Das 4 vs Code Clear vs Leopold FC660MC/EB

[VimLover]

I have spent a year lusting after the Code keyboard, and I finally think I will be able to get one next month when they restock. This will be my first mechanical keyboard. I am a professional software engineer and writer, so I need something robust.

Recently I have heard some accounts saying that the Code Keyboard is of poor build quality. I have therefore broadened my choices to the Das 4, Code Clear TKL, and the small Leopold with blue switches. I am wondering if the build quality on the Leopold would be better than a WASD made code. I have heard that Filco, Leopold, and WASD are all made at the same set of factories. I am looking to spend less than 170, I have researched and purchased a sample pack of switches. I like clear and blue, but I have no idea what a full keyboard with these switches would feel or sound like. The Leopold caught my eye because I am a heavy Vim user, but I usually map the caps lock key to escape, so having the escape key so close would just be a nice to have. I would rather have the best build quality and typing experience. The Das looks like its fairly popular as a brand and I like the USB 3.0 passthroughs and the aluminum plate.

I would really appreciate any helpful information from people who have experienced these keyboards, or can give some advice to a new guy trying to get the most bang for his buck. Thanks in advance.

[duzeyao]

I think Das4 is the choice if you don't consider budget as a problem.

[luisbg]

I have a Leopold FC660M and I am very happy with it. Very solid and well built.

The small factor makes it very comfortable and good looking, but you still have arrow keys which are great if you need them a lot like I do.

[VimLover]

I've been looking at keyboards some more, and I also like the look of this Poker II board. My problem with Das is that it has the Ten Key, which I rarely use, and I really want to be able to get some custom custom keycaps with my company's logo on them eventually, and that makes me want to get a plainer board.

[tp4tissue]

Those are all great choices for your novice entry into the wonderful-world-of-keyboards..

I'm not sure why you'd wait so long for the CODE though.. since you could've gotten something else.. sell it @ 30% loss, and buy the CODE..  and you're out maybe $50,  but you would've had something to use for a whole year...

[luisbg]

I've been looking at keyboards some more, and I also like the look of this Poker II board. My problem with Das is that it has the Ten Key, which I rarely use, and I really want to be able to get some custom custom keycaps with my company's logo on them eventually, and that makes me want to get a plainer board.

Yeah. FC660M or Poker II was the exact same hard decision I had to make for my first mech board. I think it all depends on how much you use the arrow keys.

Poker II is a bit more aesthetic and programmable. Leopold is more comfortable if you use the extra 5 keys a lot.

[ideus]

I use an FC660M at work, and a Poker X at home. The last is the previous version of the Poker 2, however this one does not have a plate, but I can comment on its layout.

FC660M:

Build: Very solid, high quality finish and the weight is in the heavy side for its size.
Layout: The perfect size for my use, I do some programming, writing and general surfing. I am a heavy user of excel for financial modeling and I prefer this layout to the Poker's. The arrows and the delete keys are always handy.
Feeling: Outstanding, high quality, nice sound.

Cons: The layout requires three special keys: 1u windows key, 2.25u right shift, and the main issue is its space bar does not have standard stem positions.


POKER X:

Poker X (Please be aware that this is not the same than the Poker 2, so I will just share my experience with the Layout.

Layout: It is ANSI standard, thus, you can use any MX set available. The keyboard looks very nice, exactly as if you have cut out from a full size one. The arrows are not a problem, after you get use to the FN+ combinations. The Poker X also has a mode to set the right modifiers and the right shift into an arrows set, but it also can use FN+WASD as arrows. I have found this very useful. The new Poker 2 can't use the right mods as arrows, which I regret, otherwise I may get a Poker 2 for the macros capability.

Cons: If it were the Poker 2 I may consider the lack of an arrows block over the right modifiers as a con. The Poker X is just perfect for me. I really do not need the macro capacity of the Poker 2, of course it may be handy.

Conclusion: I may had a hard time if I were in the case of decide between a Poker 2 and a Leopold FC660M. I think I may be more inclined to buy the Leopold, because I do not like the access of arrows on the Poker 2, however it is suppose you can set arrows in the PN layer at any place but on the right modifiers block, where is the natural position for my style of keyboard usage.

I hope this may add some value to the information you already have.

[Oobly]

Depending on what is more important to you, I would recommend 3 boards: Poker II, KBT Pure and FC660M.

The FC660M comes with Clears, has a great layout and it's easy to start using due to the arrow key layout and position. Great quality board, too. Keycaps are hard to replace due to the weird spacebar mount positions and 2.25x right shift, but it is possible to find some sets. Apparently the Keycool 84 and 87 spacebars fit and the right shift is the same size as the left, so you just need an extra one of those. For many sets you have to harvest stems and mount them to the spacebars to get them to fit, though. Stock caps are medium thickness PBT and quite decent. I think this board has the best out-of-the-box feel of the three, although Poker II non-backlit is very close.

The Poker II has standard layout, so is the easiest to find replacement keycaps, cases and other accessories for customising. Fn layer is only okay, but it's also programmable which adds a lot to its flexibility, so you don't have to stick with the default Fn layer. It doesn't come with Clears. Build quality is very good, though not quite as "solid" as the Leopold. It feels awesome in an aluminium case, though. The non-backlit version comes with thick PBT keycaps.

KBT Pure is similar to the Poker II, but is PCB mounted (no plate) and not programmable. However, the Fn layout is very good and you can toggle the right hand modifiers into an arrow cluster (even though the Poker II is programmable, you can't do this with it). Keycap options are more limited than Poker II, but you only need one different cap (1.75x right shift) and many sets come with an option that includes one. Also, since the board is small and mounts solidly to the case with 6 screws you don't really miss the plate. Having no plate makes it easy to open the switches to modify them. Fits most aftermarket 60% cases. Stock caps are thin ABS and not very nice.

I have a KBT pure with aluminium case, aluminium plate and modded ErgoClears with the GH Nostalgia keycaps on. Love it, but I've spent too much on it

[Mainian]

O_o, since you don't like the numpad, stay away from the DAS -> you'll probably be unhappy.

I have used the Code keyboard. I own a Poker X, Poker 2, and a Leopold FC660CM.

A friend of mine and fellow software engineer just bought his first mechanical keyboard. He has used all of the above boards and he really does not like the alternative layouts. May just be him, but of the 3 60%, he likes the FC660. (Should mention he has also used the HHKB Pro2). It may just be the arrow cluster being awkward on these boards, but really if you use the arrow keys a great bit, it might be a good idea to have dedicated keys for them.

I rotate between a poker x, poker 2, leopold fc660, and a filco mj2 tkl.

On build quality, the leopold fc660, poker 2, and the code are all very good. Really, you aren't sacrificing anything by picking between these boards.

[luisbg]

It is funny how many people have both the FC660M and the Poker II. After building an Ergodox I might get myself a Poker II to complete the trifecta.

Then I can rotate at home and work.

[ideus]

Depending on what is more important to you, I would recommend 3 boards: Poker II, KBT Pure and FC660M.

The FC660M comes with Clears, has a great layout and it's easy to start using due to the arrow key layout and position. Great quality board, too. Keycaps are hard to replace due to the weird spacebar mount positions and 2.25x right shift, but it is possible to find some sets. Apparently the Keycool 84 and 87 spacebars fit and the right shift is the same size as the left, so you just need an extra one of those. For many sets you have to harvest stems and mount them to the spacebars to get them to fit, though. Stock caps are medium thickness PBT and quite decent. I think this board has the best out-of-the-box feel of the three, although Poker II non-backlit is very close.

The Poker II has standard layout, so is the easiest to find replacement keycaps, cases and other accessories for customising. Fn layer is only okay, but it's also programmable which adds a lot to its flexibility, so you don't have to stick with the default Fn layer. It doesn't come with Clears. Build quality is very good, though not quite as "solid" as the Leopold. It feels awesome in an aluminium case, though. The non-backlit version comes with thick PBT keycaps.

KBT Pure is similar to the Poker II, but is PCB mounted (no plate) and not programmable. However, the Fn layout is very good and you can toggle the right hand modifiers into an arrow cluster (even though the Poker II is programmable, you can't do this with it). Keycap options are more limited than Poker II, but you only need one different cap (1.75x right shift) and many sets come with an option that includes one. Also, since the board is small and mounts solidly to the case with 6 screws you don't really miss the plate. Having no plate makes it easy to open the switches to modify them. Fits most aftermarket 60% cases. Stock caps are thin ABS and not very nice.

I have a KBT pure with aluminium case, aluminium plate and modded ErgoClears with the GH Nostalgia keycaps on. Love it, but I've spent too much on it

KBT Pure has been replaced by the Pure pro, I do not think it is available anymore, but the pure pro.