Leopold FC660M Keyboard Mini-Review
Posted: 27 Jul 2013, 00:47
Introduction
Detailed reviews of the Leopold FC660M have already appeared, and the features and specifications are available on the EliteKeyboards website. Therefore, this mini-review is mainly a summary of my impressions of the keyboard.
Switches, Stock Keycaps, and Profile
The FC660M is the new Leopold mini-keyboard with Cherry switches, as opposed to the FC660C, which has uniformly weighted (45 gram) Topre switches. According to EliteKeyboards, the FC660M is not merely a FC660C with Cherry switches substituted for Topre switches. Instead, the FC660M was designed from the ground up as a distinct keyboard. The FC660M is available from Elitekeyboards for $104, which is considerably less expensive than the FC660C, which sells for $189.
My keyboard had Cherry blue switches installed. The stock keycaps are dark charcoal-gray PBT with lasered gold-toned legends. For both the FC660M and FC660C, Leopold introduced a new profile called “step-subculture 2”, which is a low-profile keycap with a relatively flat surface. The CapsLock and Insert keys have LEDs.
Although I liked the slightly pebbly surface of the PBT keycaps, I found the gold legends on the dark charcoal-gray to be difficult to read, particularly in the low-light environment of my office. In addition, I prefer a two-tone color scheme to monochrome, both for aesthetics and for ease of navigation arising from the demarcation of color islands on the keyboard.
Consequently, I replaced the all the keycaps except the non-standard Spacebar using the PBT dye-sublimation white and gray Cyrillic sets from Originative. This customization required two gray sets in order to get an additional Left-Shift to replace the non-standard Right-Shift, which is the same size as a standard Left-Shift. I used a Menu key for the Fn key and a Down Arrow for the “Windows” key.
Because the Spacebar felt a bit light and sounded slightly noisy when typing, I lined the inside with adhesive rubber strips and installed 40A-R O-rings on the stems.
The result is shown in the image below, which also illustrates the layout. The new keycaps have a subtle velvet-like texture that remains dry to the touch even after hours of vigorous typing.
Layout, Fn Layer, and DIP Switches
The layout is shown in the above image (with custom keycaps). It represents an intermediate between a 60% and tenkeyless layout. The main typing area is mostly standard, except for a somewhat shorter Right-Shift, a single 1X “Windows” key on the left, and a Spacebar with non-standard stem spacing.
With the inclusion of dedicated Arrow keys along with Insert and Delete, the Fn layer is minimal and highly intuitive. For example, PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End correspond to Fn+ UpArrow, DownArrow, LeftArrow, and RightArrow. Fn+Q toggles Esc and Accent/Tilde, which toggles the LED on the Insert key.
DIP switches enable swapping Ctrl and CapsLock, Windows and Alt, Windows and Fn, or disabling the Windows key.
Size, Design, and Build Quality
Smaller than a TKL and, because of the dedicated Arrow, Insert, and Delete keys, somewhat larger than a 60% board, I believe that the FC660M has found the sweet spot for keyboard size and design. Some would argue that the isolated Insert and Delete keys look strange, but I quickly became accustomed to this and found that I use both keys frequently (albeit the Insert key much less often).
Build quality is superb. The case is true with no wobble, and the 700-gram board with rubberized pads and extensible feet sits firmly on the desk. Typing action is smooth, with a satisfying solid sound when bottoming out.
Overall Impressions
The FC660M is a sturdy and well designed mini keyboard. The main typing area is largely standard, and the inclusion of dedicated Arrow, Insert, and Delete keys along with a minimal and highly intuitive Fn layer enables touch typing with little or no need to consult a layout diagram. Key action is smooth, precise, and satisfying. My only quibble is that the non-standard Right-Shift and Spacebar make it somewhat difficult and expensive to replace the keycaps. Overall, the FC660M has become one of my favorite keyboards, preferable to my Filco MJ2 TKL Ninja and a close second to my IBM Model M SSK.
Detailed reviews of the Leopold FC660M have already appeared, and the features and specifications are available on the EliteKeyboards website. Therefore, this mini-review is mainly a summary of my impressions of the keyboard.
Switches, Stock Keycaps, and Profile
The FC660M is the new Leopold mini-keyboard with Cherry switches, as opposed to the FC660C, which has uniformly weighted (45 gram) Topre switches. According to EliteKeyboards, the FC660M is not merely a FC660C with Cherry switches substituted for Topre switches. Instead, the FC660M was designed from the ground up as a distinct keyboard. The FC660M is available from Elitekeyboards for $104, which is considerably less expensive than the FC660C, which sells for $189.
My keyboard had Cherry blue switches installed. The stock keycaps are dark charcoal-gray PBT with lasered gold-toned legends. For both the FC660M and FC660C, Leopold introduced a new profile called “step-subculture 2”, which is a low-profile keycap with a relatively flat surface. The CapsLock and Insert keys have LEDs.
Although I liked the slightly pebbly surface of the PBT keycaps, I found the gold legends on the dark charcoal-gray to be difficult to read, particularly in the low-light environment of my office. In addition, I prefer a two-tone color scheme to monochrome, both for aesthetics and for ease of navigation arising from the demarcation of color islands on the keyboard.
Consequently, I replaced the all the keycaps except the non-standard Spacebar using the PBT dye-sublimation white and gray Cyrillic sets from Originative. This customization required two gray sets in order to get an additional Left-Shift to replace the non-standard Right-Shift, which is the same size as a standard Left-Shift. I used a Menu key for the Fn key and a Down Arrow for the “Windows” key.
Because the Spacebar felt a bit light and sounded slightly noisy when typing, I lined the inside with adhesive rubber strips and installed 40A-R O-rings on the stems.
The result is shown in the image below, which also illustrates the layout. The new keycaps have a subtle velvet-like texture that remains dry to the touch even after hours of vigorous typing.
Layout, Fn Layer, and DIP Switches
The layout is shown in the above image (with custom keycaps). It represents an intermediate between a 60% and tenkeyless layout. The main typing area is mostly standard, except for a somewhat shorter Right-Shift, a single 1X “Windows” key on the left, and a Spacebar with non-standard stem spacing.
With the inclusion of dedicated Arrow keys along with Insert and Delete, the Fn layer is minimal and highly intuitive. For example, PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End correspond to Fn+ UpArrow, DownArrow, LeftArrow, and RightArrow. Fn+Q toggles Esc and Accent/Tilde, which toggles the LED on the Insert key.
DIP switches enable swapping Ctrl and CapsLock, Windows and Alt, Windows and Fn, or disabling the Windows key.
Size, Design, and Build Quality
Smaller than a TKL and, because of the dedicated Arrow, Insert, and Delete keys, somewhat larger than a 60% board, I believe that the FC660M has found the sweet spot for keyboard size and design. Some would argue that the isolated Insert and Delete keys look strange, but I quickly became accustomed to this and found that I use both keys frequently (albeit the Insert key much less often).
Build quality is superb. The case is true with no wobble, and the 700-gram board with rubberized pads and extensible feet sits firmly on the desk. Typing action is smooth, with a satisfying solid sound when bottoming out.
Overall Impressions
The FC660M is a sturdy and well designed mini keyboard. The main typing area is largely standard, and the inclusion of dedicated Arrow, Insert, and Delete keys along with a minimal and highly intuitive Fn layer enables touch typing with little or no need to consult a layout diagram. Key action is smooth, precise, and satisfying. My only quibble is that the non-standard Right-Shift and Spacebar make it somewhat difficult and expensive to replace the keycaps. Overall, the FC660M has become one of my favorite keyboards, preferable to my Filco MJ2 TKL Ninja and a close second to my IBM Model M SSK.
