The teaser
******BUILD STREAM LIVE ON TopClack today, 11/17 @ 12pm PST******The Story
I really like 65% keyboards. Something about dedicated arrow keys. But I also really like split boards. I think there was a time in the 90's when I would read 2600 or PC Mag and I would dream of owning a super cool ergo board. The fancy split microsoft boards. But I never owned one. But I have always had that ergo life in me. I enjoyed the em7, but it was big. I really enjoy the Alice, but its like a super model and what I need is a bottom. So thats what this is designed to be: semi ergo workhorse that has all the features I like and allows for my wrists to go home happy at the end of the day. Ive been through almost 40 "high end" keyboards this year, and though this wont be my "end game" board, my goal is for it to be my daily board that I use for everything. And instead of having 10+ boards I can have 3-5. Hopefully some of you are looking for something similar.
The Name: Doppelgänger. Needs no explanation.
The Details
- Split 65%++ With Macro Pad
- Top Mount
- 6 degree typing angle
- Split or Unsplit
- Bottom Row: 1.25 1 1.25 2.25 1 2.75 1.25 1 1.25
- QMK firmware
- Left: single plate, full left shift or split
- Right: iso plate, ansi plate + split bs option
- Same pcb on both sides
- USB-C for all connections
- There are 4 USB-C connectors. 2 on each half. the insides will connect the boards together. The outsides give you the option of connecting to the PC. So it can come form the left, or from the right.
- The case angles are 90 degrees from the plane on which it sits. This is a small detail that would normally be lost. Most keyboads have the same angle as their typing angle, but I really wanted a 90 degree. It just gives it a good stature on the desk.
- Dimensions:
Left half: 189.449 mm L * 117.351 mm W * 32.358 mm D
right half: 194.305 mm D * 117.351 mm W * 32.358 mm D
The Proto/Design
This started its life back in June. I worked with Westfoxtrot to get the drawings where I wanted them. Yiancar designed a PCB to work. Then it started getting built in August. It has a high failure rate on the tops because the design had a top that increased 1.8 degrees more than the plate, so that the top row would be 2.5mm sucken into the top of the board.) So that will change. But now I have a real proto, and it will be built by Jae of Top Clack on 11/17.
Revisions
After the build stream, the board is going to hop in a box and then get shipped to me. Once on hand, Ill do a through inspection and qc, and make some changes. There are already a few things that will change. One is the top angle. The next are the blocker vents will be increased in size very slightly. Right now they are the 1u size, but instead I will match them to the case and not the switch size. There will be a logo/print engraved on the weights. There may be some other small revisions.
Interest Check
Ill get a form going on 11/18 for feedback and wishes. Most things are set but if there is an overwhelming request for something or some new epiphany, I will make the revisions. This will take us into early December.
Communication
I will be running this through GH. I will not have a discord server or discord updates. Everthing will be communicated through here, including additional pictures/videos. I am available here or Discord, so if you want to chat and just talk about anything, the stars alignment or how lemon water is delicious, dm me or im noahf#2971 on discord.
Group Buy
Im hoping this can be ran early December. If everything is good and I can get all the revisions done by end of month, I dont see why that cant happen early December. If not, then it may get moved Jan. The goal is 40 units, fcfs. I dont see this being super hard to get. Price is expected to be 375 shipped to CONUS, with a little more (real shipping costs) for international shipping.
GB Options: Most important: Colors will be black, silver, and then one or two colors. Maybe purple, red, or navy. I will need ano chips before moving forward on color. Plate options: Left plate is the same for all, right plate will be either ISO or ANSI. Plate materials: plan to offer brass, alu, pc, pom, cf. Brass will likely be default because why not.
Two Fancy Additional Goals
To provide some type of tenting/palm rest option. Also to get a cable maker to do a fancy interconnect cable that will make your reddit posts really pop.
Special Thanks
Westfoxtrot for design + imagination + patience
Yiancar for pcb design + production + patience
Jae for input + building this thing
VonSwoopington for taking all my money and entertaining me
Classy for rush lubing switches for a build stream and getting the rush delivered to UK for me.
Update Log
- 11/18: Stream went well and board will be on its way to the US later this week. Once here ill update the thread on all the little things and try to get it fine tuned.
- 11/18b: mykeyboard.eu will be the official EU friendly place to buy. Details to come but im excited to make it easier/cheaper for the euro crowd.
- 12/5: Proto has arrived state side! Its a real beaut, clark. Salvun is going to be doing a Proto where we try and save the top design and have an EU manu. This is going to delay gb into 2020 as we try and keep the design true. Expect some updates in early jan with the new Proto.
Photos
PCB Layout Options:
Renders:
PCB Renders
Failed experimentation
I tried to do a top angle that was different from the plate, so that gmk style keycaps would "sink" a little towards the top, allowing for the top blockers to really "pop" and not get lost. Sadly, this had a really high failure rate. a 2-3 week proto took 2-3 months. So the top will be boring.
