Varmilo VA68M better than the FC660M ? (now on massdrop)

[TuxKey]

hi guys,

So i'm a big fan of compact keyboards But i don't really like having to fish for my arrow keys..
After missing the first drop i requested a drop..And didn't give it a second thought..
Meanwhile Massdrop had the Realforce 87U TKL drop..
That resulted in me buying the Leopold FC660C..

So my Second FC660 is in the mail..First one was an MX-clear and second one is a Topre 45gr...
i just have one problem with the whole Leopold FC660 line..
And that is "The damm issue with getting keycaps" !!

Perhaps i'm a bit of newbie but i don't understand all those different sizes of spacebars.. 6 unit uhhh 7 unit..
Or 6.25 ,, or 6 , or 7..

And don't forget about the rest of the keys the FC660M has a petit left fn key ..
And i believe there is something rotten in the state of the right shift key Nope all is good and well i Denmark..ahhaha LOL..

My lack of understanding was the main reason why i didn't join the Awsome WhiteFox drop..
I hope Matt3o can explain this sizing crap to me (or someone else) what the heck is a normal size??
Could we please have a wiki subject dedicated to this ?? Or do we already have one hahaha..

So that finally brings me to the "Varmilo VA68M" was that the keyboard i should have gotten in the first place ??
I mean Seller Qtang made me pay true the nose being a newbie..

- Keycaps $50 €38,51 Because the keycaps that came with the keyboard really sucked..And the pictures were way better !!
- Leopold FC6600 27-07-2014 $154 €118,34
- Customs and DHL Bulshit €47,59

- Totaal €204 That's well over $240

So Back to the "Varmilo VA68M" currently on Massdrop for $160 without shipping..
Adding dy-sub keycaps..And Mx-clears.. With shipping to Amsterdam..

And don't forget about tax and customs.. Really hate paying that when the country that asks
for all that doesn't sell the product and had nothing to do with production what so ever..

In total it would cost me ..

$213 €196
€196 +21% = €41,16
€196 +11% = €21,56
Totaal €196 + €41,16 + €21,56 = €258,72 in US GreenBucks $283

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-va ... guest_open

One could call it the FC660 with standard format keycaps??
But does it have dip switches ?? Like the FC660 ??

i think it has no dipswitch ..But more research is needed on that one..

[tentator]

I can so much understand you
myself also fan of 65% layouts (60%+arrowkeys basically)
so I like the fc660 (at the moment not even able to find one with mx clears, where did you find it?) or maybe a matias layout
of course myself also crying for not having noticed in time the whitefox.. after so many years..
this keyboard world is really depressing.. not to speak that my real desire would be to have a pointing stick integrated in the keyboard.. that's asking too much..
so either I drop some requirements and get the m13 for expensive import from usa or I just buy the fc660m and shut up.. not really thinking the above mentioned would be better than the leopold in my opinion (unless somebody can say the varmilo has a teensy2 inside that could make me change opinion.. that would be far better than dip switches )

[Matt_]

One could call it the FC660 with standard format keycaps??

Yes. And an alu case. Probably better build quality, but search for feedback to get more informed opinions on the matter.

But does it have dip switches ?? Like the FC660 ??

Looks like it doesn't, but that hardly matters. DIP switches are just one way of allowing the user to choose between several options, which the Varmilo does with key combinations:

FN + Windows (Hold until LED flashes): Swap Windows and Function keys
FN + Left Ctrl (Hold unit LED flashes): Swap Ctrl and Capslock keys

[TuxKey]

so I like the fc660 (at the moment not even able to find one with mx clears, where did you find it?)

(unless somebody can say the varmilo has a teensy2 inside that could make me change opinion.. that would be far better than dip switches )

I got my FC660M with Mx-clears from a well know seller called Qtang. In total with the VAT and Customs fees i had to pay.
it cost me €204

Same goes for my KUL ES-87. i'm selling that one btw.
https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/com ... ource=link

Adding a Teensy2 to any keyboard would be awesome..But i think it's more involved than it sounds..
Having all the testing equipment needed is not easy ..not to mentions soldering kits and so on..

[TuxKey]

Looks like it doesn't, but that hardly matters. DIP switches are just one way of allowing the user to choose between several options, which the Varmilo does with key combinations:

FN + Windows (Hold until LED flashes): Swap Windows and Function keys
FN + Left Ctrl (Hold unit LED flashes): Swap Ctrl and Capslock keys

And what about OSX mode ? Alt (left) becomes Windows or supper key..

[TuxKey]

I happend to agree with a couple of people on the massdrop forum in regards to pricing..
But not for the same reason as stated..

If i could get this keyboard as is from EU so i wouldn't have to pay the extra $65 for tax and customs i would consider getting it. Even if it ment having a third mx-clear board..How do you mean addictive.. hahahaha

[tentator]

so I like the fc660 (at the moment not even able to find one with mx clears, where did you find it?)

(unless somebody can say the varmilo has a teensy2 inside that could make me change opinion.. that would be far better than dip switches )

I got my FC660M with Mx-clears from a well know seller called Qtang. In total with the VAT and Customs fees i had to pay.
it cost me €204

Same goes for my KUL ES-87. i'm selling that one btw.
https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/com ... ource=link

Adding a Teensy2 to any keyboard would be awesome..But i think it's more involved than it sounds..
Having all the testing equipment needed is not easy ..not to mentions soldering kits and so on..

204Eur?? !!

And the KUL ES-87 is sold right?

anyway I think my plan will be to spot a cheap source of mx-clears and then try to build an 65% keyboard handwired myself based on teensy and if possible try to fit in it also a recycled trackpoint.. dreaming I know..

tent:wq

[TuxKey]

204Eur?? !!

tent:wq

i'm afraid so ..getting anything that costs €118 inside the EU means adding at least 31% on top !!

Leopold FC6600 $154 €118,34
extra set of Keycaps $50 €38,51
21% +11% Customs/DHL Bulshit €47,59

Totaal €204 That's well over $240

[TuxKey]

And the KUL ES-87 is sold right?

Yep just sold it a couple of days ago..

anyway I think my plan will be to spot a cheap source of mx-clears and then try to build an 65% keyboard handwired myself based on teensy and if possible try to fit in it also a recycled trackpoint.. dreaming I know..

Sounds like an awesome project always cool to dream why the heck not..let us know what you come up with..
And if possible perhaps document your journey perhaps would be awesome to read how you tacked the whole project.

take care..

[DrOpBoX]

204Eur?? !!

tent:wq

i'm afraid so ..getting anything that costs €118 inside the EU means adding at least 31% on top !!

Leopold FC6600 $154 €118,34
extra set of Keycaps $50 €38,51
21% +11% Customs/DHL Bulshit €47,59

Totaal €204 That's well over $240

whaaaaaaaat 48 euro for customs feed and all? I`m near to buy a fc660m from widebasket, but 118+48 is too much. I thought add on only 30-35 max (22%+3,5% tax)