[GB] CA66 Custom Keyboard Kit Round 2 (Shipping Now)

[cijanzen]

Struggling with choosing a color

I'll have SA Symbiosis, SA Godspeed, SA Carbon, and SA Pulse that I would like to use on it. Maybe silver might be the best color choice for these sets?

That’s a tough one due to the amount of possible colours. I’d definitely go with something neutral like silver or dark grey. White could look good with some of those sets too but might be too much contrast with some of them.

[jrfhoutx]

Struggling with choosing a color

I'll have SA Symbiosis, SA Godspeed, SA Carbon, and SA Pulse that I would like to use on it. Maybe silver might be the best color choice for these sets?

yeah, silver or dark grey.

[bcbishop]

Struggling with choosing a color

I'll have SA Symbiosis, SA Godspeed, SA Carbon, and SA Pulse that I would like to use on it. Maybe silver might be the best color choice for these sets?

FWIW, I have a dark grey from the prior round, and I haven't loved the way my Godspeed caps look on it. Too contrasty. (Carbon would be great, though, and I suspect Symbiosis will as well. SA Calm Depths also looks aces on it.)

That said, I'm also planning on picking up either a silver or white CA66 in this round for use with Godspeed and/or Symbiosis. 

[ramblinrose]

Trying to decide on a color myself as well... either for my sa camping set or gmk bluegaloo mods with og dye sub alphas. Too many nice case colors - blue, purple, red, white etc hah.

[hhkbp2]

Reassuring then 

While I'm at it, anybody has a picture of a non-purple CA66 with SA Hyperfuse? I'd like to have a more polyvalent case than purple but can't decide which one 

i want to see non-purple Ca66 with SA hyperfuse too
I have one new set and didnt use it yet

from https://www.ptt.cc/bbs/Key_Mou_Pad/M.1516181932.A.975.html

[cijanzen]

Struggling with choosing a color

I'll have SA Symbiosis, SA Godspeed, SA Carbon, and SA Pulse that I would like to use on it. Maybe silver might be the best color choice for these sets?

FWIW, I have a dark grey from the prior round, and I haven't loved the way my Godspeed caps look on it. Too contrasty. (Carbon would be great, though, and I suspect Symbiosis will as well. SA Calm Depths also looks aces on it.)

That said, I'm also planning on picking up either a silver or white CA66 in this round for use with Godspeed and/or Symbiosis. 

White would look really nice and a good throwback for symbiosis!

[coffeeshopcoder]

@PlayKeyboardTW Is there a way I could just get an Alps alum plate and a Brass plate without the default alum plate ?

[PlayKeyboardTW]

@PlayKeyboardTW Is there a way I could just get an Alps alum plate and a Brass plate without the default alum plate ?

No sorry. The designer defined case + alu switch plate + PCB as a basic set.

[coffeeshopcoder]

I thought so, just checking.

@PlayKeyboardTW Is there a way I could just get an Alps alum plate and a Brass plate without the default alum plate ?

No sorry. The designer defined case + alu switch plate + PCB as a basic set.

[mushubanane]

Reassuring then 

While I'm at it, anybody has a picture of a non-purple CA66 with SA Hyperfuse? I'd like to have a more polyvalent case than purple but can't decide which one 

i want to see non-purple Ca66 with SA hyperfuse too
I have one new set and didnt use it yet

Show Image

from https://www.ptt.cc/bbs/Key_Mou_Pad/M.1516181932.A.975.html

Thanks! This photo session  :eek:

[Macflag]

Ordered!

[roymt76]

Is there some way to make it more heavy
with me ~1.34kg is to light

[Lormania]

Is there some way to make it more heavy
with me ~1.34kg is to light

There is space inside the case to line with weights if you wanted

[donutholer]

Can you share the plate files so I can cut my own alps plate?

[PlayKeyboardTW]

Is there some way to make it more heavy
with me ~1.34kg is to light

There is space inside the case to line with weights if you wanted

You can consider to put in a foam for both raising a bit weight and reduce the hollow sound.

Can you share the plate files so I can cut my own alps plate?

It's already uploaded, in R1 GB thread.
We'll put it in here again.

Download CA66 files here: https://goo.gl/DXNwqL

[gutsack]

Boom. Ordered.

[roymt76]

Is there some way to make it more heavy
with me ~1.34kg is to light

There is space inside the case to line with weights if you wanted

You can consider to put in a foam for both raising a bit weight and reduce the hollow sound.

Can you share the plate files so I can cut my own alps plate?

It's already uploaded, in R1 GB thread.
We'll put it in here again.

Download CA66 files here: https://goo.gl/DXNwqL

which kind of foam that heavy and reduce the hollow sound

BTW that was the old plate, maybe he one the new plate for bluetooth version

[PlayKeyboardTW]

Is there some way to make it more heavy
with me ~1.34kg is to light

There is space inside the case to line with weights if you wanted

You can consider to put in a foam for both raising a bit weight and reduce the hollow sound.

Can you share the plate files so I can cut my own alps plate?

It's already uploaded, in R1 GB thread.
We'll put it in here again.

Download CA66 files here: https://goo.gl/DXNwqL

which kind of foam that heavy and reduce the hollow sound

BTW that was the old plate, maybe he one the new plate for bluetooth version

EVA. If you can find a suitable thickness.
But CA66 was intentionally reduced weight when designing.

Alps plate file will be released after GB ends.

[macclack]

Is the dark red going to match the dark red from r1? It was more of a brown than red, which is a good thing IMO.

[PlayKeyboardTW]

Is the dark red going to match the dark red from r1? It was more of a brown than red, which is a good thing IMO.

Yes it will be the same. The performance might depends on light sources.

[krey]

Joined the GB!

And now for the wait...

[konstantin]

• Is the BT PCB USB-C and does it support C to C?
• Does the BT PCB come with a daughter board for the connector like the default one does?
  
• There were mentions of putting the RGB LEDs on a raised daughter board to prevent light bleed. Was this done, and if so, do both the default and BT PCBs have it?
• Do you have pictures of the different colored alu plates, primarily red?
• Why did the designer decide that the brass plate wouldn't be an option in the main offering? The alu plate is a waste of money for most people who are getting brass plates.

[dr_unconscionable]

Any idea when we might see a render / sample of the final army green colour on the product page?

[Taques]

Sorry if this has already been answered: If you order a CA66 kit, and then order an extra PCB and plate do we need to pay shipping for the extras, or will they all be shipped together?

[jrfhoutx]

Sorry if this has already been answered: If you order a CA66 kit, and then order an extra PCB and plate do we need to pay shipping for the extras, or will they all be shipped together?

IDK about this round, but I would assume it would be the same as last round. Last round everything was packed and shipped together.

[steamykeebs]

So just to be sure, does the non-BT PCB support flashing firmware using the QMK toolbox?  Meaning its not like the round 1 PCB which could flash a QMK hex file but only with the ydkb.io reflash tool?  If it does support the QMK toolbox, will I have to change the bootloader to use it or will it work out of the box?

Thanks.

[PlayKeyboardTW]

• Is the BT PCB USB-C and does it support C to C?
• Does the BT PCB come with a daughter board for the connector like the default one does?
• There were mentions of putting the RGB LEDs on a raised daughter board to prevent light bleed. Was this done, and if so, do both the default and BT PCBs have it?
• Do you have pictures of the different colored alu plates, primarily red?
• Why did the designer decide that the brass plate wouldn't be an option in the main offering? The alu plate is a waste of money for most people who are getting brass plates.

About Q1 and Q2, the answer is yes.


BT PCB will remain the same as it was before. Since it's YANG's production, we can't force him to do that mod unless he wants to.


Red plate pic, credit to Oatburner



No comment on his plate decision, but we did send him feedback about this.
He promised he will make a change in his next design.

[PlayKeyboardTW]

Any idea when we might see a render / sample of the final army green colour on the product page?

Yes, until we are satisfied with the sample.
We had made a couple of versions, and time by time they were getting close to the green we want.

Sorry if this has already been answered: If you order a CA66 kit, and then order an extra PCB and plate do we need to pay shipping for the extras, or will they all be shipped together?

They will all be shipped together. No additional fees.

So just to be sure, does the non-BT PCB support flashing firmware using the QMK toolbox?  Meaning its not like the round 1 PCB which could flash a QMK hex file but only with the ydkb.io reflash tool?  If it does support the QMK toolbox, will I have to change the bootloader to use it or will it work out of the box?

Thanks.

CA66 PCBs are using HID bootloader, not normal dfu. So the original toolbox won't support unless there's an upgrade.
In last round wjchen made a QMK toolbox that supports HID bootloader.
You guys can check it out here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93542.msg2616991#msg2616991

[steamykeebs]

CA66 PCBs are using HID bootloader, not normal dfu. So the original toolbox won't support unless there's an upgrade.
In last round wjchen made a QMK toolbox that supports HID bootloader.
You guys can check it out here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93542.msg2616991#msg2616991

Ah, yes.  I read that thread but forgot about wjchen's fork of QMK toolbox that supports HID bootloader.  Did some research and it looks like wjchen's pull request was merged last month and so QMK toolbox will officially support HID.  The only issue is that there hasn't been a new official release since that change (the current latest version is from December 2017).  Hopefully, a new version with HID bootloader support will be release sometime before the round 2 keyboards ship.

[jrfhoutx]

You guys might want to look at the configuration for the online TMK editor, currently it swaps two keys, the up arrow key location of the arrow cluster and the bottom key location of the right hand mod cluster.
it's an easy fix to make everything correct, just assign the up arrow to the bottom right key and the bottom right key to the up arrow location, but it's pretty annoying to have to do that.

[PlayKeyboardTW]

You guys might want to look at the configuration for the online TMK editor, currently it swaps two keys, the up arrow key location of the arrow cluster and the bottom key location of the right hand mod cluster.
it's an easy fix to make everything correct, just assign the up arrow to the bottom right key and the bottom right key to the up arrow location, but it's pretty annoying to have to do that.

Hi, I contacted YANG for checking the flaw you said, and there's nothing swapped.
I myself had built several CA66s including from R1 and China GB, and didn't meet the situation you mentioned.

Do you mind to help us check it again?

[Rykno]

What lighting options can be used with the strip next to the nav column?

[jrfhoutx]

You guys might want to look at the configuration for the online TMK editor, currently it swaps two keys, the up arrow key location of the arrow cluster and the bottom key location of the right hand mod cluster.
it's an easy fix to make everything correct, just assign the up arrow to the bottom right key and the bottom right key to the up arrow location, but it's pretty annoying to have to do that.

Hi, I contacted YANG for checking the flaw you said, and there's nothing swapped.
I myself had built several CA66s including from R1 and China GB, and didn't meet the situation you mentioned.

Do you mind to help us check it again?

yeah, I'll help you check it again, let me know what you need me to do.

I flashed a fresh tmk hex download 3 times last night, thinking I had made a mistake.

[PlayKeyboardTW]

What lighting options can be used with the strip next to the nav column?

So many.

You guys might want to look at the configuration for the online TMK editor, currently it swaps two keys, the up arrow key location of the arrow cluster and the bottom key location of the right hand mod cluster.
it's an easy fix to make everything correct, just assign the up arrow to the bottom right key and the bottom right key to the up arrow location, but it's pretty annoying to have to do that.

Hi, I contacted YANG for checking the flaw you said, and there's nothing swapped.
I myself had built several CA66s including from R1 and China GB, and didn't meet the situation you mentioned.

Do you mind to help us check it again?

yeah, I'll help you check it again, let me know what you need me to do.

I flashed a fresh tmk hex download 3 times last night, thinking I had made a mistake.

  No worries. At least we know it's fine now.

[steamykeebs]

ONe more QMK related question.  Do the leds work with QMK?

[PlayKeyboardTW]

ONe more QMK related question.  Do the leds work with QMK?

Sure they do.

[KingzandBean]

Question: I was a bit confused by the layout pic, does the split spacebar layout only work with the HHKB style CA66 or does it also work with the winkeyless version?

[Vizir]

Question: I was a bit confused by the layout pic, does the split spacebar layout only work with the HHKB style CA66 or does it also work with the winkeyless version?

Good question. I'm also torn between the two layouts... Can't decide.

[Sythe]

Question: I was a bit confused by the layout pic, does the split spacebar layout only work with the HHKB style CA66 or does it also work with the winkeyless version?

I believe it should be fine to do on either layout. My understanding is there is only 1 plate layout and just the top half of the board changes to have either badge or cutout.

Its a hard choice to make though...the badge looks so nice, but I don't think I'd want to give up the extra key.
Split spacebar is what is winning me over to this compared to other options though.
Now just to decide on the colour.

[PlayKeyboardTW]

Question: I was a bit confused by the layout pic, does the split spacebar layout only work with the HHKB style CA66 or does it also work with the winkeyless version?

Both versions are using the same plates and PCBs. So the only difference is the extra key on the left control location.

[befbef]

Just to be absolutely sure: There's no chance to make the pcb hotswappable (with Holtites, Mil Max or anything), right?

[tex_live_utility]

 Does anyone know if there's room for a layer of dampening phone between the PCB and the bottom of the case?

[cijanzen]

Does anyone know if there's room for a layer of dampening phone between the PCB and the bottom of the case?

Yes

[PlayKeyboardTW]

Just to be absolutely sure: There's no chance to make the pcb hotswappable (with Holtites, Mil Max or anything), right?

We don't know about it and never test these two components before.
How do you plan to mount the PCB iin CA66 if it's hotswappable?

Does anyone know if there's room for a layer of dampening phone between the PCB and the bottom of the case?

Yes

Yes. )

[roymt76]

Ordered <3
Sadly that i'm think about case color again
You guy have any image compare gray and black, in the same picture
:?

[befbef]

Just to be absolutely sure: There's no chance to make the pcb hotswappable (with Holtites, Mil Max or anything), right?

We don't know about it and never test these two components before.
How do you plan to mount the PCB iin CA66 if it's hotswappable?

Perhaps soldering 4 switches, but I think the sockets have enough friction that mounting isn't needed. I have some hotswap boards without screws and no problems at all.

Do you know the diameter of the holes?

[japanitrat]

Just to be absolutely sure: There's no chance to make the pcb hotswappable (with Holtites, Mil Max or anything), right?

We don't know about it and never test these two components before.
How do you plan to mount the PCB iin CA66 if it's hotswappable?

Does anyone know if there's room for a layer of dampening phone between the PCB and the bottom of the case?

Yes

Yes. )

Friction will hold it. 68 switches are easily enough to hold the PCB in the air. I have 4+ boards like that.

[vonswoopington]

Finally put in my order for grey/blue bluetooth with extra brass plate and a extra normal pcb! Let the wait begin.

[PlayKeyboardTW]

Just to be absolutely sure: There's no chance to make the pcb hotswappable (with Holtites, Mil Max or anything), right?

We don't know about it and never test these two components before.
How do you plan to mount the PCB iin CA66 if it's hotswappable?

Perhaps soldering 4 switches, but I think the sockets have enough friction that mounting isn't needed. I have some hotswap boards without screws and no problems at all.

Do you know the diameter of the holes?

The hole is 1.3mm, and 2,3mm with pad.

[ctrl]

Just for clarification purposes as I'm on the fence on buying either another CA66 or just an extra pcb:

The default pcb now supports programmable RGB LEDs, correct? The previous pcb wasn't programmable, just a light strip, if I remember it correctly.

How is the USB-C connector on YANG's BT pcb? I understand it's not on a daughter board so how is the fit when not using BT and using the USB-C connector instead.

Reeeally interested in that white CA66, even though I already have the luxurious dark red since last round.