Looking to upgrade my FC200R/KB

[dnLL]

Hi all,

I currently have a Leopold FC200R with Browns in it, white PBT keycaps. This was my first mech keyboard, I have it since a couple years already (2012) and I want some change, so I started looking at thick white blank PBT keycaps and I'm now wondering if I should upgrade the whole keyboard.

I don't really have much of a budget, I mean, I don't want to pay $200 if no real change is needed besides the keycaps, but still. I see that there is a new Leopold keyboard, the FC700r, I read a couple of reviews but they never really compare with the 200R except for the sharp corners. Also, it looks like there is still some issues with a non-standard spacebar.

Is there any real benefit to change my FC200r, assuming I'm happy with Cherry MX Brown right now? I looked at Topre keyboards too, they are more expansive but I saw a lot of people just prefering Cherry MX anyway, so I'm not sure it's really an upgrade.

Also, if I keep my 200R, where's the best place I can find thick PBT white keycaps with no printings? I'm in Canada.

Thank you very much!

[Novus]

Actually leopold 750R is the newesst one and I can recommend it.
Another one is also KUL.

[dnLL]

Actually leopold 750R is the newesst one and I can recommend it.
Another one is also KUL.

Thank you for your advice.

I saw that EK is now selling KUL keyboards. What's the difference exactly between the 750R and the 200R, quality-wise? Is there any issue with the spacebar if I want to change the keycaps?

I might also be open to go with Cherry MX Blues, I'm really not sure right now. I had a chance to try blue switches in a local store since they had the Razer Blackwidow and I love the sound and the feedback but I'm not sure about liking blue switches in the long run. I plan to keep the keyboard a couple of years again at least...

Also, I'm looking for a TKL keyboard, I forgot to mention (I got used to my TKL Leopold and never want to see a numpad on my home desktop again).

Also, after looking a little bit more about the 750R, it looks like it already comes with thick PBT keycaps. Is that right? If they got a TKL black board with white keycaps, no prints, thick PBT... sounds like the perfect deal, isn't it?

[Novus]

These two boards are definitely newer generation and reflect modern trends.

I heard old leopolds were actually quite crappy.
Never used older leopolds but I believe the newer generation is definitely higher quality and feels better.
I think they've drastically improved based on what I've seen from Leopold.
Also made in Taiwan.
PBT keycaps are 1.5M
Comes with thick pbt and a sound absorbing pad underneath.
Spacebar is normal.
White keycaps don't have blanks for some reason but everything else comes in blank, side print and top print (I think).
Compared to other stock keyboards, I would definitely put this up there.

Heard good things about KUL, haven't bought one yet.
I don't think KUL's offering is as good as the 750
Personally, I think the 750 is a better deal than the KUL especially if you're looking at a one off solution but it might not be bad to try another brand.

[dnLL]

These two boards are definitely newer generation and reflect modern trends.

I heard old leopolds were actually quite crappy.
Never used older leopolds but I believe the newer generation is definitely higher quality and feels better.
I think they've drastically improved based on what I've seen from Leopold.
Also made in Taiwan.
PBT keycaps are 1.5M
Comes with thick pbt and a sound absorbing pad underneath.
Spacebar is normal.
White keycaps don't have blanks for some reason but everything else comes in blank, side print and top print (I think).
Compared to other stock keyboards, I would definitely put this up there.

Heard good things about KUL, haven't bought one yet.
I don't think KUL's offering is as good as the 750
Personally, I think the 750 is a better deal than the KUL especially if you're looking at a one off solution but it might not be bad to try another brand.

Where's the best place to buy one? Considering I'm in Canada. I found a couple ones from South Korea on eBay at 140 USD, no blank keycaps however and I have to get white keycaps on white board or black keycaps on black board although I would really prefer getting the contrast of white keycaps on a black board (but I could buy 2, switch the keycaps and sell the other one or, if it's really quiet, use it in my office).

Also, do you have any recommendation going from brown switches to blue switches? Is that something I might regret? It's really hard to tell when local stores don't sell Leopold.

[Jokrik]

These two boards are definitely newer generation and reflect modern trends.

I heard old leopolds were actually quite crappy.
Never used older leopolds but I believe the newer generation is definitely higher quality and feels better.
I think they've drastically improved based on what I've seen from Leopold.
Also made in Taiwan.
PBT keycaps are 1.5M
Comes with thick pbt and a sound absorbing pad underneath.
Spacebar is normal.
White keycaps don't have blanks for some reason but everything else comes in blank, side print and top print (I think).
Compared to other stock keyboards, I would definitely put this up there.

Heard good things about KUL, haven't bought one yet.
I don't think KUL's offering is as good as the 750
Personally, I think the 750 is a better deal than the KUL especially if you're looking at a one off solution but it might not be bad to try another brand.

Where's the best place to buy one? Considering I'm in Canada. I found a couple ones from South Korea on eBay at 140 USD, no blank keycaps however and I have to get white keycaps on white board or black keycaps on black board although I would really prefer getting the contrast of white keycaps on a black board (but I could buy 2, switch the keycaps and sell the other one or, if it's really quiet, use it in my office).

Also, do you have any recommendation going from brown switches to blue switches? Is that something I might regret? It's really hard to tell when local stores don't sell Leopold.

You can try checking Hendyzone over the vendor sub forum for 750

regarding browns to blues, I wont risk it if you haven't try it yourself
I myself only use blues, to move away to another switch? Never.....

[NorrisB]

Just stick with your 200R that's a great keyboard.  The main difference between the older and new generation is the keycaps. 

[KnivesM]

The 750R is really nice just got it a couple days ago but the build quality is awesome. My first Leopold so I can't compare it to the 200 or any other but it's far above my Ducky Shine 3.

[tetraslash]

There's the new FC900R if you're interested in a full-sized keyboard. You can order it from widebasket on eBay.

[dnLL]

Nah, I really want to stick with TKL, I just want to know if I would see a significant improvement going from a 200R to a 750R, I already have PBT keycaps on my 200R but I plan on getting thick ones anyway.

If there is no reason to upgrade my keyboard, I will just order a new set of keycaps, assuming I want to stick with my Cherry MX Browns and not switch to Blues.

the1onewolf says it's drastically improved, and I know there is the absorbing pad too that I don't have on my 200R, does it make any difference? I don't care too much about the noise.

[Sencha]

The 200r is a superb board. Build quality is great. I'd be inclined to get some super thick Leopold put caps for it.