Keycool 84 vs. Noppoo choc mini

[paicrai]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forums but I've read quite alot of threads. Excuse my rather bad english, it's not my native language.

According to my wife I have been obsessing for about 3 weeks about my new keyboard. Before I browsed this forum i have never heard of 75% keyboards, but now I think I am in love. I am typing this post right now on a Noppoo choc mini with MX browns and I am pretty satisfied with it. I really love the layout as well as the extra desk space (which is more than welcome since I had to downsize my desk due to a smaller flat). I do however still wonder about the Keycool 84, especially due to the fact that it's backlit. I also heard that it is easier to replace the keycaps on the Keycool because Noppoo uses an uncommon size for the space key.

Keycool boards with original Cherry switches are apparently rather rare nowadays, because they switched their whole production over to Kailh. I do however want to get original Cherry switches, preferably MX brown (MX blue drive my wife crazy) or maybe MX red will do too, but I have never tried reds. If we put backlit keys aside, which keyboard is better?

- availability of replacement keycap-sets
- durability
- keycap quality / overall quality

I paid 87 Euros for my Noppo choc mini including shipping. If I opt for a non-backlit KC 84 it will run me about 75 Euros + shipping + costums; if I take the backlit version it will run me about 93 Euros + shipping + customs. Either way it will be more expensive than the Noppoo choc mini (both with original Cherry MX switches).

Can you help me out here?

Thanks in advance!

[Novus]

Hm good question!

You sure have come to the right place.
As you've said the noppoo does use an uncommon size for it's space key and you'll most likely end up with a mismatched spacebar.
You can always order a custom special spacebar though (I forgot the exact size of the noppoo's spacebar).
It might just be a plain abs spacebar but you can do it!

Regardless you might run into issues with some of the modifiers on the right side with some keycap sets because they are non standard anyways.

There's a rumor going on that Noppoo might start using kailh switches soon due to the situation with cherry.

You can buy both a backlit version for both keycool and noppoo.
The noppoo comes with a set of nice POM keycaps. The backlit version of the noppoo is "powdered" so the blacklight can shine through.
The noppoo also comes in a wireless variant. Great for living rooms.
I recommend you get the non backlit version due to the keycap differences.

I've never used any keycool products before but the non backlit version comes with a set of pbt keycaps and the backlit version is abs.
Personally I'd rather take the non backlit pbt over the backlit abs.

Both these keyboards have nice 3 way wire grommets in the back.
The noppoo actually comes with a mini usb "extender" which is connected to the keyboard. You then connect the longer main cable to it so that you don't pull the entire cable when you move your keyboard. This is also great because removable mini usbs are break points in these smaller keyboards (well even larger keyboards have these issues too).

[Oobly]

seriously paicrai? http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62490.0

Why u do dis?

If pseudonym is you, why start an identical thread?

If you did just copy someone elses thread, please just go back to Off Topic and stop interfering with the "serious" areas of the site. Thank you.

[tp4tissue]

seriously paicrai? http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62490.0

Why u do dis?

If pseudonym is you, why start an identical thread?

If you did just copy someone elses thread, please just go back to Off Topic and stop interfering with the "serious" areas of the site. Thank you.

Chillax,  pai's working through some issues... give him time..

I suspect he is constantly testing the waters and finding the right way to interact productively.


<yes, I am aware> that I do not do that myself

[katushkin]

KC84

[Fragil1ty]

I'm just going to leave the post that I made in the other forum, sigh.

Hi guys,


I'm new to the forums but I've read quite alot of threads. Excuse my rather bad english, it's not my native language.


According to my wife I have been obsessing for about 3 weeks about my new keyboard. Before I browsed this forum i have never heard of 75% keyboards, but now I think I am in love. I am typing this post right now on a Noppoo choc mini with MX browns and I am pretty satisfied with it. I really love the layout as well as the extra desk space (which is more than welcome since I had to downsize my desk due to a smaller flat). I do however still wonder about the Keycool 84, especially due to the fact that it's backlit. I also heard that it is easier to replace the keycaps on the Keycool because Noppoo uses an uncommon size for the space key.


Keycool boards with original Cherry switches are apparently rather rare nowadays, because they switched their whole production over to Kailh. I do however want to get original Cherry switches, preferably MX brown (MX blue drive my wife crazy) or maybe MX red will do too, but I have never tried reds. If we put backlit keys aside, which keyboard is better?


- availability of replacement keycap-sets
- durability
- keycap quality / overall quality


I paid 87 Euros for my Noppo choc mini including shipping. If I opt for a non-backlit KC 84 it will run me about 75 Euros + shipping + costums; if I take the backlit version it will run me about 93 Euros + shipping + customs. Either way it will be more expensive than the Noppoo choc mini (both with original Cherry MX switches).


Can you help me out here?


Thanks in advance!

It all depends on what you want to be honest. I mean actually finding one of the older versions of the KC84 /w cherry keyswitches and without backlighting is near impossible, I cannot find them anywhere, I can't find them on amazon, mechanicalkeyboards, ebay etc, they're just not around anywhere any more.


Saying that though and even though I am a die hard Noppoo fan? I will have to give the edge to the KC to be honest, for a few main points.

• Although I prefer POM keycaps, KC keycaps are more easier replaced and have a standard spacebar
• KC has a metal backplate
• Less debouncing issues
• Longer life from experience
• Feels like a more sturdier product

Now the negatives at the moment is that like I said previously, you cannot find them and if you can, oh man, chances are they wont even have MX cherry switches any more.


But to answer your bullet points.


- Availability of replacement keycap-sets


Keycools keycaps are easily replaced because of the fact that you can use a standard spacebar, whereas on the Noppoo you cannot, so that's a bonus if you're into keyboard modding and making it suit your needs in terms of customisability.


- Durability


In my personal experience I've owned 2 x original KC boards and both of them were absolutely fantastic in terms of durability. Not only do they feel great to type on, they're just made better than the Noppoo and that's a little sad in my opinion. I've had 3 Noppoos, the first one broke due to key-bouncing, the second arrived DOA and the third one was a replacement for the second and it's starting to fail me now, although I haven't had any bouncing issues on this keyboard in 3-4 days, so that's always a good sign.


- Keycap quality /  overall quality


This is where it starts to become rather subjective to be honest, I love noppoos keycaps, I think they are superior and I would just rather type on them as opposed to Keycools keycaps. But that's because I just prefer POM over PBT, but that's just a personal preference. But if I'm honest, both keycaps are of a very high standard, although the key-printing on the side of the noppoo tends to wear away  rather quickly, so that's somewhat of an annoyance if you're OCD like me, I just ended up scraping off all of the side letting, didn't need it anyway, I already have all the shortcuts memorised and what not.


enjoy.

[paicrai]

lockin thread inb4 "weh srs"