Author Topic: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (Final)  (Read 42387 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
[IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (Final)
« on: Mon, 06 August 2018, 22:36:46 »
Updated 2018/12/24
Updated Video
Those on the reservation list pls reach me with message or discord.

Updated 2018/11/20
PCB done





Updated 2018/11/13
More pics can be reached on www.lazydesigners.cn








Updated 2018/10/29








Updated 2018/9/25
After a small group test of THE50 testing kit, I decided to modify the layout of the keyboard.




This version is finalized. Due to some issues, I may place THE50's order directly to the manufacturer.

Updated 2018/9/14
I made a simple case to test the PCB.

More pics can be reached on www.lazydesigners.cn

Hi, Guys. I got some idea of a 50% keyboard, and I want to see if anybody may be interested too.
I'm a fan of 40% layout. In some cases, I found my speed of typing numbers was limited. It's OK when I type numbers and symbols with combined keys during text inputting. But when I try to input measurement or stock ticker code repeatedly, I start missing my numpad.
I really want a numpad along with my 40%, so I plan to make a 50% keyboard. 
Here are some render pics.






1. I'm thinking of using this layout only. But any advice will be appreciated, maybe adopted.

2. The case will be made of Aluminum. The design is still working in progress.
3. Plate mounted, and I'm think of using a stainless steel plate.
4. Price to be determined. I'm sure THE50 will be a budget keyboard if it comes into reality.

2018/8/16 updated. PCB is based on QMK. I will received a sample soon.
2018/8/27 Updated PCB sample. The final version will be black PCB with golden pads.


« Last Edit: Sun, 23 December 2018, 23:53:17 by trabbit »

Offline oldcat

  • Posts: 2640
  • Location: US
  • 65% is Life
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 06 August 2018, 23:04:36 »
Very nice!!! Good luck with the GB

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 06 August 2018, 23:21:50 »
I'll update once the case design is final.
« Last Edit: Mon, 06 August 2018, 23:30:59 by trabbit »

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 06 August 2018, 23:25:14 »
Very nice!!! Good luck with the GB

THX, big boss!

Offline otanishock

  • One of the cool kids :>
  • Posts: 712
  • Location: Boston
  • ファーストラブ
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 01:06:10 »
Really cool and original concept. Will patiently wait and see how it turns out!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk


Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 01:16:04 »
Really cool and original concept. Will patiently wait and see how it turns out!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Thank you for supporting THE50.

Offline 94smart

  • Posts: 6
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 02:07:30 »
nice nice

Offline _ODIN_

  • Posts: 629
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 04:13:32 »
Price point?

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 05:05:30 »
Price point?

One thing can be sure the price will be lower than $250(shipping rate excluded), and I'm trying to use polished stainless steel on the bottom.  I'll try hard to make it much lower.
« Last Edit: Tue, 07 August 2018, 05:11:44 by trabbit »

Offline _ODIN_

  • Posts: 629
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 05:33:52 »
Price point?

One thing can be sure the price will be lower than $250(shipping rate excluded), and I'm trying to use polished stainless steel on the bottom.  I'll try hard to make it much lower.
:thumb:

Offline forumusername

  • Posts: 162
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 09:27:27 »
Im in for anything with a numpad!

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 20:11:47 »
Im in for anything with a numpad!

THX, dude!

Offline speaktobrett

  • Posts: 93
  • Location: Melbourne, AUS.
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 07 August 2018, 21:22:14 »
Wow, THE50 looks awesome!!

I'd definitely be in for this Group Buy  ;D

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 02:25:34 »
Wow, THE50 looks awesome!!

I'd definitely be in for this Group Buy  ;D

Thanks for supporting. I appreciate it

Offline byoliven

  • Posts: 30
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 08:17:15 »
I am a fan of 40% too!!!
Having a choice of lefty numberpad and a arrow cluster on the bottom right would be greatly appreciated! :thumb:
Look forward to seeing the GB comes live!

Offline Draic

  • Posts: 113
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #15 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 12:03:48 »
USB-C? If yes, will it support USB-C to USB-C or only USB-C to A

Offline sparkybear

  • Posts: 35
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #16 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 12:07:46 »
ya, I'd be down for this w/ the numpad.

Offline tofu-water

  • Posts: 11
  • Location: US
  • I make video game art and sweat
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 15:11:33 »
A south paw numpad version of this might be the ideal non-ergo layout tbh, good job! and good luck with GB stuff as well.
Current daily driver: Atreus62 w/ vintage blacks and Zealios with QMX clips. Acrylic is bae.

Offline Gghi

  • Posts: 133
  • Location: Pittsburgh
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 15:25:24 »
Looks awesome!

Offline chuckdee

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 1308
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #19 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 17:46:38 »
Interested to see where this goes!

Offline ilouis_07

  • Posts: 652
  • Location: Singapore
  • Never Forget Your Origin
    • ILUMKB
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #20 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 20:55:21 »
actually I am considering about daisy keyboard previously but when i saw your THE50, count me in please! Numpad is a must!

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #21 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 21:02:24 »
THX, pal.

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 21:16:40 »
I am a fan of 40% too!!!
Having a choice of lefty numberpad and a arrow cluster on the bottom right would be greatly appreciated! :thumb:
Look forward to seeing the GB comes live!

THX!

Offline chuckdee

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 1308
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #23 on: Wed, 08 August 2018, 21:22:42 »
Have you thought about making the left shift smaller, the fn key 1U, and getting the space for another 1U?

Offline OracleKev

  • Posts: 418
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #24 on: Thu, 09 August 2018, 00:02:50 »
Really like this, sort of mini Blackbird.  Very long horizontally.  Interesting proportion.
Regarding the layout, I like the stagger the way it is--it's normal.
I'd suggest adding another 1u--it will accommodate full bottom alpha row and some symbol keys (; [)
The design is already horizontally long as is.  Might as well emphasize on full function.

Offline dr_unconscionable

  • Posts: 172
  • Location: Canada
    • [sqeleton]
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #25 on: Thu, 09 August 2018, 03:26:35 »
I like this! I find I'm really drawn to over-wide 40ish boards lately and I might need to get one... ;)

I don't see a need for an arrow cluster on a board this small though, especially if there's a numpad that could be pressed into service as an arrow cluster. I also couldn't deal with not having a right shift, but assuming the board is programmable in something like QMK, this is irrelevant to your design! Your choice of key sizes fits common 40% keycap kits fine, so everything is good to go on that front!

The one design comment I'd make about the layout is that it jumps out at me a little bit that the four keys in the lower right (that you've labelled Up Fn Down Right in the dolch-ish render) form a grid. It kind of blurs the boundary between the aligned numpad and the staggered rest of the board to me. I guess the idea here is to allow for a separate arrow cluster (which I don't think is needed on this board, as I said!), but I'd much rather see the "main" part of the board be all staggered, if that makes sense? Maybe swapping the 1.25u and 1u keys on the upper row (labelled Up & Fn) would look better?

Either, it's not a dealbreaker, and I'll be following this project with interest!

Offline forumusername

  • Posts: 162
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #26 on: Thu, 09 August 2018, 06:08:01 »
Really like this, sort of mini Blackbird.  Very long horizontally.  Interesting proportion.
Regarding the layout, I like the stagger the way it is--it's normal.
I'd suggest adding another 1u--it will accommodate full bottom alpha row and some symbol keys (; [)
The design is already horizontally long as is.  Might as well emphasize on full function.
this.

Offline THE60

  • Posts: 1
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #27 on: Fri, 10 August 2018, 06:52:37 »
 ;D ;D ;D :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
must buy

Offline _ODIN_

  • Posts: 629
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #28 on: Fri, 10 August 2018, 08:25:48 »
I don't see the need to "waste" 4 keys as arrow keys. In my opinion you could use the space in an other way. The arrows could be on the numpad (2nd layer)

Offline ideus

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 8123
  • Location: In the middle of nowhere.
  • Björkö.
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #29 on: Fri, 10 August 2018, 08:41:38 »
A "fifty" kb larger than a sixty does not make much sense.

Offline chuckdee

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 1308
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #30 on: Fri, 10 August 2018, 10:29:56 »
A "fifty" kb larger than a sixty does not make much sense.

Doesn't seem larger... just wider, IMO.  I like the placement of the numerics a lot better than a 60, whatever it's called.  I suppose it could be considered a 60 other than the fact that the profile of the main portion is closer to 40, so to me, it could be considered a 50 with that in mind.  There's no standards for any of this in any case LOL

Offline ideus

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 8123
  • Location: In the middle of nowhere.
  • Björkö.
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #31 on: Fri, 10 August 2018, 12:53:39 »
A "fifty" kb larger than a sixty does not make much sense.

Doesn't seem larger... just wider, IMO.  I like the placement of the numerics a lot better than a 60, whatever it's called.  I suppose it could be considered a 60 other than the fact that the profile of the main portion is closer to 40, so to me, it could be considered a 50 with that in mind.  There's no standards for any of this in any case LOL


A sixty in disguise? Or maybe it is a travesty sixty  :p

Offline THRILLHOIAF

  • Posts: 169
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 10 August 2018, 13:12:20 »
looks good! I dig it,

Not confident in my statement but as far as I know most sets DON'T run 1.25/1.5u left/right keys? so would have to be novelties or other standard bottom row 1.25/1.5u keys, so making that the designated layout starter would be a bit odd. unless its somehow switched to a different spacebars/bottom row layout

« Last Edit: Sun, 12 August 2018, 13:50:29 by THRILLHOIAF »

Offline Wilba

  • * Maker
  • Posts: 464
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
  • Keyboard Stuff Person
    • wilba.tech
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #33 on: Sat, 11 August 2018, 10:01:43 »
This would look great with light pink anodizing paired with SA Grand Budapest!


Offline MikeTheTiger

  • Posts: 824
  • Location: 29.9511° N, 90.0715° W
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #34 on: Sun, 12 August 2018, 02:04:59 »
looks good! I dig it,

Not confident in my statement but as far as I know most sets run 1.25/1.5u left/right keys? so would have to be novelties or other standard bottom row 1.25/1.5u keys, so making that the designated layout starter would be a bit odd. unless its somehow switched to a different spacebars/bottom row layout



I was thinking the same thing about the left/right keys.

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #35 on: Sun, 12 August 2018, 21:43:03 »
looks good! I dig it,

Not confident in my statement but as far as I know most sets DON'T run 1.25/1.5u left/right keys? so would have to be novelties or other standard bottom row 1.25/1.5u keys, so making that the designated layout starter would be a bit odd. unless its somehow switched to a different spacebars/bottom row layout


Understood, It's just my preference when I'm using a 40% daisy. Somone may not need that. Thanks for the advice, I’ll make a change.

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #36 on: Wed, 15 August 2018, 23:44:12 »
I like this! I find I'm really drawn to over-wide 40ish boards lately and I might need to get one... ;)

I don't see a need for an arrow cluster on a board this small though, especially if there's a numpad that could be pressed into service as an arrow cluster. I also couldn't deal with not having a right shift, but assuming the board is programmable in something like QMK, this is irrelevant to your design! Your choice of key sizes fits common 40% keycap kits fine, so everything is good to go on that front!

The one design comment I'd make about the layout is that it jumps out at me a little bit that the four keys in the lower right (that you've labelled Up Fn Down Right in the dolch-ish render) form a grid. It kind of blurs the boundary between the aligned numpad and the staggered rest of the board to me. I guess the idea here is to allow for a separate arrow cluster (which I don't think is needed on this board, as I said!), but I'd much rather see the "main" part of the board be all staggered, if that makes sense? Maybe swapping the 1.25u and 1u keys on the upper row (labelled Up & Fn) would look better?

Either, it's not a dealbreaker, and I'll be following this project with interest!

THX for your advice. Yangdigi has a keyboard designed called 1800mini fits your description. :D
THE50's PCB is based on QMK, so you can change the keymapping easily.

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #37 on: Mon, 27 August 2018, 00:01:42 »
This would look great with light pink anodizing paired with SA Grand Budapest!

This set looks great anyway.

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] 50% keyboard—THE50
« Reply #38 on: Tue, 28 August 2018, 03:22:19 »

Offline nothingzzz

  • Posts: 18
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #39 on: Tue, 28 August 2018, 03:50:00 »
Beautifulllll

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk


Offline voight-kampff

  • Posts: 184
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #40 on: Tue, 28 August 2018, 04:18:42 »
must have  :)

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #41 on: Thu, 30 August 2018, 02:14:37 »
Beautifulllll

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk


THX!

Offline MikeTheTiger

  • Posts: 824
  • Location: 29.9511° N, 90.0715° W
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #42 on: Thu, 30 August 2018, 10:04:25 »
Any updates??  ;D

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #43 on: Fri, 31 August 2018, 00:35:19 »
Any updates??  ;D

I designed a bended stainless steel plate case to test the PCB, and it will be arrived this week.
I'll post pics after I finish the kit. And I am going to ask my friends to test the kit, to see if the layout really works well.
If anyone is interested in the plate case version, the kit (PCB and plate case) price will be about 50$ without shipment rate.
At the same time, I'm about to start to design the aluminum case. The final version will take some time.
« Last Edit: Fri, 31 August 2018, 00:42:48 by trabbit »

Offline oldcat

  • Posts: 2640
  • Location: US
  • 65% is Life
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #44 on: Sat, 01 September 2018, 21:28:26 »
updates pls!

Offline ideus

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 8123
  • Location: In the middle of nowhere.
  • Björkö.
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #45 on: Sun, 02 September 2018, 15:23:52 »
Put the numpad at the left of the alphas. That would make this a no brainer.

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated PCB sample)
« Reply #46 on: Thu, 13 September 2018, 20:17:06 »
Put the numpad at the left of the alphas. That would make this a no brainer.

Maybe next round of GB.

Offline cheddarbek

  • Posts: 209
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated testing kit)
« Reply #47 on: Fri, 14 September 2018, 00:17:00 »
This would finally make ‘40%%’ make sense to me.
The Alps cover 65% of Switzerland's surface area (41,285 km²), making it one of the most alpine countries. Despite the fact that Switzerland covers only 14% of the Alps total area (192,753 km²),[2][3] many alpine four-thousanders (48 of 82) are located in the Swiss Alps and practically all of the remaining few are within 20 km of the country's border.

Offline RivieraS

  • Posts: 90
  • Yutop
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated testing kit)
« Reply #48 on: Sat, 15 September 2018, 22:04:26 »
can't wait

Offline trabbit

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 165
Re: [IC] THE50—A 50% keyboard (updated testing kit)
« Reply #49 on: Mon, 24 September 2018, 23:27:51 »
can't wait

So sorry for that! I really want this keyboard could be comfort , so I did spend more time on testing and improvement.

The layout is finalized now.