[IC] HEX.3C GB STARTS 09/04/20!

[Kasterborous]

Greetings!


We are here to present to you our debut keyboard, the HEX.3C
IC Form HERE:https://forms.gle/wbJAqcrpJMZ3DcGq9



The HEX.3C is a simple 60% keyboard designed to challenge the current budget market while offering a better typing experience with its unique mounting system.
We are aiming to achieve the gasket mounted experience with Poron-washers in a burger mount.



This reduces the stiffness that's characteristic of bottom-mount boards.
It also reduces the resonance that metals have when in contact with other metals.
Relief cuts have also been made on the plate to achieve a more even acoustic profile,
and reduce the harshness around the mounting points.



Here's a transparent side view for a better explanation and visualization of how the keyboard will look like internally





Specifications:
Case: Alu 6061
Colors: Black, Grey, Silver, Navy and E-White
Weight: 900g~
Plate(s): Universal/Fixed ANSI w 7u bottom row. Teal Aluminum/ Clear PVD Brass/ Black POM
PCBs: This keyboard will be fully compatible with DZ60 and its variants.
Typing Angle: 7
MOQ:50(Max units limited to 125 for first run)

Do join the discord server for updates:https://discord.gg/8AqgdBq
Keep an eye on our Instagram for the latest news and renders too! 

Color Options:



Additional Renders:
ePBT TA Origins




GMK Masterpiece

[Kasterborous]

Timeline:

• First prototype production complete, second prototype in queue for production
• IRL Photos - Done
• Build and Typing Test(est within a week from 1/4/20)
• GB Start(Est early-mid April)

UPDATE 12/02/20:

• Tops available: HHKB, WKL, Standard
• Layouts available: ANSI Fixed 6.25u bottom row, Universal Fixed 7u bottom row
• Case Colours avail: Black, Blue, Silver, Grey, TBD, E-White could be an option but not confirmed.
• NO PCBs will be provided for this run
• Plate files will be available upon successful conclusion of this gb

ANSI Plate available layouts:

Universal Plate available layouts:




UPDATE 13/02/20:

• We're changing factories
• Proto and GB will be delayed.

UPDATE 16/02/20:

• Plates and layouts have been reworked
• Prototype estimated delivery will be in Early-Mid March

UPDATE 16/03/20:

• Prototype has arrived.
• Minor dimensioning issues are fixed, 2nd prototype is in queue for production.
• Fillets added to the switch holes.
• Larger USB slot to accommodate PCBs that have mini-USB b ports

UPDATE 01/04/20:

• 2nd Prototype has almost arrived
• Official soundtest within the next week
• GB will start the day after soundtest is released
• GB will be in FCFS format
• GB details in the picture below

UPDATE 05/04/20:

• 2nd Prototype has arrived
• Official sound-test within the next week
• Prototype Pictures by Fatboychard

• Issues with the prototype are very minor, they've been fixed for the proper GB run.
• Main issues are cosmetic, with ano streaking and whatnot. Ano factory used a small tub for the prototype anodization as it is custom colour anodization
• We're investing in a bigger tub for the proper run so as to prevent stuff like that from happening

[gnhuy91]

filled the form! interested

[Kasterborous]

filled the form! interested

Thanks! Appreciated!

[ddnomad]

Any chance you’d offer HHKB tops (with blockers)?

[Kasterborous]

Any chance you’d offer HHKB tops (with blockers)?

Yes this is something we're taking into consideration

[xIHA]

Nice board glwgb

[Rob27shred]

Really like this ideal & will support it! We've been needing to see innovation in the budget realm for quite awhile. Beyond Leandre's Klippe & Type-X (both of which are modified tray mounts), regular old stiff & uneven type feel tray mounts have been almost all that's available if you're looking to spend less than $150 on a case. I think this could shake that up big time & also it looks like it'll make an awesome test bed for those of us who are willing to spend more on customs. Color me interested, IC filled out.

[ddnomad]

Really like this ideal & will support it! We've been needing to see innovation in the budget realm for quite awhile. Beyond Leandre's Klippe & Type-X (both of which are modified tray mounts), regular old stiff & uneven type feel tray mounts have been almost all that's available if you're looking to spend less than $150 on a case. I think this could shake that up big time & also it looks like it'll make an awesome test bed for those of us who are willing to spend more on customs. Color me interested, IC filled out.

I’d love to throw some millmax sockets in and make this keyboard my goto test board.

[Version467]

At that price point, you're going to run out of your 100 units in seconds. Definetely interested.

[pixelpusher]

Filled out the IC 

[Rozalin81]

Very clean! Just when I thought I was done spending for the year, this might rope me back in if pricing is sub 150. Looking forward to seeing how this develops.

[tobiasvl]

Interested in ISO! Especially at a price point near $100, wtf.

[antx1701]

Love the look, love the price.

[Mavmaster21]

I'm very excited about this especially because of the price! GLWIC

[shoteve]

Does this include PCB? Or just case and plate?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Kinesiologist]

Looks good, already filled the IC form.

Please don't include the PCB since DZ60 is easy to get and readily available. (If it means reducing cost or time).
And please allow a universal plate to use on any layout (hhkb, tsangan, WKL, ANSI).

Thanks

[Bl4ck]

I currently have a hs60 v3 iso so if its compatible (should be?) I'm in for iso

[nathanchere]

Any chance you’d offer HHKB tops (with blockers)?

+1

[demonahz]

Lovely. I'm in.

And would be even more in if considered a bit thicker/deeper bottom to accommodate a battery for BLE PCBs. at least the option to it (with its costs of course).

[Han]

Interested!

[FredBananaz]

Interested as well!

[Kasterborous]

Really like this ideal & will support it! We've been needing to see innovation in the budget realm for quite awhile. Beyond Leandre's Klippe & Type-X (both of which are modified tray mounts), regular old stiff & uneven type feel tray mounts have been almost all that's available if you're looking to spend less than $150 on a case. I think this could shake that up big time & also it looks like it'll make an awesome test bed for those of us who are willing to spend more on customs. Color me interested, IC filled out.

Hahah, yes this was our intention when we set out to design and conceptualize this keyboard!

[Kasterborous]

Does this include PCB? Or just case and plate?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Looks good, already filled the IC form.

Please don't include the PCB since DZ60 is easy to get and readily available. (If it means reducing cost or time).
And please allow a universal plate to use on any layout (hhkb, tsangan, WKL, ANSI).

Thanks

This kit comes without PCB, however there is discussion right now on whether we should offer pcbs as an addon, for a price of course.
Keep in mind we're gonna be shipping from Singapore so as it is we'd rather you guys get PCBs from a vendor near you, rather than tank the costs of shipping from halfway around the world

[Italian_T3ddy_v2]

The design to me looks similar to the Tofu but with thicker bezels and I love it, keep it simple like those renders and it will for sure be an interesting case; HHKB top would be even nicer imho
Also please consider making the bottom case compatible with a battery for BT PCBs, and I'd personally be happy to pay 200-220$ for the case bundled with a BT PCB
Btw I'm curious about the o-ring bottom mount, looking forward to try it!

[TameFlame]

Pricepoint seems very favorable for a lot of people - it's always nice to see the possibility of diversity, for people who are just now getting into building. Good luck, I'll be following!

[antx1701]

If the design/shape isn't final, have you thought about chamfered or rounded edges? It looks a bit too tofu-ish as it is.

[Unick]

Will the pcb supports alps switches?

[FredBananaz]

If the design/shape isn't final, have you thought about chamfered or rounded edges? It looks a bit too tofu-ish as it is.

Would this not increase the price as a result of increased manufactering time?

Personally, I don't mind the similarities with the Tofu, as the mounting system is different enough to "justify" the similar looks.

[Kasterborous]

If the design/shape isn't final, have you thought about chamfered or rounded edges? It looks a bit too tofu-ish as it is.

our intention was to keep the design language simple while also keeping production costs down. we could've added a lot of bells and whistles to set ourselves apart during the design process, but for this round of the hex.3c at least, our focus is more on price/performance.

[Kasterborous]

Will the pcb supports alps switches?

as of right now the plate doesn't support alps. you will have to get your own pcb yourself.

However, the plate files will be released after the GB has concluded, so feel free to edit it to support your alps switches!

[ray160]

The Tofu v2 will have some competition

[YungDaff]

Interesting board, filled in the IC form. Rare to see boards in this price range that aren't tray mounts. Interesting to see if this mounting style can offer a softer bottom out.

[ire]

Definitely interested, looks like an interesting and cheap board, gl with this!

[GeekFreeek]

This is awesome! I really hope this makes it to production and I can get my hands one it! Will this support boards like the DZ60?

[Kasterborous]

Updated post!

[Kasterborous]

This is awesome! I really hope this makes it to production and I can get my hands one it! Will this support boards like the DZ60?

yes. this keyboard should support dz60 and its various other iterations.

[hkiri]

Any chance for other tops (HHKB, WKL)?

[MMKB]

Looks nice! Few questions: Some of the screw holes are super deep. I doubt many people would have long keys for those. Also will you offer winkeyless top piece? And have you considered double o-rings per screw (in the order of screw, o-ring, plate, o-ring)?

[Kasterborous]

Any chance for other tops (HHKB, WKL)?

Yes they will be offered. Do check the updates post below the main post for more details!

Looks nice! Few questions: Some of the screw holes are super deep. I doubt many people would have long keys for those. Also will you offer winkeyless top piece? And have you considered double o-rings per screw (in the order of screw, o-ring, plate, o-ring)?

We will be providing extra o-rings, so do feel free to experiment!

[Tymm0]

Happy to see a lower end board. I see that you are not planning a weight which is fine if that helps get this out in that low price.

[LiTurk]

Will the cannon instant 60 fit

[macclack]

If I didn't already own 3 Klippes, I'd be all over this.

Good luck with this OP. Thank you for bringing an awesome looking budget option to the community!

[Bl4ck]

Make the universal also standard 6.25 bottom row...

[MeloDet]

Personally I would really appreciate either a third plate option for tsangan style layouts or the inclusion of 7u bottom row support on the current "fixed" plate

[Kasterborous]

Personally I would really appreciate either a third plate option for tsangan style layouts or the inclusion of 7u bottom row support on the current "fixed" plate

The universal plate exists for that layout.

[manzel]

I think it would make more sense to offer 7u bottom row on the fixed plate and 6.25u on the universal plate. Quite a few European ISO layouts make frequent use of AltGr, which is reached more comfortably on a 6.25u bottom row.
Tbh, I just want a 7u fixed plate.

[Bl4ck]

Yep. For iso that universal plate makes no sense. Atleast if u use actual iso

[Kasterborous]

I think it would make more sense to offer 7u bottom row on the fixed plate and 6.25u on the universal plate. Quite a few European ISO layouts make frequent use of AltGr, which is reached more comfortably on a 6.25u bottom row.
Tbh, I just want a 7u fixed plate.

Yep. For iso that universal plate makes no sense. Atleast if u use actual iso

Points taken, we're reworking the plate right now.

[Jokuhemmo]

Could you do an acrylic bottom case or add acrylic strips between the top and bottom cases for underglow? There doesn't seem to be too many options for rectangular 60% cases with underglow and there seems to be a demand for some since the duck viper v3 gb filled its 100 spots in one minute.