Introducing the humble40
The Group Buy page is up!Update (June 6 2022): Well, I didn't expect things to take this long, but this project is ready to go. This group buy will go live on 17 June at a time TBD. I'll be selling at
www.eyeohdesigns.com The plan is this to run for 3 weeks, or until 75 units are sold, whichever comes first. Estimated completion is 4 months after the group buy is closed.
One big change is that the PCB was redesigned to run an RP2040. The firmware is now Vial.
Update (July 5 2021): Hey peeps! Protos have arrived and I'm very happy with the outcome! There are still some things to tweak and decisions to make before moving to GB. Namely, those are:
-Determine optional plate materials. Base kits will include FR4 and other materials will be available as an add-on. I have prototypes of brass, FR4, and POM. The POM may prove too flexy, but I won't know until I get to do a complete build with the new PCBs. Which brings me to the next decision point...
-Determine PCB thickness. I may end up going 1.2 mm PCBs instead of the standard 1.6 mm thickness. This would be in-lieu of a half plate option, which doesn't really make sense for the size and construction of this board.
-Determine manufacturer. This will determine pricing. The current protos I have are great quality and from a cheaper manufacturer. Unless the more expensive manu blows me away with their quality, I'll likely go with the less expensive option to help with pricing.
-Minor tweaks to the case.
I think my next update will be when I receive the next round of protos. Stay tuned!
The humble40 is the latest board from Eye Oh Designs and is the first keyboard in the humble series. The humble40 combines no-nonsense mounting in a simple yet handsome 40% package. Its features include:
Case/Plate:-12.5u WKL layout
-Bottom mount. Compared to other bottom mount boards, there is a decent amount of flex due to the cutouts for the blockers and using only 4 mounting points for the plate/PCB.
-5.5 degree typing angle with 19 mm front height.
-Seamless, single piece CNC construction. Planned materials are anodized aluminum and polycarbonate based on interest check response.
-FR4 switch plate in standard stagger or uniform stagger configuration.
-Case foam likely for all kits. Plate foam available as an add-on. I'm still tweaking these details.
PCB:-Compatible with MX style switches. Soldering iron required.
-Powered by a RP2040 running Vial
-USB C connection and circuit protection through the unified daughterboard
-Standard and uniform stagger configurations on the same PCB
-Single color LED backlight optional (All required circuitry will come on the PCB except the in-switch lighting. The customer can add this during the build if they desire)
Keycap compatibility:
-Complete legend and profile accurate coverage by most of the DSS sets coming out of the 40s Discord sold through store.aeternus.co, cbkbd.com, ringerkeys.xyz, etc.
-Depending on layout chosen, near GMK base kit coverage. The only out of profile key is tab (put 1.25u tab in base people).
Pricing: $170
Planned units: 75
Planned vendors: www.eyeohdesigns.com
Timeline for GB: 3 week group buy. Fulfillment 4 months after group buy completion.
Some notes on the humble series mentioned above:
The humble series aims to offer keyboards that don’t compromise on looks, sound, construction, or price. My aim was to provide something that is simple, yet handsome and refined. You won’t need the keyboard’s blueprints or an entire box of screws to put it together, but your typing experience will be just as enjoyable once it’s complete. I plan to offer a few more keyboards under the humble name with the same design language, so stay tuned.
