- Dec 31, 2005
- 9,865
- 105
- 106
It is pretty heavenly, this Topre Type Heaven.
I am a keyboard nut and have been using an IBM Model M almost exclusively for the past few years, occasionally dabbling with several Unicomps.
I am no fan of any of the current switches offered by Cherry and my hands-on testing of a variety of popular mechanical boards has always left me wanting and heading back to the trusty buckling spring and Model M.
For some time, though, I have been wanting to feel a Topre board. I've heard all sorts of glowing praise for their switches. Finally, I decided to just bite the bullet and order a Type Heaven. It seemed like a good way to test the waters since their boards typically cost $250 or more. At $150, this is a bit more affordable to potentially waste money on.
I must say that it's a wonderful experience, these Topre switches. They give me a totally different feel than the Model M, but at the same time, they satisfy my need for strong tactile feeback. The best part is the lack of clatter and noise and the trademark "thock" sound when you bottom out. The travel is nice and the sensation is very comfy and alluring. It is very, very pleasurable to type on and I suspect this will become my daily driver.
The board is well made and heavy, which is necessary for a professional keyboard. I like the lack of dorky embellishment or lighting. The ABS keycaps are not as good as the PCB caps on the Realforce but it appears they can be swapped and frankly, it doesn't matter so much to me. I may end up buying a Realforce and switching to that, relegating the Type Heaven for lighter duty or another machine in the house. But honestly, I don't see it as that much of an upgrade.
Considering how pleasurable it is to write on this board, I'm kicking myself for not trying out a Topre board sooner. It's like merging a Model M with a Thinkpad keyboard and enhancing the combined product in every way.
I am a keyboard nut and have been using an IBM Model M almost exclusively for the past few years, occasionally dabbling with several Unicomps.
I am no fan of any of the current switches offered by Cherry and my hands-on testing of a variety of popular mechanical boards has always left me wanting and heading back to the trusty buckling spring and Model M.
For some time, though, I have been wanting to feel a Topre board. I've heard all sorts of glowing praise for their switches. Finally, I decided to just bite the bullet and order a Type Heaven. It seemed like a good way to test the waters since their boards typically cost $250 or more. At $150, this is a bit more affordable to potentially waste money on.
I must say that it's a wonderful experience, these Topre switches. They give me a totally different feel than the Model M, but at the same time, they satisfy my need for strong tactile feeback. The best part is the lack of clatter and noise and the trademark "thock" sound when you bottom out. The travel is nice and the sensation is very comfy and alluring. It is very, very pleasurable to type on and I suspect this will become my daily driver.
The board is well made and heavy, which is necessary for a professional keyboard. I like the lack of dorky embellishment or lighting. The ABS keycaps are not as good as the PCB caps on the Realforce but it appears they can be swapped and frankly, it doesn't matter so much to me. I may end up buying a Realforce and switching to that, relegating the Type Heaven for lighter duty or another machine in the house. But honestly, I don't see it as that much of an upgrade.
Considering how pleasurable it is to write on this board, I'm kicking myself for not trying out a Topre board sooner. It's like merging a Model M with a Thinkpad keyboard and enhancing the combined product in every way.
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