geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Arcanius on Sun, 13 March 2011, 23:21:46
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If you buy a Noppoo Choc Mini from Taobao, and you have problems with it, how do you redeem warranty? What are possible issues, and are these fixable at home? Chattering is done by switch swapping, but what else can happen? Has anybody had problems with DOAs or other issues with the board?
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Taobao offers no warranty. For problems, you can always post a topic here.
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I think the best you can do is send the keyboard back to your broker along with the warranty card and try to have them file for the warranty. Of course, after paying for shipping back and forth (and possibly compensating your broker for his/her time), you'll probably be better off buying a new one. Also, I'm not sure if you need to buy the keyboard from an authorized reseller for the warranty to valid though.
With that said, my choc mini works fantastically, and the keyboard seems to be well built.
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With that said, my choc mini works fantastically, and the keyboard seems to be well built.
+1
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I'm in this boat too. I bought a Noppoo Choc Mini through obook from TaoBao.
After about 6 days of use the USB cable seems to be faulty.
I tried contacting Noppoo but every email address on their website gives me a bounce back, and Obook has not replied to my emails about the issue.
What the heck do I do?!
Buy a Leopold and try to enjoy a "$275" keyboard? :(
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Replace the cable. It's not brain surgery...
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Replace the cable. It's not brain surgery...
A solid 4-pin connector for the motherboard is proving hard to find.
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Harvest it from a dead mouse.
Btw, I think this is what you need. (http://www.weclonline.com/eng/productdetail.asp?id=50001914)
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What the heck do I do?!
Buy a Leopold and try to enjoy a "$275" keyboard? :(
The Leopolds are all available for preorder right now on EK for $99. I think you might be thinking of the HHKBs or another keyboard with Topre switches. Those are the ones that are around "$275".
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Possible the 275$ is coming from the combined cost of the Nopoo and Leopold?
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Whoops. Didn't think about that; might be.
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The Leopolds are all available for preorder right now on EK for $99. I think you might be thinking of the HHKBs or another keyboard with Topre switches. Those are the ones that are around "$275".
I was adding the price of both keyboards together mostly as a joke.
$99 + shipping and likely tax + noppoo price.
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Harvest it from a dead mouse.
Btw, I think this is what you need. (http://www.weclonline.com/eng/productdetail.asp?id=50001914)
I actually need the thing that plugs into that piece.
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Yeah I probably should have gotten that from the quotation marks. Herp Derp.
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You can find that as well.
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Yeah I probably should have gotten that from the quotation marks. Herp Derp.
scredditor? O.o
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I think the failure in my cable may be where the shielding/insulation ends and the 4 small wires come out... I can't REALLY be sure though.
I didn't trust re-creating the cable using the old connector and ends.. I also need to find a way to re-create the strain relief. All of this new cable business is pretty dependent on finding a new connector. Re-using crimp type connectors is a bad idea.
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Why not just solder it directly to the pcb?
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Why not just solder it directly to the pcb?
That IS an option, but I would have to remove the header that's already there. While I'd like to think that I'm awesome with a solder iron.. I don't think I really am.
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There's a bit of space between the pins on the connector, and if you fail, desolder and try again. You have nothing to lose, right?
A usb cable is somewhat fixable, but is it worth the effort over just ordering a Leopold? I love the compact layout of the Noppoo, but maybe it's just easier to get something that I know will work somehow?
Also, what other issues can occur? Has anybody had controller issues, or something else that they couldn't possible fix?
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That is for a 5 pinned connector.
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scredditor? O.o
I'm much more of a TeamLiquid person but an avid Day[9] fan nonetheless. SC2 led me to find mechanical keyboards after FruitDealer won the first GSL, and with the ridiculous time I spend typing I have no idea how I stayed on domes for so long.
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I guess I could cannibalize the 4 pin connector that's already there and just try to solder to the crimp pins, then re-insert them into the plastic.
In a perfect world I would be able to just contact the USA rep for Noppoo and have them send me a new friggin cable...
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In a perfect world you would have a Realforce.
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There are a lot of Topre fanbois on here, aren't there.
I get that it may be awesome, but it's expensive, hard to customize, and also, some people just may not like the feel of it.
Can't wait for the Topre Keychain, I'll see how good it is.
Back on topic: Has anybody else had issues with their Choc Mini? I'm guessing the cable isn't a super difficult fix. I'm just afraid of getting one, and then having it die on me.
Right now, I'm low on cash, and don't want to throw 150 out the window. Maybe a Leo WOULD be a smarter choice.
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The Noppoo doesn't cost $150 now does it? I paid about $92 for mine delivered on January.
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Some people paid about $120, and then if customs get you, it'll be another 10 or so. Maybe I exaggerated.
In any case, let's say it's $100, but is it worth it for a Choc Mini as opposed to a $135 Leopold? I do live in Igloolan- Canadaland, so shipping kills.
I bought a Nokia N900 for $550 with no warranty and had it die on me after 8 months. Now I'm a bit apprehensive.
Ripster, how hard is it to find a Boscom though? Are there any sources to get just a cable? I see the parts RiGS posted, but shipping them from Hong Kong... eugh.
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I agree.. the shipping from Hong Kong might suck.
My Noppoo was:
Freight charge - 32.03
Out-of-pocket expenses - 67.22
Commission - 18.14
Paypal receiving fee - 4.44
Total 121.83
Then an additional $1.64 to cover higher than expected shipping fees.
So a grand total of $123.47
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$32 to send back a keyboard makes it not worth it.
I'm not recommending you look for a Boscom - it's just an example. I'd recommend you look at a recycling center or something for cheap rubber dome keyboards. I bet you'd eventually find a cable match.
Have you FIRST confirmed it indeed is the cable with a multimeter?
I have not used a multimeter. I did the classic "jiggle the cable" test and saw the LEDs blink and flash and if i held the cable just right one would stay solid lit, but not actual computer connectivity.
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Are you asking me that? I'm only a prospective buyer, and was inquiring for future knowledge. I don't yet have any mechanical besides my Model M, and it really bothers... well, everybody in the house but me. So I'm looking for something reliable with browns.
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http://www.futurlec.com/ConnPolHead.shtml
Headers, connectors, and pins. Grab whatever you need of each, and apply to a flayed usb cable.
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The solder connections on the controller chip on my board are VERY frightening. They look corroded and some legs don't even seem to be making a connection.
I'm playing the denial game and pretending it has to be the cable..
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I doubt that the cord is faulty.
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Sounds like a Cold Solder joint. That is an ESPECIALLY vulnerable connection and I thought the bracing on the Noppoo and KBC Poker both sucked.
Here's a reminder for those people who missed the whole Scorpius M10 fiasco. Damn Lead Free regulations.
[IMG][IMG]
I'll get a picture of my boards controller today and post it. I hope it's not that.
I'm pretty sure I'm just out $123 if the board is bad. I can't get anyone to respond to me. The only thing I can think of is to file a PayPal dispute, but that screws Obook.
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I tested the cable with a multimeter and the result: the green wire does not make a connection!
As a note: I know the connector is not fully connected, and that is not part of the problem. I disconnected it completely to test.
(http://i.imgur.com/PybM0.jpg)
The controller has some somewhat questionable solders. It seems most/all of the bad solders are pins that don't seem to be connected.
(http://i.imgur.com/2fQe0.jpg)
A couple more questionable spots:
(http://i.imgur.com/TLlaS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Y9b5T.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CKucA.jpg)
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I tested the cable with a multimeter and the result: the green wire does not make a connection!
As a note: I know the connector is not fully connected, and that is not part of the problem. I disconnected it completely to test.
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The controller has some somewhat questionable solders. It seems most/all of the bad solders are pins that don't seem to be connected.
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A couple more questionable spots:
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Good gosh, man, that's fugly. I hope mine doesn't look like that inside!
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Chinese products.
Does everyone there own a soldering iron to fix all the bad quality stuff? Excuse me if I sound bitter but only 1 out of 3 of my Cree Flashlights from DealExtreme ended up working. Nonfixable sealed part.
You DO sound bitter, but it's understandable. :biggrin:
Actually, we have a lot of places around here to get crappy stuff fixed. Almost every cell phone shop has a "iron monkey" (the dude who is practically chained to the soldering iron working all day replacing batteries, screens, etc.) and I even have gotten my wife's hair drier and a couple of my son's Thomas trains fixed at random shops like that.
So, the answer is YES! And that's why most of the stuff bought in America was 'for export only'. :alien: The quality is different than domestic stuff.
You have no idea how frustrating all this is for an anal-retentive American engineer living here. So I make up for it with more crap gadgets. :cell:
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So how do i go about getting my board fixed?
You guys think I'm screwed and need to just fix it myself?
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Fix it yourself. No biggie
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Fix it yourself. No biggie
You sound like an elitist troll. Why not offer some helpful advice?
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He knows how to solder, and I have already given him an advice on that, and a link to get a new connector.
I just tried to encourage him...
Where are your manners?
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I'm really sorry about your keyboard. If I had the ability to fix it for you I would.
Is there anyone who wouldn't mind taking a look at his board for him?
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LOL the bickering in this thread is hilarious.
I do know how to solder but I do not own a decent solder iron. The link you sent is good but that was the wrong connector and shipping from Hong Kong could be insane.
I think I may end up needing to cannibalize the cable and try to re-use the pins in the current connector. I guess some flexible epoxy would help with the strain relief doodad.
edit: I just heard back from Obook! They are going to follow up with Noppoo and get back to me when they reply! Woohoo! I knew Obook would pull through. :hug:
edit2: ****. I almost pre-ordered a brown switch Leopold now. Are good keyboards like a virus or something? $117 shipped... not bad.. CRAP NO! SAVE MONEYYYY! :Cry:
edit3: I may end up getting a Leopold as well.. I think I like the layout better for use at work. How can you guys afford stuff like FOOD?!
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Hmm. I made up a ghetto cable to test and was able to get the keyboard working.
I've confirmed the problem is the cable.