[IC] Killer65 | GB Live from Dec 9th - 31st!

[Aeris Studio]

Killer65 - by Aeris Studio




Check out the GB here!

While the idea of endgame differs for all of us, there are features that are staples among many "endgame" keyboards being offered today such as counterweights, or numerous color customization. Of course, there are keyboards that offer more innovative features like the Kohaku, or the Satisfaction75, but these also come at considerably higher price points.

So our compromise is an affordable keyboard with features the average keyboard hobbyist would want. Our product follows in the footsteps of the Zoom65, QK65, and more recently the JRIS65, but with a twist. Inspired by the Canoe by Percent Studios (best keyboard ever), we designed one with a similar 2-3 tone aesthetic while streamlining the design to give it a minimalist look.

0. CONTENTS

• DETAILS
• VENDORS
• CURRENT STATUS
• GALLERY
• REQUESTED RENDERS
• FAQ
• SOCIALS
• UPDATE

1. DETAILS

• Case Angle: 6.0°
• Materials: Aluminium & Stainless Steel (For PVD Weights)
• Colours:
  - Black
  - Silver
  - Brass
  - Navy Blue
  - Tiffany Blue
  - Maroon Red
  - Dark Green
  - E-white
• Mounting method: Gasket-mount
• Plate: 1.5mm Polycarbonate
• Add-on, 1.5mm Aluminum, FR4, and POM
• PCB: Killer65 hotswap PCB & USB-C daughterboard - features QMK/VIA and ESD protection
• Foam: Poron plate, case foam & IXPE PCB foam
• Counterweight: Aluminum & Stainless Steel (PVD)
  - Brass
  - Silver
  - Heart Gold PVD
  - Soul Silver PVD
  - Spirit Prism PVD (More Purple)
  - Brilliant Chroma PVD (More Yellow)
  *See prototypes for more apt description
• Weight: ~2kg fully built (Depends on weight and plate)
• Layout options:

2. VENDORS

We will be using CJDropshipping as our shipping partner to ship to these places.

• America
• Europe
• Asia
• Oceania

Price: $159 USD plus shipping for default kit (polycarbonate plate and anodized weight)
+$20 USD for PVD Weight
+$49 USD for an Aluminum, FR4, and POM Plate
+$39 USD for an extra Top Frame

Timeline: The website is currently being readied for the group buy. We are currently searching for shipping partners to do bulk shipments to the US to lower shipping costs.

3. CURRENT STATUS

The 1st set of prototypes have arrived. Typing tests, and photoshoot completed (see gallery).

The feature set is basically final now but we may add additional features if desired.

4. GALLERY *colors shown in the prototypes aren't final

Photos

Expand below

More

Typing Tests

Expand below

More

5. REQUESTED RENDERS

Send requests below

6. FAQ

Will there be per key RGB or backlighting?
There won't be any RGB or backlighting provided. We backtracked on this to support more layouts on the hotswap PCB.

Why is the design so simple?
Personally, we prefer simpler designs as it keeps the desk looking minimal.

Aren't you guys reskinning the Zoom65/QK65 etc.?
What we are doing is filling up a hole in the market left behind by all these products, the JRIS65, Zoom65, QK65, etc, and adding our own unique 2-3 color tone look.

How many are you planning on selling?
Currently, our MOQ is 300. We plan on capping it at 2K units unless there is a lot of interest.

How long will it take to manufacture the keyboards?
We are aiming for 3 months after the group buy concludes, but may take up to 4 months.

How much will you charge for shipping?
According to CJDropshipping, most places should not cost more than $30USD to ship the keyboard. Shipping may cost more as you add more products.

Will you do additional colors/variations?
If there is enough interest for it (and we have the manufacturing capabilities), then we will cater accordingly.

Will you be doing different layouts?
Hopefully if everything goes well, we would like to make different layouts with fun designs in the future!

7. SOCIALS
Discord
Instagram
TikTok

8. UPDATES

08/11/2022 - Interest check and website launches.
09/11/2022 - Socials started
14/11/2022 - Prototypes built and typing tests added.

Planned
December 2022
Keyboard reviews launch by Lewis Toh, and Keybored
Group-buy launch (may be delayed)

[KBKlon]

Blue PVD weight option would be fantastic.

Also please provide exploded view.

[Aeris Studio]

Hi! The exploded view will be coming up soon. As for color options, we went with what we thought people would enjoy. If there is a color you want, please let us know through the google form! Thanks for checking out the IC.

[TypeBis]

awesome price. is the top frame really tall or is it just the render? some keycaps look really sunken in

[Aeris Studio]

Yeah some of the renders are a bit messed up. We'll update the gallery and post when we get some real pictures.

[keygun]

Looking great, me like wallet friendly!
Will you guys be adding more colors? (Would love to see grey or green)

[bigdonnerz]

The budget 65 market is very competitive right now. Pricing this based on a MOQ 2k units seems extremely optimistic. Zoom TKL is in GB right now and costs the same.

[arr1]

GLWIC. Looks awesome

[stidal]

protos arrived but no pictures, sound tests, or any other info regarding them? no pictures or even renders of internals? are we trusting a brand new designer/company to handle and qc 2k units or will you be working through vendors? at first glance this just seems like you're hoping the thocktuber hype will be enough to turn you a quick profit with very little forethought

[Aeris Studio]

I get where you're coming from. It is hard to trust us when the source is literally "trust me bro", but we're still on the interest check phase and making changes to the board using suggestions from it. As for product pictures and typing tests, we are waiting on some parts (keycaps and switches) to arrive.

The 2k units is a mistake on our part, we failed to clarify that 2k is our limit. Our MOQ is hard to estimate considering additional colors we are adding based of community feedback but right now we are looking at ~300.

Thanks for checking out the IC

[Aeris Studio]

IC has been updated with revamped color choices, new prototype pics and typing tests!

Swatches for the new colors will be arriving soon!

[ketuso]

I'm in, the two/three tone look is probably the main attraction factor for this board, if the screw holes could be hidden, would be nice.
GLWIC

[Gurricken]

That's awesome

[pebblescarce]

That's an incredible bargain. Is it just the render, or is the top frame unusually tall? Some of the keycaps seem to be recessed a lot.

[Aeris Studio]

Yeah the keycaps are a bit recessed in the renders. The top frame should be flush with the bottom frame and keycaps !

[jamieoliver]

I'm very impressed with this keyboard. It's so beautiful. I have a question about the price of it.

[LASERman Projects]

It looks quite like Zoo 65 (even similar colourway) and I hope it doesn't share the same downfalls:

• Propriety daughterboard kills it's purpose when it dies couple years later and the vendor has either move on to next projects or gone with the wind themselves. Unless you are using unified daughterboard (i.e. ai03) or will offer cheap spares this shortfall cancels the attractiveness of your price for me.
• The price for extra plates seems weirdly high comparing to PVD Weight and whole kit price level to be frank.
• Board mentioned above has very soft typing profile thanks to the 3mm thick soft gaskets. Some users didn't like it, some did - everybody had to buy it to find out. I'd like vendors to at least specify thickness of their gaskets to get some idea.
• I understand the simplicity principle but another tofu shaped rectangle doesn't carry much unique design and I'd really like at least the undercuts on the sides for easy picking up the hefty board.

[aelius]

US delivery still delayed and updates are only given on their Discord. Where's the accountability on keeping this thread updated?

[Furki]

The GB link isnt working

[alishakihnh]

Great looking design!

[PrizeOcelot5911]

GB takes so long