While browsing on aliexpress for MK870 I came across this model https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005003590432828.html, which seems also build based on MK870 but it's not really clear if it has south facing LED's.
It looks as if the GP87 is a different model than the MK870. You can see via the 3 indicator light at the top-right corner of the keyboard that it is a different build. The MK870 doesn't have indicator lights. Not there, at least [there is a toggle light at the top-left corner, under the plastic case.]
I would avoid anything that isn't listed as MK870.
If you perform a search on AliExpress, you'll see dozens of options that are labelled as MK870, so that is what I would pursue if I were buying one. Here are some:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003547326157.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003269314791.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003594320261.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003294003453.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003381938125.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003366650362.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003002307740.htmlWatch out for the ones that seem too cheap - the shipping is where they get you. I find that you have to pay at least $68 - 73 CAD for an MK870 that already includes shipping cost. Also, you'll note that some are offering blue and pink cases, as well.
Interestingly, I found what looks like it may be a polycarbonate plate for the MK870:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003486277936.htmlThis is cool if true, because that plate's normally hard to get. And it's really cheap.
Problem is, anything that involves opening up the MK870 is a pain to install. So maybe that's for later. If you do order the plate, it's best to order the PCB-mount, I assume that allows PCB-mount stabilizers.
As for your keyboard, I'm interested in these 'side-lit caps.' Could you please show me a link to them? I want to see these caps that require south-facing LEDs. I'm not very knowledgeable about keyboard LEDs.
I bought the MK870 because south-facing means that it will also be compatible with Cherry-profile keycaps, which are some of the best and most-common. Many affordable keyboards have north-facing switches and LEDs, which are bad for keycap compatibility. It was good to see the MK870 using south-facing.
The typing experience of the MK870, or at least my modded one, is a step above entry-level hotswap boards like the Rakk Lam Ang Pro. It's not as good as more expensive boards that use other mounting systems like "Top Mount" or "Gasket Mount," although pro modders can turn their MK870 into "O-Ring Mount," which is said to be better than the default tray mount.
However, the keyboard I will be gifting to a relative will be an entirely stock MK870, with switches of their choice, because it's good enough.