[IC] Hubble Mira Custom TKL (GB is 3... 2... 1... launched!)

[joey]

Or just put 1u keys there

[asgeirtj]

Isn't silver one of the basic colors?

[DrHubblePhD]

Or just put 1u keys there

Yes, yes, hubbles dumb. Lets just move on to the more important stuff please

[64rky]

Very excited about this board,  the prototype looks amazing!  Great Job!!!


Which company did you end up going for the agonizing?

[filphil]

Very excited about this board,  the prototype looks amazing!  Great Job!!!


Which company did you end up going for the agonizing?

I laughed more than I should have

[romevi]

Very excited about this board,  the prototype looks amazing!  Great Job!!!


Which company did you end up going for the agonizing?

I laughed more than I should have

Well, with the torture those Shift caps suffered...

[64rky]

Very excited about this board,  the prototype looks amazing!  Great Job!!!


Which company did you end up going for the agonizing?

I laughed more than I should have

An unintentional funny,  I love autocracy.

[hoggy]

DrHubblePhd,

How much does the keyboard weigh, now that's all together?

[ninjadoc]

Anodizing colors. The company offers a "matte" finish and a "bright" finish.Bright is what we would get on a polished surface and "matte" to most companies seems to mean a sandblasted or bead blasted surface which is what most keyboards have. I was sent aluminum "dogtags" with bright finishes. The company owner( who by the way gave me the quote) is out of town till next week and I should be able to see him next Friday. These are the finishes he sent me which gives us an idea of the standard colors. I have discovered that it is difficult to get accurate colors taking photos of "colored aluminum" .

red


black


blue


violet


green


gold


clear


pewter


Comparison of clear and pewter



There is no extra charge for these colors. Custom colors are available but will require an additionial fee and a MOQ of 5 boards.

[asdfjkl36]

I'm a fan of the green

[HoffmanMyster]

I suspect that violet will be a big hit. 

[ninjadoc]

DrHubblePhd,

How much does the keyboard weigh, now that's all together?

If DrHubble had to sacrifice the shift keys from a RA 2.0 set what do you think the odds of him having a scale in his dorm room is? I weighed it before I shipped the prototype to him.
To give you an idea the board weighed 4 lbs , 14 ounces without plate, PCB, switches. I just weighed a built, stainless steel plated lightsaver PCB with switches, LED's, and keycaps which weighed 22 ounces.So it will weigh less than 6 lbs 4 ounces.

[adamski07]

Great colors. I like the green, purple and  blue! Thanks for the update.

[Jokrik]

I suspect that violet will be a big hit. 

+1
or PINK!

[Data]

Those colors are great.  Nice find, ninjadoc.  I'm digging the gold especially.

[64rky]

Pewter for me, def.

[Bucky]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

[ninjadoc]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

[Data]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

Like north of $200?  I know it's already expensive for rifles.  I can only imagine what a place would charge for keyboards, assuming they would even entertain the job.

It's pretty much the ultimate end-game coating though. 

[diqkiq]

Thanks for the update Doc!

[Bucky]

I see, well it will be interesting to see how it turns out at least.

[asdfjkl36]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

Like north of $200?  I know it's already expensive for rifles.  I can only imagine what a place would charge for keyboards, assuming they would even entertain the job.

It's pretty much the ultimate end-game coating though. 

If i remember correct, although i dont know prices, it should be less than coating a gun.

Second - the cerakote place. I was impressed. So much so they have one of my keyboards to cerakote and in a week or so we will know what cerakote looks like on a keyboard. http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/finishes/ These are the colors that are available and you can read about cerakote on that site. Apparently there is a two week course in Oregon that you take in order to be "certified" in the application of cerakote. This is a small shop and he is willing to work with us on this. He can use a base color and fill in the engraving of the "Mira" with a different color. In reference to MythicalWagu's post the cost is less than coating a gun (remember they have to disassemble the gun, coat all the pieces, and reassemble it). It is durable, only 1 - 3 millionths of an inch thick,normally doesn't chip and is scratch resistant.

Not sure if this is still true or if things have changed.

[strict]

Okay sorry for disapearing for a bit. I have been busy with a lot of stuff lately.

But without further ado, I present to you the Hubble Mira!

sorry i lost my card reader, so potatoes only for now

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okay so here is my unbiased review of the Mira prototype:

things that are great:

• Its undeniably beautiful, i had friends stop by and without knowing what it was thought it was awesome
• The weight is perfect. Not too heavy, not too light.
• The pcb and plate fit great and mount securly to the case
• There is no rattle or shaking in the plate when installed

things that will be fixed:

• The blockers are too tall, so i had to mutilate a couple shift keycaps. Easy fix.
• Minor spacing issues with the escape and left control keys
• USB hole is not large enough and is slightly too far right (about a mm)
• the screw threads are not deep enough on the weight, another easy fix
• The anodizing on the board was done poorly, we have already chosen a different shop, so no worries here

I hope you are excited as I am! Once we confirm the fixes with the shop and nail down our coating options I will announce a start date for the GB!

As far as anodizing we have located a company that has given us very fair prices with the ability to create custom options. Essentialy how it will probably work is that there will be no charge for base colors (Gold, black, blue, green, red, violet, bronze, blue pewter, and titanium), and if there are 10 or more people who want a custom color, they can pay a small amount and we will get it made. Ninjadoc has samples from this shop, so you can see when he posts them what it should look like.
 

Damn! That thing is gorgeous! I'm sincerely debating liquidating some of my keys to be able to pick up an ANSI 150 Mira ...

[roostrc0gburn]

Well, this changes much. Doc, will we be able to choose between a bright or matte finish as well as the color?

[Cottonsox]

Depending on the extra, i would be more interested in a dark grey / gun metal color.

Also still wanting to here about the cerakote and how much it might be to get that done!

[Sed8op8]

Depending on the extra, i would be more interested in a dark grey / gun metal color.

Also still wanting to here about the cerakote and how much it might be to get that done!

same thoughts here cotton depending on extra gunmetal/dark grey would be my first color choice !

[livingspeedbump]

Depending on the extra, i would be more interested in a dark grey / gun metal color.

Also still wanting to here about the cerakote and how much it might be to get that done!

same thoughts here cotton depending on extra gunmetal/dark grey would be my first color choice !

Me as well!

[Binge]

I'm throwing down bank.  Cerakote dank gray or gunmetal.

[Bucky]

I might be in for a mini group of dark grey/gunmetal anodized or cerakote, depending on the additional cost of course.

[64rky]

Depending on the extra, i would be more interested in a dark grey / gun metal color.

Also still wanting to here about the cerakote and how much it might be to get that done!

same thoughts here cotton depending on extra gunmetal/dark grey would be my first color choice !

Me as well!

Oo,  if we go down that route,  I am in for dark grey or gun metal as well!

[archer]

Depending on the extra, i would be more interested in a dark grey / gun metal color.

Also still wanting to here about the cerakote and how much it might be to get that done!

same thoughts here cotton depending on extra gunmetal/dark grey would be my first color choice !

Depending on the extra, i would be more interested in a dark grey / gun metal color.

Also still wanting to here about the cerakote and how much it might be to get that done!

same thoughts here cotton depending on extra gunmetal/dark grey would be my first color choice !

Me as well!

I'm throwing down bank.  Cerakote dank gray or gunmetal.

+1... I'm all about dat gunmetal gray or cerakote gray as well!

[asgeirtj]

Isn't clear what most resembles the color of the prototype?  And clear = light gray and pewter = dark gray?

[ninjadoc]

Isn't clear what most resembles the color of the prototype?  And clear = light gray and pewter = dark gray?

The prototype is simply anodized clear. Basically a clear coat of anodizing of the metal to make it harder. Remember though it is a poor anodizing job and the prototype was incompletely covered. also - what you get in you get out. Smooth finish, smooth anodizing. Machine marks, machine marks show in the anodizing. Bead or sand blast, you get the way most of our boards look with a "matte-like" finish. The dog-tag examples are smooth, glossy tags of aluminum - thus glossy , shiny results.

[hoggy]

DrHubblePhd,

How much does the keyboard weigh, now that's all together?

If DrHubble had to sacrifice the shift keys from a RA 2.0 set what do you think the odds of him having a scale in his dorm room is? I weighed it before I shipped the prototype to him.
To give you an idea the board weighed 4 lbs , 14 ounces without plate, PCB, switches. I just weighed a built, stainless steel plated lightsaver PCB with switches, LED's, and keycaps which weighed 22 ounces.So it will weigh less than 6 lbs 4 ounces.

Thanks!

[VinnyCordeiro]

DrHubblePhd,

How much does the keyboard weigh, now that's all together?

If DrHubble had to sacrifice the shift keys from a RA 2.0 set what do you think the odds of him having a scale in his dorm room is? I weighed it before I shipped the prototype to him.
To give you an idea the board weighed 4 lbs , 14 ounces without plate, PCB, switches. I just weighed a built, stainless steel plated lightsaver PCB with switches, LED's, and keycaps which weighed 22 ounces.So it will weigh less than 6 lbs 4 ounces.

Or 2.8 kg for those of us who uses the metric system (just about all other countries of the world).

[ninjadoc]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

Like north of $200?  I know it's already expensive for rifles.  I can only imagine what a place would charge for keyboards, assuming they would even entertain the job.

It's pretty much the ultimate end-game coating though. 

It is not north of $200 unless you go crazy. Cost is about $100 if a single color, cerakote would be about $35 a bottle additionial if it is a color he doesn't stock. If there is 5 or more you wouldn't have to pay for the cerakote. It might be less but that is the price I would plan on to start. I would have to talk to Hubble to see what the board cost would be if it wasn't anodized.

My board had messed up aluminum from the reanosizing and didn't cerakote well. The poor guy tried 5 times and still is unhappy with the result. I'm going to pick it up today and try to leave another one with him that hasn't been touched. I'm not sure if he will do it since my board was such a screwed up piece of junk.

Until we know how many and what changes would have to be done to correct the issues of the prototype I can't give a cost on what the board is to make. I can tell you be happy I'm not working by the hour on this thing or it would be bad. It truly takes a lot of time to design (Hubble), arrange production, correct issues (Hubble),get PCB made (Frosty, Zeal, Hubble) and arrange coatings for this. I can only imagine what sorting, packing, shipping, and soldering of the PCB's will be like. We are trying but real life gets in the way and jobs that are scheduled by the companies we are getting things done by prolongs the wait.                                       

[Jokrik]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

Like north of $200?  I know it's already expensive for rifles.  I can only imagine what a place would charge for keyboards, assuming they would even entertain the job.

It's pretty much the ultimate end-game coating though. 

It is not north of $200 unless you go crazy. Cost is about $100 if a single color, cerakote would be about $35 a bottle additionial if it is a color he doesn't stock. If there is 5 or more you wouldn't have to pay for the cerakote. It might be less but that is the price I would plan on to start. I would have to talk to Hubble to see what the board cost would be if it wasn't anodized.

My board had messed up aluminum from the reanosizing and didn't cerakote well. The poor guy tried 5 times and still is unhappy with the result. I'm going to pick it up today and try to leave another one with him that hasn't been touched. I'm not sure if he will do it since my board was such a screwed up piece of junk.

Until we know how many and what changes would have to be done to correct the issues of the prototype I can't give a cost on what the board is to make. I can tell you be happy I'm not working by the hour on this thing or it would be bad. It truly takes a lot of time to design (Hubble), arrange production, correct issues (Hubble),get PCB made (Frosty, Zeal, Hubble) and arrange coatings for this. I can only imagine what sorting, packing, shipping, and soldering of the PCB's will be like. We are trying but real life gets in the way and jobs that are scheduled by the companies we are getting things done by prolongs the wait.                                       

This is why people who join this GB need to straighten their expectation
This is a community driven project, don't try to demand things which puts pressure on the organizer. Want something instant, get an OEM keyboard

I've seen so many GB lately which went out of hand due to the organizer being overload, keep the drama out and the technicality more
Getting a 100% well made product is better than getting something half done due to time demand

tips how to join GB:
Throw your money and forget about it. Keep faith

I've the switches, springs and keyset ordered for this 

[ninjadoc]

Isn't clear what most resembles the color of the prototype?  And clear = light gray and pewter = dark gray?

Prototype - clear. That is simply the color of aluminum.

Pewter - like a light grey with a tinge of copper, I will try to find a good example later to day.

[Sed8op8]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

Like north of $200?  I know it's already expensive for rifles.  I can only imagine what a place would charge for keyboards, assuming they would even entertain the job.

It's pretty much the ultimate end-game coating though. 

It is not north of $200 unless you go crazy. Cost is about $100 if a single color, cerakote would be about $35 a bottle additionial if it is a color he doesn't stock. If there is 5 or more you wouldn't have to pay for the cerakote. It might be less but that is the price I would plan on to start. I would have to talk to Hubble to see what the board cost would be if it wasn't anodized.

My board had messed up aluminum from the reanosizing and didn't cerakote well. The poor guy tried 5 times and still is unhappy with the result. I'm going to pick it up today and try to leave another one with him that hasn't been touched. I'm not sure if he will do it since my board was such a screwed up piece of junk.

Until we know how many and what changes would have to be done to correct the issues of the prototype I can't give a cost on what the board is to make. I can tell you be happy I'm not working by the hour on this thing or it would be bad. It truly takes a lot of time to design (Hubble), arrange production, correct issues (Hubble),get PCB made (Frosty, Zeal, Hubble) and arrange coatings for this. I can only imagine what sorting, packing, shipping, and soldering of the PCB's will be like. We are trying but real life gets in the way and jobs that are scheduled by the companies we are getting things done by prolongs the wait.                                       

This is why people who join this GB need to straighten their expectation
This is a community driven project, don't try to demand things which puts pressure on the organizer. Want something instant, get an OEM keyboard

I've seen so many GB lately which went out of hand due to the organizer being overload, keep the drama out and the technicality more
Getting a 100% well made product is better than getting something half done due to time demand

tips how to join GB:
Throw your money and forget about it. Keep faith

I've the switches, springs and keyset ordered for this 

This times a million Jokirk....! As long as the GB organizer does the best they can to update and keep things transparent (within reason) I feel people need to reevaluate there expectations and really think about the process before plunking down there money. It's a 2 way street between organizer and GB participant and I think communication and reasonable expectations are what separates failed and successful GBs. Ninjadoc you have been really on point on updating this thread and thank you for all your hardwork. Even though this GB has experienced some hiccups the feedback from the organizers has been great (IMO) and reassuring that its in good hands.

 

[diqkiq]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

Like north of $200?  I know it's already expensive for rifles.  I can only imagine what a place would charge for keyboards, assuming they would even entertain the job.

It's pretty much the ultimate end-game coating though. 

It is not north of $200 unless you go crazy. Cost is about $100 if a single color, cerakote would be about $35 a bottle additionial if it is a color he doesn't stock. If there is 5 or more you wouldn't have to pay for the cerakote. It might be less but that is the price I would plan on to start. I would have to talk to Hubble to see what the board cost would be if it wasn't anodized.

My board had messed up aluminum from the reanosizing and didn't cerakote well. The poor guy tried 5 times and still is unhappy with the result. I'm going to pick it up today and try to leave another one with him that hasn't been touched. I'm not sure if he will do it since my board was such a screwed up piece of junk.

Until we know how many and what changes would have to be done to correct the issues of the prototype I can't give a cost on what the board is to make. I can tell you be happy I'm not working by the hour on this thing or it would be bad. It truly takes a lot of time to design (Hubble), arrange production, correct issues (Hubble),get PCB made (Frosty, Zeal, Hubble) and arrange coatings for this. I can only imagine what sorting, packing, shipping, and soldering of the PCB's will be like. We are trying but real life gets in the way and jobs that are scheduled by the companies we are getting things done by prolongs the wait.                                       

This is why people who join this GB need to straighten their expectation
This is a community driven project, don't try to demand things which puts pressure on the organizer. Want something instant, get an OEM keyboard

I've seen so many GB lately which went out of hand due to the organizer being overload, keep the drama out and the technicality more
Getting a 100% well made product is better than getting something half done due to time demand

tips how to join GB:
Throw your money and forget about it. Keep faith

I've the switches, springs and keyset ordered for this 

Im confused. I thought switches will be part of this GB? Should I be purchasing my own?

[romevi]

I think the pewter is what I will go for. Has the cerakote idea been ditched?

The cost is significantly more than anodizing. I haven't discussed it with Hubble on offering it. I want to see what my keyboard looks like before I encourage or discourage cerakote. I will say I got my keyboard in a pearlescent/ color changing cerakote which probably wasn't the best choice for evaluating it as an option for this group buy.

Like north of $200?  I know it's already expensive for rifles.  I can only imagine what a place would charge for keyboards, assuming they would even entertain the job.

It's pretty much the ultimate end-game coating though. 

It is not north of $200 unless you go crazy. Cost is about $100 if a single color, cerakote would be about $35 a bottle additionial if it is a color he doesn't stock. If there is 5 or more you wouldn't have to pay for the cerakote. It might be less but that is the price I would plan on to start. I would have to talk to Hubble to see what the board cost would be if it wasn't anodized.

My board had messed up aluminum from the reanosizing and didn't cerakote well. The poor guy tried 5 times and still is unhappy with the result. I'm going to pick it up today and try to leave another one with him that hasn't been touched. I'm not sure if he will do it since my board was such a screwed up piece of junk.

Until we know how many and what changes would have to be done to correct the issues of the prototype I can't give a cost on what the board is to make. I can tell you be happy I'm not working by the hour on this thing or it would be bad. It truly takes a lot of time to design (Hubble), arrange production, correct issues (Hubble),get PCB made (Frosty, Zeal, Hubble) and arrange coatings for this. I can only imagine what sorting, packing, shipping, and soldering of the PCB's will be like. We are trying but real life gets in the way and jobs that are scheduled by the companies we are getting things done by prolongs the wait.                                       

This is why people who join this GB need to straighten their expectation
This is a community driven project, don't try to demand things which puts pressure on the organizer. Want something instant, get an OEM keyboard

I've seen so many GB lately which went out of hand due to the organizer being overload, keep the drama out and the technicality more
Getting a 100% well made product is better than getting something half done due to time demand

tips how to join GB:
Throw your money and forget about it. Keep faith

I've the switches, springs and keyset ordered for this 

Im confused. I thought switches will be part of this GB? Should I be purchasing my own?

Pretty sure Zealios are an option, but that's it.

But who isn't going to put Zealios in the Mira?

[Jokrik]

Im confused. I thought switches will be part of this GB? Should I be purchasing my own?

Pretty sure Zealios are an option, but that's it.

But who isn't going to put Zealios in the Mira?

Oh no, I can't stand tactile
Only can go clicky or vintage blacks so I've to buy them separately

[Zeal]

Im confused. I thought switches will be part of this GB? Should I be purchasing my own?

Pretty sure Zealios are an option, but that's it.

But who isn't going to put Zealios in the Mira?

Oh no, I can't stand tactile
Only can go clicky or vintage blacks so I've to buy them separately

*guilt trips Jokrik to get linear clear Zealios (psst, they're smoother)

[Photoelectric]

I like pewter from the stock color dyes.  Would definitely be nice to get another photo with a better view of the color tinge.  Did you mean yellowish or coopper? 

I am interested in cool copper/rose gold tone, but I've not found a good dye for it yet.  Kind of like this:



I've loved the raw shiny pink copper color ever since I saw it on my first visit to Arizona--there are copper foundries there, and also lots of random copper goods and jewelry in museum shops.  If that's not possible, I'd go with pewter.
. . .
The "brilliant" finish looks kind of brushed?  That'd be cool too in place of sand blasted.  I assume the machine shop is doing the same finish for everything though, which would be sand blasted.

[Jokrik]

Im confused. I thought switches will be part of this GB? Should I be purchasing my own?

Pretty sure Zealios are an option, but that's it.

But who isn't going to put Zealios in the Mira?

Oh no, I can't stand tactile
Only can go clicky or vintage blacks so I've to buy them separately

*guilt trips Jokrik to get linear clear Zealios (psst, they're smoother)

I'll be ordering
I only need that much from you to be sold

[MrMen]

Hi guys,
At the moment and for few months I won't be able to afford this awesome board. As It seems I have 26, if anyone is interested in taking my reservation PM me. I'll also contact Dr. In order to make things clean.
I'm really sad, but I can't do it differently priority must be reordered.

[ninjadoc]

Cerakote is OUT! Guy tried on my board five times and was unable to get a finish he was happy with. I had another board I brought in and he doesn't want to try another one. He spent to much time and money and was unable to get a finish that any of us would want on our desk. Sorry guys, he tried and I was really excited about the possibility but it was unsuccessful.

[FrostyToast]

That is a shame. Sort of odd how cerakote can be done on something so large and intricate as many guns are but cerakote didn't quite work out on a keyboard.

[Bucky]

Yea thats too bad it didn't work. Board will look amazing anyway.

[diqkiq]

Cerakote is OUT! Guy tried on my board five times and was unable to get a finish he was happy with. I had another board I brought in and he doesn't want to try another one. He spent to much time and money and was unable to get a finish that any of us would want on our desk. Sorry guys, he tried and I was really excited about the possibility but it was unsuccessful.

Bummer. Well the effort is appreciated. Good to know what works and what doesn't. At least you guys found an anodizing shop.