[IC] RP-11. A custom and fully programable macropad.

[Dopamine]

Hey guys.

In order to get into making my own keyboards and start learning as fast as possible I made a macro pad. I designed the case and PCB, 3D printed the case and ordered and soldered the PCB and now I have a fully functioning macro pad. Here are the pics. 



As you can see this is a very prototype looking macro pad because well it is. In order for me to afford making prototypes for bigger and more interesting keyboards I'm gonna need funding so I decided to make a group buy of this macro pad. I wanted to make a product that was also compelling to the community so that we can both benefit from this. Before I start that group buy I'm gonna have to see if there even is an interest for this hence this IC.

Here are the renders of the final product:




Specs:

• Aluminium body
• Thick 4.5mm integrated plate with cutouts for the switches to clip into
• Fully programable thanks to QMK support
• You can have it in any colour as long as its black
• The macro pad will come with a firmware and default layout already flashed to it so you don't have to reprogram it if you don't want to
• Price if it goes to group buy: €150 including shipping to anywhere
• Kit includes PCB, case and screws

How the render and final product will differ from the prototype:

• Slightly smaller in all dimensions thanks to next point
• 4 screws in the corners instead of 6
• Nicer looking USB port cutout
• Chamfered edges around the keys and around logo
• PCB might be a different depending on the voting in the IC

If I haven't lost you yet and you are still interested then here is a link to the google form: https://forms.gle/oNeZANu637bZADSD9

[Jsdfbn]

am interested.

[Dopamine]

I got so few responses, was this really that uninteresting?

[Raptor_N60]

Renders look nice. Although I can see the logo filled with dust and gunk...

[suicidal_orange]

It looks nice enough but to be interesting these days (especially given the premium pricing) it probably needs flashing lights.  You have lots of spare pins, are there enough for an LED in each switch on it's own pin?

Also while this is a great time for designing it may not be so great for selling stuff as no-one really knows what the future holds.

[Dopamine]

Renders look nice. Although I can see the logo filled with dust and gunk...

It looks nice enough but to be interesting these days (especially given the premium pricing) it probably needs flashing lights.  You have lots of spare pins, are there enough for an LED in each switch on it's own pin?

Also while this is a great time for designing it may not be so great for selling stuff as no-one really knows what the future holds.

You might have a point there on both accounts.
Would you prefer monochromatic LEDs or RGB?

[1391401]

I'd be interested if it was a full 4x3

[suicidal_orange]

Would you prefer monochromatic LEDs or RGB?

I don't like LEDs personally and I barely use a computer these days so have no need for a macro pad, just giving my opinion on the lack of interest.

RGB can be made monochrome but monochrome cannot be made RGB, but RGB take up space which may be at a premium on a small PCB and cost more while normal fit inside the switch footprint and are cheap.  Also normal LEDs are easily supported in any firmware, last I looked (not very recently) I think RGB was being added to QMK but what part(s) or how good the support is I have no idea.

[Dopamine]

Sooooo I tried to make it a bit more interesting and came up with this.
Thoughts?

[CrazyAssMonkey]

Sooooo I tried to make it a bit more interesting and came up with this.
Thoughts?

That looks a lot more interesting. The plate visible on the sides is an neat addition. For me if it had a slider and/or encoder it would be even better.