A question about GON keyboards and MX Minis.

[Cottonmouth]

Hi,

First off, sorry if this is the wrong section, I wasn't entirely sure which sub-forum was the correct one to post this in.

I'm looking to start my first keyboard build, but before I sink any large amount of cash on any more parts, I just wanted to check on a few things.
Ideally, I'd like to build a 75%/mx mini board. I already have a set of DSA Dolch keycaps, complete with ISO kit. (Which they began producing after I contacted them with the suggestion, and a mockup of the said ISO kit), and a huge box of gateron greens.

My first choice would be a GON NerD, however while looking through the site I saw two PCBs and two cases, and I'm not 100% sure which case fits which PCB. And naturally, I don't want to go spending £200~ on a case only to have the PCB not fit. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction here? I've tried sending messags through the site before, but I've never had any response.

My second choice would be a Winkeyless mx.mini, although I've not heard much about their cases/PCBs. How could they compare to the GON?

Failing this, I might just go for a TKL.

[suicidal_orange]

You might like to look in GON's sub for many disgruntled customers waiting years for orders for their orders before buying from GON.  Usually he's quick to reply before he has your money so if he isn't even doing that I'd be very scared!

Winkeyless are well regarded here but as I've never actually seen one of their boards I'll leave further comments to those who have.

[duynguyenle]

If you're after a 75% board, I think Winkeyless B.mini X2 is a good choice, you certainly will get it faster than buying from GON.

As for casing, you could either DIY by getting a skeleton style case cut at your local metal fab shop, or order it from lasergist or bigbluesaw. There might be a 75% custom case GB coming up soon by xondat, don't know the timeframe on that though.

If you want to buy a ready-made board that is 75%, I think there are a couple of commercial options out there, Keycool84 and Drevo Gramr comes to mind, they both have standard 6.25u spacebar (I think...) so should be compatible with most custom sets as long as they have the appropriate number of 1u R4 keys.

[ideus]

GON has ran with some issues with backlogged orders. Orders for parts with no assembly would be ship with less delay, usually, at least that was my experience, but you should double check that. The quality of GON's products is top notch. I have never get anything from WKL.

[xondat]

There might be a 75% custom case GB coming up soon by xondat, don't know the timeframe on that though.

November!

OP, I would buy from winkeyless.kr or wait for a custom.  Winkeyless are the best full acrylic custom keyboards on the market, can't go wrong. GON have a metal plate/bottom plate and a polycarbonate middle layer.

[Cottonmouth]

Thanks for the replies everyone, very helpful!

There might be a 75% custom case GB coming up soon by xondat, don't know the timeframe on that though.

November!

OP, I would buy from winkeyless.kr or wait for a custom.  Winkeyless are the best full acrylic custom keyboards on the market, can't go wrong. GON have a metal plate/bottom plate and a polycarbonate middle layer.

Ah I might have to check this out- is there a thread, or any more information about this at the moment? I'm thinking that I'll either go with this or the winkeyless.

[Applet]

I have a B.mini that i like a lot (all acrylic), but then I have never owned a GON or such. They offer aluminum tops now as well, but they are out of stock at the moment.