Author Topic: Are there any alternatives?  (Read 2998 times)

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Offline Fragil1ty

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Are there any alternatives?
« on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 09:45:57 »
So as the title suggests, I'm looking for some alternatives to the current board that I have which is the Noppoo Choc mini.

Small background, I've used 2 of these boards in the past 12 months, one broke due to key-chattering (I think I hit the keyboard in a fit of gaming rage and thus breaking the keyboard, lol).

I've got one now and it's fine but I'm just wondering are there any other boards that I could potentially replace this with in the future? I love this keyboard to bits, but compared to other keyboards it does feel like it's lacking quality, like most other boards have metal backplates, feel like they have better construction etc. (referring to boards such as: Keycool 84 mainly and the Filco tkl, I know the filco isn't a 75% board but I've got one in my possession and that also has reds, so to type on that and feel that keyboard compared to the Noppoo? the difference is cataclysmic.)

So In my possession that I'm currently using, I have the Noppoo choc mini which my main driver and that has cherry mx reds and I also have a Keycool 84 (white) with cherry mx browns.

I'm not 100% fond of the Keycool, I'm not sure why, maybe it's because of the key switches (I'm not 100% sold on the brown switch compared to the red) but maybe it's because I'm far too used to the noppoo and I would need more time getting used to it.

tl;dr - I'm looking for alternatives to my Noppoo choc mini, I've used the Keycool 84 and it's kinda meh, what would you suggest that is close to the Noppoo, if anything?
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Offline aref

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 10:23:16 »
Perhaps a Leopold FC660. Switch choices are MX Brown/Blue or Topre 45-gram.
I've not seen an FC660 with MX Red switches. The build quality on Noppoo Choc
keyboards... not all that good. FC660s with MX switches are same price as a NC Mini.

Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 10:33:28 »
Perhaps a Leopold FC660. Switch choices are MX Brown/Blue or Topre 45-gram.
I've not seen an FC660 with MX Red switches. The build quality on Noppoo Choc
keyboards... not all that good. FC660s with MX switches are same price as a NC Mini.

I've been looking at that keyboard for quite some time to be honest, it looks nice and it's available with Topre, so that's always nice.

Quite steep in price though for the Topre (damn you >:), but yeah man I'll check it out and see if it's worth a purchase or whatever.

Oh, I just remembered that it has no designated Fkeys and I need them unfortunately, I do a lot of gaming that require them and I also have binds, macros and all that jazz for them also, >: damn.
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Offline tricheboars

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 10:52:55 »
if you are hitting keyboards and breaking them i dont think buying a 'top of the line' keyboard is wise. topre is the jam no doubt but they are not easy to repair like MX. if you hit it and break it you are out 250$+. 

get yourself a CM QFR. they are cheap, made reasonably well and have a standard layout. they have function keys. 

if you didnt have to have function keys i could suggest an array of keyboards that might fit your needs. but you really need something in a TKL format. the following companies make high quality TKL boards.  but once again if you cannot control your anger just get the QFR.  the following brands are praised here at this site for build quality and longevity and have boards in a TKL format:

MX:

Leopold
Filco
Ducky
Cooler Master
Matias

Topre:
Realforce 87U

« Last Edit: Wed, 19 February 2014, 10:58:15 by tricheboars »
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Offline yasuo

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 11:19:22 »
you looks very loving noppo :))but good one board for longtime :)
« Last Edit: Wed, 19 February 2014, 11:28:56 by yasuo »
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Offline Wildcard

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 11:23:57 »
Perhaps a Leopold FC660. Switch choices are MX Brown/Blue or Topre 45-gram.
I've not seen an FC660 with MX Red switches. The build quality on Noppoo Choc
keyboards... not all that good. FC660s with MX switches are same price as a NC Mini.

Or just add a "C" at the end of that FC660 and call it good :thumb:

Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 12:48:31 »
if you are hitting keyboards and breaking them i dont think buying a 'top of the line' keyboard is wise. topre is the jam no doubt but they are not easy to repair like MX. if you hit it and break it you are out 250$+. 

get yourself a CM QFR. they are cheap, made reasonably well and have a standard layout. they have function keys. 

if you didnt have to have function keys i could suggest an array of keyboards that might fit your needs. but you really need something in a TKL format. the following companies make high quality TKL boards.  but once again if you cannot control your anger just get the QFR.  the following brands are praised here at this site for build quality and longevity and have boards in a TKL format:

MX:

Leopold
Filco
Ducky
Cooler Master
Matias

Topre:
Realforce 87U

It was a moment of anger, I've learnt from my mistakes, lmfao. The noppoo is only like 90 GBP, so it's not that bad to be honest in terms of replacing it.

Do you have any models in mind for the manufacturers that you've listed or?


FC660c? what's the difference?
Perhaps a Leopold FC660. Switch choices are MX Brown/Blue or Topre 45-gram.
I've not seen an FC660 with MX Red switches. The build quality on Noppoo Choc
keyboards... not all that good. FC660s with MX switches are same price as a NC Mini.

Or just add a "C" at the end of that FC660 and call it good :thumb:

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Offline Wildcard

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 12:53:34 »
FC660c? what's the difference?

The FC660C is the Topre version of the FC660. Same layout but comes with 45g Topre domes.

Sorry in advance if I misunderstood the question :)

Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 13:22:02 »
FC660c? what's the difference?

The FC660C is the Topre version of the FC660. Same layout but comes with 45g Topre domes.

Sorry in advance if I misunderstood the question :)

Yeah I wish I could get this keyboard, but like I said earlier, I just cannot live without the cluster of F keys, I need them there, I know the FC660c has them but they are only usable by modifiers, I need the fkeys and the number keys to be seperate, otherwise this would be a perfect keyboard for me. >.<

Thanks though.

edit:

I was actually tempted to go ahead and buy this keyboard: http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-realforce-88ub-45g-key-black-on-black-mini-keyboard-image.asp the Realforce 88ub-45g as it's on a "sale" at the moment, but this is much larger than my Noppoo and I'm not entirely sold on the font/colour on the keycaps and not sure on the size either, I like my small 75% keyboards.
« Last Edit: Wed, 19 February 2014, 13:26:30 by Fragil1ty »
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Offline Oobly

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 13:41:27 »
The choc mini and keycool 84 are the only 75% boards I am aware of. If you need F keys then TKL is the only other option. With that in mind I would recommend a  Filco TKL with your favourite switch type.
Buying more keycaps,
it really hacks my wallet,
but I must have them.

Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 14:39:11 »
I've already got a Filco TKL with Reds, don't really like the TKL boards, they are a bit too big for me to be quite honest, :/, I can't get used to the layout! /hatelife
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 14:40:46 »
For an even longer shot, as if your search weren't hard enough :)), you could try and find an Epsilon.

Offline poog

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 18:28:47 »
For 75 there's also kbt race right? Will be nearly impossible to find full replacement keys though

Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 18:38:00 »
For 75 there's also kbt race right? Will be nearly impossible to find full replacement keys though

Ahh yeah, that keyboard isn't too bad to be honest, not a massive fan on the keys though.

I was thinking of just buying the pom keycool 84 /w reds and maybe that'd suit my needs more (as i'm used to the keys on the noppoo), qtan sells them for a very good price tbh.
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Offline katushkin

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 20:58:37 »
Keycool. I have one, my daily driver for almost a year and I love it. My dad uses it as well and he really likes it.

Alternatively, you could go for a KBT Race. They are exactly the same layout, and the other board I was looking at before I bought my KC. Not sure about the build quality, others may be able to enlighten you a bit more. But yeah, I love my KC, and people are probably sick of me on here and on reddit suggesting it over and over.
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Offline Tony

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #15 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:17:27 »
For better typing feel, a Filco is suggested, if you have the money. That surely will leave your Choc mini in the dust.
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Offline Fragil1ty

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Re: Are there any alternatives?
« Reply #16 on: Wed, 19 February 2014, 21:54:48 »
Keycool. I have one, my daily driver for almost a year and I love it. My dad uses it as well and he really likes it.

Alternatively, you could go for a KBT Race. They are exactly the same layout, and the other board I was looking at before I bought my KC. Not sure about the build quality, others may be able to enlighten you a bit more. But yeah, I love my KC, and people are probably sick of me on here and on reddit suggesting it over and over.

Yeah I've got a Keycool 84 but unfortunately it uses Browns and I don't really like bronws to be honest, but as I suggested earlier, I might just buy a Keycool with POM and use Reds or whatever.

For better typing feel, a Filco is suggested, if you have the money. That surely will leave your Choc mini in the dust.

I've actually got a Filco TKL, I like the board, but I just don't like the overall layout, too used to the 75% board factor.
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