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[IC] Petrichor by AKB (updated with price/GB details)
Alchemist Keyboards:
Petrichor by AKB
FRL 1800
GB to run from Friday, 14th June to Monday, 15th July.
Starting from $230 (+$10 for e-coat, +$5 for hotswap)
more details below
The idea with Petrichor was always to keep it simple. Simple mounting, implemented well. Simple design, but enough
to retain its own identity. No external weight, but the board still has weight to it. Every feature serves a purpose.
There isn’t too much of a story to tell for this board, but this to me is everything I need and want in a keyboard, and
I’ve been using a Petrichor as my daily driver since 2020. Hopefully that is enough to convince you that it’s worth
your consideration.
Links:
AKB Website
AKB Discord
CannonKeys coming soon page
Lightning's build stream VOD
Alexotos' build stream VOD
Specs:
* 8° typing angle
* 6063 aluminium top/bottom case
* 20mm effective front height (with bumpons)
* ~1.7kg (3.75lbs) built weight
Key Features:
* Standard & HHKB-ish layouts
* Anodised & E-coated options
* Gasket mounted
* QMK and VIA-compatible PCBs (solder & hotswap)
* RGB LED indicator daughterboard
* USB 2.0 passthrough hub
* OG-style product sticker on bottom a la OGR
* Internal brass weight to cover the hub parts
* Bold, pronounced seam
* Manufactured by Hongtu
Some details, in detail:
Default universal plate:
The gasket implementation:
I have a personal preference for a firm, but cushioned type feel. My chosen way to achieve this is to use a firm plate material
(I lean towards carbon fibre) and then dampen it with soft grade gaskets. I am also a fan of offering choice and allowing the
user to tweak the formula to their own preference. Pictured is the “default” gasket implementation used to achieve my desired effect:
To make things easier, I have engraved small indicators in the gasket slots to show the default gasket placement. There are slots
above and below for every tab so you can see what works best for you. Various plate materials will be offered during the GB so
there’s a lot of space to really make this your own.
Prototype photos:
Note: two of the screw holes on the internal weight are misaligned on the prototypes, which have since been rectified along with some
minor other changes. Also the JST connectors were hand-soldered for the prototype dbs.
More
Renders:
I've chosen the final colourways now - thanks to everyone who filled in the IC form.
Onyx
Verdant
Woad
Fool's Gold
E-Beige
Rubedo
Luna
Dolch
Dolch side view
Case Layout Support:
Two tops will be available - one regular and one “HHKB” which covers the corner 1.25u keys.
Regular case compatibility:
* 6u (center & off-center), 6.25u & 7u bottom row compatibility
* Full/split backspace
* ANSI/ISO
* Full/stepped caps
* Full/split numpad mods
* Split/full numpad enter
HHKB case compatibility:
* Fixed 6u bottom row
* Full/split backspace
* ANSI/ISO
* Full/stepped caps
* Full/split numpad mods
* Split/full numpad enter
PCB Layout Support:
Solder PCB compatibility: (same as regular case)
* 6u (center & off-center), 6.25u & 7u bottom row compatibility
* Full/split backspace
* ANSI/ISO
* Full/stepped caps
* Full/split numpad mods
* Split/full numpad enter
Hotswap PCB compatibility
* 6u (centered only) & 6.25u bottom rows, compatible with both case tops
* Full/split backspace
* Fixed ANSI
* Full/stepped caps
* Full/split numpad mods
* Split/full numpad enter
Group buy plans/details:
* Unlimited GB
* GB to run from Friday, 14th June to Monday, 15th July.
* Price: starting from $230 (+$10 for e-coat, +$5 for hotswap)
Plate addons available:
* FR4
* Carbon Fibre (half)
* 5052 Aluminium
* Polycarbonate
PCB addons available:
* Solderable PCB
* Hotswap PCB
* Daughterboard Kit (USB hub, USBC DB, LED DB + all cables)
Other addons available:
* Foam kit
* Extra gaskets
* Extra AKB feet
* Extra tops in both WK and HHKB.
Vendors:
* US: CannonKeys
* UK: Proto[Typist]
* EU: Oblotzky
* KR: Swagkeys
* OCE: KeebzNCables
* SG: iLumkb
* IN: Neo Macro
* LATAM: Latamkeys
Special Thanks:
* The folks who joined the initial private GBs and provided welcome feedback along the way (but not you, Capsy).
* Max/Cable Car Designs for his blessing to use the open-source Cypher PCBs in the early proto runs.
* The CannonKeys team for helping me finally bring this project to market.
Alchemist Keyboards:
Updates:
* 19/04/24 - Updated the KLEs to show split/full numpad support
* 25/04/24 - Updated the render section to show the finalised colour choices. Added a note in the GB plans/details section to mention available plate materials.
* 08/05/24 - MSRP is now starting from $230. Confirmed GB window. Added some vendors.
* 14/05/24 - Final vendor list and available addons list confirmed.
unusuaL_:
glwic, support james :thumb:
BeesKeys:
I neeeeeed this
spikedsynapse:
Ive always wanted a waterproof keyboard....
Seriously tho this is awesome.
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