Quick preview FC660M and FC660C

[matt3o]

Soon to come full comparison (and better pics) if anyone cares.

IMG_20140124_170613_.jpg (94.42 KiB) Viewed 3018 times

[scottc]

Nice. Is the bottom one slightly bigger or is that just the angle that the picture was taken it?

Looks like a nice, compact keyboard. It's a shame that the layout of the right-hand side is so silly.

[matt3o]

yes, the FC660C is 3mm wider.

I don't understand the reason of the weird right side layout, but I must say that at the end I could live with it

[Muirium]

Different key pitch in action! So, the Topre is the larger? I wonder what this spells for, say, popping on MX caps with the appropriate stem adapters…

Looks like a nice, compact keyboard. It's a shame that the layout of the right-hand side is so silly.

You mean the INSERT and DELETE? I've heard that the idea is they're still where you expect them to be, it's just their four usual neighbours have been given the chop! But INSERT is easily one of the least useful keys for a Mac, so I'd miss the others more than if those two were to also vanish.

Meanwhile, UP arrow is exactly where my fingers expect Fn to be. Uh oh!

I do give it points for losing the function row, however. That, above all else, is what gives both these keyboards their neat landscape shape.

[matt3o]

Different key pitch in action! So, the Topre is the larger? I wonder what this spells for, say, popping on MX caps with the appropriate stem adapters…

nope, just the case is slightly bigger, I guess to fit the capacitive stuff. key spacing is the same.

the topre one will undergo a heavy mod phase I'll probably put the FN key on caps lock. I'm not picky about FN position if the keyboard already has an arrow cluster.

[scottc]

I only asked because of snoopy's M0110 pictures in the same style which threw me off before! As far as compact layouts go, it's not bad, but I really hate having to use a function key to get a ~. I'd really like to see some other manufacturers going for HHKB-style backspace in their compact keyboards. It just makes more sense!

The strange placement of the arrow keys is odd too. I guess it was so that they could have matching 2.25U shifts.

Actually, due to the similar model numbers, I didn't realise that one was a Topre! Wow, nice, I didn't know that Leopold made Topres.

[Muirium]

It was pretty big news when it came out. Matt actually had (possibly) the first in Europe! I considered it, sorely, when he put it up for sale. And now he's back again. Mods indeed…

[matt3o]

yes, that distortion is caused by low quality lens (actually ALL compact cameras). I've got myself a pretty nice sony rx100 which is compact but still has a 1" CCD and decent optics Lovely camera.

the topre one is actually very good, and will be even better once modded with custom controller and 55g membrane

It was pretty big news when it came out. Matt actually had (possibly) the first in Europe! I considered it, sorely, when he put it up for sale. And now he's back again. Mods indeed…

I got it in exchange for other stuff and now that I can mod it to 55gr it makes much more sense than when I first had it. Also of course all sliders will be replaced with you-know-what

[Muirium]

The Infinite upgrade!

Thoroughly intrigued to see how you pull off the custom controller on a Topre switch keyboard. I imagine you'd have even more in mind if the Minila Air of the house weren't so well loved!

Shuddering to guess where you're getting those 55g domes from…

[matt3o]

Shuddering to guess where you're getting those 55g domes from…

MUAHAHAHAH!

[CKenell]

I'd love to see a comparison, actually more your thoughts of the 660m.

I noticed your post on the Tom's Hardware IT site when doing a web search for this board. One thing that has caught my attention is that the pcb has unused locations for 2 switches under the backspace key. If it is not too difficult, can you try making a connection on those locations when the board is plugged in and see if any key presses are sent? It is labelled as JP BS (and something else for the other location) and I am wondering if it will work as-is, or requires a different firmware to access those.

I realise that the plate is not suited to having 2 switches in those locations. If am thinking than if one opened up the plate to support the top and bottom edge of the switches, combined with the pcb behind it, it would hold up ok for little-used keys. (Don't worry, I am not some kind of super-human I use backspace as much as the next person, I would be looking to move backspace to |\ )

[matt3o]

I'm pretty proud I'm bringing a horde of Italians to the light side of the force (or is it the dark side?).

I haven't tried but I believe that what you are suggesting has a 99% chance to work, but it would be a hell to do.

I have too many projects now. As soon as I can I'll post this two keyboards comparison.

[CKenell]

Unfortunately I am not Italian, if you could see me you would be able to tell - I'll never be that beautiful!

Thank you Matt3o, I understand, there is never enough time. I am just happy that someone else thinks it is possible so I will pick one up in the not-too-distant future and give it a go. I notice that the pcb also appears to have loctions for ISO enter as well...

BTW, the pcb pic on the Leopold Korea site doesn't appear to have these extra locations, so if anyone is also thinking of giving this a go you may need to keep this in mind. Any owners of chinese and korean model FC660Ms out there want to invalidate their warranty to find out?