Print Page - [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back

geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: antipode-studio on Mon, 15 August 2022, 07:48:56

Title: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Mon, 15 August 2022, 07:48:56

(https://i.imgur.com/fV4PCSI.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/iaKYqyS.jpg)

The FLX Virgo is back for Round 2! We are aiming at offering two hundred units, extras will be available for purchase for everyone who wants a numpad, wrist rest or additional PCBs and plates for the r1 Virgo, everything is fully compatible with the r1. The changes are small tweaks to the internals, new colours and finishes and we have added the VirgoPad and wrist rests. The boards/options have already been prototyped, and we hope to have the GB live soon. Fulfillment of the project is expected to be 7 months from the end of GB.

Details:
- 12-degree Split TKL
- 7 degree typing angle
- Custom PCB, VIA, Vial and QMK compatible with USB-C daughterboard, layout here:

(https://i.imgur.com/yR9X12L.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/ftyWEbF.png)

- Top, and bottom made from 6063 aluminium
- Comes with a 5052 aluminium plate as standard for Alu. board, and PC plate for PC board, with additional plate options in Brass, Pc, POM, FR4 and CF.
- Grommet mounting isolates plate from chassis
- Brass weight with PVD finish
- Options to add a matching VirgoPad
- Options to add a matching (or non-matching) wrist rest
- Comes with a custom carrying case that fits the board, extra plates, PCBs, and the optional wrist rest.
- Board uses AKB-Feet
- Fully built Alu. Virgo weighs 3540 grams, wrist rest in Alu. weighs 1500 grams, VirgoPad weighs 850 grams.

Please fill out the IC form!!
https://forms.gle/5XURwCchf5F9GqTV8 (https://forms.gle/5XURwCchf5F9GqTV8)

Prices:
$650 for kit
$209 for VirgoPad
$99 for wrist rest
$89 for additional weight (clear brass, multicolour matte PVD, matte black PVD, mirror black PVD)
$65 for extra PCB with daughterboard
$60 for Brass plate
$50 for POM plate
$50 for PC plate
$50 for CF plate
$45 for FR4 plate
$50 for Alu plate
$45 for VirgoPad extra PCB
Reverting with price for extra carrying cases
Reverting with price for extra gaskets
Reverting with prices for extra plates for the VirgoPad.

We will ship everything from the Mekanisk store in Norway, using DHL as our courier.

Colour options:
PC with multicolour PVD brass weight
(https://i.imgur.com/w9FHdIH.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TRFNAVT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TRFNAVT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8nJ7RZc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uBkz8wW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/w9FHdIH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SGHpodv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FC6NbJh.jpg)

Beige with matte black PVD brass weight
(https://i.imgur.com/gu6cHMN.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/qdkdaYM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VZnWYjE.jpg)

Teak with matte black PVD brass weight
(https://i.imgur.com/iaKYqyS.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/4VSJ14S.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZR8VglG.jpg)

Void with mirror black PVD weight
(https://i.imgur.com/HigYuW7.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/MOhcWgK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/r7V4Okx.jpg)

Bags:
(https://i.imgur.com/SMs62rM.jpg)

More renders/Photos:
VirgoPad

(https://i.imgur.com/tY7iDmm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/obv7Fod.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dCp8tAs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DmWZFCl.jpg)

Wrist rest

More photos will be added shortly.

Boards

More photos will be added shortly.

Who is FLX?
“I am me; you are you; I chose antipode to run round 2”

Who is Antipode?
Antipode is a collective of Norwegian vendors, designers, friends and keyboard enthusiasts that have banded together to start a vendor, we focus on limited in-stock keyboards and keysets. We have many fantastic projects in the works and expect to have our first board, the Vero by AKB, a true HHKB layout board available for sale in-stock in October.

Follow us here:
Discord: http://discord.antipode.no (http://discord.antipode.no)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antipodestudio/ (https://www.instagram.com/antipodestudio/)

Update 06.09.2022:

Hey friends,

GB will start on the 23rd of September, spots for the group buy will be raffled, and you will have 24 hours to enter the raffle, more info will be disclosed in the GB thread.

We have a couple of build streams lined up for the Virgo before the GB starts, dates will be announced later.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: geonworks on Mon, 15 August 2022, 07:52:25

welcome back

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Mon, 15 August 2022, 07:57:27

Quote from: geonworks on Mon, 15 August 2022, 07:52:25

welcome back

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: VACasian on Mon, 15 August 2022, 07:59:50

Yes please

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: ankit on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:01:13

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: lkmyth on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:05:52

yes

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: o3okevin on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:08:43

huge yes

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: kiyoboard on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:17:49

I was in the first round, and this was one of the best board that I have ever used, not just as an ergo. Glad that it is back with a higher unit count, so more people can try it out. I am interested personally in Teak or PC for second Virgo :)

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Adelscott on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:21:34

Me want

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: whirlwind on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:27:33

Let's go! :thumb:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Reckless on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:28:42

I hope I can get one this time. :eek:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: LMarci on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:33:54

Nut

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: alxbrn on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:49:27

I WAS HERE! :eek:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: mrkantz on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:49:58

Let’s go!

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: 7empest on Mon, 15 August 2022, 08:51:48

NICE! Been waiting on this one :thumb:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: tngpq on Mon, 15 August 2022, 09:04:54

OMFG. Let's go.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: iamtienng on Mon, 15 August 2022, 09:25:38

Hope

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: chat and team on Mon, 15 August 2022, 10:39:12

650 what kind of western tax is on this
get it down to 400 and it'll be half decent
skipped

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Yuinth on Mon, 15 August 2022, 10:40:14

That teak looks so good

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: jurassic73 on Mon, 15 August 2022, 10:50:31

Curious about the key layout in this corner... does the PCB support a more common layout for the wide backspace key with the pipe/backslash key below it similar to the earlier Virgo version?

(https://i.imgur.com/znwWTJs.png)

I can't post without recognizing that this keyboard is as endgame as I can imagine for me. A perfect design.

I had to design my own printed TKL keyboard body/keyboard to print and build for myself since I could not find a standard TKL layout keyboard out there you can add your own switches to minus this Virgo.

https://github.com/jurassic73/split89

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: gautema on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:02:39

Quote from: jurassic73 on Mon, 15 August 2022, 10:50:31

Curious about the key layout in this corner... does the PCB support a more common layout for the wide backspace key with the pipe/backslash key below it similar to the earlier Virgo version?

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/znwWTJs.png)

Yes. View more under details to see the full range of supported layouts

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: lewisflude on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:14:39

Quote from: chat and team on Mon, 15 August 2022, 10:39:12

650 what kind of western tax is on this
get it down to 400 and it'll be half decent
skipped

Get over it

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: jurassic73 on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:24:48

Quote from: gautema on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:02:39

Quote from: jurassic73 on Mon, 15 August 2022, 10:50:31
Curious about the key layout in this corner... does the PCB support a more common layout for the wide backspace key with the pipe/backslash key below it similar to the earlier Virgo version?

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/znwWTJs.png)

Yes. View more under details to see the full range of supported layouts

Thank you! I see now.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: FrothBoss on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:32:04

Excited for this one. Also, that teak is so nice.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: roostrc0gburn on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:54:37

very awesome to see r2 is actually happening!

question from an r1 owner: which r2 parts will be available for purchase separately (weights, plates, pcb, wrist rest, carrying case, etc.) that will fit r1?

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: gautema on Mon, 15 August 2022, 12:06:22

Quote from: roostrc0gburn on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:54:37

very awesome to see r2 is actually happening!

question from an r1 owner: which r2 parts will be available for purchase separately (weights, plates, pcb, wrist rest, carrying case, etc.) that will fit r1?

Everything except the actual keyboard will be available to R1 owners. You are of course welcome to join the raffle as a R1 owner too, but not guaranteed a win.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Qwertle on Mon, 15 August 2022, 20:57:35

So excited!

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: snurrebassen on Tue, 16 August 2022, 01:27:44

Yes!!

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: iamtragic on Tue, 16 August 2022, 05:12:34

damn, this is one tasty dish

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Jubileus on Tue, 16 August 2022, 07:41:47

Will the PCB have RGB?

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Tue, 16 August 2022, 08:03:29

Quote from: Jubileus on Tue, 16 August 2022, 07:41:47

Will the PCB have RGB?

Yes, a PC prototype has been sent to our in-house PCB designer (Martin) to make the implementation as good as possible. We're aiming for RGB indicators and underglow.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: eyedrop on Tue, 16 August 2022, 11:59:18

Quote from: gautema on Mon, 15 August 2022, 12:06:22

Quote from: roostrc0gburn on Mon, 15 August 2022, 11:54:37
very awesome to see r2 is actually happening!

question from an r1 owner: which r2 parts will be available for purchase separately (weights, plates, pcb, wrist rest, carrying case, etc.) that will fit r1?

Everything except the actual keyboard will be available to R1 owners. You are of course welcome to join the raffle as a R1 owner too, but not guaranteed a win.

Maybe like artisan raffle, previous R1 owners gets an extra entry into the R2 raffle as a sign of continued support for FLX's board. :cool:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Surefoot on Tue, 16 August 2022, 15:32:14

R1 owner, definitely getting the case and wrist rest.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: DirtyGingy on Wed, 17 August 2022, 07:10:15

Google forms already uses your gmail to track things. I don't fill out ICs that ask me for my email like this https://i.imgur.com/EJQNQYC.png

You have no legitimate reason to have my email.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: dantambok on Wed, 17 August 2022, 09:55:08

God damn those colors are dope. Hoping to get a second virgo!

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: WillyWortel on Wed, 17 August 2022, 16:11:45

I like this board. I was hoping for aubergine :)

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Zyrophr on Wed, 17 August 2022, 16:41:01

No silver........ sad

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Thu, 18 August 2022, 03:48:54

Good morning,

I figured I could take a few moments to reply to a couple of the comments from our IC questionnaire:

Quote

I think teak while unique does not look as good on keyboards as other color options

Everyone has different tastes in colors, personally I think the Teak is the coolest color we have on offer for the second round.

Quote

mix&match weights?

We realize people have personal preferences, we are not able to let people change material/colors outside our set configurations, but we have added the option to buy a 'extra' weight for those that wants the option, this was also done to cater for the r1 buyers who does not like the (beautiful) patina on their weights

Quote

Will the PCB have RGB underglow? And also hotswap option please

The PCB's will have RGB underglow :thumb: No hotswap unfortunately.

Quote

please also confirm whether shipping can ship to OCE / new zealand

DHL can for sure ship to NZ :thumb:

Quote

Please support proxy shipping/cheaper international shipping

This is something we will consider, however - we can not ship the boards uninsured, and thus far DHL Express are the ones that can offer the best service for us.

Quote

Please change wrist rest so the left and right edges are parallel

The wristrest is designed to follow the lines of the board, a better photo explaining what we mean here
(https://i.imgur.com/ERfOp1f.png)

Quote

Is there a render or prototype of the PC unit with keycaps on?

No render, but there are some photos here and there on our discord, we have not put a good set on it yet, but here is one(ignore the missing caps), a PC unit will be shipped out to a streamer who will do a build stream before the GB starts.
(https://i.imgur.com/6kG9c07.png)

Quote

Any chance for other colors to be added to the gb such as purple, burgundy etc

No, unfortunately not, the available colors will be Beige, Teak, PC and Void(black)

Quote

EU shipping is going to hurt bad here

Eu shipping is most likely gonna be in the $40s, unless the fuel surcharge does down or up again, in the beginning of the year it was 5%, now we are looking at 39,5%.

Quote

Will there be more rounds after this if 200 are sold fast?

Most likely not, unless you are able to convince Flex down the road.

Quote

What layouts does the virgo support? I might just be blind, but I couldn't find it on the IC page.

It is there, but here you go! :)
(https://i.imgur.com/yR9X12L.png)

Quote

Since this is a unique pcb it would be super great if there was a commitment to releasing pcb files! I plan to use all of my custom keyboards for decades to come and it'd be nice if it was future-proofed in this way. Thanks!

This is something we are discussing internally, we are all for releasing PCB files for our boards, and it is something we want to do for all the PCB's we design inhouse.

Quote

I'm unlucky and my hands are slow, but I want to purchase it 🙃

This is gonna be a raffle that will be open for entries for 24 hours, you do not need quick hands to enter the raffle to win a Virgo r2 spot :thumb:

Quote

make a cheaper wrist rest option

This is noted, and I can confirm Flex has agreed to design a stacked acryllic wristrest that we will post under 'Resources' on our website, together with the plate file.

Quote

You do not need my email

You are probably right.

Quote

Maybe a not matching wrist rest option?

You can add whatever colored wristrest and virgopad we have on offer! :thumb: You can buy a beige board a teak wristrest and a PC VirgoPad as an example.

Quote

Keyboard looks great but the price is pretty rough. I think that will be the main factor in determining if I'll be purchasing

Honestly, we agree that it’s a lot for a keyboard. As a functional object it’s hard to justify, you can get a perfectly good, even a custom metal keyboard for less.

The design of this keyboard requires a lot of material. This is both due to its layout and because you need two large slabs of aluminum, one for the top and one for the bottom. A tray mount design or a design where you screw two halves together are both much more economical.

These large and hefty keyboards are also expensive to ship from the factory securely. This will not be done by boat which would be cheaper but also add months to the timeline.

We also have a lot of options, which, except for PC (which has its own issues at this size) are all custom colors. Requiring their own baths and prototypes, which we have done many of.

Adding our very high standards for what we call A-stock to that, you end up with a hefty price. We understand if it isn’t for everyone.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: wigol2506 on Thu, 18 August 2022, 05:27:39

Thanks for the Q&A, it is very helpful. Perhaps share the front height of the board as well if you dont mind.

Ergo TKLs are fun.

GLWGB :thumb:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Thu, 18 August 2022, 06:39:22

Quote from: wigol2506 on Thu, 18 August 2022, 05:27:39

Thanks for the Q&A, it is very helpful. Perhaps share the front height of the board as well if you dont mind.

Ergo TKLs are fun.

GLWGB :thumb:

Hey!

Front height in the 'middle' is 1,8cm, however, it is higher on the corners - I would personally recommend grabbing a wristrest too :cool:

And indeed, ergo's are awesome! :thumb:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Fri, 19 August 2022, 02:18:47

One more that sticked out from the IC questionnaire

Quote

1) Will PC case cost the same as the aluminum cases? 2) Will there be a PC VirgoPad? 3) Will there be a wristrest to match the PC plate? 4) Do you have a ballpark estimate of US shipping cost?

1: Yes :thumb:
2: Yes :thumb:
3: Yes :thumb: There is a PC wristrest too :)
4: Shipping for the Vero to the US has been 62usd, Virgo will weigh quite a bit more, but expect around 60-75, prior Ukraine war this would have been 40, all couriers have added a massive fuel surcharge to their quotes.

Please remember to fill out our questionnaire!

https://forms.gle/5XURwCchf5F9GqTV8

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Nonnegaard on Fri, 19 August 2022, 03:32:46

there isnt a single color here i would pick over any of the previous colors. fat L imo

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Mormur on Fri, 19 August 2022, 13:57:05

R1 owner, definitely down to buy a second and would also be interested in other wrist rest options (wood, colour matching r1 boards, etc.)

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Evasive on Fri, 19 August 2022, 17:43:34

The void with the pvd weight looks nice

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: JacobGraphics on Sat, 20 August 2022, 22:40:27

oh yeah not only is antipode hosting but this is such a classic board with some new variations I love it going to go for PC and that nice rainbow weight GLWIC

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Mon, 22 August 2022, 00:30:41

Quote from: Mormur on Fri, 19 August 2022, 13:57:05

R1 owner, definitely down to buy a second and would also be interested in other wrist rest options (wood, colour matching r1 boards, etc.)

Matching colors on wrist rests with R1 is unfortunately not feasible, hopefully you'll find that PC or Black will look good with your R1. We are also in dialoge to make a wood option available, but thats not decided yet.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: CrlaoSvloadr on Mon, 22 August 2022, 01:45:56

AHHH, what a dream board to come back for a second round! Looking fantastic.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: nonuser on Wed, 24 August 2022, 18:13:45

:eek: :eek: :eek: It looks like you dropped a tkl then part of hit a desk and it bent perfectly into a new keyboard :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: You should call it drop tkl ( because it looks like the tkl was dropped LOLOL))

GLWIC :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: VXQN on Thu, 25 August 2022, 07:18:56

V interested in this, but like, is it actually comfortable to use? Any owners of R1 (or similar boards) care to chime in?

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: mrkantz on Thu, 25 August 2022, 10:24:56

R1 owner and yes it's very comfortable to use. I neglected all my other boards for a year+ after getting it.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Full on Fri, 26 August 2022, 12:24:16

I am extremely biased, but yes, when I got my r1 Virgo it sidelined all my other boards, and it is still my go to board for anything ;D

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: oew on Sat, 03 September 2022, 08:35:39

Amazing IC, 5/7 perfect score.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: nordhelle on Sat, 03 September 2022, 10:07:29

I like the angles, pls take my money

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: stiannnn on Sat, 03 September 2022, 10:18:33

YES! take my money!

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Tue, 06 September 2022, 05:39:01

Update 06.09.2022

Hey friends,

GB will start on the 23rd of September, spots for the group buy will be raffled, and you will have 24 hours to enter the raffle, more info will be disclosed in the GB thread.

We have a couple of build streams lined up for the Virgo before the GB starts, dates will be announced later.

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: Adelscott on Tue, 06 September 2022, 09:51:17

Praying RNG gods starting now

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Sun, 18 September 2022, 06:42:35

Today at 1 PM EDT / 7 PM CET Alexotos will be streaming building a beige Virgo ;D

Link here: https://twitch.tv/alexotos (https://twitch.tv/alexotos)

Title: Re: [IC] Flx Virgo R2 is back
Post by: antipode-studio on Wed, 21 September 2022, 17:58:00

GB thread is live: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=118402.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=118402.0)
Raffle is the 23rd of September 12.00 CEST (noon)