FC660C vs HHKB Type-S

[OnTheBrink]

Okay, I searched around and got mixed responses on this so I want to collect some feedback.

I wanted a Type-S as my first Topre. This is because I fell in love with the silenced sound of a Topre. I purchased an FC660C with the objective of modding the board to save money. While before I fell in love with the sound, I now fell in love with the feel, so I bought some landing pads, ironed them down, opened up a tutorial, carefully popped this puppy open and after hours of taking my time to not get a single scratch, chip or crack on or in the board; I modded my first keyboard.

I didn't like the reduction in travel distance at all. I understand(stood) what people mean(t) by it not reducing the travel distance by much, but I guess I have sensitive fingers. I actually closed up the entire keyboard and tried using it and it just took away the whole Topre experience for me so I demodded it (yes, I know demodding isn't a word). The switches actually felt borderline linear in my opinion. This brought me all the way back to staring down a Type-S again. From my understanding, the stems were made a little longer so when it was modded, it does not reduce the travel distance. I am just about ready to throw this on the classfields, but like I said, I received some mixed input.

Some people say the FC660C feels more solid and others say it is the layout. Can someone who can remain objective and/or not give in to new purchase euphoria (meaning they like one or the other more because that is their most recent board) give me a solid comparison?

Since my main concern is the keyboard feeling solid but I do want the silencing, is the FC660C so much more solid that it outweighs the Type-S, or does the 'thock' of a Type-S and/or the layout of an HHKB still make it king of the Topre?


Thanks guys.

[riotonthebay]

My advice: if you have the money, don't solicit opinions; just try it for yourself. Worst case is you sell it "like new" and lose out on a small bit of cash. Best case you find your end game board and don't have to keep spending money on keyboarding.

[exitfire401]

Okay, I searched around and got mixed responses on this so I want to collect some feedback.

I wanted a Type-S as my first Topre. This is because I fell in love with the silenced sound of a Topre. I purchased an FC660C with the objective of modding the board to save money. While before I fell in love with the sound, I now fell in love with the feel, so I bought some landing pads, ironed them down, opened up a tutorial, carefully popped this puppy open and after hours of taking my time to not get a single scratch, chip or crack on or in the board; I modded my first keyboard.

I didn't like the reduction in travel distance at all. I understand(stood) what people mean(t) by it not reducing the travel distance by much, but I guess I have sensitive fingers. I actually closed up the entire keyboard and tried using it and it just took away the whole Topre experience for me so I demodded it (yes, I know demodding isn't a word). The switches actually felt borderline linear in my opinion. This brought me all the way back to staring down a Type-S again. From my understanding, the stems were made a little longer so when it was modded, it does not reduce the travel distance. I am just about ready to throw this on the classfields, but like I said, I received some mixed input.

Some people say the FC660C feels more solid and others say it is the layout. Can someone who can remain objective and/or not give in to new purchase euphoria (meaning they like one or the other more because that is their most recent board) give me a solid comparison?

Since my main concern is the keyboard feeling solid but I do want the silencing, is the FC660C so much more solid that it outweighs the Type-S, or does the 'thock' of a Type-S and/or the layout of an HHKB still make it king of the Topre?


Thanks guys.

I attempted to do the same mod as you before I did the o2dazone mod, and also hated the feeling. o2dazone (silicone sheet and metal punches) was great because it does not modify the travel of the switch at all. I can't speak for anything about the type-s unfortunately, but I am planning on buying one in the future. As for the fc660c, it's a wonderful board, and if you try the o2dazone mod, I feel like you'll be more than happy with the outcome.

[jwaz]

I didn't like the reduction in travel distance at all. I understand(stood) what people mean(t) by it not reducing the travel distance by much, but I guess I have sensitive fingers. I actually closed up the entire keyboard and tried using it and it just took away the whole Topre experience for me so I demodded it (yes, I know demodding isn't a word). The switches actually felt borderline linear in my opinion. This brought me all the way back to staring down a Type-S again. From my understanding, the stems were made a little longer so when it was modded, it does not reduce the travel distance. I am just about ready to throw this on the classfields, but like I said, I received some mixed input.

Some people say the FC660C feels more solid and others say it is the layout. Can someone who can remain objective and/or not give in to new purchase euphoria (meaning they like one or the other more because that is their most recent board) give me a solid comparison?

Since my main concern is the keyboard feeling solid but I do want the silencing, is the FC660C so much more solid that it outweighs the Type-S, or does the 'thock' of a Type-S and/or the layout of an HHKB still make it king of the Topre?

It isn't really worth it for the money unless you can pick one up on sale or in the classifieds but I'd go Type-S all the way. I'm huge fan of the amount of travel vs o-rings (which I hated, way too much travel loss).


I use both the Pro 2 and Type-S, to be fair I haven't tried a 660c for an extended period of time but I do have topre boards with a plate and I can't really stand that layout.

[OnTheBrink]

I didn't like the reduction in travel distance at all. I understand(stood) what people mean(t) by it not reducing the travel distance by much, but I guess I have sensitive fingers. I actually closed up the entire keyboard and tried using it and it just took away the whole Topre experience for me so I demodded it (yes, I know demodding isn't a word). The switches actually felt borderline linear in my opinion. This brought me all the way back to staring down a Type-S again. From my understanding, the stems were made a little longer so when it was modded, it does not reduce the travel distance. I am just about ready to throw this on the classfields, but like I said, I received some mixed input.

Some people say the FC660C feels more solid and others say it is the layout. Can someone who can remain objective and/or not give in to new purchase euphoria (meaning they like one or the other more because that is their most recent board) give me a solid comparison?

Since my main concern is the keyboard feeling solid but I do want the silencing, is the FC660C so much more solid that it outweighs the Type-S, or does the 'thock' of a Type-S and/or the layout of an HHKB still make it king of the Topre?

Would you say that the plated Topres you use feel much more solid than a Type-S or not really? To add to that, do you feel the silencing in the Type-S adds to the solidity of the board's feel?

It isn't really worth it for the money unless you can pick one up on sale or in the classifieds but I'd go Type-S all the way. I'm huge fan of the amount of travel vs o-rings (which I hated, way too much travel loss).


I use both the Pro 2 and Type-S, to be fair I haven't tried a 660c for an extended period of time but I do have topre boards with a plate and I can't really stand that layout.

[OnTheBrink]

I didn't like the reduction in travel distance at all. I understand(stood) what people mean(t) by it not reducing the travel distance by much, but I guess I have sensitive fingers. I actually closed up the entire keyboard and tried using it and it just took away the whole Topre experience for me so I demodded it (yes, I know demodding isn't a word). The switches actually felt borderline linear in my opinion. This brought me all the way back to staring down a Type-S again. From my understanding, the stems were made a little longer so when it was modded, it does not reduce the travel distance. I am just about ready to throw this on the classfields, but like I said, I received some mixed input.

Some people say the FC660C feels more solid and others say it is the layout. Can someone who can remain objective and/or not give in to new purchase euphoria (meaning they like one or the other more because that is their most recent board) give me a solid comparison?

Since my main concern is the keyboard feeling solid but I do want the silencing, is the FC660C so much more solid that it outweighs the Type-S, or does the 'thock' of a Type-S and/or the layout of an HHKB still make it king of the Topre?

It isn't really worth it for the money unless you can pick one up on sale or in the classifieds but I'd go Type-S all the way. I'm huge fan of the amount of travel vs o-rings (which I hated, way too much travel loss).


I use both the Pro 2 and Type-S, to be fair I haven't tried a 660c for an extended period of time but I do have topre boards with a plate and I can't really stand that layout.

Would you say that the plated Topres you use feel much more solid than a Type-S or not really? To add to that, do you feel the silencing in the Type-S adds to the solidity of the board's feel?

Okay, I searched around and got mixed responses on this so I want to collect some feedback.

I wanted a Type-S as my first Topre. This is because I fell in love with the silenced sound of a Topre. I purchased an FC660C with the objective of modding the board to save money. While before I fell in love with the sound, I now fell in love with the feel, so I bought some landing pads, ironed them down, opened up a tutorial, carefully popped this puppy open and after hours of taking my time to not get a single scratch, chip or crack on or in the board; I modded my first keyboard.

I didn't like the reduction in travel distance at all. I understand(stood) what people mean(t) by it not reducing the travel distance by much, but I guess I have sensitive fingers. I actually closed up the entire keyboard and tried using it and it just took away the whole Topre experience for me so I demodded it (yes, I know demodding isn't a word). The switches actually felt borderline linear in my opinion. This brought me all the way back to staring down a Type-S again. From my understanding, the stems were made a little longer so when it was modded, it does not reduce the travel distance. I am just about ready to throw this on the classfields, but like I said, I received some mixed input.

Some people say the FC660C feels more solid and others say it is the layout. Can someone who can remain objective and/or not give in to new purchase euphoria (meaning they like one or the other more because that is their most recent board) give me a solid comparison?

Since my main concern is the keyboard feeling solid but I do want the silencing, is the FC660C so much more solid that it outweighs the Type-S, or does the 'thock' of a Type-S and/or the layout of an HHKB still make it king of the Topre?


Thanks guys.

I attempted to do the same mod as you before I did the o2dazone mod, and also hated the feeling. o2dazone (silicone sheet and metal punches) was great because it does not modify the travel of the switch at all. I can't speak for anything about the type-s unfortunately, but I am planning on buying one in the future. As for the fc660c, it's a wonderful board, and if you try the o2dazone mod, I feel like you'll be more than happy with the outcome.

I might do that actually but if it did not reduce the travel distance, what made you dislike the feel?

[allocerveau]

Went from a HHKB Pro 2 to a HHKB Pro 2 Type-S, their is no travel reduction at all (the switch on the Type S is in fact a little bit longer to compensate for the landing pad). The feeling is exactly the same as on the HHKB, minus the "plastic-y" noise when you lift up the key. Instead you get a nice double 'thock' each time you press and release the key. If you like the HHKB, you'll like everything about the Type-S.

[AKIMbO]

Went from a HHKB Pro 2 to a HHKB Pro 2 Type-S, their is no travel reduction at all (the switch on the Type S is in fact a little bit longer to compensate for the landing pad). The feeling is exactly the same as on the HHKB, minus the "plastic-y" noise when you lift up the key. Instead you get a nice double 'thock' each time you press and release the key. If you like the HHKB, you'll like everything about the Type-S.

I believe it's only the silenced realforce boards with purple plungers that have a different stem design to compensate for the loss in depth the switches have a result of the silencing disks. The hhkb type s is identical to  an unsilenced hhkb except for having a silencing disk around each stem (ie. the type s and unsilenced hhkb use the exact same stem).

[Xowie]

My advice: if you have the money, don't solicit opinions; just try it for yourself. Worst case is you sell it "like new" and lose out on a small bit of cash. Best case you find your end game board and don't have to keep spending money on keyboarding.

I agree with this advice. From looking at the classifieds, HHKBs typically have no problem selling. Paying a 10ish% premium to try out a new board is worth it to me.