Author Topic: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production  (Read 18202 times)

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Offline Pwner

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Equinox XL
Equinox is back - The compact size and PCB-mount structure remain, but this time with more keys and a screwless exterior.

To stay up-to-date, it is highly recommended to join either ai03's or ION Keyboard's Discord server.



Visible Evolution
The proven tabbed-gasket PCB mount structure from the original Equinox remains, offering an unusual yet comfortable typing feel designed primarily for plateless use.
Equinox XL has been updated from the original with a seamless design and internal screws, making the exterior clean and sleek from any angle.



From the Desk to the World
The compact yet functional 50% key layout of the Equinox XL allows for easy migration from larger layouts while also ensuring compatibility with many keysets.
An internal brass weight balances the board’s mass - just light enough for portability, and just heavy enough for stability during use.



Tailored to the Occasion
Choose between winkey and winkeyless variants to choose between maximum functionality and a classic aesthetic.
The PCB allows for 3U-1U-3U split spacebar to extend productivity further without sacrificing the symmetrical aesthetic.



Specifications
- Aluminum case, internal clear cerakote brass weight, manufactured by Salvun CNC
- Weight: ~670g for the case incl. internal weight
- PCB: Soldered (Non-hotswap), QMK/VIA
- Case colors: Black, Blue, Grey, Purple, Red
- Case variants: Winkey or Winkeyless
- Cost: $320USD
- GB Date: August 15th - August 29th, 2021
- Shipping: Q4 2022
- Vendors: Cannonkeys, Salvun, Daily Clack, Typeplus, Yusha Kobo

- Media coverage/streamer review: Lightning Keyboards Build Stream, Alexotos Build Stream, Apiary Keyboards Build Stream
- Note: PCB-mounted structure. It is recommended to use PCB-mount switches without a plate.
If absolutely necessary, please use the bundled FR-4 plate, or cut a plate based on the provided plate files.


Layouts



Images













Typing Tests
ai03 x Ion Equinox XL Prototype with lubed MX Blacks Typing Sounds
ai03 x Ion Equinox XL Prototype with lubed Snag Linears Typing Sounds

« Last Edit: Thu, 09 September 2021, 16:31:47 by Pwner »
Ion | Keycult | Instagram

Offline Pwner

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 14 August 2021, 16:08:22 »
Sep. 2021 - Case materials order placed
Nov. 2021 - All standard tops and half of the WKL tops have been machined.
Dec. 2021 - Machining well underway
Jan. 2022 - Machining nearly finished
Feb. 2022 - Machining finished
Mar. 2022 - In ano queue
Apr. 2022 - In ano queue
May 2022 - Anodizing stage has begun (Mid May)
Jun. 2022 - Anodizing continues
Jul. 2022 - Anodizing continues
« Last Edit: Sun, 24 July 2022, 22:34:45 by Pwner »
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Offline NoteMakoti

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 14 August 2021, 19:46:54 »
Quote
- Shipping: Q4 2022

gee willikers...

Offline ESJvR

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 15 August 2021, 08:08:15 »
Reserved

Offline BouncyChillups

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 15 August 2021, 13:50:24 »
This is literally the only sub 60 board I ever considered. Great job, looks great

Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 15 August 2021, 18:19:21 »
Too smol for me but definitely appreciated that this will be pretty easy to buy. Hope you guys all the best with this one.

Offline YXXX

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 15 August 2021, 22:26:08 »
jeez sound test

Offline Jo_hannes

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 16 August 2021, 05:05:15 »
Daily Clack mentions a hard carrying case being included when ordering Equinox, but I cannot find that info on Salvun's page. Is the case only included for DC customers in that case? Also, CK has anodizing samples up for purple and grey - might be good to add these to the other vendors' sites as well. :)

Best,
Johannes

Offline Chingu

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 17 August 2021, 14:29:28 »
Sorry if I missed it, bit does the PCB support QMK and VIA?

Offline LightningXI

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 17 August 2021, 16:00:48 »
Sorry if I missed it, bit does the PCB support QMK and VIA?
Yes

Offline honoka

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 19 August 2021, 01:30:43 »
Also interested to know if there is a carry case included with the board

Offline honoka

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 25 August 2021, 07:30:02 »
Any chance OP can jump in and answer some questions in the thread?
@Pwner

Offline Jo_hannes

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 30 August 2021, 05:15:39 »
Any chance OP can jump in and answer some questions in the thread?
@Pwner

Answer appears to be no, sadly.

Well, in the end, the 3-1-3 spacebar was was deterred me as a right thumb spacer. Too bad, otherwise this really would have been a nice travel board. /Johannes

Offline Pwner

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | Live: 8/15-8/29
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 30 August 2021, 14:34:01 »
Also interested to know if there is a carry case included with the board

Apologize for the delay, but yes they all have a carry case.
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Offline Pwner

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 04 December 2021, 16:07:17 »
Pictures courtesy of Salvun, production going great!



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Offline honoka

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #15 on: Fri, 02 September 2022, 04:12:09 »
Hi, all good?

Offline Kokaloo

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #16 on: Fri, 18 November 2022, 14:11:49 »
is anodizing still continuing

Offline Kokaloo

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 25 May 2023, 13:38:18 »
Is anodizing still continuing

Offline ggggggg

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #18 on: Thu, 25 May 2023, 13:50:17 »
I remember turning this down in favour of Oceanographer, partly because of the projected fulfilment date.
I wonder which, if any, will come first. Either way, joke's on me.

Offline ESJvR

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 26 May 2023, 02:25:56 »
Same for me turned this down for FK45 at the time, which I received a year later. Really wondering how long it takes until fulfilment and extras drop

Offline iamtragic

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 26 May 2023, 06:49:32 »


Latest update from ai03's discord.

Offline honoka

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #21 on: Thu, 14 September 2023, 06:21:14 »
Two years have passed. Cheers everyone!
#neverforget

Offline Mecxs

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #22 on: Thu, 14 September 2023, 14:54:27 »
Latest update was half the boards are done, haha.

Cya in 2025.

Offline honoka

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #23 on: Wed, 17 January 2024, 18:22:09 »
Remember when we scoffed at the 2022 Q4 ETA?Holy smokes. Zero accountability. Zero updates here. Zero ****s.
You folks killed the gb-model with this one.

Offline Kokaloo

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Re: [GB] ION x ai03: Equinox XL | 50% Plateless Keyboard | In Production
« Reply #24 on: Thu, 18 January 2024, 10:57:31 »
Is anodizing still continuing