Noppoo Choc Mini vs Keycool 84.

[Fragil1ty]

I currently have the Noppoo Choc mini MX RED but if you've saw me post on here before, you'll know that I've been having problems with that keyboard as of late and it's time to buy a new one, but the problem is this:

I love reds, I don't really want to shy away from reds but everywhere I look, reds are out of stock, they're like non-existent at the moment.

My only other alternative is blacks, but I've heard typing on blacks for extended periods of time can be rather tiring and not as light as red, that's something that does not really appeal to me, but anyway I'm rambling.

I cannot find the 2013 edition of the noppoo on QTAN's website so that's a bit crappy, but if I were to get a new keyboard, another Noppoo Choc mini or a Keycool 84 (as they're both really, really similar keyboards) which one would be the better one to get?

I like the idea of getting a new Noppoo, but the Keycool does look nice, has all of the same features and I've heard it's got a metal backplate and is more sturdy and doesn't suffer with the problems I'm currently have as often. (bouncing)

Created a poll here: http://strawpoll.me/287707

[SpAmRaY]

So you can't fix your current keyboard?

The problem you described 'could' be software/drivers, interference. Does your computer have usb 3?

Did you try it on another pc to verify it is the keyboard?

[Fragil1ty]

So you can't fix your current keyboard?

No man, I've tried fixing it through the effort of cleaning, as it was suggested that bouncing is occured by dirt and hairs trapped in the keyboard, it is currently immaculate.
I don't have the knowledge to unsolder and resolder keyswitches, so this is my only option. I'm going to sell this keyboard once I have received my new one.

[davkol]

Although choc mini has its problems, I'd still get it again—for the keycaps if nothing else.

[Fragil1ty]

Although choc mini has its problems, I'd still get it again—for the keycaps if nothing else.

That was I was thinking, I can still get the MX reds off reputable sources on Ebay, but they're just the revamped 2012 versions, like the later models? Sadly no 2013 models around that I can see? I did want to get a white version, but they are even more scarce, it's a little annoying to be honest.

[CPTBadAss]

I don't have the knowledge to unsolder and resolder keyswitches, so this is my only option. I'm going to sell this keyboard once I have received my new one.

You could always send it to someone near you who does have the knowledge to fix it. It's probably cheaper than buying a new board. Just a suggestion.

[davkol]

I think the black one in qtan's store is the new generation, judging from the photo. Mine (2012) has smaller Win, AltGr and Fn.

[Fragil1ty]

I think the black one in qtan's store is the new generation, judging from the photo. Mine (2012) has smaller Win, AltGr and Fn.

The newer generation of the 2012 model? It doesn't have the 2013 model which is a little disappointing, but yeah it is the newer generation, the lights are different also, it different locations and what not? I might just  end up opting for this newer model, I don't think I know enough about the keycool to make a logical decision to purchase it.

edit: Just checked stock on qtan store's and they don't have red in stock, just my luck, they don't even have blacks, they only have blues and I don't like blues since switching to reds.

[davkol]

It's 2013, unless there's some mixture of 2012 and 2013.

[Fragil1ty]

It's 2013, unless there's some mixture of 2012 and 2013.

From the pictures, it's not 2013, If I'm not mistaken 2013 has a de-attachable usb, whereas the one in the picture does not, but after much deliberation and general thoughts, I decided to go with the Keycool Grey Version 84 - MX black. As much as I would of liked to wait for reds to come back in stock I have been in touch with many different people on ebay that are selling noppos and what not and all of them are coming back to me with the same thing that reds are in short supply because of the 'monopoly' or something.

There's a lot of reviews that I've read recently regarding the Keycool and they all seem to be fairly positive with a stronger  build structure over the Noppoo, and all of the features  that the  noppoo has, they're pretty much available on the keycool and in my eyess, the Keycool looks slightly better as the keys look better, the grey is a nicer colour and hopefully they wont fade away as easily. I hope I made the right choice,  will pictures when it arrives! 

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=410

[davkol]

The cable could be just plugged in. It's hard to remove from the port IIRC. Ctrl-Win-Alt and AltGr-Fn-Ctrl definitely have the same size as on the 2013 generation, not 2012.

[Fragil1ty]

The cable could be just plugged in. It's hard to remove from the port IIRC. Ctrl-Win-Alt and AltGr-Fn-Ctrl definitely have the same size as on the 2013 generation, not 2012.

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/shop-mechanical-keyboard-by-br/noppoo-choc-mini-84-gaming-che/lid=35624907

Looks attached to me.

A question I have is, my order has been shipped from mechanicalkeyboards.com and they've used USPS First Class International Shipping, I'm just curious on the average wait time for it to arrive to me here in the UK, I'm expecting about 2 weeks, does that sound about right?

[davkol]

This is a 2013 one.

[Fragil1ty]

Does that have the de-attachable USB connector at the back, ? o;

[Surnia]

The black ones in Qtan's store are all older generation. The latest, barring the M2, has a detachable USB cable as well as the uniform modifier keys.

WITHIN that, there's at least another variation that appeared in 2013 that includes the indicator LEDs built into the plate rather than the switches.

I have a review that talks about the latest ones with detachable cables in the review section.

[nightsnack]

I was set on a Keycool 84 about two months back, but they were out of stock for the longest time for the combination I wanted (MX Brown with white PBT caps), so I ended up with a Keycool 87.

I've been following your saga, and I'm sorry to have to put doubt into your decision to buy a Keycool -- my KC 87 does the double A thing. It happens very infrequently, but it happens. I'm using it with a Windows 7 notebook.

So I suppose there's no guarantee that a KC 84 you buy would be problem free as well. Maybe we're just unlucky and got bad boards.

[fragchamp]

I bought a KC84 with Red switches a month ago, straight off the bay with no problems. The keyboard has no problems that I've found. There are no instructions in English so I have to find out about the Fn button functions from forums. The only thing I miss from my standard keyboard is the power button.

[Rafen]

I have actually been thinking about buying one of these boards to use with my laptop for programming on the go. The HHKB is way out of my price range otherwise I would get one of those. So are there any other problems with the boards that I should know about before buying one of these boards.

[PadawanGeek]

I like the idea of getting a new Noppoo, but the Keycool does look nice, has all of the same features and I've heard it's got a metal backplate and is more sturdy and doesn't suffer with the problems I'm currently have as often. (bouncing)

Yep, I have the 84 LED and I find its build quality to be pretty good....and yes, there's a metal backplate.

As you can see, mine's the Cherry Black version with white LED backlight, with a few keys in green.....