Hao Chih
OOOOHHHHH YEAH!!! this is much better that like-alice layout.
It's a great idea. The execution of the concept is going to make or break this board. The plastic will have to be right. I don't know much about plastic details, but the Bbox60 did it very well. The plastic they use is simply perfect. If I ever made a mold injected keyboard, it would be out of that same plastic. Also, the toggle switches need to nice. If you get the cheap ones, it will completely ruin the feel and make them seem like a waste of space.
I suggest a rethink/rework of the switches. I suggest you use 2 toggle switches and then an indicator light. I would have either a toggle for (power and bluetooth) or a toggle for (bluetooth and layer). But man, we need an LED on top! I had a concept I drew up for fun several years ago where the led was red for power and then turned blue when bluetooth was toggled on. EDIT... found it! https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=85596.msg2294829#msg2294829
Everyone is going to ask for QMK/VIA compatibility. I don't think that's unreasonable.
Just saw another keyboard with commodore64 inspiration and bluetooth But i wish you the best of luck
May you bring the idea to fruition and may you make a good product.
InterestingI ill keep an eye on this but is there more data on this? typing angle and effective front height? does it come with the battery or is that something to buy separately? You say this is going to be injection molded, I assume there has to be a big enough demand to satisfy those expensive molds and break point pricing based on quantities can be determined no?
I am not a 65% guy, but GIB. Really love how this looks.
Vint and BT?? I just lost
Really cool to see you updated your design according to the previous IC!
Is a hhkb-like spacebar-row a possibility? Just to get closer to that original Commodore64 look? A single spacebar row might be considered too niche..?
I joined your recent G60BLE Group Buy and now you're tempting me with another nice bluetooth board. :p
Oh my...
This is hot af.
Just take my money already would you? :-X
Hi, will this be dirty/dusty and filled with gunk to fit the vintage theme? if so, I will be joining this gb
The bezels need to be WAY bigger. It just looks a regular sectioned 65% with a Commadore skin. Make it more "Cammadorish" please.
The original c64 (and the caps) are iconic. So in for this. In whatever iteration you guys do...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I keep saying to folks how much I liked typing on the original C64, so uh, yeah, I'm hoping this pans out.
I do hope the switch functions would be configurable.
I actually like how this is sleeker and more modern looking than the originalSame here. :thumb:
I actually like how this is sleeker and more modern looking than the original
I actually like how this is sleeker and more modern looking than the originalSame here. :thumb:
I love it! well done :thumb:
Keycaps
The Cherry/OEMs keycaps don't work for me at all — this is not the face of the C64. In comparisson, the C128 had cylindrical keycaps, making it much more professional/office looking. For me a C64 design needs a high spherical sculpted profile. Current available profile options that may work are MT3 and SA in that order. Maybe check out Jim Drews project on kickstarter.
To me the keycaps are a make or break situation.
Notice it is not replica of C64. It's merely inspired. I don't like Mt3, I don't like SA. I like Cherry profile and I am a treeleaf. I don't mind the appearance to get a superior typing feel.
Great to see more love for the good old Commodore 64.
Good work so far. For feedback I'd like to share my initial feelings upon seeing this:
Command 65 Logo
While the Commodore Logo Type has changed during its lifespan the digits have always remained the same. With a tiny exception of the silver labels, the 64 digits had been set in Eurostile/Microgramma font. To me this is crucial in getting the retro vibe. If the case color is of the original brown then I'd expect the full use of Eurostyle.Show Image(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64#/media/File:3_versioner_av_c64_(modified).jpg)
Front Bevel/Rounding
The bottom front rounding looks fully cylindrical, actually too much so. The C64s is a little flatter. The fact I'm bringing this up is, your current rounding reminds me more of an IBM Model M than a C64.Show Image(https://external-preview.redd.it/G4DdArYATeB5QMjrVzWdTngzzc5LPqODgIDhCIHxsZA.jpg?auto=webp&s=fecb2b93f1cfd52039a7c7cf86328218d2bfa863)
Back
The C64 has a slant on its upper housing. I always thought this was quite unique. Also see the front rounding in this image.Show Image(https://www.oldcomputr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/commodore_64-views.jpg)
Top recesses
The top recesses to the rear seem a little shallow — sort of half way there. I always thought this design element is the most prominent and deserves fine tuning. Also notice the slight angle on the original.
Keycaps
The Cherry/OEMs keycaps don't work for me at all — this is not the face of the C64. In comparisson, the C128 had cylindrical keycaps, making it much more professional/office looking. For me a C64 design needs a high spherical sculpted profile. Current available profile options that may work are MT3 and SA in that order. Maybe check out Jim Drews project on kickstarter.
To me the keycaps are a make or break situation.
I wish you the very best and hope you find this feedback helpful.
Hello again,
re-reading my comment I just realized, this was my first post here. I've been just lurking around.
So in order to not come across overly critical I wanted to follow up and link to my post, which was indeed inspired by this GB post here :)
If you want have a read about my Commodore inspired project: https://www.keebtalk.com/t/hello-and-my-version-of-a-planck-64/14284 (https://www.keebtalk.com/t/hello-and-my-version-of-a-planck-64/14284)
Notice it is not replica of C64. It's merely inspired. I don't like Mt3, I don't like SA. I like Cherry profile and I am a treeleaf. I don't mind the appearance to get a superior typing feel.
Note taken, thank you. The current design features your preferred feel of a typing experience – in this case, I'm happy for you. In the context of an IC I consider all feedback valuable so I took the liberty to provide mine. And by commenting on my preference you provided indirect feedback on yours, too. Good for the OP.
Happy weekend
Oh man I'm going to need one of these!!
Looks like the same layout as the CA66?
Looks like the same layout as the CA66?No, CA66 came with wither HHKb or WKL "like" bottom rows. This is just a very common, 65% layout with segmented sections.
This is awesome, and I plan to join the GB.
Is it just me, or does the perspective of the renders look a little weird?
This is awesome, and I plan to join the GB.
Is it just me, or does the perspective of the renders look a little weird?
Maybe in some of the pictures. At least in fusion, having camera perspective set to "Orthographic" can cause unrealistic looking line stretches from angles like these. Not sure if its the same idea in rendering programs.
Guys, we just got price of making a same colorway SA keyset that Commodore 64 has from SP.
The biggest problem will be the production. Now they are already been booked out through October of next year. :-[
Would you guys think making Command 65 and the keyset into the same GB, and ship them separately will be a good idea?
Of course the shipping fee will be charged twice. :-[
Guys, we just got price of making a same colorway SA keyset that Commodore 64 has from SP.
The biggest problem will be the production. Now they are already been booked out through October of next year. :-[
Would you guys think making Command 65 and the keyset into the same GB, and ship them separately will be a good idea?
Of course the shipping fee will be charged twice. :-[
>OP made zero mention of keycaps
>most of the replies so far are just arguing about keycaps
Am I missing something here?
Get your own keycaps, people!
The main attraction here is the mold injected case WITH a bluetooth-capable controller AND toggle switches. That's huge!
I think I'd prefer more recessed toggles like your inspiration photo, or maybe even something like slide switches, just to be a little more streamlined to the shape of the case. Likewise, I'd prefer to flip them side-to-side rather than up/down. The idea of indicator lights is appealing too. Would offering different modules be too ambitious at this point? Either way, I'd love to see how this turns out. My wife has fond childhood memories of playing games on her uncle's C64, apparently.Not me. I want those toggles to be like 3 in long. Like the ones on the Atari 2600.
Not me. I want those toggles to be like 3 in long. Like the ones on the Atari 2600.
Speaking of.... The 2600 would be a DOPE inspiration for a keeb after this one! In fact, i might just buy a case off ebay, and mod it to hold a pcb and plate..
Hi guys. Here's our first 3D printed prototype photos of Command 65 (in main thread as well).
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
We added a red indicator led as some people suggested. Give it another vintage feature. :thumb:
And since ICs and multiple materials are facing shortages around the world, we have the same problem after getting confirmation with our BT module supplier.
We would like to know if it will reduce your interest on Command 65 if it turns into a single mode wire RGB keyboard.
Please help us fill the form: https://forms.gle/MMmv8BVWzjPkTrG47 (https://forms.gle/MMmv8BVWzjPkTrG47)
Thanks for the time!
We added a red indicator led as some people suggested. Give it another vintage feature. :thumb:Red LED! Yass! Also, holy cow that looks great!
And since ICs and multiple materials are facing shortages around the world, we have the same problem after getting confirmation with our BT module supplier.
We would like to know if it will reduce your interest on Command 65 if it turns into a single mode wire RGB keyboard.
Please help us fill the form: https://forms.gle/MMmv8BVWzjPkTrG4 (https://forms.gle/MMmv8BVWzjPkTrG47)
>OP made zero mention of keycaps
>most of the replies so far are just arguing about keycaps
Am I missing something here?
Get your own keycaps, people!
The main attraction here is the mold injected case WITH a bluetooth-capable controller AND toggle switches. That's huge!
Hi guys. We are now manufacturing molds for Command 65.
Couple of photos and videos of progress were posted in our Discord channel.
Please join us: https://discord.gg/6vfnv6pc27 (https://discord.gg/6vfnv6pc27)
Hi guys. We are now manufacturing molds for Command 65.
Couple of photos and videos of progress were posted in our Discord channel.
Please join us: https://discord.gg/6vfnv6pc27 (https://discord.gg/6vfnv6pc27)
From what I can see the case looks great! Is the prototyping finished and you’re just waiting on molds then? Or do you anticipate more revisions?
Form filled, GLWIC!!! :thumb:
i like this idea
2022.2.15Army green please?
Guys. Command 65 is currently in mold manufacturing stage. Here are some renders of different color cases that just came out.
Please leave any comment for us to know your interest, and feel free to suggest other colors you like.
We might have chances to make them come ture in the future. :D
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
I don't mind with the lack of BT. But please give us an ISO option (even better if hotswap).
I don't mind with the lack of BT. But please give us an ISO option (even better if hotswap).
I'd really like Bluetooth and an ISO compatible PCB if that's not unreasonable. I might still buy it without BT, but lack of ISO would be a deal-breaker for me.
Guys. Updates of prototype photos and typing sounds were just out! ;D
Guys. Updates of prototype photos and typing sounds were just out! ;D
Amazing work! So, how long until we can buy them?