Author Topic: [IC] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard (Read 34358 times)

ai03 · « **on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 10:52:05 »

Equinox XL
Equinox is back - The compact size and PCB-mount structure remain, but this time with more keys and a screwless exterior.

To stay up-to-date, it is highly recommended to join either ai03's or ION Keyboard's Discord server.

Visible Evolution

The proven tabbed-gasket PCB mount structure from the original Equinox remains, offering an unusual yet comfortable typing feel designed primarily for plateless use.
Equinox XL has been updated from the original with a seamless design and internal screws, making the exterior clean and sleek from any angle.

From the Desk to the World

The compact yet functional 50% key layout of the Equinox XL allows for easy migration from larger layouts while also ensuring compatibility with many keysets.
An internal brass weight balances the board’s mass - just light enough for portability, and just heavy enough for stability during use.

Tailored to the Occasion

Choose between winkey and winkeyless variants to choose between maximum functionality and a classic aesthetic.
The PCB allows for 3U-1U-3U split spacebar to extend productivity further without sacrificing the symmetrical aesthetic.

Specifications

- Aluminum case, internal brass weight, manufactured by Salvun CNC
- Weight: ~670g for the case incl. internal weight
- PCB: Soldered (Non-hotswap)
- Case colors: TBA
- Case variants: Regular, winkeyless
- Cost: TBD
- GB Date: TBD
- Vendors: TBA

- Media coverage/streamer review: In the future
- Note: PCB-mounted structure. It is recommended to use PCB-mount switches without a plate.
If absolutely necessary, please use the bundled FR-4 plate, or cut a plate based on the provided plate files.

Layouts:

Images
Yes, this board has already been prototyped.
Images are of the regular (non-winkeyless) variant prototype unit.

Pwner · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 10:52:20 »

Reserved

ZongZiWang · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 10:55:57 »

Maybe first under 60 to buy? Plateless is da way!

whirlwind · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 10:56:22 »

Fine, sign me up

Finite · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:00:22 »

What a banger, sign me up.

Ella · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:00:53 »

how do you type numbers?

spikedsynapse · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:01:55 »

This is really cool.

taco · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:05:38 »

alright take my money

JoltFX · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:06:09 »

I like the compatibility with normal Keysets… I have 3x40% but finding the right keys is always the issue.

Okonomiyaki#2832 · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:07:45 »

Very cute board.

Tuba_Joe · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:08:33 »

Any 10u support?

)

Really dig this

Neely_12 · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:10:48 »

I just want equinox r2

This still looks nice tho

PeppyToad · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:11:30 »

Yes please!

gwillad · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:15:08 »

man this looks stellar - love the inclusion of the Detroit layout

7empest · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:17:27 »

very cool! i always liked the equinox. that pcb mount looks like fun

darthcapn · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:17:56 »

Looks pretty pretty sweet. Plateless is the way!!

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

AstralYT · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:18:23 »

I wish this board would come under 300$

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

heyimpanda · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:24:11 »

excited to see more plateless boards!

herfalerf · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:26:11 »

Yeah this might be my first sub 60.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

terrad · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:33:02 »

Yes

Sent from my IN2023 using Tapatalk

Fe · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:34:34 »

niiiice

Kokaloo · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:39:31 »

how do you type numbers

Fraaaan · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:46:19 »

how do you type numbers

JoltFX · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:48:03 »

Quote from: Kokaloo on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:39:31

how do you type numbers

Layers that work through holding or toggling a key. Like Fn

Kokaloo · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:49:29 »

Quote from: JoltFX on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:48:03

Quote from: Kokaloo on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:39:31
how do you type numbers
Layers that work through holding or toggling a key. Like Fn

Woah that sounds way too intense for me! You have to be an absolute weirdo to not have all of your keys.

Ella · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:52:12 »

Quote from: JoltFX on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:48:03

Quote from: Kokaloo on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:39:31
how do you type numbers
Layers that work through holding or toggling a key. Like Fn

no way, impossible

hzsh · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:55:19 »

Layout is clean, the royal and almost samurai-esque red is nice, you've done a very good job in that regard. The engraving on the back is also very clean and adds a unique element to the board, I especially like the font choice there. The option for WK versus WKL is also good to see. Overall, interested to see where this goes, GLWIC.

chriszhu · « **Reply #27 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 12:02:55 »

Nice, prototype looks good! 😍

sirieous · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 12:04:59 »

****in sign me up. I've heard too many nice things about the original

Bub · « **Reply #29 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 12:09:54 »

Quote from: Kokaloo on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:49:29

Quote from: JoltFX on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:48:03
Quote from: Kokaloo on Fri, 18 June 2021, 11:39:31
how do you type numbers
Layers that work through holding or toggling a key. Like Fn
Woah that sounds way too intense for me! You have to be an absolute weirdo to not have all of your keys.

lmao, never change, Kokaloo.

Personally this layout is a bit long for me, but not requiring a 40s kit is an obvious win to many. All-in-all if the price is right, this is a neat little package.

joshuarubin · « **Reply #30 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 12:26:49 »

Dammit. I swore off 40s. But this… “notafourty”… I can’t find a single fault. I keep thinking of something only to realize it’s already been considered. Nice work!

When’s the next round for Vega tho???

martensson · « **Reply #31 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 12:31:25 »

As a TMO owner I am happy to see more 50% keyboards. It is basically a 40% but with a few extra keys that makes all the difference for people who type other languages than English and who like to their ;"[] keys easily available without layers for programming. Numbers are actually easier to type with split space and using home row for numbers.

_ODIN_ · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 12:48:18 »

The layout is too small for me but the board looks stunning. Good luck with IC / GB

mvkb · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 13:38:07 »

**** like this is why I'll never be rich.

ogp3 · « **Reply #34 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 13:43:06 »

plateless!!!!!!!

Gavzers · « **Reply #35 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 14:03:31 »

I'm in love

Visionaire · « **Reply #36 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 14:17:16 »

Love it. Sign me up.

haystack · « **Reply #37 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 15:02:44 »

I just checked my interest, and it is at a high level. No "streamer review" necessary.

hottrout · « **Reply #38 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 15:23:54 »

Just for the hell of it I would buy one.

alwaysbless · « **Reply #39 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 20:05:56 »

Whew da red is looking nice. Looking like this or a PC TMOV2

Rubbermilitia · « **Reply #40 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 21:10:14 »

Plateless, gasket mounted pcb 40%? Having missed the Equinox, I'm really curious about this.

Zurg Eon · « **Reply #41 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 21:27:49 »

Must be the first sub 60% I'm interested in. Great balance between portability and usability for my language needs. TMOv has that too, but this has better keycap compatibility. Plus TMOv is 0.75u wider excluding side bezels.

rpiguy9907 · « **Reply #42 on:** Fri, 18 June 2021, 22:21:31 »

Can you add Alps support to the PCB? Because this uses full sized mods it would be perfect. Usually Alps is not practical for sub-60%

dantambok · « **Reply #43 on:** Sat, 19 June 2021, 02:01:16 »

that's a nice looking smol keyborb

shutuphamish · « **Reply #44 on:** Sat, 19 June 2021, 04:26:26 »

wkl under 60% consider me in. especially with a nice range of colours!

WhitePlate · « **Reply #45 on:** Sat, 19 June 2021, 12:49:54 »

Very cool! Dark forest green anodization would be really cool.

jpg2401 · « **Reply #46 on:** Sun, 20 June 2021, 19:13:43 »

I'm in

kimchijody · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 21 June 2021, 15:54:36 »

This checks so many boxes for me.

kohalified · « **Reply #48 on:** Thu, 24 June 2021, 01:15:58 »

damn after typing on the jubi I was inspired to make a plateless frl in the same vein. But this might tick too many boxes not to get.

Minahctrl · « **Reply #49 on:** Thu, 24 June 2021, 02:37:34 »

this is nice nice nice

ThomasLT · « **Reply #50 on:** Thu, 24 June 2021, 02:49:25 »

DERBS · « **Reply #51 on:** Thu, 24 June 2021, 18:47:48 »

OMG TY FOR 3-1-3 split bars!

Yuray · « **Reply #52 on:** Sun, 27 June 2021, 16:42:04 »

A board below 60% which supports full German letters layout?! Count me interested.

AKiwi92 · « **Reply #53 on:** Sun, 27 June 2021, 17:05:30 »

Never tried anything below a 60 but this makes me want to

Iksion · « **Reply #54 on:** Sun, 27 June 2021, 20:13:24 »

Wired board... but so nice

I am in

clik_clak · « **Reply #55 on:** Sun, 27 June 2021, 20:25:42 »

Quote from: Iksion on Sun, 27 June 2021, 20:13:24

Wired board... but so nice I am in

Of course it's a wired board. How many full aluminum and brass custom boards are wireless? I'll answer that for you...Zero. Metal boards do not work with wireless technology.

UGunaLOSE · « **Reply #56 on:** Mon, 28 June 2021, 07:31:03 »

oh wow, definitely watching with great interest!

_PixelNinja · « **Reply #57 on:** Wed, 07 July 2021, 16:14:03 »

This might sound like a silly request, but please make the gaskets black this time and allow us to purchase extras.

VXQN · « **Reply #58 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 03:55:54 »

The board looks fantastic, I really want to try a 50% board. I'm currently waiting for a Lynx L50 by Wixxzblu but it's looking like it's simply never going to arrive

Mecxs · « **Reply #59 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 07:22:14 »

Love almost everything about this board.

I love the idea of base kit compatibility, but for me it's a means to an end, and that end is having accented escape and accented enter.

Unfortunately, this has a 1.5u escape, which means I can't get that accent combo.

If this board had a 1u esc with a 0.5u blocker next to it, I'd buy it at pretty much any price.

William_S_Jones · « **Reply #60 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 09:07:54 »

I missed the original, so will be after one!

Sent from my Surface Duo using Tapatalk

honoka · « **Reply #61 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:05:45 »

Quote from: Mecxs on Thu, 08 July 2021, 07:22:14

Love almost everything about this board.

I love the idea of base kit compatibility, but for me it's a means to an end, and that end is having accented escape and accented enter.

Unfortunately, this has a 1.5u escape, which means I can't get that accent combo.

If this board had a 1u esc with a 0.5u blocker next to it, I'd buy it at pretty much any price.

Use an ISO enter and you can get your accent

William_S_Jones · « **Reply #62 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:11:45 »

Like the above comment, Iso enter is the reason why I want this MKB!

Sent from my Surface Duo using Tapatalk

honoka · « **Reply #63 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:26:04 »

I'm just pushing the feature of it being able to have an ISO enter. But I do get the point. 1.5u ESC is scary. I know I don't have any thing that would fit there

joshuarubin · « **Reply #64 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:55:15 »

Quote from: honoka on Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:26:04

I'm just pushing the feature of it being able to have an ISO enter. But I do get the point. 1.5u ESC is scary. I know I don't have any thing that would fit there

How about tab? Everyone's got that. As a (neo)vim user, I remap caps lock to LCTL_T(KC_ESC) which makes this layout pretty great.

clik_clak · « **Reply #65 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:33:46 »

Quote from: honoka on Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:26:04

I'm just pushing the feature of it being able to have an ISO enter. But I do get the point. 1.5u ESC is scary. I know I don't have any thing that would fit there

Can't think of a single keyset that doesn't come with a tab key...You know, the key that almost always goes in that position on 99% of keyboards

honoka · « **Reply #66 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:51:43 »

Quote from: clik_clak on Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:33:46

Quote from: honoka on Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:26:04
I'm just pushing the feature of it being able to have an ISO enter. But I do get the point. 1.5u ESC is scary. I know I don't have any thing that would fit there

Can't think of a single keyset that doesn't come with a tab key...You know, the key that almost always goes in that position on 99% of keyboards

this is that one percent my dude.
im gonna take it as you being funny, but physical fit is not an issue.
but go find me a set that has a 1.5u R2 ESC.
it's fine if you don't.

clik_clak · « **Reply #67 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:53:31 »

Quote from: honoka on Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:51:43

Quote from: clik_clak on Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:33:46
Quote from: honoka on Thu, 08 July 2021, 12:26:04
I'm just pushing the feature of it being able to have an ISO enter. But I do get the point. 1.5u ESC is scary. I know I don't have any thing that would fit there

Can't think of a single keyset that doesn't come with a tab key...You know, the key that almost always goes in that position on 99% of keyboards
this is that one percent my dude.
im gonna take it as you being funny, but physical fit is not an issue.
but go find me a set that has a 1.5u R2 ESC.
it's fine if you don't.

This is NOT one of those circumstances. A tab key will fit absolutely fine in that position, regardless of the text/icon on it. The key will function the same no matter if the text is wrong.

honoka · « **Reply #68 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:58:00 »

are you sure? because I want it to be an escape key. btw, how do you type numbers on this keyboard?

clik_clak · « **Reply #69 on:** Thu, 08 July 2021, 14:03:35 »

Quote from: honoka on Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:58:00

are you sure? because I want it to be an escape key. btw, how do you type numbers on this keyboard?

That's nice you want it to be an esc key...Again, it doesn't matter what the cap is labeled as, it still functions as whatever you have it programmed to.

And are you serious about how do you use numbers? You do know that modern custom keyboards have programming that allow you to set layers/key combos/literally any key to anything you want. You can make any key on the keyboard into any number you want, you could replace every key with the number 1 if you wanted.

Maybe this board isn't for you.

Mecxs · « **Reply #70 on:** Fri, 09 July 2021, 16:40:36 »

Quote from: clik_clak on Thu, 08 July 2021, 14:03:35

Quote from: honoka on Thu, 08 July 2021, 13:58:00
are you sure? because I want it to be an escape key. btw, how do you type numbers on this keyboard?

That's nice you want it to be an esc key...Again, it doesn't matter what the cap is labeled as, it still functions as whatever you have it programmed to.

And are you serious about how do you use numbers? You do know that modern custom keyboards have programming that allow you to set layers/key combos/literally any key to anything you want. You can make any key on the keyboard into any number you want, you could replace every key with the number 1 if you wanted.

Maybe this board isn't for you.

I think you're having your leg pulled, mate, haha.

I don't mind not having legend compatibility, but I do like that pop of colour in the top left.

This might actually be a nice board for a gradient set. KAT Great Wave. Splishy splashy.

LightningXI · « **Reply #71 on:** Mon, 19 July 2021, 19:17:41 »

Hello friends, I'm planning to build an Equinox XL prototype shortly - feel free to swing by tonight for the build stream.

alwaysbless · « **Reply #72 on:** Mon, 19 July 2021, 21:30:31 »

Sound test was n o i c e. Typing test was fun to watch too 😁 Hurry up Sept

William_S_Jones · « **Reply #73 on:** Mon, 19 July 2021, 22:11:11 »

Great build, hope I can get one come GB time!

Sent from my Surface Duo using Tapatalk

andreiborisov · « **Reply #74 on:** Wed, 21 July 2021, 10:07:05 »

I'm in provided there is a yellow version

conternecticus · « **Reply #75 on:** Sun, 25 July 2021, 05:25:26 »

Would love to see a lilac case option 💜

LightningXI · « **Reply #76 on:** Mon, 26 July 2021, 08:39:13 »

Prototype build in Salvation Blue. Details HERE. Build stream HERE

tobiasvl · « **Reply #77 on:** Mon, 26 July 2021, 14:25:18 »

I guess I need this since the Lynx L50 seems dead!

Would be amazing if it supported an HHKB/Tsangan bottom row too though

CustomerSupport · « **Reply #78 on:** Mon, 26 July 2021, 18:06:46 »

I'm …interested

hottrout · « **Reply #79 on:** Tue, 27 July 2021, 04:46:15 »

Interested

toniwonkanobi · « **Reply #80 on:** Tue, 27 July 2021, 06:56:24 »

I think this will be my first <60%!

alwaysbless · « **Reply #81 on:** Wed, 28 July 2021, 10:15:34 »

Release the details. We need da deets.

AuDiTH · « **Reply #82 on:** Wed, 28 July 2021, 17:53:37 »

Interested!

AsthmaticKirby · « **Reply #83 on:** Wed, 28 July 2021, 17:56:58 »

Ready to buy it when you are ready to sell it!

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #84 on:** Wed, 28 July 2021, 19:23:46 »

If this is an equinox XL

Then what exactly is the normal equinox size ?

itsmartin · « **Reply #85 on:** Wed, 28 July 2021, 20:35:38 »

Quote from: treeleaf64 on Wed, 28 July 2021, 19:23:46

If this is an equinox XL

Then what exactly is the normal equinox size ?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=101303.0

steebs · « **Reply #86 on:** Thu, 29 July 2021, 15:42:23 »

this is pretty much exactly the layout I use, I'm in

yotasan · « **Reply #87 on:** Thu, 29 July 2021, 16:15:42 »

this is absolutely beautiful holy

Wazazaby · « **Reply #88 on:** Fri, 30 July 2021, 04:50:57 »

Quote from: LightningXI on Mon, 26 July 2021, 08:39:13

Prototype build in Salvation Blue. Details HERE. Build stream HERE

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

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That blue is gorgeous :O

I'm in for an Equinox XL as well

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #89 on:** Fri, 30 July 2021, 21:23:51 »

Quote from: itsmartin on Wed, 28 July 2021, 20:35:38

Quote from: treeleaf64 on Wed, 28 July 2021, 19:23:46
If this is an equinox XL

Then what exactly is the normal equinox size ?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=101303.0

Oh, I thought these two were the same thing, a long look at them told me otherwise Thank you sir Yay

chinchilla · « **Reply #90 on:** Sat, 31 July 2021, 07:15:58 »

Ai03 did a good job.I love it

Adqam64 · « **Reply #91 on:** Mon, 09 August 2021, 10:44:09 »

Sometimes I look at a keyboard and think: "cool keyboard, maybe I'll buy it". I look at this keyboard and think: "I will buy this keyboard".

Chingu · « **Reply #92 on:** Tue, 10 August 2021, 15:25:58 »

Very interested! The salvation blue case looks gorgeous.

Hopefully there will be an EU vendor.

ESJvR · « **Reply #93 on:** Tue, 10 August 2021, 15:29:51 »

Quote from: Chingu on Tue, 10 August 2021, 15:25:58

Very interested! The salvation blue case looks gorgeous.

Hopefully there will be an EU vendor.

Salvun is the EU vendor

Curin Derwin · « **Reply #94 on:** Sat, 21 August 2021, 23:59:19 »

What's the GMK set on the blue?

InvidiousIgnoramus · « **Reply #95 on:** Thu, 26 August 2021, 05:36:11 »

Why wasn't I informed of this? A necessary companion to my Equinox.

Eoen · « **Reply #96 on:** Thu, 26 August 2021, 08:19:31 »

Quote from: Curin Derwin on Sat, 21 August 2021, 23:59:19

What's the GMK set on the blue?

GMK Hydro

twitchytheinsideman · « **Reply #97 on:** Sun, 04 December 2022, 12:38:54 »

waiting for delivery.

News:

Author Topic: [IC] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard (Read 34358 times)