UpdatesFirst a word of apology for the lack of updates. It's been an... interesting... few months, mostly for personal reasons. I don't want to give excuses, so I won't go into it. But one big thing is I moved (at the height of pandemic actually
).
Second, some overall color on the status of this. I've continued to actively work on this whenever I can find time, it's just been slower than I'd like. For a couple of reasons, I've both lost access to a physical prototype shop and have to find new supplier(s) for this project, and it's been a slow burn of reaching out so far (finding reliable suppliers is an investment of both time and money). Last I checked the IC form barely had double digit hits, so I've been devoting more resources to getting design finalized and single set produced and less than in targeting reaching GB.
However, good news is (I just checked), there does seem to be enough interest in the IC form that it'd meet volume (depending on the supplier), especially if I produced onshore. So I feel much better about putting real money into developing the GB
. To that end, let me outline my plan:
- Finalize design. Remaining work include - finalize indicators, fix all fit issues and clean up tolerances, acoustic testing and design. Acoustic testing because there's no prior art on keyboards with raised base.
- Decide on supply chain given the IC volume. Remaining work include - almost everything: I have a short list already, but I'm still at quotes and MOQs stage, and getting pre-production samples made.
- Decide on payment, packaging, and shipping. This is mostly a research thing as I've never run a GB before - perhaps people can comment if you have experience.
- Once I've got the above in good order, refresh the IC post: get good renders, take nice photos of the preproduction samples, maybe record a typing clip, and spread the word a bit. Also, decide with interested folks what options to offer (colors, plate material, tent options) and estimate price.
- Set up the the GB.
So it's still quite a bit of work remaining! But to prove I'm not slacking, I'll post a couple of my WIP photos (these are printed only)
These are from different versions of the design, but they show different tent heights and stabilizers for the plate.
ClarificationsI just want to make clear since people were perhaps confused by IC. What this kit will definitely include is:
- Colored aluminum case
- Aluminum (optional extra brass) plate
- Some form of optional tenting.
If you have an existing Ergodox (any using the official
https://www.ergodox.io PCB), you should be able to desolder and just install into new case. I believe this list is just Ergodox EZ or self assembled. If in doubt, ask on this thread and I can help find out.
If you don't have an existing Ergodox or would rather make a new one, simply order any official Ergodox PCB and electronics. Fully soldered I think these go for ~$100 from vendors. It's possible I can help organize a group order if there's enough interest.
This will not work with Hotdox, Infinity, Redox, or any non-official or modified Ergodox PCB. Sorry
Only caveat is - Ergodox EZ ships with its own cables, which sometimes are 90 degree connectors. This case requires straight connectors - they go for ~$10 off Amazon.
First off, Well Done So Far! it is looking beautiful.
I have two comments regarding my current understanding of high-end keyboards:
1. Can it be designed to allow adding stabilizers to the four 2.25 thumb keys? (feature-creep, but will make using it so much better.)
2. The tenting option slightly worries me because of sound. I am not an engineer, but it seems it might amplify the keyboard's sounds, being a large hollowed out area.
Keep up the great work! I'm excited to get my hands on one of these!
Thank you very much for the kind words! I hope I can get these made and more people can be interested in Ergo
- Yes! In fact if you look above a PCB mount stab is installed. Btw it's 2U not 2.25
- Yes! You are right - I wish I had seen your post sooner. I experienced this same problem and I'm trying to address it.