[IC] SP-111 Round 2 : Return of the King (of splits) - Feb 3rd

[BlindAssassin111]

SP-111
Round 2

Whats new?

The wait is finally over for the return of the king of splits! Over the past few years I have spent time modifying the design, and modifying those design changes again and again until I finally got to the point I was happy. The new changes include:

  • Shorter board height.
  • Different feet that also reduce height even further.
  • Added a screw for the bezel below the F-row to help keep bowed plate/PCB assemblies sitting flat/flush.
  • Small updates all over the board (like radii, thickness and spacing) to improve upon the round 1 board.
  • MCU's on both left and right PCBs.
  • RGB Indicators with polycarbonate light pipe.

  • Important note: Plates and PCBs from round 1 WILL NOT work in the round 2 case. Plates from round 2 will work in round 1 cases without issue. PCBs from round 2 have the RGB LED indicators, so they can work in round 1 with custom light pipes or if you don't use the indicator lights at all by disabling in firmware (can use them with the indicators but the light bleed might be an issue you don't want to deal with).



What does the name mean?

The name has a lot of meanings that you may not even realize.
  • SP: Split, Southpaw, Special. 3 meanings tied to the 3 ones in the name.
  • 111: The numbers from my username. Original meaning for the numbers in my username is my b-day, November 1st, so I had to incorporate it somehow.
  • 111: There is a layout that has exactly 111 switches to tie it all together again.



Why is this board laid out like it is?

  • Southpaw to allow you to use the numpad and mouse at the same time (helpful for CAD and other data entry)
  • Split to allow placement in a comfortable manner for long sessions of data entry or work in general.
  • Right side layout to maintain the functionality of a full size in a much more compact manner. Hence the 1800 style arrows and vertical nav.



What mounting style is it?

  • Sandwich mount, with the plate visible around the edges and locating tabs for alignment on top and bottom. (meaning even without screws, the top, plate, and bottom all locate onto each other and help with alignment)



What are the specs?

  • Board has a typing angle of 7 degrees (no tenting ability built into the case)
  • Left side weights 1.27 Kg (2.80 lb) and the right side weights 1.11 Kg (2.45 lb). This is without pcbs, switches or caps, and there are no weights, just case and plate.
  • Board interconnect is Type-C.
  • Board connects to the PC via Type-C as well.
  • RGB LED indicators on the left half.
  • 32u4 MCU on both left and right PCBs, left always being the master side.
  • 1.6mm Solder PCB only (hotswap has interference issues that would prevent the option)



Layouts:




  • Mirrored Numpad 2U, and ISO enter/shift are available on the PCB only.

  • And as a side note, you can mix and match the bottom row options, they don't have to be both the same spacebar size, each side layout is independent of each other and the included plate supports 3U, 2.75U, and 2.25U options on both halves. So if you feel like a 2.25u and 3u you can go for it!



Vendors:

  • US: Space Cables
  • Canada: Ashkeebs
  • OCE: SwitchKeys
  • Europe: mykeyboard.eu
  • UK: proto[Typist]
  • SEA: ilumkb
  • Asia: zFrontier



Timeline:

  • Start: February 3rd @ Noon CST
  • End: March 3rd @ Midnight CST

  • Note: Proxy local times may be different.

  • Shipping estimate of Q3 2023



Pricing:

  • Board: $460
      • MOQ: 100

  • Note: Proxy pricing may vary.



What is included?

  • Board halves
  • Polycarbonate light pipe
  • Black anodized aluminum plates
  • Black PCBs
  • Short type-c to type-c interconnect cable
  • Carrying Case
  • Hardware and feet



Build Stream:

  • Alexotos will be doing a build stream of the lavender prototype on February 3rd.



Prototype:






Renders:

  • Wine:


  • Lavender:


  • Sea Blue:


  • Gray:

More

Full album: https://imgur.com/a/IRQJjtZ

  • Feet and side profile

More

Special Thanks:

  • OneCreativeMind for helping me come up with this board in the beginning and the logo for the board.
  • Marco for the amazing renders.
  • Ragan aka Space Cables for helping prototype and run the buy.
  • keebnewb for making the firmware.

[mr_foggy]

HELL YES

[clik_clak]

Glad to see this moved away from TKC. The R1 GB was a disaster.

[spacecables]

Always a pleasure to work with THE BlindAssassin111.

Looking forward to the project!

[clickstops]

Very exciting. My favorite keyboard and I’ll be buying a second for work.

Will e-white be an option again?

[bombay.duck]

Very excited for this. Been waiting for this ever since I missed the first round.

[clik_clak]

Is there a possibility for an Mini R2 in the future as well?

[iamtragic]

It's back! Any pictures of internals or is it virtually the same as R1?

[Woovie]

  looks great!

[MrZeroDSK]

The King is back!
Best looking keyboard and that wine color is gorgeous.
SPmini R2 🙏

[BlindAssassin111]

Is there a possibility for an Mini R2 in the future as well?

Not sure atm. It was on the list of possible future projects but it might not move up the list.

[paperassgasket]

I like the changes.
I like that this is in your hands now over TKC.

Does discrete MCUs mean that each half could be used separately?

[BlindAssassin111]

I like the changes.
I like that this is in your hands now over TKC.

Does discrete MCUs mean that each half could be used separately?

The left half could always be used by itself, the right half can't.

[KeyBros_]

Yes

[Xoloitzcuintli]

Looks so amazing, but I can’t get behind the lack of default mirrored numpad support when one of its big selling points is being a southpaw… if I’m going to use my left hand on the numpad, I want the 0, +, and enter keys to be in the correct place for my thumb and pinky. Sure there’s PCB support, but I don’t really want to go through a group buy to then have to manufacture on my own a plate to fit the thing just to be able to use it. Another thing entirely to make your own plate for material reasons, but this is just a flawed design

The unorthodox split spacebar location isn’t my favorite, but at least that makes the R spacebar easier to hit for big/long hands

[BlindAssassin111]

Looks so amazing, but I can’t get behind the lack of default mirrored numpad support when one of its big selling points is being a southpaw… if I’m going to use my left hand on the numpad, I want the 0, +, and enter keys to be in the correct place for my thumb and pinky. Sure there’s PCB support, but I don’t really want to go through a group buy to then have to manufacture on my own a plate to fit the thing just to be able to use it. Another thing entirely to make your own plate for material reasons, but this is just a flawed design

The unorthodox split spacebar location isn’t my favorite, but at least that makes the R spacebar easier to hit for big/long hands

Since you commented both here and on reddit I will put the response in both places so people can see.

1) What bending are you talking about? R1 also didn't support it on the plates as it also required a different plate because it would lead to plate issues to have both supported at the same time, Not a "design flaw". You are thinking of a different board entirely if you believe there were bending issues.

2) I understand wanting mirrored to be offered, but that is a limit of logistics as it isn't the most popular configuration and therefore would be a small order that would cost more time and money in QC, Sorting, and packing. In a perfect world I would love to have both offered and multiple materials of both but I am not the one directly handling fulfilment, so I can't force that on others to spend their time and money on.

3) How is the spacebar placement "unorthodox"? You seem to love the Theseus75 which is only 0.25u shifted compared to the SP-111. That difference doesn't make it "unorthodox" just optimized for a different set of bottom rows.

Everyone has a preference, and unfortunately it seems your preference is an option that isn't offered. But insulting me because of that is the wrong way to go about it.

[ameanie]

HELL YEAH!!!

Looks so amazing, but[/b]

But...it isn't for you then. I get being nitpicky about your keyboards - especially ones that fill a niche like the SP-111 (we all want the perfect keyboard) but those are personal preferences and gripes, not design flaws.

[sicksixsicc]

Looks so amazing, but I can’t get behind the lack of default mirrored numpad support when one of its big selling points is being a southpaw… if I’m going to use my left hand on the numpad, I want the 0, +, and enter keys to be in the correct place for my thumb and pinky. Sure there’s PCB support, but I don’t really want to go through a group buy to then have to manufacture on my own a plate to fit the thing just to be able to use it. Another thing entirely to make your own plate for material reasons, but this is just a flawed design

The unorthodox split spacebar location isn’t my favorite, but at least that makes the R spacebar easier to hit for big/long hands

there is no perfect board, but there are always work arounds. might not be the perfect work around, but you could use the 1u config on the numpad and mirror the numpad yourself and use a uniform keycap. just an idea.

[anatworkaccount]

Hell yea, excited it's not with TKC and excited I can get a spare PCB for the scuffed ass SP-111 TKC sold me! Love my Rd1 board. Also stoked to get an R2

[Zyrophr]

Looks nice

[Koatl]

Bringing me back into the keeb game for this beauty. Would love black or white, but if not an option will decide between red and gray. Great work as always!

[Razer1987]

Hi, looks good. Just to make sure I get it, "ISO enter/shift are available on the PCB only", it means that no ISO plate will be produced? Will you release file?

Thanks

[i luv chuletas]

****ing send it, bro.

The board that never was for me, will finally be.

Couldn't be more excited to get it in burgundy!

[Engedi_]

I'd love to see a model without the numpad in the future!

[BlindAssassin111]

Hi, looks good. Just to make sure I get it, "ISO enter/shift are available on the PCB only", it means that no ISO plate will be produced? Will you release file?

Thanks

Yes, You read that correct. I will upload the files on my github after the GB period.

[Slpy]

Looks awesome! Thanks for bringing this board back for another round, appreciate having another chance at it.

Are there going to be any other colors besides the ones shown? Or will these be the only choices?

[BlindAssassin111]

Looks awesome! Thanks for bringing this board back for another round, appreciate having another chance at it.

Are there going to be any other colors besides the ones shown? Or will these be the only choices?

The colors shown are the final colors for round 2.

[Prankk]

Yeah, that sea blue is nice!