[IC] DANGER ZONE - A Key Set for Aviators and Their Wingmen

[Data]

Right.  So... we're probably getting a Round 2 this year (2018) around Q4.  I'll post more details as I get them.

** For now, we're running a poll to see if the community prefers a sculpted profile over flat for Round 2.

Here are the options.  Renders are courtesy of Oblotzky - a gentleman and a scholar.

FLAT - same as Round 1



SCULPTED - 112343



If you're having trouble telling the difference you're not alone.   It's very subtle.  Your fingers will know. 

Here's the complete Imgur album in case the embedded renders stop working:  https://imgur.com/a/co1oI


Now, on to the poll...

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKpjp_NrZZijBdUSvdocqffqD4MQL8UAVB23oCaPnmS6kSwg/viewform

I'm letting this run for a while, maybe up to a month before I shut it down.  Please only vote once.  I'm always watching...   


Old post info below...

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WE ARE LIVE ON MASSDROP!

This thread is closed, but let the discussion continue in the GROUP BUY THREAD here!




/salute

So having served in the Air Force and been to a few air shows I thought I'd like to try a key set with an aviation theme.  I've always liked the Blue Angels colors so that gave me an easy start with the colorway.  Where to go from there?  Well everybody loves Top Gun (for one reason or another)... thus, Danger Zone was born -- a Top Gun/Blue Angels mash-up!

This will be Signature Plastics doubleshot ABS.  Colors are BFU, GSM, YY, and a little RAS.  I wanted a gray that complimented the blue and GSM definitely has some blue in it.  It's not quite "battleship gray" but it's close enough to keep with the military theme.

I haven't decided if I want to do uniform SA row 3 or DSA profile for this.  I'm leaning toward SA but I'm going to leave that up to the community.  A Google poll has been created to gauge community preference here:  [LINK REMOVED] -- FYI, after having the poll open for more than a month we have settled on SA Row 3 for this set.  It wasn't even close.

This group buy will run the normal course (IC, GB) through PMK.  I got some preliminary pricing from Melissa (posted later in this thread) and I'm working on some updated/semi-final pricing for the different kits.  I will post that info here when I have it.  There are a few GBs running or about to run right now so I'm thinking April or May for this one.  No rush.

Update: After some community feedback I've altered the design to use full centered legends with large alphas.  This seems to be a hit, so we're going with it.

Anyway, on with the pics...  WARNING: These are large. 


TKL Base Kit


NumPad Pack


Arrow Pack


Dogfighter Pack (Gamer)


RAF Pack (UK ISO)


Maverick Pack (Winkeyless, Colemak, Dvorak, Other?)


Planck & Atomic Pack


AeroDox Pack (ErgoDox)


JD40 Pack


Wingman Pack (Novelty)


NEW!  Alternate Function Pack


- Summary -
Polymer:  ABS
Legends:  Doubleshot
Font:  SP Gorton Modified
Colors:  BFU, GSM, YY, RAS
Profile:  SA Row3 (by community vote)

A quick note on the font:  This is URW Gordon Medium.  Apparently URW (a German design house) bought the rights to the original Gorton engraver's font back in the 90s and developed an in-house font with it, renaming it "Gordon".  I've used it here in an attempt to illustrate what the legends will look like with as much accuracy as possible.  Some legends will not match exactly, particularly the symbols.

Colors for these mock-ups were pulled from the Deskthority Wiki.  If your monitor is calibrated for the sRGB color space, what you see is what you'll get.

I'm open to suggestions and constructive criticism, especially needed keys in the Maverick Pack (particularly Tsangan).  I'd also like to do a JD40 Pack but I need to know which additional keys are needed.

Here are some sample layouts showing off the set.

ANSI 104 with novelties (Wingman + Dogfighter)


ErgoDox


Atomic (ortholinear)


JD40


Duck Octagon 75%



Thanks for looking.     UPDATE:  Thank you to those who participated in the profile survey.  We will be using the SA profile for this set.

The old interest check is still available for review on PMK, for posterity. 

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- EDIT & UPDATE LOG -
20150209 2257 - Updated RAF and Maverick Packs
20150210 2155 - Updated RAF and Maverick Packs (again), uploaded JD40 and Dogfighter Packs, added keys to Wingman Pack
20150219 2019 - Minor color change in the JD40 Pack
20150323 0939 - Updated to reflect final row profile
20150325 1034 - Minor text edit
20150506 0912 - Updated with latest images, new mock-ups, and included some text updates
20150512 1643 - Added links to interest check on PMK
20150915 0935 - Added link to group buy on Massdrop
20150915 1408 - Closed thread, moved to Group Buy forum

[sethk_]

I think these would go great as SA!

[ccc24]

AeroDox Pack is perfect, I'd like to see what the moq and price is set at for this. Maybe you could cut the redundant keys if gets to pricey. And my vote is SA.

[sethk_]

AeroDox Pack is perfect, I'd like to see what the moq and price is set at for this. Maybe you could cut the redundant keys if gets to pricey.

This would be through SP, so they would come in packs.

[Data]

AeroDox Pack is perfect, I'd like to see what the moq and price is set at for this. Maybe you could cut the redundant keys if gets to pricey.

Check out the one for 1976:  http://www.pimpmykeyboard.com/deals/1976-ergodox-modifier-kit/

$56 to start with a MOQ of 15.  AeroDox has a few more keys than that, so it will probably be a $60-65 kit at 15 MOQ.  Not cheap, so prepare your wallet.   

I can cut a few if there's a consensus that they're redundant.

[neverused]

Beautiful!

[ccc24]

AeroDox Pack is perfect, I'd like to see what the moq and price is set at for this. Maybe you could cut the redundant keys if gets to pricey.

Check out the one for 1976:  http://www.pimpmykeyboard.com/deals/1976-ergodox-modifier-kit/

$56 to start with a MOQ of 15.  AeroDox has a few more keys than that, so it will probably be a $60-65 kit at 15 MOQ.  Not cheap, so prepare your wallet.   

I can cut a few if there's a consensus that they're redundant.

Ya, I saw that what's holding me off on that buy is that a for a few more dollars I could get a whole ergodox covered.

Well i'm not sure how people have their keys set up but if they plan to buy the base tkl set along with the aerodox there are some things they could replace if they aren't too picky  .

[Heliosphere]

Nice font choice. I really hope I get a job soon so GH doesn't bleed my bank account dry.

I would prefer contoured SA, but I prefer row 3 SA over DSA.

[PunksDead]

I vote for SA as well, would make a great sister set to the commando 23!

[Dihedral]

RAF pack, haha I love that. I think this set would be awesome with RAF 'target' logos on the winkeys

[sethk_]

I vote for SA as well, would make a great sister set to the commando 23!

Thats exactly what I thought when I saw the question, R3 SA is the best looking profile for this set.

[Data]

Can somebody give me the low down on a JD40 kit?  If it's more than 4-5 additional keys I'll break it out into its own pack, otherwise I can probably squeeze it into the Maverick pack.

[jdcarpe]

Can somebody give me the low down on a JD40 kit?  If it's more than 4-5 additional keys I'll break it out into its own pack, otherwise I can probably squeeze it into the Maverick pack.

R2: 1u Esc, (1u Backspace?)
R3: 1.25u Tab, 1.75u Return/Enter
R4: 1.75u Shift, 1.25u Shift, 1u Fn
R4: 1u Alt, 1.25u <,, 1.25u >.

Some of these might be in the Maverick kit...

[Data]

Thanks JD!

[DrHubblePhD]

I think this is awsome man! Seems truly original!

[Data]

I forgot, I took photos of the color chips yesterday but never posted them.




More in the album here:  http://imgur.com/a/6z9KF

[Ouro]

Looks awesome, would cop if it were SA but DSA is fine too

[Heliosphere]

Is it possible to get the smooth semi-matte texture of SA with DSA? I wouldn't mind that either.

[FrostyToast]

DANGER ZONE!

[sethk_]

DANGER ZONE!

Show Image

DANGAAAAA ZOOONE

[Evo_Spec]

I'm not a fan of blue but this is an awesome looking set man, nice job.

[engicoder]

Is it possible to get the smooth semi-matte texture of SA with DSA? I wouldn't mind that either.

Yes, DSA is available in the Semi-Matte that has been used on most SA sets.
http://www.solutionsinplastic.com/pdfs/DSAFamily.pdf

[Elrick]

Definitely want to see this one made soon.

The Yellow pops on Dark Blue easily and it has to be all SA Profile because that is still the ONLY profile SP makes perfectly.

You have to include some extra sayings on the keys such as; Payload Release, Bombs Away, or Target Ruskies as that will occur quite soon  .

[Data]

DANGER ZONE!

Show Image

YES!

Definitely want to see this one made soon.

The Yellow pops on Dark Blue easily and it has to be all SA Profile because that is still the ONLY profile SP makes perfectly.

You have to include some extra sayings on the keys such as; Payload Release, Bombs Away, or Target Ruskies as that will occur quite soon  :thumb: .

I need to watch Top Gun again so I can capture all the cheesy references for this set. Any suggestions for the novelty set are appreciated.  :D

[MGH]

Dam, I like this set. SA is perfect for it.

[01111000]

Dam, I like this set. SA is perfect for it.

Agreed

Looks like Calm Depths with a twist.

[SL89]

Interesting font choice, it would be 100% original legends then?

Also is it bad that i want this set to subvert and make a Fallout keyboard?

[jdcarpe]

Interesting font choice, it would be 100% original legends then?

Also is it bad that i want this set to subvert and make a Fallout keyboard?

Standard SP legends, most likely. To get new legends cut for each keycap mold would cost between $4000 and $8000 extra for the buy.

[Eversor1]

I would get in on this for DSA.

[Data]

Interesting font choice, it would be 100% original legends then?

Also is it bad that i want this set to subvert and make a Fallout keyboard?

No, the opposite.  SP's house font is Gorton Modified.  That's what this set will use.  The mock-ups I've posted use URW Gordon Medium, which is a very close approximation of SP's font -- they are both based on an engraver's font called Gorton.

There are a number of original legends, but not the entire set.

Interesting footnote:
The Gorton font (or something very like it) can be found in aviation control panels, indicators, and other aircraft labels going back to WWII.  Here's an example of an F/A-18G cockpit:


And an F-4N simulator:


And an F-100:

[meow a cat]

I'm definitely interested in this set! I love the colour scheme, and the novelties are awesome.

I'm not a pilot, but I have a thing for airplanes. This set would look great in my simpit. 

I would prefer SA over DSA.

[00zeRO]

Also is it bad that i want this set to subvert and make a Fallout keyboard?

Hmmmm...I like your thinkin'

[Data]

Also is it bad that i want this set to subvert and make a Fallout keyboard?

Hmmmm...I like your thinkin'

I'd like to think it was your awesome Vault 13 caps that inspired me, at least subconsciously.   

[SL89]

Also is it bad that i want this set to subvert and make a Fallout keyboard?

Hmmmm...I like your thinkin'

I'd like to think it was your awesome Vault 13 caps that inspired me, at least subconsciously.   

*proceeds to kick self over missing Fallout GB*

[CPTBadAss]

I'd also love to see this set in SA.

[Data]

So that's like 10 votes for SA and 1 for DSA.  I'm definitely seeing a trend.  Should I bother with a poll at this point?

[jdcarpe]

So that's like 10 votes for SA and 1 for DSA.  I'm definitely seeing a trend.  Should I bother with a poll at this point?

DSA sucks.

SA is great, but I'm not a fan of uniform profile. I understand why people want it, for their odd layouts or whatever. But contoured just feels so much better.

[engicoder]

Interesting footnote:
The Gorton font (or something very like it) can be found in aviation control panels, indicators, and other aircraft labels going back to WWII.

Interesting historical note:
The font is called Gorton after the font used by Gorton Engraving machines that were employed to engrave most early instrument panels. http://www.gorton-machine.org/

[Data]

So that's like 10 votes for SA and 1 for DSA.  I'm definitely seeing a trend.  Should I bother with a poll at this point?

DSA sucks.

SA is great, but I'm not a fan of uniform profile. I understand why people want it, for their odd layouts or whatever. But contoured just feels so much better.

I haven't used DSA enough to have an opinion either way.

If there are more DSA guys out there interested in this set, you need to speak up.    

Interesting footnote:
The Gorton font (or something very like it) can be found in aviation control panels, indicators, and other aircraft labels going back to WWII.

Interesting historical note:
The font is called Gorton after the font used by Gorton Engraving machines that were employed to engrave most early instrument panels. http://www.gorton-machine.org/

  I appreciate your help on this.  I may take you up on your offer to look at the custom legends, particularly the DZ logo.  I haven't tried tweaking the corners yet but I think it's going to be a challenge.  SP's guide isn't exactly user-friendly either.

[engicoder]

  I appreciate your help on this.  I may take you up on your offer to look at the custom legends, particularly the DZ logo.  I haven't tried tweaking the corners yet but I think it's going to be a challenge.  SP's guide isn't exactly user-friendly either.

Sure, no problem, just let me know. The toughest part is the requirement for space between legend elements. The stripes of your wings come to mind.. You'll have to space them a bit more....still workable, though.

[Data]

UPDATE:  Please use this short survey to help me gauge the community's profile preference.

http://goo.gl/forms/JWJX6qyLtC


Poll closed.  SA won in a landslide.

[00zeRO]

So that's like 10 votes for SA and 1 for DSA.  I'm definitely seeing a trend.  Should I bother with a poll at this point?

DSA sucks.

SA is great, but I'm not a fan of uniform profile. I understand why people want it, for their odd layouts or whatever. But contoured just feels so much better.

I want to try any SA, I have yet to type on it...whether contoured or not. I think my old Commodore 64 featured SA, but I honestly can't remember...

[Heliosphere]

SA is great, but I'm not a fan of uniform profile. I understand why people want it, for their odd layouts or whatever. But contoured just feels so much better.

We think alike, my friend.

[Elrick]

If there are more DSA guys out there interested in this set, you need to speak up.      

Shhhh.....do you hear the crickets chirping in the background?  Watch the tumbleweeds roll on by, because NO ONE WANTS DSA, I hope this explains it clearly from now on Buddy  .

Now bring on the SA Profiled Babies for us to enjoy here  .

[ideus]

Was there a keyboard with stock SA uniform keycaps ever?

[Data]

Was there a keyboard with stock SA uniform keycaps ever?

Does this one count?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36435.0

"SA" is kind of a Signature Plastics thing, but tall, uniform sphericals have been around at least as long as sculpted rows. I assume that's what you meant.

Note: I am not an expert on this subject.

[sethk_]

Was there a keyboard with stock SA uniform keycaps ever?

Yes... Commando 23, Nuclear Data, somewhat Penumbra, Calm Depths...

[ideus]

Was there a keyboard with stock SA uniform keycaps ever?

Yes... Commando 23, Nuclear Data, somewhat Penumbra, Calm Depths...

I meant a keyboard that were made with SA type keys with no profile at the factory, and commercialized as a standalone board or as part of a computer system. I did not ask for keysets. Sorry, if I did not write clearly.

[ideus]

Was there a keyboard with stock SA uniform keycaps ever?

Does this one count?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36435.0

"SA" is kind of a Signature Plastics thing, but tall, uniform sphericals have been around at least as long as sculpted rows. I assume that's what you meant.

Note: I am not an expert on this subject.

I think this count as a "stock" keyboard with tall spherical keys ala SA.

[sethk_]

Was there a keyboard with stock SA uniform keycaps ever?

Yes... Commando 23, Nuclear Data, somewhat Penumbra, Calm Depths...

I meant a keyboard that were made with SA type keys with no profile at the factory, and commercialized as a standalone board or as part of a computer system. I did not ask for keysets. Sorry, if I did not write clearly.

Spherical sets exsist on alps boards I think