VB660M Full Backlit, PBT dyesub caps, bluetooth.

[ideus]

I just found this at Taobao, and ran a search here at GH with no results. Is somebody aware of this model? Is this from Leopold?

[Grim Fandango]

Going by the layout, modelname and look I would say this is by Leopold yeah.

EDIT: Or at least, even if it would carry a different brand, it shares these things with the Leopold FC660M and FC660C keyboards.

[ideus]

Going by the layout, modelname and look I would say this is by Leopold yeah.

Is Varmilo a Leo sub-brand?

[rowdy]

http://www.igao7.com/news/201406/varmilo-vb660m-open.html

Translated says "Varmilo VB660M is Leopold FC660M modeled changes made", so I'm guessing company Varmilo bought a bunch of FC660M and added a bluetooth controller to it, renamed it VB660M (Varmilo Bluetooth 660M).

[SpAmRaY]

Someone needs to get one of these and open it up so we can see what they did on the inside.

[dorkvader]

Note the reversed spacebar.

[nubbinator]

Note the reversed spacebar.

Finally a company doing it right.

[Grim Fandango]

Note the reversed spacebar.

Yeah, I saw that too. Was wondering whether it is the actual company and the keyboard is delivered like that, or just the picture.

Personally I have never had the need to reverse space bar. But I can see how it makes sense.

[remdell]

Woah, I'm really glad you showed me this because I was really considering getting a Filco Manila Air and a FC660M with dyesubs.  I really liked my FC660M with printed PBT caps and MX greens, but I traded it in for a Topre board when I started seeing FC660Ms with dye subs and new colored cases.  I've been waiting for someone here on GH to sell me theirs, but now that I see this VB660M, I'm quickly changing my mind once again.  The VB660M is so close to fulfilling all my needs.  Slap on an aluminum case and compatibility for a 6.25x center-stem spacebar, and it's damn near perfect.  I'm going to try and get this in a red case with grey keycaps and red backlighting.

[spiceBar]

Note the reversed spacebar.

Yeah, I saw that too. Was wondering whether it is the actual company and the keyboard is delivered like that, or just the picture.

Personally I have never had the need to reverse space bar. But I can see how it makes sense.

I have been reluctant to flip my spacebar until I started to work on SpaceFN. With this layout, your thumb presses the spacebar more often, and so the flipped spacebar is much more comfortable.

I absolutely hate the look of it, but I now use it on most of my keyboards because it's a real ergonomic improvement, especially when your keyboard is flat on the desktop (=when you don't use the keyboard's feet).

It may also make a lot of sense for the Alt keys, but I have not tried yet (they are not used as often as the spacebar, so it may not make a significant difference anyway).

[Puddsy]

It's a 660m with a reversed spacebar and a different case

neato

[speedygonz]

I don't see much technical details about the bluetooth feature, so I'll presume it's not multi-pairing (unlike the minila air and kbt pro). That's a small letdown since the ability to to pair with multiple devices (e.g. laptop, tablet and htpc) is a feature I'm looking for. Nevertheless, it's great to finally see a new bluetooth board hit the market!

[gaffer9678]

Just got this keyboard. Been playing with it for a couple of days.

Some comments
1. Bluetooth support multi-pairing - can pair with both my PC, and HP
2. Can be use with usb cable mode or bluetooth mode (fn+insert for bluetooth), (fn+delete for usb mode)
   Nice feature to be able to toggle between two device eg. PC on usb cable, handphone or tablet on bluetooth
3. No physical switch to switch on the keyboard, just need to press fn+insert keys for about 3 second to on and vice-versa.
   IMO, this is better than using a phyiscal switch. I use to own a Filco Minila Air which need to flip a small switch locate on the bottom which I found to be a hassle.
4. Battery is built in, and charge using the mini usb cable. Battery capacity suppose to be 1200. I had not use it enough to know how long a full charge hold.
5. Documentation is in chinese. I got a friend to translate. Not much really. No mention of multi paring etc unlike the Filco Minila Air.
6. No apparent lag, if not use in 10 minutes, keyboard will go to sleep, press any key will "wakes' it up

Backlight on my keyboard is broken. Work initially when I first got it (fn+arrow up). I got a red casing just like the picture above, but with white caps. I decide to change the keycaps to another set. Could not on the backlight since. Try numerous keystrokes combo etc. The best I can it on certain occasion where I keep pressing fn+arrow up, the whole keyboard with blink. Dunno what the problem here.

I discover that the spacebar, while it is standard size, the stem gaps at the edge are different from my other keyboard.

Overall, I really like this keyboard. Been looking around for a portable mechanical keyboard for travelling. I first got a Minila Air but found that right shift key is just too small for my liking. Had since sold off.

[esoomenona]

.

[speedygonz]

1. Bluetooth support multi-pairing - can pair with both my PC, and HP

This is interesting. If it mult-pairs, how do you switch between devices if both are turned on at the same time? Does it auto-connect to the first paired devices (i.e. Filco Minila Air) or rely on manual switching by user (i.e. KBTalking Pro where user presses a combination of keys - Fn + Number).

[gaffer9678]

It does not pair to two device at the same time. Rather it remember the setting of the pairing. At any given time, only one keyboard is connected. To switch to the second device, need to off the first device bluetooth; the keyboard will auto switch to the 2nd device. I believe the Minila air work the same way. There is no manual switch to change from one device to another.

[speedygonz]

It does not pair to two device at the same time. Rather it remember the setting of the pairing. At any given time, only one keyboard is connected. To switch to the second device, need to off the first device bluetooth; the keyboard will auto switch to the 2nd device. I believe the Minila air work the same way. There is no manual switch to change from one device to another.

Minila Air has a priority logic if multiple paired devices are turned on and within range. From Filco's website:

★It can be paired with Bluetooth equipped products up to three devices!
After completing paring setup state, it automatically searches and connects to the Bluetooth (powered on) devices within 10 meters from the keyboard. A priority order for this automatic connecting function depends on the order of the device used. The older device you used get a higher priority.
** Multiple pairing defines the function which can store several pairing setup information on a device.

[gaffer9678]

Minila Air has a priority logic if multiple paired devices are turned on and within range. From Filco's website:

★It can be paired with Bluetooth equipped products up to three devices!
After completing paring setup state, it automatically searches and connects to the Bluetooth (powered on) devices within 10 meters from the keyboard. A priority order for this automatic connecting function depends on the order of the device used. The older device you used get a higher priority.
** Multiple pairing defines the function which can store several pairing setup information on a device.

[/quote]

Done a quick test. My finding are
1. Store pairing for 2 devices (compared to 3 for Minila).
2. The last paired device get the priority to connected if both are on when the keyboard is switch on.

I try pairing 3 devices. The 1st device will not get connected even the the other 2 are off. Hence my conclusion the keyboard can only store 2 pairing.