Topre lovers, brace yourselves...

[Michael]

I was ALMOST caught today at work watching a typing video. I heard footsteps just in time and changed my website from YouTube to WebMD. Now i am just a hypochondriac. 

You're a closet keyboarder

[daerid]

I was ALMOST caught today at work watching a typing video. I heard footsteps just in time and changed my website from YouTube to WebMD. Now i am just a hypochondriac. 

I get all super defensive about it and almost dare people to make fun of me when I get caught watching a typing video.

[therecorder]

Some HHKB users have had commented about board sliding about, I have found a cheap fix by using some self stick 3M rubber pads I found at Michael's craft store. They are very grippy on most surfaces for less than $5 USD. 

I have used silicone buds similar to these on a couple of my keyboards (Matias SilentPro and Unicomp Ultra Classic).  They work great, but if you often want or need to move your keyboard, you actually have to lift the board...  You can't slide the board.  This may be a problem, I think, mainly for small board users, which seem to like mobility.  In fact, I think the designers of the HHKB had this in mind.

[Shuki]

If I am about to get caught watching a typing video I usually alt tab to some hardcore porn to save myself the embarrassment.

[daerid]

It's true. Porn is more acceptable these days than a keyboard fetish


aaaaaaaaaaand thread officially derailed

[blakespot]

My blog post about my new Leopold FC660C:

http://www.bytecellar.com/2013/05/21/regarding-keyboards-and-a-new-favorite-the-leopold-fc660c/




bp

[Shuki]

What is that cable holder and those things that look like glow-in-the-dark cups?

Nice video btw.

[aggiejy]

Nice blogpost Blake!

Also, added a lil color to mine...

[Flyersfan1]

Nice blogpost Blake!

Also, added a lil color to mine...



(Attachment Link)

That looks great!

[Flyersfan1]

That looks great! Nice hand models you've got there too.  Sorry for the double post.

[therecorder]

QUESTION!!!

As mentioned before, I have both a FC660M and the FC660C.  I have a few blank, 37 piece, PBT keycap sets, and I tried to replace the arrow keys on the FC660M.   They didn't match.  The profile was much too high for the FC660M.  The new FC660Cs and FC660Ms advertise a new profile, called "Step Culture 2"  Does this mean that you will have to purchase "special" keycaps for these keyboards?  Has anyone attempted to use Realforce "arrow" or other keycaps on the FC660C?

http://www.leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php&it_id=1365736667

http://www.leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php&it_id=1366866739

(Translate these pages, and about half way down the page you will see the term "Step Culture 2".  The rest is in Chinese, so perhaps someone can translate.)

AFTER SOME RESEARCH!

I think that the Leopold FC700 series also is "Stepculture 2".  Perhaps keycaps for this series will be OK for the FC660M.

[ValerieV]

I used replacement keys from Elite Keyboards for my new Leopold topre. They fit absolutely fine. No profile problem or size problem. 

[morpheus]

I used replacement keys from Elite Keyboards for my new Leopold topre. They fit absolutely fine. No profile problem or size problem. 

Can you show us a picture of it? I'm thinking about getting some replacement keys myself. If I'm not mistaken, you can replace all the keys except the right shift key, no?

Thanks.

[calavera]

If you buy two sets, you can replace both shifts since on the 660C, both the shift keys are the same size.

[therecorder]

If you buy two sets, you can replace both shifts since on the 660C, both the shift keys are the same size.

What's disappointing is that Elite has very limited stock/choice of Topre Modifier keycaps, and no stock of Arrow keycaps.

[ValerieV]

Here is a picture of my keyboard with the keycaps. Hope it helps clarify things. 

[ValerieV]

In the picture, the replacement keys look a little bigger but they aren't. Trust me. They are the same and they fit absolutely perfect.

[ktownhero]

In the picture, the replacement keys look a little bigger but they aren't. Trust me. They are the same and they fit absolutely perfect.

Yeah, I used the red esc key from my 87U on my 660C and it fits fine.  Some people might be mislead into thinking the keys are too big due to the illusion caused by  1) the color being brighter and 2) the print on the realforce keys being much larger than what comes on the 660C.  But the keys themselves are the same size.

[therecorder]

Guess I'll just have to wait for Elite to restock Topre blue Modifier keycaps and red Arrow keycaps.

Just a couple quick shots of my FC660M with the extra keycaps that came with it.  Second shot is it sitting on my ASUS N56VZ.  I could sit it further back towards the screen, but it feels better where it is, and I don't use the touch-pad.  Of course, my FC660C fits similarly, although the usb connection, on the FC660M, is closer to the edge of the keyboard, which make it easier to locate the cable away from the screen.

[aggiejy]

I shouldn't go on forever about how awesome this keyboard is, but it's officially been a month since I started using this FC660C.  I've never been more in love with a keyboard in my life.  This thing is awesome.  Even when they were new, I never gave my HHKB/Realforce/Kmac/Kinesis/SSK/etc even half this much love and attention. <3 <3 <3  Not for everyone, but I'm in love.

[daerid]

I shouldn't go on forever about how awesome this keyboard is, but it's officially been a month since I started using this FC660C.  I've never been more in love with a keyboard in my life.  This thing is awesome.  Even when they were new, I never gave my HHKB/Realforce/Kmac/Kinesis/SSK/etc even half this much love and attention. <3 <3 <3  Not for everyone, but I'm in love.

^^^^^^ Ditto

[Sniping]

All I need is a good set of keycaps and Topre clack and I'll be set.

[Jocelyn]

I just received WFD's FC660C and it feels amazing! It's like the keys are helping you out/typing with you 

[ValerieV]

The main advantages this keyboard has over the HHKB is the fact that it is cheaper, and it has dedicated arrow keys, and it has firm padding on the bottom and the keyboard doesn't slide around. I do like the sound of my HHBK more but this is really a great keyboard and well worth the money.

[Jocelyn]

So I'm trying to switch L Win & L Alt and turn L Win into FN. I can do one or the other, but when I turn both middle switches to on, it reverts the L Win (Actually FN) & Alt back to original orientation

Edit - And yes, I'm unplugging it before messing with the dip switch 

[orlando]

The main advantages this keyboard has over the HHKB is the fact that it is cheaper, and it has dedicated arrow keys, and it has firm padding on the bottom and the keyboard doesn't slide around. I do like the sound of my HHBK more but this is really a great keyboard and well worth the money.

I have an HHKB and this is still tempting to me; to be honest the only thing holding me back are the keycaps ... that windows logo would drive me nuts.

[kelske]

I'm so sold on this thing.. I absolutely love it!

So Jocelyn - now that you've tried both.. Topre or your Ergo Clears?

[Larken]

I'm so sold on this thing.. I absolutely love it!

So Jocelyn - now that you've tried both.. Topre or your Ergo Clears?

This^

Very interested to your impressions on Topre, especially when you obviously like the ergo-clears.

[Jocelyn]

I'm so sold on this thing.. I absolutely love it!

So Jocelyn - now that you've tried both.. Topre or your Ergo Clears?

Both!!! Topre feels so much smoother (like butter!!) and it leaves me wanting lighter springs in my Poker. I'm going to have to type on both for a bit longer to fully conclude, but I think I like different aspects of each and will never be able to choose one over the other.

Edit - I'd like to add that I believe the bit about me wanting lighter springs in my Poker is me being delusional lol. I'm fairly sure my brain thinks I'll get something closer to Topre by doing this, when in fact I'll only obtain a more pronounced bump, which is really nothing like Topre. That said, I'm very happy that I like both.

Btw, did you see my dip switch question above? You're probably going to think I'm crazy, but I was hoping for this.

Ctrl/Alt/Fn/Spacebar/Alt/Ctrl/Win

This should be doable with switch 2 & 3 turned on, but for some reason 2 becomes disabled when both 2 & 3 are turned on giving you this.

Ctrl/Fn/Alt/Spacebar/Alt/Ctrl/Win

It's minor, but I've already confirmed this is happening with other people's FC660Cs, and it doesn't make sense to me. I believe it was an oversight by Leopold and I'm hoping they'll fix it.

[aggiejy]

Yeah, I have really light Korean springs and clears on my Kmac... they're slow/weak on the reset. Not at all like the topre, which somehow is light going down, and pops wood going up. Perhaps this is where domes exceed.

[daerid]

Yeah, I have really light Korean springs and clears on my Kmac... they're slow/weak on the reset. Not at all like the topre, which somehow is light going down, and pops wood going up. Perhaps this is where domes exceed.

That was exactly my issue with ErgoClears! I felt like they got caught on the way up. Really distracting.

[Jocelyn]

Yeah, I have really light Korean springs and clears on my Kmac... they're slow/weak on the reset. Not at all like the topre, which somehow is light going down, and pops wood going up. Perhaps this is where domes exceed.

That was exactly my issue with ErgoClears! I felt like they got caught on the way up. Really distracting.

You need 62g springs to avoid this imo. Also, any thoughts on my dip switch question??

[daerid]

Unfortunately, no. I just use mine with SW1 on. I'll play around with it a little later.

[aggiejy]

Also, any thoughts on my dip switch question??

I just use mine with SW3 on.  Turning SW2 as well seems to just do the same thing.  Given that, I'd asume it's just not built to do compound adjustment.  I don't think it's possible to do Fn to the left of the space.  I believe I did read that this has flashable firmware technically, but I doubt we'll ever figure out how to actually hack that.

[daerid]

Somebody was looking into replacing the controller board, which is connected via a standard ribbon cable. Would make it a bit easier to reprogram (just gotta figure out the pinout).

*EDIT* It was Matt3o: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42825.msg884120#msg884120

[kelske]

Would be awesome if someone came out with a programmable controller for this thing

[jabar]

This keyboard is awesome.

[jalaj]

QUESTION:
Let's just assume that the prices for the FC600C, HHKB P2, HHKB P2 Type-S are all equal. For example sake, just throwing out an arbitrary number of, $180 for any of the three keyboard models. Thus price not withstanding, which KB, IYO is the clear choice winner for compact Topre KB? Why?

[therecorder]

There is no "clear choice winner for compact Topre KB".  Each person's needs and desires are different.

[dndlmx]

QUESTION:
Let's just assume that the prices for the FC600C, HHKB P2, HHKB P2 Type-S are all equal. For example sake, just throwing out an arbitrary number of, $180 for any of the three keyboard models. Thus price not withstanding, which KB, IYO is the clear choice winner for compact Topre KB? Why?

The Leopold looks goofy to me. And I've never heard one in person, but the Type-S sounds very muffled. Not as magical. 
HHKB Pro 2.

[jalaj]

There is no "clear choice winner for compact Topre KB".  Each person's needs and desires are different.

LOL, that is very good general answer (probably the correct one as well). Though, I'm looking for some user perspective with solid in depth reasoning.

[jabar]

If the Leopold featured dyesubbed PBT it would be the clear winner. However I still like that it has a metal plate and seems a bit sturdier than the HHKB. Also: dedicated arrow keys (without going Japanese like the HHKBJP) and a smart function layer (LOVE PgUp/PgDwn Home/End Fn combo with the arrow keys).

[daerid]

QUESTION:
Let's just assume that the prices for the FC600C, HHKB P2, HHKB P2 Type-S are all equal. For example sake, just throwing out an arbitrary number of, $180 for any of the three keyboard models. Thus price not withstanding, which KB, IYO is the clear choice winner for compact Topre KB? Why?

FC660C. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. The layout for the 660C is just easier to use for me, doesn't make my hand hurt, and I prefer the sound of an un-silenced Topre to the Type-S.

[AKIMbO]

If the Leopold featured dyesubbed PBT it would be the clear winner. However I still like that it has a metal plate and seems a bit sturdier than the HHKB. Also: dedicated arrow keys (without going Japanese like the HHKBJP) and a smart function layer (LOVE PgUp/PgDwn Home/End Fn combo with the arrow keys).

The key caps are the only reason I don't current own a 660c.  Hopefully the blank version comes out soon.

[morpheus]

QUESTION:
Let's just assume that the prices for the FC600C, HHKB P2, HHKB P2 Type-S are all equal. For example sake, just throwing out an arbitrary number of, $180 for any of the three keyboard models. Thus price not withstanding, which KB, IYO is the clear choice winner for compact Topre KB? Why?

FC660C. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. The layout for the 660C is just easier to use for me, doesn't make my hand hurt, and I prefer the sound of an un-silenced Topre to the Type-S.

daerid, you have quite a formidable collection of keyboards. I'm especially jelly of your Matias Tactile Pro.

[aggiejy]

QUESTION:
Let's just assume that the prices for the FC600C, HHKB P2, HHKB P2 Type-S are all equal. For example sake, just throwing out an arbitrary number of, $180 for any of the three keyboard models. Thus price not withstanding, which KB, IYO is the clear choice winner for compact Topre KB? Why?

I've owned a HHKB P2 and the Leo, but not the Type-S.  For my tastes, the Leo wins hands down.  (And it wouldn't matter to me if the Leo was the cost of a HHKB, and the HHKB was $50.) The layout is easier, the sound is great, and the feel is great.  (And the Fn layer fits my habits perfectly.)

The drawback is the laser printed caps, which are already pretty dirty on mine after a month.  But that's a small complaint and doesn't really bother me... an otherwise perfect board (for me).  I'll probably get a white version when they come out too. Maybe one day there will be some replacement dyesub caps or something too... you never know.

[ValerieV]

I prefer the HHKB over the Leopold but the Leopold is a wonderful keyboard. The topre switches are in a class by themselves. My fingers never get tired and the soudn is wonderful.

[daerid]

daerid, you have quite a formidable collection of keyboards. I'm especially jelly of your Matias Tactile Pro.

And that's also after selling my not-insignificant collection of cherry boards :-x

[fateswarm]

It's frustrating how FC660C is impossible to get down here in south Europe without paying almost a 40% markup. They cost 130 euros in Korea for stallman's sakes.

(I got a lowly mx for almost that price and it came from America.)

edit: 40? make that 50 and more

[rowdy]

You try getting one in Australia without paying silly shipping costs!