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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: NorrisB on Sun, 18 March 2012, 23:51:36

Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: NorrisB on Sun, 18 March 2012, 23:51:36
Just got a Leopold and it feels GREAT!  The keyboard is heavy, types great, feels like a tank, why is a Filco supposedly better?  I bought the cherry red version of the Leo, and the stabilizers were stiff at first but are already loosening up feels like a tank very heavy.  Can someone explain why Filco is better?
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Tony on Mon, 19 March 2012, 00:00:49
Buy a Filco keyboard, and let it explain to you.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: daerid on Mon, 19 March 2012, 00:20:35
Costar stabilizers. BAM
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 19 March 2012, 00:30:19
Quote from: daerid;550260
Costar stabilizers. BAM

The leopold also has soft feminine looking corners and edges.

Definite signs of weakness @ lanparties... they'll pwn ur 455 fur that
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Roguemaster8 on Mon, 19 March 2012, 00:38:37
Because Futura looks better then Univers.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: cupraikso on Mon, 19 March 2012, 00:54:11
I once read that the stabilizers are better in the Filco, but I have no idea how that translates to feel or whatever.

I would like to know.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Awful on Mon, 19 March 2012, 00:57:15
The same reason people hate Ducky. Because someone else said they should.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 19 March 2012, 01:02:28
Quote from: Awful;550296
The same reason people hate Ducky. Because someone else said they should.

i'll admit the special edition duckies with the cool stamp art is cool looking.. but yea, cherry stabilizers ftl..... too much contact which may stick, thus unreliable.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Awful on Mon, 19 March 2012, 01:09:37
Inderesting. You know. One could use a reverse of that argument and say; Cherry Stabilizers keys feel more sturdy and less clacky then Costar.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 19 March 2012, 01:19:05
Quote from: Awful;550303
Inderesting. You know. One could use a reverse of that argument and say; Cherry Stabilizers keys feel more sturdy and less clacky then Costar.

They arn't clacky, they're quite smooth, easy to grease when necessary.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: NorrisB on Mon, 19 March 2012, 01:33:33
Which keyboard weights more?  Ive read conflicting reports some say Filco weights more some say Leopold weights more
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: sabby on Mon, 19 March 2012, 01:43:57
I prefer Costar stablilizers, hence Filco, they are very responsive and sound great.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: fstop on Mon, 19 March 2012, 02:32:24
A lot of it is branding.

but Filco still feels better, and is just overall more appealing to me. And I had a chance to try both out before coming to Geekhack (aka Filco forum :D) with I think makes my opinion worth only a little more
.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: omuerte on Mon, 19 March 2012, 02:50:47
I've owned both, I ended up selling the Leo because I prefer the feel of the stabilizers on the Filco.

Drunk answer: Filco uses co-star stabilizers for big keys, Leo uses Cherry Corp. stabilizers. Co-star stabilizers "feel more crisp" or have a "lighter action" - basically boards with co-star stabilizers have a lighter (less stiff) action on the large keys.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Surly73 on Mon, 19 March 2012, 07:05:50
I posted a bunch of comparison points here (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28657-Filco-vs-Leopold-Tenkeyless&p=546600&viewfull=1#post546600) last week.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Netdewt on Mon, 19 March 2012, 17:26:10
So maybe this is worth the extra $30-40?

http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Tactile-Keyboard-FKBN104M/dp/B005JC4OZG/
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: lightsout714 on Mon, 19 March 2012, 17:48:06
Quote from: dante;550877
I used to think Cherry was better mostly because I was "afraid" of costar stabilizers; I'd see videos and what not and think "what a pain in the ass that is."

After being forced to deal with it on a WASD barebones keyboard I'm glad that I did;  "Ain't no thing" sums it up.

If a big dumb ass monkey like me can learn how to change keycaps on a costar ANYONE can.

Yah I was nervouse about it at first too but like you say its very easy.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 19 March 2012, 17:54:56
Cherry Corp. stabilizers on a Leopold are by far the easiest for changing keycaps. On a Cherry Corp. keyboard though, they are a PITA because it's very easy to rip them right out of the freakin' PCB.

Like the others though, I agree that Costar stabilizers feel the best. They aren't too bad for changing keycaps once you get the hang of it.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Awful on Mon, 19 March 2012, 17:59:27
Yeah I feel like costar feel better. However I don't think cherry feel "bad" they feel super sturdy. I think if I ever got reds I would prefer the stiffer feel on the large keys, but on blacks I would prefer costar.

But the leo thing. I wouldn't ever own one because of the derp spacebar.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: lightsout714 on Mon, 19 March 2012, 19:03:15
Quote from: keyboardlover;550884
Cherry Corp. stabilizers on a Leopold are by far the easiest for changing keycaps. On a Cherry Corp. keyboard though, they are a PITA because it's very easy to rip them right out of the freakin' PCB.

Like the others though, I agree that Costar stabilizers feel the best. They aren't too bad for changing keycaps once you get the hang of it.

Yah I messed with my first cherry board the other day and the stabilizers are odd. I agree very easy to rip out.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: silat on Mon, 19 March 2012, 19:32:42
Quote from: tp4tissue;550268
The leopold also has soft feminine looking corners and edges.

Definite signs of weakness @ lanparties... they'll pwn ur 455 fur that

Just the opposite. Those who cannot show their feminine side obviously have sexual ID issues:)
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: sth on Mon, 19 March 2012, 19:52:43
Quote from: dante;550895
If we are talking full size black switches, I'd get a WASD*.  If we are talking tenkeyless I'd say go for the Leopold.

I've owned both and the Cherry stabilizers on the Leo really compliment this switch; very nice feeling!



* The only reason I can't recommend the fullsize Leo is because of some dumb ass decision to make the space bar incompatible with the Leo tenkeyless and hence - the rest of the keyboard universe!  (And to make matters worse, have the BALLS to release a thicker textured space bar incompatible with the fullsize to boot.)

Tenkeyless leopold has a nonstandard spacebar. The black spacebar from EK is compatible with Leopold boards and standard-6.25 space boards (it has mounts for both sizes). I have it on my Poker right now.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: pitashen on Mon, 19 March 2012, 19:55:22
I own both and somehow filco feels more solid in my hand, but that is probably because the filco i have got black switches. Feels more manly typing on it. lol
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: rknize on Mon, 19 March 2012, 20:33:07
Just buy both and decide for yourself.  Then, sell the Leo.
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Namkung on Mon, 19 March 2012, 20:40:47
did no one mention the rubber grip on the feet??
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: tehsprayer on Mon, 19 March 2012, 20:58:17
Explain why Filco is better than CM Quickfire Rapid?, 1/2 the half with the same quality. (you can always change key caps and cover branding with vinyl)
Title: Explain to me why Filco is better than Leopold
Post by: Phil21 on Mon, 19 March 2012, 21:18:07
Quote from: tehsprayer;550992
Explain why Filco is better than CM Quickfire Rapid?, 1/2 the half with the same quality. (you can always change key caps and cover branding with vinyl)

Perhaps not worth 100% markup, but I'd rather not be bothered having to mod my keyboard simply to not visually offend me.  There is dollar value in that, and apparently Filco has hit it fairly well considering the popularity here.

If you enjoy doing this on your spare time, that's fine - bonus for you!  You get a just-as-good keyboard for 1/2 the price, and a hobby to boot :)