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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: calavera on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:35:12

Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: calavera on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:35:12: Source: KBDmania

Leopold will be releasing full 104+ keyboards with four cherry switches in the future. Brown, Black, Blue, and Red. Features include nkey rollover, detachable USB cable, metal plate mounted switches. They will be commercially available by end of February in Korea.

(http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu23/calaveratf/non_top.jpg)
(http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu23/calaveratf/red_en.jpg)

Model name:
FC300R -> US/Korean letters
FC400R -> US/Japanese letters
FC500R -> US letters

Also available in blank keycaps.

As you can see they've made multiple versions for export. So for those looking for red switches may be you guys should wait it out to see if EK will carry them as well in the future. Just a heads up :)
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:37:18: Yayyyyy cherry reds!! :D

Hope EK gets those.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: calavera on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:39:38: Quote from: keyboardlover;284856
Yayyyyy cherry reds!! :D

Hope EK gets those.

If EK does sell Leopolds soon, I think it's safe to assume they will carry these as well since Leopold specifically build them with export in mind.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Pylon on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:43:40: Double shots? Reds? In Univers? Sounds great.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: stuiees on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:43:42: yumm reds :)
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: manfaux on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:48:11: double shot keycaps? thats tempting, I wish there is a 87 key version of this.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Pylon on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:52:21: Well, it's in set in Univers, which is rather unusual these days (as everything is Arial, Helvetica or Helvetica-like, Futura, or some funky Bank Gothic-esque techno font). Probably custom job/tooling.

Also, remember they got yellow/red Esc keys from Signautre that weren't in their usual font.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 25 January 2011, 21:52:35: What color LEDs?
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: calavera on Tue, 25 January 2011, 22:15:04: ah sorry guys, it looks like they're not double shot keycaps. I've mistaken it for the double shot keycap sets available separately in Korea. Sorry, they are LASER key caps.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: calavera on Tue, 25 January 2011, 22:17:23: Quote from: Pylon;284864
Double shots? Reds? In Univers? Sounds great.

Quote from: manfaux;284868
double shot keycaps? thats tempting, I wish there is a 87 key version of this.

Quote from: ripster;284871
Doubleshot keys? Interesting. They sure don't look like Signatures. Close but not quite Cherry Corps either.

Signature is gray, Cherry Corp is black
Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5352728437_2c10ac57b1_z.jpg)

ah sorry guys, it looks like they're not double shot keycaps. I've mistaken it for the double shot keycap sets available separately in Korea. Sorry, they are LASER key caps as far as I know. :(
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: ynih on Tue, 25 January 2011, 23:58:34: Uhh...yay?
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: wanabe on Wed, 26 January 2011, 00:33:16: i think you mean yay YAH! i'm looking forward to the red, been curious about it for a while
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: godofdeath on Wed, 26 January 2011, 00:36:33: Quote from: calavera;284884
ah sorry guys, it looks like they're not double shot keycaps. I've mistaken it for the double shot keycap sets available separately in Korea. Sorry, they are LASER key caps as far as I know. :(

well i think they should bring the double shot keycap sets over here too

i would gladly pay for them if they are truly high quality
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: godofdeath on Wed, 26 January 2011, 00:46:26: i liked the fc200 led placements, but at least these dont have big giant letters of the brand on them

i also wouldnt mind the chinese keycaps too
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: calavera on Wed, 26 January 2011, 01:36:00: Quote from: godofdeath;284926
well i think they should bring the double shot keycap sets over here too

i would gladly pay for them if they are truly high quality

I don't think these double shots are made by Leopold. They're just a one off kit offered in Korea only. Pictured in center below. (Cherry on the left, filco on the right.)

(http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu23/calaveratf/blk_keycap_compare.jpg)

Full 104 kit, made of ABS.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 05:06:45: is the spacebar dimensions for this keyboard model same like say a filco and ducky ?

Calavera do you have any close ups for the top right part of the keyboard please.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5352728437_2c10ac57b1_z.jpg)

Is the shift key same size for the ducky ?
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: calavera on Wed, 26 January 2011, 05:11:35: Quote from: Moogle Stiltzkin;285005
is the spacebar dimensions for this keyboard model same like say a filco and ducky ?

Calavera do you have any close ups for the top right part of the keyboard please.

The tenkeyless Leopold and Filco are the same, right? If that's the case then the space bar should also be the same.

Top right as in this corner?

(http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu23/calaveratf/led.jpg)
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 05:17:09: Yes thank you.

I'm not too fond of their logo, but it's not bad looking on this model.

I seriously think i am going to get this.

Should i go for Cherry mx red, or chery mx brown again ???

If i go red and find out i hate it, then i'd have to resell then buy the browns.

Oh no it's back to square one.

PS: is there any pictures for the back of the keyboard, sides as well as the 2 stands.

A picture of the underneath of the cap would be nice as well to get an idea how thick they are.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: bakageta on Wed, 26 January 2011, 05:48:22: I'd go for reds, just to try them out. You shouldn't have any problems reselling it if you don't like it, since there's no other affordable option for reds. Now, if they had a tenkeyless with reds...
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 05:52:10: Your obviously not from Malaysia hehe.

The mechanical keyboard fad hasn't really caught on so much.

The first thought in peoples mind is, wah so expensive just for a keyboard.

Typical Malaysian thinking hehe. But i don't blame them seeing as our minimum wage is rather low :/

Anyway theres a Malaysian distributor for the Leopold here, so i will check with him if i can try out red and brown so we will see.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 January 2011, 07:06:41: I like. If EK comes with the full layout Leopolds, I'm in.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: lootbag on Wed, 26 January 2011, 07:27:34: Here is my excuse to finally buy a Cherry MX Red keyboard, woohoo!
Can't wait to see how these stack up against my preference for Topre switches.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: bugfix on Wed, 26 January 2011, 07:33:36: Why is everyone so crazy about the Reds? And weren't they discontinued or something?
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 07:41:17: Quote from: bugfix;285061
Why is everyone so crazy about the Reds? And weren't they discontinued or something?

From my understanding they are rare and were initially found on the Cherry G80-3494.

Later Ducky had them in mix switch keyboard.

And now other clones like Leopold etc are getting them :X

45g actuation force.

Cherry mx blacks modded to ghetto reds (using Sixty's springs) are 40g actuation force supposedly.

Personally i'm a bit wary about them since i'm not sure if they will be too light when typing. My comfort point right now is Cherry mx browns. Soon i will be able to try the Cherry mx blacks which is supposedly unpleasant for typing on for long periods. Then i can mod them to ghetto reds to get a rough feel for the reds.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 26 January 2011, 07:46:45: Not lovin' the Unicomp-style LED label, but otherwise it seems decent.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 07:55:36: Quote from: calavera;284884
ah sorry guys, it looks like they're not double shot keycaps. I've mistaken it for the double shot keycap sets available separately in Korea. Sorry, they are LASER key caps as far as I know. :(

Oh damn :smow:

My interest in it has dropped somewhat.

It looks like it has better lasered keys than ducky seeing as the text looks whiter and not a dirty gold look; but since i'm already using doubleshots replacements, meh.

The only thing that could get me interested in this one again is if it had USB NKRO, and the key sizes and spacebar were pretty much the same like ducky/filco. And preferably able to disable the windows key. I've made too many mistakes accidentally pressing it, but luckily my ducky saves me :D
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 26 January 2011, 08:33:11: LOL @ the LED label: "Mechanical Keyboard". Really??
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Vittra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 08:37:34: My eyes lit up like a child upon reading Cherry MX Red. I'd kill for a tenkeyless version though. Wonder if that is a possible next step?
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 08:54:40: Quote from: keyboardlover;285095
LOL @ the LED label: "Mechanical Keyboard". Really??

Kinda reminds me of the plum keyboard saying POM.

O rely :roll:
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: sixty on Wed, 26 January 2011, 10:38:26: The one in the middle is the "IOMania Double-injection keyset". I have one of those sets. I am 99,8% sure its made by SP.

Giant pics coming up:

(http://i.imgur.com/6c6F6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kZ2wA.jpg)

Marks on the front of the keycap, the stem and the molding pattern are a dead giveaway, imo.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 January 2011, 10:38:46: Apparently, SP made the middle key, and they are double-shot. Kriminal has a set, and when you look at the underside, it's pretty obvious.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: sixty on Wed, 26 January 2011, 10:45:13: Most likely IOMania just designed these entirely from scratch, meaning a vector file for every key, since it includes Hangul characters that is the most likely situation.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 January 2011, 10:47:21: A set of these (minus the Hangul) would be awesome.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: sixty on Wed, 26 January 2011, 10:53:59: Thick double shots are pretty much dead... at least in modern designs/keycap families.

I contacted Devlin the other day and they are not doing double shot molding for the default profile anymore. They offer to laser instead now. With Cherry closing down double shot production in early 2010, this is probably the best we still can get.

Besides clickclacks keys of course.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Pylon on Wed, 26 January 2011, 11:41:10: How much/how hard is it to tool double shots molds?

Back when I was interested a bit in model railroading, a guy named Gordon Cannon did all sorts of tooling for fancy model locomotive components using a pantograph thing. Granted, it was single shot and done in polystyrene, but possible.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: cyberphine on Wed, 26 January 2011, 11:49:59: It's not tooling, as in shaping. Most key caps are ABS or PBT, POM. Those are probably injection molded. I imagine the "double shot" refers to one mold being the letter, then the second mold surrounding the first. Not sure on all of those, but I've been researching a little. The Wiki's have plenty of good information concerning this (as pointed out to me as RTFM from Ripster ;) ).

Regardless I'm playing around with the idea. I'm doing the 3D in blender right now. I might (depending on cost) get a prototype keyset done. Prototypes are super super super expensive though, so I also might try to DIY injection molding.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 January 2011, 11:55:48: Quote from: cyberphine;285220
I imagine the "double shot" refers to one mold being the letter, then the second mold surrounding the first.

Other way around.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: cyberphine on Wed, 26 January 2011, 11:58:58: Quote from: itlnstln;285222
Other way around.

Oh yeah, sorry. Mold with hollow key first, then filled in. In my head that's what I was thinking.

;)
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 13:51:30: Damn nice. I wish PChome would have them in stock.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Wogrim on Wed, 26 January 2011, 13:55:53: Anyone wanna tell me how typing is on reds? Haven't had to worry about deciding reds vs browns until now.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:09:07: I haven't tried either, but I think they should feel similarly, because typing is kind of rapid thing, and the tactility of the browns are very subtle especially when you are not focusing to feel it.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: hfcobra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:18:34: honestly, i hope this is NOT the keyboard that EK will be stocking. I really liked how the FC200R looked like in this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH9wwoCrbW4) video. I really hope it is that one that EK stocks. Nothing against reds or blacks, but i just cannot see myself ever buying a linear switch. Just seems too boring and i like the tactility on my keyboards! Plus, the upper right of this keyboard looks like it came out of the 90's :P Not a fan of that design at all.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:26:21: Maybe it is true for RTS games.
But for games like this http://www.addictinggames.com/theworldshardestgame.html (http://www.addictinggames.com/theworldshardestgame.html)
or quake live you should reconsider this statement.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:27:09: If anyone is interested in reds, check out my review link in my Sig. IMHO, the feel is close to topre (at least the PCB mounted ones).
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: hfcobra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:30:37: Quote from: RiGS;285333
Maybe it is true for RTS games.
But for games like this http://www.addictinggames.com/theworldshardestgame.html (http://www.addictinggames.com/theworldshardestgame.html)
or quake live you should reconsider this statement.

what statement are you referring to anyways? I am not sure if you are referring to mine or someone else's but i would like to know.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:30:37: Not just the feel, but the price..
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:32:09: Quote from: hfcobra;285336
what statement are you referring to anyways? I am not sure if you are referring to mine or someone else's but i would like to know.

It was a reply to ripster.
Quote
You can make the same argument for Red Cherry MX versus Brown Cherry MX gaming too and then some given the heat of the moment.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: hfcobra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:37:32: ah, just making sure it wasnt mine lol. most of what i said was an opinion anyways, but i will stand with my opinion! The FC200R looks really cool and this does not even compare, plus i do believe that the reds are a very large part of the appeal, but i do not see why, i just cant see a purpose for a red switch unless you prefer it for typing. The vast majority prefers something else with tactility and the gamers will probably be split 50/50 for the reds vs the blacks. Mostly due to so many of them using blacks for so long that they will be used to them and not like the super light reds. As for me, linear is boring, too boring. It would be like typing on a rubber dome to me in terms of how enjoyable it was so i would no longer look forward to typing at my computer, defeating the whole purpose of having a mech keyboard for me.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: hfcobra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:39:00: Quote from: ripster;285342
I was going to say her hands were hawt but you never know when it's an asian poster.

yep, thats what i cant figure out with that vid..... is it a guy or girl? my hands look like that a little, but i am 6'5" so they are very large and unmistakably man because of the size.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: guilleguillaume on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:42:13: The logo on the Keyboard from the video Looks FUGLY :/
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: hfcobra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:43:34: Quote from: ripster;285349
What are you talking about? Elitekeyboards will offer multiple switch types like they always do.

And I'm not going to try and predict what gamers will do. At OCN they still use PS/2.

well i know they will offer multiple switches, but i am just saying that i hope they do not offer it for this particular keyboard. I think that it is just really, really ugly. Like i said before, the one in the video just looks awesome and very sleek, that is why i hope EK stocks those instead. From the OP is seems that build quality will be very similar if not that same so i have no worries other than looks, and that is something i am really worrying about since it looks so ugly to me :(
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: hfcobra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 14:45:36: Quote from: guilleguillaume;285351
The logo on the Keyboard from the video Looks FUGLY :/

:( i like it a lot, looks clean. Since all of the LEDs for the Caps Lock and whatnot are located on the keys its basically a bigger Filco logo, except it is Leopold lol.

Just saying my side of this, but i really like that keyboard, i want one :)
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:05:55: ripster: Unfortunately Sixty's springs gonna be ever lighter then the brown/red springs.
I wish they would be stiffer.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:10:35: sixty spring = 40g

reds 45g
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:15:44: Quote from: Moogle Stiltzkin;285390
sixty spring = 40g

reds 45g

Sixty's spring set is 50g, but hey, who needs facts, right?
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:25:52: According to this http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=258490&postcount=1 (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=258490&postcount=1) it is 50 total and activating around 42g.
Tad stiffer than the 45g in those red switches around 48g would be definitely better.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:42:21: Quote from: itlnstln
Sixty's spring set is 50g, but hey, who needs facts, right?

I much prefer hearsay and conjecture.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Moogle Stiltzkin on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:54:59: Quote from: itlnstln;285394
Sixty's spring set is 50g, but hey, who needs facts, right?

Well i read somewhere on the forum it would be 40 ish actuation force compared to 45 for an actual red.

Quote
Smooth as butter and activating at around 42g in actual usage

If you want to be anal about it.

And who needs manners when there are sarcastic douchebags lurking around.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: calavera on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:55:33: What you guys don't realize is that these switches are mounted on a metal plate like filcos. I believe cherry's red switch keyboard isn't so this should make a difference in overall feel of typing.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 26 January 2011, 15:57:32: Quote from: calavera;285430
What you guys don't realize is that these switches are mounted on a metal plate like filcos. I believe cherry's red switch keyboard isn't so this should make a difference in overall feel of typing.

That's correct. They'll absolutely feel different. I just hope that it's in a good way. They'll almost certainly be louder...
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 16:09:09: I think there will be no difference for a touch typist.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: Variable on Wed, 26 January 2011, 16:11:32: the logos on the fullsized look ugly to me too. this and the filcos.

but I'll deal, need my numbers
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: digitalleftovers on Wed, 26 January 2011, 16:53:52: Quote from: cyberphine;285220
It's not tooling, as in shaping. Most key caps are ABS or PBT, POM. Those are probably injection molded. I imagine the "double shot" refers to one mold being the letter, then the second mold surrounding the first. Not sure on all of those, but I've been researching a little. The Wiki's have plenty of good information concerning this (as pointed out to me as RTFM from Ripster ;) ).

Regardless I'm playing around with the idea. I'm doing the 3D in blender right now. I might (depending on cost) get a prototype keyset done. Prototypes are super super super expensive though, so I also might try to DIY injection molding.

I don't know what programs/access to these facilities cost, but if anyone interested in prototyping lives near one, it may be an option.

http://www.techshop.ws/

EDIT: Wow, sorry to be so "3-pages-ago"
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 26 January 2011, 16:57:32: Quote from: Variable;285437

but I'll deal, need my numbers

Sounds like you may be a little "buy-curious".
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: duq on Wed, 26 January 2011, 17:51:01: Quote from: kalrykh;285469
When you're reading quickly, Arial looks a whole lot like Anal.

ha.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: hfcobra on Wed, 26 January 2011, 18:19:52: so what is sixty's spring anyways? i have never heard of something like this...
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 26 January 2011, 18:49:45: Check out his thread in the group buy section.
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: duq on Thu, 27 January 2011, 00:36:00: Does anybody have any idea what the pricepoint would be for this board?
Title: Leopold FC500R to be released in February
Post by: polygon on Thu, 27 January 2011, 01:49:44: does anyone know if they'll make otaku for the tenkeyless - I guess for sure you'll be able to just buy the keys but will there be one with otaku by default?