[IC] Smart 68 Keyboard Set (GB is live)

[donpark]

is the board in the taobao link legit?

[Hitcha]

is the board in the taobao link legit?

Would also like to know this. And if it is, what's the estimated shipping date?

[tofgerl]

Taobao is under the Alibaba empire, so the site is definitely legit, but that's like saying eBay is legit - the actual auction is still highly dubious.

However, these pictures look AOK to me. I wouldn't buy it since there's going to be a GB soon, but honestly, if that falls through, I might hazard it...

Also, Google Translate sucks at chinese!

[ccc24]

anyone know if gateron switches will be able to work?

[Eszett]

I'm interested, but depends on price. Carbon fibre is not cheap.

[ctrlX]

Really awesome work! Extremely interesting concept/solution. I am also wondering about ISO option. I cannot see that this has been answered. Any news on ISO option would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[genkidama]

Really awesome work! Extremely interesting concept/solution. I am also wondering about ISO option. I cannot see that this has been answered. Any news on ISO option would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

I second that, would be nice to know.

I can see that you could code the ISO layout yourself as this is fully programmable (right?). It only depends if the PCB layout is compatible, doesn't it?

[Sirakain]

The link is definitely legit, you can find the same one in the EC thread.
From the pictures I don't think the PCB supports ISO.

[turboloser]

anyone know if gateron switches will be able to work?

Why wouldn't they? It's all basically the same switch.

[ika]

anyone know if gateron switches will be able to work?

Why wouldn't they? It's all basically the same switch.

Tight tolerances on the SIP sockets on the PCB. If Gaterons have looser tolerance than cherry switches, or they move pins around by fractions of a millimeter you may not get the contact you need for a working switch. It depends on how much variance the sockets allow.

[Evil-Jester]

Any ETA on the GB ??

[edsucks]

Any updates on this?
Seems unlikely that the gb will be happening in August. )
Would I be correct in saying that September or Mid-October is more realistic?

[ccc24]

is the layout programmable?

[Hitcha]

is the layout programmable?

I'd like to know this for sure too! 3 days left in August..

[adamski07]

This needs to happen as I cancel my Planck order for this.

[feng]

Please vote for your favorite layout! If you like layout #1, don't need to vote because it will happen for sure.

[snapdarty]

OMG feng has finally responded, and it's for sure going to happen. I made a GH account in anticipation of this group buy (I come from reddit), and am so happy for my first post to be in support of this amazing keyboard. IT'S HAPPENING! My Smart 68 with Zealios dream is coming to fruition!

[adamski07]

hell yeah! It is happening. Didn't vote as I want layout #1 'cause most of my spacebars are 6.25. Thanks for the update, Feng.

[Joebroniee]

bump for hype!

[Zeal]

Symmetry! My vote goes for 7u spacebar / WKL layout.

Considering that center stemmed 6u spacebar only exists via enjoypbt/Gateron's 6u new center-stemmed spacebar, it would be hard or even impossible to find other high-quality aftermarket caps. I don't see why 6u bottom row is even offered at all. It should only be option #1 and #3.

[genkidama]

So ISO is possible with this? 

[FrostyToast]

If the third layout gets selected then I might join this buy.
Why have 1.25 mods if I need a tsangan set anyway for those two 1.5 mods?
It doesn't matter if most people have 6.25u spacebars. They would get a 7u spacebar with the tsangan sets they have to buy for this regardless.
 It seems like it would both lower compatibility and make the board look ugly.

[nilpt]

+1 for ISO...

[effectiveduck]

Would it be possible to add the option to have 1u + 1u instead of 2u in the backspace position?

[tofgerl]

Three different layout options and no ISO? As a European I feel dissed, man!
 

[DarkDot]

hell yeah! It is happening. Didn't vote as I want layout #1 'cause most of my spacebars are 6.25. Thanks for the update, Feng.

That's why I'm here!

[whmeltonjr]

NOOB ALERT: With any of the 3 options, you will need some form of non-standard keycaps, correct?

[azhdar]

NOOB ALERT: With any of the 3 options, you will need some form of non-standard keycaps, correct?

On all the layouts proposed you encounter the problem that 75% and 65% boards encounter, the 3 keys above the arrows that are hard to find in correct legend & profile since it will only be found in mod kit designed for 75%.

Layout #2 with 6u spacebar is the hardest, even with the recent addition of gateron 6u spacebars, this is still an uncomman keycap sizing. And there's also the problem of centered/offcenter stem.

Layout #1 & #3 can be filled with any recent GB that offer both 1.25 & 1.5 bottom row. Only the 3keys problem remains.

[simonyunhe]

NOOB ALERT: With any of the 3 options, you will need some form of non-standard keycaps, correct?

You will need
1.75 Shift
1.5 Alt
1.5 Cltrl

[whmeltonjr]

Thanks! Guess that is something to figure out. Which of the three is will be the easiest to get caps for? I assume #1?

[HoffmanMyster]

Just voted for bottom row Layout #3. 

One thing I was reminded of, but can't remember the verdict: is there support for split backspace?  I see a couple different layouts, both with regular backspace placement and a "shifted" (1u to the right) backspace placement, which looks promising, but the plates mockups don't show support for split backspace.  Was this discussed before? 

[inanis]

I too was hoping for a split backspace. I thought that was in the original design, but maybe I'm wrong.  I hadn't looked in a while.

I can't decide between options 2 and 3. Aesthetically I like 2 better, but I know that I already have, and can continue to find, caps to support 3 easier. I'll probably go with 3...

[shrubkeys]

I don't believe there was ever any intended support for a split backspace - but I would be incredibly excited if there were. The differences between #s 1-3 are comparatively trivial. Allowing a short spacebar would be huge - and yet another way to make this project attractive.

[tofgerl]

Sure, and there should be an ortholinear layout, and a 104-key layout, and an 84-key...

Mass production is NOT easy.

[Data]

I'm actually kinda surprised that a 1.25 + 1.25 + 1.25 + 6.25 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 bottom row layout isn't supported.  That seems like kind of a no-brainer for this setup.  Did I just miss it?  Am I blind?

[FrostyToast]

Sure, and there should be an ortholinear layout, and a 104-key layout, and an 84-key...

Mass production is NOT easy.

Dude. They're just talking about a split backspace.
It's almost quintessential to smaller form factor keyboards.

[inanis]

Sure, and there should be an ortholinear layout, and a 104-key layout, and an 84-key...

Mass production is NOT easy.

True. That is why there is an Interest Check though, to get feed back from the consumer and make sure you are meeting the need. Will everyone be happy? No, but that doesn't mean people shouldn't offer suggestions. Plus people like getting their voice heard. Makes us all feel like special snowflakes. 

[taylordcraig]

please do #3.

or wait no, please do #2 so I don't have to buy this.

[LechnerDE]

Voted for option 3 

[shrubkeys]

Sure, and there should be an ortholinear layout, and a 104-key layout, and an 84-key...

Hush, now. You understand the distinction. Please think before you post.

[feng]

Sorry guys, made a mistake here. I meant to ask which type of carbon fiber plates you'd prefer, not which layout you like. Here's two options.

1. Two separate plates, meaning that if you want both layouts, you would have to buy two plates for better compatibility.
2. One plate with separate bottom row, meaning that you only need to buy one plate which is compatible for both layout #2 and #3. The bottom row is installed separately from the main plate. But it's kinda a new thing, so we don't know if it would be accepted by most people.

[inanis]

Sorry guys, made a mistake here. I meant to ask which type of carbon fiber plates you'd prefer, not which layout you like. Here's two options.

1. Two separate plates, meaning that if you want both layouts, you would have to buy two plates for better compatibility.
2. One plate with separate bottom row, meaning that you only need to buy one plate which is compatible for both layout #2 and #3. The bottom row is installed separately from the main plate. But it's kinda a new thing, so we don't know if it would be accepted by most people.

I love the idea of having a separate plate just for the bottom row! Experimenting with new things is the way to foster more innovation. I'm all for it.

[LechnerDE]

2. One plate with separate bottom row, meaning that you only need to buy one plate which is compatible for both layout #2 and #3. The bottom row is installed separately from the main plate. But it's kinda a new thing, so we don't know if it would be accepted by most people.

What about stability? Isn't the extra plate kinda loose?

[feng]

2. One plate with separate bottom row, meaning that you only need to buy one plate which is compatible for both layout #2 and #3. The bottom row is installed separately from the main plate. But it's kinda a new thing, so we don't know if it would be accepted by most people.

What about stability? Isn't the extra plate kinda loose?

No need to worry about stability. That worried me at first but the producer said it's not loose at all since there's 4 screws to support the bottom row plate.

[genkidama]

Does this affect transportability of the board, carrying in a backpack? Or is this already answered through the stability questions? 


e: still would like to know about ISO though. I don't know if this can be seen on the PCB itself or not 

[Latin00032]

Sorry guys, made a mistake here. I meant to ask which type of carbon fiber plates you'd prefer, not which layout you like. Here's two options.

1. Two separate plates, meaning that if you want both layouts, you would have to buy two plates for better compatibility.
2. One plate with separate bottom row, meaning that you only need to buy one plate which is compatible for both layout #2 and #3. The bottom row is installed separately from the main plate. But it's kinda a new thing, so we don't know if it would be accepted by most people.

Two plates might be better for key stability.

But, one universal plate might be better and cheaper for most people.

[Latin00032]

So, is the offset backspace key still an option?

It doesn't look like it is based on the plate renders.

[tofgerl]

Sighting on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/3j6cmm/photoslook_at_who_is_sitting_on_my_desk_smart_68/

[Hitcha]

Sighting on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/3j6cmm/photoslook_at_who_is_sitting_on_my_desk_smart_68/

Will we have an option for the low-cut case seen in the original post pictures? Or is the taller case seen here now our only option?

[edsucks]

Does the plate with the separate bottom row include all three layouts or only #2 and #3?

What kind of case will be used in the buy? Is it the one shown in the OP or is it the taller and thicker one as seen here: https://i.imgur.com/AG0pAFX.jpg