FC660M stock caps

[exanile_tabasco]

I caved. I placed an order for a MX Brown FC660M to replace my Ducky Mini v2. I find myself using the arrow cluster a lot with both the Pok3r and Ducky Mini and it really bothers me that I have to use the Fn layer; furthermore, the cluster is located one key to the left on the Pok3r compared to the DMini and it throws me off every time.

I'm prepared to deal with the nonstandard spacebar and double left shift but I have a question about the PBT caps that come standard with the FC660M. This one can be found on eBay and I believe that it isn't the dye-sub version http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leopold-FC660M-Mechanical-keyboard-Cherry-MX-Brown-switches-Non-Click-PBT-/221655380326?hash=item339bb0b166:g:h4AAAOSw8d9UrMAa since there seem to be no dye-sub FC660Ms in the new batch from Leopold China.

Do the legends wear super easily? I have a white Pok3r with what is supposedly laser etched keycaps, and the legends aren't going anywhere despite most black Pok3r owners claiming that they disappear after just months of heavy usage. I have a set of DSA and some extra caps that can go on the FC660M but I'd like to see how I can put the FC660M caps to good use somewhere else, seeing as to how they are relatively thick; thus, I'm hoping that the legends will stay on the keys reasonably long.

Any other tidbits/things I should keep in mind about the FC660M are very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[merlin64]

Which version did you get? The 2015 made in Taiwan version has the space bar stems in the right place.

[exanile_tabasco]

Which version did you get? The 2015 made in Taiwan version has the space bar stems in the right place.

If the photos of the product on eBay are anything to go by, it is not the made-in-Taiwan version, unfortunately. 

Is the spacebar of good quality, at least? I hear that the profile is quite low so using it in conjunction with my DSA set might not prove to be such a big issue.

[file_id]

The new FC660M keycaps are bad and the legends fade quickly. I purchased a side printed Leopold PBT keycap set because of the very problem after 2 weeks. Great keyboard otherwise.

[exanile_tabasco]

The new FC660M keycaps are bad and the legends fade quickly. I purchased a side printed Leopold PBT keycap set because of the very problem after 2 weeks. Great keyboard otherwise.

Thanks for the confirmation. I have a few quality sets that I can throw on it but my primary concern was whether those keycaps could be reused. If they're pad-printed, is it possible to sand/remove the legends, leaving me with a set of blank but thick PBT caps?

[vermilions]

The new FC660M keycaps are bad and the legends fade quickly. I purchased a side printed Leopold PBT keycap set because of the very problem after 2 weeks. Great keyboard otherwise.

Thanks for the confirmation. I have a few quality sets that I can throw on it but my primary concern was whether those keycaps could be reused. If they're pad-printed, is it possible to sand/remove the legends, leaving me with a set of blank but thick PBT caps?

I want to buy a new set for my FC660M (2015 version) and I would love to be able to remove the current legends off the stock keycaps! Would appreciate if anyone could answer this.

PS. If I were to buy keycaps from Pimpmykeyboard like this one (http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-pbt-abs-blank-keycap-sets/), should I get the 60% base set or "standard" base set? Thanks!

[merlin64]

60% would not include arrow keys. You would have to get the full set.

[dgneo]

The new FC660M keycaps are bad and the legends fade quickly. I purchased a side printed Leopold PBT keycap set because of the very problem after 2 weeks. Great keyboard otherwise.

Thanks for the confirmation. I have a few quality sets that I can throw on it but my primary concern was whether those keycaps could be reused. If they're pad-printed, is it possible to sand/remove the legends, leaving me with a set of blank but thick PBT caps?

I want to buy a new set for my FC660M (2015 version) and I would love to be able to remove the current legends off the stock keycaps! Would appreciate if anyone could answer this.

PS. If I were to buy keycaps from Pimpmykeyboard like this one (http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-pbt-abs-blank-keycap-sets/), should I get the 60% base set or "standard" base set? Thanks!

The problem with the 660M is that the layout isn't standard. The right shift is the same size as the left shift (2.25u), and unfortunately not many keysets come with 2x 2.25u Shifts.

You'd need at least a TKL kit, due to the arrow keys and Ins/Del.

[vermilions]

The new FC660M keycaps are bad and the legends fade quickly. I purchased a side printed Leopold PBT keycap set because of the very problem after 2 weeks. Great keyboard otherwise.

Thanks for the confirmation. I have a few quality sets that I can throw on it but my primary concern was whether those keycaps could be reused. If they're pad-printed, is it possible to sand/remove the legends, leaving me with a set of blank but thick PBT caps?

I want to buy a new set for my FC660M (2015 version) and I would love to be able to remove the current legends off the stock keycaps! Would appreciate if anyone could answer this.

PS. If I were to buy keycaps from Pimpmykeyboard like this one (http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-pbt-abs-blank-keycap-sets/), should I get the 60% base set or "standard" base set? Thanks!

The problem with the 660M is that the layout isn't standard. The right shift is the same size as the left shift (2.25u), and unfortunately not many keysets come with 2x 2.25u Shifts.

You'd need at least a TKL kit, due to the arrow keys and Ins/Del.

Thanks for your reply. I am hoping to buy the 2.25u separately since it's a blank it's a bit easier. I also know the windows key (2nd left bottom row) is a 1u. Thanks for the tip about the arrow and ins/del!

60% would not include arrow keys. You would have to get the full set.

Cool, got it! I'll get the TKL or full set thanks!