Fragil1ty Reviews: Keyed Up Labs KUL ES-87 /w MX Reds

[Fragil1ty]

Fragil1ty reviews the KUL ES-87

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Shipping and Elite Keyboards in general
• Packaging
• Contents of the KUL ES-87
• Keyboard feel vs other MX boards
• Keycaps
• Overall Impressions

Introduction

I thought I would do a brief introduction this time around, essentially the reason that I've gone ahead and bought this board is due to the fact that I'm a little sick and tired of my other boards breaking due to bad construction or even just bad boards in general. My primary driver for the past 2 years has been a Noppoo Choc Mini /w MX Cherry Reds, in-between this time I have had other keyboards (HHKB, Keycool 84's) and many more, but I always found myself coming back to the Noppoo, but now after 3 of them have essentially broken, I thought, 'enough is enough' and a major change had to be made.

I have never been a huge fan of the TKL board model but after hearing about the KUL ES-87, I just had to have one and here we are! So Let's get to it, shall we?

Shipping and Elite Keyboards in general

First off, Elite-keyboards are (from my experience) a fantastic company, not only did the board get to me in 5 days (That's Ordered on a weekend, shipped on a Monday, here on the Friday), but it came in exceptional packaging and the board was not damaged what so ever, whereas when I ordered a Noppoo from china, it came and the box was crushed on one side and was just unappealing.

EK have made sure that I will be using them again and again in the future, the fact that they were able to get this board to me in what can only be described as record time, really does speak numbers about their company, now I know that EK does not control shipping, so Fedex does have to get some of the praise here, but all in all, thank you Elite-keyboards.

The only issue that I had with shipping was that once it got to the day of delivery, I had to wait all the way until 6PM at night to get the parcel, now this wouldn't have been a problem if I knew that this is the time that it was going to come, as it wasn't, I essentially had to wait in all day and postpone general daily duties that I was planning to do on that day, but I guess that's just what happens sometimes.

Packaging:

The packaging of the actual board was also fantastic, very clean and minimal board and that's what I like, I like simplicity. Inside the board, there is even more spectacular boxing design, everything is all neatly packaged and has its own compartments, unlike other boards I've received where it is essentially a nice outer shell and then on the inside, a plan box and nothing really beyond that point.

Contents of the KUL ES-87:

Inside the box you receive the following:

• A manual with a small thank you and warranty information etc
• Replacement keycaps for caps lock, control, bs/delete etc
• A keycap puller
• KUL stickers (if you want to put them on your board)
• Keyboard case/housing? to prevent from dust if you desire to use it

I like how they include the keycaps as I am a avid user of the control where the caps lock is and vice versa, luckily for me the keyboards that I have used in the past have offered this feature, but I used ctrl2cap either way, but now I can uninstall that application and just use the dipswitch option that has been provided for me.

Keyboard feel vs other mx boards:

Through this section, I am going to be comparing the KUL ES-87 to the Noppoo Choc Mini, so with that being said, let's get started.
The feel of the KUL is a lot different than the Noppoo, this has to do with the back plate and obviously the keycaps, with this new feel it allows you to not typo as many letters in my personal opinion, it feels  a bit more heavy on the hands and to me, that's a bit of an improvement as on my Noppoo I would typo and awful lot because the combination of the board, lack of backplate, keycaps and the switch, it felt very light thus enabling me to typo a lot of keys for the most part.

One minor issue that I do have though is the backspace, spacebar and enter key, they feel as if they have a very light o-ring behind them because of the stabalisers, this is not the actual case, but that's just how they feel to me, you can take this as a plus or a negative, personally, it's a negative in my book.

KUL uses ABS compared the POM on the Noppoo, so I guess that's just a personal preference thing, but me? I absolutely love POM so if I could I would replace the Noppoo keys on here, but because it's a 75% board, I wouldn't have 100% matching keys and that's an issue to me, I'm very anal about those sort of things. I like consistency.

They still feel like reds, but in a different way, it's very hard to describe how they feel, but one positive note to come out of all this is that I do typo a lot less and have much more consistent typing speeds and that is always a nice bonus when you get a new board, but I'm still adjusting.

Keycaps:

The key caps that come with the KUL are ABS. Some may appreciate this, some may not but unfortunately I am in the 'does not appreciate this' section. I've had the keyboard since last Friday and already with this small amount of use, the keyboard spacebar is already shining and showing signs of wear and tear and this is extremely frustrating to me as I do not really understand why a company would equip a keyboard with keycaps that are essentially sub-par, especially on an absolutely fantastic keyboard in general.         

I think if you're going to go ahead and purchase one of these lovely KUL keyboards then it is probably in your best interests to have spare keycaps at the ready, personally, I like POM or PBT, but with this keyboard, I thought I would splash out and get some PBT Leopold keycaps as I've been informed that they are of rather high quality, link here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281377716241?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I do actually have spare keycaps, but they are blanks and I don't entirely want to use blanks on my keyboard at the moment as I prefer printed keycaps. But essentially guys, this is my only gripe with the keyboard, it's just that the keys to me do not feel as if they inherit the same high quality as the rest of the keyboard and because of this I actually believe that the keycaps on this keyboard bring the overall value of the keyboard down. I would love KUL to offer some kind of option where keycaps are concerned, maybe offer ABS, PBT and POM options but I realise that this is maybe asking too much and it would have a negative impact on the shipping times and manufacturer times for the overall keyboard.                                                               

Overall impressions:

Overall, I really do like this board, it is without a doubt probably one of the best TKL boards that I've used (I've also used a Filco TKL and 2 x Razer BWTE's /w blue and orange switches) and they the KUL out performs them to be honest. The board feels fantastic, looks fantastic (has a lovely matte finish on the case).

To be quite honest, it's hard to put forward any negative aspects about the board, but I have compiled an advantages vs disadvantages list below, so hopefully that'll help a little.

Advantages:

• Dipswitches
• Backplate
• Great stabalisers
• Media key functionality
• Adjustable polling rate (through dipswitches)
• Very sturdy
• Feels expensive (when in reality, it's not that expensive)
• Great construction
• USB NKRO DS setting
• Included keycaps to suit your needs
• The indicator backlight for capslock, escape and scrollock are quite dim and does not blind you
• Amazing rubber feet, takes force to move while on desk

Disadvantages:

• MX reds don't feel like the reds I'm used too when first using the board
• ABS keycaps may not be your thing (replacement keycaps may be a factor)
• I don't like the position of the media keys, e.g. FN + F7-F12

And that's pretty much it guys, overall? I would definitely recommend this board to family members or friends, even keyboard enthusiasts such as yourselves here on GH. I think my biggest obstacle is getting used to keyboards that have a backplate and thus them feeling a bit more heavy, but a lot of people on GH use TKL or full size boards, so that wouldn't even be a problem for most of you.

Fragil1ty rating: 9/10

Images:

(I'm not sure why, but whenever I try and add pictures here, they are showing up as rotated although they are not, so a full list of the images are below. Sorry for any inconvenience).

http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/2014100523420787.JPG
http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/20141005234211572.JPG
http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/20141005234215864.JPG
http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/20141005234222567.JPG
http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/20141005234219479.JPG
http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/20141005234226360.JPG
http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/20141005234229666.JPG
http://danielclarkedesigns.co/images/20141005234232966.JPG

[saint_james]

Great review, thank you.  I'm considering getting one of these.  If they made one with MX Greens I would be all over that like a fat man on a ham sandwich.

[Puddsy]

That's about how I feel about my KUL. Nice review!

[dante]

If you like the POM you can have qtan or imsto proxy you some OEM profile Keycool POM keycaps.

[Fragil1ty]

If you like the POM you can have qtan or imsto proxy you some OEM profile Keycool POM keycaps.

That's quite true, I was thinking about trying to get some Noppoo keycaps but in the TKL fashion and see what I can do or maybe get some graphite keycaps, but I'm not really into buying a load of keycaps and replacing them constantly. I might just stick with the stock keycaps and try and get used to them over time.

And glad you enjoyed the review guys, the KUL is definitely amazing.

[rowdy]

Thank you for including your review of shipping too - most people just concentrate on the keyboard itself.

[Novus]

Better than Noppoo or Keycool?
What is this blasphemy fragility?
Where's your brand loyalty, dammit?
I don't want to put to stifle your new product dapper but I think you should've gone with the 750 (reading off your cons that is).

[esoomenona]

.

[paicrai]

im not sure its a keyboard yet

[Fragil1ty]

Thank you for including your review of shipping too - most people just concentrate on the keyboard itself.

To be honest, I was severely impressed with EK's shipping. I have never dealt with a company that has got a product to me this fast from outside of England (disregarding Europe of course). It's always been 7 days - 14 days for me, but I was so surprised when it was in England and the expected date was (Friday just gone), I literally laughed. "Friday, hah! okay", and to my surprise it came on that Friday.

Better than Noppoo or Keycool?
What is this blasphemy fragility?
Where's your brand loyalty, dammit?
I don't want to put to stifle your new product dapper but I think you should've gone with the 750 (reading off your cons that is).

The main reason that I say it's better is because of the build quality, the backplate and so on. Personally, I still much rather prefer typing on the Noppoo and I also still prefer the Noppoo keycaps and layout, but I can't be bothered to keep on replacing my Noppoo every 6 months when I could replace a more longer lasting board every 12 - 24 months, you know? Noppoo Choc Mini is and always will be my favourite board, no matter what to be honest.


The 750 dude? what's that? You got a link? o:

Advantages:
Fast shipping by demon couriers

Disadvantages:
Demons now know where you live

It has been a pleasure knowing you all, I am now fearful for my life, they are coming for me soon. I want to be buried with my keyboards, thank you.

--------------------------------

Also, images have now been added.

[Puddsy]

i don't see any images

[Fragil1ty]

i don't see any images

Links! I had to give you links to the images.

When I tried to add the [ img ] tag to them, they would appear upside down for some very strange and unknown reason. >:

[Puddsy]

my hoverzoom plugin shows them upside down too

that's really odd

[Fragil1ty]

my hoverzoom plugin shows them upside down too

that's really odd

I have no idea what is going on with them what so ever, it's crazy. ;_;

[Matter]

Thanks for the review!

Been looking for keyboards with reds because it is fast becoming my favorite switch

[Fragil1ty]

Thanks for the review!

Been looking for keyboards with reds because it is fast becoming my favorite switch

It's a great keyboard man, I really do admit. Little disappointed in my friend though, he bought this keyboard (same time I did, but he didn't get his until today). He hates it, he prefers his Poker II, he just stated that it feels weird when typing on it and he doesn't like the keys and stuff, :s. He even tried to pass it off to his girlfriend and she doesn't like it either, lol. Oh my.

Some people man, some people.

[Fragil1ty]

I made a small edit to this review, to essentially address the keycap issues that I've with the KUL ES-87 thus far.

[Novus]

I do really like the noppoo pom keys. The lettering though ugh.

The 750 dude? what's that? You got a link? o:

The leopold 750.
http://www.leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php&it_id=1406876786

I think there's 3 threads about it on GH floating around.
Comes with 1.5 mm PBT
Silencing mod.
Media key placement is better (I think, since leopold uses f6-f9 for backwards, pause/play, forward instead of going from f7-f10 like the kul)
You have to buy from Korea though.

I think this keyboard is way better bang for buck.

[Fragil1ty]

I do really like the noppoo pom keys. The lettering though ugh.

The 750 dude? what's that? You got a link? o:

The leopold 750.
http://www.leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php&it_id=1406876786

I think there's 3 threads about it on GH floating around.
Comes with 1.5 mm PBT
Silencing mod.
Media key placement is better (I think, since leopold uses f6-f9 for backwards, pause/play, forward instead of going from f7-f10 like the kul)
You have to buy from Korea though.

I think this keyboard is way better bang for buck.

You not a fan of the lettering on the Noppoo? I love it myself, that Leopold 750r does indeed look like it's more bang for the buck and it comes with those stock keycaps? they're pretty tasty to be honest, ah well, I've got thos keycaps coming in the mail anyway, so it's not a huge loss, tbh.

[Novus]

I barely use my noppoo and I can see the print fading already  :/

[rowdy]

I barely use my noppoo and I can see the print fading already  :/

The joy of pad printing

A standard layout keyboard offers many alternatives for replacement keycap sets.

[Fragil1ty]

I barely use my noppoo and I can see the print fading already  :/

The joy of pad printing

A standard layout keyboard offers many alternatives for replacement keycap sets.

I've never really cared about keycap replacements to be honest, but with the KUL keycaps, I thought it was a must, I just cannot stand ABS what so ever, they are the last favourite keycaps for me, I'm using some lovely Leopold PBT stealth keycaps at the moment, which are also very low profile and this has made the keyboard a lot more usable for me and I think it is going to be my main board, for a very long time to come.