[IC] KAM Little Pilot – Group Buy Starts December 6th

[Mekuno]

DSA or not, I don't mind trying out something new, especially with this set. That means group buy won't start until another 2months correct?

[kema]

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE KAM PROFILE BRING IT ON FEELIN THE LOVE

I'm looking forward to trying the KAM profile and appreciate a little more time to budget for the set. I've been very impressed and appreciative of your attention to detail and how communicative you have been. I am on board regardless of the profile and wish you the best in this endeavor.

!!

DSA or not, I don't mind trying out something new, especially with this set. That means group buy won't start until another 2months correct?

I was told 1-2 months, but I did ask for a more specific timeline, will update when I get that info!

Edit: Timeline is a bit uncertain - if the KAM tooling is green lit this weekend we can get the samples made pretty soon. Also we're probably looking at a group buy start after Starry Night R2 is shipped.

[azulyf]

AFAIK it's the manufacturer Keyreative, rather than ZF, who want to change to KAM profile. The main reason they stated on Chinese site is that their supplier of blank keycaps has quality issue with colored keys. Before KAM/KAT, Keyreative only dye-sub DSA keys, but this time they are going to get their own mold for KAM/KAT keycaps.

As for KAM profile, it's a uniform, slightly higher than DSA, larger surface and gloss surface profile. I have asked about difference with XDA but they told me they don't have XDA caps for comparison.

[dr_unconscionable]

I think KAM is a draw for me! I'm curious to try the profile and quite interested in this set Looking forward to seeing the samples.

[_ODIN_]

i would love to get this set. Will it be pbt dye sub?

[ojrask]

KAM was a uniform profile as well, right? Need to check some comparison photos.

[kema]

i would love to get this set. Will it be pbt dye sub?

Yessir!

KAM was a uniform profile as well, right? Need to check some comparison photos.

Yup, you can see some rendered comparison images with DSA here: https://www.zfrontier.com/post/detail/7214
We should be seeing Starry Night in KAM profile soon so hopefully someone out there will make a comparison post.

[_ODIN_]

i would love to get this set. Will it be pbt dye sub?

Yessir!

KAM was a uniform profile as well, right? Need to check some comparison photos.

Yup, you can see some rendered comparison images with DSA here: https://www.zfrontier.com/post/detail/7214
We should be seeing Starry Night in KAM profile soon so hopefully someone out there will make a comparison post.

You convinced me. This is amazing

[meniscus-]

Any updates?

[kema]

Any updates?

Was told they were running injection samples more than a week ago but didn't get much more than that, will see if there's updates on monday!

Tuesday edit: haven't heard back yet, but I'm guessing if samples were successful and Starry Night R2 is still on track for September we should be seeing KAM Inu samples around or after that time

8/24 edit: Got an update from zFrontier, initial KAM samples were successful and Starry Night R2 on track for late Sept/early Oct which means we should be able to ask for samples around then

[control]

How are we lookin? I love this key set and need it... help

[kema]

How are we lookin? I love this key set and need it... help

Once Starry Night R2 is shipped we should be able to get some samples done, after I look them over and I'm happy with the results we'll start the group buy! I've already submitted all my feedback in regards to the original DSA samples so we'll see if they get the new samples right.

[slxdegrees]

Oooh can't wait. Is there ever such a thing as having too many keysets?

[control]

Awesome! can't wait!!!!

Oooh can't wait. Is there ever such a thing as having too many keysets?

[kookiemunstur]

Been waiting for this set for so long, its so clean, i hope starry night ships soon so we can get this groupbuy on the way already 

[superhawk610]

We should be seeing Starry Night in KAM profile soon so hopefully someone out there will make a comparison post.

Any chance the group buy for that is still open?

[tanega]

Starry Night will finally be released this month.
Kema, are you still committed to offer this keyset ?

[kema]

Hi all, sorry for the lack of updates. I've been messaging my contact at zFrontier over the past month but haven't gotten any response, really not sure what's going on ): . Will update you all when I do finally hear back.

[lazyfart]

Hi all, sorry for the lack of updates. I've been messaging my contact at zFrontier over the past month but haven't gotten any response, really not sure what's going on ): . Will update you all when I do finally hear back.

Thanks! No update is still an update. Haha

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Ajax]

I'm wondering if you've gotten any more updates from ZF. I'm in for Starry Night R2 and the latest I've heard is that three weeks ago they were still working on fixing some issues with the spacebar -- it seems like that's backing all the sets up. They said they'd post an update, but their project updates page hasn't changed since Black Friday. Given that the original shipping date was May I'm fearing it's still going to be a while more. Maybe you've heard more?

[kema]

Heard back from zF last night. Like Ajax said, Starry Night R2 is still being finalized this month (super duper delayed), but Keyreative has said OK to producing some samples for this set. Not too big of an update but glad this wasn't dropped!

[dr_unconscionable]

Huzzah! Glad this project is still slowly progressing!

[tanega]

Hey kema, I think some stuff are odd in the ergo set.

For the center columns there are 3 white  vertical 2u and 1 black (fn).
I'm not sure how the horizontal 1.5u are supposed to fit some are white some are black.
There are no 1u for the bottom row beside the arrow keys and 2 blanks, are you supposed to get the ortho kit along with the ergo kit ?

It would be nice to have consistent colour patterns across vertical and horizontal ergo keys. Black outer columns would be awesome on my future Boardwalk 

A colevrak kit would be awesome and could help gain popularity in GB (susuwatari colevrak got 10% rate of order).
It would need scooped T, U, N, H to cover a wide range of alternative layouts.

[kema]

Hey kema, I think some stuff are odd in the ergo set.

For the center columns there are 3 white  vertical 2u and 1 black (fn).
I'm not sure how the horizontal 1.5u are supposed to fit some are white some are black.
There are no 1u for the bottom row beside the arrow keys and 2 blanks, are you supposed to get the ortho kit along with the ergo kit ?

It would be nice to have consistent colour patterns across vertical and horizontal ergo keys. Black outer columns would be awesome on my future Boardwalk 

A colevrak kit would be awesome and could help gain popularity in GB (susuwatari colevrak got 10% rate of order).
It would need scooped T, U, N, H to cover a wide range of alternative layouts.

Truth be told I don't have much understanding of ergo kits and just referenced other sets, if you know what goes into a standard ergo keyset could you assist me with that? I can shoot you a pm with my discord!

[tanega]

Most of the kit are featuring the secondary colour from the keyset, sometime with additionnal keys for colour accent or text label.
The bare minimun is 12 * 1.5u (4 vertical, 8 horisontal) 4 vertical 2u for thumbs, 20 * 1u.


I think you could pick between two common approach :

Mod keys with labels


Not the easiest way as a lot of ergo users are heavily customizing their keymaps to their needs.
The defaut layout in QMK is the default Ergodox EZ one.

Some keycaps creators are trying to provide some labeled keys with usually several options.
Examples: dsa miami, dsa light cycle, dsa granite, Nautilus (lot of options there)

Some provide labeled keys with thematic text unrelated to key function:
Examples: mt3 godspeed, kam wraith, etc.


Blank keycaps

Obviously the main choice here.
Examples: Mt3 Susuwatri (simple kit with a few colour accent option), dsa royal navy (minimalist kit), SA Vilebloom, gmk terminal


As I'm not a designer I couldn't help you further, I guess you'll have to pick a solution.
My advice if you stick to labeled keys, keep colour pattern consistent and offer a few key variations.

[kema]

Most of the kit are featuring the secondary colour from the keyset, sometime with additionnal keys for colour accent or text label.
The bare minimun is 12 * 1.5u (4 vertical, 8 horisontal) 4 vertical 2u for thumbs, 20 * 1u.


I think you could pick between two common approach :

Mod keys with labels


Not the easiest way as a lot of ergo users are heavily customizing their keymaps to their needs.
The defaut layout in QMK is the default Ergodox EZ one.

Some keycaps creators are trying to provide some labeled keys with usually several options.
Examples: dsa miami, dsa light cycle, dsa granite, Nautilus (lot of options there)

Some provide labeled keys with thematic text unrelated to key function:
Examples: mt3 godspeed, kam wraith, etc.


Blank keycaps

Obviously the main choice here.
Examples: Mt3 Susuwatri (simple kit with a few colour accent option), dsa royal navy (minimalist kit), SA Vilebloom, gmk terminal


As I'm not a designer I couldn't help you further, I guess you'll have to pick a solution.
My advice if you stick to labeled keys, keep colour pattern consistent and offer a few key variations.

Awesome, thanks so much tanega!
I'll revise the ergo kit and take everything you wrote and referenced into account when the set moves forward a bit, been really busy with work and other side projects.

[tanega]

No problems, don't hesitate to contact me if you have more questions

[i_am_pat]

How's thangs going!

[impauln]

Hey! I've been a lurker for some time now, but I just made account to inquire about this set!! Any new updates?! 

[meniscus-]

At this point, just go back to DSA

[dr_unconscionable]

My guess is that the hiatus is more because the designer is busy than because there are issues with the KAM profile, but hopefully we'll get an update eventually.

[meniscus-]

My guess is that the hiatus is more because the designer is busy than because there are issues with the KAM profile, but hopefully we'll get an update eventually.

It's because Zfrontier is taking forever making KAM keycaps for other GBs

[pan]

I watched Isle of Dogs too and fell in love with the entirety of it, so I wholeheartedly support this! Good luck!

[godisafk]

Just saw this at the top of the list and im into it!

[ocm]

Updates on this? Looking for a KAM profile set and loved IoD

[kema]

Hi friends, still haven't heard anything from zFrontier but will definitely update once I do, just reached out to my contact for an update. Been focusing on graphic design stuff lately and doing some mechanical keyboard inspired posters too (can check out my signature links for that)!

[psvntrm]

Nice updates

[Arizone]

05/21/19 Alpha letters will be larger, no other updates!

Interesting. Bumping the thread for anyone subscribed like me, keeping the dream alive. At least Starry Night appears to finally be finishing soon.

[loopaddiction]

Beautiful work here, will definitely keep an eye out for this one.

[kema]

05/21/19 Alpha letters will be larger, no other updates!

Interesting. Bumping the thread for anyone subscribed like me, keeping the dream alive. At least Starry Night appears to finally be finishing soon.

Hopefully will hear back from zFrontier when that time comes, afaik this set is next in line! Revisited the set recently and bumped up the alphas in size since they were getting lost amongst all the other same sized legends. It's been so long I'll probably do another pass over everything, and revisit the box design. I appreciate the continued interest!

[loopaddiction]

I actually think the size of the legends in the current renders are perfect, but I'm personally a sucker for small-ish type styles. Just my opinion.

[kema]

Edit: oops something went wonky and double posted

[kema]

I actually think the size of the legends in the current renders are perfect, but I'm personally a sucker for small-ish type styles. Just my opinion.

I love small type as well, but when handling the DSA samples, the letters just felt too small so I bumped them up by ~30% (still much smaller than what you'd see on other keycaps). I feel like there should be some size difference between the alphas and modifier text.

[Lil]

Any timescale as to when this might go up for GB? I am keen. Would also be great to see updated renders of the new font eventually

[bball2]

Man zFrontier is just the worst. I'm still waiting for a set of keycaps ordered in March 2018. I really should've just filed a chargeback and moved on.

Have you considered working with KBDfans or another vendor instead?

[kema]

Any timescale as to when this might go up for GB? I am keen. Would also be great to see updated renders of the new font eventually

I have no idea! All I know is this set is next in line after Starry Night, and the manufacturer has had issues with the molds or something which has led to a lot of delays. Will fix up some new renders when I know more about GB timeline.

Man zFrontier is just the worst. I'm still waiting for a set of keycaps ordered in March 2018. I really should've just filed a chargeback and moved on.

Have you considered working with KBDfans or another vendor instead?

Damn that's crazy, over a year! Haven't considered other vendors, but I know this set is next in line for production.

[dvorcol]

I actually think the size of the legends in the current renders are perfect, but I'm personally a sucker for small-ish type styles. Just my opinion.

I love small type as well, but when handling the DSA samples, the letters just felt too small so I bumped them up by ~30% (still much smaller than what you'd see on other keycaps). I feel like there should be some size difference between the alphas and modifier text.

You said "when handling the DSA samples" but this set will be KAM, right?

[kema]

I actually think the size of the legends in the current renders are perfect, but I'm personally a sucker for small-ish type styles. Just my opinion.

I love small type as well, but when handling the DSA samples, the letters just felt too small so I bumped them up by ~30% (still much smaller than what you'd see on other keycaps). I feel like there should be some size difference between the alphas and modifier text.

You said "when handling the DSA samples" but this set will be KAM, right?

That's right!

[ptrick3]

Just saw this set, definitely an auto-purchase for me if it comes to fruition. The colors and layout are amazing. Hoping to see it up in the coming months.

Do you have any updated pictures of the larger characters?

[kema]

Just saw this set, definitely an auto-purchase for me if it comes to fruition. The colors and layout are amazing. Hoping to see it up in the coming months.

Do you have any updated pictures of the larger characters?

There’s a screenshot example on the front page! Also I haven’t had any contact from zFrontier in a loooong time so really not sure if this is even gonna happen