Author Topic: Leopold FC200R Tenkeyless (Read 27126 times)

sixty · « **on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 08:48:41 »

Leopold announced a new model in their series of mechanical Keyboards for the Korean market. This is the FC200R. Leopold's previous history and the case design on this one suggests that it is NOT made by Costar and uses Strongman as the OEM like their previous full size models.

Features in a nutshell:

Tenkeyless
Detachable Cable
Logo is optional and delivered on a sticker
No LEDs on the case, instead (optional) in-key
N-Key Rollover
MX Brown, Blue, Black
Cherry Corp style high quality stabilizers

Box includes:

Keyboard
Cable
Leopold orange ESC key
Leopold logo sticker for the case
PS2 Adapter

From the feature list and stuff it looks like so far it beats the Filco. But then again, who knows about the controller...

Sales will start in August.

hipzilla · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 09:27:21 »

Very nice! The detachable USB and in-key LEDs remind me of the Ducky. May have to ask a friend to send me this when it's released.

chongyixiong · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 11:05:33 »

This definitely looks better than Filco in:

1. Detacheable USB cable
2. Better stabilizer mount (for me)
3. Nice thick rubber feet
4. Optional sticker (can go all Ninja look if needed)

Thanks for sharing.. hmm nice!

sixty · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 11:34:18 »

Update: There is also a version with ALPS style switches (probably Fukka, or worse XM) - http://imgur.com/Qmoy7.jpg

Otherwise it seems identical to the Cherry model and also features full N-Key rollover. The only difference is that the windows key does not have a Vista/7 dome on the ALPS version. Of course it is also going to be priced much cheaper than the Cherry version.

ch_123 · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 11:59:45 »

Didn't Strongman themselves make Alps clones?

spolia optima · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 13:14:49 »

Nice stabilizers! Looks like a premium quality 'board, although I imagine it won't be too affordable, esp for those of us on the other side of the pond...

microsoft windows · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 13:16:41 »

Was I the only person who noticed the Macbook Wheel in the ad?

patrickgeekhack · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 15:36:59 »

Quote from: microsoft windows;209106

Was I the only person who noticed the Macbook Wheel in the ad?

Your dislike for Apple must be really strong for you to fail to notice that it was actually a Panasonic laptop. The MacBook Wheel is much larger.

Henry · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 17:19:06 »

Quote from: sixty;209073

Update: There is also a version with ALPS style switches (probably Fukka, or worse XM) - http://imgur.com/Qmoy7.jpg

You can tell from the mounting tabs that they aren't XMs and look like Fukkas indeed.

ch_123 · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 04 August 2010, 17:44:58 »

Quote from: patrickgeekhack;209139

Your dislike for Apple must be really strong for you to fail to notice that it was actually a Panasonic laptop. The MacBook Wheel is much larger.

And to believe an Onion News article.

nanu · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 06 August 2010, 19:19:05 »

Very nice! This brings things closer to an ideal...
It also needs a lack of a plate, or keep the plate but make roughly H-shaped holes instead of squares to allow special-tool-assisted MX switch dissembly/modding. Either would lead to higher dust capacity

ch_123 · « **Reply #11 on:** Sat, 07 August 2010, 04:42:48 »

I just noticed that it uses PCB mounted switches instead of plate ones.

Then again, the PCB mounted ones are cheaper, so it makes sense.

washuai · « **Reply #12 on:** Sun, 08 August 2010, 16:17:13 »

Quote from: ripster;209231

Was Leopold the crazy place that would ship overseas but not take overseas credit cards or Paypal?

These Asian keyboards like the Ducky are interesting but their distribution sucks worse than Cherry Corps.

Yea, I'd like to buy from Leopold. Being forced to go through a broker changes my mind, even more than shipping costs. They have what I want most, though.

Sakom · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 10 August 2010, 03:18:27 »

I hope someone can get one and do a good review.

TheSoulhunter · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 10 August 2010, 05:07:08 »

Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want! Want!
The only thing I disliked on the tenkeyless Filcos was the awkwardly placed logo... >.<

Infinite north · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 10 August 2010, 06:38:40 »

Quote from: ch_123;210088

I just noticed that it uses PCB mounted switches instead of plate ones.

It looks plate mounted to me. check the picture with the stabilizer.

Henry · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 17 August 2010, 09:00:57 »

I've just pre-ordered one with Cherry blues and without Hangul letterings (I hope I won't regret it later).
They should start being shipped from August 25, I'll do a review when I get mine.

chongyixiong · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 17 August 2010, 09:21:52 »

Quote from: Henry;213441

I've just pre-ordered one with Cherry blues and without Hangul letterings (I hope I won't regret it later).
They should start being shipped from August 25, I'll do a review when I get mine.

Can I join in on the pre-order (if you don't mind running to the postal office and accepting Paypal) and maybe a rough estimate of the price would be good.

PS: Do those look like Cherry keycaps (aka non-Filco skinny & shiny keys)?

Henry · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 17 August 2010, 09:46:34 »

Quote from: ripster;213445

Personally I would have gotten the Hangul letterings - it is one of the most interesting languages in the world. My son sat down and explained to me how it is a nonlinear writing system.

Even though my Korean is still close to none, I can almost touch type in Hangul already. And I find the ₩ sign very ugly. :biggrin1:

Quote from: chongyixiong;213448

Can I join in on the pre-order (if you don't mind running to the postal office and accepting Paypal) and maybe a rough estimate of the price would be good.

No sorry. I haven't an alien registration card yet and therefore can't order anything online by myself.

ch_123 · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 17 August 2010, 11:13:37 »

Quote from: Infinite north;210847

It looks plate mounted to me. check the picture with the stabilizer.

That's the sort of stabilizer used by PCB mounted Cherries, thus prompting me to make my comment.

elbowglue · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 17 August 2010, 23:32:33 »

Wait, I thought standard IBM keys are all the same shape (top keycaps) and filco profile are 4th from the top. This looks like filco profile keys to me..

I wonder what the keys are made of. If they are POM I'm gonna love it.

Quote from: ripster;213463

Look like standard IBM/Filco profile keys. Probably pad printed (they aren't beige, more pure white).

Show Image

chongyixiong · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 18 August 2010, 01:05:40 »

Quote from: elbowglue;213805

Wait, I thought standard IBM keys are all the same shape (top keycaps) and filco profile are 4th from the top. This looks like filco profile keys to me..

I wonder what the keys are made of. If they are POM I'm gonna love it.

I just need to know what the keycaps are made of.. if they are the same as the current Filcos.. then the only advantage over Filco would be the lighted keycaps (good stuff).

So far this is the summary I've made up.

1. Leopold - nice LEDs on keycaps and better keycap (unsure about this one)
2. Filco Tenkeyless - nothing special
3. Ducky 87 - Nice black on black PBT keycaps and without the shiny badge like Filco/Leopold

Which is a better buy?

worminater · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 18 August 2010, 08:55:58 »

I want

chongyixiong · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 18 August 2010, 10:49:28 »

Quote from: ripster;213884

I like keyboards that I can buy, not just look at on a forum.

The Ducky is definitely achievable, once it starts rolling out.

I just need a confirmation on what type of material are the keycaps on the other options.

For example, when I got a non-technically inclined friend to play with my keyboards.. the first reaction he got from my Filco was wow.. the keys feel cheap. (That was even before he played with the HHKB)

Naturally, I was pissed but then somewhere deep inside, a truth resounded within me and I accepted the insult.. and gave him a feel of the HHKB instead. He seems to be converted to a Topre board now.

I'm not dissing Filco or anything but I really hoped they gave better keycaps, that's all. I don't have the wobbly switch problem like some other member experienced.. with better keycaps I'm sure it's waaay better.

Cheers.

I still want that Leopold though.

ch_123 · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 18 August 2010, 10:53:54 »

Quote from: ripster;213884

I like keyboards that I can buy, not just look at on a forum.

Two years ago, you would have been saying the same thing about Filcos...

washuai · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 18 August 2010, 14:12:14 »

To be honest, the right shift on my Cherry keyboard feels really loose and wobbly.

I prefer keyboards I don't have to go through a broker to obtain at prices that make them less reasonable to obtain than other more locally available options.

I'd rather see the hard to obtain / unobtainable keyboards, than be ignorant of what is out there.

aegrotatio · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 18 August 2010, 23:53:36 »

Oh wow I most definitely want.

Is there a USA outlet for this keyboard?

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 19 August 2010, 00:10:24 »

Leopold... the first thing that came to my mind was Leopold Mozart... maybe I'm crazy.

It looks OK, except having the company logo on the esc key when using an orange key... bothers me. What if you want "esc" on the orange key? Order a special one from leopold for $5?

If that's a removeable logo, I like that feature. I'd pop it off and never put another one back on. The logo is too long and intrusive, it should be small plain and simple. Needs MOAR PAUL RAND.

It looks decent, although, I prefer having a numpad on my keyboards. For legacy and finance reasons.

Henry · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 04:19:56 »

So, I receveid my FC200R a few days ago.

Unfortunately, I don't have any of my other keyboards here and can't compare directly. The overall build quality is good but still doesn't match Filco's.

Keys are supposedly lasered but I'm no expert, Cherry lasered keycaps aren't so white and contrasted... Also, all of them have a small scratch at the bottom of their rear wall.

No big deal but not very professional. Since I'm a bit busy these days and too lazy in general, I'll let you look at pictures taken by a kbdmania member:
http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/1774824
It seems that some people on kbdmania are complaining about keys being not very well aligned. I'd say the slightly narrower keycaps make it more noticeable. Also, I realize that the font is Arial. I'm not an Arial hater and I actually like it better than Helvetica, but using it for a real life product is pretty lame in my opinion.

About stabilizers, I never tried a Filco with Cherry MX's and I can't really remember of how stabilized keys felt on my G80-3000. Here they feel all right to me except for the backspace key which isn't as smooth as the others regardless where I hit it. But that could be specific to my keyboard.

ch_123 · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 06:04:47 »

Thanks for the review!

Interesting to see that this new uber-keyboard isn't all that...

chongyixiong · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 07:55:09 »

Scrap that then.

Leopold down, so the only other option left is the Ducky Tenkeyless then.
Or another Filco.

WhiteRice · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 08:23:38 »

Quote from: chongyixiong;217819

Scrap that then.

Leopold down, so the only other option left is the Ducky Tenkeyless then.
Or another Filco.

I was just thinking the same thing

jnsjr · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 13:12:52 »

Thanks for the mini review Henry. It's a bit disappointing about the fc200r's. So, who is organizing a group buy for some Ducky tenkeyless boards?

elbowglue · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 15:31:55 »

Rip, if you figure out how to buy one, buy two and sell one to me, I want those too.

washuai · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 17:50:16 »

How to get them is posted in that thread.

WhiteRice · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 18:00:37 »

Does this forum ever do large group buys?

WhiteRice · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 19:57:08 »

Let's draft up a proposal!

jnsjr · « **Reply #37 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 20:06:37 »

I'm in. I'm itching to join the mechanical keyboard club!

elbowglue · « **Reply #38 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 22:03:43 »

Hmmm is this the 104 keycap replacement which would work for filcos?
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=4961454346

chongyixiong · « **Reply #39 on:** Sun, 29 August 2010, 23:24:39 »

Quote from: elbowglue;218087

Hmmm is this the 104 keycap replacement which would work for filcos?
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=4961454346

It might work, since they all look like Costar boards. (normal alpha keys should swap out easily though)
However, that price that the seller is asking is only for people who bought it along with the Ducky boards.

pamela50 · « **Reply #40 on:** Thu, 07 March 2013, 11:37:22 »

It looks better than the filcos. I like the images and the info. I will try it.Thanks dear.

daerid · « **Reply #41 on:** Thu, 07 March 2013, 11:56:44 »

HOLY old thread batman

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Author Topic: Leopold FC200R Tenkeyless (Read 27126 times)