Author Topic: [IC] THINK6.5° - PC/Alu 65% Keyboard (Brass Raffle 4/13)  (Read 182299 times)

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Offline oldcat

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[IC] THINK6.5° - PC/Alu 65% Keyboard (Brass Raffle 4/13)
« on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 20:47:26 »
GB Post: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=100166.0


GB/Raffle detailed plan posted: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99634.msg2742332#msg2742332
Brass starts 4/13, PC/alu start at 4/14, here is a graphic that contains most information for the upcoming GB:




Hey my keeb friends, it's your boye oldcat here, to present a design in collaboration with airpotter from Gray Studio.


Krauth summarized Renι Descartes' philosophy succinctly, "That cannot doubt which does not think, and that cannot think which does not exist. I doubt, I think, I exist." As a fan of and heavily influenced by Descartes' Philosophy, I combined the key term with some design choices of this board, and named it "Think6.5°".



THINK frame in my study room

Think6.5° has been more than 3 months in the making, and the prototype is currently being made. I think it is a good time to gather some final feedback for a potential production version. My original plan was to make about 10 boards (at a relatively high price) for myself and friends, but PCB maker is not willing to just make 10. Potter asked me about doing a GB to lower cost of production, if enough people in the community are interested. So here it is:













Motivations and Design Choices

This post is getting to long with too much information, if you want to know my original motivation for this project and the design choices, please read
More


1. It is a design that I had for quite a while, that combines many good elements from all the top-notch 65% boards I own, trying to optimize and come up with an ideal design, for my own taste. 65% keyboards comprise a significant portion of my life out of the busy work schedules, and some of you have probably heard of and joked about my owning many Canoe boards. Indeed, the amazing designs like TGR910, Canoe, Zephyr, etc are the true inspirations for me, and I am trying to come up with a design that looks good and also optimizes typing sound. The final two candidates are 4.5mm PC plate vs. a gasket 1.5mm aluminum or 1.5mm brass plate. In our testing, thicc PC plate stands out.
2. From the typing sound perspective, we adopt a thick 4.5mm PC plate integrated to the top plate, PC helps to preserve the sound of the switch while simultaneously maintain typing consistency. No metal rattling or high-pitched sound from thick aluminum or brass.
3. I have always advocated for affordable premium-quality boards. Gray certainly shares this value. Therefore, for this board, the pricing will be very affordable and competitive compared with current offerings in the market, as per the tradition of prior Gray Studio GBs. Personally, I will promise you that as a designer I will not take a single dollar of profit out of a potential GB, the money will go to high-quality material, best processes, and Potter's and our PCB designer's manufacturing costs and operating expense.
5. Angle will be 6.5 degrees, hence the name. In my experience, 5° is a bit flat (feels ok), and 8° is too steep, so why not 6.5°, it feels good.
6. It will be PC only. Currently I do not have the intention to make an aluminum case, I believe there are many good aluminum board options in the market. If there are many requests, we will do a slight modification to make the metal version either top mount or gasket mount, shouldn't be too much work as we have other top and gasket designs already.
7. A high-quality, good looking, hotswap, QMK, Type-C PCB with underglow is being developed and will be included if this ever goes to GB stage.  I know god-like Wilba's PCB is hard to beat, but our goal and material and process we use for this PCB will be that kind of quality.


TL; DR, What are the Features?
1. Premium-quality, affordable Polycarbonate (PC) board
2. 6.5 degree angle
3. PVD Brass Badge and PVD Brass Weight
4. 4.5mm, perfectly-cut PC Plate specifically designed for both the sound optimization and typing consistency with most switches (not your regular metal integrated plate!)
5. Three versions: ANSI Hotswap with badge (compact 660), ANSI hotswap without badge, Compatible-layout non-hotswap
6. Premium-quality PCB with QMK, type-C (connector position in the middle), underglow, ESC key 4XRGB, hotswap (non-hotswap PCB for compatible layouts).
7. GB price (1*case, with or without brass badge, 1*brass weight, 1* PCB, 1*box, accessories): under $300 (confirmed to be $299.98), looks like after redesigning some parts and adding compatibility etc cost is going up quite a bit, but I will honor my promise for being pro bono, and hence this pricing for this particular GB.
8. There will be some exciting raffles for this GB, including a few discounted raffle boards and some free special color badges/weights to share my love with this community: raffle board estimated around $250 (confirmed to be $250). Details for the raffle are being discussed and forthcoming.
9. Limited Edition full brass versions (comes in PVD black, PVD rose gold, and PVD gold) will be available at $650, details forthcoming.
9. Design: oldcat and airpotter
10. manufacturer: gray studio and factory
11. Compatible with PCB screw-in stabilizers
12. Badge 3D-model file will be open-sourced after GB
13. China GB and Geekhack GB will be the same pricing (excludes fees and shipping).

Supported Layouts



Note: All 4 layouts will be made.

Interest Check Form and Polls

Please fill out the form below, in which you will see a few polls regarding layout, PCB color combo, and pricing, for those who already submitted a form, please kindly update to fill out the PCB color combo poll:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KRWAYYYrB1h_g5ScqGBNsXAQZ2xYPu9bjIPLAIRx--4

After you fill out the polls, you can view the summary graphics, or use this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KRWAYYYrB1h_g5ScqGBNsXAQZ2xYPu9bjIPLAIRx--4/viewanalytics

Timeline

March 31 6:50PM PST: GB and Raffle details
April 10: GB forms open for viewing
April 13: 6:50AM -6:50PM PST: Brass Raffle
April 14: 6:50:00PM PST: Alu/PC GBs start
Completion: 3-4 months after GB payment collection

Feel free to pre-fill the forms and submit after GB opening time.



Links of interest
Follow me on Instagram
Chat on Discord Channel

Support your boye OldCat and this project by using this signature to share THINK6.5° to the community!


Code: [Select]
[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99634.0][img]https://i.imgur.com/E810Wvi.jpg[/img][/url]

More Renders













To view additional renders with keycaps of different colorways, click
More







This ESC 4XRGB mod is a must-have in the Chinese enthusiast community, now we make it built-in :)

Not a valid vimeo URL
Not a valid vimeo URL
3D Print Prototype Images:







CNC Prototype Images (continuously adding more pictures)











Make Log (since GH IC Debut)

 
2/28/2019:
1.Case: Initial design complete, prototypes production in progress, eta 1-2 weeks. Will make multiple prototypes regarding badge placement.
2.PCB: Design complete, prototypes production in progress, eta 2 weeks.

3/1/2019:
Sincere thanks to so many friends who have filled out the IC form! Based on the feedback from the first day:
1.Confirmed that we will make 1 case with badge (badge placement TBD), and 1 case without the badge. The blocker near the arrow cluster will stay.
2.We are exploring different colors of PC materials.
3.We are working on simplifying the bottom brass weight.
4.Most likely a second non-hotswap PCB will be provided either as a kit bundle or as an option (TBD).

3/2/2019:
1. new renders updated
2. PCB design posted
3. Received additional feedback and working on them

3/3/2019:
1. Badge with 3 upper indicator light has been adopted.
2. We will provide different colors of LEDs for the indicator lights, and hotswap SIP led sockets
3. Confirmed PCB design for the build-in 4XRGB circling on the ESC key.
4. Stepped capslock will be compatible
5. Font orientation on the badge being tweaked
6. Finalizing weight design and send .step file to factory
7. I believe we have addressed most concerns and feedback so far, and any additional feedback welcome.
8. Confirmed a third case option that supports compatible layouts (7u space, ISO, split BS).

3/4/2019:
1. Still working on refining the badge (alignment, font orientation) and the weight (some don't like the horizontal stripes, we are coming up with a better design). Rendering software hung a few times, it was frustrating and maybe time to get a new computer
2. Decide that we will make the badge's 3D model opensourced after GB, so that participants can make their own badge and print out with other materials. Default brass badge will still be included for #1.

3/5/2019:
1. Redesigned weight plan is out. Gather feedback to finetune
2. Renders for our meticulously-designed 4.5mm plate is out, optimized for all MX switches including Holy Panda
3. Badge design has been finalized. Still working on weight design (overnight).
4. PCB design finalized.

3/6/2019:
1. Weight and badge design completed.
2. PCB sent for prototyping
3. Cases sent for prototyping

3/8/2019:
1. 3D Print prototype received and passed all tests.
2. CNC prototype being machined

3/9/2019 - 3/10/2019:
1. Rendering more images with different keycap colorways while we wait for the CNC prototype.
2. Received PCB Prototype. Tested and fully functional.

3/11/2019 - 3/13/2019:
1. Waiting for CNC prototype
2. Adding poll for an additional layout.
3. CNC Prototype partially finished, see pictures in one of the later posts.

3/14/2019 - 3/15/2019:
Factory closed for a few days temporarily for the Chinese Party National Meetings.

3/17/2019:
1. CNC cases have been made, pending sand-blasting. CNC cases checked for accuracy of the edges and the holes and passed QC.
2. Badges/weights CNC in progress, will get PVD treatment and anodization soon

3/18/2019:
1. Still waiting on the prototype items.
2. Added full pvd brass version to the prototyping queue, and considering that as an option for a special edition limited to a small quantity (~$650).

3/21/2019:
1. #3 Layout CNC finished, frosted. #1 and #2 in progress, badges/weights CNC done, awaiting anodization and PVD.

3/22/2019:
Based on numerous requests from users on additional aluminum bottom piece, I gave Potter a call about this possibility. So I updated the Poll with a new question on the optional aluminum bottom. If there is not enough interest we will drop this option.

3/24/2019:
1. A decision was made to include full aluminum board as a separate option. I am not a big fan of Koyu/Doro/M60A style integrated plate for the reasons I have mentioned. But there are many requests. There will be a few colors available, no MOQ because demand from China is enough to cover MOQ. Same price as Polycarbonate.
2. Bottom case prototype done, pictures updated.
3. We will announce GB and raffle details 3/31/2019 6:50PM MST.

3/28/2019:
1. More badges and weights are being made.
2. Black, glass fiber enhanced PC board prototype is being made.

« Last Edit: Sat, 13 April 2019, 00:26:55 by oldcat »

Offline fcoury

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 20:49:53 »
Love the concept and in my humble opinion, 1 is the only way to go  :)

Offline japanesehorrorwriter

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 20:51:51 »
So good to nix the options.Love the attention toward a good looking pcb, too.  I am in.

Offline mrpetrov

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 20:52:18 »
I would vote for badge position 1 position 3, looks good guys!

I actually am moving to position 3...
« Last Edit: Thu, 28 February 2019, 20:59:38 by mrpetrov »

Offline tunadesu

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 20:57:27 »
Agreeing on position 1!

Offline Bleddyn

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 20:57:51 »
Badge position number 3 for me all day. Looks fantastic.

Offline pattern

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 21:02:09 »
Position 3 is unique, aesthetic, and usable!

Offline etong415

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 21:14:10 »
Version #3 looks super unique, and would set it apart from the TGRs and Kyuus. Depending on when this goes into GB, I'd be interested!

Offline breckstar

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 21:17:44 »
#3. Gives the arrow cluster its own space pretty good and not too 910 like #1 is.

Offline megaforce

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 21:21:45 »
lmfao
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Former: LZ MX | LZ FE | LZ CLS TKL Silver |LZ CLS TKL Gray| LZ St | V.EA | Blackbird | LSV3 | OctagonV2 | Norbatouch | X60 | TX84 | Kyuu | SSK | 268.1| Jane CE | Corsair K95 | X60R | HHKB JP x JS HiPro | 910 CE |Nunu |Nunu FE | Jane V2 CE|Jane V2| RS (TKL)


Offline leexy

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 21:25:56 »
lmao

Offline click clack jack

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 22:36:05 »
AMAZING! I love it all, am very excited

Offline jortzii

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 22:40:47 »
Another vote for 3


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Offline Oni74

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 23:16:51 »
You forgot to include 4 - no badge

Offline tunadesu

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 23:21:37 »
I mean 3 is pretty cool too, almost like a compact fc660 style

Offline appaboy

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 23:34:14 »
You forgot to include 4 - no badge

I concur.
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Offline Ashardalon

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 28 February 2019, 23:48:56 »
I'd definitely vote on #3. I'm really impressed with all the work you do, Oldcat, would love if there's anything I can do to work on this with you.

Offline _ODIN_

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #17 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 00:14:29 »
Love the design! I would be in for a aluminum version.

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Offline pp

  • Posts: 7
Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 00:23:37 »
It looks really nice. Are the words on the three nameplates the same? Can you customize it freely?

Offline AlcoholEnthusiast

  • Posts: 456
Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 00:29:00 »
I would be fine with either 1 or 3. My preference is 1, but I don't hate 3 either.

Offline Emir

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 02:21:11 »
"Personally, I will not take a single dollar out of a potential GB"
Swedish Linjδr community inspires! :D Jokes aside, this is always respectable!

I personally hope for an alu gasket mount, love the design!

Offline CrazyNun

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #21 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 04:31:54 »
Inte
re
st
e
d

 :thumb:

Offline Frasqueira

  • Posts: 3
Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #22 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 05:06:12 »
Will support split backspace?

« Last Edit: Fri, 01 March 2019, 06:30:12 by Frasqueira »

Offline HAYAN

  • Posts: 29
Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #23 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 05:34:20 »
1 and 3 looks cool. especially 3.

Offline nguyenhimself

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #24 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 06:36:47 »
This is near perfect for me.

- Hotswappable.
- PC.
- Integrated plate.
- That quasi-FC660 layout.
- Supposedly affordable
- QMK
- USB Type-C

Now if only you can add a Bluetooth controller (hey you already solve the problem of connectivity by making it all-PC). That'd be my MX endgame :)

Offline Visionaire

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #25 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 08:09:07 »
Survey completed.

Number 1 is the best placement IMO. Underglow RGBBBBBB please.

Offline t0ch

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #26 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 09:01:59 »
Dang, no split backspace?
#3 has my vote

Edit: nevermind, just noticed the hotswappable so split isn't possible

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #27 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 09:56:53 »
Dang, no split backspace?
#3 has my vote

Edit: nevermind, just noticed the hotswappable so split isn't possible

If there is enough interest, we can consider making a non-hotswap PCB compatible with a few popular layouts.

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #28 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 09:58:38 »
"Personally, I will not take a single dollar out of a potential GB"
Swedish Linjδr community inspires! :D Jokes aside, this is always respectable!

I personally hope for an alu gasket mount, love the design!

Hey thanks! Yes Gasket-mount should only require a bit of a tweak. If this is aluminum we will definitely go with Gasket or top-mount. PC thicc plate outperforms gasket in our testing, hence we finally decide to adopt this design.

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #29 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 09:59:14 »
You forgot to include 4 - no badge

Can always have that option I guess. My concern is that the case will look quite plain, and too similar to 910.

Offline b3nkei

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #30 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 09:59:31 »
Is the groupbuy going to have limited spots?

Offline Pheyn

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #31 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 10:58:22 »
I always wanted a pc 910 so I'm interested in this.

+1 for a non-hotswap pcb. Hotswap only kills my interest unfortunately.

I would also vote for no badge. Having the badge take up 2 key slots removes too much functionality for me. But If I had to choose one of the 3, option 3 looks the most unique.

Offline mrkantz

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 11:05:35 »
Interested in #3, but would only want a non hot swap PCB

Offline Rob27shred

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #33 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 11:16:21 »
I responded to the IC on Reddit, but figured I'd weigh in here as well. #3 is my preferred badge placement & I'm glad to see many others feel the same. I think that badge placement would really set this apart from the 910 & Kyuu. The only gripe I have about your plans with this board is the hotswap PCB. I actually do not mind hotswap (I do prefer non hotswap PCBs though TBH), but for a board like this I think it's too limiting. I would really like to see support for split backspace (this is almost a requirement for me) & 7u space bars if possible. Anyways great work so far & GL getting this to GB! :thumb:

Offline wrongshoe

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #34 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 11:45:19 »
Did you try gasket mount with the PC plate?

Offline eyedrop

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #35 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 11:54:20 »
Good job, Mr. oldcat.  65% is life.

I'll see how I can support this project when the GB comes.   :thumb:

Offline bardomudo

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #36 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 13:06:05 »
1 all the way.

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #37 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 13:11:40 »
Is the groupbuy going to have limited spots?

My current plan is to do a raffle for a few spots for very low cost-level units. I will pay for those units upfront and will be ready-to-ship stock, as something to give back to the community.

And if there is enough demand, we will do a regular no-limit GB, priced at a level of mid to lower end of what you guys indicated in our pricing survey. I am actually quite a bit concerned about low price being perceived as not high-end. That has happened with ALF's DC60 before (at least in China people think DC60 is a very low-end item, the fact is ALF didn't take a profit).

I am actually not sure how you guys want this GB to be: lower price, no limit; or higher price limit -- either way I am not planning to take money out, all profit, if there is any, will go to fund Gray Studio's operations. If you have a suggestion feel free to let us know!
« Last Edit: Fri, 01 March 2019, 13:13:56 by oldcat »

Offline eyedrop

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #38 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 13:32:33 »
Free boards for all that fill out the form within the first 42 seconds.  No one has done that before.  You will be a first!!!

I think people perceive low cost as low quality.  That is the wrong mentality in this community and will lead maker to take a higher profit just to give people the false sense of paying for a high quality product.  I am not against people making a profit, just saying.

Keep up the good work.  I want to be in on that low cost-level unit raffle.

Offline tex_live_utility

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #39 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 14:35:37 »
The only reason to not prefer "low price, no limit" Is the risk of poor QC, or delays.

Therefore I don't think it's really a good question to pose to the community. Obviously low price and high quantity is better for the community. But given all the other concurrent projects right now I would only be comfortable joining it if you are comfortable running it. The DC60 seems to have gone well enough and the Doro67 looks like it will turn out OK as well, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Other than QC, the only other reason to prefer low quantity and high price is if you are a clout-chaser or flipper.  I don't think we should encourage that behavior any further.
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Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #40 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 15:01:15 »
Also, a few people asked me why I am working with Gray Studio for this project, not ALF. This has nothing to do with my relationship with ALF. I am a good friend of ALF, and I still manage ALF studio pro bono. In my own opinion, ALF's product has very high quality, albeit there has been some delay and some QC issues. But many authors keep an eye on the speed (E.g., Cary) and they do a good job with QC.

The main thing that prompted me to work with Gray was really that ALF is busy with a few GBs not yet fully delivered (e.g., X1.1, Unigo, and more recently, Dolch.CR and G60) and he is working on a few new projects. Given I am not sure how much profit I can bring to him with this project, I don't want to put extra burden on him.
« Last Edit: Fri, 01 March 2019, 15:07:30 by oldcat »

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #41 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 15:05:11 »
The only reason to not prefer "low price, no limit" Is the risk of poor QC, or delays.

Therefore I don't think it's really a good question to pose to the community. Obviously low price and high quantity is better for the community. But given all the other concurrent projects right now I would only be comfortable joining it if you are comfortable running it. The DC60 seems to have gone well enough and the Doro67 looks like it will turn out OK as well, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Other than QC, the only other reason to prefer low quantity and high price is if you are a clout-chaser or flipper.  I don't think we should encourage that behavior any further.

Thanks bro,
Please see my response above. This is not going to be manufactured by ALF.
For previous GBs, I was helping out. For this one, I’m doing the design and will oversee the manufacturing process.
« Last Edit: Fri, 01 March 2019, 15:09:28 by oldcat »

Offline heyitsqi

  • Posts: 69
Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #42 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 15:49:15 »
I responded in the IC form and a couple of comments,

1. Badge is weird but I get it. It's a unique design aesthetic similar to the 910s. I like either 1 or 3.

2. The price question I felt was a weird question to pose to the community. I feel as if you're just going to get fairly terrible data out of it. If we assume all things equal, why would anyone vote for more than the lowest option? Like without context, if I assume the extremes (great board, superb QC vs crap qc, crap hardware) I'm always going to pay the lowest cost to reduce my risk or maximize my value. It's also hard for me to answer this question without the context of manufacturing cost, material cost, etc. Is PC cheaper than alu? My assumption is yes but I could be wrong too given that maybe PC is hard to get right vs alu, etc.

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #43 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 16:42:36 »
I responded in the IC form and a couple of comments,

1. Badge is weird but I get it. It's a unique design aesthetic similar to the 910s. I like either 1 or 3.

2. The price question I felt was a weird question to pose to the community. I feel as if you're just going to get fairly terrible data out of it. If we assume all things equal, why would anyone vote for more than the lowest option? Like without context, if I assume the extremes (great board, superb QC vs crap qc, crap hardware) I'm always going to pay the lowest cost to reduce my risk or maximize my value. It's also hard for me to answer this question without the context of manufacturing cost, material cost, etc. Is PC cheaper than alu? My assumption is yes but I could be wrong too given that maybe PC is hard to get right vs alu, etc.

Thanks!

For Q1. Maybe we can provide 2 options of badge is not most people's cup of tea.
For Q2. Thank you, I think you have a very fair point. And the survey question may induce biased opinions. However, based on the data, there is ample variation regarding pricing actually, you should be able to view the raw data regarding participants' expected reasonable price for a high-end PC board.



Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5°
« Reply #44 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 16:43:47 »
This is near perfect for me.

- Hotswappable.
- PC.
- Integrated plate.
- That quasi-FC660 layout.
- Supposedly affordable
- QMK
- USB Type-C

Now if only you can add a Bluetooth controller (hey you already solve the problem of connectivity by making it all-PC). That'd be my MX endgame :)

Not sure if many people are interested in bluetooth - if so we can consider developing that in a subsequent PCB. My perception has been that there is relatively low community interest in bluetooth, but I can certainly be wrong!

Offline clik_clak

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #45 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 16:49:31 »
I understand you want credit for your work, but having your names on the case would make this a definite no for me. Maybe create a small logo or something, maybe something like Kira's logo.

Just my two cents.

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #46 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 17:27:21 »
I understand you want credit for your work, but having your names on the case would make this a definite no for me. Maybe create a small logo or something, maybe something like Kira's logo.

Just my two cents.

It's a fair point. Thanks for the suggestion. I will think about this, maybe making it less conspicuous.
Given I am not going to take any profit out of this design, I think having my geekhack username on there is fair :)

Offline sandragm

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #47 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 18:02:33 »
I'm not really into the badge. I think it's disproportionate in size and too much of a distraction from an otherwise sleek design. I'm also not a huge fan of blockers, so I'd rather not have that either, but that's not as much of a dealbreaker for me as the badge is (though I strongly prefer no blocker).

As far as the weight, any chance we could get other material options that could bring down the cost a bit? I understand the need for a weight given that PC is so light, but it would be neat to have a more affordable option for those of us who aren't set on brass and want to save a little money.

All that being said, I'll keep an eye on this. It's definitely caught my eye!
« Last Edit: Fri, 01 March 2019, 18:04:53 by sandragm »

Offline oldcat

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #48 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 18:33:56 »
I'm not really into the badge. I think it's disproportionate in size and too much of a distraction from an otherwise sleek design. I'm also not a huge fan of blockers, so I'd rather not have that either, but that's not as much of a dealbreaker for me as the badge is (though I strongly prefer no blocker).

As far as the weight, any chance we could get other material options that could bring down the cost a bit? I understand the need for a weight given that PC is so light, but it would be neat to have a more affordable option for those of us who aren't set on brass and want to save a little money.

All that being said, I'll keep an eye on this. It's definitely caught my eye!

Hey you will probably get the brass stuff at the price of comparable GBs without brass weight :)

That said I will probably get aluminum weight proto to see if the case has enough weight

Offline coffeeshopcoder

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Re: [IC] THINK6.5° — Polycarbonate 65%
« Reply #49 on: Fri, 01 March 2019, 20:35:28 »
Position 3.

Really like everything else about the board.

Any ideas on estimated price or timeframe ?