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Add to SafariWhen comparing Leopold FC660C vs Azio Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, the Slant community recommends Leopold FC660C for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards for programming?” Leopold FC660C is ranked 9th while Azio Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is ranked 37th. The most important reason people chose Leopold FC660C is:
Topre switches are a high end switch which typically cost a hefty premium. They have mechanical components protected underneath a rubber dome which makes them more durable.
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Topre switches at a good price
Topre switches are a high end switch which typically cost a hefty premium. They have mechanical components protected underneath a rubber dome which makes them more durable.
Pro Solid construction
The Leopold FC660C is a solid and well-build mechanical keyboard. In fact, it's heavier than the HHKB (Happy Hacking Keyboard).
Pro Topre switches are plate mounted
This board's keys don't feel bouncy thanks to it's topre switch design. Since the torpe switches are mounted directly on the plate, the board feels much stiffer overall.
Pro Compact and portable footprint
If you love your keyboard enough to want to use it everywhere, it should be portable, especially if it's as expensive as this one is. The FC660C is very compact and easy to carry around.
Pro RGB model available under $100 as well
While the RGB model costs $80, it provides full per-key RGB lighting complete with different effects. While this doesn't offer any extra functionality, it adds some flashiness to your build.
Pro White backlight has adjustable brightness levels
The base model of the keyboard offers a white backlight (no RGB), and the brightness of the backlight can be adjusted to suit the ambient lighting.
Pro Choice of brown or blue switches
There are two switches to choose from: Kailh blue or Kailh brown. The blue switches offer a bump at the activation point as well as a click, while the brown switches offer a bump without the click. These switches are slightly heavier than the corresponding Cherry MX switches, but are similar in the way they act.
Pro Minimal, sleek looking design
The bezels of the keyboard are small, and the design of the board is minimal instead of gaudy gamer-focused designs. It has a volume roller in the top right accompanied by the mute button which makes the board feel more premium than it's price point would suggest.
The keys also appear to be floating - while most keyboards have their keys recessed behind the casing, these ones aren't. this leaves their side exposed, and makes for a more unique design than other boards.
Cons
Con Can suffer from squeeky "plastic on plastic" rubbing with the case
Con Very expensive
Con Non standard key sizes
Non standard key sizes means your aftermarket keycap options are limited to non-modifiers. This issue also exists with virtually every other keyboard that utilises the Topre switch.
Con Uses knockoff switches
This keyboard uses the Kailh switches instead of the more common Cherry MX switches. Kailh switches are made in China instead of Germany where the Cherry MX switches are made. The Kailh switches don't last as long, and the quality testing isn't as vigorous as Cherry's. The switch naming scheme is very similar, however Kailh switches are typically heavier than the comparable Cherry switches.
Con Not adjustable/programmable, and no macro support
Other than brightness levels (and lighting modes for the RGB model), this is a basic board. It doesn't support macros, and there are no profiles you can adjust. This will be fine for most users, however heavy users will miss these features.
