[IC] Polaris - GB has begun

[whinmeister]

Oh my that red/gold combo is 

[dubious]

intrigued

[b3nkei]

Is it possible to get a stainless steel weight instead of brass?

[Kafka]

Is it possible to get a stainless steel weight instead of brass?

I want SS too 

[born2relax]

render of rose gold?

[spyruf]

Is it possible to get a stainless steel weight instead of brass?

or silver PVD brass weight.

[ai03]

Is it possible to get a stainless steel weight instead of brass?

I want SS too 

or silver PVD brass weight.

Thought about it, but it would make price skyrocket so had to cancel.
As for PVD, I've never been super impressed by KBDfans' PVD quality, so decided to play it safe with matte + clear coat.

render of rose gold?

There's some floating around, but right now Kevinplus (The other person behind this project) is waiting on ano samples for more color-accurate renders.

[TuCZnak]

I hate 60% but love this... 65%/75% variant when?

[nguyenhimself]

So kind of curious on the colors again. Is space grey going to be like the new Macbook spacey grey? What kind of blue grey is it going to be and how deep a shade of red will the red be? I tried looking for some kbdfan stuff but it's hard to tell.

I assume it’s gonna be something similar to these renders.

[befbef]

My guess the colors are only renamed and they are the same as the other kbd boards. If so, this is Tofu gray (space gray?) vs navy (blue gray)

[juaninamilli]

You are correct. Kevin has stated this previously in discord. It may be the cause for the slight confusion, but his color naming seems a bit more accurate than it currently stands. For the Navy, at the very least.

My guess the colors are only renamed and they are the same as the other kbd boards. If so, this is Tofu gray (space gray?) vs navy (blue gray)

Show Image

[jrs]

Does the WKL plate work with the HHKB layout?

[laserbeamspewpew]

Does the WKL plate work with the HHKB layout?

Yes but not with a PC case because you’ll see the switch holes in the corners.

[juaninamilli]

You are correct in saying that you will see the switch holes, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work. There isn’t an HHKB dedicated plate, so the wkl plate is likely your best option.

Does the WKL plate work with the HHKB layout?

Yes but not with a PC case because you’ll see the switch holes in the corners.

[jrs]

What about if I wanted to go with the standard top plate, not the WKL or HHKB top plate?  Would the WKL plate still be the best option?

[audax989]

for the WKL plate

will it have the holes for the winkey?since it's also for HHKB?

[ai03]

for the WKL plate

will it have the holes for the winkey?since it's also for HHKB?

Yes.

What about if I wanted to go with the standard top plate, not the WKL or HHKB top plate?  Would the WKL plate still be the best option?

There is no HHKB plate, just WKL and Universal in terms of general compatibility. Your combination of plate and case top half will depend on what blockers you want, and what layout you want within the constraints of your chosen case top.

[liangalv]

Any idea if we would be unable to install something like Mill-Max sockets for HS instead of Kailh's implementation?

[AlcoholEnthusiast]

When are you expecting the proto to be done?

**edit**

nvm just read your answer to that in discord

[fly not fly]

looks awesome!

[Aphidsc]

Whew! Catching the 60 fever! Definitely interested in this

[monkt]

When are you expecting the proto to be done?

**edit**

nvm just read your answer to that in discord

Mind sharing?

[Furikurichemy]

When are you expecting the proto to be done?

**edit**

nvm just read your answer to that in discord

Mind sharing?

CNC is finished, being Anodized as we speak

[jrs]

Will there be a configurator for the layout to generate the firmware file?  I'm assuming the PCB will use QMK.

[NimbleTortoise]

Will silver be available? Or is it too unpopular?

[audax989]

will there be an option to mix and match alu/poly tops and bottoms?

[ai03]

will there be an option to mix and match alu/poly tops and bottoms?

Likely, but I'll need to verify with KBDfans that it's fine before it runs, since it's quite a bit more effort logistics-side.

Will silver be available? Or is it too unpopular?

Going by KBD8X MKII sales, silver proved too unpopular to be worth over e-white.

Will there be a configurator for the layout to generate the firmware file?  I'm assuming the PCB will use QMK.

I'm currently working on QMK for Polaris as I type this message; I'll definitely make it compatible with some GUI-based programming tool, whether it be configurator or VIA (depends on whether or not VIA is finished by the time Polaris ships).

[NimbleTortoise]

How does e-white compare to cerakoting and MAO finishes?

[jrs]

VIA would be nice.

[Macmutant]

VIA would be nice.

VIA support would be ideal. Will be a determining factor for me.

[Digitize]

What’s VIA?  Heard of QMK but not VIA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mrpetrov]

What’s VIA?  Heard of QMK but not VIA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

VIA is a GUI overlay based on QMK that OliVIA (and others?) have put together - so it makes it super easy to remap keys etc. I don't think it's a must-have for me, but it is super nice for sure.

[Digitize]

What’s VIA?  Heard of QMK but not VIA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

VIA is a GUI overlay based on QMK that OliVIA (and others?) have put together - so it makes it super easy to remap keys etc. I don't think it's a must-have for me, but it is super nice for sure.

Thanks for the explanation. Went googling it too. Kept popping ride share stuff but I guess that was just me not typing the right keyword combo. Found a video by Merlin. VIA does seem to make the key mapping look easier.


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[Phoenix1611]

Oof, I'm in, really glad E white is an option. Also, will extra PCBs be available to buy?

[ai03]

Oof, I'm in, really glad E white is an option. Also, will extra PCBs be available to buy?

Super likely yes, along with extra plates.

[Phoenix1611]

Oof, I'm in, really glad E white is an option. Also, will extra PCBs be available to buy?

Super likely yes, along with extra plates.

Awesome! Far as plates are concerned, any plans on making alu an option as well?

[tex_live_utility]

Oof, I'm in, really glad E white is an option. Also, will extra PCBs be available to buy?

Super likely yes, along with extra plates.

Awesome! Far as plates are concerned, any plans on making alu an option as well?

I asked about aluminum in Discord, and was told "no" due to logistics and splitting order quantity. I'm sure they will supply the plate files like with the 8X, in which case you can get an aluminum plate made very affordably (at least in the USA) by https://sendcutsend.com

[wholypantalones]

Oof, I'm in, really glad E white is an option. Also, will extra PCBs be available to buy?

Super likely yes, along with extra plates.

Awesome! Far as plates are concerned, any plans on making alu an option as well?

I asked about aluminum in Discord, and was told "no" due to logistics and splitting order quantity. I'm sure they will supply the plate files like with the 8X, in which case you can get an aluminum plate made very affordably (at least in the USA) by https://sendcutsend.com

They offer plates in 1.6mm, but isn't that too thick? Seems like the stabs would bottom out on the plate unless the plate was routed for them. Still pretty affordable though.

Edit: looks like 1.6 is within tolerance.

[tonny950111]

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

[jrs]

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

[Visionaire]

Can't wait to see the prototype

[Puddsy]

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

here goes this debate again

ill get my popcorn

[regionfree]

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

here goes this debate again

ill get my popcorn

I'll bring the drinks. Gotta get good seats 

[vegs]

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

Still gasket mount

[adxlk]

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

do you own one to say its different?

[vegs]

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

do you own one to say its different?

Judging from the expanded pic in OP, it is different.
Similar to 356mini, GSKT uses a rubber o-ring/band that sits between the plate and the PCB

[Kavik]

Not really a 60% guy, but this looks like the one to get if I ever get one. I'll follow this.

[jrs]

So is this still considered a "true" gasket mount?

[juaninamilli]

Can’t say if he owns one, but I do believe he owns eyes. That’s how I was able to notice they are different styles of gaskets.

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

do you own one to say its different?

[iaman]

Can’t say if he owns one, but I do believe he owns eyes. That’s how I was able to notice they are different styles of gaskets.

$265 for true gasket mount? I'm in.

The mount is different from that used in keyboards such as the GSKT-00.

do you own one to say its different?

I've tried looking around a bit and have mostly only found a couple images of full builds and a billion instances of forum signatures containing the board's name, but do you have a link handy (to something other than a video) that shows the gasket mounting on the GSKT-00 for folks to compare?