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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Gattz on Tue, 20 December 2011, 09:07:05
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I have the Leopold Browns right now, but I really want to try some Blues. Is the Filco worth the extra 30 dollars as compared to Leopold? I would rather people give me facts rather than just "Filco" or "Leopold." The only difference I think I've found is that the Filco doesn't have detachable USB cable.
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The only real difference outside of the USB cable and some small aesthetic differences are the stabilizers. If the stabilizers on your currents Leopold don't bother you (shift, enter, etc...) then you might as well stick with Leopold to save some money. That said, a Filco with blue switches and ninja keycaps is not currently available, so you'll either have to buy the keycaps separately off someone else, buy a Ninja in browns/blacks and a regular blue and swap, or wait for Filco to put one out to market.
As mentioned though, someone will occasionally part with a Filco blue for pretty cheap if you keep an eye on the classified forums.
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sorry im a lil newb here about keyboard... i do a lil bit of research... why is the majestouch a lil bit more expensive??
where the leopold has 20+ anti ghosting using usb... im not sure about the majestouch tho....
i think the leopold shld me a more expensive keyboard... i have the leopold fc700r and fc500r.... the fc700r keycaps is abit shorter but who cares... but what makes the filco so special??
if we talk about ducky vs leopold is bcos it has fancy light and all...
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What fusedpro said. I've got both a Leopold and a Filco with blues. The stabilizers and USB are the main things. The cases are a bit different as well, with the Filco being more angular. (I like it better)
Another consideration is that Leopold has slightly non-standard space bar stems which *could* make using an aftermarket set of keycaps problematic. (Basically, you'd just keep using the factory space bar, no huge deal.) But even then, sets are starting to use universal space bars that work with Leos fine.
The biggest thing is the stabilizers in my opinion. I think the Costar-style (with wires directly under the keycap on the longer keys) is preferred around here.
That said, I think the question is limiting... you should be looking into Cooler Master Quick Fire Rapid. It's basically identical to a Filco in most ways (made by the same company), but much cheaper than either the Filco or the Leo. It's not been on the market thaaat long so some of the old comparisons you have read may not include it. But I think it's a smart choice. The only complaint I have about them is the branding and keycap font. But apparently newer ones don't have branding, and the key caps are easily replaced. (I have 3 Filcos, and don't have any original keycaps in use... so that doesn't matter if you plan to buy some.)
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I'll let everyone chime in about the exterior and obvious differences. But here's what not many people will mention about: If you care about the internals, then they are very different. Filco has double-sided solder pads, while Leopold is only single sided. The PCB is overall higher quality in Filco. The controller is on a daughterboard and is replaceable if it breaks, or you can replace it with a custom controller that will allow it to be programmable. Leopold has all the components soldered on, and all the main electronics components are through-hole as opposed to SMD. I'm specifically talking about the Leopold FC200R, I have not gotten a chance to open up the newer FC700R yet.
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Very good points WhiteFireDragon. Along those same lines, there have been quite a few after-market cases made from aluminum/acrylic/etc that fit a Filco. (And usually, a QFR as well, since they are very similar.) And as WFD said, replacement custom controllers that basically let you program the keyboard firmware however you wish. Long term upside to a Filco is high IMO. (But, as I said, a QFR has most of that at $60-70 or something!)
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So I almost did it, too, but this is a 2 year old necrothread...
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Doh! I didn't notice that. :) Well, good info for newbies wondering buy perhaps. :)
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All newbs should buy my Ducky YoTD until I don't own it anymore.
Hell, if this new 55g RF keeps up this niceness (will be comparing against my current fav soon (lubed/stickered ghetto reds on mx mini) and more with the lubed blue poker I just got), I may sell one of my other three MX boards.
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All newbs should buy my Ducky YoTD until I don't own it anymore.
Hell, if this new 55g RF keeps up this niceness (will be comparing against my current fav soon (lubed/stickered ghetto reds on mx mini) and more with the lubed blue poker I just got), I may sell one of my other three MX boards.
me want
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meh... I fell into the necro hole lol. At least the topic and info is still relevant.
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That said, a Filco with blue switches and ninja keycaps is not currently available
Wow, I am glad I bought mine when I did. Those sold out pretty quickly.
The Costar stabilizers are worth getting the Filco over the Leopold for me. Also, I like the Filco logo :p
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Good feeling of oneness with zombie thread.