Are Leopolds still the best factory pre-built?

[HungerMechanic]

There's a number of reviews on GeekHack extolling the Leopolds as the best factory pre-builts for standard Cherry MX switches, even imploring people to go out and get one right now.

I almost pulled the trigger on an FC900 PD from MK.com, but waited too long and missed the last one with MX Browns.

Some of the reviews and comments here, and on other sites, suggest that the FC900 compares favourably to the Filco Majestouch, especially in terms of stabilizers, keycaps, and even switch feel. The reviews of the 2018 Leopolds suggested that the FC900s were using the new retooled browns, which felt 'different, somehow' and better.

I've never been 100% satisfied with my Majestouch, which has some rattle and noisy stabs. I want to try the FC900 [MX Brown].

My big concern is, there's been a run on Brown switches ever since the Ducky keyboards got popularized on that Youtube video. I wonder if the retooled browns will keep their slightly-improved characteristics over those from Cherry's pre-2016 dark age. [The 'retooled' MX Blacks have already fallen off in quality, if I understand properly.]

So does Leopold still have it together? Anyone bought one in 2019? And is it an 'upgrade' from the Majestouch, or a 'sidegrade?'

--

Also, I purchased a Varmilo VA87 from their custom store for someone else, and that was noticeably a quality board. How does Leopold compare? [It's not a direct comparison, because the VA87 is a TKL that uses a low-profile case, something I haven't seen in a full-sized board.]

[Sup]

From what i have seen is that Leopold is the new Filco. They got foam in the inside less noise and better sounds. Better key cap profile close to cherry also in PBT. overall quality seems to be on par with Filco case/plate wise. Not sure if the last one is true but someone said that they clip the stabilizers that will make the space bar less rattly. Short answer its the best widely available  OEM keyboard you can get.

[HungerMechanic]

Yes, I should probably get the next one that arrives at MK.COM.

I will be sure to let you know how it compares.

Maybe turn the Filco into a mod keyboard, like this guy did:

https://terrencemiao.github.io/blog/2017/08/02/Customisation-of-Filco-Majestouch-2-Mechanical-Keyboard/

[SpAmRaY]

I'm very much a Leopold fan, my daily driver has been a leopold for a few years now.

I prefer the 980m layout.

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[Gampela]

Leopold's doubleshot pbt keycaps are really nice too. The profile is very similar to cherry, but the switch stem goes slightly deeper into the keycaps so they lay marginally flatter than cherrys. Also areawise they are little smaller.

[HungerMechanic]

I know from reading this board and others that Leopold's PBT double-shots are considered 'God-tier.'

Hardly anyone else does PBT double-shots, and these are in the perfect SS2 profile. You won't find these on other people's keyboards.

So the keycaps are no contest. [Although I love Varmilo, which is basically a single-shot dye-sub SS2].

In fact, the only real competition here seems to be Varmilo.

But they use a hokey faux wood-grain on their plastic case 104-key, which makes them too cheesy to consider. Otherwise, I'd be undecided.

[brianjking]

I'd say Leopold is definitely a great OEM board. Solid build, Cherry style stabilizers, essentially Cherry profile keycaps which are thick PBT, and fair price point.

[Leslieann]

There are quite a few well made keyboards out there, it's mechanical components not art, Leopold just happens to have some of the best off-the-shelf combination of those parts.

Don't forget that customs are more common and easier to get than ever and many keyboards can be upgraded (check my signature for my Filco mods).

[yet1hunter]

They’re not the 80’s tanks I grew up on, but that’s because they’re modern sized.  I feel that there is more value in them than what MK is charging.   The case is more plastic tabs than screws, so I would fear opening one up, but I’m not planning on doing that ever.   Otherwise, yes, good stuff.   A weird phenomena: my TKL is dead silent (other than blue click n’ key clack).  Absolutely zero resonance on the steel plate.  Y’all call it “ping”, correct?   Meanwhile my numpad pings, and my 1800 style (FC980M) piiiiiiiiiiings.   But, I am comparing to their completely dead TKL and not your average mechanical.  Some salt grains to be shared, for sure.

I’ve grown to love the FC980 layout while simultaneously hating the one unit sized 0 key.   At some point in my lifetime, my mom had a Compaq that came with the rebranded Cherry board that it’s based on, so, I kind of was aware going in.  Hence why I also bought the TKL + Numpad combo at the same time, just in case.   I can’t speak on the regular 104-key they have on offer since replacing my full sized board was part of the conquest.   

I did replace them, but their new doubleshot pbt keycaps are very good.   Not better nor worse than OG Cherry/GMK, but different and obviously the legends are smaller as well.

For the MAC users, there’s a dipswitch to flip flop the WIN key.   *warning to those said mac users, most keycap sets are going to leave you flummoxed thanks to the Leopold function key....you’ll know what I mean if and when the time comes. :0  Also, you’ll lose media keys in Mojave, but mute and volume are randomly still available under the function layer.  This is, of course, if you’re not using karibiner and whatnot.

For the Capslock Ctrl flip floppers, there’s not only a dipswitch, but also provided keycaps.   

For the gamers, a winkey lockout dipswitch. 

Concerning the stabilizers, there is nothing bad about them I can think of.  I presumed that they’re Cherry and not some other make mixed with Cherry switches ala some other boards out there.  With stock caps, everything feels the same.  With GMK and SP caps, some of the stabilized modifiers feel “tight”, if that makes sense.  Brown sandpaper times two.  But I like those modifiers to not be loosey goosey, so, I’m cool with that.

Concerning the browns, I do have them on one of the boards and they feel like browns to me.
I wish I could say more.  But, I’m “captain bottoms out”, and not the one you should trust on these sort of things.

I’m losing steam on this novella, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to hit me up.

[HungerMechanic]

Interesting, yet1hunter.

Your description of the plastic tabs, which I remember reading about before, makes me think that Filcos are the superior candidate for modding, while Leopolds are superior out of the box.

So if I can get my hands on a blue/grey FC900 PD [just missed the last one in North America!], it could become my main driver. While maybe I mess around with the Filco, look at those Filco mods.

[lightsout714]

There's a number of reviews on GeekHack extolling the Leopolds as the best factory pre-builts for standard Cherry MX switches, even imploring people to go out and get one right now.

I almost pulled the trigger on an FC900 PD from MK.com, but waited too long and missed the last one with MX Browns.

Some of the reviews and comments here, and on other sites, suggest that the FC900 compares favourably to the Filco Majestouch, especially in terms of stabilizers, keycaps, and even switch feel. The reviews of the 2018 Leopolds suggested that the FC900s were using the new retooled browns, which felt 'different, somehow' and better.

I've never been 100% satisfied with my Majestouch, which has some rattle and noisy stabs. I want to try the FC900 [MX Brown].

My big concern is, there's been a run on Brown switches ever since the Ducky keyboards got popularized on that Youtube video. I wonder if the retooled browns will keep their slightly-improved characteristics over those from Cherry's pre-2016 dark age. [The 'retooled' MX Blacks have already fallen off in quality, if I understand properly.]

So does Leopold still have it together? Anyone bought one in 2019? And is it an 'upgrade' from the Majestouch, or a 'sidegrade?'

--

Also, I purchased a Varmilo VA87 from their custom store for someone else, and that was noticeably a quality board. How does Leopold compare? [It's not a direct comparison, because the VA87 is a TKL that uses a low-profile case, something I haven't seen in a full-sized board.]

Interesting. I have been hearing the opposite about the retooled switches. That the blacks replaced the need for vintage blacks. And that the browns are way superior.

[SpAmRaY]

Interesting, yet1hunter.

Your description of the plastic tabs, which I remember reading about before, makes me think that Filcos are the superior candidate for modding, while Leopolds are superior out of the box.

So if I can get my hands on a blue/grey FC900 PD [just missed the last one in North America!], it could become my main driver. While maybe I mess around with the Filco, look at those Filco mods.

I'm fairly certain the leopold and filco share the same case design which is plastic tabs around the perimeter.

This makes zero difference to modding.

The biggest difference that you can't do much about between filco and leopold is costar stabs vs cherry stabs.

I personally despise costar stabs but that's just my opinion.


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[HungerMechanic]

Interesting. I have been hearing the opposite about the retooled switches. That the blacks replaced the need for vintage blacks. And that the browns are way superior.

The retooled blacks were initially very smooth, replacing the need for vintage blacks. Especially if bought from a certain retailer. [Arrow?]

But I have heard that the retooled blacks are not as smooth as they used to be. Apparently, they've been churning them out to meet high demand for retooled blacks, and the molds or whatever process is starting to deteriorate, leading them to become like pre-retooled blacks.

This is all hearsay, though. I've only tried retooled and vintage blacks once, and don't own any MX Blacks for comparison.

I have tried retooled browns, however, and they are arguably better. They feel 10-20% less sandy, which makes them smoother to operate. Some people say that retooled MX Browns feel a little more like Gateron Browns, as if Cherry was influenced by their popularity.

[lightsout714]

Interesting. I have been hearing the opposite about the retooled switches. That the blacks replaced the need for vintage blacks. And that the browns are way superior.

The retooled blacks were initially very smooth, replacing the need for vintage blacks. Especially if bought from a certain retailer. [Arrow?]

But I have heard that the retooled blacks are not as smooth as they used to be. Apparently, they've been churning them out to meet high demand for retooled blacks, and the molds or whatever process is starting to deteriorate, leading them to become like pre-retooled blacks.

This is all hearsay, though. I've only tried retooled and vintage blacks once, and don't own any MX Blacks for comparison.

I have tried retooled browns, however, and they are arguably better. They feel 10-20% less sandy, which makes them smoother to operate. Some people say that retooled MX Browns feel a little more like Gateron Browns, as if Cherry was influenced by their popularity.

Interesting, that would seem like quick degredation of the tooling. But what do I know. Most of this stuff is so subjective it's hard to really know what's true.


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