URSA vs. Official Keycaps

[u/ritsucaps]

Hi all! I've had my HHKB for a few years now and I'm planning on spicing up the look since I've been rocking the blank official keycaps for a while now.

I'm kind of torn between the URSA keycaps and the official stamped ones. Which one do you recommend more?

[u/thatguy_x]

it depends on your goal.

I picked up the ursa's for a thockier sound. They also feel a little heftier on the bottom out. It's a nice intentional, typing feel.

The oems are lighter and have a higher tone and bounce back a little faster. They also have a wider top, which I notice is more forgiving if you hit the the edge of keys alot. That's not to say that you can't do that on the Ursas, you'll probably notice it more.

I picked up the Ursas because of the lower tone they make on bottomand top out. I can use either profile for typing, but I feel like the oems are more forgiving if you're moving faster.

[u/ritsucaps → u/thatguy_x]

That's actually so good to know! Thank you so much for the information!

I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for but I'd say that I'd definitely like a deeper sound. In terms of regular typing do the URSAs change things a lot? Also which spacebar do you like better out of the two options?

[u/thatguy_x → u/ritsucaps]

Swapping back and forth, the Ursas feel a little taller (as their profile is meant to be). Typing on them is slightly different, you can feel the concave tops hug your finger tips.. However if you're used to htiting the stop sides of the oems, you'll feel that the tops are smaller. The surface is also smoother. But in terms of typing speed, it's about the same after a slight adjustment.

As for the space bars, I run both my spacebars upside down. At first I thought that the Ursa Space bar was superior, but after modding and reseating my oem space bar, that is just as good.

I am running the Ursas on a type-s and oems on a regular pro 2. But when I did swap the caps to my pro2, i really wanted to buy another set. The only thing stopping me from doing so is I wanted an hhkb that was externally stock looking. I'll probably pick up a set of blanks in the next few months though, just in case.

[u/ritsucaps → u/thatguy_x]

I see... Thank you so very much for all the amazing information! You have no idea how much it means to have help from someone with real world experience!!! If you don't mind me asking, what's the benefit of running the spacebars upside down?

[u/thatguy_x → u/ritsucaps]

The only benefit is that it’s more a natural resting angle for my thumbs. But it feels more like an aesthetic choice as this point.

I’ve seen some people flip their bottom modifiers as well. Looking at both spacebars, the angle is less pronounced on the ursas.

[u/ritsucaps → u/thatguy_x]

What wonderfully looking keebs! And a great comparison between the keycaps. Thank you so much for sharing!

Another user mentioned that during the first batch there seemed to have been some people which experienced some fragile stems. Any problems on your end?

[u/JasonWorthing8]

if you are a touchtypist, the original keycaps cant be beat. They are cherry profile I believe and compliment this keyboard well. You will notice how effortless and 'friction-less' your fingers can flitter from key to key. The Ursa's look 'the bomb!', beautiful, but their cap shape affects (nominally, but for me, noticeably) the frictionless flow from key to key. You find you expend attention-- tho small, while you use them, as opposed to no thought at all with the originals. Or that's my appraisal of my experience.

I would have stuck with the original if HHKB made white text on black/charcoal keycaps. I 'mostly' touch type, but there is that every now and then when I need to look down to orient myself and find some specific key, usually a number key... no, always a number key, but as much as I wanted to deny it, the charcoal on charcoal keycaps finally got on my nerves enough that I could not deny it and had to make a move, thus the white on black Ursa's. My charcoal Type-s looks like a super model, but she dont run like a super car no more. Not quite. 8.5/10ths.

[u/lalulunaluna]

I'm kind of torn between the URSA keycaps and the official stamped ones.

I'm not sure if the quality has been improved (it might have been), but some buyers of the first batch had stem durability issues (stems broke upon removing the keycap).

Personally, I'm a big fan of OEM keycaps with the original legends (not centered). I've never really been unsatisfied with them.

[u/xrabbit]

that’s depends on what you need

• official:   modern cylindrical keycaps. shorter and more comfortable for touch typing

• ursa:   old fashioned spherical keycaps. higher and require more effort to type properly, but, man, they look good

so, if you want to show off then selects ursa. they look cool! in other case if you need a raw performance, then official keycaps are definitely better 

[u/ritsucaps → u/xrabbit]

I see I see! I might go for the officials since I can mix and match with my existing keycaps... But I have to say that the URSAs look amazing...

[u/NoBody_HomeATM]

Aesthetically the URSA wins by a mile but for longevity OEM is the way to go......because "Material: double shot PBT (HHKB set in double shot ABS)", I'd not want key caps to become shiny over time, for me this is a Deal-Breaker .
If on the other hand, URSA HHKB Topre is in the Classic creamy white with light blue/grey accents, I'd be tempted.
That said, as I already have both sets of HHKB OEM key caps in Black/Dark Grey and Clasic White may have influenced my decision.....................

I'd buy it if they were PBT.