Post by: Flexerman on Sun, 10 May 2020, 07:45:14
Hello again,
Thanks for clicking this interest check.
I have the pleasure of presenting you with, Apogee by FLX.
The Keyboard.
- Full T6 6061 Aluminium Construction.
- QMK compatible PCB.
- Top Mount / burger mount plate ... or.
- Gasket ‘Esq’ PCB mount (Plate Free).
- Seamless top housing over bottom housing design.
- 7-degree typing angle.
- Aluminium Switchplate.
- USB-C Daughterboard.
(https://i.imgur.com/lKGUhaM.png)
Please note, there will also be a regular non-southpaw version top offered, I will update this IC with images when I have them rendered and finalised.
Also note: this is primarily a plateless southpaw board, the right-hand top will only be offered if it doesn't negatively affect the overall price per board.
Details.
Apogee is a board that came about because my wife decided that if I was going to spend hours designing boards every week, then I should at least make one she can use for work. Through several weeks of discussions and finalising the layout, with her help, I set about designing. A few weeks on, and Apogee was born...
(https://i.imgur.com/uZ1vlCg.png)(https://i.imgur.com/Y1YNWOS.png)(https://i.imgur.com/WQf4pOh.png)(https://i.imgur.com/6iij3hL.png)(https://i.imgur.com/LWt7xpf.png)
Things we know.
Apogee is a primarily a plateless, gasket/grommet PCB mount board, with an option to use an included switchplate if desired.
If Using the keyboard plateless, the PCB will be isolated from the case using Gasket strips (ala Virgo) this should produce a typing feel all it's own.
Should you decide to build with a switchplate, then you will find a burger mounted top mount design which offers a great feel and sound.
(https://i.imgur.com/56ZhOXT.png)(https://i.imgur.com/z9yNPVL.png)
The use of sweeping curves and stunning angles will make Apogee a classy addition to any desk setup.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xz8ntLq.png)(https://i.imgur.com/6OYCih5.png)
The prototype is expected in a couple of weeks.
Still to be decided.
Weight options, this will be decided after the initial prototype is in hand.
GB Format.
Colours.
The number of units.
Vendors (get in touch if your interested in helping me run a GB this time around..)
Price.
IC Form: https://forms.gle/wUFvKgpkE6VA1xUz7 (https://forms.gle/wUFvKgpkE6VA1xUz7)
All of these things are still up for debate, if you have any interest in this board please fill out the interest check form above, it helps out more than you realise, and together we can decide on final colour options as well as voice your opinions on the board.
As always, discussions can be had on my Discord https://discord.gg/dDjx7q3 (https://discord.gg/dDjx7q3) for this and other projects.
Post by: NOLA on Sun, 10 May 2020, 07:56:39
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Post by: Inner-Ear on Sun, 10 May 2020, 08:07:41
Post by: self on Sun, 10 May 2020, 08:13:08
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Post by: dmatx1 on Sun, 10 May 2020, 08:17:10
Are you thinking about offering two-tone options with different top and bottom color like in the case the Virgo?
Post by: Peiweisgreat on Sun, 10 May 2020, 08:23:44
Post by: o3okevin on Sun, 10 May 2020, 08:29:55
Post by: i luv chuletas on Sun, 10 May 2020, 08:31:44
Post by: fooddoof on Sun, 10 May 2020, 13:15:25
Post by: _rubik on Sun, 10 May 2020, 13:20:54
Post by: Francisco on Sun, 10 May 2020, 13:24:40
Post by: Jae-3soteric on Mon, 11 May 2020, 06:20:36
Post by: bthezebra on Mon, 11 May 2020, 08:26:18
Post by: Zeelobby on Mon, 11 May 2020, 09:47:32
Post by: mrkantz on Mon, 11 May 2020, 10:03:29
Post by: cijanzen on Mon, 11 May 2020, 11:53:48
But that side profile and curves?
Post by: Flexerman on Mon, 11 May 2020, 17:27:09
Love everything about this except the blocker near the arrow cluster. It just seems awkward.
But that side profile and curves? (https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji108.png) (https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji108.png)
I personally like this layout obviously, the blockers are there to add symmetry, I am however open to removing both If that it the general consensus, but I have high hopes for the prototype bringing people around.
Would absolutely kill for this to come in that purple you used for the Virgo..
There is a very high probability, yes.
Are you thinking about offering two-tone options with different top and bottom color like in the case the Virgo?
So the plan currently is to offer less colours than I did on the Virgo, 5 seemed like a good idea at the time, but. In the cold light of day....
The plan here is to maybe offer 3 colours, and yes, pick any combo you like for tops and bottoms, I will get some new renders going once I have a shortlist to choose from.
Looks cool, I hope to see this design in 60% in the future!
Thanks, I’ve put a lot into the design here, adding a unique flavour that I personally love.. I fully intend to continue using this design language in the future.
Thanks all for the kind words so far :thumb:
Post by: yui_ on Tue, 12 May 2020, 01:31:15
Post by: Flexerman on Wed, 13 May 2020, 02:13:13
I'll play around with some renders when I get a chance, and throw some options up here, if I like it, I may even order a second top of the prototype.
This:
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/702865107134447636/710026528464830526/Annotation_2020-05-13_080600.png)
Is the general area of what I'm thinking...
[/size]
just the thought of the machining costs of those curves makes me shudder.
No reason it should. ;)
Post by: NOLA on Wed, 13 May 2020, 07:44:44
Going off the IC form, there seems to be a lot of interest in dropping the Win-key blockers, which I'm not opposed to. In fact it's growing on me.Went from having my attention to having my contribution. Will be picking one of these up if the blockers are removed. Can't wait to see some new renders.
I'll play around with some renders when I get a chance, and throw some options up here, if I like it, I may even order a second top of the prototype.
This:Show Image(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/702865107134447636/710026528464830526/Annotation_2020-05-13_080600.png)
Is the general area of what I'm thinking...
[/size]just the thought of the machining costs of those curves makes me shudder.
No reason it should. ;)
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Post by: Zeelobby on Wed, 13 May 2020, 08:31:29
Post by: Flexerman on Wed, 13 May 2020, 09:15:04
My only wish would be arrows on the right. Feel like nav right entry left is the optimal layout.
It was considered, maybe for a board in the future. 👍
Post by: dmatx1 on Wed, 13 May 2020, 09:15:45
My only wish would be arrows on the right. Feel like nav right entry left is the optimal layout.
Go with non-blocker top and use mod-tap (https://docs.qmk.fm/#/mod_tap) feature on right Shift/Alt/Menu/Ctrl to create a secondary "arrows" block. My layout looks like this:
(https://i.imgur.com/JbAE5nW.png)
top left title: modifier when it is pressed with another key
bottom left title: arrows when tapping
bottom right title: nav function when used with Fn
Post by: kidviddy on Wed, 13 May 2020, 10:32:47
Having that option would allow for JIS on top of ISO, which would be extremely nice to have. I'm fairly new to this, so I don't know if the fact that no boards >60% seem to support this is just because there's little awareness of JIS or because it would be a technically difficult option to add. I appreciate that JIS users are a minority but I just wanted to put it out there as if it's just another couple of holes on the PCB I'd love to see it considered.
Post by: Flexerman on Wed, 13 May 2020, 12:18:17
How hard would it be to make it possible to swap the split shift key on the right, so that the 1U is on the left-hand side and the 1.75U is on the right?
Having that option would allow for JIS on top of ISO, which would be extremely nice to have. I'm fairly new to this, so I don't know if the fact that no boards >60% seem to support this is just because there's little awareness of JIS or because it would be a technically difficult option to add. I appreciate that JIS users are a minority but I just wanted to put it out there as if it's just another couple of holes on the PCB I'd love to see it considered.
I see no reason not to. I've updated the top post with a few renders and updated KLE. :thumb:
Post by: Zeelobby on Wed, 13 May 2020, 15:08:40
Yeah. Definitely a way to do it. Just feels a little redundant. I just can't think of many times I'll ever use left arrow keys. Even most left handed people I know don't. But it is a true southpaw of the layout and I'm just being picky :D.My only wish would be arrows on the right. Feel like nav right entry left is the optimal layout.
Go with non-blocker top and use mod-tap (https://docs.qmk.fm/#/mod_tap) feature on right Shift/Alt/Menu/Ctrl to create a secondary "arrows" block. My layout looks like this:Show Image(https://i.imgur.com/JbAE5nW.png)
top left title: modifier when it is pressed with another key
bottom left title: arrows when tapping
bottom right title: nav function when used with Fn
Post by: kidviddy on Wed, 13 May 2020, 23:03:38
I see no reason not to. I've updated the top post with a few renders and updated KLE. :thumb:
Wow, thanks for the quick update! That’s brilliant. That allows me to have a fully compliant JIS layout minus the henkan/muhenkan buttons either side of the space bar — but I can put those in the slots above the arrow keys. This is the first >60% custom board I’ve seen that enables this!
If both are available, I’d probably go for the right-hand-side numpad, but if it ends up southpaw only I’ll still be very tempted. Maybe it’s time to start learning how to numpad left handed...
Post by: dmatx1 on Sat, 23 May 2020, 04:30:19
Just feels a little redundant.
You can press Down twice as fast with two hands :D
I always setup a secondary arrows cluster to the left part of the board (even on a TKL) for left hand-only operation (usually Caps+WASD for mouse keys, Caps+Tab+WASD for scrolling, Caps+Shift+WASD for arrows), it can be useful when you have to write with pen in the oldschool way with your right hand while looking up info on your computer.
Can't wait to see the proto!
Post by: GraffitiDecos on Sun, 24 May 2020, 16:02:12
Sent from my SM-G973W using Tapatalk
Post by: SxM Designs on Sun, 24 May 2020, 16:12:22
Post by: Surefoot on Mon, 25 May 2020, 04:16:58
Post by: Flexerman on Wed, 03 June 2020, 15:15:16
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/702865107134447636/717831666000986203/image0.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/702865107134447636/717767590193397790/IMG_3813.jpg)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/702865107134447636/717768539343421504/image0.jpg)
The prototype is in, the colour was selected by my wife as this will be her daily, and probably won't be available if this gets to GB.
So far I'm super happy with the prototype, nothing needs changing. I'll update again in a day or two...
Post by: Jae-3soteric on Wed, 03 June 2020, 15:17:12
Post by: Peiweisgreat on Wed, 03 June 2020, 18:47:33
Post by: dmatx1 on Thu, 04 June 2020, 01:33:22
It will be interesting how differently people will use the three keys above the arrows. For example I would put Escape into the top position instead of the ~ in the classic 60% layout.
Post by: VXQN on Mon, 08 June 2020, 04:11:34
Post by: Surefoot on Wed, 17 June 2020, 05:11:08
Post by: FlitzDeelman on Thu, 02 July 2020, 00:14:22
This is top of my list, but I'll miss out on things like the Tind if Apogee happens soon. I'm hoping there will be a Tind v2, if it's anything as successful as the Fjell and Klippe T.
Post by: prizeS on Thu, 02 July 2020, 05:05:54
Any idea when the GB will drop? I'm not impatient (well, OK, I am) but I also need to plan my keeb budget.
This is top of my list, but I'll miss out on things like the Tind if Apogee happens soon. I'm hoping there will be a Tind v2, if it's anything as successful as the Fjell and Klippe T.
I pretty sure Tind Series II is already planned, since if you check out Mekanisk's site to see the GB progress, there is a timeline for Tind Series II already.
Post by: FlitzDeelman on Thu, 02 July 2020, 07:59:25
Well, Apogee is above Tind on my list, although Tind's not far behind. I think Tind v2 will be refined. It won't have a sub-100 serial number, but I'm not sure I prize that above getting something unique (and sleek) like Apogee.
I just hope there are enough Apogees to satisfy demand! 620 Primus boards lasted minutes with only the Pacific region being awake, Europe and the US were asleep.
Post by: ullr on Mon, 06 July 2020, 18:00:39
Post by: stein3 on Mon, 06 July 2020, 18:31:25
Post by: Suavity on Tue, 28 July 2020, 04:02:27
Post by: FlitzDeelman on Tue, 28 July 2020, 07:27:47
I'm in! Any updates on this project? I'm really itching for a Southpaw numpad + arrow key set up right now. The renders look fantastic!Jae from Top Clack recently mentioned on the IC for the J-01 rev 1 that Flexerman (Flex? flx? all of the above?) is busy doing QC work on the Virgo.
It sounds like Apogee and Lodestone are both still go.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: soloplayer on Thu, 25 March 2021, 06:32:16
any update?
Post by: azzipa on Mon, 31 May 2021, 10:37:52
edit: thinking i'll just have to practice left-hand input, this just makes too much sense. and the design has really matured nicely! (image lifted from OP's discord)
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/702865107134447636/841398119300071434/Apogee2021_bigBoi.14_smaller.png?width=1357&height=717)