Author Topic: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid | GB launching on the 26th  (Read 74372 times)

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Offline ai03

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Lunar II
Second generation compact AEK keyboard by Switchplate Peripherals and ai03

Building upon the legacy of the first generation design, Lunar II brings the acclaimed curved design to a more accessible price, complete with an entirely seamless exterior, increased typing comfort, and solenoid support.


GB details announced here





A worthy successor
Lunar II takes user feedback into mind as it improves upon the first generation design.
The curvature has been refreshed completely to reduce the front ledge height for easier typing, and the 1.2mm aluminum plate balances typing comfort, acoustics, and ease of assembly.
A weight has been added for additional heft and aesthetic accent while retaining the low typing angle.




Zero-seam design
Whereas the original Lunar hid the seam on the bottomside, Lunar II removes the seam completely with a single-piece case, with nothing to break the continuous smooth curvature.
A carefully engineered mounting method secures the plate to the case via O-ring-tipped standoffs, allowing for maximized flex on the typing surface without the stiffness of a typical tray mount.




Making noise
Solenoid support allows you to cue audible feedback at will.
Use the electromagnetic hammer to add clickiness to your favorite tactile or linear switch without changing feel, or supplement and amplify the sound of your clicky switches to a further level.
When in need of quiet, simply toggle the solenoid off.




Alps for all
The Lunar II brings the mini-AEK form to a more affordable price point with easier assembly.
Lunar II only requires a single Apple Extended Keyboard’s worth of keycaps and stabilizers to build, making the task of sourcing parts much easier than the original.
Choose between the unified and split backspace plate options to tailor the build to your needs.




Specifications
Case: Aluminum, single part design
Case color options: Silver, Grey
Weight finish and material: TBA
Plate: Aluminum, through-PCB standoff mount, unified and split backspace variants
PCB: ESD protection, in-switch caps lock LED support for SKCL-LED variants, solenoid switching support (Solenoid included in kit)
Case mass: ~1.2kg (Case, weight, plate)

Layouts:
Note: Each layout requires its own plate; select the correct one as necessary.



Units: 100 total
Price: To be announced
Vendor: Switchplate Peripherals

Advice and Notes:
Tweezers may be helpful for hooking the stabilizer wires.
Prepare and test all switches before building.
Solenoid installation requires slightly advanced soldering and assembly. Tweezers and soldering helping hands may be useful.
The prototype case is an early unit; a solenoid cutout has been added in a later revision.
Photos taken by reconsiderit of Switchplate Peripherals.


More images and renders









« Last Edit: Thu, 21 July 2022, 15:36:40 by ai03 »

Offline reconsiderit

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK keyboard
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 02:55:04 »
Reserved
Southpaw 65 || Southpaw Full Size || Trinity XT TKL || TGR Jane V2 || TGR 910 RE || Duck Jetfire || Matrix Lab 1.2 OG || Jubi || Lunar || Lunar II || g80-1800 HEU

switchplate.co

Offline ilikerustoo

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK keyboard
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 02:56:31 »
I'm all in. Say no more

Offline kabocha

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK keyboard
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 02:58:12 »
Been waiting for this!

Offline ZyBeR

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK keyboard
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 03:03:57 »
You had me at "Solenoid support" :D
(this was typed on an OG Lunar AEK  :cool:)

Offline mcmaxmcmc

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 03:09:33 »
Do I need to say anything? ^-^

Offline Applet

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 03:14:51 »
100% in on this, worried about the 100 units cap  :eek:

Offline Diskfix

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 03:17:46 »
XD75 pcb/plate support could be neat, but i guess i'm a minority under minorities!

Offline audax989

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 03:28:10 »
Might be my first ever alps custom!

Offline Full

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #9 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 03:41:01 »
This is amazing! Cant wait! :)
Hi!

Offline fleeceman

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #10 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 03:59:33 »
Interested

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Offline Gert Fischer

  • Posts: 21
Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #11 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 04:08:03 »
Will the solenoid have a physical switch to turn it off or some key combinations

Offline Ustinj

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #12 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 04:15:57 »
In in in

Offline 7empest

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #13 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 04:45:47 »
Oh hell yea, this is what i have been looking for

Offline dom

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #14 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 05:12:27 »
😍

Offline powwu

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #15 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 06:08:13 »
You had me at lunar


Offline toniwonkanobi

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #16 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 07:03:36 »
I love my Lunar with oranges, but this should sound even better. Now, which switches to use 🤔

Offline pixelpusher

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #17 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 07:35:02 »
It lives!

Offline Visionaire

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 07:35:18 »
Please take my money sir. Now?

Offline huey

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 07:37:42 »
Alps and a solenoid. This is going to be a very interesting board.

Offline Crack85

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 07:40:10 »
So good! Man I’m in


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Offline StanleyLelnats

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #21 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 07:43:54 »
Really hoping I can get in on this


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Offline LightningXI

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #22 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 08:47:50 »
60%? I'm in.

Offline NoPunIn10Did

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #23 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 08:50:39 »
What was behind the decision to nix the four horizontally arranged arrow keys in the bottom row? Or is that just a layout option not yet posted?

Offline zoo

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #24 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 09:57:40 »
Excited~ I don’t think 100 units will be enough

Offline beekey

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #25 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 10:06:27 »
I have not a single Alps switch, but it looks like this will change. Such a beauty!

Offline paperassgasket

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #26 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 10:16:53 »
Yeah I never got into alps but if I can secure a GB slot that is about to change forever.

Offline andj00

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #27 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 11:00:53 »
Count me in please!

Offline ycanales

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #28 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 11:06:21 »
Saw this and bought an AEK on ebay right away! Hope I can get a sport and good luck with the IC/GB!

Offline GaNeBaL

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #29 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 11:21:05 »
man i hope to get one of these
Obsessed with 60%TKLs

Offline KingOfMemes

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #30 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 11:32:45 »
100% going to try for this one, but I'm also prepared to take an L

Offline slxdegrees

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #31 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 11:39:49 »
When is this expected to run? Need to prep my wallet, and my luck you see...

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Offline gminso

  • Posts: 96
Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 12:33:30 »
HHKB? how come nobody ask

edit: nvm it looks like not possible
« Last Edit: Fri, 18 September 2020, 12:35:50 by gminso »

Offline meowscanttype

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #33 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 13:18:15 »
HOLY HOLY HOLY HOLY

Offline i luv chuletas

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #34 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 13:28:54 »
Yes please <3

Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #35 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 14:13:40 »
Lovingly eyes up my stack of M0116s with oranges  ;D Unfortunately never had an AEK, these are considerably more expensive, I wouldn't really view this as a "budget" way to get into Alps.

Offline sendpie

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #36 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 14:27:29 »
finally

Offline HiiragiAkira

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #37 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 15:55:59 »
I'm in, wanting my first keyboard to be an alps one

Offline Little4Real

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #38 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 19:42:57 »
Are people only lining up for this cause it's an AI03 board??

Offline Rob27shred

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #39 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 20:20:15 »

Offline AuthenticDanger

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #40 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 20:36:35 »
Are people only lining up for this cause it's an AI03 board??

Probably a ton of people who missed Lunar or didn't want an integrated plate.
F Keys belong on the left.

Offline Little4Real

  • Posts: 174
Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #41 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 21:03:51 »
Are people only lining up for this cause it's an AI03 board??

Probably a ton of people who missed Lunar or didn't want an integrated plate.

I sold my Lunar for that same reason, but I'm just seeing a lot of "I've never tried alps, but I'm in". Seems like it's only for the AI03 clout though

Offline Rob27shred

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #42 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 21:17:35 »
Are people only lining up for this cause it's an AI03 board??

Probably a ton of people who missed Lunar or didn't want an integrated plate.

I sold my Lunar for that same reason, but I'm just seeing a lot of "I've never tried alps, but I'm in". Seems like it's only for the AI03 clout though


Possibly, also with as hot as the aftermarket is right now it's almost hard to take a loss on a custom so I'd imagine people are figuring buy now & figure out the details later.

Offline Sdhebert

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #43 on: Fri, 18 September 2020, 23:37:31 »
Sweet mother yes. Any chance for an hhkb layout option?   

Offline fleeceman

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #44 on: Sat, 19 September 2020, 03:42:23 »
Are people only lining up for this cause it's an AI03 board??

Probably a ton of people who missed Lunar or didn't want an integrated plate.

I sold my Lunar for that same reason, but I'm just seeing a lot of "I've never tried alps, but I'm in". Seems like it's only for the AI03 clout though
The gatekeeping is strong with this one

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Offline beekey

  • Posts: 434
Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #45 on: Sat, 19 September 2020, 05:09:22 »
Sweet mother yes. Any chance for an hhkb layout option?
That would be fantastic. +1

Offline garbo

  • Posts: 124
Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #46 on: Sat, 19 September 2020, 07:08:09 »
Sweet mother yes. Any chance for an hhkb layout option?
That would be fantastic. +1

This is a seamless tray mount case - blockers just aren't going to happen barring a complete redesign

Offline Drakenocas

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[IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #47 on: Sat, 19 September 2020, 08:13:25 »


Nice finish on that frame.

Offline ai03

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Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #48 on: Sat, 19 September 2020, 09:37:14 »
Will the solenoid have a physical switch to turn it off or some key combinations
Keycode within QMK; can be bound to any key position on any layer similar to backlight/underglow toggle keycodes.
Surprisingly, it's a native feature to QMK.

XD75 pcb/plate support could be neat, but i guess i'm a minority under minorities!
Mount points would conflict with switch positions.

Nice finish on that frame.
The prototype was done no-blast no-ano to speed things up, back when it was still plausible to rush a GB early 2020.

Excited~ I don’t think 100 units will be enough
The MX crowd has grown quite a bit but Alps has always been a small circle; hopefully quantity cap won't be an issue.
If demand far exceeds supply, will likely run a round two sometime in the future.

Seems like it's only for the AI03 clout though
Imagine buying a board just because of branding or designer without even wanting the board itself

Sweet mother yes. Any chance for an hhkb layout option?   
Would need to be entirely different case and PCB design.
« Last Edit: Sat, 19 September 2020, 09:39:26 by ai03 »

Offline The.Ryan.Gamer

  • Posts: 235
Re: [IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid
« Reply #49 on: Sat, 19 September 2020, 10:32:05 »
This looks Amazing. Definitely would cop this.

I just hope this is not another Raffle, FCFS limited board release thingy.