[GB] Decent65 - CLOSED | Boards started shipping

[soran]

2021/09/07
Most of the units are on the way to the buyers (NK_ is awaitng the shipment from mkb.eu), new anodiser really delivered on their job, although there have still been some delays mostly related to the failure rate with the previous place. Grey units should be good to go within the next few weeks.
The GB units have also been adjusted to fit WT65 PCB.



17.05: - Small update, or rather - keeping my promise;
Here are the plate files for the board.


4.12: - Cases are still being anodised, waiting on the PCBs.



https://mykeyboard.eu/catalogue/category/group-buys/decent-65_283/

https://novelkeys.xyz/collections/frontpage/products/decent65-gb




Decent65 - a decent keyboard made in Europe
by soran and Stormlex




Details:

16mm front
7° typing angle
Top mount plate
QMK & VIA compatible
Available in: burgundy, black, purple and gray for anodisation and cerakote colours from Salvun's stock
Layout options:


Kit includes:

1x 6060 Aluminium top
1x 6060 Aluminium bottom
1x 1.5mm semi-fixed, sandblasted aluminium plate - either ANSI or ISO layout. (alloy might be subject to change)
1x TA65 v3 PCB by Maartenwut
1x Unified USB type C daughterboard
1x JST cable
Set of bumpons and screws for the case

Extras:
Both vendors will sell plates and PCBs.
Additional plates will be available for purchase both in carbon fiber and aluminium.




Vendors:

mykeyboard.eu
novelkeys.xyz

Pricing:

mykeyboard  (VAT included):
Base kit - 275€ (anodised) - cerakote is an additional 68.50€
Extra plate - 45€
Extra PCB - 40€

novelkeys:
Base kit - $310 (anodised)
Base kit - $390 (cerakoted)
Extra plate - $40
Extra PCB - $35

Please note: novelkeys will only have ANSI plates as an option.

Timeline:

Group Buy will be open 2020.04.18 - 2020.05.09 (three weeks).
With the current situation around the globe, we estimate the cases to be delivered around late November/early December - that might still change.

Quality expectations:
The prototype hasn’t been treated before being sent out, so expect the ano to be less matte.

Possible scratches, machining or hook marks on the inner faces of the case.

There might be a minor mismatch between the anodisation colour of the top and bottom.

Small imperfections might happen.

For cerakote quality please refer to Salvun’s other projects.

Gallery:


Typing test video:

Pictures:









Port and ano options:



FAQ

1. Will it have hotswap?
No.

2. What about the promised plate files?
Will provide them once the GB window is over.

3. What about X colour?
For different colours than the anodisation ones, refer to the sheet of Salvun's in-stock ceraktote colours.

[soran]

Reserved.

[HoffmanMyster]

[hkiri]

Awww yeah!

[Stormlex]

Aw yisss

[Geten123]

I cannot remember the last time I saw something as decent as this.

[Stormlex]

I cannot remember the last time I saw something as decent as this.

Maybe when you met me at the Sthlm meetup?

[.]

yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus

[ThePanduuh]

Do I need another 65?
no

Do I need another keyboard?
no

Will I still join?
probably

Will I shill the hell out of this board?
yes

[Oddstag]

Ah man, I really like all the colour options. Going to be tough to choose.

[Regret]

Hope someone goes for those neon orange and green cerakote options

[Rob27shred]

Hope someone goes for those neon orange and green cerakote options

The neon green would go well with GMK, JTK, or DCS Toxic & the hunter orange would go well with GMK Skidata/Skiidata TBH.

[Zambumon]

GL!

[Zambumon]

[Ultimatum]

what’s the name of this keycap?

[Grayscaledd]

Just ordered mine and snagged an extra PCB + CF plate!

[utdconsq]

Mmm, ISO

[Stormlex]

Update

Group buy is now live at both NovelKeys for US customers, and MyKeyboard for European ones (RotW can chose either):

US: https://novelkeys.xyz/collections/group-buys/products/decent65-gb

EU: https://mykeyboard.eu/catalogue/category/group-buys/decent-65_283/

Thank you

[Stormlex]

Show Image

what’s the name of this keycap?

Thats GMK Vice Nights mod with WoB alphas.

[AIRPOTTER]

GLWS!

[foysauce_]

I was really excited about the estimated US pricing of $255 specified in the IC. $310 is just over the line for me unfortunately. I would want a little more at this particular price point.

Still love the build and the all the pretty cerakote options are a very nice addition (Wish I could see them in a render). Excited to see what they all look like on reddit after they ship.

GLWS!

[soran]

I was really excited about the estimated US pricing of $255 specified in the IC. $310 is just over the line for me unfortunately. I would want a little more at this particular price point.

Still love the build and the all the pretty cerakote options are a very nice addition (Wish I could see them in a render). Excited to see what they all look like on reddit after they ship.

GLWS!

First for all, the $255 pre-shipping would've been there if mykeyboard were the only vendor - which isn't true anymore.
Second of all, mykeyboard is the main runner, so unlike most buys where the vendors simply add their margin of top of the base price, here novelkeys actually had to add it on top of the previous $255 (including shipping and the import tax).
I know that it sucks, but people have been asking again and again for a proxy, so we decided to cater to them - had I known how it would turn out, I would have done some thing differently for sure.

Anyway, glad that you still like the looks of it, hope you have a nice day!

[econeuler]

Just ordered mine and snagged an extra PCB + CF plate!

Just did exactly that 
Seems like a really nice case, and fun that it's made in Europe!

[AIRPOTTER]

Nice design, GLWS!

[kezown]

Are there any pictures of the back plate?

[pnw-g]

Quick question... is the main image, on NK w/ vice, grey or one of the grey cerakotes? thanks

[oalmali]

Noob here: Would this keyboard worth to pay extra 100 over KBDFans67 v2? If yes why?

[Stormlex]

Are there any pictures of the back plate?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=105051.0

Check under the more section. There are pics of the bottom

[Stormlex]

Noob here: Would this keyboard worth to pay extra 100 over KBDFans67 v2? If yes why?

Made in Europe, totally different design, etc. Its the same as with cars.

[Stormlex]

Quick question... is the main image, on NK w/ vice, grey or one of the grey cerakotes? thanks

That is black ano actually. It has a very nice suede look tho.

[Stormlex]

Nice design, GLWS!

Thank you

[pnw-g]

Quick question... is the main image, on NK w/ vice, grey or one of the grey cerakotes? thanks

That is black ano actually. It has a very nice suede look tho.

thanks! agree, it’s nice.

[soran]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we are closed

[thanatic]

eeek it closed as I hit checkout on NovelKeys. I guess this closes on a different time zone? It was still 5/9 in California USA.

Next time. GL with GB

[Juego]

Ordered mine with a CF plate, let the countdown start

[musicgecko]

excited to see updates as this progresses, glad to have joined the GB before close

[soran]

Bumping, plate files in the main post.

[SMOKEY]

Thanks for releasing the file! Will order a POM plate tonight <3

[nanashi774]

Hey, sorry for a noob question, do I need to buy stabs?
Can I use skrew-in stabs?

Thanks in advance!

[SMOKEY]

Yes. You need to buy Stabilisers (Screw In are fine), Switches and Keycaps.

[Draic]

I joined the GB via mykeyboard.eu. I noted color and plate via comments section during checkout. This is not included in the order confirmation I got and mykeyboard.eu has ignored all emails I sent them asking for confirmation. Has anyone an idea how I could contact them? Thanks

[cpt-nic]

They are really active and helpful in their discord. Sending a message there to @crew should help you out. (https://discord.gg/vCt6by)

[SMOKEY]

I noted color and plate via comments section during checkout.

...which is NOT what you should have done. There was a form in plain sight on the order site, which specifically stated that you have to fill it out after ordering, to tell the vendor what you like, fill in your oder nr and all thst good stuff.

[Draic]

I noted color and plate via comments section during checkout.

...which is NOT what you should have done. There was a form in plain sight on the order site, which specifically stated that you have to fill it out after ordering, to tell the vendor what you like, fill in your oder nr and all thst good stuff.

there was no form or options on mykeeb. Only the comment field during checkout. There was no other choice to leave these information. This was different on novelkeys which have a proper website

They are really active and helpful in their discord. Sending a message there to @crew should help you out. (https://discord.gg/vCt6by)

Thanks for the tip! Sad being forced to now use a closed system, instead of them just answering emails

[SMOKEY]

Dude. There was. Open you eyes before bashing a vendor!

[Draic]

Dude. There was. Open you eyes before bashing a vendor!

nope. was not there. Maybe got blocked by ad block, but there was no such form.

[soran]

Dude. There was. Open you eyes before bashing a vendor!

nope. was not there. Maybe got blocked by ad block, but there was no such form.

Nope, still there:

[SMOKEY]

I rest my case

[oalmali]

I noted color and plate via comments section during checkout.

...which is NOT what you should have done. There was a form in plain sight on the order site, which specifically stated that you have to fill it out after ordering, to tell the vendor what you like, fill in your oder nr and all thst good stuff.

there was no form or options on mykeeb. Only the comment field during checkout. There was no other choice to leave these information. This was different on novelkeys which have a proper website

They are really active and helpful in their discord. Sending a message there to @crew should help you out. (https://discord.gg/vCt6by)

Thanks for the tip! Sad being forced to now use a closed system, instead of them just answering emails

You could also try to call them directly. In my case they also haven't answered my emails but they were really friendly on the phone.

[Draic]

Dude. There was. Open you eyes before bashing a vendor!

nope. was not there. Maybe got blocked by ad block, but there was no such form.

Nope, still there:

Show Image

not sure what you are trying to prove. That is the page of the original campaign. The listing has been moved since then :)

Got in touch with them via discord and got it sorted out. Ignoring emails for month is still not how a company should proceed, but can confirm that support via discord was fine.

[Liberation]

weird drama aside, i'm wanting to get an fr4 plate on this absolute monster. i'm used to sending gerbers to jlcpcb but here we have dxf files or something which i guess are for laser cutting? wut do?

[Edit: nm. i guess i can just get pom cut.]

[soran]

Update 4/12

Cases are still being anodised. Waiting on PCBs.

weird drama aside, i'm wanting to get an fr4 plate on this absolute monster. i'm used to sending gerbers to jlcpcb but here we have dxf files or something which i guess are for laser cutting? wut do?

[Edit: nm. i guess i can just get pom cut.]

Well, sorry that I didn't see it; have been busy back then - also, I have personally never dealt with FR4 plates or preparing the files for them, definitely wasn't accounting that as a possiblity when the board was being designed.

[Bamboo238]

Sweet, thanks for letting us know soran. Hope the boards can come back from the anodizer soon!

[nanashi774]

Is there any chance the boards are going to ship within the year? Just wondering because I’m away for the holidays and will not be able to receive the package.

[ipx]

Any news on this?

[Bamboo238]

Any news on this?

If you check the mykeyboard discord, you will see that around three days ago david put up a picture of the pcb's that have arrived. Besides that, it seems like they are waiting on confirmation on final parts  before they give us a concrete estimate.

[ipx]

Any news on this?

If you check the mykeyboard discord, you will see that around three days ago david put up a picture of the pcb's that have arrived. Besides that, it seems like they are waiting on confirmation on final parts  before they give us a concrete estimate.

Thank you for the head up. Have to check their discord then.

[MajorZoT]

Since the GB has ended 12 Months ago - is there any update on this?

[MajorZoT]

Decent65 is shipping now folks!

[nanashi774]

wonder when novelkeys is shipping

[soran]

wonder when novelkeys is shipping

Sorry for no updates here, but mykeyboard decided to keep every updated at some point and GH slipped by.

NK_ should be getting part of the boards soon, grey anodised units should be also ready to ship out soon.

[Dinerenblanc]

The name for this decent board always makes me chuckle

[tonyjones]

Decent65 is shipping now folks!

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Dude this looks amazing, was able to grab an extra from NovelKey this morning

[pixelpusher]

Did anyone get a purple anodized board? Curious to see what it turned out like.

[danvilmot]

I am trying to export the dxf plate files to a cnc plasma cutting machine but not sure what program or options should I choose to export to g-code (.nc, .txt, .cnc).

I have tried DXF to G-Code converter (https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxf2gcode/) but I get a .ngc that seems to be ready for a milling machine (with 3 pass). Any idea, tip, or documentation to follow?

[pixelpusher]

I am trying to export the dxf plate files to a cnc plasma cutting machine but not sure what program or options should I choose to export to g-code (.nc, .txt, .cnc).

I have tried DXF to G-Code converter (https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxf2gcode/) but I get a .ngc that seems to be ready for a milling machine (with 3 pass). Any idea, tip, or documentation to follow?

that's beyond my expertise, but I'm sure you could get help on reddit or discord.  I'm sure there are people with experience in that area lurking.  Highly less likely to find someone here since the group buy has concluded.

[pixelpusher]

Also, I'm placing this information here for posterity. 

After reaching out to Novelkeys and Soran, I have the following information:

MKB screwed up and included the wrong screws for the case (this also effects all NovelKeys orders).  You may or may not have noticed that when you assemble with the included screws, the top edge will pull apart by a few millimeters. All of the case screws should be M3x4 (ISO 4762).  They screwed up and included 1/2 of them the wrong length (too long). 

Any M3x5 or M3x6 should work.  I would suggest people with powder coated cases to make sure they use screws where the head is fairly compact (not knurled). Those holes get pretty tight on coated cases.

[tonyjones]

Does anybody know what replacement PCB I can get instead of the original TA-65 PCB that came with it.

[pixelpusher]

Does anybody know what replacement PCB I can get instead of the original TA-65 PCB that came with it.

Couldn't you just use the KBDFans one:
https://kbdfans.com/collections/65/products/dz68rgb-hot-swap-rgb-pcb

[tonyjones]

Does anybody know what replacement PCB I can get instead of the original TA-65 PCB that came with it.

Couldn't you just use the KBDFans one:
https://kbdfans.com/collections/65/products/dz68rgb-hot-swap-rgb-pcb

I don't think this would work, original pcb has jst daughterboard

[pixelpusher]

Does anybody know what replacement PCB I can get instead of the original TA-65 PCB that came with it.

Couldn't you just use the KBDFans one:
https://kbdfans.com/collections/65/products/dz68rgb-hot-swap-rgb-pcb

I don't think this would work, original pcb has jst daughterboard

Oh duh, I forgot.  What about the WT65:
https://salvun.com/products/wilba-graphite-pcb?variant=32790003679278

Looks like you can get a hotswap version as well.

[tonyjones]

Does anybody know what replacement PCB I can get instead of the original TA-65 PCB that came with it.

Couldn't you just use the KBDFans one:
https://kbdfans.com/collections/65/products/dz68rgb-hot-swap-rgb-pcb

That might work i'll give it a try

I don't think this would work, original pcb has jst daughterboard

Oh duh, I forgot.  What about the WT65:
https://salvun.com/products/wilba-graphite-pcb?variant=32790003679278

Looks like you can get a hotswap version as well.

That might work, I'll give it a try

[pixelpusher]

Does anybody know what replacement PCB I can get instead of the original TA-65 PCB that came with it.

Couldn't you just use the KBDFans one:
https://kbdfans.com/collections/65/products/dz68rgb-hot-swap-rgb-pcb

That might work i'll give it a try

I don't think this would work, original pcb has jst daughterboard

Oh duh, I forgot.  What about the WT65:
https://salvun.com/products/wilba-graphite-pcb?variant=32790003679278

Looks like you can get a hotswap version as well.

That might work, I'll give it a try

I think this would work as well:
https://cannonkeys.com/collections/pcbs/products/bakeneko65-extra-pcbs

[anonthing00]

I think this would work as well:
https://cannonkeys.com/collections/pcbs/products/bakeneko65-extra-pcbs
[/quote]

Can anyone confirm that this pcb would actually work?

[pixelpusher]

I think this would work as well:
https://cannonkeys.com/collections/pcbs/products/bakeneko65-extra-pcbs

Can anyone confirm that this pcb would actually work?
[/quote]

I don’t know why it wouldn’t work.  But you can try to contact Soran and see what he says.  I believe he has an account here and you can send him a direct message.