The mystery of the Noppoo Choc Mini

[Trowter]

Calling all Noppoo experts.



A quick google image search will show that the Noppoo choc mini is supposed to look like this (above)

I was researching around looking for a best price, I discovered that a few weeks ago massdrop was selling the choc mini(wireless version), but there is only one problem. It looks completely different (See below)
Massdrop Link: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-choc-wireless


And to further add to my confusion Massdrop has just started selling a new noppoo choc mini (see below) (link here: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-choc-mini )



This version is wired, but it looks different again! Note there is no clear hole in the caps lock and the function keys are printed and the QWER etc keys all look slightly different. Another interesting thing is if you look on Amazon for a noppoo choc mini here: http://www.amazon.com/Noppoo-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Switches/dp/B00A45WJZA/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1406879263&sr=1-2&keywords=noppoo check the reviews and people are describing their keyboard as looking like the third picture, when it was shown in the preview pictures as the first one.

So I am utterly confused as to what is real and what is fake, can anyone shed some light on this and maybe clarify if any of these are legit or worth buying? Thanks

[Oobly]

They changed the layout from the 2012 model to the 2013. Updated the size of the modifiers and made the cable removable. Still got that impossible-to-replace 5.5x spacebar, though.

So, they're both legit, but one is just older.

[Trowter]

So the first and third pic is legit? What about the second pic, also there were a lot of people complaining that the quality of the second pics build made it seem like a fake, misplaced LED's and typo's on the keys

[Oobly]

So the first and third pic is legit? What about the second pic, also there were a lot of people complaining that the quality of the second pics build made it seem like a fake, misplaced LED's and typo's on the keys

I don't see any typo's on any of the keys of the 2nd pic. They match the new versions of the Choc Mini.

Misplaced LED's? Looking on the Massdrop site, the only pic I see with an LED on is with the Caps Lock key switched to Ctrl, so the Ctrl LED is on. The light from it bleeds into the Shift key. It shows off-centre on the Shift key, but it's just light bleed from the Ctrl LED, so there are no "misplaced LED's" at least that I can tell from anything on the site.

In other words, stop worrying. If you want a Choc Mini from any of the sites you've mentioned, go ahead and buy it. They are all legit.

Looks like the caps on the wireless version are coated thick white / clear POM, whereas the cabled version has printed / lasered black POM caps.

[davkol]

original choc mini (early 2011 I think): different mappings in the nav column, bad keycap lettering infill, thick case, modifiers of different sizes, fixed cable, no backlighting
2011: changed nav column mappings, improved infill
2012: thinner case, optional backlighting with black ABS keycaps (could have existed in 2011)
2013: uniform-size modifiers, detacheable cable, wireless-ready case
2014: optional wireless, optional backlighting with black POM keycaps
future: Gaote switches instead of Cherry MX

I could have missed something. Also, choc mini wasn't available fairly often even for several months. There was a white PBT version as well, probably discontinued after the 2013 generation.

[Corey]

feature=youtu.be

Is this anything to be worried about?

[Oobly]

feature=youtu.be

Is this anything to be worried about?

Well yes, that would bug me. I would guess the coated caps just aren't as well made as the printed ones. On a normal board it wouldn't bother me much since I would replace the stock keycaps anyway. Which brings me to an important point: I wouldn't buy a Choc Mini myself (any version), simply because of the lack of replacement keycap options. This just highlights the issue.

The Keycool 84 II is a better option.

[davkol]

I'd be happy to know about another $100 75% keyboard with thick Cherry profile POM keycaps. The problem is that aren't any, only Leopold FC660M comes close.

[Defect]

feature=youtu.be

Is this anything to be worried about?

Well yes, that would bug me. I would guess the coated caps just aren't as well made as the printed ones. On a normal board it wouldn't bother me much since I would replace the stock keycaps anyway. Which brings me to an important point: I wouldn't buy a Choc Mini myself (any version), simply because of the lack of replacement keycap options. This just highlights the issue.

The Keycool 84 II is a better option.

I like the older Choc Mini's (black) with their POM keycaps.  Hard to replace caps, but also no need to