Leopold FC660C with Topre switches

002 · 13 Apr 2013, 01:04

http://leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php ... 1365736667

guilleguillaume · 13 Apr 2013, 01:08

This is just odd

If the layout was better...this would probably would be amazing but I don't understand why would they use that unique RShift size and those separated keys.

002 · 13 Apr 2013, 01:19

Yeah can't say that the layout does much for me but it's going to be pretty hard to resist giving it a try at that price tag.
Strange origins on this board..."Designed by Leopold, Inspected in Japan"...but then made in China?

Also it looks like the switches are plate-mounted which might make it feel a little better than the HHKB, but the layout doesn't really compete.

I have a feeling that PC Case Gear in Australia will be selling these because they announced on their Facebook page that they'd have a new Topre board coming in May. There's also a rumour that *Coolermaster* are making a Topre board too...

Muirium · 13 Apr 2013, 11:56

matt3o's getting one.

Topre and Matias are beginning to give Cherry switches some competition across different manufacturers now. Great news!

Grond · 13 Apr 2013, 12:18

The layout is just unexplainable. I hope more budget topre boards will follow!

002 · 13 Apr 2013, 12:40

Although the Coolermaster version may have a more conservative layout, who knows what they will do with the branding...

Spoiler:

Muirium · 13 Apr 2013, 13:30

Coolermaster EXCLUSIVE! First liquid cooled keyboard in the world. Incorporates industry leading neon strobes for high visibility and dynamic performance monitor telemetry feed for keyboard status updates on your desktop. Ever forget your CAPS LOCK? Not any more. Don't be a n00b. Be a Coolermaster.

ne0phyte · 13 Apr 2013, 14:32

More 3rd party Topre keyboards = sooner or later more Topre (and HHKB? :3) keycaps!

matt3o · 13 Apr 2013, 15:17

EDIT: sorry, the image below is from the FC660M not C.

unfortunately the keyboard seems unhackerable (contrary to the HHKB) or at least very hard to...

Spoiler:

Halverson · 13 Apr 2013, 18:03

matt3o wrote:unfortunately the keyboard seems unhackerable (contrary to the HHKB) or at least very hard to...

leopold660.png

Awe. And here I was thinking I was going to easily stuff 30g domes in there!

tlt · 13 Apr 2013, 18:08

That looks like Cherry MX switches with the holes in the PCB, doesn't it?

matt3o · 13 Apr 2013, 18:11

EDIT!

Sorry wrong model #

( 660M vs 660C )

Halverson · 13 Apr 2013, 18:32

Well maybe they didn't solder on topre switches to copy cherry :p

And thus, back on track to changing domes!

realex · 13 Apr 2013, 21:38

this layout got to be a joke

matt3o · 13 Apr 2013, 23:48

haters are gonna hate

webwit · 14 Apr 2013, 00:28

What's interesting is that the boards aren't OEM made by Topre, like the HHKB, and that the price also suggests it doesn't have the Topre quality control. It will be interesting to see if this makes much difference for the reliability and quality.

Trev · 14 Apr 2013, 01:33

matt3o wrote:EDIT: sorry, the image below is from the FC660M not C.

unfortunately the keyboard seems unhackerable (contrary to the HHKB) or at least very hard to...

Spoiler:
leopold660.png

That's disappointing. Full hardware mods would've made this thing a winner (IMO).

I was excited when I discovered my HHKB had a standard ribbon cable connection to the main control board.

002 · 14 Apr 2013, 01:58

I think it'd be ribbon cable. Apparently all the parts (except keycaps) are still made by Topre in Japan, so I would guess they will still use their standard ribbon cable connector.

Trev · 14 Apr 2013, 02:01

002 wrote:I think it'd be ribbon cable. Apparently all the parts (except keycaps) are still made by Topre in Japan, so I would guess they will still use their standard ribbon cable connector.

Looks like it's all integrated here:

I hope I'm wrong.

Edit:
Ugh... sorry. I just noticed Matt3o's correction. I'll go have some coffee now.

002 · 14 Apr 2013, 02:11

Having re-read what you originally wrote, I think that this board will still be difficult to hack. The HHKB has two PCBs separating the switches and controller, but my money is on this Leopold board having the controller on the main board with the switches. I was of course simply referring to the ribbon connector for the main USB cable.

Cafeine · 14 Apr 2013, 08:01

Well, I WANT ONE.

Findecanor · 14 Apr 2013, 14:22

Leopold's choice of layout is perfectly logical, familiar to everyone who ever used a full-size or tenkeyless keyboard ... or God forbid - a Poker! (note: sarcasm) If you wanted a HHKB, then go buy a HHKB!
By the way, the right Shift key is identical to the left one. The printed Fn-key combinations are the same as on HHKB, but they did not print any arrow keys on [ ; ' / --. I hope that they did as on the HHKB Lite and (still) have those, as well as the Home/End/PgUp/PgDn symbols on Fn-arrow.

laffindude · 16 Apr 2013, 10:55

I will be getting one too.

domin8r · 17 Apr 2013, 13:39

Think I could get used to the layout.. wish it had variable weighting though

sordna · 17 Apr 2013, 17:23

This keyboard needs 2 more keys, (PgUp/PgDown, or Home/End for that matter) on the right side. Shame to have all that space wasted, 2 more keys would fit just fine.

matt3o · 25 Apr 2013, 12:01

Great news guys!

controller seems replaceable! It looks very close to the HHKB one but I counted 20 pins (vs 13 of the HHKB).

Trev · 25 Apr 2013, 12:14

Nice!

What's the build quality like? Is the spacebar PBT?

matt3o · 25 Apr 2013, 12:22

don't know yet, just reporting from kbtmania, my 660c should reach me early next week.

Jmneuv · 25 Apr 2013, 12:54

Nice, lots of screws is a good sign.
Unattractive layout, but if it could be outfitted with a programmable controller it could be fun.

Does it have a plate?

matt3o · 25 Apr 2013, 12:58

Jmneuv wrote:Nice, lots of screws is a good sign.
Unattractive layout, but if it could be outfitted with a programmable controller it could be fun.

Does it have a plate?

yes, it does have a plate