HHKB Pro 2 opinions

[tadbitnerdy]

Hello everyone!

I've been wanting to add an HHKB Pro 2 to my collection, as I want to try Topre switches, but I like keyboards that are smaller than a TKL. To the owners of said keyboard, what is your opinion? Does not have dedicated arrow keys bother you? Do the switches feel better or similar to that of Cherry browns? Are the switches tactile?

Just looking for some user opinions. I might purchase one today... we shall see

Thanks,

-Tad

[Mrinterface]

I use my HHKB pro 2 mainly because of the high portability factor. I like Cherry MX and Alps better than the non-plate-mounted topre HHKB. Mine is used at work, I carry it with me every time I go outdoors.

However : a plate mounted Realforce, TKL and 45 Grams uniformly weighted really makes me think twice about my preference. I like the build quality of those a lot better than the HHKB's. I'd really like a thick heavy metal plate inside the HHKB but then again the portability factor would decrease due to the added weight.

The absence of arrow keys is a nuisance at the start, but you quickly get used to it. Also the capslock/control swap you easily adjust to once you start using the board. The switches are Tactile -> the tactility is mainly due to the rubber dome inside. I'm running a topre cluster try before you buy sinklist and you get a chance to feel/sample the topre with and without the spring inside and the spring really doesn't do much for the tactility.

Hope this helps.

[tadbitnerdy]

Yep, helps a lot. Very good balance of pros vs. cons. Thanks! I'll look into the try before you buy switches also.

$300 for a keyboard is expensive! I already have a Choc Mini and a Leopold TKL, with a Poker on the way. But I've been bitten by the KB bug, and now that my financial situations have been resolved (YAY new job!) I'm in the market to continue spending money irresponsibly

Anyone want make/break a case for this keyboard?

-Tad

[longweight]

I have a Filco TKL with browns, a Choc mini with browns and a Poker with blues and the HHKB2 I use at work is awesome! The board is the same size as a Poker if not slightly bigger and just looks amazing.

Go for it! If you don't like it you can easily sell it on!

[tadbitnerdy]

Haha, don't tell me just to go for it! Seriously, I saw your response, and immediately went to EK, added it to the cart, and hit checkout with paypal! I was barely able to stop myself from submitting!

Still would like to hold out for more opinions. However, if nobody has anymore opinions then I'll go ahead and buy it.

Or, I could try out the poker I have coming to me first, and see if not having dedicated arrow keys really bothers me all that much. I don't think it will though.

Thanks!

-Tad

[thegunner100]

I'd recommend you try the poker first and see if you can get used to the layout. If you don't mind the size of the realforce, then it will be a better purchase if you're just gonna be keeping it in one place. The realforce itself feels a lot more solid than the HHKB, and the topres just feel better on them; that may be due to the plate mounting, like Mrinterface mentioned.

I currently own two realforces (45 and 55g), and a HHKB2. My first topre was a variable that i bought off of a GHer for $200 shipped, then I found a 6 month old RF 45g on ebay for only $215, a new HHKB on ebay for $235, and finally the RF 55g for $300 off of EK. I've tried all of them out, and just prefer the feel and layout of the realforce much more than the HHKB; slight preference to the 55g.

Demik is selling his blank white HHKB in the marketplace if you want to try out topres immediately for a cheaper price, but hold out til you get the Poker.

[longweight]

I hate the arrow keys on the Poker, love them on the HHKB2 though

[tadbitnerdy]

Yeah, judging from pictures they do seem a bit awkward on the Poker. It will take some getting used to, but I'll learn my way around a gadget if it is cool enough

Thanks for the input... I'll wait for the Poker. Should be about a week or so.

-Tad

[jdcarpe]

Just get a HHKB Pro 2 JP model, then you get your dedicated arrow keys back!

[Icarium]

I think it's far too expensive considering that the only thing it has going for it is an okayish switch and being very small.

Wait for the ErgoDox. Much better investment.

[longweight]

How much is the ErgoDox again?

[fossala]

I think HHKB's are the best board around. I had a Pro 2 sold it and missed it so much I bought a type-s a week later. I now type on it every day. Wouldn't use another board. IMO HHKB's feel better than Realforce, more bouncy.

Topre switches don't feel striking, they just hide and work well. They are very smooth to type with.

[dfxdx]

I've tried using the HHKB Pro 2 and I think it is overrated. Sure, the form factor is pretty cool but I think the switches themselves are nice but definitely not worth the premium. if they were the same price as Cherry MXs, I might put it in second place behind blues or maybe third behind reds. To me they feel quite close to browns but the actuation point occurs towards the middle of the key press and continues until you bottom out whereas the browns have the actuation point nearer the top of the key press. I've got a G80-3000 and a Filco, both in blues and the Filco is definitely the one to beat - it must be the metal plate in the Filco. I have not tried a proper Realforce board but I'll make a guess that this might be the same with the Topre switches so despite your preference for the small form factor, I suggest you get a Realforce TKL or get a Filco with blues. MrInterface hit it right when he suggested a HHKB with a plate but they do not make that option.
Arrow keys are not a problem, you will just get used to it. I would love it if they could match the ViM navigation keys but that will not happen either.

[Nunez]

I love all my keyboards (besides CM QFR MX Blues - not a fan of blues at all), though the HHKB is probably my favourite. It doesn't take long to get use to the layout, though I think I'd prefer the arrow keys be fn + WASD cluster like the poker. That being said I don't mind the [;'/ cluster. Its just I'm not use to it as much as the poker.

As for the price of it.. I can't say it's really worth the premium for it. You're paying more for less... but I still have no regrets. Got mine 2nd hand though. It could be a little heavier imo but I'm not too concerned.

All in all, I think it is overrated, but it is a nice novelty keyboard to have. I'm using it over my Filco MJ2 TKL(browns) and Poker (reds) at home.

Typing this on my crapolar dell rubberdome at work

[suprsmo]

What happened to the Fullsize RF bro ? Shortlived!

[isp]

I recommend you just pull the trigger because they are not hard to resell and maintain something like 85-90% of their value typically.

It should only take a few weeks to adjust to the layout. The first day I was really impressed the size, asthetics, switches, but then I started to experience a little bit of buyer's remorse. If you force yourself to use it for a month straight and then make your decision... you'll probably come away liking it (seems most do). I'm really attached to it now and wish I had a reason to buy a white one....

[hasu]

If you want to evaluate a real Topre switch/board I recommend Realforce with variable weighted because it is a original feature of Realforce.
HHKB pro has been my best keyboard since 2003 and It is still daily driver and I can't live without it.
But I must say Realforce has better feeling switches than HHKB with reluctance.

If you are looking for good small-sized board I can say safely that HHKB should be first choice.

[Nunez]

What happened to the Fullsize RF bro ? Shortlived!

Still have it. Well a friend has been using it. I've always wanted a HHKB and when I got the RF I just decided to go with the HHKB anyway. My friend might buy the RF off me when/if he can sell his FC500R. Otherwise when he's done "testing" it, it'll replace this work keyboard.

[suprsmo]

Ah ok Was 103 uniform ? or variable? how do you like HHKB mounting vs Plate mount of RF?

[kalrykh]

Been using realforce boards a while. Just bought a type s, waiting for it to arrive. I know I'll regret spending that much for so little, but I expect I'll grow to love it as much as I do my rf's. I'll just have to use it exclusively for a while to get used to the layout.

[tadbitnerdy]

Woah, thanks for all the responses everyone! I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger. If I don't like it I'll just resell it. It should shell quickly and for close to the same cost.

Right now I'm typing on my brand new Poker with Browns! The Cherry stabilizers are stiffer on this board than on my Leopold, but they probably just need a little 'breaking in'. So far the lack of immediate access to the arrow keys hasn't bothered me.

Thanks again for all your input!

-Tad

[tadbitnerdy]

Here is a quick question: is the build quality of the HHKB Pro 2 better than that of the KBC Poker? I plan on adding some weights, or purchasing an aluminum case for the Poker, but I just don't want to spend $300 on a keyboard that has the same or worse build quality.

My definition of build quality is mainly focused on the weight of the keyboard. I understand that neither are plate mounted, but the Poker does not feel very solid (still like it though). I just want to make sure the HHKB feels more solid.

Thanks all!

-Tad

[HzFaq]

Pokers feel like cheap kids toys but you can easily put lead weights in the case if that's your thing. Not sure about the HHKB but there are plenty of people around that have both that can do a comparison.

[002]

I got my HHKB today and it is leagues ahead of the Poker in terms of build quality. Obviously you pay the premium though.

[tadbitnerdy]

I think I'm actually going to fashion a wood case for the Poker in the same fashion I made my wrist rest

-Tad

[jdcarpe]

Here is a quick question: is the build quality of the HHKB Pro 2 better than that of the KBC Poker? I plan on adding some weights, or purchasing an aluminum case for the Poker, but I just don't want to spend $300 on a keyboard that has the same or worse build quality.

My definition of build quality is mainly focused on the weight of the keyboard. I understand that neither are plate mounted, but the Poker does not feel very solid (still like it though). I just want to make sure the HHKB feels more solid.

Thanks all!

-Tad

If you go with an aluminum case, I can recommend the treble318 case without a doubt. Gives the Poker a nice heft to it. He is just behind in production, due to his work schedule. The oneproduct case looks great also, and I think he will be selling the few extras he has once the orders have been shipped.

But to answer your question, yes the HHKB feels more solid and has better build quality than the Poker.

[4en]

You cannot beat the poker in terms of lightweight

[maxrunner]

I have two HHKp2 and really like it. I'm considering selling one for getting the S-version, is it really much different?Also that ergoDox looks wicked, does it have a release date and price?

[kalrykh]

Different enough to warrant the price? No. The base of the casing is a little thinner so you don't lose travel distance, due to the o ring. Other than that, aside from the silencing, I believe everything else is the same. Ripster has some good pics up comparing the two. I think the link is in the news and reviews forum in the type s thread, but I might be wrong. Not easy to check using tapatalk on an iPhone. I went with the type s because I'm a sucker who associates money spent with quality :p

[detto87]

Sorry to bring this thread up again, but I guess many people will read this thread who are searching for some infos on those keyboards.

Anyway, I can't understand why so many (or just some) people see such a big difference in the build quality between a RealForce and a HHKB. Seriously. I had a RF board and the outer casing was more flimsy or bendable than that of the HHKB. And besides the case there is only the switches and/or switch mounts. But that again is a personal preference because it only changes the feeling underneath the fingers.

Funny thing is I only always hear that RF build quality shall be better but not WHY or WHAT specifically.