geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Evrycard on Sun, 25 January 2015, 23:25:59

Title: Which Leopold?
Post by: Evrycard on Sun, 25 January 2015, 23:25:59
Leopold FC660M or Leopold FC750R?
Which one should I buy and why?
What alternatives do I have beside these?
Thank you.
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 26 January 2015, 02:37:42
They both have non-standard spacebar stem positions (the switch is in the correct position, but the stabilisers are closer in than standard) which means very few aftermarket keycap sets will fit. Funny thing is that they have made their spacebars with extra stem positions, so their keycaps will fit any keyboard, just not the other way around.

At least the keycaps on the 750R are very nice, though, thick Cherry profile PBT.

If you don't mind the limited number of keycap sets you'll be able to fit on them, they're both very nice, very well-made keyboards and it just comes down to whether you need dedicated F keys or not and how important the size is to you.

There isn't really an exact alternative to the FC660M since it has a unique layout (and it's the best compact layout with dedicated arrow keys that I am aware of), but Filco and Ducky make very good TKL size boards which are of similar quality to the 750R, although with worse standard keycaps.

Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: skuko on Mon, 26 January 2015, 07:22:38
FC660C :P
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: bowji on Mon, 26 January 2015, 08:26:36
FC660C :P

+1
Id say if you are going the Leopold route and you are considering the 660m layout, go with the topre version of the 660c. Its an awesome board and Im sure a lot of members here will agree. Its my daily driver and I absolutely love it.
Good luck with your search.
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: jdcarpe on Mon, 26 January 2015, 08:49:08
TypeNow Solid  :))
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Zensuji on Mon, 26 January 2015, 09:30:37
FC660C :P

+2
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: animated on Mon, 26 January 2015, 10:25:15
They both have non-standard spacebar stem positions (the switch is in the correct position, but the stabilisers are closer in than standard) which means very few aftermarket keycap sets will fit. Funny thing is that they have made their spacebars with extra stem positions, so their keycaps will fit any keyboard, just not the other way around.

At least the keycaps on the 750R are very nice, though, thick Cherry profile PBT.

If you don't mind the limited number of keycap sets you'll be able to fit on them, they're both very nice, very well-made keyboards and it just comes down to whether you need dedicated F keys or not and how important the size is to you.

There isn't really an exact alternative to the FC660M since it has a unique layout (and it's the best compact layout with dedicated arrow keys that I am aware of), but Filco and Ducky make very good TKL size boards which are of similar quality to the 750R, although with worse standard keycaps.

I think the Leopold FC750R op mentioned can fit standard spacebars now.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong since I jumped on a GB for some new caps :)
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Data on Mon, 26 January 2015, 11:47:17
If you can find it, the Varmilo versions of Leopold boards (they're made in the same factory by the same crew) appear to avoid the spacebar issues.

And they're a bit cheaper.

You're not a Mac user are you?
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Evrycard on Mon, 26 January 2015, 21:09:14
I am a windows user...
Where can I get the best price for a FC660C?
Thx for all the great advises.
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: yomammary on Tue, 27 January 2015, 07:14:35
I recommend widebasket on ebay. He's reliable, don't try to buy a FC660C for cheaper than 200$.
http://stores.ebay.ca/widebasket?_dmd=2&_nkw=fc660c

If anyone knows where to buy one feel free to share.
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: jabbon on Tue, 27 January 2015, 16:53:05
I recommend widebasket on ebay. He's reliable, don't try to buy a FC660C for cheaper than 200$.
http://stores.ebay.ca/widebasket?_dmd=2&_nkw=fc660c

If anyone knows where to buy one feel free to share.

no other sources for a FC660C?
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Evrycard on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:15:45
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331389726136?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
What about this "dream-seller"
Anyone bought from this seller?
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Novus on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:46:40
They both have non-standard spacebar stem positions (the switch is in the correct position, but the stabilisers are closer in than standard) which means very few aftermarket keycap sets will fit. Funny thing is that they have made their spacebars with extra stem positions, so their keycaps will fit any keyboard, just not the other way around.

At least the keycaps on the 750R are very nice, though, thick Cherry profile PBT.

If you don't mind the limited number of keycap sets you'll be able to fit on them, they're both very nice, very well-made keyboards and it just comes down to whether you need dedicated F keys or not and how important the size is to you.

There isn't really an exact alternative to the FC660M since it has a unique layout (and it's the best compact layout with dedicated arrow keys that I am aware of), but Filco and Ducky make very good TKL size boards which are of similar quality to the 750R, although with worse standard keycaps.

No, that's not true.
The 750R uses standard spacebar spacing and will work with any keyset.
The 750R does not share the proprietary non-standard spacing that the 700 does.
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: demik on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:49:34
rf 55g
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Hyde on Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:41:28
rf 55g

This escalated quickly.  :P

Anyway another +1 for FC660C.
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: bowji on Wed, 28 January 2015, 00:06:25
I recommend widebasket on ebay. He's reliable, don't try to buy a FC660C for cheaper than 200$.
http://stores.ebay.ca/widebasket?_dmd=2&_nkw=fc660c

If anyone knows where to buy one feel free to share.

no other sources for a FC660C?

From what I know, elitekeyboards use to sell them but I dont think they do anymore.
I got mine from the leopold website but if youre not in Korea, ebay seems to be your best bet.
Title: Re: Which Leopold?
Post by: Kira on Wed, 28 January 2015, 00:08:01
The main problem with leopolds have got to be the non-standard spacebar, I mean c'mon what were they thinking!