Filco vs Leopold Tenkeyless

[mrmatt]

After my first thread and some re evaluation of my financial situation, I am now looking at getting a Leopold tenkeyless keyboard from ekb, however; people seem to recommend the Filco keyboards even more than the Leopold despite me being unable to find large differences other than price and brand. I am starting a new thread so that I can better focus in on the decision at hand. I am also wondering what retailer I should use if ekb is not the best place to order from. Thank you.
mrmatt

[Tony]

Personally I find not many content differences between geekhack and OCN, yet I am here more often.

You get the idea.

[mrmatt]

Personally I find not many content differences between geekhack and OCN, yet I am here more often.

You get the idea.

I think I know what you mean, but I'm not sure. Never been on OCN.

[Nunez]

I have both Leopold and Filco, I do prefer the filco... though that could be the switch type as well.

Differences I've noticed and their benefits/downfall:
- Filco is slightly heavier.
- Leopold has detachable cable (slightly longer too I believe)
- Filco has the branding.. I quite like it but no biggy.
- Filco up arrow key is to the right a bit but that doesn't disrupt anything.
- Filco are costar whereas leopold are cherry stabilizers.
- Leopold is cheaper

All in all, I prefer the Filco though my colour scheme for the Filco may play a rather large part in that as well. (Neither of them are using their original keycaps, so no comment there)

They are both good boards.. It just comes down to whether you wanna fork out the extra money for what I consider minor improvements.

[Surly73]

I have a Filco w/ browns I've been using for over a year and a Leopold with browns that I have very low miles on.  Nunez has said quite a few of the differences already, I'll just augment a little.

- stabilizers are a significant difference.  Which switch you use will probably affect how much you notice the difference.  From what I've read Cherry stabilizers seem to work best with stiffer black switches than with lighter reds or browns.  I've used terminal and Amiga keyboards with Cherry stabilizers for years (before I realized what I was using) and loved them.  When PROPERLY lubricated (not over, not under, and not with grease that is too thick) I think the Cherry stabilizers are just fine on the lighter switches too.

- If memory serves correct, Leopold does a trick to get 18KRO over USB.  I think it appears as three keyboards or something like that - 6KRO each.  I believe that this "trick" makes the keyboard incompatible with some platforms.  I haven't had a problem yet, but I've read about it.

- The detachable cable is a plus and minus.  If you set up your work space and more or less leave it alone I think detachable is a plus.  You can go to monoprice or similar cable retailer and get the length of USB cable you need for your installation (from 1' to 16') and have superior cable management and tidiness in your workspace.  If you carry your keyboard around with you all the time and are constantly connecting, disconnecting and moving it, you might have some service life durability issues compared to a hardwired board.

- The Leos have LOCK button LEDs integrated into the keys.  Ordinarily this is cool, until you want to fit third party keys that don't have windows for the lights.  Then you have no lock lights.  As cool as in-key lights are, I think that separate on-board lights (like Filco) are a better option for enthusiasts likely to change their keys.  Unless of course you use an tray app that displays your lock status or don't care etc...

- From my (so far) limited experience with my Leo, build quality seems similar to Filco.  I believe that Leo stock keycaps may be better than Filco.

- There's posts here about controller bugs on the Leo.  I've seen the posts but haven't paid close attention nor have I experienced a real problem.  I don't know if some of these problems are related to the 18KRO thing.  I'm also not sure if both TKL and full size are affected by the same problem.

- Leo's are a little easier to get and EK has lots of switch options.  I don't think I've ever seen a Filco with clears that wasn't a mod, for instance.

[Nunez]

I'd just like to point out, the Leopold has non standard spacing for the spacebar. If you're after PBT keycaps, I know Qtan's spacebar work on TKL Leopolds, but not Fullsize.

[tp4tissue]

I have both Leopold and Filco, I do prefer the filco... though that could be the switch type as well.

Differences I've noticed and their benefits/downfall:
- Filco is slightly heavier.
- Leopold has detachable cable (slightly longer too I believe)
- Filco has the branding.. I quite like it but no biggy.
- Filco up arrow key is to the right a bit but that doesn't disrupt anything.
- Filco are costar whereas leopold are cherry stabilizers.
- Leopold is cheaper

All in all, I prefer the Filco though my colour scheme for the Filco may play a rather large part in that as well. (Neither of them are using their original keycaps, so no comment there)

They are both good boards.. It just comes down to whether you wanna fork out the extra money for what I consider minor improvements.

Just admit it,, leopold is a pos, cherry stabilizers can diaf,, Get a CM storm,, it's a confirmed ghetto filco...

[mrmatt]

I ended up getting the CM Storm, and I'm just gonna make a project out of fixing it exactly how I want it. It will be a good starting point for my (hopefully) soon to be collection :becky:

[tp4tissue]

I ended up getting the CM Storm, and I'm just gonna make a project out of fixing it exactly how I want it. It will be a good starting point for my (hopefully) soon to be collection :becky:

ghetto filco ftw.

[mrmatt]

Good luck with fixing it!

Thanks, I appreciate the sentiment. Will post and show what I end up doing!

[NorrisB]

I went with the Leopold TKL and the enter key is a little too stiff compared to the rest of the cherry red keys anyway to make it less stiff?

[Surly73]

I went with the Leopold TKL and the enter key is a little too stiff compared to the rest of the cherry red keys anyway to make it less stiff?

I can't say that my observations are universal, but my current working theory (proved on a board in my possession) is that a lot of these sticky Leopold stabilizers are OVER lubricated.  Browns and reds don't have high force springs to begin with, and any tackiness or resistance from too much lube easily interferes with switch feel.

I used a zero residue cleaner (with degreasing properties) meant for use on electronics to clean the grease out of the Cherry stabilizers and they all evened up.  I'd say they feel about the same as the Costars in my Filco.  I lubed with a generic PTFE spray.  I disassembled the board to do this, which a lot of people with brand new boards with warranties might not want to do.