[GB] After | Noon - Two 65% Boards | ZTBoards x AEBoards (Extras available soon)

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

All NA boards have been shipped out to customers.

All NA boards should have been shipped out at this point and have tracking numbers. If you have not received any tracking for it, please email us at ztboards@gmail.com.
Most Aus/NZ boards should have been dropped off or picked up at this point too.

We have a small amount of extra plates/PCBs and boards as well and will be releasing more information about it on our discord and our website. Please stay tuned, thank you!
Build guide here

Please refer to the IC for general information and FAQ.
Original IC post


Who are we?

ZTBoards is a two-man operation, and we are making our debut with the release of the AfterNoon keyboards. Individually, we are:

                Ellicose - runner of Cheshire, Ilpse, and a few other small private group buys
                PleaseBeMyFriend/phlop - builder for TypeMachina and JapaneseHorrorWriter

This GB is being run in collaboration with AEBoards.

Changes that will be reflected in the final product.

• Both boards have been switched from M3 to M2.5 screws for assembly.
• For the Noon, the right side bottom blocker will be placed properly.
• The After will have smaller and more balanced bezels both on top and bottom and on the sides due to the smaller screw size switch.
• We will receive sample units a little after GB closes to confirm to buyers that the changes have been made.

Please note: THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT KEYBOARDS BEING RUN AT THE SAME TIME.

New imgur album with new renders of the different colors:
Noon imgur album
After imgur album

Keyboard specs:

Noon

• 5 degree typing angle
• Isolation gasket mount
• Brass top right corner blocker with ZTBoards Logo
• 0.75u symmetrical bottom row blockers
• Internal brass weight and toblerone side weight
• aio3 USB-C Unified Daughterboard
• Blue 1.6mm double flex cut PCB
• VIA support
• Colors: E-black, E-white, or Aegis Navy

   
Noon layout:











After

• 5 degree typing angle
• Isolation gasket mount
• Offset arrow cluster
• Rotary encoder and black knurled knob
• 0.75u WKL blocker
• Internal brass weight and toblerone side weight
• aio3 USB-C Unified Daughterboard
• Red 1.6mm double flex cut PCB
• Colors: E-black, E-white, Burgundy

After layout:







Plate materials?

• Full/Half black anodized aluminum plate of your choice will come with the kit!
• Full brass plate
• Full FR4 plate
• Full polycarbonate plate

Important buying info:

Here is the knob the board will come with. This is not the custom milled knob.

The group buy will be run as as raffle via Google forms. The boards will be offered to USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand. Winners of the raffle will be sent a checkout invoice through our Shopify site. We are not accepting PayPal as a payment method.

We will allow entries from Canada, but please note that you will be responsible for shipping costs as usual, along with any customs/import fees that incurs. We are also allowing proxies if you are international, but we are not responsible for anything that happens or difficulties that may arise as a result of using a proxy or any similar situation.

Units:
USA/Canada
50 spots for the After
50 spots for the Noon
Aus/NZ
25 spots for the After
25 spots for the Noon

Please note we are not shipping internationally. We are only able to offer these boards to AUS/NZ alone because of our collaboration with AEBoards.
We will be allowing 1 entry per board! Feel free to fill out both forms if you want both - enter only for one time slot.

Proxies:
We have no problem with proxies, but we are not responsible for anything that happens or difficulties that may arise as a result of using a proxy or any similar situation.

Each kit includes:

• 1 PCB w/ aio3 Unified Daughterboard and JST cable
• 1 Keyboard Case
• 1 brass internal weight and 1 brass external weight
• 1 black anodized Aluminum 1.5mm full or half plate of your choice
• 1 blocker with the logo for the Noon
• 1 knob and encoder for the After
• Gaskets (AEBoards standardized gaskets)
• Feet (AEBoards standardized feet)
• Screws

Pricing:
Pricing will be $475 USD per unit for the CONUS units with a separate shipping invoice at the time of delivery. Pricing will be $550 USD per unit for the AUS/NZ units due to import fees and taxes, however, this INCLUDES shipping to the folks in Aus/NZ. AEBoards will be facilitating the delivery to Aus/NZ.
Extras:
$45 per plate (except $30 for FR4 plates) - limit is 5
$40 per PCB - limit is 5
$8 per daughterboard (includes JST cable)
$10 per knob - limit is 2
Custom milled knob - Soon^tm

Extra PCB purchases will not come with the daughterboard. Please purchase those separately if you need one.

Timeline:
Raffle goes live July 11th
Invoices go out to a shopify checkout July 13
Submit order to factory July 20
Estimated to ship December 2020 (pending QC and inspection by us)

Questions and Concerns:

More

Q: Can I sell/transfer my spot?
A: No.

Q: Can you offer a polycarbonate case?
A: No, because we don’t like it.

Q: Hotswap PCB?
A: No.

Q: Why should we trust that these boards will be any good?
A: We believe boards are a mostly subjective topic, so if you don't like it that's unfortunate. However, we have tried our best to make sure these boards live up to the price point and are going to be quality boards.

Q: Plate material?
A: Please read the information above!

Q: "Hey man, those flex cuts don't actually work properly, did you even do any research on acoustics or etc?"
A: No.

Q: "Hey man, those gasket mounts don't work/those gasket mounts are gimmicky."
A: That's not a question, but yes.

Q: Can you change the layout? I don’t like upper right blockers.
A: No.

Q: Can you change the layout? I don't like WKL blockers.
A: No.

Q: This design is just a copy of <insert keyboards/layout here>, how can you feel comfortable selling this? You should take it down.
A: No.

Q: Why aren’t you taking feedback? <insert design element here> is a deal breaker for me.
A: We designed the boards with a vision and are sticking to it, feel free not to enter.

Q: Why aren’t you offering to international buyers?
A: Unfortunately, COVID has complicated many things, and this is one of them. We don’t want to deal with lost packages - this makes the customer and us unhappy

Q: Will there be a R2?
A: No. But yes. If there's enough interest.

Q: Where can I check for updates?
A: Geekhack.

Q: NE Extras avail?
A: Yes, small amounts, method of extras TBD. We will not answer any other questions pertaining to extras from here on out.

Q: How will the keyboards be programmed?
A: Both will be programmable via QMK, with the Noon supporting VIA. The After will receive VIA support when encoder support is added.

Q: <insert reason here>. Can I get a refund/order cancellation?
A: No. We are not allowing order cancellations or refunds. This is stated on our Shopify store front and GeekHack post. A paid group buy spot represents a financial agreement between vendor and buyer. Cancellation of a group buy spot (especially after the window of order modifications) implies a sudden termination of said agreement and also depicts unprofessionalism. It is also somewhat of a given that refunds/cancellations will be very rare, especially in small GBs like this one.


Special Thanks:

Big thank you to the AEBoards team, aio3 and his discord, log, ruiqimao, wilba, as well as the countless people who have made resources publicly available for us so that we could make this a reality. 



Updates:
July 10, 2020 - made some clarifications for the extras, specifically for the PCB purchases.
July 11, 2020 - added renders of all the colors for both boards.
July 13, 2020 - All invoices have been sent out to winners!
July 13, 2020 - for reference here is the picture of the knob that will be included.
July 19, 2020 - https://discord.gg/zHCEGjG
July 22, 2020 - Cases ORDERED and scheduled for production. PCBs, plates, will be ordered this week and in production soon
July 27, 2020 - PCBs and plate orders placed
July 29, 2020 - FR4 plate samples received Pics here
Aug 31, 2020 - Daughterboard cables have been received, PCBs have been manufactured, waiting for testing and flashing
September 12, 2020 - All PCBs en route to pholops, should be here 09/14/2020.
September 17, 2020 - PCBs and FR4 plates have been received.
September 21, 2020 - All other plates have been finished.
October 16, 2020 - Unfinished production samples have been received in hand, production still underway.
April 19, 2021 - First batch of boards have started shipping out to customers with tracking numbers.
May 04, 2021 - All boards have been shipped out at this point.

[exitfire401]

Approval bump and as always, caveat emptor!

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Reserved

[sapphyr]

OMG OMG OMG!!! 

[crd]

These are looking really nice. Best of luck to everyone who enters the raffle

[yoot]

I'm assuming we can only enter at one of the two timeslots?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[EvilemX8]

I'm assuming we can only enter at one of the two timeslots?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Yes, thank you for asking that, we'll update in main post!

[Lulzthax_]

GL with GB Fren! Both boards are PK FIREEE 

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

just confirming PST and not the current PDT due to daylight savings time?

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

just confirming PST and not the current PDT due to daylight savings time?

Oh good catch. It should be PDT. Will update in the main post.

[Diggidy]

Will there be ESD protection with the motherboard? Can we chose to have an FR4 or PC plate come with the board over the alum?

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Will there be ESD protection with the motherboard? Can we chose to have an FR4 or PC plate come with the board over the alum?

There is ESD protection on the daughterboard, but the main PCB is not ESD protected.

No, we'll only be allowing the stock plates to be aluminum, you'll need to purchase extras if you'd like a different material. We will also be offering plate files if you'd like to cut your own.

[EvilemX8]

Sorry for the late announcement, but we are having a build stream of the Noon tonight, 7pm PST! Please come by to chat and ask questions, or just chill! We will be building the Noon prototype and talking about the GB. See you there!

twitch.tv/ztboards

[PureLuck]

Do we need to input the exact shipping addresses immediately for the raffle?

Asking as i have a choice of 2 proxies to use for Australia.

[troy+abed]

Very dope guys, can't wait!

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Do we need to input the exact shipping addresses immediately for the raffle?

Asking as i have a choice of 2 proxies to use for Australia.

Yes, you need to use an address that you likely won't need to change. Obviously, if anyone needs to change their shipping address for a legitimate reason, we can accommodate that.

Also, if you live in Australia, AEBoards will be providing direct delivery to you from Australia.

[ecbob]

When will we know the winners? After the second raffle slot? or on July 13th?

[perouns]

Is the form gonna be posted on geekhack ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kookiekurls]

Can the backspace be on row 1? Looking at the PCB, I was a little confused, is there an extra slot for a backspace button where it's mounted in the center? Or how does that work exactly?

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Can the backspace be on row 1? Looking at the PCB, I was a little confused, is there an extra slot for a backspace button where it's mounted in the center? Or how does that work exactly?

Yes, we have it set up for split backspace, but the plate and PCB do allow for standard backspace.

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

When will we know the winners? After the second raffle slot? or on July 13th?

Winners will be notified 48 hours after the raffle.

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

First raffle window will open in a little under an hour at the top of the main post. There's also a countdown timer. Good luck all!

[yoot]

First raffle window will open in a little under an hour at the top of the main post. There's also a countdown timer. Good luck all!

Luck please be on my side!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Jyobah]

Most likely flippers will win this raffle, they seem to have the rng gods on their sides lately.

[EvilemX8]

Hi all,

We'll be posting the link to the forms shortly at the very top of the OP but they will not be open to take entries until the start of the first window, 10:00AM - 10:30AM PDT.

Good luck all, and feel free to ask us questions if you have any.

[EvilemX8]

Forms are live for first entry window!

Forms will close again at 10:30AM PDT and re-open 8:00PM PDT, so don't worry if you didn't enter this window!

[Jyobah]

Good Luck everyone 

[Arcen]

Anyone know the Discord for this board? Just entered wanted to talk to others as well.

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Anyone know the Discord for this board? Just entered wanted to talk to others as well.

Hi, we won't have a discord channel for our keyboards because we plan on making timely updates on Geekhack instead.

We'll have updates posted to our instagram as well!

[Arcen]

Thanks @PleaseBeMyFriend. Praying for the RNG Gods! Any chance there is a prototype build with any streamers?

[ecbob]

Will you release the number of entrants per board after?

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Thanks @PleaseBeMyFriend. Praying for the RNG Gods! Any chance there is a prototype build with any streamers?

Hello, the prototypes have been built on our twitch. We don't plan on sending any prototypes to any streamers.

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Will you release the number of entrants per board after?

Yes, we plan on releasing the numbers after invoices are out.

[EvilemX8]

First entry has closed, thank you to all entrants!

Second form window will open at 8:00PM PDT.

A quick little clarification on the form due to an error on our end:
Daughterboards are included with the base kit! To raffle winners, we'll send out a clarifying email for this.

[lunee]

First entry has closed, thank you to all entrants!

Second form window will open at 8:00PM PDT.

A quick little clarification on the form due to an error on our end:
Daughterboards are included with the base kit! To raffle winners, we'll send out a clarifying email for this.

Oh man, I waited for the clarification on the daughterboard message and it ended. sad

[EvilemX8]

First entry has closed, thank you to all entrants!

Second form window will open at 8:00PM PDT.

A quick little clarification on the form due to an error on our end:
Daughterboards are included with the base kit! To raffle winners, we'll send out a clarifying email for this.

Oh man, I waited for the clarification on the daughterboard message and it ended. sad

Don't worry! To all those who win raffle, we'll make sure that people won't purchase extra daughterboards due to our mistake.

EDIT: So sorry, misread your comment. We'll have another window open, don't worry. Really sorry about that.

[elisha]

Aside from a daughterboard, can you detail everything that's already included in the base kit?

I'm planning to get extras on other parts, just want to make sure I don't end up owning three of the same thing.
Much thanks!

[sapphyr]

Congrats everyone who joined the first raffle! Super hyped! 

[EvilemX8]

Aside from a daughterboard, can you detail everything that's already included in the base kit?

I'm planning to get extras on other parts, just want to make sure I don't end up owning three of the same thing.
Much thanks!

No problem, from the main post:

Each kit includes:

    1 PCB w/ aio3 Unified Daughterboard and JST cable
    1 Keyboard case (top+bottom piece)
    1 brass internal weight and 1 brass external weight
    1 black anodized Aluminum 1.5mm full or half plate of your choice
    1 blocker with the logo (for the Noon)
    1 knob and encoder (for the After)
    Poron Gaskets (AEBoards standardized gaskets)
    Rubber Feet (AEBoards standardized feet)
    Screws

[RossLocke18]

Super excited to see if I win either of these, two beautiful looking boards that will surely be a welcome addition to anyone's desk

[davisthegreat]

First entry has closed, thank you to all entrants!

Second form window will open at 8:00PM PDT.

A quick little clarification on the form due to an error on our end:
Daughterboards are included with the base kit! To raffle winners, we'll send out a clarifying email for this.

Is it OK to enter the PM raffle if you entered the AM Raffle or will that disqualify you from the raffle. Just wanted clarification before I try my luck.

[perouns]

First entry has closed, thank you to all entrants!

Second form window will open at 8:00PM PDT.

A quick little clarification on the form due to an error on our end:
Daughterboards are included with the base kit! To raffle winners, we'll send out a clarifying email for this.

Is it OK to enter the PM raffle if you entered the AM Raffle or will that disqualify you from the raffle. Just wanted clarification before I try my luck.

They already said to enter one raffle opening. not both times.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[davisthegreat]

just saw where they said only one time slot.. read right over it - thank you.

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Second window will open in about 1 hour - good luck to all entrants!

If you have already entered for the first window, please do NOT enter for this one.

Results in 24-48 hours after window closes.

[yoot]

When will we know the winners? After the second raffle slot? or on July 13th?

Winners will be notified 48 hours after the raffle.

48 hours after the raffle meaning 48 hours from the first or second timeslots?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[perouns]

When will we know the winners? After the second raffle slot? or on July 13th?

Winners will be notified 48 hours after the raffle.

48 hours after the raffle meaning 48 hours from the first or second timeslots?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

July 13 is invoice date from what I read. So Monday guess we’ll find out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[EvilemX8]

When will we know the winners? After the second raffle slot? or on July 13th?

Winners will be notified 48 hours after the raffle.

48 hours after the raffle meaning 48 hours from the first or second timeslots?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

When will we know the winners? After the second raffle slot? or on July 13th?

Winners will be notified 48 hours after the raffle.

48 hours after the raffle meaning 48 hours from the first or second timeslots?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

July 13 is invoice date from what I read. So Monday guess we’ll find out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

24-48 hours after the last time window! We hope to be faster but of course will triple check everything to reduce any problems when invoices go out

[Liub]

Hi! On the off chance I win, is it possible to modify the form/order? I submitted during the first window but realised I stuffed up the extras quantity 😭

[PleaseBeMyFriend]

Hi! On the off chance I win, is it possible to modify the form/order? I submitted during the first window but realised I stuffed up the extras quantity 😭

Hi, once the winners are announced, winners will be contacted to make any amends to their orders and pay (within 24 hours).

[Jyobah]

RNG gods please watch over me tonight and bless me with a board.