[GB] Theseus75 - A balanced 75% split w/ USB passthrough | EXTENDED TO 2 AUG

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Theseus75
If every part of a vessel is replaced, is it still the same vessel?

IC Thread | Discord | Instagram





Nearly two years after the first IC, the Theseus75 Group Buy is finally underway. Living up to its namesake, the board has been designed, prototyped, scrapped, re-designed, and re-prototyped more than ten times (my wallet hurts now) until arriving at something I felt comfortable enough putting into the hands of others.

No small part of that effort comes from ebastler, the PCB designer. Chief among the board's features is the integrated USB passthrough: it's the first split board we know of (GH, keep me honest) to support this capability—and the work required to implement (and remain spec-compliant) was not trivial. I can't thank Moritz enough for his support in bringing this project to life.

(So what does that mean, exactly?)

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Glad you asked. With a symmetrical USB-C port on each half of the board, whichever port is not connected to your computer can be used as a hub for another peripheral device: a mouse, macropad, Yubikey, dongle, flash drive, etc. And if you decide to swap which side should connect to your computer, the peripheral port will swap too.

Feel free to check out the IC thread for more history and context about the board.


Group Buy dates:
1 July – 20 July 2 August 2024
See vendor list below

Base Kit pricing:
$449 USD
See pricing & kitting list below

Estimated fulfillment date:
Q4 2024 - Q1 2025


Taeha Types Build Stream (full VOD)

(Taeha Reacts)

Alexotos Build Stream

Captain Sterling Build Stream

Nainaigogo Sound Test

Highlights

• Split 75% layout (w/ macro column and exploded navigation)
• Two Alps EC-11 rotary encoders
• Magnetic interlocking between halves
• LEMO-compatible 5-pin interconnect (w/ panel-mount connectors)
• USB 2.0 passthrough (w/ support for up to 1.5A charging)
• Hybrid top-mount system (combines silicone grommets + PORON gaskets to isolate split plate)

Vendors

United States:	Dangkeebs
Canada:	Deskhero
United Kingdom:	Proto[Typist]
Europe:	KEYGEM
Oceania:	ALL CAPS
Philippines:	Zion Studios
Singapore:	iLumkb
Vietnam:	MOKB Store
China:	zFrontier

Collaborations
Official custom interconnect cable service will be provided by VoxelMods

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Reviewers

• Taeha Types
• Alexotos
• Captain Sterling
• Dutchmasterw
• Jae (ProtoTypist)
• Nainaigogo

Pricing & Kitting
Note that these prices were established with an MOQ of 100 units and conservative margins in mind.

Base Kit: $449 USD

Contents:

• Keyboard case (aluminum frame + polycarbonate base)
• PCBs & daughterboards
• Flat flexible cables (FFCs) for daughterboards
• LEMO-compatible panel-mount connectors w/ cable
• LEMO-compatible interconnect cable
• FR4 plate
• PORON plate gaskets
• PORON switch pads
• Magnets
• Knobs
• Knob mounts
• Knob mount set screws
• Knob mount silicone o-rings
• Friction-fit silicone feet (1 set black + 1 set white)
• Silicone grommets (1 set 50A (blue) + 1 set 70A (purple))
• Grommet screws
• Daughterboard screws
• Case screws
• Magnet screws
• Plate standoffs and screws
• Assorted tools
• Custom carrying case

Color options:

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• Apollo (E-White / chroma knob / chroma cable)
  
  
• Artemis (Black Anodized / black knob / silver cable)
  
  
• Hermes (Silver Anodized / black knob / silver cable)
  
  
• Demeter (Emerald Anodized / gold knob / gold cable)
  
  
• Poseidon (Blue Anodized / gold knob / gold cable)
  
  
• Ares (Burgundy Anodized / gold knob / gold cable)
  
  
• Dionysus (Violet Anodized / gold knob / gold cable)
  
  
• Hera (Purple Anodized / chroma knob / chroma cable)
  
  
• Aphrodite (E-Pink / gold knob / gold cable)
  
  
• Helios (E-Yellow / black knob / silver cable)
  
  

(IRL color chips/samples also available here.)

PCB options:

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• Hot-swap (split backspace, stepped caps, split left shift, reversible left space/fn)
  
  
• Solder (all hot-swap options + ISO enter and pseudo-Tsangan bottom row)
  
  

Wrist Rest: $99 USD
Note: the Wrist Rest is a separate item with its own MOQ.

Contents:

• Matching aluminum accents
• Polycarbonate base
• Magnets
• Magnet screws
• Assembly screws
• Friction-fit silicone feet (1 set black + 1 set white)

Color options: same as base kit colorways above

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PCB Extras: $59 USD

Contents:

• Left and right PCBs and daughterboards in panelized FR4 frame

Options: same as base kit PCBs above


Knob Extras: $49 USD

Contents:

• 2x brass PVD knobs
• 2x aluminum knob mounts
• 2x silicone knob mount o-rings
• 2x set screws and hardware

Color options:

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• Chroma (polished)
  
  
• Gold (polished)
  
  
• Black (polished)
  
  

Plate Extras: $20-45 USD (depending on material)

Contents:

• Left and right plate

Material options:

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• Brass - $45 (sandblasted, clear coated)
  
  
• Aluminum - $25 (Black anodized)
  
  
• Polycarbonate - $25 (clear)
  
  
• Carbon Fiber - $25
  
  
• POM - $25 (black)
  
  
• FR4 - $20 (black w/ ENIG accents)
  
  

Cable Extras: $25 USD

Contents:

• 0.8m LEMO-compatible FGG-to-FGG interconnect cable
• Black woven PET sleeving

Finish options:

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• Chroma (satin)
  
  
• Gold (polished)
  
  
• Silver (satin)
  
  

Silicone Extras: $15 USD

Contents:

• 10x grommets, 50A (blue)
• 10x grommets, 70A (purple)
• 10x friction-fit feet, 50A (black)
• 10x friction-fit feet, 50A (white)

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PORON Extras: $15 USD

Contents:

• Left + right plate gaskets (4790-92), 3.05mm thick, 2 mil PET-backed
• Left + right switch pads (4790-92), 0.53mm thick, 2 mil PET-backed
• Switch pad sticker pack (4790-92), 3.05mm thick, adhesive-backed

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Specifications



MEASUREMENTS

• 6° typing angle
• 20mm front height
• 36.6mm total height (case bottom to top)
• Kit content weight: 6.44 lbs (2.923 kg)

LAYOUT

• 75% XT (single macro column)
• Switches: 88-91
• Stabilizers: 3-5 (2U)
• Exploded navigation cluster
• Two 1U rotary encoders

PCB

• Designed by ebastler
• QMK firmware w/ VIA support
• RGB LED underglow
• Caps lock LED (with VIA customization support)
• Integrated USB 2.0 hubs
• Dual-role USB-C ports (either port can function as hub or host connection)
• Alps EC11 encoders w/ 1.5mm push travel
• STM32G431 microcontrollers
• uSB S1-inspired form-factor daughterboards
• 1.6mm black-core FR4, ENIG finish

MOUNTING

• Hybrid system combining PORON foam gaskets and snap-in silicone grommets
• Foam gaskets double as acoustic dampening between switch plate and PCB
• Silicone grommets support both top-mount (with M2 screws) and friction-mount (screw-less) styles

MATERIALS

• 6063 aluminum frame w/ anodized or electrophoretic finish
• Polycarbonate base w/ frosted finish
• PVD coated brass knobs w/ gold, black, or chroma (rainbow) finish
• Aluminum knob mounts
• PORON gaskets and switch pads

Silicone Parts:

• 50A and 70A grommets
• 70A knob mount O-rings
• 50A friction-fit feet (no adhesive required)

CABLE & CONNECTIONS

• Wired USB-C connectivity
• LEMO-compatible EGG.1B.305 panel-mount sockets

Interconnect cable:

• 0.8m length
• Woven PET outer sleeving
• 22/28 AWG conductors
• Shielded USB data lines
• LEMO-compatible FGG.1B.305 push-pull connectors

Changelog
Changes will be summarized here as the thread is updated.

• 2024-06-26: OP
• 2024-06-27: Layout options graphic added
• 2024-06-28: Bottom photos added
• 2024-06-30: Color chips/samples album added, more collab cable images added, extras for silicone & PORON (with images) added
• 2024-07-04: Taeha's build stream VOD added, layout graphic updated (HS will support 1.5u right mods)
• 2024-07-08: All build stream dates added
• 2024-07-08: Alexotos' build stream VOD added, Captain Sterling build stream VOD link added
• 2024-07-19: GB date extended, remaining review VODs added

Signature:

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[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=123207.0;all][img width=400 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/8a4iupE.png[/img][/url]

P.S. – for those that have been wanting to see bottom pics (looking at you, Simon ), want no

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Teaser Album

.

I know the majority of enthusiasts loves a good bottom weight on their board, but after experimenting with a few different designs, I ultimately decided against adding one. Not only would it increase the overall cost of an already costly board (remember, two sides = double the parts), but more importantly, it seemed to be at odds with the underglow effect I was aiming for, and frankly just felt "tacked on." So rather than compromising the integrity of the design, I opted to keep things simple. Besides, with those beefy aluminum bezels, the board is plenty hefty as-is.


As always, I sincerely appreciate everyone that has considered, supported, and followed along with this project. If there is anything I may have left out or if you have any questions/comments/concerns, I'm always willing to chat.

Thanks all.

[bombay.duck]

You mention multiple prototypes - is the last prototype the final design or do you anticipate tweaking further? Will this go into manufacturing right after GB ends?

A lot of keyboard GBs are delayed due to designers not achieving desired results once boards are being manufactured. Does the manufacturer have historical success in achieving quality at scale?

[haversnail]

You mention multiple prototypes - is the last prototype the final design or do you anticipate tweaking further? Will this go into manufacturing right after GB ends?

A lot of keyboard GBs are delayed due to designers not achieving desired results once boards are being manufactured. Does the manufacturer have historical success in achieving quality at scale?

Yes, the last prototype (and the one going out to reviewers) is the final design; barring any unexpected snafus, this will go into manufacturing immediately after.

And yes, they do: both the lead manu and PCB manu are ones that several high-profile boards and vendors use. Part of the early prototyping phase involved sifting through other manufacturers who either had a well-known reputation in the hobby, quality results, or decent communication (which of course, not all manus do). I'm happy to say the one we landed on checks all three of those boxes.

[Xoloitzcuintli]

Is there a plate comparison anywhere? I was wondering if there are any recommendations or one the board was mainly built with in mind. Also, what is the difference between the FR4 and others—the mounting points look… different

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Is there a plate comparison anywhere? I was wondering if there are any recommendations or one the board was mainly built with in mind. Also, what is the difference between the FR4 and others—the mounting points look… different

Good question — most of the reviewers listed will be getting two different plate materials to compare, so almost every material will be covered in the reviews (except for brass and FR4 iirc). Personally I've really enjoyed the CF, PC, and POM plates based on sound.

And oh, the FR4 plate uses the same mounting as the rest, it's just that the product render shows what it'll look like when you get it. It'll come panelized as one "PCB" to make manufacturing affordable, so you'll just need to snap off the mousebites (i.e. where it says "HEX") before assembling. It will come with instructions printed on the back.

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(Link to the full Imgur album btw: https://imgur.com/a/UqF7Xe8)

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

Have a layout possibilities diagram like SP-111 did here?

https://i.imgur.com/F6pbCqU.jpg

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Have a layout possibilities diagram like SP-111 did here?

https://i.imgur.com/F6pbCqU.jpg

I do actually, it's rendering as we speak. Once it's done I'll attach to the OP and let you know!

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

Appreciate it

I have other boards to look pretty, but I mostly work on SP-111’s. Never knew prior to split board use that I only space w left thumb so I change layers w right “space bar”. My hands are big, so I hit left thumb right under the B key.

[IOVERCALLHISTIOCYTES]

Ayy that’s perfect thank you

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Appreciate it

I have other boards to look pretty, but I mostly work on SP-111’s. Never knew prior to split board use that I only space w left thumb so I change layers w right “space bar”. My hands are big, so I hit left thumb right under the B key.

I can appreciate that; I remember Taeha mentioning that back when he streamed the VE.A build, which is what inspired the "reversible space/fn" layout.

OP updated btw! Layout also linked here.

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As requested, OP has been updated with more photos, specifically of the bottom (at the bottom). 

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OP updated with more photos (including the review units) under the "collaborations" section, as well as added sections for PORON and Silicone extras.

GB goes live in the morning!

[eaglevee]

Looking forward to 2x3u spacebars support in the next rounds

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Taeha Types build stream VOD has been added, along with an updated layout graphic (1.5u mods on the right side will be supported on the hot-swap PCBs).

Also, ICYMI: GB is live!

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FYI, all remaining streamers's schedules have been added to the OP 

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Alexotos' build stream VOD added to OP.

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Quick GB update:

Since launching the GB, I've received numerous comments and questions from individuals across Reddit, Discord, Instagram, and elsewhere expressing interest in joining, but uncertain if they could make it before the preorder deadline. Yet despite the overwhelming support from those who had already joined, this still weighed on me. From its inception, my goal has been to make this project as accessible to the community as possible... and I am committed to meeting that goal. With that in mind, I'm excited to announce:

The Theseus75 Group Buy will be extended to
Friday, August 2nd!


By extending preorders through the end of the month, those who have been wanting to participate in this project still have an opportunity to do so. (As an FYI, there are no plans at the moment to produce a "round two" or "R2.")

I also have to say: I am genuinely amazed by (and beyond thankful for) the support and enthusiasm from the community. From fellow designers to steadfast supporters and everyone in between, this project would not have come to fruition without you all. Although it has been an absolute stress-inducing few weeks since the launch (I feel like I've aged ten years), the love and encouragement from everyone has made it worthwhile.

Appreciate you all. ✌️

[flatley2]

What motivated the decision to extend the preorder deadline for the Theseus75 Group Buy, and how does this reflect the project's commitment to community accessibility?