Leopold FC660C Long Term Use Review

Leopold is one of the few keyboard builders that features Topre switch based keyboards.  Like Ducky Channel, the product line is mostly built by Topre rather than in its own factory.  However, it gets a little murky with Leopold since the keyboard may be built in China, South Korea or Japan.  Rumor has it that Varmilo manufactures many of Leopold’s products.  In any case, Leopold acts as the quality assurance agent.  So, honestly it really doesn’t matter who the OEM really is, as long as the product is as good as it can be.

Now, the FC660C is a 60% keyboard that is not quite standard.  It has those extra arrow keys and two additional INS and DEL keys on the right side.  Therefore, it does not have a conventional 60% keyboard layout like KBParadise’s V60 or Vortex’s Pok3r.  These keyboards use fancy Fn remap functions to completely change the key stroke meanings and macro capability.  I am not smart enough to manage something that complex.  So, I tend to stick with something simpler like the FC660C where Fn+1 simply mean F1 key.  It also has DIP switches to change the default behaviors of various keys in case someone wants to swap key positions such as control or shift.  Due to a non-standard layout, it might not be as transparent moving from a FC660C to another TKL and vice versa.  However, its layout is fairly close to a typical laptop keyboard layout.  So, it’s not bad per se, but more as something to be aware of.  Again, I tend to leave these things alone since I deal with many different keyboards, workstations and laptops.  Thus, I try to keep things as standard as possible.  In this case, the FC660C fits right in.  I wish it would have PgDn and PgUp as well, but then that would pretty much be like an 87 keys TKL.  So kind of defeats the purpose.  Once in a while, I have to stop and think when I need to press a function key or need to use Page Down or Page Up.  However, these instances are more or less infrequent.  So, it’s not that much different from using a laptop keyboard.

With Topre switches anchoring the keyboard technology, one can expect a great typing experience.  I can attest to that, since I like the uniform weighting rather than the variable type.  For some reason, the keys are rated 45g, but I feel like keys takes a bit more force to press than my 104UG.  It’s more like a 55g or more.  Also, it’s the brightest sounding and chattiest Topre keyboard that I have around.  Not that it’s a bad thing, tho, it is louder than I have expected.  Now, it’s nowhere near buckling spring or Cherry MX blue for that matter, but still a bit unexpected.  The sound has a more squeaky pitch, perhaps an octaves or so higher than one from a regular Realforce.  Topre switch is something to be experienced as I said earlier.  However, it can be a bit odd if someone who is not familiar with its behavior and can be mistaken for a really good rubber dome keyboard.  Nothing wrong with rubber dome keyboards per se, as they are sold in the millions and there are many great rubber dome keyboards made every day.  However, someone can easily overlook the subtle Topre switch Zen-like beauty if one is not paying attention.  So, it’s what the buyer values.  I struggled with Topre switches for a while and finally come to really enjoy using it.  Leopold’s FC660C is an excellent ambassador for Topre switches.

Since this keyboard features PBT key caps, obviously it doesn’t have any LED lighting or stuff like that.  It’s a retro/old school keyboard that the keys cap feels assured, carries some weight.  So, it’s less likely that someone would accidentally tap on something.  The key cap surface are comfortable and fingers glide gracefully from one key to another.  No wonder it’s a favorite among some professional Starcraft gamers.  The only thing that I am not a fan of is the mini-USB interface location.  I fully understand why Leopold chose to put it there.  However, for my typical setup, it gets in the way and bends downward slightly generating unwanted torque on the connector.  If the keyboard would hide the connector interface somewhere out of the way and use some cable routers and channels to manage the cable travel, I think I will sleep just a little easier.  Since the keyboard is designed for folks on the go, I can see the design choices made to better serve them.

Now, remember, it’s a Topre switch based keyboard.  So one can expect the full Topre experience, along with a price tag to match.  Even though it is a 60% keyboard, it costs just about as much as a regular 87 keys TKL from Topre itself if not more.  So, one must be prepared to pay the price of admission to the Topre kingdom.  It’s just how it is…

In conclusion, FC660C is a joy to use, easily portable around and Topre switches make a great keyboard typing experience.  It makes me want to bring this keyboard around where ever I go so I get a chance to use it rather than what’s already out there.  Minor, but pesky USB connector annoyance and pricing issue aside, there is much to like about the keyboard in general.

Grade: A-

Matias Secured Pro Keyboard Image Gallery

Somehow this one didn't make it till now.  So, without further due, here is Matias' Secure Pro Keyboard.  This is basically Matias's Laptop Pro keyboard where the wireless signal is AES encrypted.  It does not use Bluetooth.  So, it can be used in a secured environment....  Oh, don't lose that USB transceiver!

Front view with the USB transceiver

Left view

Right view

Switch and key cap view

Key cap view

Back side of the key cap

Matias quiet click switch (light gray color)

Back side view

Keyboard foot retracted

Keyboard foot extended

USB ports on the top side of the keyboard

Power button on the right (white color)

USB transceiver

More thoughts about Das Keyboard 5Q keyboard switch

As previously noted, Das Keyboard 5Q’s biggest thing is programmable RGB lighting for each key that can be controlled by an external program via an API.  However, cool notifications and lighting control won’t do you any good if the keyboard itself is not interesting.  These days, the newer Das Keyboard entries no longer use Cherry MX, but instead going with another vendor since the 4C.  However, with the 5Q, Metadot is taking this separation a bit further.  Remember that they have release a brand new key switch for the gaming keyboard?  It’s basically a Cherry MX Red clone with a short activation distance.  With the 5Q, they have gone further.  Much further.

From the information gleamed on the site, looks like the switch is a completely new design, manufactured by Omron.  That name should ring a bell.  Yes, it’s the crew that make Logtiech’s Romer-G key switches.  So, from a first glance, the 5Q’s new gamma zulu is surprisingly similar to Romer-G’s design.  Both share many similar characteristics.  So, it’s possible that Omron provided a reference design and then each company selected features to make a switch type distinctly their own.  In any case, Metadot chose to identify their new switch to Cherry MX brown as a close comparison.  However, the switch is rated at 100 million actuation.  So, it’s about twice of that for a Cherry MX's rating.  Either way, I would be impressed if someone reached that many key presses.  Suffice to say that Metadot is confident of its durability.  Given Metadot’s history coming from software developers, I am not surprised that a solid, reliable key switch is a must have feature.

Short actuation distance is now in vogue.  The new standard is now around 1.5mm.  Anyway, this gamma zulu switch is no exception.  45g force is still the norm, but there’s some moment elsewhere to increase the key weight upward toward 70g or more.  That’s probably too much for most folks; but for heavy hitting typist, they are just getting started.  However, in that regard, gamma zulu stayed put.  It has a 1.5mm actuation distance, 3.5mm total travel and about 45g key weight, very similar to Romer-G.  Like Romer-G, it has a central LED lighting pipe that allows better lighting.  Since one main feature about this keyboard is the LEDs, I suppose it’s one of the reasons why Metadot went with Omron rather than Cherry.  One of the bigger MX weaknesses is the LED positioning.  Since the LED pipe is in the middle, Cherry MX key caps need not apply.  I am wondering if one can transplant Logitech’s Orion key caps to the 5Q and vice versa.  In any case, the LED lighting is crucial given that programmable LED lighting is the linchpin of the product.  It must work well.  So, the new Omron design solves a major problem for Metadot.

So Metadot has double down on this new keyboard design, trying to please both the gaming crowd and the coder/typist niche.  Let’s see if it works out.  I think Metadot is onto something, but they will need software development support and build momentum going forward.  I am keeping a close eye on this one.  Should be pretty interesting to watch.

Thoughts about Das Keyboard 5Q

After moving toward the gamer’s market with a relatively me-too product, Metadot is trying again to set the bar.  To fund product development, Metadot turned to KickStarter instead.  So, early backers who opened their wallets wide would be the first to reap the benefits.  As with any early adapters, there’s a risk and price to be paid.  Since Metadot is fairly established entity, this is less risky than some other ventures out there. Never the less, backers be aware.  Like investing in stock market, there are risks involved.  Again, backers be aware.

Now, with that out of the way, my focus is about the keyboard itself foremost.  As a spiritual descendant of the Das Keyboard 4 Pro line, the 5Q inherited a lot of the design and aesthetic elements.  Adding to the keyboard is a palm rest that can be detached for those who won’t need it.  Another big change is of course, the obligatory RGB LED lighting these days.  However, that’s only a little part of the story.

One big idea that Metadot is pitching for the 5Q is the ability to use the RGB lighting on the keys to serve as indicators.  Basically the keyboard lighting for each individual keys double as a notification system.  For example, when the D key turns bright red, it might mean that there’s a deal that you have been watching is on sale.  To enable this type of connectivity, Metadot is opening the keyboard lighting control APIs to the world so that developers can build custom apps for the keyboard to do something neat like that.  Basically, Metadot is going back to its roots as a developer’s tool to innovate.  According to Metadot’s word, it’s turning the keyboard into a dashboard.  The idea is rather interesting.  Basically the keyboard now serves as a notification screen like a smartphone, except the user don’t to have to go check on another device.  There is a companion application on the PC desktop to actually display the notification when the user wants to know what’s going on.

I can’t wait to see what other interesting applications that the development community will come up with.  Perhaps there’s going to be some interesting killer-apps that other keyboard vendors will ape.  Let’s see if that’ happens.  If this concept takes off, I am wondering if Metadot would just build an indicator array device independent of the keyboard.  Just a thought.

Anyway, I will give the key switch itself some more thought.  Stay tuned!

IBM KPD8923 Keyboard image gallery

Here is a bit of a blast from the past.  Back when IBM still made servers and PCs, they also sold rubber dome keyboards with integrated TrackPoint.  I got my little paws on an old, well used unit with some missing parts.  Never the less, it was useful for places that didn't have room for a mouse as TrackPoint is built-in.  Enjoy!

front view

Right view

Left view

TrackPoint with 2 buttons

Key cap view

Key cap view, backside

Rubber dome switch

Looks like a PS/2 plug for mouse

PS/2 plugs for keyboard and mouse (TrackPoint in this case)

Backside view (missing a keyboard foot)

Keyboard foot retracted

Keyboard foot extended

Further examination of the custom mod silent Topre keyboard

Yes, I am a fan of the new Ducky 104UB silent keyboard because it really doesn’t take away too much of that special Topre switch feel.  Yet, it still retain some silencing features that makes the board more appropriate for a quiet environment.  The Topre switch are fairly quiet to begin with when compares to the Chery MX blue for example.  So, it’s not starting out in a bad place per se.  The auditory feedback really is something else once somebody experience it.  However, I have been going back to reexamine the custom silent version that I had purchased sometimes ago.

Now, in my previous post, I noticed that the custom version probably took too much of that trademark sonic vibe from Topre switch, but also dampen the key to the point where it is almost flat.  I am back to check out what that flat means.  Topre switches are very smooth because it has very gentle slope going up or down the force-distance curve.  It’s just enough to let the user know that the key has been activated.  The arc has that beautiful s-curve that wasn’t too steep, unlike, say, a scissor switch.  I don’t have the proper instrument to demonstrate it, but the custom version has even flatter curve going by what I feel.

So, in a way, it’s almost like a linear switch because there’s no hills and valleys, except it is not linear, but a relatively flat line across all the distances.  The key force push back is as more or less constant across the distance.  This is different from a linear switch like Cherry MX red where the resistance builds up the further the key press goes.  So, it’s another way to look at why this particular mod makes it so smooth, perhaps almost too smooth for some folks because the unique Topre feel is gone.  On the other hand, this is such as smooth switch, it’s like pushing on butter.  This may have some folks salivating in more than one way.

My experience with this mod is that it is one of the quietest keyboard I have used with the most “flat” feel.  However, it’s not exactly a Topre switch anymore, but should almost be considered as entirely in a different class.  It just happen to build on a Topre switch and took great advantages of its unique design.

Reaction to Topre’s Realforce RGB announcement

At this time, most of the Internet’s focus is probably elsewhere by now that Computex has come and gone.  E3, Apple WWDC and a few other things like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are the talk of computer and video game folks.  So, I don’t want this one slip past me.

Now, just looking at the brochure, one of the first thing that jumps out is the LED lights are taking over Realforce.  So, I guess the 70s is back….  Another thing that is of great interest is the adjustable actuation distance, from the standard 2.2mm.  One can now select 3mm or even 1.5mm.  That is a cool feature that Topre switches can do easily, but difficult to say the least for a Cherry MX switch design.  One can make this change on the fly apparently.  So, this is probably either going through some sort of utility or press likely one of the extra keys on the upper right will do the trick.  I know that Topre has experimented with pressure sensitive switch; I am guessing that this is one way to put that coolness to good use.  Short travel keys are the rage these days….  However, then one is typing, a nice deep travel distance will decrease mistypes.

Also, Topre has changed the case design and the key caps too.  Because PBT doesn’t do transparent colors, I am guessing these are double shot ABS key caps.  I could be wrong tho.  The cap design also changed to a more flat shape Topre called step sculpture.  In any case, perhaps to cater to the more popular key cap shape than for the more recessed design that are more targeted to typist and developers.  One thing that is not covered by the PDF, but was uncovered by other blogs and commentators is that the keycap does not use the traditional Topre switch stem.  Instead, it uses Cherry MX stem.  Many folks have said that Topre just made Novatouch 104 RGB and that’s probably a good way to describe it.  This opens up a whole world of key cap options.  This should clear out a major weakness Topre suffered from.  On the other hand, Topre stems are very stable and sturdy and is a sound design for the intent and purpose.  Cherry MX key caps are pretty much industry standard now.  So, Topre will play along I guess if it wants to play in the gamer's market.

One more thing.  It appears that this is a uniform weight design, but it’s hard to tell from the brochure since it lists key weight as 45g+/-15g.  Topre likes to highlight the variable force aspect of the keyboard.  So, it would say so if that’s the case.  However, Topre lists the uniform key weight keyboard such as 104UG the same way.  So, I am going to go with consistency and put my bet on the uniform weighted side.  Besides, that’s probably cheaper to make…

Now, granted that all this is a prototype and Topre is just feeling out the market to see if there’s an interest from the gaming community.  They have some really cool technology sitting on the shelf waiting to be put to good use.  I think the biggest takeaway is the variable actuation distance.  There’s nothing in the market right now that is like it.  If Topre plays its card right, this could become the next standard keyboard at e-sports events.  Given how pricey it likely will be, I am going to say that this one is going to be an expansive toy.