Author Topic: Leopold FC660C & Topres (Read 8082 times)

knotra · « **on:** Sun, 26 May 2013, 20:34:41 »

Hey guys,

I have been thinking about getting a Leopold FC660C when they are restocked from elitekeyboards.com and in general just getting a keyboard with Topres. I would mostly be using them for gaming, but I will be using them for typing documents and such so i'm wondering how good the Leopold & Topres are for gaming as well as the Pros and Cons of them.

Thanks!

kelske · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 26 May 2013, 21:10:11 »

I really like my FC660C for gaming.

Topre switches pop back up to reset position really quickly and snappily which makes it really nice for stuff like DOTA2. Haven't tried FPS with it yet sorry.

I used tactile MX switches previously for gaming too, wasn't a fan of linear switches.

Flyersfan1 · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 26 May 2013, 21:13:58 »

Quote from: knotra on Sun, 26 May 2013, 20:34:41

Hey guys,

I have been thinking about getting a Leopold FC660C when they are restocked from elitekeyboards.com and in general just getting a keyboard with Topres. I would mostly be using them for gaming, but I will be using them for typing documents and such so i'm wondering how good the Leopold & Topres are for gaming as well as the Pros and Cons of them.

Thanks!

That's a really impressive collection of boards you have there my friend! Daerid was very nice and actually put together a pretty comprehensive list of pro and cons for every topre board he's owned or owns. I think that should help you figure out if it's the switch for you! Hope this helps.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42300.msg899053#msg899053

jabar · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 26 May 2013, 21:14:02 »

my FC660C is stuck in a mailbox I can't access til Tuesday.

I have experience with Topre switches before (HHKB) and I think they are awesome. The only problem with the FC660C is, assuming the Fn layout is OK for you, the lasered/infilled PBT keycaps instead of the dyesubbed PBT which is standard across all Topre Realforce and HHKBs. The price point on it is great however.

EZjiji · « **Reply #4 on:** Sun, 26 May 2013, 21:30:35 »

F660C was my first topre keyboard and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. I used MX browns before and these just feel amazing to type on. It's hard to compare the two because they are so vastly different. I think the only way I can describe the difference is the fact that the cherrys feel "loose" and topres feel "tight". It's probably a bad anology, but I don't know how else to put it.

You have so many cherry switches anyway, doesn't hurt to have a topre in the mix.

knotra · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 27 May 2013, 03:15:00 »

Quote from: Flyersfan1 on Sun, 26 May 2013, 21:13:58

That's a really impressive collection of boards you have there my friend! Daerid was very nice and actually put together a pretty comprehensive list of pro and cons for every topre board he's owned or owns. I think that should help you figure out if it's the switch for you! Hope this helps.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42300.msg899053#msg899053

Haha thanks friend! That's actually the first time someone has complimented my collection.

BearHug · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 27 May 2013, 07:51:52 »

Quote from: EZjiji on Sun, 26 May 2013, 21:30:35

F660C was my first topre keyboard and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. I used MX browns before and these just feel amazing to type on. It's hard to compare the two because they are so vastly different. I think the only way I can describe the difference is the fact that the cherrys feel "loose" and topres feel "tight". It's probably a bad anology, but I don't know how else to put it.

You have so many cherry switches anyway, doesn't hurt to have a topre in the mix.

I really agree with that, my cherry boards feel sloppy

naokira · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 27 May 2013, 08:38:58 »

I want to try out topre too. Maybe someday, shipping is a fortune here

ValerieV · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 27 May 2013, 09:12:09 »

I originally loved the cherry mx blues and thought i would never find a keyswitch that is better. Then i tried the HHKB and i have to admit i didn't love it at first. I thought it was a nice keyboard but not worth the hype. However, now i am in love with it and i hardly ever use the cherry mx blues and the HHKB has become my favorite. The Leopold does seem a little too quiet for me and that is the main drawback i have with it. The HHKB just seems crisper and has a louder sound. Either way, they are both great keyboards.

knotra · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 28 May 2013, 15:09:21 »

Quote from: ValerieV on Mon, 27 May 2013, 09:12:09

I originally loved the cherry mx blues and thought i would never find a keyswitch that is better. Then i tried the HHKB and i have to admit i didn't love it at first. I thought it was a nice keyboard but not worth the hype. However, now i am in love with it and i hardly ever use the cherry mx blues and the HHKB has become my favorite. The Leopold does seem a little too quiet for me and that is the main drawback i have with it. The HHKB just seems crisper and has a louder sound. Either way, they are both great keyboards.

Do you do any gaming on your HHKB?

ValerieV · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 28 May 2013, 15:40:50 »

No. I don't do much gaming anymore but if i were to do gaming it would be with my cherry mx red. The topres are just too stiff for gaming in my opinion.

EZjiji · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 28 May 2013, 16:48:43 »

Quote from: ValerieV on Tue, 28 May 2013, 15:40:50

No. I don't do much gaming anymore but if i were to do gaming it would be with my cherry mx red. The topres are just too stiff for gaming in my opinion.

I agree.

daerid · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 28 May 2013, 17:10:52 »

^^^ Unfortunately, have to agree. If I were to get back into gaming in any serious capacity I'd have to nab a Cherry Red board. Been thinking of doing a MX Red mod to an Orbweaver, actually

studiosushi · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 31 May 2013, 19:53:51 »

Just shot this video feat. FC660C, enjoy:

rowdy · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 02:30:10 »

Is that in an echoey room, or on a hollow desk? If not, that sounds brilliant!

daerid · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 02:34:06 »

That's pretty much exactly how it sounds.

rowdy · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 04:52:16 »

More and more I'm thinking about getting a Topre board next, especially if this is the sound.

But I prefer a white board, like the white (beige?) RealForce 87U. Is This Leopold available in white? Haven't seen any pics.

kelske · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 05:39:10 »

Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 01 June 2013, 04:52:16

More and more I'm thinking about getting a Topre board next, especially if this is the sound.

But I prefer a white board, like the white (beige?) RealForce 87U. Is This Leopold available in white? Haven't seen any pics.

It's not yet - but I think it definitely is coming out in white. There's an indicator panel on the box with these options

- Black
- White

- English
- Korean
- Blank

I'd be all over a blank white one of these. Hopefully they're coming out soon!

rowdy · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 05:57:51 »

Definitely sounds interesting ... but will we get them in Australia?

zoolzoo · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 08:34:28 »

I love mine for gaming and typing. Great all around board.

jabar · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 12:19:02 »

It really is an upgrade over HHKB for dual gaming and typing purposes. I wish it had 1 more DIP setting to swap Fn and right Ctrl.

yicaoyimu · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 17:49:46 »

Holy ****! How could I miss this keyboard. I have been away from GH for just one or two months. Look at what I have missed!

There could be a build quality difference between Leopold and Topre. But IMO, the most important question to ask is, do you need F keys (for gaming, ie). If you don't, Leopold takes less of your desk space and I think that is a big plus. Otherwise, go for RF 87U white 55g version (which is my next keyboard

).

ValerieV · « **Reply #22 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 18:40:11 »

I think the Leopold is just as good, if not better, than the RealForce keyboard. Also, like you said, it takes up less space. The quality of the Leopold is very good. It definitely isn't a poor mans RealForce.

yicaoyimu · « **Reply #23 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 18:59:12 »

Quote from: ValerieV on Sat, 01 June 2013, 18:40:11

I think the Leopold is just as good, if not better, than the RealForce keyboard. Also, like you said, it takes up less space. The quality of the Leopold is very good. It definitely isn't a poor mans RealForce.

I said "could be". Since I haven't seen FC660 myself, I am defintely not the correct person to judge this board. I do have a Leopold FC200 though, and based on my experience with that board, I don't think it has similar quality as a Realforce board. But the difference in quality doesn't bother me at all, so I think the form factor is the major concern between the two.

dante · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 22:30:59 »

I don't mean to hijack the thread - but I didn't want to create a new one if it could be avoided.

All the Realforce that I've tried seem to have a bit of a sharp space bar. Does the 660 avoid this?

jabar · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 22:54:34 »

If by sharper you mean more resistant, the FC660C spacebar does feel more resistant than normal keys.

dante · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 22:55:19 »

Quote from: jabar on Sat, 01 June 2013, 22:54:34

If by sharper you mean more resistant, the FC660C spacebar does feel more resistant than normal keys.

No I meant that that the corner of the spacebar on the Realforce is sharp.

kelske · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 00:24:12 »

Lol i can't compare to the Realforce but I find the FC660C spacebar to be pleasant.

It's possible to turn it around like a lot of people do with sharp SP spacebars, I had done this for the last week but just swithced it back and found it really nice the correct way too (especially on the eyes..

)

knotra · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 02:52:14 »

Quote from: jabar on Sat, 01 June 2013, 12:19:02

It really is an upgrade over HHKB for dual gaming and typing purposes. I wish it had 1 more DIP setting to swap Fn and right Ctrl.

what about the realforce boards? how good are they for gaming and typing purposes?

and does anyone know when the FC600Cs will be restocked?

knotra · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 02:53:27 »

space

Saclet · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 03:43:38 »

Quote from: knotra on Sun, 02 June 2013, 02:52:14

Quote from: jabar on Sat, 01 June 2013, 12:19:02
It really is an upgrade over HHKB for dual gaming and typing purposes. I wish it had 1 more DIP setting to swap Fn and right Ctrl.

what about the realforce boards? how good are they for gaming and typing purposes?

and does anyone know when the FC600Cs will be restocked?

It depends, some people love Topre like me, both typing and gaming. Some people, they just hate it. I think if you like something has weight like blue cherry you should go for Realforce 87u 45g uniform, but if you like something heavier and more exciting you go for the same thing but 55g uniform.

yicaoyimu · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 10:45:48 »

Quote from: knotra on Sun, 02 June 2013, 02:52:14

Quote from: jabar on Sat, 01 June 2013, 12:19:02
It really is an upgrade over HHKB for dual gaming and typing purposes. I wish it had 1 more DIP setting to swap Fn and right Ctrl.

what about the realforce boards? how good are they for gaming and typing purposes?

and does anyone know when the FC600Cs will be restocked?

EK says June 30th. Typing experience is completely personal, and I actually prefer MX red to Topre switch. But if you do like Topre, the only difference I can see from the spec is that, Realforce keycap is Dye-sub and Leopold is laser etched. As far as gaming, some game uses Function keys a lot, in which case you should get Realforce. Plus, ergonomically weighted RF is not good for gaming, cuz they have different weight for WASD keys.

expired · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 07:03:41 »

I can't find any Leopold or Topre keyboard on EU reseller. I'm going really mad.

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 07:06:23 »

Quote from: expired on Mon, 03 June 2013, 07:03:41

I can't find any Leopold or Topre keyboard on EU reseller. I'm going really mad.

I'm thinking qtan can probably help you out at some point, he is currently testing the waters.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44124.0

fateswarm · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 07:11:31 »

Quote from: expired on Mon, 03 June 2013, 07:03:41

I can't find any Leopold or Topre keyboard on EU reseller. I'm going really mad.

Not only for EU, internationally it seems that Topre technology is severely isolated, a handful of highly priced models from a handful of makers, while many people report they're good.

It appears more mass manufacturing of the product is needed, or for the patent to be more open or to be cloned (legally) somehow because I highly doubt the cost of it reflects manufacturing difficulty (at least to that enormous level of pricing). And the lack of a range of products is in itself bad.

zoolzoo · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 19:49:32 »

you should probably just buy it. you will like it a lot.

Sniping · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 07:55:17 »

Quote from: dante on Sat, 01 June 2013, 22:30:59

I don't mean to hijack the thread - but I didn't want to create a new one if it could be avoided.

All the Realforce that I've tried seem to have a bit of a sharp space bar. Does the 660 avoid this?

I felt the sharpness on my 660C, so I just reversed the spacebar, easy fix!

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Author Topic: Leopold FC660C & Topres (Read 8082 times)