[IC] Prophet - 60% Keyboard

[westfoxtrot]

GB thread is live here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=105670


There is no upper limit for the GB, it will continue to run past the close date if minimum order quantity is not met

If something is written in an update it supersedes any contradictary information from the original post

edited: cleared up confusion around MOQ

Update 2

Hi, sorry for the long delay in getting an update - obviously the current global situation has affected this.

Group Buy is currently being pushed to start 15th April with a kit price of $325 + local taxes + shipping.

A kit includes: 1 top, 1 bottom, 1 pcb, 1 plate

Vendors
US - Cannon Keys
EU - mykeyboard.eu
OCE - dailyclack
SEA - iLumkb

Colours selected as per poll:

Black
E-White
Dark Blue (should be very similar to the Satisfaction75 blue)

Unfortunately we are limited to 3 colours due to manufacturing requirements.
The bottom will be available in either black or matching your top.

PCB colour will be Matte Black

Extra Tops, PCBs and Plates will be available (pricing TBD)

Plates will be available in Nylon, Polycarbonate, & Polypropylene

The GB has an MOQ (Minimum) of 150 and will remain open until April 30th or until we reach 150 units. If this number is looking unrealistic after 2 weeks we will re-evaluate what we are able to do.

PLEASE NOTE
Due to the current situation in China my factory has not returned to work and it's very possible (looking likely) that we will have to push the start of this back slightly so we are able to fully finalise details with them (was in the process of final quotes when CNY started) I really hope I don't have to do this and we can get it going on time.

GB will be delayed until the factory is able to confirm: timeline/prices. Sorry for the delay - very much out of my hands

Update 1

Excited to annouce a partnership with koen for GMK Perestroika, if you buy the keyset you can enter to win a prophet! this will take place before the prophet buy starts so you can still get both if you don't win :-D. Full details here




Hello,

Prophet is a “pin-mount” seamless 60% keyboard. Here’s an image that showcases the construction:

there is no pressure from the top half of the case on the plate. There are 4 pins in the corners of the base that hold the plate in place and it rests on the lip of the base. The theory is that the lack of downward pressure allows the plate more freedom of movement towards the center whilst still retaining an even pressure around the edge of the board

Here is the interest check form

Originally my intention with the design was to create something simple that had a consistent sound profile and type feel and I am more than pleased with the results. The design has been through several small iterations but for the most part is largely unchanged from the initial drawings.

It will be manufactured from 6063 Aluminium and anodised in a choice of 3 colours. All boards will come with a black base. There will be HHKB, WKL & Standard Tops available.

The angle of the case is 6°

It includes a custom PCB designed by me that supports ISO/ANSI layouts with a 7u(Tsangan) bottom row only. The case also supports any standard 60% PCB with a type-c usb port. Mini will likely also work but it depends on the cable.

Plate materials will be: Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, and Nylon. Both full and half plates will be available. ISO plates will likely be made available in a single material only. Plate files will be released so you can make/modify your own as you like.

The current target price is $350 though this is subject to change. This will include at least 1 plate and PCB.

The current target timeline is to open March 1st for 2 weeks. Shipping should then take place in June-July.

MOQ of 50, no upper limit. Each different top has an MOQ of 15.

Additional plates and PCBs will be available during the group buy stage though there is no pricing currently available for this.

Mykeyboard.eu will be handling the buy and shipping, if you would like to act as a proxy for your region please feel free to get in touch with me here or by any contact method listed here: Reddit, Geekhack, email, discord.

If you have any questions or comments about the case/pcb/buy structure please ask here or by any of these contact methods:  Reddit, Geekhack, email, discord.

Here is an album of images

Thank you for your time

Max



here are some soundtests/typing videos of R1/Original proto

Koen on youtube
Koen on youtube
TopClack on youtube
invis on youtube
invis on clyp.it
Aly on youtube
Chris on youtube

[hansichen]

My all time favourite board. Looking forward to the group buy 

[jonowarren94]

Very interested. Can I make the suggestion/ask that the ISO only plate be the nylon variant as its easier to get other materials? Where as I have never seen another board with a nylon plate let alone where to get one.

[kabocha]

Was just chatting about this last night. Looking forward to the GB!

[ChrisSwires]

 

[fleeceman]

Very interested and may I suggest that the ISO plate be polypropylene if it is only offered in 1 material.

[keyberzerker]

Interested! 

[pr0ximity]

Can you describe what you mean by “pin-mount”? I can’t quite tell based on the provided images, is the plate pressed between the bottom and top halves of the case?

[Pwner]

Yes.  Thanks.

[LightningXI]

Interested. Thanks.

[westfoxtrot]

Can you describe what you mean by “pin-mount”? I can’t quite tell based on the provided images, is the plate pressed between the bottom and top halves of the case?

there is no pressure from the top half of the case on the plate. There are 4 pins in the corners of the base that hold the plate in place and it rests on the lip of the base. The theory is that the lack of downward pressure allows the plate more freedom of movement towards the center whilst still retaining an even pressure around the edge of the board.

I will add to this first post and sorry for the confusion

[gok_nz]

This looks awesome. The mounting looks pretty unique as well

[pixelpusher]

Not sure how it will sound without pressure from the top.  Interested though

[002 DC]

Sugoi

[westfoxtrot]

Not sure how it will sound without pressure from the top.  Interested though

There are a couple of videos/clips of it here:

Koen on youtube
Koen on youtube
TopClack on youtube
invis on youtube
invis on clyp.it
Aly on youtube
Chris on youtube

[modeseven]

The sound tests make my ears happy. Very interested.

[Mcnos]

Ah yes,

I've been waiting for this

[Sifo]

I like this

[Emir]

Best board I've felt. Join this or you are really missing out bois

[FredBananaz]

Anyone able to explain how the different plate materials sounds/feel relative to alu/POM? I've not been in the hobby long enough to join a meetup and feel the difference for myself...

[Mcnos]

Anyone able to explain how the different plate materials sounds/feel relative to alu/POM? I've not been in the hobby long enough to join a meetup and feel the difference for myself...

This has a pretty decent write up on the details you are asking about

https://brianlee.blog/2018/11/23/guide-keyboard-construction-explained/

[Robosculpts]

hella down for this!

[pancake]

this thing sounds poppin

edit: blue-gray please thanks

[Rafa_n]

Will there be an option for a brass base?

[Macmutant]

Been wanting one since my friend got one from the first round. In for sure.

[noorejji]

Hoping for blue-grey or dark green.

[tex_live_utility]

How is this different from a typical bottom-mount keyboard like the KBD67 v1?

[Ryanticz]

YESSSS. Been waiting for this! And no upper limit, can't wait!

[Quriosity]

Definitely interested and glad to see the IC up

[Zeelobby]

Do have to admit. No upper limit is so relaxing considering there's so many boards I currently want with limits.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[bthezebra]

Also interested, especially after understanding the unique mounting.

[Darth WTF]

best 60% ever, don't @ me

[dantambok]

I like rectangles

[keyberzerker]

Will there be an option for a brass base?

+1 for brass base option pls

[belgium_waffles]

Please consider daily clack as oce vendor!

[pockydavid]

Please consider daily clack as oce vendor!

+1 to Daily Clack.
Look forward to this board!

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[octix]

Please consider daily clack as oce vendor!

+1 to Daily Clack.
Look forward to this board!

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

+1 for this too

Also great board!

[aeryxz]

keen

[westfoxtrot]

How is this different from a typical bottom-mount keyboard like the KBD67 v1?

On bottom mount you have fixed rigid points on the assembly where the plate screws in, this has no fixed points on the assembly which allows the whole assembly some freedom of movement

I like rectangles

thanks me too

best 60% ever, don't @ me

@Darth?

Anyone able to explain how the different plate materials sounds/feel relative to alu/POM? I've not been in the hobby long enough to join a meetup and feel the difference for myself...

I have not personally used POM, in this board I have tried CF but not alu and I'd roughly equate them for feel though not for sound. For CF I personally think it's a touch rigid though I definitely prefer a softer bottom out. here is what I said about the plate materials on discord:

Both are softer than acrylic and PC. PP has a much lower rating in terms of hardness which gives it a really soft bottom out and a lighter note. Nylon has a slightly deeper note than that and is also slightly firmer. The advantage in both is they are soft enough to dampen vibrations from hitting switches
Fwiw nylon is my preferred material in this case

Please consider daily clack as oce vendor!

I will reach out to them and see if they are interested.

[westfoxtrot]

Will there be an option for a brass base?

Most likely not this time. Sorry to dissapoint.

[koenoe]

I have not personally used POM, in this board I have tried CF but not alu and I'd roughly equate them for feel though not for sound. For CF I personally think it's a touch rigid though I definitely prefer a softer bottom out.

POM is pretty nice in the Prophet! It has a much softer bottom out than for example brass (I haven't tried alu plate), but not as soft as PC. Sounds good too.
A few of my Prophet builds for sound reference:

POM:

Brass:

PP:

[ddnomad]

Will there be an option for a brass base?

Most likely not this time. Sorry to dissapoint.

Please OP, do not break my heart! That brass bottom is SeX I want it

[Crack85]

In sounds awesome

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[noorejji]

More

PP:

That PP tho. :smirk:

[blacksimon]

consider my interest checked

gimmie

[westfoxtrot]

Will there be an option for a brass base?

Most likely not this time. Sorry to dissapoint.

Please OP, do not break my heart! That brass bottom is SeX I want it

the brass base is not something I ever particularly considered part of the vision for what this board is. 3 were previously made and personally I am not sure I see the benefit of it. The board is perfectly weighted as it comes and in order to keep SKUs to a minimum we won't be including it this time though we may revisit this in future once I have had some time to experiment with materials.

[ddnomad]

Will there be an option for a brass base?

Most likely not this time. Sorry to dissapoint.

Please OP, do not break my heart! That brass bottom is SeX I want it

the brass base is not something I ever particularly considered part of the vision for what this board is. 3 were previously made and personally I am not sure I see the benefit of it. The board is perfectly weighted as it comes and in order to keep SKUs to a minimum we won't be including it this time though we may revisit this in future once I have had some time to experiment with materials.

Heh, I get it, though lookz with the brass base are top notch

Will be most probably joining this keyboard anyway, cause it sounds just outstanding

[Steezus]

Very interested! I like brass bottoms too but definitely not a deal breaker.

[koenoe]

I'd like to add that I opted for a brass base in the private run, because of aesthetics only. After trying both, and playing with different plate materials on both, I think the board sounds better with an aluminium base.

[ddnomad]

I'd like to add that I opted for a brass base in the private run, because of aesthetics only. After trying both, and playing with different plate materials on both, I think the board sounds better with an aluminium base.

Thanks for the feedback That kinda convinces me lol