[IC] "The Matrix" GMK keycap set

[Special K]

I think the Matrix code would be way cooler. Ditch the real text or make it small like the recent Massdrop Elven characters.

But the whole point of the matrix digital code rain is about including both of the alphanumeric letters and japanese katakana, without either, it doesn't seem really justified, for me at least. 

how about another potato...

...in full hd   

Show Image

If we include the matrix code characters I think they should be secondary legends as shown in DannyHuynh's renders.  They add flavor to the design but at the end of the day I would still be using the keyboard to type standard characters.

[Special K]

We have some sample ideas and renders in this thread.  What is the next step?

[mashby]

We have some sample ideas and renders in this thread.  What is the next step?

LOL. Fundraising for all the new legends?

[DannyHuynh]

We have some sample ideas and renders in this thread.  What is the next step?

LOL. Fundraising for all the new legends?

Apparently, there is not enough fans of Keanu Reeves, so it might be hard for this to become solid, especially with all these legends 

[Special K]

We have some sample ideas and renders in this thread.  What is the next step?

LOL. Fundraising for all the new legends?

Apparently, there is not enough fans of Keanu Reeves, so it might be hard for this to become solid, especially with all these legends 

Is there no interest in getting a set made with the just the colorway and no special legends?

[mastermachetier]

Here's a potato render 

Show Image

If there's no interest, I'll probably think of some other ideas for a keyset  :(

How do you create a render like that if you can lead me in the right direction.

[ideus]

SP's DCS profile is rather thin.

Not sure if they make custom sets with these but SP makes a thicker version of DCS that's about as thick as GMK.
I found them in my crap bag, same sculpt as DCS when set side by side.

(Attachment Link)

If available, the thicker key caps would be far more expensive than the regular DCS, SP sites explained they built molds with thinner walls to reduce costs, but a set of DCS is as expensive as a GMK, even in its thinner version; thus, anything thicker will cost an arm and a leg.

[Special K]

Man, there's some communication break down in this thread.

You tell Special K,

which will cost ~$45 a cap, and around $4k for a full set.

From his response, it would seem that he thinks every individual physical keycap produced would cost $45, and that every person who purchased a set would pay around $4k.

Why would it cost $45/cap?  Is CR text on AE caps not the same as AE text on CR caps?  Don't GMK group buys sell for ~$120 or so per set?

I tried to clarify what you said for Special K,

It's a one time fee of $45, not $45 for every individual cap made

I guess you think I meant it would be a unique fee of $45 for the entire set,

It is in face $45 PER LEGEND.

Since informal speech has led to these ambiguities, here's my understanding expressed in predicate logic: ∀ n ∃! f where n is a new double shot legend, and f is a $45 fee. 

Phew! I think (hope?) everyone is on the same page, let me know if I'm wrong.

Yes. You are correct. That $45 fee is the price for them to make a mold, and that cost is then added into the kit of the buy and distributed out among everyone that buys it. So, a single novelty for example, wont really create a noticeable pricing rise, but having 15 will. This is an issue that plagued Modern Selectric due to having the Icon Modifiers. Most kits have 10 or less custom keys.

So lets say you want a full custom font (something that is currently being funded elsewhere in the community). If you wanted a full custom font, you'd have to pay for the 104 molds needed for the set. Lets call that cost 5k just to be easy. Now, if you were to buy only 1 set, you'd have to pay full pricing for the set, say $150, PLUS 5k. So the set is $5,150 total with one unit sold. Now, say 100 people buy the set. That price is now split between all the people, and all the sets, making the price around $200 (150 base cost+50 legend fee that is already added into the actual cost) of the set. Does this makes sense?

So you wont be paying out of pocket for the molds. You will just have to reach MOQ or those molds/subsequent kits simply wont be made. A significant number of custom keys will result in a significant price increase for everyone though, and generally I advise against this when possible. In the case of the Matrix font, I don't think it is worth it. Unlike a font with molds that can be used for other sets later, this would be a very specific niche set, and likely kill this group buy with the extreme costs.

Just to clarify, is the $45 per custom legend fee the same for both GMK and SP?

[Melvang]

Man, there's some communication break down in this thread.

You tell Special K,

which will cost ~$45 a cap, and around $4k for a full set.

From his response, it would seem that he thinks every individual physical keycap produced would cost $45, and that every person who purchased a set would pay around $4k.

Why would it cost $45/cap?  Is CR text on AE caps not the same as AE text on CR caps?  Don't GMK group buys sell for ~$120 or so per set?

I tried to clarify what you said for Special K,

It's a one time fee of $45, not $45 for every individual cap made

I guess you think I meant it would be a unique fee of $45 for the entire set,

It is in face $45 PER LEGEND.

Since informal speech has led to these ambiguities, here's my understanding expressed in predicate logic: ∀ n ∃! f where n is a new double shot legend, and f is a $45 fee.
Phew! I think (hope?) everyone is on the same page, let me know if I'm wrong.

Yes. You are correct. That $45 fee is the price for them to make a mold, and that cost is then added into the kit of the buy and distributed out among everyone that buys it. So, a single novelty for example, wont really create a noticeable pricing rise, but having 15 will. This is an issue that plagued Modern Selectric due to having the Icon Modifiers. Most kits have 10 or less custom keys.

So lets say you want a full custom font (something that is currently being funded elsewhere in the community). If you wanted a full custom font, you'd have to pay for the 104 molds needed for the set. Lets call that cost 5k just to be easy. Now, if you were to buy only 1 set, you'd have to pay full pricing for the set, say $150, PLUS 5k. So the set is $5,150 total with one unit sold. Now, say 100 people buy the set. That price is now split between all the people, and all the sets, making the price around $200 (150 base cost+50 legend fee that is already added into the actual cost) of the set. Does this makes sense?

So you wont be paying out of pocket for the molds. You will just have to reach MOQ or those molds/subsequent kits simply wont be made. A significant number of custom keys will result in a significant price increase for everyone though, and generally I advise against this when possible. In the case of the Matrix font, I don't think it is worth it. Unlike a font with molds that can be used for other sets later, this would be a very specific niche set, and likely kill this group buy with the extreme costs.

Just to clarify, is the $45 per custom legend fee the same for both GMK and SP?

No idea.

[swimmingbird]

We have some sample ideas and renders in this thread.  What is the next step?

LOL. Fundraising for all the new legends?

Apparently, there is not enough fans of Keanu Reeves, so it might be hard for this to become solid, especially with all these legends 

[SpAmRaY]

Man, there's some communication break down in this thread.

You tell Special K,

which will cost ~$45 a cap, and around $4k for a full set.

From his response, it would seem that he thinks every individual physical keycap produced would cost $45, and that every person who purchased a set would pay around $4k.

Why would it cost $45/cap?  Is CR text on AE caps not the same as AE text on CR caps?  Don't GMK group buys sell for ~$120 or so per set?

I tried to clarify what you said for Special K,

It's a one time fee of $45, not $45 for every individual cap made

I guess you think I meant it would be a unique fee of $45 for the entire set,

It is in face $45 PER LEGEND.

Since informal speech has led to these ambiguities, here's my understanding expressed in predicate logic: ∀ n ∃! f where n is a new double shot legend, and f is a $45 fee. 

Phew! I think (hope?) everyone is on the same page, let me know if I'm wrong.

Yes. You are correct. That $45 fee is the price for them to make a mold, and that cost is then added into the kit of the buy and distributed out among everyone that buys it. So, a single novelty for example, wont really create a noticeable pricing rise, but having 15 will. This is an issue that plagued Modern Selectric due to having the Icon Modifiers. Most kits have 10 or less custom keys.

So lets say you want a full custom font (something that is currently being funded elsewhere in the community). If you wanted a full custom font, you'd have to pay for the 104 molds needed for the set. Lets call that cost 5k just to be easy. Now, if you were to buy only 1 set, you'd have to pay full pricing for the set, say $150, PLUS 5k. So the set is $5,150 total with one unit sold. Now, say 100 people buy the set. That price is now split between all the people, and all the sets, making the price around $200 (150 base cost+50 legend fee that is already added into the actual cost) of the set. Does this makes sense?

So you wont be paying out of pocket for the molds. You will just have to reach MOQ or those molds/subsequent kits simply wont be made. A significant number of custom keys will result in a significant price increase for everyone though, and generally I advise against this when possible. In the case of the Matrix font, I don't think it is worth it. Unlike a font with molds that can be used for other sets later, this would be a very specific niche set, and likely kill this group buy with the extreme costs.

Just to clarify, is the $45 per custom legend fee the same for both GMK and SP?

That only applies to signature plastics.

[Special K]

Man, there's some communication break down in this thread.

You tell Special K,

which will cost ~$45 a cap, and around $4k for a full set.

From his response, it would seem that he thinks every individual physical keycap produced would cost $45, and that every person who purchased a set would pay around $4k.

Why would it cost $45/cap?  Is CR text on AE caps not the same as AE text on CR caps?  Don't GMK group buys sell for ~$120 or so per set?

I tried to clarify what you said for Special K,

It's a one time fee of $45, not $45 for every individual cap made

I guess you think I meant it would be a unique fee of $45 for the entire set,

It is in face $45 PER LEGEND.

Since informal speech has led to these ambiguities, here's my understanding expressed in predicate logic: ∀ n ∃! f where n is a new double shot legend, and f is a $45 fee. 

Phew! I think (hope?) everyone is on the same page, let me know if I'm wrong.

Yes. You are correct. That $45 fee is the price for them to make a mold, and that cost is then added into the kit of the buy and distributed out among everyone that buys it. So, a single novelty for example, wont really create a noticeable pricing rise, but having 15 will. This is an issue that plagued Modern Selectric due to having the Icon Modifiers. Most kits have 10 or less custom keys.

So lets say you want a full custom font (something that is currently being funded elsewhere in the community). If you wanted a full custom font, you'd have to pay for the 104 molds needed for the set. Lets call that cost 5k just to be easy. Now, if you were to buy only 1 set, you'd have to pay full pricing for the set, say $150, PLUS 5k. So the set is $5,150 total with one unit sold. Now, say 100 people buy the set. That price is now split between all the people, and all the sets, making the price around $200 (150 base cost+50 legend fee that is already added into the actual cost) of the set. Does this makes sense?

So you wont be paying out of pocket for the molds. You will just have to reach MOQ or those molds/subsequent kits simply wont be made. A significant number of custom keys will result in a significant price increase for everyone though, and generally I advise against this when possible. In the case of the Matrix font, I don't think it is worth it. Unlike a font with molds that can be used for other sets later, this would be a very specific niche set, and likely kill this group buy with the extreme costs.

Just to clarify, is the $45 per custom legend fee the same for both GMK and SP?

That only applies to signature plastics.

GMK doesn't allow custom legends in the first place?

[SpAmRaY]

Man, there's some communication break down in this thread.

You tell Special K,

which will cost ~$45 a cap, and around $4k for a full set.

From his response, it would seem that he thinks every individual physical keycap produced would cost $45, and that every person who purchased a set would pay around $4k.

Why would it cost $45/cap?  Is CR text on AE caps not the same as AE text on CR caps?  Don't GMK group buys sell for ~$120 or so per set?

I tried to clarify what you said for Special K,

It's a one time fee of $45, not $45 for every individual cap made

I guess you think I meant it would be a unique fee of $45 for the entire set,

It is in face $45 PER LEGEND.

Since informal speech has led to these ambiguities, here's my understanding expressed in predicate logic: ∀ n ∃! f where n is a new double shot legend, and f is a $45 fee. 

Phew! I think (hope?) everyone is on the same page, let me know if I'm wrong.

Yes. You are correct. That $45 fee is the price for them to make a mold, and that cost is then added into the kit of the buy and distributed out among everyone that buys it. So, a single novelty for example, wont really create a noticeable pricing rise, but having 15 will. This is an issue that plagued Modern Selectric due to having the Icon Modifiers. Most kits have 10 or less custom keys.

So lets say you want a full custom font (something that is currently being funded elsewhere in the community). If you wanted a full custom font, you'd have to pay for the 104 molds needed for the set. Lets call that cost 5k just to be easy. Now, if you were to buy only 1 set, you'd have to pay full pricing for the set, say $150, PLUS 5k. So the set is $5,150 total with one unit sold. Now, say 100 people buy the set. That price is now split between all the people, and all the sets, making the price around $200 (150 base cost+50 legend fee that is already added into the actual cost) of the set. Does this makes sense?

So you wont be paying out of pocket for the molds. You will just have to reach MOQ or those molds/subsequent kits simply wont be made. A significant number of custom keys will result in a significant price increase for everyone though, and generally I advise against this when possible. In the case of the Matrix font, I don't think it is worth it. Unlike a font with molds that can be used for other sets later, this would be a very specific niche set, and likely kill this group buy with the extreme costs.

Just to clarify, is the $45 per custom legend fee the same for both GMK and SP?

That only applies to signature plastics.

GMK doesn't allow custom legends in the first place?

They have only recently done any and they were for cherry china division for what seem to be very large orders. And we're for single novelty keys like an escape key.

You seem to want an entire set which up until now GMK has not done and has shown no interest in doing.

[DannyHuynh]

We have some sample ideas and renders in this thread.  What is the next step?

LOL. Fundraising for all the new legends?

Apparently, there is not enough fans of Keanu Reeves, so it might be hard for this to become solid, especially with all these legends 

(Attachment Link)

I hope so. However, we might need a render specialist to make this thing looks more appealing. I really can't google "How to create good render of keyboard" you know

[mashby]

If you reversed the colors so that the alphas were green keys with black fonts, you could dye sub them and get the custom legends. That would make the modifiers black and maybe those could be doubleshot since they are mocked up as standard legends.

Just a thought.

[Special K]

Man, there's some communication break down in this thread.

You tell Special K,

which will cost ~$45 a cap, and around $4k for a full set.

From his response, it would seem that he thinks every individual physical keycap produced would cost $45, and that every person who purchased a set would pay around $4k.

Why would it cost $45/cap?  Is CR text on AE caps not the same as AE text on CR caps?  Don't GMK group buys sell for ~$120 or so per set?

I tried to clarify what you said for Special K,

It's a one time fee of $45, not $45 for every individual cap made

I guess you think I meant it would be a unique fee of $45 for the entire set,

It is in face $45 PER LEGEND.

Since informal speech has led to these ambiguities, here's my understanding expressed in predicate logic: ∀ n ∃! f where n is a new double shot legend, and f is a $45 fee. 

Phew! I think (hope?) everyone is on the same page, let me know if I'm wrong.

Yes. You are correct. That $45 fee is the price for them to make a mold, and that cost is then added into the kit of the buy and distributed out among everyone that buys it. So, a single novelty for example, wont really create a noticeable pricing rise, but having 15 will. This is an issue that plagued Modern Selectric due to having the Icon Modifiers. Most kits have 10 or less custom keys.

So lets say you want a full custom font (something that is currently being funded elsewhere in the community). If you wanted a full custom font, you'd have to pay for the 104 molds needed for the set. Lets call that cost 5k just to be easy. Now, if you were to buy only 1 set, you'd have to pay full pricing for the set, say $150, PLUS 5k. So the set is $5,150 total with one unit sold. Now, say 100 people buy the set. That price is now split between all the people, and all the sets, making the price around $200 (150 base cost+50 legend fee that is already added into the actual cost) of the set. Does this makes sense?

So you wont be paying out of pocket for the molds. You will just have to reach MOQ or those molds/subsequent kits simply wont be made. A significant number of custom keys will result in a significant price increase for everyone though, and generally I advise against this when possible. In the case of the Matrix font, I don't think it is worth it. Unlike a font with molds that can be used for other sets later, this would be a very specific niche set, and likely kill this group buy with the extreme costs.

Just to clarify, is the $45 per custom legend fee the same for both GMK and SP?

That only applies to signature plastics.

GMK doesn't allow custom legends in the first place?

They have only recently done any and they were for cherry china division for what seem to be very large orders. And we're for single novelty keys like an escape key.

You seem to want an entire set which up until now GMK has not done and has shown no interest in doing.

Personally I'm fine with green text on black keys without any special legends.  Others made the suggestion for special legends.  While I think it's a nice touch, the price would kill the set.

[Special K]

If you reversed the colors so that the alphas were green keys with black fonts, you could dye sub them and get the custom legends. That would make the modifiers black and maybe those could be doubleshot since they are mocked up as standard legends.

Just a thought.

Thanks for the suggestion.  Personally if we do the group buy at all I'd want it to be green text on black keys just because that's what actually appears in the movie.  If the majority really wants to have the secondary legends and is willing to invert the color scheme to get them, then maybe we could go that route.

[00zeRO]

A+ goes to OP for being Awesome! GMK = Gnarly Matrix Keycaps!

[lashiel]

Thought: how viable would it be to pad print the secondary legends, similar to how some of the Cyrillic sets have been done (I think?).

I actually know very little about the process, so it may be that it's not viable at all (plus I know pad printing is somewhat frowned on, since it's much more susceptible to wear).

That said, I think that just a normal set with the suggested colors could be interesting, even without the secondary legends. I think people are just interested in the idea of the kana because it adds a cool bit of flair.

[00zeRO]

Thought: how viable would it be to pad print the secondary legends, similar to how some of the Cyrillic sets have been done (I think?).

I actually know very little about the process, so it may be that it's not viable at all (plus I know pad printing is somewhat frowned on, since it's much more susceptible to wear).

That said, I think that just a normal set with the suggested colors could be interesting, even without the secondary legends. I think people are just interested in the idea of the kana because it adds a cool bit of flair.

Viable but expensive. Still, cheaper than a whole bunch of new legends...

[MOZ]

Thought: how viable would it be to pad print the secondary legends, similar to how some of the Cyrillic sets have been done (I think?).

I actually know very little about the process, so it may be that it's not viable at all (plus I know pad printing is somewhat frowned on, since it's much more susceptible to wear).

That said, I think that just a normal set with the suggested colors could be interesting, even without the secondary legends. I think people are just interested in the idea of the kana because it adds a cool bit of flair.

Viable but expensive. Still, cheaper than a whole bunch of new legends...

GMK charge a nominal fee for the pad-printing and it is about to become even more cheaper as they are working on a new pad printing method.

[heedpantsnow]

I like the green text on black keys without other printing. I would suggest same green on dark grey for modifiers.

[swimmingbird]

Thought: how viable would it be to pad print the secondary legends, similar to how some of the Cyrillic sets have been done (I think?).

I actually know very little about the process, so it may be that it's not viable at all (plus I know pad printing is somewhat frowned on, since it's much more susceptible to wear).

That said, I think that just a normal set with the suggested colors could be interesting, even without the secondary legends. I think people are just interested in the idea of the kana because it adds a cool bit of flair.

Viable but expensive. Still, cheaper than a whole bunch of new legends...

GMK charge a nominal fee for the pad-printing and it is about to become even more cheaper as they are working on a new pad printing method.

I was literally just thinking about pad printing for this set - would be interested to see how it would add to the cost

[DannyHuynh]

Will someone create a poll for GMK vs DSA, sub legend vs normal on MD ? 

[swimmingbird]

Will someone create a poll for GMK vs DSA, sub legend vs normal on MD ? 

you don't need a poll to know that GMK ****s all over DSA

[00zeRO]

Will someone create a poll for GMK vs DSA, sub legend vs normal on MD ? 

you don't need a poll to know that GMK ****s all over DSA

I know, right?

[lashiel]

I was literally just thinking about pad printing for this set - would be interested to see how it would add to the cost

It may be at least worth inquiring into, along with a more normal set. Although I think we'd need to decide on which keys are included before GMK would be willing to give any real price estimate.

Also, **** DSA for this set. Cherry or bust. I think DSA is an interesting profile, but for some reason it seems harder to make a good looking set in it (imo).

[DukeMugen]

came here because of the nightstalker. 

[MOZ]

I think a standard set of green on dark grey/black would work well along with pad-printed sublegends.

[swimmingbird]

I think a standard set of green on dark grey/black would work well along with pad-printed sublegends.

I'd love to see a green on black/dark grey Windows 95 logo to go with this set

Keep that 90s feel alive

[DannyHuynh]

Anyone have the 3D model for the cherry/GMK profile keys ? 

[Special K]

I think a standard set of green on dark grey/black would work well along with pad-printed sublegends.

I'd love to see a green on black/dark grey Windows 95 logo to go with this set

Keep that 90s feel alive

What options does GMK offer for windows logos?  A quick image search shows the most recent win8+ logo.

[MOZ]

From the top of my head, the classic Win 98 logo (wavy style) on 1U keys and the new Win 8+ logo on the 1.25U

[Special K]

We have some sample ideas and renders in this thread.  What is the next step?

LOL. Fundraising for all the new legends?

Apparently, there is not enough fans of Keanu Reeves, so it might be hard for this to become solid, especially with all these legends 

(Attachment Link)

Show Image

I hope so. However, we might need a render specialist to make this thing looks more appealing. I really can't google "How to create good render of keyboard" you know

I thought yours looked fine.  How could it be improved?

[FranksNewLiver]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

[swimmingbird]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

From what I've heard the production schedule for JTK is pretty full for the foreseeable future

[jaffers]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

This is the only acceptable colour scheme. Even then its pushing it. Green is such a terrible colour 

[DukeMugen]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

this one looks nice!

[Special K]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

I like the pic.  How thick are JTK caps?

[SpAmRaY]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

I like the pic.  How thick are JTK caps?

The thickness is comparable to GMK

[Data]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

This, with maybe 1 novelty cap... subtle, but very clearly "The Matrix" even if it doesn't have the Japanese characters.

It's similar to Toxic.  What green did you use here?

[Special K]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

From what I've heard the production schedule for JTK is pretty full for the foreseeable future

Do you have a link that talks about this?  Where can I go to get more information about JT Keycaps: color options, pricing, etc.?  I did a search but it only returns links to the first JTK GB here.

[SpAmRaY]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

From what I've heard the production schedule for JTK is pretty full for the foreseeable future

Do you have a link that talks about this?  Where can I go to get more information about JT Keycaps: color options, pricing, etc.?  I did a search but it only returns links to the first JTK GB here.

For the time being I believe they are only working with [ctrl]alt so you might try and contact bunnylake

[Special K]

Why not see what JTK could do. I just filled in the white with green from the WoB Debut render at https://ctrlalt.io/buys/jtk-debut
I have a stormtrooper set and they are nice to type on and doubleshot.

From what I've heard the production schedule for JTK is pretty full for the foreseeable future

Do you have a link that talks about this?  Where can I go to get more information about JT Keycaps: color options, pricing, etc.?  I did a search but it only returns links to the first JTK GB here.

For the time being I believe they are only working with [ctrl]alt so you might try and contact bunnylake

bunnylake just told me the legend set is not complete yet so they are not taking orders to manufacture other sets.

[DukeMugen]

may i suggest this?

[DukeMugen]

with the reaper V2 haha!

[ideus]

Electric Dolch? or maybe The Matrix Dolch?

[DukeMugen]

Gray to be CC and black to be CR, then legends will be all in AE. Oh how i wish

[Special K]

Gray to be CC and black to be CR, then legends will be all in AE. Oh how i wish

That seems just as feasible as all CR caps with AE legends.  What about an optional set of modifiers with CR text on AE caps?

[DukeMugen]

Gray to be CC and black to be CR, then legends will be all in AE. Oh how i wish

That seems just as feasible as all CR caps with AE legends.  What about an optional set of modifiers with CR text on AE caps?

Personally, im not a fan of bright mods on dark alphanumerics. Id rather choose all to be black with ae legends. Simple but nice. But that's just me.