Gon or Kmac

[ManicMatt1125]

Hello. I have searched and cannot find any clear answers. I'm in the market for a Korean custom and I have a choice to make. Should I get a Kmac 2 or Should I get a Gon built. This will be my end game keyboard so I really want the best. Opinions?

[jonathanyu]

They are two very different design keyboards, so it really depends on what you prefer.  Personally, I like the Kmac more.

[whentheclouds]

depends on what you want. GON has a NerD v2 PCB version that is compatible with KMAC housings, so you should definitely get that instead of the standard A.87 PCB that the KMAC uses. the question then shifts to which case style you prefer - GON's is smaller, lower profile (has floating keys) and supports side LEDs, whereas KMAC's design is more traditional. KMAC housing also only has 84/6/7 ANSI and Mini layouts, whereas GON supports international layouts as well

one tip: if you're looking to jump right to the endgame, you should really spend some time reading up on the various components that make up a board. would be pretty silly if you spent 500-600 bucks on a GON to find out that the brown switches you thought were great for gaming actually suck. you'll also learn that GON and KMAC aren't the only options for custom, and you'll find much more choices if you stick around for a while

[ManicMatt1125]

Thanks, I'm versed on switches and the only choice I have to make is on the actual PCB and case. It sounds like if I go for the GON I have more options as far as customization goes

[hwood34]

Thanks, I'm versed on switches and the only choice I have to make is on the actual PCB and case. It sounds like if I go for the GON I have more options as far as customization goes

yeah, though they are pretty different design wise and ito really comes down to which you prefer. A Kmac might end up costing you a little more and will harder to find since GON has a store what you can buy from

[DrHubblePhD]

To be honest your not getting a hold of either for a couple months so dont get your hopes up )

[ManicMatt1125]

Well I have located a seller for both, the GON will be ready in 1 week and the KMAC is avail now.

[zennasyndroxx]

you can consider winkeyless too, they're alright, just that they don't have alu plate readily available in their store like gon.

but you can email the people behind winkeyless if they still have alu plates for their b87 boards, they ran a gb over at korean forums months ago and they do not put that in their store. the last I've asked they've VERY limited plates left.

I'm not sure if kbdmod is still live but if you're looking for a full aluminum keyboard, you can ask the guys at kbdmod if they still have any kmac2s in store.

[DrHubblePhD]

Well I have located a seller for both, the GON will be ready in 1 week and the KMAC is avail now.

[zennasyndroxx]

Well I have located a seller for both, the GON will be ready in 1 week and the KMAC is avail now.

I vote for KMAC

[hwood34]

Well I have located a seller for both, the GON will be ready in 1 week and the KMAC is avail now.

well if you have the money for the Kmac and one ready to go I'd get the Kmac

[demik]

neither

[whentheclouds]

Thanks, I'm versed on switches

there's a lot more to switches than the standard blues, blacks, browns and reds the PCB is where you don't have to make the choice, as i said. there's no reason to use the outdated a.87 PCB that comes with a KMAC 2 kit, when you can get a KMAC-compatible NerDv2 PCB from GON. KMACs should be quite cheaper than a decked out GON, they're pretty old and i think their luxury status has fallen down a notch since a couple years ago

there are also a couple of upcoming korean kustom groupbuys. if i were you i'll hold off getting either a GON or KMAC at the moment. buying a high end product without doing proper research beforehand is very liable to give you buyer's remorse. but if you're committed to spending now, nobody here will stop you

edit: oh you're buying secondhand. in that case, choose based on aesthetics, layout and switches. price should be the last priority imo

[hwood34]

neither

oh you

[DrHubblePhD]

HKKB= plastic  more heavy=more better

[ManicMatt1125]

I need at least TKL so hhkb is not an option unfortunately

[DrHubblePhD]

I need at least TKL so hhkb is not an option unfortunately

Demik uses HKKB elitist, it was ineffective

[MGH]

I need at least TKL so hhkb is not an option unfortunately

Realforce

[zennasyndroxx]

Thanks, I'm versed on switches

there's a lot more to switches than the standard blues, blacks, browns and reds the PCB is where you don't have to make the choice, as i said. there's no reason to use the outdated a.87 PCB that comes with a KMAC 2 kit, when you can get a KMAC-compatible NerDv2 PCB from GON. KMACs should be quite cheaper than a decked out GON, they're pretty old and i think their luxury status has fallen down a notch since a couple years ago

there are also a couple of upcoming korean kustom groupbuys. if i were you i'll hold off getting either a GON or KMAC at the moment. buying a high end product without doing proper research beforehand is very liable to give you buyer's remorse. but if you're committed to spending now, nobody here will stop you

FYI, kmac 1,1.2, or the kmac2 doesn't use a.87.

and why is a.87 outdated? just because it's missing bottom LEDs?

kmac's pcb is, kmac's pcb. it's not a.87 not gons. It's created by the kbdmod team

I've not tried gon's PCB (wanted to try to see what can I do with the GUI tool but was unable to since I need a gon's board to do it) but winkeyless, the team behind a.87 and b87 is till date, the one with the most usability features.

also, just to let you know, there's quite a number of people who used a.87 as pcb for their custom case designs.

[whentheclouds]

ah sorry for the mixup about KMAC's PCB. but nevermind the a.87 debate, i'm trying to ensure OP makes the most informed choice possible before committing to what seems to me like an expensive impulse buy. not that i'll lose sleep over his decision either way

[zennasyndroxx]

ah sorry for the mixup about KMAC's PCB. but nevermind the a.87 debate, i'm trying to ensure OP makes the most informed choice possible before committing to what seems to me like an expensive impulse buy. not that i'll lose sleep over his decision either way

it's alright. Just wanted to clear some confusion here too.

Nonetheless, if you want a board with very advanced LED features among korean customs, you can consider duck's creation. Orion, since you wanted tkl

[ManicMatt1125]

ah sorry for the mixup about KMAC's PCB. but nevermind the a.87 debate, i'm trying to ensure OP makes the most informed choice possible before committing to what seems to me like an expensive impulse buy. not that i'll lose sleep over his decision either way

Lol, this has been a decision I have thought about for a while, but it is a somewhat impulse, uniformed choice. I learn best by touching and feeling, call me a kinistetic ( sc) learner, so my goal is to get something first, and learn the ins and outs of it later, if that makes any sense. I know what switch type I like, I know what layout I like, and yes I know the rest of the details are important but the differences between the two are something I have to experience as opposed to research.

[whentheclouds]

that's.. pretty strange, but whatever works for you. i mean you'll be getting a good board either way, i just thought that if you're striving for an endgame then it should be to your liking 100% rather than 95% or 90%. normally i wouldn't even advise anything, but i guess reading intelli78's post about un-hacking wallets has made me more compelled to see people spend their money wisely

[demik]

hhkb + rf 87u

[Sygaldry]

hhkb + rf 87u

Seriously.

I had a GON and a Duck but sold them because I liked the HHKB and RF87u better

[Puddsy]

the a.87 isn't "outdated"

as far as i know the koreans value it very highly, it's a very good PCB.

KMAC and GON are not a.87

they're both their own independent designs

[ManicMatt1125]

that's.. pretty strange, but whatever works for you. i mean you'll be getting a good board either way, i just thought that if you're striving for an endgame then it should be to your liking 100% rather than 95% or 90%. normally i wouldn't even advise anything, but i guess reading intelli78's post about un-hacking wallets has made me more compelled to see people spend their money wisely

Your concern is appreciated. But I am a weird dude with weird tendencies. I have not decided yet, I am still debating my options. Its all part of my process. Oh and speaking of strange, spending 500+ on a keyboard automatically puts one in that catagory .

[Photekq]

hhkb + rf 87u

Seriously.

I had a GON and a Duck but sold them because I liked the HHKB and RF87u better

All that shows is that you personally prefer Topre switches.

That is not an opinion shared by everyone.

It is just an opinion.

[ManicMatt1125]

hhkb + rf 87u

Seriously.

I had a GON and a Duck but sold them because I liked the HHKB and RF87u better

You mean the topre switch? Or the actual board design? Define "better" please

[Dreamre]

KMAC2 with GON PCB, that's what I have .

[feizor]

hhkb + rf 87u

Seriously.

I had a GON and a Duck but sold them because I liked the HHKB and RF87u better

You mean the topre switch? Or the actual board design? Define "better" please

Think he means more the the switch feel rather than the design, although the HHKB has a classic design.

KMAC2 with GON PCB, that's what I have .

That's a $600+ set up when you take into account assembly cost/time.
Better make sure you know exactly what features you need/want before splashing out.

[Jokrik]

KMAC2 with GON PCB, that's what I have .

I was tempted to get that nerd pcb for my kmac, the features are amazing on that nerd pcb compare to the kmac one

But again I think what's make a kmac is also the pcb other than the case, that's what have been holding me back

So yeah,  for the TS, find out your best switch combo first
I have to waste a kmac pcb since I've been switching in and out different blue switch combo,

now I settled with 68g gold blues and have to acquire new kmac pcb since the old one is so messed up from all the desoldering

[Sygaldry]

hhkb + rf 87u

Seriously.

I had a GON and a Duck but sold them because I liked the HHKB and RF87u better

All that shows is that you personally prefer Topre switches.

That is not an opinion shared by everyone.

It is just an opinion.

hhkb + rf 87u

Seriously.

I had a GON and a Duck but sold them because I liked the HHKB and RF87u better

You mean the topre switch? Or the actual board design? Define "better" please

?

I didn't say one was better than the other. All I said was that I liked the HHKB and the RF87U better.

Big difference if read incorrectly.

I was expressly stating my opinion and never intended for it to be read as a fact.

If I'm not mistaken, both of you read my post as me stating that the HHKB and RF87U are better (which is not what I wrote - but if you really must, it is what I believe  ).