[IC] TKC CandyBar - Super affordable compact board with full size features

[BlindAssassin111]

Is tray mounting the only possible option to implement the plate? I would love to get this as a top mounted board. 😏

It is technically a "top-mount" board as the plate is what is held in place. We wanted a 1 piece case, so the mounts go through the PCB and screw into the plate, whereas "traditional" tray-mount screws the PCB down and lets the plate float.

[_ODIN_]

Is tray mounting the only possible option to implement the plate? I would love to get this as a top mounted board. 😏

It is technically a "top-mount" board as the plate is what is held in place. We wanted a 1 piece case, so the mounts go through the PCB and screw into the plate, whereas "traditional" tray-mount screws the PCB down and lets the plate float.

thank you for the clarification

[TuCZnak]

New blog looking good

[zeroisnothing]

New blog looking good

Ooooo yes!

[Kokaloo]

Are there any pictures of the bottom of the aluminum case? Looks super fun, and very interested. Thank you!

[BlindAssassin111]

Are there any pictures of the bottom of the aluminum case? Looks super fun, and very interested. Thank you!

It is flat and has recesses for bumpons, nothing too crazy.

[William_S_Jones]

Looking forward to it & that mint green cases is


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[Ashardalon]

Longboi, me very likey. I will definitely be taking one! Do you have an idea of how much space is between the PCB and the bottom of the case? The Candybar seems hefty for a smaller board, and I'm hoping that it's a snug fit inside to allow for a more deeper acoustic.

[BlindAssassin111]

Longboi, me very likey. I will definitely be taking one! Do you have an idea of how much space is between the PCB and the bottom of the case? The Candybar seems hefty for a smaller board, and I'm hoping that it's a snug fit inside to allow for a more deeper acoustic.

There is 4.9mm from the PCB to bottom and about 3.1mm below the hotswap socket.

[Ashardalon]

Longboi, me very likey. I will definitely be taking one! Do you have an idea of how much space is between the PCB and the bottom of the case? The Candybar seems hefty for a smaller board, and I'm hoping that it's a snug fit inside to allow for a more deeper acoustic.

There is 4.9mm from the PCB to bottom and about 3.1mm below the hotswap socket.

Okay that's not too bad at all. Might put a foam insert in there or something and see what happens, but seems pretty snug.

[BlindAssassin111]

Okay that's not too bad at all. Might put a foam insert in there or something and see what happens, but seems pretty snug.

Yeah I made it so the USB port was fairly close, but didn't make the inside hug the back of the PCB. It is 1.4Kg(3.08lb) as is.

[Ashardalon]

Okay that's not too bad at all. Might put a foam insert in there or something and see what happens, but seems pretty snug.

Yeah I made it so the USB port was fairly close, but didn't make the inside hug the back of the PCB. It is 1.4Kg(3.08lb) as is.

1.4kg? Now that's what I'm talking about! So stoked to pick one up. Thanks for the hard work these last 6 months!

[Bahm78]

Very loooooooooooong design !

[ideus]

Interested in the version with the numpad at the left. Also, please consider a low cost case, the sandwich version with PCB layers looks too cheap.


Edit: I just see your premium version published at other site. Hoping for a case with better pricing that fills the gap between cheap and premium version.


One final note: The split version may have the 2.25u at the left for better ergonomics.

[Ashardalon]

Interested in the version with the numpad at the left. Also, please consider a low cost case, the sandwich version with PCB layers looks too cheap.


Edit: I just see your premium version published at other site. Hoping for a case with better pricing that fills the gap between cheap and premium version.


One final note: The split version may have the 2.25u at the left for better ergonomics.

Pretty much the only way they could make it any cheaper and put it in a case is to have a plastic one, and there's more that could go wrong with that, and would extend the production time, as the GB for this is set to launch quite soon. The price for the premium kit is a lot cheaper than other options out there, but if they're willing to share the 3D printing files perhaps you could print a case for the sandwich kit?

You could also look at Qlavier's mechchete, which is designed around the Candybar PCB; he might be able to help you find the sweet spot you're looking for with a fairly decent selection of acrylic colours. I have a commissioned board arriving from him soon, but he's fantastic with updates and will make sure you're satisfied.

[GigaFlop]

Not a fan of most 40s, but I like the look of this one. I'll keep an eye out for when it drops, and see how much it is.

[ideus]

Interested in the version with the numpad at the left. Also, please consider a low cost case, the sandwich version with PCB layers looks too cheap.


Edit: I just see your premium version published at other site. Hoping for a case with better pricing that fills the gap between cheap and premium version.


One final note: The split version may have the 2.25u at the left for better ergonomics.

Pretty much the only way they could make it any cheaper and put it in a case is to have a plastic one, and there's more that could go wrong with that, and would extend the production time, as the GB for this is set to launch quite soon. The price for the premium kit is a lot cheaper than other options out there, but if they're willing to share the 3D printing files perhaps you could print a case for the sandwich kit?

You could also look at Qlavier's mechchete, which is designed around the Candybar PCB; he might be able to help you find the sweet spot you're looking for with a fairly decent selection of acrylic colours. I have a commissioned board arriving from him soon, but he's fantastic with updates and will make sure you're satisfied.

Thank you for the tip. As far as I can tell the design if final by now, so yeah, the options are pretty much defined.

[2ndRoad805]

Vertical 2u Enter on numpad and I'm on board!

[_GMK_]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

[William_S_Jones]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

It's a 40% with the bonus of a number pad which is great. I hear you with could've, would've, & should've; however, the number pad is standard w/ this board. Iso...let's not be negative. We hear you, just no need for that, if you don't want it & have nothing nice to say, it's better to not comment.


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[_GMK_]

Yeah, then make a comment about a comment about a comment

[eskimojo]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

Iso...let's not be negative. We hear you, just no need for that, if you don't want it & have nothing nice to say, it's better to not comment.

yeah.. I'm normally a massive advocate for ISO support, but to me ISO support on a 40% doesn't make much sense.

[William_S_Jones]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

Iso...let's not be negative. We hear you, just no need for that, if you don't want it & have nothing nice to say, it's better to not comment.

yeah.. I'm normally a massive advocate for ISO support, but to me ISO support on a 40% doesn't make much sense.

Thanks for being positive.


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[ideus]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

Iso...let's not be negative. We hear you, just no need for that, if you don't want it & have nothing nice to say, it's better to not comment.

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yeah.. I'm normally a massive advocate for ISO support, but to me ISO support on a 40% doesn't make much sense.

What sense do have using a board with less keys than those required that you need fn layers? For the record, I am a fifty percent user. But, I should recognize that using a sixty is easier and a TKL is even more comfortable.

[TuCZnak]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

Iso...let's not be negative. We hear you, just no need for that, if you don't want it & have nothing nice to say, it's better to not comment.

Show Image

Show Image

yeah.. I'm normally a massive advocate for ISO support, but to me ISO support on a 40% doesn't make much sense.

What sense do have using a board with less keys than those required that you need fn layers? For the record, I am a fifty percent user. But, I should recognize that using a sixty is easier and a TKL is even more comfortable.

There's not enough space for split left shift though, it's only 1.75U.

[eskimojo]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

Iso...let's not be negative. We hear you, just no need for that, if you don't want it & have nothing nice to say, it's better to not comment.

Show Image

Show Image

yeah.. I'm normally a massive advocate for ISO support, but to me ISO support on a 40% doesn't make much sense.

What sense do have using a board with less keys than those required that you need fn layers? For the record, I am a fifty percent user. But, I should recognize that using a sixty is easier and a TKL is even more comfortable.

Haven't a clue 

[Ashardalon]

This is nice and all, but it makes no sense for me because, as a vim user, I need numbers all the time. Plus I use ISO...

What's the point of shaving away 1row of keys... then you choose to have a big frame on the case, and you immediately have a bigger keyboard.

This will work better for me at work because I have limited vertical desk space, but not horizontal, so for all of the data entry and numbers I have to put in, it will work perfectly. Thankfully if this kit doesn't work for you there's plenty of others out there to choose!

[Hotsauce]

Will there be an option without hotswap sockets?

[BlindAssassin111]

Will there be an option without hotswap sockets?

At the moment no, I did design two without but we decided to not run them right now because it would create too many options and MOQ would have to be much higher to get the pricing we wanted.

[Hotsauce]

Are all of the layouts listed on the blog post?

[2QT2BSTR8]

https://thekey.company/blogs/blog-updates/ic-candybar-official-update

This is the link to the updated blog post (March 26th, 2019)

[Beatnutz]

I bought in! Really looking forward to this little beast. Loved it from the first sight. I have zero need for a numpad but it just looks too good to be without.

Any chance of keeping us updated in this thread (or start a GB thread) instead of on the blog?

Cheers!

[vicissitude]

Nice design.
Perfect for the right-handed and left-handed.

[aparezco]

Could this be an option?
1. Bluetooth support for extra money.
2. Make the right shift bigger and add the "?" to the left of the right shift.
3. Move the up arrow to the right of the right shift.

The above would make this board the board of my dreams, I'd definitely pay extra to have the above features.

[walie]

Could this be an option?
1. Bluetooth support for extra money.
2. Make the right shift bigger and add the "?" to the left of the right shift.
3. Move the up arrow to the right of the right shift.

The above would make this board the board of my dreams, I'd definitely pay extra to have the above features.

You missed the train on this one bud, the group buy is already over.

[ninjinphu]

How are we looking for expected ship date? Still on track for Sep 9?

[Mr.Elli0t]

How are we looking for expected ship date? Still on track for Sep 9?

New expected ship date is now Sep. 25

[walie]

How are we looking for expected ship date? Still on track for Sep 9?

New expected ship date is now Sep. 25

You mean Oct. 25

[Mr.Elli0t]

How are we looking for expected ship date? Still on track for Sep 9?

New expected ship date is now Sep. 25

You mean Oct. 25

Sorry, September 25 for the standard, and October 25 for the premium.

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[atxk]

Don't know if this is the right place to ask, but how do I flash a new QMK keymap to this?

[ninjinphu]

ok so now we're past the Nov 15 ship date. Are things shipping or are there additional delays?

[JPVann]

Also interested in update.

[cosmo10292]

Will there be another GB run? Id love to get one

[William_S_Jones]

Will there be another GB run? Id love to get one

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