[GB]EXENT - 65% made by TARO (In production)

[kacase]

I got a message from yuktsi and he said that 70% of the orders have been shipped so far the last ones (including mine) will be shipped soon!

After all the pretty pictures floating around here, I can’t wait to assemble mine. I guess I will order some stabs from Zeal, as they seem to be missing for everyone. Unluckily I ordered both the snap-in AND the screw in stabs, so it will be twice the loss. I am sure that the board will be worth it though. I’m getting excited!


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[U47]

Getting an ortholinear plate and pcb manufactured so dont really care for any pcb defects

I'd love to get on-board an ortho plate/pcb train. Are you looking for help or partners?

[Saifalhaj]

Still nothing here, not a notification,email or any other form of communication in regards to my premium order.

Id love an update.

[japanitrat]

Still nothing here, not a notification,email or any other form of communication in regards to my premium order.

Id love an update.

Same here. And I have invoice no. 005 -.-

[MaNiFeX]

Quick update: Kit had everything in it except for stabs and some screws.  The PCB was loosely packed in the case, so it was rattling around while being shipped.  I tested the PCB and all keys work, thank goodness.  The poly plate was in good shape.  One of the LEDs on the PCB is an off-color, but it works.

Even though the board wasn't shipped with all the screws (4 for plate instead of 5, 3 for bar instead of 5) and no stabs (I now have to wait to build this until my order for stabs comes in), the board works and I am generally happy with the quality.  The anodization is good.  The black top and bottom aluminum pieces fit together very well.

The black is a very finely anodized matte black.  There were some spots (corners of etched letters) where the anodization is flecking, but not a big deal.

Thanks for finishing this group buy off Yuktsi.  I would rather have all these ship out and finish than getting stabs and all screws.

I'll post pics once I've got the board built.

[dead_pixel_design]

Ok, finally got around to getting a pic of the dark grey and black next to each other. In person I feel like the dark grey reads much darker than it looks in person and at a glance I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart, but lit up with a bright cool tone on my bench the difference seems much greater. No stabs, haven’t counted screws, but annodization is flawlessand polycarb is in perfect condition. Haven’t tested the PCB’s yet either.

I do gotta say though after the M65-A’s polished brass plate the matte brass plate on this looks kindof bland. I almost like the silver more.

Edit: One PCB is perfect, one has issues.

[dubious]

Ok, finally got around to getting a pic of the dark grey and black next to each other. In person I feel like the dark grey reads much darker than it looks in person and at a glance I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart, but lit up with a bright cool tone on my bench the difference seems much greater. No stabs, haven’t counted screws, but annodization is flawlessand polycarb is in perfect condition. Haven’t tested the PCB’s yet either.

I do gotta say though after the M65-A’s polished brass plate the matte brass plate on this looks kindof bland. I almost like the silver more.

Edit: One PCB is perfect, one has issues.

Are those annodization splotches, or something else on the top housing? (left hand side most noticeable)

[dead_pixel_design]

Are those annodization splotches, or something else on the top housing? (left hand side most noticeable)

No, the anodization is some of the best I have seen

[gutsack]

Ok, finally got around to getting a pic of the dark grey and black next to each other. In person I feel like the dark grey reads much darker than it looks in person and at a glance I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart, but lit up with a bright cool tone on my bench the difference seems much greater. No stabs, haven’t counted screws, but annodization is flawlessand polycarb is in perfect condition. Haven’t tested the PCB’s yet either.

I do gotta say though after the M65-A’s polished brass plate the matte brass plate on this looks kindof bland. I almost like the silver more.

Edit: One PCB is perfect, one has issues.

Are those annodization splotches, or something else on the top housing? (left hand side most noticeable)

Those look like handprints to me. I have the gray and it's not splotchy as far as I can see but it picks up finger and handprints pretty horribly.

[dead_pixel_design]

Those look like handprints to me.

Yeah, just my oily hands

[dubious]

Those look like handprints to me.

Yeah, just my oily hands

cool cool, thought maybe that was it

[dead_pixel_design]

cool cool, thought maybe that was it

It looks a lot more visible in the photo than it actually is, so much so that I had to double check to make sure it wasn't anodization issues. Probably couldn't hurt to hit it with some rubbing alcohol

[duynguyenle]

https://gfycat.com/gifs/detail/UnfoldedHorribleBengaltiger

Took this gif the other day. Pretty skookum

[wongie]

It appears there's still some boards being sent out that didn't have their LEDs reflowed. One my two boards had all but one nonfunctional upon arrival, one of LEDs on the bottom left even fell off, lol. The second board is in the complete opposite state, all LEDs except one working. Guess I'll have a bit of a busier weekend than I originally planned.

[Moderate]

Finally got some PCB mount stabs to arrive and I've just soldered all my switches in. As it turns out, I'm missing a column which, admittedly, I can't say isn't my fault.

The column in question includes the 4, R, F and C keys.

Is there a guide in here for fixing this or can someone suggest how to fix this? Cheers guys

[gutsack]

Is there a guide in here for fixing this or can someone suggest how to fix this? Cheers guys

See this:

Got around taking a few pics of the kit i got a few days ago.
Just some time frames on delivery:

Code: [Select]

05 Jun 2018, 08:47:00 AMItem delivered to VP IRELAND
04 Jun 2018, 09:36:00 AMItem arrived at IRELAND
30 May 2018, 12:27:46 AMItem en route to IRELANDMYKULA
29 May 2018, 10:26:00 PMConsignment Arrived MYKULA
27 May 2018, 01:28:59 AMConsignment received and processed from posting at Post Offices Pos Laju Transit Office
26 May 2018, 03:36:55 PMConsignment dispatch out from Transit Office PosLaju Parcel Hub
26 May 2018, 02:19:15 PMItem processed PosLaju Parcel Hub
25 May 2018, 03:06:25 PMItem posted over the counter Puchong PO

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You can see the pin that needs re-flowing.

Getting an ortholinear plate and pcb manufactured so dont really care for any pcb defects (the usb plug is soldered slightly crooked, would need to re-flow pins, etc..).

Overall pretty happy.

Could you point out which pin needs re-flowing? Or all of it?

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Congrat and thank you for reply

A bit clearer pic i hope

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I will probably end up re-flowing the whole thing if i butcher those pins.

[Moderate]

Is there a guide in here for fixing this or can someone suggest how to fix this? Cheers guys

See this:

Oh, no kidding it was only a page or two back. Thanks. Looking at my board it looks like "COL04" may require reflowing but going by the bootmapper it's "ROW11" that's dead. Its pin appears fine, buuut...

Guess I'll have to phone a friend on this one. I've got a mate with far more experience and better equipment for soldering circuit boards. Thanks again, though.

Edit:
Worked out a fix. After some testing with a multimeter and guidance from that friend more experienced with electronics, we determined that the problem was a break somewhere in the trace between the controller pin and the start of the switch row. Got him to give it a look over and the pin (24 for row 11) was soldered fine. He ended up patching in a wire between the pin and switch to get it functioning again.

Pic here of the fix: https://imgur.com/cjgF8HE

Which worked overnight but after leaving the keyboard alone for several hours and coming back, row 11 is non-functioning again. Just tested with a multimeter and everything seems in order, the wire is still joined.. I have no idea what's gone wrong this time. More troubleshooting, I guess!

Edit 2:

Just plugged it back in after testing with the multimeter and now row 11 is constantly active. Just opened notepad and was greeted with spam of "4rfc" over and over.

[Traveler]

Edit 2:

Just plugged it back in after testing with the multimeter and now row 11 is constantly active. Just opened notepad and was greeted with spam of "4rfc" over and over.

Congrats on the fix! Hope that works well for you longterm. I'd be screwed if I had to do something like that. I have no knowledge or experience with wiring and tracing routes.

[baldgye]

Got my board!!

Huge thanks to Bunnylake for building this ****ing wonderful thing for me and for helping make sure the Miami keyset never died all those years ago!

[dead_pixel_design]

Got my board!!

Holy crap this looks good!!!!

[Moderate]

Edit 2:

Just plugged it back in after testing with the multimeter and now row 11 is constantly active. Just opened notepad and was greeted with spam of "4rfc" over and over.

Congrats on the fix! Hope that works well for you longterm. I'd be screwed if I had to do something like that. I have no knowledge or experience with wiring and tracing routes.

Hahah thanks! I have to thank my friend for helping me out with that one though.

Unfortunately the fix is no longer working, I've checked the paths with the multimeter and it's all good, but for some reason the row is dead again because the controller appears to be saying they're constantly being actuated. I've messaged yuktsi about buying another PCB because this is beyond me now hahah. Doing patch fixes like this shouldn't be necessary in the first place 

[Traveler]

I've messaged yuktsi about buying another PCB because this is beyond me now hahah. Doing patch fixes like this shouldn't be necessary in the first place 

Hopefully you can get your hands on another one. It's hard getting an extra PCB.

[Count Zero]

I got more problems guys, this time with the switch LED's. I have two switches that won't light up. I'm using an led that I have gotten to light up using other contacts on the PCB, and I've tried it in reverse in case it's a polarity thing. It looks like there are a couple pads missing a little component, could that be the cause of my issues?

Non-working positions outlined in red:


Left side close-up:


Right side close-up:


[edit] is the group buy thread the appropriate place for technical questions or should I be taking this elsewhere?

[demorior]

Anyone interested in buying my Exent?
Black case, Cracked poly bottom and questionable PCB. Would be willing to let it go for a pretty low price.
Just sick of waiting on Juahenza and Yuktsi. Yuktsi won't even answer my PMs and I'm not going to wait another year
to have a fully functioning keyboard.

[Traveler]

I got more problems guys, this time with the switch LED's...

It's interesting that both of them are right next to one of the RGB lights. Hopefully someone can help you; I've had terrible luck with in-switch LEDs in the past so I don't even try to use them anymore.

Anyone interested in buying my Exent? Black case, Cracked poly bottom and questionable PCB...

Have you tried r/mechmarket? People tend to have some good luck over there. I know the Reddit community in general didn't care much for the bezel but there were plenty of people who still liked it.

If it's just the PCB you're worried about, there's someone around here who is interested in making an ortholinear PCB and plate for the Exent. Not sure it'll ever happen, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

[dead_pixel_design]

Anyone interested in buying my Exent?
Black case, Cracked poly bottom and questionable PCB. Would be willing to let it go for a pretty low price.
Just sick of waiting on Juahenza and Yuktsi. Yuktsi won't even answer my PMs and I'm not going to wait another year
to have a fully functioning keyboard.

PM'd

[Helldrop]

Considering this situation, getting the replacement of my cracked PC bottom seems almost impossible.
So, I'm looking for an aluminum bottom. If someone has an extra one, PM me please.

[Gdubb90]

Anyone at waiting on theirs? Haven't heard a peep about my premium kit.

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[japanitrat]

Anyone at waiting on theirs? Haven't heard a peep about my premium kit.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Same here ..

[zurikade]

Anyone at waiting on theirs? Haven't heard a peep about my premium kit.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Hi friend! I'm in Toronto still waiting for my premium with two bases. I reached out to Yuktsi a few weeks ago on here, no response.

Still hopeful.

[Katanadog]

Waiting on a black basic with alu bottom.

[Katanadog]

No reply from Yuktsi either.

[nop_coder]

Anyone at waiting on theirs? Haven't heard a peep about my premium kit.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Same here

[fuzzbomb]

Anyone at waiting on theirs? Haven't heard a peep about my premium kit.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Same. Haven't gotten any response from yuktsi since March 1st.

[Count Zero]

Got a request for anyone with a pcb in easy reach. I'm pretty sure my pcb is missing three resistors. In the first picture I've outlined where on the pcb they seem to be missing from, the second picture is a closeup of where one isn't. If your pcb does have a resistor here and you can tell me what it's value is I will be eternally grateful.

[MaNiFeX]

Got a request for anyone with a pcb in easy reach. I'm pretty sure my pcb is missing three resistors. In the first picture I've outlined where on the pcb they seem to be missing from, the second picture is a closeup of where one isn't. If your pcb does have a resistor here and you can tell me what it's value is I will be eternally grateful.

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Your close up picture looks like my board does.  I don't see transistors/resistors on those pads...  Which is weird.   I've got it in a fairly functioning state, so I imagine this is by design. 

Unfortunately, I can't get the damn thing to load into bootload mode after I initially flashed the controller.  Does anyone know which pads to use to throw this into bootload mode?

There were some talks about the ICSP01 pads being shorted to force into bootloader.  Anyone have any success with that?

[MaNiFeX]

My build at work:



Still can't get the damn thing back into bootloader mode.  Anyone know which pads to short?  Left CTRL stopped working after I flashed it. 

Thanks!

[MaNiFeX]

My build at work:

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Still can't get the damn thing back into bootloader mode.  Anyone know which pads to short?  Left CTRL stopped working after I flashed it.  :confused:

Thanks!

I just posted this on reddit.  Top comment: "I really want a compact keyboard, but I also want to do away with the space-saving benefits of having a compact keyboard."

lol

[MaNiFeX]

Got a request for anyone with a pcb in easy reach. I'm pretty sure my pcb is missing three resistors. In the first picture I've outlined where on the pcb they seem to be missing from, the second picture is a closeup of where one isn't. If your pcb does have a resistor here and you can tell me what it's value is I will be eternally grateful.

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Your close up picture looks like my board does.  I don't see transistors/resistors on those pads...  Which is weird.   I've got it in a fairly functioning state, so I imagine this is by design. 

Unfortunately, I can't get the damn thing to load into bootload mode after I initially flashed the controller.  Does anyone know which pads to use to throw this into bootload mode?

There were some talks about the ICSP01 pads being shorted to force into bootloader.  Anyone have any success with that?

Hi All!

Quick update: I was able to get the EXENT accessible in the bootmapper client.  Oddly enough, the bootmapper client would not recognize the HID device until I docked my laptop and connected to the dock rather than directly to the laptop.

If anyone needs help going forward, I'm happy to.  I'll check back periodically.  Or PM me! 

Thanks,

MaNiFeX

[Pwner]

NE tracking avail?

[MythicalWagyu]

  that looks good my dude!

My build at work:

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Forgot to check in on this thread and say my premium kit showed up as well (no tracking, just happy surprise), everything except for stabs included. Pretty sure I already ordered some screw-in stabs anyway, if not they're going on the list. As far as I can tell from my 60 second check over, everything is kosher, hopefully the PCB works. In any case, YUUUUUUGE thank you to yuktsi for getting this thing in my hands.




Anyone heard from the actual GB runner since January?

[six_chains]

longshot but, anyone want to trade my perfect polycarb bottom for an ALU one?
not sure if there will be any extras for sale.

[kennyk64]

Anyone interested in a premium kit (grey)? I have paid $355 and willing to let go at $300.

[tom88jerry]

Anyone interested in a premium kit (grey)? I have paid $355 and willing to let go at $300.

Pm'd

[yonghf]

Anyone interested in a premium kit (grey)? I have paid $355 and willing to let go at $300.

PM'ing

[neon_tom]

I haven’t really been keeping up with this thread but I’m going to assume there’s been no word on replacements for cracked bottoms?

[mrsalogo]

If any one has a sliver kit that they are wanting to sell please let me know. I want one of these beautiful keyboards real bad...

[monkeyplusplus]

Hey friends, I just posted a separate thread for the ortho PCB and plate, now that most of us have received our Exents!

Please head over and comment if you'd like to be included in the discussion

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=96487.0

[Helldrop]

I haven’t really been keeping up with this thread but I’m going to assume there’s been no word on replacements for cracked bottoms?

I sent them PM several times, but didn’t get any answers at all.
It seems that getting the replacement is impossible.

[dead_pixel_design]

I haven’t really been keeping up with this thread but I’m going to assume there’s been no word on replacements for cracked bottoms?

No word yet. Shipping has also not concluded.