[IC] Polaris - GB has begun

[coffeeshopcoder]

I'm gonna be bled dry !!!

[funderburker]

60% with split space bar? I'm most likely in!

Gotta say that 60% pcbs with a split spacebar layout options exist already. But hot damn you'd be a fool to not get in on this keyboard!

[nguyenhimself]

Oh damn, I just realized that the universal plate supports split space bars AND 4 modifier keys on the right side (which I can just map to arrow keys).

I can definitely work with that!

[minaknits]

60% with split space bar? I'm most likely in!

Gotta say that 60% pcbs with a split spacebar layout options exist already. But hot damn you'd be a fool to not get in on this keyboard!

That's true that's true but there are other features that I'm interested in too!


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[vosechu]

How do we sign up to show our interest? I didn’t see a google form or mailing list, but apologies if I missed it!

[Etherealsound]

Will there be color sample chips by chance? There's a lot of options and it definitely help a lot in choosing a color that will match well with certain sets.

[forevermadrigal]

Will there be color sample chips by chance? There's a lot of options and it definitely help a lot in choosing a color that will match well with certain sets.

This, I would love to see the rose gold

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

You know what, Ai03? I was initially disappointed because my financials weren't going to allow me to get the KBD8x MKII like I had wanted, but now you're posting something I actually like a lot more. I'll be very interested to see how the prototypes for this turn out, especially the sound! I've been looking for a new home for my MX Zilents, and I think this might do the trick.

[laserbeamspewpew]

If you’re offering a polycarbonate case, you will also need a dedicated HHKB plate.

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

If you’re offering a polycarbonate case, you will also need a dedicated HHKB plate.

You just use the WKL plate.

[Darknight00z]

If you’re offering a polycarbonate case, you will also need a dedicated HHKB plate.

You just use the WKL plate.

looks ugly though, with the switch holes

[ai03]

Will there be color sample chips by chance? There's a lot of options and it definitely help a lot in choosing a color that will match well with certain sets.

A good chunk of the colors borrow from stock KBDfans colors; newer KBDfans products will be a nice measure of how the colors will turn out.
We did have a rose gold sample; it leans slightly to the pink-ish side, similar to Apple's rose gold coloring.

Will there be a dedicated HHKB plate so that there won’t be any visible holes in the corners if one chooses the PC case?

Since there's already 216 possible combinations (Roughly 2000 if top/bottom selectable half colors goes through), offering more options would require splitting the product into more and more listings to not break the shop software.
I will be open-sourcing the plate files; I recommend cutting one of your own based on the files if one of the 8 do not fit your needs.

[Marutks]

I am interested in WKL plate and HHKB top.   

[freespam]

What's the benefit of gasket mounting?  (serious question)

[laserbeamspewpew]

Wouldn’t the full plate negate the benefits of the PCB flex slots?

[Puddsy]

What's the benefit of gasket mounting?  (serious question)

mostly sound, some people say feel but as far as i can tell it's just anecdotal evidence in most cases

Wouldn’t the full plate negate the benefits of the PCB flex slots?

not necessarily, since the flex cut likely also affects sound

[Slash Emperor]

The options for this board look right up my alley, especially since I'd love to try a polycarb 60%, I'll definitely be picking one up!

[nguyenhimself]

What's the benefit of gasket mounting?  (serious question)

The idea is that you should try to separate the plate and the case as much as possible to reduce vibrations.
Some have found that gasket mounting will lead to softer typing and better sound (less ping), but since there are not that many kits with gasket mounting out there, there’s some uncertainty.
This GB will help greatly with confirming the merits of this design.
Also, this will give you easier assembly.

[coffeeshopcoder]

Color samples would really help the decision making
Olive green ....

[Faust_]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

[Puddsy]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

[Vadurr]

Hope we can see color samples, especially for blue-gray and burgundy

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

[Puddsy]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

oh **** since when?

that's p cool i had no idea

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

oh **** since when?

that's p cool i had no idea

They've offered assembly for over a year now.

[Puddsy]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

oh **** since when?

that's p cool i had no idea

They've offered assembly for over a year now.

guess i never looked since i do my own

that's neat

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

oh **** since when?

that's p cool i had no idea

They've offered assembly for over a year now.

guess i never looked since i do my own

that's neat

Yeah. It seems it's listings for specific products they sell right now, but I'm pretty sure they could come up with a price upon request, since it would still be their own product, lol.

[Puddsy]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

oh **** since when?

that's p cool i had no idea

They've offered assembly for over a year now.

guess i never looked since i do my own

that's neat

Yeah. It seems it's listings for specific products they sell right now, but I'm pretty sure they could come up with a price upon request, since it would still be their own product, lol.

probably best to just message wei about it then

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

oh **** since when?

that's p cool i had no idea

They've offered assembly for over a year now.

guess i never looked since i do my own

that's neat

Yeah. It seems it's listings for specific products they sell right now, but I'm pretty sure they could come up with a price upon request, since it would still be their own product, lol.

probably best to just message wei about it then

Yeah. Shouldn't be too different from their other offerings. Most are around $15-$20 fees, minus the parts.

[weirdzx]

excellent design by ai03 and Kevinplus！It‘s awesome  the Polaris has such amazing design from exterior to interior.Congrats！I am ready for this！

[weirdzx]

excellent design by ai03 and Kevinplus！It‘s awesome  the Polaris has such amazing design from exterior to interior.Congrats！I am ready for this！

[2QT2BSTR8]

No chance of silver ai? In regardless

[macclack]

ICs are blowing up these days. So many good options.

[jortzii]

OOF

SAME THO


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[jortzii]

oh yeah bb

Slap white Knight on this


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[rooney]

This looks amazing and the price looks great as well. Thanks, can't wait!

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

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Some color samples from kbdfans taobao page, not sure whether the rose gold is the color shown above, but I think it is the closest one(and I like it)

KBDFans has not offered a rose gold before, this is a normal pink. Sample is supposed to be anno'd in rose gold

[Puddsy]

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Some color samples from kbdfans taobao page, not sure whether the rose gold is the color shown above, but I think it is the closest one(and I like it)

KBDFans has not offered a rose gold before, this is a normal pink. Sample is supposed to be anno'd in rose gold

they've offered "pink" though, and it might just be a translation thing

unless ai has RAL codes/pantones he plans to match to

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Show Image

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Some color samples from kbdfans taobao page, not sure whether the rose gold is the color shown above, but I think it is the closest one(and I like it)

KBDFans has not offered a rose gold before, this is a normal pink. Sample is supposed to be anno'd in rose gold

they've offered "pink" though, and it might just be a translation thing

unless ai has RAL codes/pantones he plans to match to

Unless I've missed it, KBDFan's pinos have always been very pink, and nowhere near what is generally considered rose gold. Again, I could have missed something.

[Puddsy]

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Some color samples from kbdfans taobao page, not sure whether the rose gold is the color shown above, but I think it is the closest one(and I like it)

KBDFans has not offered a rose gold before, this is a normal pink. Sample is supposed to be anno'd in rose gold

they've offered "pink" though, and it might just be a translation thing

unless ai has RAL codes/pantones he plans to match to

Unless I've missed it, KBDFan's pinos have always been very pink, and nowhere near what is generally considered rose gold. Again, I could have missed something.

Will there be samples of the more specific colors before the buy? 

Quite a few of the colors are borrowed from KBDfans' usual lineup.
We had a rose gold sample made; it leans a bit closer to the pink-ish side similar to Apple's rose gold coloring.

[Pennywise359]

This is too good to be real. I am in for this one for sure.

[Ch0pin02]

Looks amazing. I'm in

[krey]

Definitely in for one.

[sevenseacat]

+1 for colour samples. Also the option of adding another PCB and extra plate when purchasing

[tiydal]

in for one!

Would like to be able to buy another top, one WKL one normal would be great.

[Gati]

Sorry for my ignorance, but is a caps lock LED possible with this?

[Shiv]

Damn, I'm in on this one!

[Rob27shred]

I really like the ideal of adding in foam sheets for going in between the PCB/plate & under the PCB! I hope this catches on & more designers start to do this! In fact this board seems so well though out that I am heavily considering grabbing one even though I need another 60% board like I need a hole in my head, LOL! Seriously though great work here & the renders look amazing ai03!

[lightsout714]

Will there be an assembly service offered? I'm not too comfortable with soldering.

from kbdfans, probably not, but you can always ask on mechmarket

KBDfans has a store page for assembly services, I'm quite certain that would include group buy items as well.

oh **** since when?

that's p cool i had no idea

They've offered assembly for over a year now.

guess i never looked since i do my own

that's neat

Yeah. It seems it's listings for specific products they sell right now, but I'm pretty sure they could come up with a price upon request, since it would still be their own product, lol.

I think they offer service by the size of the keyboard. 60, 65, 80 etc. I just ordered an X8 and they built it for $17.

[freespam]

What's the benefit of gasket mounting?  (serious question)

The idea is that you should try to separate the plate and the case as much as possible to reduce vibrations.
Some have found that gasket mounting will lead to softer typing and better sound (less ping), but since there are not that many kits with gasket mounting out there, there’s some uncertainty.
This GB will help greatly with confirming the merits of this design.
Also, this will give you easier assembly.

Thanks