We started working on this project more than a year ago, and have been able to resume the work and finished the design recently. We’ve run a total of three rounds of prototypes to make sure everything works as they should.

There aren't many Jetfires and Black Birds out there as it looks unlikely that Duck will make more of these (which is a shame because we think they're two of the greatest full-sizers ever) , so this is meant to be a one-time thing. Please consider joining the GB and help us spread the news.


WHAT’S AVAILABLE & SOME NOTES

- PCBs and FR4 Plates that are compatible with the Duck Jetfire and Duck Black Bird custom keyboards. These are cross-compatible with the original Duck parts.

- We wanted to offer more plate material options, but our access to local CNC partners is limited as the country is struggling with the pandemic, so instead, we will offer both full and half FR4 Plates.

- The Mechlovin’ Olly PCBs use USB-C instead of Micro USB (on the original Jetfire PCB) and Mini-USB (on the Black Bird one), and have been tested to work on the cases.

- We increased the number of underglow LEDs on both PCBs and rearranged the distribution, which helps improve the lighting brightness and consistency. People who've used the Jetfire would know there's a dark spot on the front-facing LEDs and it is much improved with the Olly PCB. This issue does not apply to the Black Bird because its front-facing acrylic diffuser goes all the way inside and the LEDs shine directly towards it.

Some photos (please note that these are prototypes. Final product colours will be matte black).










PCB & PLATE SPECS

• PCB is programmable with QMK and VIA

• PCB thickness and material: 1.6mm, FR4

• Powered by Atmega32A MCU

• Supported layouts: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/a914da0ce40ab41db31fe8273699f59b / http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/f9ba517e2663a3aa2dda898c1ecd5669

• RGB underglow pre-soldered

• USB TYPE-C

• MX Only

• ESD protection

• PCB color: Matte black solder mask with immersion gold coated pads.

• FR4 Plate specs: 1.6mm in matte black with immersion gold coated pads


GENERAL GB INFORMATION

JOIN THE GROUP BUY: https://forms.gle/bcfLP5z13BSGvsqT9

PROTOTYPE PHOTO & VIDEO ALBUM: https://imgur.com/a/sFMBU2H

• Price (excluding international shipping from Vietnam, calculated based on buyer’s location)

$59 per PCB

$29 (USD) per FR4 Plate

• MOQ: None.

• Group buy form opens on Wednesday, July 21st at 23:00 (UTC+7) for TEN DAYS.

• Invoices will be sent out ASAP after form submission. Payment deadline is 48 hours after the invoice is issued.



LEAD TIME AND SHIPPING

The expected production and QC time is 8-10 weeks, so we’re looking to start shipping around mid October. This timeline has factored in the current complicated COVID situation in Vietnam (where we’re based).

Read more about our shipping arrangements: https://mechlovin.studio/pages/faq

Thank you!

Approved

Thank you 

The 2-month hard lockdown in Vietnam did us dirty in general and it does affect the progress of this project. Some update as of today:

- The Olly BB (Black Bird) PCBs finished production and are ready for QC and shipping.  Orders involving only the BB PCBs and Plates will be fulfilled first and should be finished by the end of this month.

- We decided to do another round of prototype for the JF PCB to make sure the outward facing LEDs are SMT-friendly. Unfortunately it was right before the lockdown and we couldn't make any progress in 2 months. It is confirmed to work well now and production will be expedited with the aim to start shipping within the first week of November.

Some pics:



Final production BB PCB unit




Final JF PCB prototype to test outward facing LEDs with SMT. Works great.

Everything ready to ship.