Filco, Leopold, or CM Storm

[funxion]

I'm going to be making the switch over to a mechanical board from a Logitech G510.

Looking at Filco, Leopold, or CM Storm all with brown switches.

I'd really like to get my hands on a nice Filco if the price is right (might be happening somewhat soon), but would settle for a Leopold or CM Storm if the price/quality ratio just isn't worth it.

Any advice from experienced users of any of these boards as to why I should choose one over the other?

Appreciate the help.

[itlnstln]

You can't go wrong with a Filco.  From what I understand, the CM Storm is sourced from the same OEM as Filco (Costar) and should be pretty similar in use. I have not, however, used a Leopold or CM Storm, and as such can't give a true comparison.  I'm sure others will chime in.  The consensus seems to be that Filco, and I would imagine the CM Storm as well, are better than Leopolds, but again, I don't know personally.

[gorky]

If you can live with CM's logos everywhere take the Quickfire. From all reviews it seems to be a Filco with additional multimedia shortcuts and half of Filco's price.

[funxion]

I can't stand the logos. If I got it, I'd probably have to stain it or something. Don't really want to go through all that trouble.

[Nunez]

I have both a filco and leopold, Filco definitely wins. Whether you want to spend the extra for slight gains is up to you.

There is nothing wrong with leopold, it just nit picking. The price increase isn't really justifiable in some eyes, but in others its worth it. If you're going for a TKL, hold out for the FC700R. Leopold have fixed some issues with it and you can save yourself some money on PBT keycaps

All in all, its your choice and whether you can justify the extra money.

[HolidaySHRIMP]

Own two Leopold's (mx blue and brown) in tkl versions. Love them. My next will be a filco in reds if/when they are available new again at sane prices.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[eth0s]

I have two Filco's and two Leo's, and honestly the Leo's are just as good as the Filco's.  The only difference is of course the stabilizers.  On my keyboards, the Leo stabilizers on both shift keys can be a little funky.  Right now, I now have some of IMSTO's thick dye-sub PBT's on my MX Blue Leo, and the shift keys are not doing so great.  They are great if you hit them dead-center, but they can "wobble" a bit if you hit them on either extreme end of the keycap.  Now this only happens with these super thick IMSTO dye-subs, so don't blow this out of proportion.  Also the stock keys work great, and I have no complaints at all.   Also when I had a set of original Cherry double-shot keys on this MX blue Leo, the Leo stabilizers worked great.  And they worked pretty good with Hashbaz's RBGY moogle kit.  So what am I saying?  For better stabilizers get the Filco.  For a great keyboard, with not great stabilizers, get the Leo.  The stabilizers however, should not be a deal-breaker, especially if you intend to use the stock keycaps.   In which case I think I would say save the money and get the Leo.  And I am definitely a Filco fanboy, so of course I also highly recommend the Filco as well.

[funxion]

Ordered a black Filco Ninja MJ2 with browns for $130 shipped.

[Awful]

Damn you. I was watching that Ebay auction ^

That is where you got it, isn't it?

[eth0s]

Ordered a black Filco Ninja MJ2 with browns for $130 shipped.

Excellent choice!

Now I strongly recommend also getting this Leo with MX blues: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rcaw

For $89 it's a great deal.  Plus it's white, and it's TKL, and you can compare/ contrast:  White vs Black; Browns vs Blues; Leo vs Filco; Full-sized vs TKL.  Do this my young friend, and your keyboard wisdom will grow exponentially, and your enjoyment of both boards will increase as well, simply by using both.  It sounds strange, but it's true.

[funxion]

Excellent choice!

Now I strongly recommend also getting this Leo with MX blues: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rcaw

For $89 it's a great deal.  Plus it's white, and it's TKL, and you can compare/ contrast:  White vs Black; Browns vs Blues; Leo vs Filco; Full-sized vs TKL.  Do this my young friend, and your keyboard wisdom will grow exponentially, and your enjoyment of both boards will increase as well, simply by using both.  It sounds strange, but it's true.

I want to so badly, but I'm a student with no job and only have enough for the one board right now. I'll get into collecting/trading them, I'm sure!

[funxion]

Damn you. I was watching that Ebay auction ^

That is where you got it, isn't it?

Yep. Sick deal right?

[Awful]

Yeah man it was for sure. Being an owner of a Tkl Filco currently, let me tell you. You're going to love it. Pretty sure I'm going to get the other one you were checking out in the classifieds haha!

[royalsego]

unlike maybe 95% of geekhack, i enjoy cherry stabilizers, so i'm waiting on pins and needles for the new leopold

[funxion]

Yeah man it was for sure. Being an owner of a Tkl Filco currently, let me tell you. You're going to love it. Pretty sure I'm going to get the other one you were checking out in the classifieds haha!

The one from f4d3? I wanted that board, but I'd rather save the $30 if I can and wait to do mods and such.

[Awful]

I like Cherry stabilizers too. I like them both in their own way actually.

The one from f4d3? I wanted that board, but I'd rather save the $30 if I can and wait to do mods and such.

You mean 15$? The one on Ebay was 130, he's asking 145 :\ The pbt caps on his are well worth that difference imo.

[funxion]

I like Cherry stabilizers too. I like them both in their own way actually.




You mean 15$? The one on Ebay was 130, he's asking 145 :\ The pbt caps on his are well worth that difference imo.

Meant $20, sorry. And he was asking $150 originally, but still a really good deal with those caps for sure.