Leopold FC660C and FC660M Side-by-Side Comparison
Posted: 02 Sep 2013, 00:56
BACKGROUND
On July 26 of this year, I posted a brief review of the Leopold FC660M, the Cherry mx switch version of the Leopold mini keyboard.
http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/ ... t6207.html
Now, after a long wait on backorder, I have finally received the Leopold FC660C, the Topre switch version of the Leopold mini keyboard, which enables me to do a side-by-side comparison.
This is my first experience with a keyboard equipped with Topre switches. My longest experience is with IBM Model M and IBM SSK keyboards with buckling springs, but recently I have used various keyboards, mostly with Cherry mx blues, but some with blacks, whites, and greens. In addition, I have had a brief tryout of Matias 4 tactile switches.
TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS
First, it is important to realize that the FC660C and FC660M are not merely the same keyboard with one switch type substituted for another. These are two different keyboards from the ground up. They bear a close superficial resemblance to each other because of their unique mini layout and similar color scheme with stock dark brown PBT keycaps and gold lettering. Moreover, build quality of the FC660C and FC660M appears to be similar. Each weighs about 700 grams, and with nearly identical case sizes, each has about the same density and "heft".
However, closer inspection reveals that the chocolate-brown FC660C case is slightly larger than the black FC660M case, and the mini-USB connector on the FC660C is located a bit farther to the left of the right side of the keyboard. The location of the DIP switches also differs between the two boards.
I have noticed what I think is a minor issue, but nevertheless a difference between the two keyboards. The case on the FC660C flexes slightly along its top edge and makes a faint popping sound when the keyboard is squeezed in the middle, but the FC660M does not do this. There have been previous posts about this potential quality issue by other authors. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43605.0
The two Leopolds also have different pedigrees. Although some FC660M boards are made by Leopold-China, mine says, "Made in Korea" on the bottom-side sticker. In contrast, the sticker on the FC660C says, "Designed by Leopold. Inspected in Japan. Made in China."
NIGHT AND DAY
The real difference becomes apparent as soon as you start typing. The FC660M has Cherry switches (blue in my case) and Cherry-type stabilizers; the typing feel differs from one key to another -- this is particularly noticeable on the stabilized keys (backspace, enter, shift, and spacebar) versus the others. The blue switches have a "Rice Crispies" light crunchy sound and faint crinkly friction on actuation, and bottoming out has a comparatively high-frequency harsh sound and abrupt feel.
In contrast, the FC660C has Topre switches (evenly weighted at 45 grams, although the spacebar feels somewhat heavier). The typing feel and sounds are agreeably even across the board, including the large keys. Actuation feedback comes with a pronounced "bump", and bottoming out is slightly cushioned with an agreeable sound, like that of a galloping horse wearing rubber horseshoes (thockity clop!; clopity thock!). The resistance is about right, although I think I might like something slightly heavier, perhaps 50-55 grams rather than 45 grams.
The typing experience between the FC660M and FC660C is like night and day. The FC660C with its Topre switches has the feel of an upscale full-size automobile, whereas the FC660M with its Cherry switches feels like a cheap compact car. Typing on the FC660C feels luxurious and instills confidence, whereas typing on the FC660M feels toy-like and evokes trepidation, as though something might break at any minute.
IT'S ALL RELATIVE
After my positive experience with buckling spring and Matias switches, I had not expected to like Topres, but I do. In fact, based on a few hours of typing on the FC660C, I would rank these Topre switches alongside my beloved IBM buckling springs. Overall, my switch rankings are as follows: IBM buckling springs ~ FC660C 45g Topres >> Matias ~ Cherry mx green > Cherry blue > Other Cherry mx switches (however, I have yet to try Cherry mx clear switches, which look promising). Naturally, these are my subjective impressions and YMMV.
It is unfortunate for my wallet that it took so long for my FC660C to arrive, because while I was waiting, I kept acquiring various Cherry-switch boards in a largely fruitless attempt to find the perfect keyboard, especially one with a smaller footprint than my IBM Model M or IBM SSK.
NOTHING IS PERFECT -- WHERE ARE THE CAPS?
However, the FC660C is not perfect, even with its excellent mini layout and fabulous Topre switches. To my mind, Leopold, or someone, needs to provide a reasonably priced source of alternative Topre keycaps for this board, including the spacebar. The stock caps have a good profile and the excellent feel of PBT, but they need to have quality dye-sublimated legends and attractive background colors, as seen in the white and beige RealForce or white and light gray HHKB Pro 2 boards. Such keycaps would improve the appearance and legibility of the keyboard. Customers want choices for keycaps, and no matter how good Topre switches are, the absence of keycap alternatives is a major deterrent to buying the FC660C.
STICKER SHOCK
As good as the Topre switches are, I think the price of the FC660C is too high. The current price for the FC660M with either Cherry mx blue or brown switches is 104 USD from EK, whereas their price for the FC660C with Topre switches is 189 USD. There is no question in my mind that the FC660C is the better board, but it does seem questionable to set the price at 85 USD more, especially with no options currently available for replacement keycaps.
PARTING SHOT
So, until reasonably priced alternative keycaps become available for the Leopold FC660C, I will relegate it to backup status and revert to my IBM SSK, which already has a beautiful two-tone set of dye-sublimated PBT keycaps along with its buckling spring switches, which are at least as good as the Topre switches in the Leopold.
On July 26 of this year, I posted a brief review of the Leopold FC660M, the Cherry mx switch version of the Leopold mini keyboard.
http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/ ... t6207.html
Now, after a long wait on backorder, I have finally received the Leopold FC660C, the Topre switch version of the Leopold mini keyboard, which enables me to do a side-by-side comparison.
This is my first experience with a keyboard equipped with Topre switches. My longest experience is with IBM Model M and IBM SSK keyboards with buckling springs, but recently I have used various keyboards, mostly with Cherry mx blues, but some with blacks, whites, and greens. In addition, I have had a brief tryout of Matias 4 tactile switches.
TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS
First, it is important to realize that the FC660C and FC660M are not merely the same keyboard with one switch type substituted for another. These are two different keyboards from the ground up. They bear a close superficial resemblance to each other because of their unique mini layout and similar color scheme with stock dark brown PBT keycaps and gold lettering. Moreover, build quality of the FC660C and FC660M appears to be similar. Each weighs about 700 grams, and with nearly identical case sizes, each has about the same density and "heft".
However, closer inspection reveals that the chocolate-brown FC660C case is slightly larger than the black FC660M case, and the mini-USB connector on the FC660C is located a bit farther to the left of the right side of the keyboard. The location of the DIP switches also differs between the two boards.
I have noticed what I think is a minor issue, but nevertheless a difference between the two keyboards. The case on the FC660C flexes slightly along its top edge and makes a faint popping sound when the keyboard is squeezed in the middle, but the FC660M does not do this. There have been previous posts about this potential quality issue by other authors. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43605.0
The two Leopolds also have different pedigrees. Although some FC660M boards are made by Leopold-China, mine says, "Made in Korea" on the bottom-side sticker. In contrast, the sticker on the FC660C says, "Designed by Leopold. Inspected in Japan. Made in China."
NIGHT AND DAY
The real difference becomes apparent as soon as you start typing. The FC660M has Cherry switches (blue in my case) and Cherry-type stabilizers; the typing feel differs from one key to another -- this is particularly noticeable on the stabilized keys (backspace, enter, shift, and spacebar) versus the others. The blue switches have a "Rice Crispies" light crunchy sound and faint crinkly friction on actuation, and bottoming out has a comparatively high-frequency harsh sound and abrupt feel.
In contrast, the FC660C has Topre switches (evenly weighted at 45 grams, although the spacebar feels somewhat heavier). The typing feel and sounds are agreeably even across the board, including the large keys. Actuation feedback comes with a pronounced "bump", and bottoming out is slightly cushioned with an agreeable sound, like that of a galloping horse wearing rubber horseshoes (thockity clop!; clopity thock!). The resistance is about right, although I think I might like something slightly heavier, perhaps 50-55 grams rather than 45 grams.
The typing experience between the FC660M and FC660C is like night and day. The FC660C with its Topre switches has the feel of an upscale full-size automobile, whereas the FC660M with its Cherry switches feels like a cheap compact car. Typing on the FC660C feels luxurious and instills confidence, whereas typing on the FC660M feels toy-like and evokes trepidation, as though something might break at any minute.
IT'S ALL RELATIVE
After my positive experience with buckling spring and Matias switches, I had not expected to like Topres, but I do. In fact, based on a few hours of typing on the FC660C, I would rank these Topre switches alongside my beloved IBM buckling springs. Overall, my switch rankings are as follows: IBM buckling springs ~ FC660C 45g Topres >> Matias ~ Cherry mx green > Cherry blue > Other Cherry mx switches (however, I have yet to try Cherry mx clear switches, which look promising). Naturally, these are my subjective impressions and YMMV.
It is unfortunate for my wallet that it took so long for my FC660C to arrive, because while I was waiting, I kept acquiring various Cherry-switch boards in a largely fruitless attempt to find the perfect keyboard, especially one with a smaller footprint than my IBM Model M or IBM SSK.
NOTHING IS PERFECT -- WHERE ARE THE CAPS?
However, the FC660C is not perfect, even with its excellent mini layout and fabulous Topre switches. To my mind, Leopold, or someone, needs to provide a reasonably priced source of alternative Topre keycaps for this board, including the spacebar. The stock caps have a good profile and the excellent feel of PBT, but they need to have quality dye-sublimated legends and attractive background colors, as seen in the white and beige RealForce or white and light gray HHKB Pro 2 boards. Such keycaps would improve the appearance and legibility of the keyboard. Customers want choices for keycaps, and no matter how good Topre switches are, the absence of keycap alternatives is a major deterrent to buying the FC660C.
STICKER SHOCK
As good as the Topre switches are, I think the price of the FC660C is too high. The current price for the FC660M with either Cherry mx blue or brown switches is 104 USD from EK, whereas their price for the FC660C with Topre switches is 189 USD. There is no question in my mind that the FC660C is the better board, but it does seem questionable to set the price at 85 USD more, especially with no options currently available for replacement keycaps.
PARTING SHOT
So, until reasonably priced alternative keycaps become available for the Leopold FC660C, I will relegate it to backup status and revert to my IBM SSK, which already has a beautiful two-tone set of dye-sublimated PBT keycaps along with its buckling spring switches, which are at least as good as the Topre switches in the Leopold.
). Feeling wise, the close second would be the RF in 55g uniform. I own or have access to a lot of KB and the 660C is my daily driver for a reason. The problem is that YEP the lettering of the keycaps sux. If I could blank them, I'd do it. The PBT itself is fine.