Noppoo Choc Mini

[Irishleadhead]

Howdy Geekhack! 

First time posting after lurking about the forums here for a few months.  I am currently thinking of buying a Choc Mini and wanted some more opinions.  I already have 3 mech keyboards, started out with a SteelSeries 6gv2 with mxBlacks as my first board, then switched to a Ducky Shine 2 TKL with mxBlues and I am currently using a Ducky Shine 3 TKL with mxBlues.  Basically after having a TKL board I mostly feel the need to go smaller.  I would probably get Brown switches, two clicky keyboards are enough for me, and I really enjoy the tactile feedback. Any other recommendations for keyboards of the same size and better quality? Willing to spend ~$150 if size and quality are comparable.  Also This will be my first board that I plan on changing the keycaps on and was wondering how easy might it be to find a blank set?  I have never had anything but OEM keys from Steelseries and Ducky and I believe Ducky's are ABS?  Not to sure what Steelseries keys are so that would be helpful if someone knows so I can understand what type of key cap I felt.  Thanks! 

[Belfong]

I have a Noppoo before and I have the same thought as you do - I wanted something smaller and the Choc looks good. But after using for a couple of week, I find that it is not small enough. So, my recommendation for you, if you already have some TKL boards and you are eyeing something smaller, is to go with 60% board such as Poker 2 or HHKB. I have both Poker 2 and HHKB and the HHKB is now my daily driver. The Poker 2 is a good board and I would recommend you to aim for that instead of the Choc mini.

[Irishleadhead]

I have a Noppoo before and I have the same thought as you do - I wanted something smaller and the Choc looks good. But after using for a couple of week, I find that it is not small enough. So, my recommendation for you, if you already have some TKL boards and you are eyeing something smaller, is to go with 60% board such as Poker 2 or HHKB. I have both Poker 2 and HHKB and the HHKB is now my daily driver. The Poker 2 is a good board and I would recommend you to aim for that instead of the Choc mini.

Ahh thanks ^^ but I suppose I should have mentioned that although I would like it to be as small as possible, I would still like it to have the top row of F keys as well ><  Thank you though!

[Belfong]

Depends on how often you use the Function row. Both Poker 2 and HHKB can trigger the function layer by just pressing FN key and the corresponding number row.

Essentially, you save up one row of keys. It's really small and mobile.

[Irishleadhead]

Yeah, I use them more often than not, especially when playing games like SC2 and such.  So they are pretty essential to me.

[morpheus]

I'm sort of lusting after a Choc Mini in mx blue. Only thing is, the darn keycaps. You can't install a full replacement set without a Tsangan set and even then you're not guaranteed it will all fit.

[Irishleadhead]

yeah, and those aren't even blanks ><  any other 75% boards that are easier to find blank key caps?

[scottjad]

I have a Choc Mini and Keycool 84 and I prefer the 84.

My Choc Mini is not the latest model so some of these things might not apply to the latest model.

1) The Keycool feels better built, to me.
2) Ctrl-Alt-F1 doesn't seem to work on Linux on my Choc Mini.
3) Keys feel like they have less travel distance on my Choc Mini, and the sides of the case come up higher.

I do like the shorter space bar of the Choc Mini, but many people don't like that because it makes it harder to replace it.

I did have another newer model (not latest either) Choc Mini where the keys, especially the larger ones, were very wobbly.

[Beca]

I also own an older model of the Noppoo Choc Mini with blues. Out of all the keyboards I've owned (about , it probably feels the cheapest. The stabilizer keys all feel very flimsy and rattle-y, the case has a lot of flex, and it kind of felt like a toy keyboard. Not sure how it is with the newer models.

[Irishleadhead]

Hmmm alright so it generally seems that the Choc Mini's have pretty poor build quality, so between a KeyCool 84 and a Race II which one would be better and easier to replace the key caps on?

[scottjad]

I wouldn't say the Choc Mini is poor quality, just that it's not as high of quality as the some other keyboards, IMO. When I didn't have my Keycool I loved my Choc Mini.

I believe the Keycool's keys are standard sizes, whereas I believe the KBT Race 2's are not. I believe the Keycool is $20-30 cheaper. You should read a reviews on each keyboard.

[Fragil1ty]

Howdy Geekhack! 

First time posting after lurking about the forums here for a few months.  I am currently thinking of buying a Choc Mini and wanted some more opinions.  I already have 3 mech keyboards, started out with a SteelSeries 6gv2 with mxBlacks as my first board, then switched to a Ducky Shine 2 TKL with mxBlues and I am currently using a Ducky Shine 3 TKL with mxBlues.  Basically after having a TKL board I mostly feel the need to go smaller.  I would probably get Brown switches, two clicky keyboards are enough for me, and I really enjoy the tactile feedback. Any other recommendations for keyboards of the same size and better quality? Willing to spend ~$150 if size and quality are comparable.  Also This will be my first board that I plan on changing the keycaps on and was wondering how easy might it be to find a blank set?  I have never had anything but OEM keys from Steelseries and Ducky and I believe Ducky's are ABS?  Not to sure what Steelseries keys are so that would be helpful if someone knows so I can understand what type of key cap I felt.  Thanks! 

I've been using the Noppoo choc mini for almost 2 years now and it's my favourite keyboard by a mile without a doubt.


I've also used it's competitor the Keycool 84.


The keycool uses PBT and the Noppoo uses POM, I like the feel of the Noppoo better and they are not as highly raised as the Keycool either.


The keycool has a backplate and feels like it's got a lot more sturdier construction, so that's also something to consider.


Apparently Keycool  84's are hard to get hold of now though, especially those that are not back-lit.


But in my opinion if you go out and buy a Noppoo choc mini today? you will not regret it, the best 75% board on the market at the moment and has been for as long as I can remember, but just remember al of what I'm saying here is just personal preference, you may find that you are not the same as me and you prefer 60% boards or maybe even a TKL? who knows!


Noppoo +1 here though.

[minho]

yeah, and those aren't even blanks ><  any other 75% boards that are easier to find blank key caps?

I have a Keycool 84 coming in the mail, and am planning on getting blank sets from the Granite group buy (see my signature). If you get the base blank set and additional blank mods, you will get more than enough to cover the KC84, plus a PBT spacebar, red esc, and blue enter (colors optional ofc, but the other separate blue enter thats being sold with dyesub printing is pretty damn expensive right now...)

[Pacifist]

kc84 ftw--until you can get a mx mini or something of the like

noppoo has pcb issues--kc84 pcb is solid and has 0 problems

[Irishleadhead]

Well, I may or may not just have to buy a Noppoo for the time being, a tad bit easier on the wallet.  And if I like the layout and feeling, when the grey Keycool 84's make another round, I'll just have to pick one up.

Thanks everyone ^^

[Pacifist]

my first KC was $60 and the second cost $51. There should still be some in stock

[Irishleadhead]

my first KC was $60 and the second cost $51. There should still be some in stock

Where did you buy it from?  I only see them on MechanicalKeyboards.com, and they only have the the back-lit versions and I already feel like there is a disco going on with my current keyboards hahaha

[minho]

my first KC was $60 and the second cost $51. There should still be some in stock

Where did you buy it from?  I only see them on MechanicalKeyboards.com, and they only have the the back-lit versions and I already feel like there is a disco going on with my current keyboards hahaha

Pretty sure the 51 dollar one was the special discounted one from Banggood?

[Kliee]

I have a Noppoo Choc Mini that I bought for my semester as an exchange student in Korea. I wanted a KB that can travel and doesn't take too much space in the luggage. It served me for a semester and did pretty well without any failure of any kind and was nice to use. I think it's a really good deal.

- Nice layout and functions (windows key disabling, switching Caps lock and Ctrl, etc...)
- Good feeling with blue Mx switches (even though I'm not a fan)
- Good looking and easy to carry around

BUT, here are the flows :

- Some of the large keys are not well stabilized and while it does not affect typping, they have that "crocked" look before you put them back into place
- The plastic and build quality might not be the best, even for the price. While it's way better thant your average KB, for a mechanical it's not awesome by any mean. Kinda light, slightly twistable case, key print expected to wear off with time, ect.
- Cable is not detachable and the fixation to the case seems fragile to me

I don't regret buying that keyboard, but you have to accept the flows. Will never be a main board for me, but for traveling it's ok and it served it's purpose really well during my exchange program.