This is an interesting question. I believe @norbauer is squarely in the “I’ll take all my modifiers, thank you very much!” camp, but I’d be interested in hearing other’s opinions of any sound and feel differences across the HHKB 2 and 3 lineups.
@TaehaTypes did an Unboxing and Initial Impressions video of the HHKB Professional 3 Hybrid ~8 months ago. It’s been a while since I skimmed it, but IIRC he thought it sounded slightly higher pitched, but felt similar. Perhaps Nathan can drop by and weigh in on it after having used the board for a while now.
So, for context I have owned and typed on both the hhkb pro 2 and the hhkb hybrid type-s. My pro 2 is silenced and lubed, and my hybrid type-s is bone stock.
I would say, as far as stock sound goes, the hybrid type-s cannot be touched. You obviously may prefer different silencing rings, and I’m sure it will be even better when lubed. I know my two units aren’t directly comparable, but I do find myself reaching for the hybrid type-s more often FWIW.
A board compatibility list would be desireable, when this product goes on sale, given the current variety of HHKBs.
A comparison of the overall sound and key press between the compatible setups (Pro, Type-S, Hybrid) would also be much appreciated.
This echoes my feelings, I would add that the hybrid type s is either lightly lubed or the rings are. When I lubed the board I could feel some residual ‘grease’ on my fingers after removing the rings.
I have both the Hybrid with Deskeys #3 and the Hybrid Type-S. Both are unlubed, but the Type-S just feels so much scratchier and has a high-pitched hollow sound on the top half the downstroke.
I really like how smooth the sliders are on my Non Type-S in comparison. It also doesn’t have that hollow sound on initial press. The Type-S is definitely much quieter on the upstroke though, especially on Row 4 compared to the Deskeys #3.
I agree with this. I prefer the Pro 2 due to the thinner walls of the slider features on the Pro 3, making it sound not quite as nice. However, my plate returns to the Pro 2 wall thickness while retaining Pro 3 compatibility, so it should actually more or less fix the issue.
I have personally never compared the Type S variants to the normal ones, so I can’t speak to those nuances.
Hey there just wanted to let you know that you CAN reprogram your board. I have tested on 2 boards and have gotten a lot of feedback from others who’ve had success programming their boards
If you google “hhkb remapping the classic” you will find my post
I come to this thread every morning for an update While Ryan is busy preparing for the GB, can the experienced Topre folks tell me where I can find some more keycaps? I just put on the extended 2048 keycaps on my white HHKB Pro and they look and feel amazing.
Basically you found it. Keep up with KBDfans. They have most of the good stuff. Aside from that, I check yahoo auctions in Japan every once in a while for hipro or regular topre boards with Japanese legends in interesting colors and profiles. You can also check on deskthority for folks selling interesting torpe caps. Be prepared to shell out
I’m still trying to get a hold of the engineers for an update and have been for a few days. This is pretty typical of them unfortunately. I’ll keep pushing.
Hi @norbauer, I like the cases that you have designed! Just wondering will there be a day you will be designing boards that comes with PCB for MX switches?
Anyone else getting more and more excited as we get closer and closer to an eventual GB? There has been a smattering of recent comments here, but I wanted to seed the discussion with a few talking points.
Are there any finishes you’re particularly excited about? K2 seems like it will be offered as it is represented in the initial post, and also present in a picture showing it alongside Aperture and VHS. Seems Veracity Steel is in, as well as Sunset Blvd! I love the way my Matte Retro Norbaforce feels, and I’m excited about another offering that has that same “touch”.
For those either without an HHKB yet, or who have both a Pro2 and Pro3 - which one are you thinking of getting the case for? As @norbauermentions, the stock Pro3 sounds higher pitched due to having thinner slider housings - however since the Heavy Grail plate has the thickness of Pro2 housings, it might “fix” a Pro3 to make it sound deeper. Does this mean a Pro3 (with its full programmability, and PBT spacebar) slammed into a Heavy Grail is indeed the best of both worlds?!
Any keycap considerations? Stock caps are high quality dyesub PBT of course. There is also the allure of a HiPro HHKB—as showcased in the Sunset Blvd picture above (which I believe has a mix of HEKB01 and 104UG-HiPro caps).
So many permutations/combinations! I’m enjoying thinking through the options, myself
I’m probably going to throw my Pro2 inside my Heavy grail since that’s been more recently lubed, had silencing rings installed (Deskeys #3) , and Hipro keycaps .
I have a HHKB Hybrid Type S which I already think is a pretty great board as it is. Honestly I think there are definite improvements in the new generation of HHKBs compared to the older generation. The improvement for my Type S wouldn’t be as big as my Pro2. Also the Pro2 would be way more hype for the Heavy Grail considering it has HiPro Keycaps
While Ryan is busy preparing for the GB, can the experienced Topre folks tell me where I can find some more keycaps? I just put on the extended 2048 keycaps on my white HHKB Pro and they look and feel amazing.
There has been a smattering of recent comments here, but I wanted to seed the discussion with a few talking points.