Novelkey NK65 vs Drop Ctrl

[Coastqr]

ok so im doing a custom keyboard build and i would like to know which board is better, NK65 or drop ctrl, on a custom and gaming standpoint, and the pros and cons of each.

 

The switches im using are kailh box white (instead of box jades because of the whites lighter actuation). are they good switches? Do they need to be lubed to be good? if so which lube should i use? Yes, I want really clicky switches. Are there any good alternatives to the box whites?

 

 

thanks

 

[Coastqr]

yo will someone please respond?

[Neumann_Joe]

21 hours ago, Coastqr said:

ok so im doing a custom keyboard build and i would like to know which board is better, NK65 or drop ctrl, on a custom and gaming standpoint, and the pros and cons of each.

 

The switches im using are kailh box white (instead of box jades because of the whites lighter actuation). are they good switches? Do they need to be lubed to be good? if so which lube should i use? Yes, I want really clicky switches. Are there any good alternatives to the box whites?

 

 

thanks

 

I own both so i might be able to help answer some questions. The main differences between those boards is NK65 entry and aluminum is they are 65% and the Ctrl is a 87%. Drop does make the Drop ALT which is a 65% board. NK65 has south faced LEDs vs the CTRL's/ALT's North faced. If you care about backlit keycaps they won't work well with the NK65. As they will be dim. NK65 supports 5 pin switches and the Drop boards do not. If you go with the kailh box whites you don't need to worry. Both have plate mount stabs so both are easily removable to swap out or relube. This is must on the drop boards as their stabs rattle to much. Once lubed they sound great. I normally use krytox 205g0 for my stabs.

 

I'm probably not he best to ask about clicky switches as I live tactile and linear switches more. One thing I do know is if your going to lube clicky or tactile switches you have to make sure not to get to much lube on the legs of the stem as that will remove clicky sound and make them feel more linear. And a good way to find different switches is to get a switch tester so you can try different ones.

[Dr0y]

@Neumann_Joe  I think you sold me the NK65 ...

 

The kailh box white are really nice switches ... I didn't like clicky switches before I tried them.  Other switches like the cherry blue use click jacket to make the switch click, that makes them really rattly and quite unpleasant imo.  Also like mentioned they are better not lubed as they will risk to become silent. 

 

The kailh box white, jade and navy (there's a fourth one I think is pale blue) use click bar instead, that makes the click really sharper and also double as the switch click when going down and also when coming back up.  Don't worry it's really not annoying, it's kinda really nice.  The kailh box white is already good enough stock and I don't feel like you would need to lube them.  Try them stock first and if you feel that they are not smooth enough just get some lube.  I have some krytox 205g0 but I'm not sure it would be the appropriate thickness for those switches.  Also the difference between the kailh box white and the jade is that the jade have the same spring as the white but the jade has the navy thicker click bar which makes them sound different (probably louder and a bit lower click) and with a heavier tactile event. 

 

Hope that helped a bit. 

 

[Coastqr]

On 6/28/2021 at 11:39 AM, Neumann_Joe said:

I own both so i might be able to help answer some questions. The main differences between those boards is NK65 entry and aluminum is they are 65% and the Ctrl is a 87%. Drop does make the Drop ALT which is a 65% board. NK65 has south faced LEDs vs the CTRL's/ALT's North faced. If you care about backlit keycaps they won't work well with the NK65. As they will be dim. NK65 supports 5 pin switches and the Drop boards do not. If you go with the kailh box whites you don't need to worry. Both have plate mount stabs so both are easily removable to swap out or relube. This is must on the drop boards as their stabs rattle to much. Once lubed they sound great. I normally use krytox 205g0 for my stabs.

 

I'm probably not he best to ask about clicky switches as I live tactile and linear switches more. One thing I do know is if your going to lube clicky or tactile switches you have to make sure not to get to much lube on the legs of the stem as that will remove clicky sound and make them feel more linear. And a good way to find different switches is to get a switch tester so you can try different ones.

so are south faced better than north faced? i think i heard from someone that they were

[seon123]

30 minutes ago, Coastqr said:

so are south faced better than north faced? i think i heard from someone that they were

North facing switches can have interference issues with some keycaps, notably GMK ones, which are thick Cherry profile keycaps. Those also don't have translucent legends (same with most high end keycaps), so the lighting is not an issue

[Coastqr]

2 minutes ago, seon123 said:

North facing switches can have interference issues with some keycaps, notably GMK ones, which are thick Cherry profile keycaps. Those also don't have translucent legends (same with most high end keycaps), so the lighting is not an issue

oki thanks

[Coastqr]

oh also would the GMMK Pro be a better option than the NK65?

[geo3]

3 hours ago, Coastqr said:

oh also would the GMMK Pro be a better option than the NK65?

Subjective. They are different layouts. I'd take the NK65 (non-entry) over the GMMK Pro.

[Coastqr]

11 hours ago, geo3 said:

Subjective. They are different layouts. I'd take the NK65 (non-entry) over the GMMK Pro.

i would take either lol but doesnt the GMMK have pcb mounted stabs? this would mean i could get better stabs to make the board sound better.

 

I am considering doing a thonky tactile or linear build inmstead of clicky so good stabs are important. 

 

would durock V2 stabs be good?

 

also, what tactile and linears do you recommend for this sort of build? for linear, i head novelkeys cream are good, and for tactile, i would like something that registers the keystroke at the bump and feels good and sound really thonky

[Coastqr]

On 7/3/2021 at 8:48 AM, Coastqr said:

i would take either lol but doesnt the GMMK have pcb mounted stabs? this would mean i could get better stabs to make the board sound better.

 

I am considering doing a thonky tactile or linear build inmstead of clicky so good stabs are important. 

 

would durock V2 stabs be good?

 

also, what tactile and linears do you recommend for this sort of build? for linear, i head novelkeys cream are good, and for tactile, i would like something that registers the keystroke at the bump and feels good and sound really thonky

ima bump this topic