZSA Moonlander with Cherry MX Silent Red switches. I’ll spare you the rant about how amazing the ZSA Moonlander keyboard is with its ergonomics and firmware customizability, and explain Cherry Silent Red versus Topre. The main problem I have with most mechanical “spring” key switches is the jarring nature when they bottom-out (as well as the loud click of some, which I personally hate); it’s very clear when the switch bottoms out abruptly and violently and makes a “clack” sound (not to be confused with the loud “click” sound that clicky switches like Cherry Blue make that some people like). I prefer a smoother sound and feel. Unlike any other Cherry switch (or any others I’m aware of), the Cherry Silent Red has effectively a rubber pad on both the downstroke and the upstroke, avoiding the harshest “clacking” you get from mechanical spring switches that also is shared by Topre. Now with that said, Topre still has an overall smoother and more graceful “force curve” than any “linear” spring switch will provide. But the rubber padding makes a huge difference and is (at least for me) good enough.

jdmichal 4y ago
I haven't used Topre switches, but I've had a Das Keyboard Quiet with Cherry MX Silent Red switches for over 10 years now. And I second everything you say about them. I also don't mind the linear feel, since I do a fair bit of gaming with it in addition to work. And even in the middle of some fierce button mashing, the noise is enough to confirm to me that I'm hitting the key, but not enough to distract from what's going on.