Is there a way to silence a Happy Hacking Professional 2 keyboard by user? It's possible with Cherry MX keyboards by adding an O-ring, but is it with Topre?
245903
Topre switch keyboards, such as the HHKB Pro 2 and Realforce boards, cannot be silenced in the same way as Cherry mx switches. With Cherry switches, O-rings can be placed on the plungers by simply removing the keycaps; this results in dampening the downstroke. With Topre switches, most of the sound that some users would like to reduce is not the "thock" of the downstroke, but the "clack" of the upstroke. There are silencing methods for Topre switches using a different type of O-ring from those used on Cherry switches (see articles on Geekhack or Deskthority), but these methods require taking the keyboard apart, and the end result changes the feel of the keyboard somewhat. Many users of Topre-switch keyboards like the sound and would not attempt to silence the switches. However, there are silenced versions of Topre-switch boards, such as the HHKB Pro 2 Type S. The Type S is considerably more expensive than the normal version; it not only contains silencing materials, but it also uses a different design of Topre switch.
245904
Yes, you can silence the keyboard with O-rings. You'll lose a bit of the key depth, but it works. There is a tutorial available to silence this specific keyboard on geekhack. The keyboard is not particularly loud compared to "clacky" keyboards, though. The noise is generated by the upstroke, not the downstroke, so it's not about how hard you hit the keys, but how quickly you type. There is also a quiet version available, the Type S, which has pre-installed silencing rings for a little bit more.
245905
Update: I have created silencing rings for Topre-switch keyboards (e.g., Realforce, Novatouch, FC660C, HHKB). Information can be found on the Deskthority site:http://deskthority.net/ebay-com-f67/silencing-rings-for-topre-switch-keyboards-t11233.html
245906
Yes, I am certain you can. I remember adding 2 o-rings to my KB, but I did not add any others because I was always afraid I'd break the switches removing the keys (I know, paranoid) and the HHKB Pro 2 was already quieter than most Cherry keys.
307895
It doesn't necessarily silence the noise, but it does reduce the sound. I have a Rosewill MX Blue and I definitely noticed a noise reduction. Once you install the O-ring, you will notice that the keys become a little stiff when you try to bottom out the key. It doesn't make it quiet overall like the MX Browns in terms of tactile keyboards, but I guess you can say it's in between the MX Browns and MX Blues in terms of noise. I hope this makes sense for you.
837009
for the people saying it makes a clicky clack sound I am assuming they have never used cherry mx keys. it sounds like a typical rubber dome keyboard, no clicky clack sound.
284918
Hey TruthBTold! I think that, for MX Browns, the only noise you want to get rid-of are the key "bottoming" noise. So, go for the red bumpers. They won't affect the actuation point for the brown switches and you'll get a very satisfactory result. The bottoming noise will go away and you'll not notice the bumper is there.
237629
As for the keygrabber. I wish I could tell you. I could never get any part of it to work. The company was on absolutely no help. I wish I could give you a better answer. I ended up buying a keylogger program and it was easier to use than the supposed plug-n-play.
307897
MX-Blue switches click when they actuate (sends the signal to the keyboard that a keypress has been triggered), so if you want to get rid of the actuation click noise, you should get a keyboard with a different switch, e.g. black or red.Putting these o-rings on a blue switch will dampen the noise created from "bottoming out" the key (pushing the key down completely), but not the distinctive "click" when the key is pressed down halfway.
1812874
If you are concerned about noise, you might want to do an "o-ring mod" and as others suggested; turning the beeper off. The o-ring mod is the technique of putting o-rings on all the key-switches, effective eliminating the noise of bottoming out. If you do this your keyboard will be reasonably quiet. I personally prefer loud keyboards for programming work, I like to have a clear audible feedback (so my favourite switches are cherry MX blues).For reference; I own the Black USB version of this keyboard (that is mechanically identical with less functionality - macros, etc).
323165
And Brenda, after I got off work, I played around with my keyboard. I guess I'd begin to concur that it's quieter than normal keyboards. I don't find it completely silent, but it's not as loud as a normal keyboard. As others say, it could partly be the way you type, too.
2021220
G710+ is quieter than K70, they are both brown but G710+ have rubber orings under every button or thats what I have read in reviews. You can confirm that by removing one of your keyboard's button and looking into the key cap. If you don't have orings you can try installing them, you could buy a set on WASD keaboards. Orings remove noise of the base of the keyboard hit by a keycap. Be aware that mechanical keyboards always will be louder than for example low profile rubber dome ones like Logitech Illuminated. It's just the way how they work. Queitest mechanical (in my opinion) you could get are mx-reds + blue orings.
869036
I forgot to mention it my previous answer to you, the Logitech keyboard has an on-off switch on it unlike the Perixx, and you can cut the battery power off completely if you're not going to use it for a while so that there's no battery drain at all, instead of being in low-power standby mode like the Perixx.
1360795
No, I used to use two Kinesis keyboards, one at work and one at home. My co-workers complained about the sound, so now I use a standard keyboard at work and a Kinesis at home, I have no trouble transitioning. Kind of like driving a car and riding a bike. Your fingers will know what to do.
2262735
Not sure, I have not tried that. One word of caution. The keyboard is very "soft", you need to hit the keys dead on or they do not respond all the time. It is annoying, but you learn to live with it.
1920520
I do not think tht it can be silent. Type writer strokes make noice. It is a different feel and sound than a computer keyboard. The sound will not be as loud if it is placed on a pad. Some noice comes from the sound that vibrates into the table. You can lessen that by using something under it but key stokes will make a noice since they must strike hard enough to cause the ribbon to print. The carriage return is quiter than the old manual type writers but it does make a sound. Nothing will stop it but a pad lessens it.
2204119
It's moderately clacky. People will hear it. For a different reason I installed rubber o-rings on each key. This makes the keyboard nearly silent. It also completely removes any impact strain (which is why I installed them). The o-ring mod cost about $10 and took me about 15 minutes to complete.The keyboard continues to be fantastic. My tendonitis has healed. My hand and wrist pain has gone away. AND I TYPE FASTER.
820755
yeah you can buy sound dampeners like these http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-accessories/cherry-mx-rubber-o-ring-switch-dampeners-125pcs.html i'm not sure what they do to the feel of the keyboard though
968538
No but TRUST me, it's worth every penny!! I have this combo at work and love it so much I had to buy it for my home! (After all, not controlling your volume from the keyboard is absurd!) :-) EXCELLENT product from a great company!!
506925
The keyboard I'm using has Cherry MX Blue keyswitches which are NOISY. The mic still picks up, but it's never a problem according to the peeps I'm gaming with ;)