[IC] Universal spherical retro kit (standard, tkl, wkl. 75, 60, ergodox)

[Matt3o]

universal spherical retro kit

Wondering if there's interest in a Signature Plastics DSA Spherical keycaps kit.

Compatible keyboards
The keys are all on the same profile, you can mix and match them in any way to obtain a variety of layouts such as:

• Standard ANSI+ISO (filco, wasd, leopold, ...)
• TKL (filco, wasd, ...)
• 75% (noppoo choc mini, ...)
• 60% (poker, ...)
• Winkeyless variants
• G80-1800 and G80-1865 (PLEASE VERIFY!)
• Tsangan
• ErgoDox  (PLEASE VERIFY!)

What's inside


ABS, double shot, colors similar to C64 or retro style anyway. All standard legends to keep price low.

Please help me refine the additional keys, I certainly missed something. I'm uncertain if the number and coloring of blank and mod keys are correct.

What you can buy
The kit is split in 3:
1) standard TKL (approx: $60)
2) 10key numpad (approx: $12)
3) all the other keys (approx: I don't know yet!)

I'd like to order at least 50 sets

If we miss a tier by few samples I'd fill the remaining.

How does DSA look like?
DSA keys are not the "standard" keys you are used to. They have a spherical top, they are slightly shorter and they are all on the same angle (ie: you can relocate keys anywhere).

Here's a comparison


Color
At the moment the preferred color scheme is WHITE ON COFFEE. The dark brown should be close to the following.

Just for color reference! The keys will be DSA spherical!


I'm evaluating adding some special keys in the same red showed in the photo.

But it's not written in stone. I accept suggestions in this regard.

Special keys anyone?
Would you be interested in a small number of custom keys?! (for esc, mods, arrows, etc) Keyboard would be fancier, but price would rise quite a bit of course.

Various notes

• No ISO DSA enter key. we can match the color but the key would be in a different family.
  
• Same goes for the spacebars. DSA family only has 6 and 8 units spacebars. We will be adding 6.25 and 7 universal spacebars in the standard DSC family which matches pretty well (but it's not the same)

[boost]

Count me in for a set.

[jdcarpe]

That spherical on the left in your image, is that SA or DSS? I was hoping for those. Do you have an image of the undersides of those 3? At least the taller sphericals (not sure about the DSA) are THICK ABS.

You know I'm in for a set of each kit.

[Matt3o]

That spherical on the left in your image, is that SA or DSS?

Looking at it, it seems a SA row1 (because it is curved on the back), but I could be wrong. Anyway DSA is the only spherical with no angles (ie: swappable keys). Also SA doesn't have standard right shift.

[TDub]

Could we get some legends on the ErgoDox keys? I think there was a "default" layout and since all keys are the same height, everyone is still free to switch them around if they don't like the default.

[Matt3o]

do you have a "standard" layout, I've found so many... I need ergodox guys support here

[samwisekoi]

Still in for one.

I tried to figure out overlap with R4, but jeez that buy is complicated!

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Matt3o]

I'm also adding colemak to the mix

[Larken]

Mark my interest down for 1 ergodox kit.

[metalliqaz]

Like the 1x mods but why only include half of them?

[keymaster]

Just a heads up: if the space bar is a standard one, it will not fit the Leopold.

[jdcarpe]

Just a heads up: if the space bar is a standard one, it will not fit the Leopold.

Y U BUY LEOPOLD? You needs a Filco, son!

[Matt3o]

Like the 1x mods but why only include half of them?

no prob! show me the layout you want to do, and I'll add the missing mods.

Just a heads up: if the space bar is a standard one, it will not fit the Leopold.

sorry, I'm a noob, what's the leopold spacebar size? or does it have a different stems position?

[jdcarpe]

Like the 1x mods but why only include half of them?

no prob! show me the layout you want to do, and I'll add the missing mods.

I think he just means you need 2 each of 1x Ctrl, Alt, Win

Just a heads up: if the space bar is a standard one, it will not fit the Leopold.

sorry, I'm a noob, what's the leopold spacebar size? or does it have a different stems position?

Different stem positions. SP has a "Universal" spacebar with 6 stems, but I don't know if they make it in DSA profile.

[Matt3o]

Different stem positions. SP has a "Universal" spacebar with 6 stems, but I don't know if they make it in DSA profile.

I'll look into it, thanks for the heads up.

[mashby]

I'm really interested in this has the color scheme and legend already been decided? If not, I think this would a nice modern interpretation on the classic C-64 keyboard.

Clearly I'm w a y too new to know what I'm talking about, but if you did the following, I couldn't buy these fast enough:

1. Use centered legends like 7bit's Round 3 style

2. Switch the Grey modifiers to a cream, making this more a Coffee n Cream set, or make it an additional option in the group buy.

3. Include an R4 and/or R1 modifier Commodore Key

Just a few thoughts from a newb, but I'm drooling just thinking about it. 

[Matt3o]

Thansk for your great feedback mashby

I'm really interested in this has the color scheme and legend already been decided? If not, I think this would a nice modern interpretation on the classic C-64 keyboard.

No, they are not decided yet. The idea is to go as close as ABS permit to the color scheme you linked.

1. Use centered legends like 7bit's Round 3 style

If we can do that with minimal impact on pricing, it's a go for me.

2. Switch the Grey modifiers to a cream, making this more a Coffee n Cream set, or make it an additional option in the group buy.

That's a nice idea. I'll check the ABS colors, I also requested a color ring from SP.

3. Include an R4 and/or R1 modifier Commodore Key

There are no rows in DSA! You can place it wherever you want! (that's the cool part of this GB). That being said, I don't want to push the price too high. If there's enough interest we can make the custom keys, otherwise we'll stick with defaults.

[mashby]

Thansk for your great feedback mashby

So glad that I was helpful and thrilled that my ideas weren't stupid.

That being said, I don't want to push the price too high. If there's enough interest we can make the custom keys, otherwise we'll stick with defaults.

Agreed. Maybe it could done as a Vendor Pack like what's being done for the Toxic set. KeyPop already has a vendor key that I think would fit in nicely to the set. link.

[r3dx]

Although I think this would be a really cool coffee and cream set, I'm still really digging the crazy vintage white on blue from the IBM typewriter from the previous thread. Either way, I'll probably go in for a set, decisions, decisions... 

[Matt3o]

I guess we should make a poll about color scheme. being keys swappable maybe it would be cleverer to use just one color for both alpha and mods. thoughts?

[pasph]

You could also add a modifiers pack in alternate color

[mashby]

I guess we should make a poll about color scheme. being keys swappable maybe it would be cleverer to use just one color for both alpha and mods. thoughts?

This may add a higher level of complexity to the group buy, but I think having a base set that is one color and then offering a modifier set as an add-on works really well. It's simple and you order the sets you want. If you just want it all one color, just order the base set.

Danielucf has done his Toxic Set group buy and I would imagine it makes keeping up with people's orders a much easier affair. A more advanced order would be something like tjcaustin's Klaxon RA 2.0 group buy. Tons of options and colors, but much more difficult to manage.

I would like the option of having a different modifier color, so I would simply order the base set and the modifier set, oh and the vendor set. 

Just my two cents.

[r3dx]

Sorry if I complicated things  I clicked on a link from the other thread and was surprised that the color scheme changed, but I think if we either put it to a vote or offered up some kind of color package that'd be awesome.  Plus this type of key set doesn't seem like it's made too often so it would be awesome to pretty much get two sets from one buy. Just my thoughts.

[KuhnTang]

Why am I interested in EVERYTHING on this stupid site?

[jdcarpe]

Why am I interested in EVERYTHING on this stupid site?

Welcome to Geekhack!

[AKIMbO]

You mean welcome to wallethack.

[jdcarpe]

You mean welcome to wallethack.

Yes, of course. "Welcome to WalletHack. You are now poor."

[oluf]

This set looks awesome... /me wants!

[Matt3o]

As much as I like options, a modifier pack for this set would be pretty huge (standard mods+all variants). The alternative would be to make the set extremely granular but I don't want to make dozens of options. This is not a set for everyone it won't sell like toxic, if we split it in to many options we risk of failing to meet a decent tier.

Anyway I'll try to have SP make some quotes for us.

[Matt3o]

Different stem positions. SP has a "Universal" spacebar with 6 stems, but I don't know if they make it in DSA profile.

okay I checked this. There's no 6.25 in DSA, so we are back to DSC for all the spacebars (except 6 and 8 units which are pretty useless I believe). So if standard DSC has 6 stems it should work for leopold as well, right?

[jdcarpe]

Different stem positions. SP has a "Universal" spacebar with 6 stems, but I don't know if they make it in DSA profile.

okay I checked this. There's no 6.25 in DSA, so we are back to DSC for all the spacebars (except 6 and 8 units which are pretty useless I believe). So if standard DSC has 6 stems it should work for leopold as well, right?

Yes, the 6-stem 6.25-unit DCS profile spacebar is compatible with the Leopold FC200R. FC500R and FC700R owners are just SOL, but they already know that.

[Matt3o]

Colors
Okay color options. Cast your vote or I'll pick it for you

If we receive enough interest we could do 2 colors (one for keys, one for mods) otherwise we stick with one color scheme.

white on coffee or cream on coffee (original c64 idea)

mods might be white on grey (C64) or coffee on cream

Coffee on cream

mods cream on coffee

off white on blue

mods might be off white on charcoal

white on pebble

mods might be simply darker

(please don't look at key shape, just color)

[pasph]

Coffee on cream, mods cream on coffee

[Glod]

i like the white on blue with the modifiers you describe but i'm down for any of the colors. if there ends up being an ergodox add on, you are a hero.

[Matt3o]

i like the white on blue with the modifiers you describe but i'm down for any of the colors. if there ends up being an ergodox add on, you are a hero.

ergodox is already 100% in. I just need ergodox guys' help to refine keys and mods

[TheProfosist]

white on pebble

but idk if I have anything that it would look good with so off white on blue?

[mashby]

  W O W 

I actually like them all, but if I had to choose just one, it'd have to be C=64 (coffee & cream).

[TheProfosist]

for the EDOX I would just do the letter and punctuation because everything else wil be different depending on someones layout. I as I found out when I made my layout.

[Matt3o]

edox letters and punctuation should be already there, right? maybe we miss "Y" 1.5? I really don't have a clue how that layout works

I'll place the edox mods all blanks, unless someone suggests a different layout.

[samwisekoi]

edox letters and punctuation should be already there, right? maybe we miss "Y" 1.5? I really don't have a clue how that layout works

I'll place the edox mods all blanks, unless someone suggests a different layout.

Perhaps re-legendable keycaps?


 - Ron | samwisekoi

[TheProfosist]

my EDox layout, like by standard keyboard users, no so like by those used to ergo keyboards

[jdcarpe]

My vote is for white or cream on brown, like original C64. Same color mods, no inverse.

[Larken]

a vote for ergodox mods to be blanks; I'm guessing everyone is going for slightly different layouts given the nature of the board.

[Matt3o]

Perhaps re-legendable keycaps?

all of them?! wow, that would be something relegendable are only 1 unit anyway.

my EDox layout, like by standard keyboard users, no so like by those used to ergo keyboards

thanks prof, I'll double check the ergodox layout, I'll remove the legend from the 1.5 shifts and you should be good to go.

Is there interest for a colemak kit? nubbed E and N and un-nubbed F and J. And Neo layout?

[epicsilas]

White on pebble!

[mashby]

If we receive enough interest we could do 2 colors (one for keys, one for mods) otherwise we stick with one color scheme.

I like how everything is in one set and not broken out in the OP, but I have a question regarding the colors.

If you had two sets of modifiers included in the GB, one in each color, how does that affect the price? I understand that more keys will mean the set is more expensive, but does the alternate color also drive up the manufacturing cost substantially? I am truly asking out of ignorance. 

[merijn]

I'd love it white on blue!

[Matt3o]

I like how everything is in one set and not broken out in the OP, but I have a question regarding the colors.

If you had two sets of modifiers included in the GB, one in each color, how does that affect the price? I understand that more keys will mean the set is more expensive, but does the alternate color also drive up the manufacturing cost substantially? I am truly asking out of ignorance. 

priority is to keep price low. I believe the white on brown set is cool enough to sell by itself, same goes for the white on blue. I'm updating the original post all in one color for now. Monday I'll ask SP for a quote, 1 tone and 2 tones and we'll know better. In the mean time have a look at this picture posted on deskthority



how cool is that? I'd even add a red/burgundy ESC key

So far coffee and blue are the preferred colors. it will be tough to pick one of the two.

[oluf]

So far coffee and blue are the preferred colors. it will be tough to pick one of the two.

That looks delicious! =)

My vote is for coffee.. I think the coffee base will look great w/ blue R4 SPH mods. ;D

[Matt3o]

My vote is for coffee.. I think the coffee base will look great w/ blue R4 SPH mods.

R4 SPH is on SA family. this is on DSA, they do not line up very well together (SA is very tall).