[IC] NESON DESIGN | The 700E Series 70% keyboard · Group Buy closed ·

[Simen]

What’s up GeekHackers, this is Simen from： NESON DESIGN. It has been a while since we last posted here.
Please follow our Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/neson.design/ or join our Discord：https://discord.gg/g6YQHD9e4b for the latest updates!

The 700E Series 170 units Raffle Sale will star from Wed June，8th，2022 0：00 EST to Sat June，11th，2022 12：00 EST！！
The 700E Series Group Buy link：https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=117412.0

In 2019, we designed a 70% keyboard – cross, and it has been one of our favorite designs. Today we are going to introduce to you to a revamped design of the cross – The 700E Series.






5/8/2022 Updates

1. 700E WK Photos

Wine Red WK









Black WK









2. 700E Group Buy Pricings

The price for the keyboard will cost $460~$480 USD. Due to the crazy price hikes on the chips and raw ingredients, we have reserved some buffer for unforeseen fluctuations. There will be a limit of 150 keyboards for this group buy. We will provide more details in the future group buy posting.

3. Streamers to showcase 700E

We will ship the 700E to Alexoto and Taekeyboards for building on stream. We have also posted a typing demo on our Instagram. Please check out the link below and join our discord for any discussions!
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Ccpm9sYATLh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link


Catalog：
1. Keyboard Specs
2. Keyboard Design
3. Design Changes Log
4. Prototypes Ver.1-Ver.3
5. Q&A


1. Keyboard Specs：
    - Layout：70%   WK / HHKB
    - Mounting System：Gasket Leaf + Spring Mount
    - Typing Angel：9° （front height 19.3mm）
    - PCB：1.2mm solderable（does not support hot-swap）, Type-C with daughter board. PCB supports QMK and VIA, designed and manufactured by Astro
    - Plate: Default Aluminum, PC as optional
    - Layout picture:

     

     Keyboard Exploded View：

     

Parts included with the kit
①    Keyboard itself（Top/Middle/Bottom Case, Plate, PVD Badge, Aluminum Weights）× 1
②    1.2MM PCB and daughter board × 1
③    0.5MM PE foam ×1
④    3.5MM poron case foam ×1
⑤    C shaped gasket ×10
⑥    1.5MM poron bottom case foam ×1
⑦    LED diffuser ×1  Reflector ×1
⑧    PCB stabilizer foam ×10
⑨    USB cable ×1
⑩    Bumpons ×2
⑪    Instruction pamphlet x1


2. Keyboard Design：

Prototype Photos：




 
2-1: Inspiration for Isolated Spacebar:

The inspiration for the 700E’s isolated spacebar design came from some older keyboards with customized large spacebars. They allow the thumb to have more contact surfaces with the keycap, which provides a more comfortable and satisfying typing experience. We wanted to replicate that design but knowing it’s difficult to obtain a one-off spacebar keycap, we decided to achieve a similar result by shifting the spacebar downward, isolated from the main cluster.
     
2-2: Keyboard External Designs：




 
We continued the design language of the N series to the 700E. In order to achieve a balanced typing experience, we separated the PCB into two parts, left one for alphabet, and the right one for function and arrow keys.


IC Form: https://forms.gle/rHTBJRoVFVN6suzV9

If you are interested in the keyboard or if you have any suggestions, please let us know by filling out the IC form or tell us on discord. We sincerely appreciate everyone's participation and suggestions. Discord：https://discord.gg/g6YQHD9e4b

     
3. Design Changes Log

VER.1 Prototype
· 70% layout as the fundamental design
· Tested multiple top cases with different positions of the spacebar
· 9° Typing Angel

VER.2 Prototype
· Finalized the shift distance of the spacebar
· Tested three different thicknesses of LED diffuser
· Tested three different thicknesses of side profile
· Modified the fillet radius of bottom case
· Adjusted LED layout and improved LED drive circuit design

VER.3 Prototype （in production）
· Modified gasket support to avoid interference with stabilizer
· Modified the badge design and upgraded it to PVD brass
· Modified the placement of the internal screws and simplified installation

4. More Prototype Pictures

VER.1 Prototype
（with different spacebar distances）


 
In August 2020, we got our first prototype. We made several top cases with different positions of the isolated spacebar. With repeated testing, we confirmed the idea of an isolated spacebar is possible. If you like to install your spacebar upside down to enhance your typing experience, then you should have an even better experience with this design.

VER.2 Prototype
（External Design, Internal Design, LED Diffusion Design）
 


In September 2020, we made our second prototype to confirm the distance we want to shift the spacebar from the main cluster. We also made three different bottom cases to verify the best thickness for the LED diffuser and revised the size of the Fillet radius.

LED Diffuser Design



For the diffuser, we followed the same design language of the N series. We spent a lot of effort to improve the diffusion on this keyboard. We have divided the diffuser to three parts, made of different materials. The top part is made of transparent acrylic, middle part made of a sheet of 0.85mm reflector, and the bottom part made of matte white acrylic. We have also increased the number of LEDs from 32 to 64.

VER.3 Prototype （Being made）
 






Fast forward to February 2022, we have started manufacturing the third prototype. Modified gasket support near spacebar，resolved issues with certain stabilizers interference. We have also changed the badge at the front to be made of PVD brass to enhance the look of the keyboard.


5. Q&A

1： What are the color options?
      Black, Silver, Wine Red.

2： What is the limit?
      Limited to 150 keyboards.

3： Where do I get the latest updates?
      Please join our discord channel or follow our Instagram.

4： I don’t like your designs; can I say something?
      Of course. We accept feedbacks from everyone.

5： How much will 700E cost?
      TBD

6： Will there be any sound tests or test builds?
      Pending. We will make some if enough people request.

7： Can the weights be made of different materials?
      TBD


Ending:

Based on our testing so far, we have confirmed that an isolated spacebar can bring a different typing experience. The shifted space at can be a new typing experience without changing most people’s typing habits and styles.
We hope that the product is perfect when it arrives the owner’s hands. We will provide further updates once the third prototype is finished and show you the beauty of the assembled product. If you are interested, please join our Discord to discuss further and get the latest updates!

[Simen]

-Reserved-

[nullinasou]

Looks pretty unique and interesting.
Any particular reason for the lack of wkl option?

[linell]

hhkb blockers on a tkl is beautiful

[kingnestea]

give it to me, babe

[Neely_12]

How’s the sound without foam? Would definitely consider, but I’m not a thocker myself.

[Yehuo.]

Looks really cool. Definitely interested.

[darthcapn]

That is a funky looking spacebar! I like it

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[HappyB0T]

That exploded spacebar explodes my brain. Bottom row pcb options are a little funky. I'll try reading th ic again but i'm stuck thinking about bottom row.

[Xury46]

Wow, this is such a cool layout. I love the bottom row options and the exploded spacebar, so unique!

[japancakes]

Exploded space is hot

[ylothar]

Man, you can't show me such a beauty and tell me it doesn't support ISO...

[hkhawk]

I really want to try the exploded spacebar, my hands are too big

[kapowaz]

One of the most unique and interesting designs I’ve seen in a while. But please, support ISO?

[finalarcadia]

Very nice design and layout, I like it 

[Chuuu]

any 10u spacebar support avail

[Dunne]

I actually really really like this, good work!

[HappyB0T]

I really want to try the exploded spacebar, my hands are too big

your use case checks out

[Finite]

If you want to try out how the exploded spacebar feels, you should check out the Curio and Relic by Cain/MechVault since he already made quite a few 40% keyboards with this exploded/isolated spacebar design implemented in it. Glad to see that more keyboards will feature this design since it definitely feels good to type on, hopefully this TKL will help the idea get more mainstream than just on the 40% server.

[York Chan]

The layout of the keyboard is very much like the emoji R8R8 from China

[York Chan]

Show Image

[Simen]

If you want to try out how the exploded spacebar feels, you should check out the Curio and Relic by Cain/MechVault since he already made quite a few 40% keyboards with this exploded/isolated spacebar design implemented in it. Glad to see that more keyboards will feature this design since it definitely feels good to type on, hopefully this TKL will help the idea get more mainstream than just on the 40% server.

Thanks for the suggestion, but we want to do more than just exploded spacebar.

[Simen]

Man, you can't show me such a beauty and tell me it doesn't support ISO...

Show Image

iso is a good proposal, maybe we will make it compatible. :D

[ylothar]

iso is a good proposal, maybe we will make it compatible.

[Zyrophr]

I'm in, I need this in my life, this is absolutely genius.
Would love it to be WKL tho, sad but np </3

[mr_foggy]

finally something different. will follow this very closely.

[EdgeOfInfinity]

very unique, love the look of the spacebar.

[Vanquish]

This is a great design. Could you elaborate more on the spring mount design? I haven't heard of this before. I will keep an eye on this IC!

[JQ27]

Man, you can't show me such a beauty and tell me it doesn't support ISO...

Show Image

iso is a good proposal, maybe we will make it compatible. :D

[Ghostinn]

Drooling at this. Would love to hear a sound demo just to see how the isolated spacebar sounds. Really considering making this an insta-buy for me

[peach]

GB when？

[Nonnegaard]

holy **** this is beautiful. i actually think i would enjoy using the isolated spacebar more than i initially thought, so this might have to go in the collection.

[byfuryattheheart]

I was shattered after not winning a n6-65. This is a must have in the collection. Beautiful board!

[lush_bunny]

Isolated Spacebar is so much sexier than other exploded layouts. Maybe it's the maintained symmetry? Either way I really hope this IC and eventual GB succeeds, my dude.

[darthcapn]

I like how neat it looks yet has an element of chaos! Glwic and gb! Very interested.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[Simen]

Latest updates on the main post!

[Sandy]

I would be interested to hear from someone who has smaller hands how this feels. I can imagine for someone with bigger ones the spacebar position would be really nice but for some others I'm not sure.

Maybe have a friend test it out I think there are 4 people on your team right? I remember from seeing your graphics and reading the neson studio bio.

[Cylent]

I like everything about the layout and design except for the exploded spacebar. 

[Adelscott]

I like everything about the layout and design except for the exploded spacebar. 

This exploded spacebar is what makes it unique.

[Nonnegaard]

I like everything about the layout and design except for the exploded spacebar. 

This exploded spacebar is what makes it unique.

you know, that and all the other cool design elements.

[SDKCAMPING]

the spacebar is an interesting choice but what i really love is the piece under the 6 key cluster above the arrows

[Simen]

I would be interested to hear from someone who has smaller hands how this feels. I can imagine for someone with bigger ones the spacebar position would be really nice but for some others I'm not sure.

Maybe have a friend test it out I think there are 4 people on your team right? I remember from seeing your graphics and reading the neson studio bio.

Don't worry, we've done a lot of testing, and it's accurate to say that this design is more helpful for users with smaller fingers!

[jollyeskimo]

Are the badge LED and the LED strip able to change colors, and can they be turned off independently of each other (in VIA?)

Any animations on either of them?

[ClickClack.io]

Raffle Live

► Quantities: 150 regular units + 20 special collaboration units
► Price: $470 / $535 (collaboration units)
▼ Shipping: 3KG for Alu Weight and 4KG for Copper Weight, Shipping Estimate (finalizing may slightly adjust)
► Estimate Fulfillment Timeframe: Q4 2022
► Sale Format: Raffle
► Raffle Signup Time: Wed June, 8th, 2022 00:00 EST - June, 10th, 2022 23:59 EST Sat June, 11th, 2022 12:00 EST
► Raffle Form:



► How Raffle will be executed:
    1. Absolutely no duplicated raffle entries (we will review every entry).
    2. After remove duplicate entries, we will run random selection programmatically. We standby the fairness and integrity of random selection. You will get an email about raffle result. If you are selected, you will receive your unique discount code.
    3. With your discount code, you will be able to make purchase within 48 hours.

► If I am selected, where to make purchase:
     1. 700E will be available on our website with $999.
     2. Add-ons will be listed at normal price. If you intend to purchase them, make sure to add Add-ons to your cart along with your keyboard kit.
     3. When you checkout, make sure to apply your unique discount code to purchase 700E at correct prices ($470 / $535).

[Adelscott]

In the end there's no ISO ?

[Simen]

In the end there's no ISO ?

iso has been added

[LegendsWorks]

Ba da ba ba ba im loving it

[Adelscott]

In the end there's no ISO ?

iso has been added

Maybe I'm blind but I don't see it written anywhere in first post ? The supported layout render still shows ANSI only, no close render of the pcb/plate. BTW is it an universal plate ?

[Simen]

In the end there's no ISO ?

iso has been added

Maybe I'm blind but I don't see it written anywhere in first post ? The supported layout render still shows ANSI only, no close render of the pcb/plate. BTW is it an universal plate ?

We've updated to the GB link!he is not a universal plate.

[MrEsosmao]

I need this in my life. Reminds me of a centurion bot.