Hi
You can see the profiles in this pic:
https://i.imgur.com/kFxqOm8.jpg
Most boards come with OEM profile. "Cherry profile" is also contoured between rows, but is lower overall and very nice to type on.
Looks like there are 4 versions of the Leopold FC900R:
http://www.leopold.co.kr/data/cheditor/1410/fc900r_series_notice_2_copy2.jpg
The PBT versions of the Leopold FC900R have Cherry profile, the ABS doubleshot (made with 2 different colours of plastic) looks more like OEM. Looks like only one version has backlighting and it has double shot ABS keycaps.
The caps on that Cherry G80-3800 are an odd profile made by Devlin for the Cherry corporation.
About the keycaps on the Code, that's why I mentioned to get a set of other caps. It's less hassle to change keycaps than it is to desolder and swap switches. Also, you could try the board for a while with the stock keycaps and change them if you don't like them.
Some Leopold Cherry profile sets:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PBT-Keycaps-Set-for-Cherry-MX-based-Leopold-Keyboard-Top-Face-Korean-Englih-Navy-/281541208101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418d29e825
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PBT-Keycap-Set-Cherry-MX-based-Leopold-Keyboard-Front-Face-Englih-Black-/281535761839?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PBT-Keycap-Set-Cherry-MX-based-Leopold-Keyboard-Front-Face-English-White-/271611781746?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PBT-Keycap-Set-Cherry-MX-based-Leopold-Keyboard-Blank-Non-Printed-Navy-/271530133899?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0
As I said before, though, most of the best quality sets in the nicest profiles don't allow the light from the backlight LED's to shine through.
In the end you have to decide for yourself which factors matter most to you: Switch type, backlighting, keycap material, keycap profile, aesthetics, etc...
Some links to research more:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Keycap_construction
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Keyboard_profile
I really like the design of that keyboard and its red/white keycaps and the low profile LED. Keycap height isn't a dire necessity for me as I suppose I could always shrink it with o-rings. And you're right, I looked up how swapping keyswitches works, but since I have no knowledge about soldering it's not a possibility for me.
Keycap material isn't overly important as long as the lettering doesn't rub off over time. My only concern about the WASD Code is that it is relatively expensive compared to the others, and if possible I'd prefer not having to custom order keycaps as that would raise the overall cost of the keyboard even higher. From what I've seen, custom keycaps can easily cost an extra $50 for a set of them including shipping, which is not desirable.
I've read some reviews about how the Code's keycaps were really low quality, so I want to pass on it. In terms of a stock keyboard, my #1 choice at the moment still remains a Ducky (as it appears to be overall the best), or some other in-store brand that isn't Corsair or Razer (etc.).
If you could inform me as to what switch would be approximately second-best to the Clears, that would be very helpful. After some consultation with my friends last night, I narrowed down my choices to either the Reds, Browns, or the Blacks, with o-rings.
Backlighting is a nice plus if it is available. Profile isn't really too important as I've tried many in the past with the membrane keyboards. My current Logitech K120 is weird though; all the keys are the same size and the board is just flat, but the keycaps aren't chiclet:
https://centrecomstatic.s3.amazonaws.com/images/upload/0010836_0.jpegI've actually grown to somewhat like this keycap design and its profile, so if there's some keycap like it, that would be cool to have. Otherwise, I can adjust. Keycaps and profile have never really bothered me in the past when changing from keyboard to keyboard (all of them were membranes).
I don't know what the general opinion of these are, and the more experienced people here should be able to elaborate on this, but I saw this just now and thought it might suit your needs.
Yes, the KUL is probably the most perfect choice for me in terms of function, but the mere fact that KUL refuses to make non-TKL keyboards renders it a no-go in my book. Thanks for the suggestion though!
