Leo is good price/quality but more smoll annoying things: letters on caps too smoll 1.25 - 1 - 1.25 instead 1.25 - 1.25 - 1.25 Unstepped Caps and Stepped Control (facepalm) No 5 pin holes on PCB (hard to align switches) No slits on plate (impossible to open switches without desoldering) angle to flat, feet to high
1. I won't fight it, I do personally like the thicker and bigger gmk fonts 2. As oppose to that, right side of the space bar is 1 - 1 - 1.25, so still a normal modern 1800 layout 3. Fair enough, weird choice made by the company tbh 4. The switch is supposed to be aligned by the plate, besides they don't make these just for us enthusiast guys 5. Same as 4th, they don't do it for the custom guys, and also this is also why there is no pcb mount holes, plates with top opening support usually means crooked switches 6. Subjective, type with the feet off with a wrist rest and you will see some amount of improvement regarding ergonomics.
Something I came across during research: did you guys know some gaming keyboards from companies like Corsair and Logitech are in the $200 range? Actually insane
Logitech makes some good shit tho. Probably better then you think!! They are one of the only companies that will invent new shit like their own switches. Which turned out gooooood.
it will take a while but as the community grows people interested in computers/gaming will start to realise that corsair and others are ripping them off
@@KeyboardScraps the one thats 1.5mm instead of 2mm i think. They are on the G-pro keyboard i think. Not hard to find them... Its a logitech switch that has less travel. Been around a while. They were fast at the starting line when mechanicals got popular again
"they might just see no need after this." This happened to me. I have been using mine since 2014. I worked at a datacenter for 8 years, my boards were tools, nothing more. I tried many brands, Razer, Logitech, Corsair, KBTalking (vortex), HHKB, niz, etc.. Some were okay, most gave me some sort of issue or had something about it I didn't like or had a deal breaker. Even the spacebar/RShift didn't deter me from it. The only one that outlasted all of them was the board I'm typing on. FC660M, old faithful. I've used it for 6 years through hell and back and it's never once had an issue. I could write a huge rant about how good this board is in comparison to what is out there. Simply put, the build quality of the Leopold is unrivaled by any manufacturer. I unintentionally bought my endgame board, then bought it's sister. FC660C. I bought it a year or two after I realized how much I loved Leopold. Glad there's others out there who share the same love. Still waiting for the day I can get a custom board or grow the balls to mod my FC660M. I just feel like if I touch it, I'll ruin that Leopold Magic. The only thing keeping it from true "endgame" for me is custom switches. But after watching this video I just want to buy another Leopold, or two. I think it's justified.
Honestly if you just bought this with Cherry MX Blacks and desoldered, lubed, and springswapped those bad boys you'd have one of the best keyboards money can buy for cheap with a little extra work
The quality of this video is off the charts. I have been a big Leopold fan for years for prebuilts and always recommend them as a first keyboard for others!
Best review of this amazing keyboard. Yes, it works perfectly on the Mac with a few minor adjustments. I believe dipswitch 2 flips the Windows key with Alt so you can have a Mac-like modifier row layout. The media controls work fine, you just need to press Fn to access them. For example, brightness is Fn+F1 and Fn+F2 and volume is Fn+F11 and Fn+F12. No need to go into System Preferences to change your keys. If you need to replace the bottom keys with Mac modifiers, look for cherry profile keys, those align perfectly. I got a few for my office because I'm tired of replacing our keyboards every year (We do transcription work so we wear out keyboards fast). The best quality pre-build keyboard on the market. I would even dare to say they are better built than my made in Japan Realforce keyboards.
I too do transcription at work, and the generic Dell keyboards wear too fast, in the span of 2 years I've changed them at least 5 times, now I want this Leopold, just have one question, is there a way to have the Home/End keys always available? I use them to select complete lines, so the PgUp/PgDown have no use.
I got the niz plum 35g and its my endgame literally. I look at keyboards on /mk sometimes but never have the desire to buy more keycaps or try new switches. The niz is "too good" like you said in the video which works out for me I don't chase the dragon and save money.
I must also let you know I have the blue star version of the same brown keys in this, but im going to get the silent red in this color next. That is my end game
All my prebuilt boards are from Leopold. It's a shame the supply is so spotty outside of Korea. It's pretty mind blowing that they can provide this level of build quality with PERFECT PBT caps and an actual 1.25u capslock key for that price.
That smudge is soldering flux residue. It is usually washed off in an ultrasonic cleaner, but that would probably ruin the switches. If you aren't going to clean the solder flux in your pcb fab procedure, then you use a no-clean solder. It is still avoided because it looks ugly, and can (though it isn't supposed to) cause corrosion.
Ever since I got my first leopold keyboard I've absolutely loved them, stock or modded. They're built like tanks at a relatively cheap price compared to most prebuilts that are worth their weight. I'm currently using an FC660MBT that's been hot-swap modded with Haimu Whispers and I haven't even considered going back to my $300 Luminkey75 or $400+ Chaosera Cupid65.
their spacebars have always been their weakest link.. I think if they used costar it wouldn't be a problem.. I just use a few o-rings on my leopold space bar and it usually negates the issues.
can you replace key caps on the leopold? Also torn between blue and brown switch? I like the quiet of brown but also like the clicky of blue lol. 1st world problems.
You can replace them but finding compatible sets may be tough. I know large kits like GMK will have em. In my opinion, Blues get old pretty quickly, but if you haven't used a mechanical keyboard before, it'll be fun for a while
@@JYMV I'm thinking of buyin keycaps to replace certain keys like shift, ctrl etc, not the whole board. I think my current membrane types more like a brown and I'm pretty comfortable with it
Agreed! This is my full enough keyboard for data entry and extended work sessions. For fun stuff and WFH away from a desk, I stick to a 68% varmilo board. A lot of my workstations at work have logitech wireless boards which are the worst, but work just fine. It's a pleasure to hook this up instead.
Awesome in depth review! That was the last piece of knowledge I needed before deciding for the FC980. I'd say that Leopold and Durgod K320/K310 are among the best pre-built options in the market when it comes to value for money.
I actually have a Varmilo VA87M review from forever ago. I'd want to do it over but they're pretty impressive as well. I generally prefer Leopold for their high profile bezels but I know Varmilo also has those versions
I had a 60% for a few years, I went into it because I had VERY limited desk space (not even a desk so to say) but while I thought I didn't need a numpad, turns out I did. It's a use case scenario but turns out navigating blender without a numpad and using certain features becomes VERY cumbersome and I'd often find myself opening the on-screen keyboard just to have a few keys that I'd otherwise NEED to make full use of blender. While this is a very specific scenario to me, I bought this Leopold keyboard and it's perfect. It's everything I'd want out of a keyboard from its size to functionality.
If someone asks me about a no-nonsense keeb that's great out of the box, Leopold is always the first name that comes to mind. My dad bought a used, discontinued TKL model at a local store for $12 and it's probably still the best typing stock keyboard I've ever tried. [ sees hole in sticker ] "SOMEONE'S BEEN IN 'EAH"
Hello! I don't know if your reading this comment, but maybe you can include the weight of the keyboard. That's important to some people, especially when you talked about some features making the keyboard feel a bit cheap.
A bit difficult to see in the video so if anyone has first-hand experience and can check this? The indicator LEDs look like they could be easily replaced by 3mm through hole leds, is this so?
My first custom was a Clueboard that I ruined trying to desolder. I think I'm going to replace it with one of these. I like customs, it's just not feasible for me to spend time and money one something like a RAMA at the moment.
Hi. I’m using Akko 3098 with Gateron Cap Yellow. I’d love to try Leopold but not sure MX Brown would throw me off while typing and gaming. Never actually use tactile switches before.
Mac user here. Great video. :) I love this keyboard. :) I didn't mess with the dip switches. Mac OS lets me swap the modifier keys in software, and I haven't ever had any problems with it at all.
Nice Review!, I have the 60 percent version, i had a LOT of mech boards.. ducky's . das keyboards.. corsairs.. TBH i never experienced this nice quality. funny since its looking like the most avg keyboard ever. (the thing I like tho) some are claiming that the keycaps should be more worth than the board itself lol.
That 5:05 IKEA desk wobbly is on point. About the board, it’s really good compromise between space saving and practicality. However, only Cherry switches available does leave a tough choice for non-skilled soldering like me. Love your vid man. Keep up.
It is a handsome keyboard. I would be an instant buy for me if it had hotswap sockets. I can't get my head around boards with flex. That should be left up to the switches, IMHO.
I'd like to hear your take on current Cherry MX Blacks on the market given that you stated they are currently on par with the offerings of Gateron and Kaihl.
I grabbed a curved syringe from Amazon and filled it with superlube. I squeeze some into both sides of stab insert, little at a time until rattle is mostly gone.
Do you think I can spring swap these without desoldering? I wanted to get my girlfriend a 980M with MX clears (which I want to spring swap to something lighter).
The other keycaps you briefly demo at 12:28... I've got an FC980M as well and have been looking to refresh the caps. The stock caps are excellent, but curious about the ones you demoed there. I understand that these keyboards have a bit of an odd layout and therefore after-market caps are a bit more difficult to find. Thoughts?
Hey, sorry that was just for demonstration purposes. This board is wired only. With that said, I believe Leopold is working on a couple wireless models. Unsure about release date
wow! awesome review really in-depth. I waited patiently for the two tone white to be available if it was ever going to be and they did and I ended up getting the 980 with cherry white, and they are pretty good almost feel more tactile than browns.
Hey, nice video, as high in quality as the board :). Did you maybe have a chance to try DURGOD boards? If yes, how do you rate them in comparision to Leopold. I'm looking for a good board for my girlfriend and Durgod, Leopold or iKBC are my bets for now.
@JYMV can you program the Leopold to reassign keys/program layers using the FN key? Like you mention around 5:20 - using FN plus arrows for nav keys? I thought the Leopold keyboards could not be programmed/had no layers. If it's possible, what software do you use? Thanks!
@@JYMV Thanks! I looked it up, it seems there's an open source replacement board for this keyboard that is programmable, VIA compatible, but it's not available anywhere, you have to have it made just for yourself. Cost for just one individual board is of course not worth it, better off getting a custom somewhere. Shame no-one started a GB for this and get the price down.
Loved my FC980M but could never get used to the 1U right Alt/Alt Gr. Why is that always the compromised key? Like why not compromise on the left Alt? Has anyone ever used that key? Especially for ISO users where AltGr is essential I think manufacturers should reconsider things. This goes for many 65% layouts and stuff too.
At least from an North American perspective, alt gr is the logical sacrifice because left alt is used super frequently for alt+tab, and right alt is pretty much never used
What are your thoughts on mech clones, why macOS users are so overlooked where communities with premium products over $200 is nothing new, innovative case material (Al is boring), and why Bluetooth is predominantly found only on cheap mass produced keyboards? Super confused.
I don't have a satisfying answer for you since I don't have any market data, but I assume the market for mechanical keyboards is larger with PC users. Wireless connectivity seems to be limited in customs because it seems to a bit more knowledge to get working correctly. There have been some bluetooth and even Logitech Unified boards that were just absolute garbage, dropping and lagging on keystrokes. My guess on the predominance of aluminum is that it's an accessible material that "feels" premium. Stuff like steel is hard to machine and plastics either have machining problems or have huge up front costs for injection molding. There's been people like ProjectKeyboard experimenting with new materials but they usually come with a much higher price point.
JYMV that makes sense. Hotswap, any thoughts on why Mill-Max sockets aren’t favored over Kailh which are SMD‘s and are prone to popping out with heavy horizontal movement?
When you lubed the stabs, did you have disassemble them, or were you able to lube them on the board? Also, what lube do you use in a syringe like the one shown? Thanks!
For best results, I disassemble, but you should be able to just inject some to either side of the stab insert cutout. I just use some of the Permatex dielectric grease for this
I've had this for a few months now, nice review. You mentioned the felt pad didn't really help with sound dampening, do you know any alternative that does make a difference?
They're sort of the same tier of companies but I believe they are distinct. There was even an incident a while back where varmilo stopped making a keyboard because it was too similar to leopold's 660 layout
@@JYMV Oh ok. I have a VA87 and the PCP, chassis, , stabilizers, the steel plate, and even the amount of lube on the stabilizers are all the same. I wonder if they are using the manufacturer or something. Anyway, keep up the good content!
Thanks! I'm very disappointed with PnC because it should have looked like my channel's color scheme, but it came out more of a neon orange. My mom says it looks outdated and I agrre
I just got mine today but I acctually have a problem with mine. There is a slight but yet noticeable ring noice after pretty much every botton press escpecially the ones with stabilizers. I think the noice acctually comes from stabilizsers ressonating somehow. I like the rest of this keyboard but I dont think this is acceptable. Could this be a faulty model or is anyone experiencing the same? Its a shame cause I really like the rest of the keyboard.
That's fairly common with prebuilts. It's likely the spring inside each of the switches pinging. Cherry is especially bad in that front. I don't think Leopold will consider this defective. To resolve it, you could lube the springs or replace them, but thatd require desoldering
@@JYMV hmm ok I did not know that but I dont think its the switches ringing. I sounds and feels like the stabilizers. I did type at my friends prebuild keyboard with the same switch and I did not notice this ring.
@@nocodenoblunder6672 you're not the only one. Just got mine a few days ago and it rings like bell with every keystroke, especially the space bar. I'm pretty sure it's the springs. Currently deciding if I want to return it and pay the shipping and restocking fee or desolder and lube the switches. What did you end up doing?
@@dgold1985 I ended up keeping it as I am often listening to music or using my headphones anyway and I liked the rest of it. However if you want to have a nice sounding keyboard I recommend returning or lubing it.
Love Leopold, most of my future boards will honestly just be modified Leopold boards!
Yesterday I bought Leopold keyboard as my main daily keyboard.
I'm so happy with the build quality and the keycaps tho.
Has anyone ever mill-maxed this board? Was the result good?
Leo is good price/quality but more smoll annoying things:
letters on caps too smoll
1.25 - 1 - 1.25 instead 1.25 - 1.25 - 1.25
Unstepped Caps and Stepped Control (facepalm)
No 5 pin holes on PCB (hard to align switches)
No slits on plate (impossible to open switches without desoldering)
angle to flat, feet to high
1. I won't fight it, I do personally like the thicker and bigger gmk fonts
2. As oppose to that, right side of the space bar is 1 - 1 - 1.25, so still a normal modern 1800 layout
3. Fair enough, weird choice made by the company tbh
4. The switch is supposed to be aligned by the plate, besides they don't make these just for us enthusiast guys
5. Same as 4th, they don't do it for the custom guys, and also this is also why there is no pcb mount holes, plates with top opening support usually means crooked switches
6. Subjective, type with the feet off with a wrist rest and you will see some amount of improvement regarding ergonomics.
Something I came across during research: did you guys know some gaming keyboards from companies like Corsair and Logitech are in the $200 range? Actually insane
Logitech makes some good shit tho. Probably better then you think!!
They are one of the only companies that will invent new shit like their own switches. Which turned out gooooood.
@@joshuanorris5860 Pepega
it will take a while but as the community grows people interested in computers/gaming will start to realise that corsair and others are ripping them off
@@joshuanorris5860 What switch did they invent? Romer G?
@@KeyboardScraps the one thats 1.5mm instead of 2mm i think. They are on the G-pro keyboard i think. Not hard to find them... Its a logitech switch that has less travel. Been around a while. They were fast at the starting line when mechanicals got popular again
I've spent alot of time on the r/mk sticky recommending the FC980M to newcomers, that board is amazing.
"they might just see no need after this."
This happened to me.
I have been using mine since 2014. I worked at a datacenter for 8 years, my boards were tools, nothing more. I tried many brands, Razer, Logitech, Corsair, KBTalking (vortex), HHKB, niz, etc.. Some were okay, most gave me some sort of issue or had something about it I didn't like or had a deal breaker. Even the spacebar/RShift didn't deter me from it. The only one that outlasted all of them was the board I'm typing on. FC660M, old faithful. I've used it for 6 years through hell and back and it's never once had an issue. I could write a huge rant about how good this board is in comparison to what is out there. Simply put, the build quality of the Leopold is unrivaled by any manufacturer. I unintentionally bought my endgame board, then bought it's sister.
FC660C. I bought it a year or two after I realized how much I loved Leopold. Glad there's others out there who share the same love.
Still waiting for the day I can get a custom board or grow the balls to mod my FC660M. I just feel like if I touch it, I'll ruin that Leopold Magic. The only thing keeping it from true "endgame" for me is custom switches. But after watching this video I just want to buy another Leopold, or two. I think it's justified.
Hell yeah brother 🤘
@@george.r :D happy to announce I bought a new FC750R this year. Leopold Gang forever.
Thanks for your comment. I just ordered one!
Honestly if you just bought this with Cherry MX Blacks and desoldered, lubed, and springswapped those bad boys you'd have one of the best keyboards money can buy for cheap with a little extra work
The quality of this video is off the charts. I have been a big Leopold fan for years for prebuilts and always recommend them as a first keyboard for others!
Depends on what you like, Leopold does cherry only
I like blacks because their reds feel worse than stock creams
@@bindingofisaacchannel3054 the FC660C has topre switches
Yes
how long have you been using your leopold?
You're in the big leagues now with that intro
2:29 I see what you did there 😏
Honestly the main appeal for Leopold boards for me are the keycaps. I’d genuinely buy one just to harvest those keycaps over buying a GMK set.
PREACH
Interesting
Might do this
Best review of this amazing keyboard. Yes, it works perfectly on the Mac with a few minor adjustments. I believe dipswitch 2 flips the Windows key with Alt so you can have a Mac-like modifier row layout. The media controls work fine, you just need to press Fn to access them. For example, brightness is Fn+F1 and Fn+F2 and volume is Fn+F11 and Fn+F12. No need to go into System Preferences to change your keys. If you need to replace the bottom keys with Mac modifiers, look for cherry profile keys, those align perfectly.
I got a few for my office because I'm tired of replacing our keyboards every year (We do transcription work so we wear out keyboards fast). The best quality pre-build keyboard on the market. I would even dare to say they are better built than my made in Japan Realforce keyboards.
I too do transcription at work, and the generic Dell keyboards wear too fast, in the span of 2 years I've changed them at least 5 times, now I want this Leopold, just have one question, is there a way to have the Home/End keys always available? I use them to select complete lines, so the PgUp/PgDown have no use.
From the way you talk, you sound like the American version of andrew from taekeyboards
Tbh this^
Wow. Your review is amazing. So in-depth, talks about everything. Great production quality. I hope you get a larger audience down the line!
Excuse my ignorance; but is this keyboard also wireless or just wired?
I got the niz plum 35g and its my endgame literally. I look at keyboards on /mk sometimes but never have the desire to buy more keycaps or try new switches. The niz is "too good" like you said in the video which works out for me I don't chase the dragon and save money.
I must also let you know I have the blue star version of the same brown keys in this, but im going to get the silent red in this color next. That is my end game
Hey, just got this keyboard and there is a lot of pinging noise from the board. Does anyone know any fixes or if I should return it.
Unfortunately that's just the way it is with a lot of prebuilts using cherry switches on steel plates
i hope they release a hotswap of this keyboard one day
All my prebuilt boards are from Leopold. It's a shame the supply is so spotty outside of Korea. It's pretty mind blowing that they can provide this level of build quality with PERFECT PBT caps and an actual 1.25u capslock key for that price.
Leopolds are really amazing prebuilts
Nice keyboard. Nice review. It seems most keyboard reviewers do not touch type.
That smudge is soldering flux residue. It is usually washed off in an ultrasonic cleaner, but that would probably ruin the switches. If you aren't going to clean the solder flux in your pcb fab procedure, then you use a no-clean solder. It is still avoided because it looks ugly, and can (though it isn't supposed to) cause corrosion.
Ever since I got my first leopold keyboard I've absolutely loved them, stock or modded. They're built like tanks at a relatively cheap price compared to most prebuilts that are worth their weight. I'm currently using an FC660MBT that's been hot-swap modded with Haimu Whispers and I haven't even considered going back to my $300 Luminkey75 or $400+ Chaosera Cupid65.
Excellent review, I don't get why this keyboard layout isn't the standard, seems like the goldilocks of size and layouts.
i have this keyboard and i freaking love it.
Plz make a video compairing Kailh Box jade switches vs Kailh Box white switches 🙏🏻
Please make a comparison video among osa profile vs dss profile vs mt3 profile vs mg profile vs kat profile vs mda profile keyboard 🙏🏻
10:34 wow didnt know you play osu!mania xdd
Jk
My office daily driver for 3 years. Keeping it until I can find a custom keyboard with the same layout and same performance.
their spacebars have always been their weakest link.. I think if they used costar it wouldn't be a problem.. I just use a few o-rings on my leopold space bar and it usually negates the issues.
can you replace key caps on the leopold?
Also torn between blue and brown switch?
I like the quiet of brown but also like the clicky of blue lol.
1st world problems.
You can replace them but finding compatible sets may be tough. I know large kits like GMK will have em.
In my opinion, Blues get old pretty quickly, but if you haven't used a mechanical keyboard before, it'll be fun for a while
@@JYMV I'm thinking of buyin keycaps to replace certain keys like shift, ctrl etc, not the whole board. I think my current membrane types more like a brown and I'm pretty comfortable with it
Agreed! This is my full enough keyboard for data entry and extended work sessions. For fun stuff and WFH away from a desk, I stick to a 68% varmilo board. A lot of my workstations at work have logitech wireless boards which are the worst, but work just fine. It's a pleasure to hook this up instead.
Oh wow that is some good quality on that prebuilt. I could definitely see myself taking a modded one to work.
Awesome in depth review! That was the last piece of knowledge I needed before deciding for the FC980. I'd say that Leopold and Durgod K320/K310 are among the best pre-built options in the market when it comes to value for money.
man no one going to mention that gamers nexus reference?
You deserve a sub from the quality of video this was, amazing.
Is this review also relevant with its brother? Lets say fc660m
Amazing video! Intro was amazing.
Would you consider taking a look at a Varmilo board?
I actually have a Varmilo VA87M review from forever ago. I'd want to do it over but they're pretty impressive as well. I generally prefer Leopold for their high profile bezels but I know Varmilo also has those versions
@@JYMV thanks, I'll take a look!
I've liked the videos you've put out in the past but man, this video exceeds that expectation.
THANK YOU,I have been debating whether to get this keyboard for ages!
I wish I could get those caps standalone..
channeling your inner GNSteve. i dig it.
The intro is outstanding! This channel deserves more subscribers!
I had a 60% for a few years, I went into it because I had VERY limited desk space (not even a desk so to say) but while I thought I didn't need a numpad, turns out I did. It's a use case scenario but turns out navigating blender without a numpad and using certain features becomes VERY cumbersome and I'd often find myself opening the on-screen keyboard just to have a few keys that I'd otherwise NEED to make full use of blender. While this is a very specific scenario to me, I bought this Leopold keyboard and it's perfect. It's everything I'd want out of a keyboard from its size to functionality.
leopold fans assemble! leopold da best
best keyboard i've ever seen. that lovely minimalistic design with high quality build, without that gaming trinkets
How a keyboard should be..
"Gaming" keyboards dont exist
If someone asks me about a no-nonsense keeb that's great out of the box, Leopold is always the first name that comes to mind.
My dad bought a used, discontinued TKL model at a local store for $12 and it's probably still the best typing stock keyboard I've ever tried.
[ sees hole in sticker ] "SOMEONE'S BEEN IN 'EAH"
Hello! I don't know if your reading this comment, but maybe you can include the weight of the keyboard. That's important to some people, especially when you talked about some features making the keyboard feel a bit cheap.
A bit difficult to see in the video so if anyone has first-hand experience and can check this? The indicator LEDs look like they could be easily replaced by 3mm through hole leds, is this so?
I have it with browns and clears, both ping way more than any other OEM board I've encountered. I'm not sure why it is this way, but alas.
My first custom was a Clueboard that I ruined trying to desolder. I think I'm going to replace it with one of these. I like customs, it's just not feasible for me to spend time and money one something like a RAMA at the moment.
Hi. I’m using Akko 3098 with Gateron Cap Yellow. I’d love to try Leopold but not sure MX Brown would throw me off while typing and gaming. Never actually use tactile switches before.
my new work keyboard then
im gonna get this!@!!!
Mac user here. Great video. :) I love this keyboard. :)
I didn't mess with the dip switches. Mac OS lets me swap the modifier keys in software, and I haven't ever had any problems with it at all.
Nice Review!, I have the 60 percent version, i had a LOT of mech boards.. ducky's . das keyboards.. corsairs.. TBH i never experienced this nice quality. funny since its looking like the most avg keyboard ever. (the thing I like tho) some are claiming that the keycaps should be more worth than the board itself lol.
That 5:05 IKEA desk wobbly is on point.
About the board, it’s really good compromise between space saving and practicality. However, only Cherry switches available does leave a tough choice for non-skilled soldering like me.
Love your vid man. Keep up.
I like this. New to keyboards. I'm thinking of getting the browns. How would I make it sound more chonky tho? Lube?
I wonder is there a diy option that has a similar layout...
It is a handsome keyboard. I would be an instant buy for me if it had hotswap sockets.
I can't get my head around boards with flex. That should be left up to the switches, IMHO.
Does it have the capability to change volume?
I'd like to hear your take on current Cherry MX Blacks on the market given that you stated they are currently on par with the offerings of Gateron and Kaihl.
Whats the mounting style of this board?
Common oem mounting style which is curved steel plate resting on bottom case edges with maybe some contact on bottom posts
i just bought one as a quality reference keyboard i can look to
Why is there a scroll lock light but no scroll lock?
what's your deskmat at 2:14 ?
It's the "Sour x NK_Deskpads" in "Stars" style
@@JYMV thanks !
How is it endgame if it doesn't have Holy pandas? /s
how did you lube the stabs? I just got myself a fc660m and i want to lube my switches or atleast my spacebar but I've never modded any keyboard before
I grabbed a curved syringe from Amazon and filled it with superlube. I squeeze some into both sides of stab insert, little at a time until rattle is mostly gone.
This was a high quality and informative video. Thank you.
Do you think I can spring swap these without desoldering? I wanted to get my girlfriend a 980M with MX clears (which I want to spring swap to something lighter).
You will have to desolder to open the switches
Great review. Do you prefer torpe over cherry browns on your Leopolds? Was it easy to adapt to the smaller zero on the numpad?
The other keycaps you briefly demo at 12:28... I've got an FC980M as well and have been looking to refresh the caps. The stock caps are excellent, but curious about the ones you demoed there. I understand that these keyboards have a bit of an odd layout and therefore after-market caps are a bit more difficult to find. Thoughts?
There's SS2 and Cherry profile keycaps, depends on your 980M it could be either.
"This could be the last keyboard you'll ever need" - You are goddamn right!.
is this keyboard wireless? because you've been showing the typing tests without wire connecting to a pc (the indicator lights are not on though)
Hey, sorry that was just for demonstration purposes. This board is wired only. With that said, I believe Leopold is working on a couple wireless models. Unsure about release date
wow! awesome review really in-depth. I waited patiently for the two tone white to be available if it was ever going to be and they did and I ended up getting the 980 with cherry white, and they are pretty good almost feel more tactile than browns.
I’m glad you have a visual cue of a keyboard while explaining the missing keys. It’s minor but very helpful.
is that gmk handarbeit u got there?
dang ur keyboard is kinda banged up
the sound of the feet popping up made me go "ooooo"
great review. would love to get leopold making custom keycap sets.
Hey, nice video, as high in quality as the board :). Did you maybe have a chance to try DURGOD boards? If yes, how do you rate them in comparision to Leopold. I'm looking for a good board for my girlfriend and Durgod, Leopold or iKBC are my bets for now.
I don't have experience with durgod, but ikbc and Leopold sound like competent choices to me. I might add Varmilo too
But those cherry switches...
This is a fantastic review, thank you!! I was really interested in this keyboard and your video helped convince me to get one!
@JYMV can you program the Leopold to reassign keys/program layers using the FN key? Like you mention around 5:20 - using FN plus arrows for nav keys? I thought the Leopold keyboards could not be programmed/had no layers. If it's possible, what software do you use? Thanks!
Hi, you are correct that the board is not programmable. The FN functions I showed are just ones that are built in from factory
@@JYMV Thanks! I looked it up, it seems there's an open source replacement board for this keyboard that is programmable, VIA compatible, but it's not available anywhere, you have to have it made just for yourself. Cost for just one individual board is of course not worth it, better off getting a custom somewhere. Shame no-one started a GB for this and get the price down.
Would like to confirm that this is not hot swappable? 😀
It is not hotswappable
this is the 2020 Model M
Loved my FC980M but could never get used to the 1U right Alt/Alt Gr.
Why is that always the compromised key? Like why not compromise on the left Alt? Has anyone ever used that key? Especially for ISO users where AltGr is essential I think manufacturers should reconsider things. This goes for many 65% layouts and stuff too.
At least from an North American perspective, alt gr is the logical sacrifice because left alt is used super frequently for alt+tab, and right alt is pretty much never used
900R series do have the layout you want, just take more desk space.
No backlit or rgb?
What are your thoughts on mech clones, why macOS users are so overlooked where communities with premium products over $200 is nothing new, innovative case material (Al is boring), and why Bluetooth is predominantly found only on cheap mass produced keyboards? Super confused.
I don't have a satisfying answer for you since I don't have any market data, but I assume the market for mechanical keyboards is larger with PC users. Wireless connectivity seems to be limited in customs because it seems to a bit more knowledge to get working correctly. There have been some bluetooth and even Logitech Unified boards that were just absolute garbage, dropping and lagging on keystrokes.
My guess on the predominance of aluminum is that it's an accessible material that "feels" premium. Stuff like steel is hard to machine and plastics either have machining problems or have huge up front costs for injection molding. There's been people like ProjectKeyboard experimenting with new materials but they usually come with a much higher price point.
JYMV that makes sense. Hotswap, any thoughts on why Mill-Max sockets aren’t favored over Kailh which are SMD‘s and are prone to popping out with heavy horizontal movement?
springs so scratchy
When you lubed the stabs, did you have disassemble them, or were you able to lube them on the board? Also, what lube do you use in a syringe like the one shown? Thanks!
For best results, I disassemble, but you should be able to just inject some to either side of the stab insert cutout. I just use some of the Permatex dielectric grease for this
@@JYMV Excellent, thanks!
I've had this for a few months now, nice review. You mentioned the felt pad didn't really help with sound dampening, do you know any alternative that does make a difference?
is the keyboard wireless?
@@marieantoine no
This seems incredibly similar to my varmillo. Are they sister companies or something?
They're sort of the same tier of companies but I believe they are distinct. There was even an incident a while back where varmilo stopped making a keyboard because it was too similar to leopold's 660 layout
@@JYMV Oh ok. I have a VA87 and the PCP, chassis, , stabilizers, the steel plate, and even the amount of lube on the stabilizers are all the same. I wonder if they are using the manufacturer or something. Anyway, keep up the good content!
Hey! What lube did you use for the stabilizers
I used permatex dielectric grease stuffed into a curved syringe
Production quality went up, just as my nerd donger did with all that B roll.
Btw, how are you feelin Peaches and Cream?
Thanks!
I'm very disappointed with PnC because it should have looked like my channel's color scheme, but it came out more of a neon orange. My mom says it looks outdated and I agrre
@@JYMV that wouldve been top notch if it matched your channel color. Sad times
I just got mine today but I acctually have a problem with mine. There is a slight but yet noticeable ring noice after pretty much every botton press escpecially the ones with stabilizers. I think the noice acctually comes from stabilizsers ressonating somehow. I like the rest of this keyboard but I dont think this is acceptable. Could this be a faulty model or is anyone experiencing the same? Its a shame cause I really like the rest of the keyboard.
That's fairly common with prebuilts. It's likely the spring inside each of the switches pinging. Cherry is especially bad in that front. I don't think Leopold will consider this defective.
To resolve it, you could lube the springs or replace them, but thatd require desoldering
@@JYMV hmm ok I did not know that but I dont think its the switches ringing. I sounds and feels like the stabilizers. I did type at my friends prebuild keyboard with the same switch and I did not notice this ring.
@@nocodenoblunder6672 you're not the only one. Just got mine a few days ago and it rings like bell with every keystroke, especially the space bar. I'm pretty sure it's the springs. Currently deciding if I want to return it and pay the shipping and restocking fee or desolder and lube the switches. What did you end up doing?
@@dgold1985 I ended up keeping it as I am often listening to music or using my headphones anyway and I liked the rest of it. However if you want to have a nice sounding keyboard I recommend returning or lubing it.
cool