[IC] KL-90: 75% w/ Left Macro Column, Encoders, OLED, USB-C, QMK

[KikosLab]

Hi Everyone! Here's a board that I've been working on for some time now. Like the title says, it's a 75% with an extra Macro Column on the side, support for Dual Encoders or one encoder plus OLED. Hotswap is currently in the works. I want to offer at three price points, which will be a sandwich style with FR4 plates, one with 3D printed case, and one with an Alu Machined case. The Alu version will be gasket mounted.

PCB Design is currently done(except for hotswap) and I'm currently looking for manufacturing quotes.

Here's an imgur album that has an early 3D printed prototype, before the layout had a spaced out nav cluster.
 
https://imgur.com/a/bdZkBic

Here's the google form as well: https://forms.gle/qLbpjJuisPyemsci7

For more information, be sure to follow my instagram page and join my discord server!

IG: @kikos.lab
Discord: https://discord.gg/6XYv8Jt

UPDATE: 11/2/20

The above interest check has been updated to the newest Google Form.

GROUP BUY DATE ANNOUNCED:

The GB will be run 11/21/20 at 10 AM PST on kikoslab.com (Still in the works)

The GB format is still being decided between Raffle or FCFS, with Raffle looking likely.

For an updated feature list:

The fourth and final interest check for the KL-90 Keyboard. The KL-90 feature list is as follows:

1) QMK Compatible
2) 75% keyboard with a left side macro column
3) USB-C
4) TVS Diode for ESD Protection
5) Support for Standard AND Split Spacebar
6) Dual Rotary Encoder Option OR Encoder + OLED Option
7) ISO Support (Solder Only)
Open-Source (Post GB)
9) 6 Degree Typing Angle (3D Print/Alu)
10) Hotswap PCB OPTIONAL
11) Gasket or Top Mount Options
12) Made in USA

There will be three case options available: 1) FR4 Plate "Sandwich" Case, 2) 3D Printed Case, 3) Aluminum Case. All kits include a PCB, Proper amount of encoders/OLED Screen and associated plates/case + hardware necessary. ALL PLATES ARE COMPATIBLE with every KL-90 version.

Solder version supports: Split/Standard Spacebar, Stepped Caps Lock, ISO or ANSI Layout
Hotswap (+$25) supports: Split/Standard Spacebar, ANSI Layout

Every PCB and Plate will allow for either Dual Encoder or Encoder+OLED configuration, only the top case will need to be changed.

Aluminum(Made in the USA) includes: Anodized Aluminum Case, Aluminum Switch Plate, Brass Badge, and Anodized Aluminum Knobs, and Gaskets. Starting $550, 275 Units

3D Printed includes: 3D Printed Case, FR4 Switch Plate, and 3D Printed Knobs. Top and Bottom Cases will be printed in a single piece on a Creality CR-10S5. Starting at $135, 150 Units

FR4 Version includes: FR4 Switch Plate + FR4 Bottom Plate Starting at $75, 150 Units

FR4, 3D Printed and Aluminum Cases are looking to be fulfilled by April-May 2021.

[3yatt]

First

[darthcapn]

Wohooo let's go!

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[thejuicebox]

nice

[Xonuss]

This looks very nice!

[DillonHightower]

yeah, this looks good. In for a Alu version/ gasket mounted

[Sabin]

Looks amazing, been looking for a 75 after I sold my kbd75. Definitely interested in hot swap too. I think the layout looks much better with the spaced out nav and right column.

[keebpleeb]

In for this - Should scratch my Sat75 itch pretty well. Believe it or not, I want the Sat for function and less "because it's cool." This checks my boxes. In for a blue alu!

Also - would LOVE to see some high quality knobs for this!

[Krzew]

sweet jesus it looks so hideous. good luck anyway

[FlitzDeelman]

sweet jesus it looks so hideous. good luck anyway

There are many boards that have similar layouts, e.g. J-01, Ion Zenith etc. And with the knobs this looks similar to a Satisfaction75.

I and a few people here like the look of this.

So maybe you should either be constructive and say what you would change, or take a hike and come up with your own design.

Until then, please don't act like a troll.

[The.Ryan.Gamer]

IC Filled. I hope GB to start soon. This is looking pretty nice.

[Krzew]

sweet jesus it looks so hideous. good luck anyway

There are many boards that have similar layouts, e.g. J-01, Ion Zenith etc. And with the knobs this looks similar to a Satisfaction75.

I and a few people here like the look of this.

So maybe you should either be constructive and say what you would change, or take a hike and come up with your own design.

Until then, please don't act like a troll.

sorry for not liking the design

[lush_bunny]

sweet jesus it looks so hideous. good luck anyway

There are many boards that have similar layouts, e.g. J-01, Ion Zenith etc. And with the knobs this looks similar to a Satisfaction75.

I and a few people here like the look of this.

So maybe you should either be constructive and say what you would change, or take a hike and come up with your own design.

Until then, please don't act like a troll.

sorry for not liking the design

honest question, maybe you mean you don't like the renders?

[KikosLab]

Yeah, I don't know how to render stuff properly. I have a guy making renders for me though! So hopefully I have some nice ones soon.

[Krzew]

sweet jesus it looks so hideous. good luck anyway

There are many boards that have similar layouts, e.g. J-01, Ion Zenith etc. And with the knobs this looks similar to a Satisfaction75.

I and a few people here like the look of this.

So maybe you should either be constructive and say what you would change, or take a hike and come up with your own design.

Until then, please don't act like a troll.

sorry for not liking the design

honest question, maybe you mean you don't like the renders?

the renders of the design, yes. i feel like something's off with the design, probably the macro cluster on the left triggers me so it feels like there are too many blockers

anyways, didn't mean to sound like a jerk, sorry and keep up with something supposedly liked by others. filled the ic about the left cluster as well!

[atlanticise]

I like this layout! Looks very promising, though the part where the OLED screen is looks a bit clunky, not a fan of that... slope? I think it would look cleaner if it were just cut straight down. This does remind me of the satisfaction, in a good way!! I’ll keep my eye out for updates!

[Sslix]

Looks good, more options for High end to cut price and have more flexibility for preference would be nice, i.e an option with no weight and maybe an FR4 plate or something cheaper.

[FlitzDeelman]

the renders of the design, yes. i feel like something's off with the design, probably the macro cluster on the left triggers me so it feels like there are too many blockers

anyways, didn't mean to sound like a jerk, sorry and keep up with something supposedly liked by others. filled the ic about the left cluster as well!

OK, that’s at least some detail for the OP to think about and work with, if he so chooses. I suspect you and he will agree to disagree, which is also fine.

If you just say it’s hideous, there’s nothing for the OP to work with, and the point of the IC is to use community feedback to come up with better designs.

I have to apologise as well, I probably was too negative myself.

[alper_maestro]

Very interesting, I'm looking for a 75%.

Which of the 3 options does the Hotswap pcb best suit?

Will it include RGB led?

[Shan]

What I look for in a keyboard (quoted from my form entry):

Ergonomics, Left side rotary encoder, aesthetics, moving more functions/buttons to the left side of the keyboard for one handed use, win-keys, sound. Hot-swap that supports split-space, split back space, split shift would be nice (more functions in a smaller space)

 Want to try: split, alice, ortholinear (especially those that support use of regular non-ortho modifiers; i call this "alphalinear"). The"Bizzare Boardrun" is another gets combines a lot of these, but they only working have acrylic sheet cases for now (maybe aluminum CNC in the future).

[FlitzDeelman]

What I look for in a keyboard (quoted from my form entry):

...

 Want to try: split, alice, ortholinear (especially those that support use of regular non-ortho modifiers; i call this "alphalinear"). The"Bizzare Boardrun" is another gets combines a lot of these, but they only working have acrylic sheet cases for now (maybe aluminum CNC in the future).

I get the requirement for “alphalinear”.

I moved from an Ergodox / Kinesis Advantage 2 (shift still in conventional place) to a Keyboardio Model 01, where al modifiers are spread out in an arc around your thumb. And for a month, it did my head in. I was really surprised at the learning curve. It felt even worse than going from staggered conventional to Kinesis/Ergodox.

Now I’m used to Keyboardio, it fits me like a glove, which is awesome. It also means I’m up the creek without a keyboard when I’m at somebody else’s workstation.

Which is probably OK in a world with Covid-19. But still, there are advantages to keeping your pinkies practiced!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KikosLab]

Very interesting, I'm looking for a 75%.

Which of the 3 options does the Hotswap pcb best suit?

Will it include RGB led?

What do you mean which does it best suit? I think it goes down to preference, but the Hotswap will be available for all options.

No RGB unfortunately

[archile]

Cool design, I love it

[zoo]

Nice design! I like the one with OLED screen, appears to me more intentional/complete than the symmetrical knobs.
Is there some way to make the pocket for the screen a little shallower?

[KikosLab]

Nice design! I like the one with OLED screen, appears to me more intentional/complete than the symmetrical knobs.
Is there some way to make the pocket for the screen a little shallower?

I'm working on it!

[bball2]

Love the layout and will definitely try and get in on the group buy! Few comments / questions (if case design hasn't been finalized yet):

- Is it possible to make the top edges a little less beveled? Ie)



- What are you thinking for the bottom weight design? Any chance to have something that spans all along the bottom? (instead of just a small rectangular one in the middle). ie) Rama U80A, or 7V - 75%

[KikosLab]

Love the layout and will definitely try and get in on the group buy! Few comments / questions (if case design hasn't been finalized yet):

- Is it possible to make the top edges a little less beveled? Ie)

Show Image

- What are you thinking for the bottom weight design? Any chance to have something that spans all along the bottom? (instead of just a small rectangular one in the middle). ie) Rama U80A, or 7V - 75%

Good suggestions! The edges are currently chamfered 2mm x 45deg, which isn’t really that big, and smaller isn’t the most noticeable (as it seems you prefer) but honestly I prefer the chamfer look, as I’m debating on a special edition with polished chamfers still.

For the bottom weight, its just a small rectangular one since that is cheaper to machine out a small pocket only, and less cost on brass since its less material overall. I’m hoping to hit some aggressive price points for the board, and so I went for as simple as I could. Tbh though, I do think the weight could use some work still, but I do want to keep it affordable still.

[bball2]

Cool, it's always a balance between features and keeping the cost low and it's always good to go with your own design language. Will look forward to the final design 

[CF73]

Pretty simple and safe design, I like it.
Not a huge fan of the split space, but otherwise great layout; far better rotary encoder position than S75 imo

[KikosLab]

Pretty simple and safe design, I like it.
Not a huge fan of the split space, but otherwise great layout; far better rotary encoder position than S75 imo

Thank you! A standard 6.25u Spacebar is Supported as well!

[OnNitrous]

signed up to the discord.
keen to see this one go live also

[Drakenocas]

Looks like a thirsty offering, but I am interested.

[KikosLab]

Looks like a thirsty offering, but I am interested.

Thank you! Be sure to follow the discord, most updates are posted there

[Nordic_Geek]

My soul and pocketbook are ready! Well for sure my soul.

[KikosLab]

My soul and pocketbook are ready! Well for sure my soul.

LOL love to hear it. Make sure to join the discord, as most information gets posted there immediately!

[mrpetrov]

Hi there! I’m a big fan of f-row plus left macro column, and getting my hands on a board with both of those coupled with dedicated arrows was always second on my list of layouts to try - so this is a super interesting layout for me.

Could you talk a little bit about:
1. The mounting system you’re using
2. The geometry of the case - especially choice of typing angle and internal volume (eg depth between pcb and case)
3. Your experience in running GBs before (or whether you intend to use an established vendor)
4. Whether you will get prototypes done from whichever manu you choose, before going to Gb

Thanks and I’m excited to follow your progress.

[KikosLab]

Hi there! I’m a big fan of f-row plus left macro column, and getting my hands on a board with both of those coupled with dedicated arrows was always second on my list of layouts to try - so this is a super interesting layout for me.

Could you talk a little bit about:
1. The mounting system you’re using
2. The geometry of the case - especially choice of typing angle and internal volume (eg depth between pcb and case)
3. Your experience in running GBs before (or whether you intend to use an established vendor)
4. Whether you will get prototypes done from whichever manu you choose, before going to Gb

Thanks and I’m excited to follow your progress.

Hey there! Of course, happy to answer any questions you've got!

1) The aluminum version of the KL-90 will be gasket mounted using 1mm silicone pieces in between the plate location tabs and top and bottom cases. For the 3D Printed the plate will basically just sit inside of the two cases.

2) The case has a 6Degree typing angle, but I don't have internal volume numbers. Haven't looked in to that yet, but I'll check it out on Solidworks and get back to you

3) This is my first GB ever, and I will be running it on my own website, no vendors. Shipping worldwide

4) A prototype is actually already on its way to me, I've locked in a manufacturer, GB dates and prizes. I will be updating/posting a new IC soon. A stream of the prototype will be done by a professional streamer prior to GB going live

Be sure to join my discord or follow my socials, as I tend to be there much more often than GeekHack!

[boyjun]

Looking forward to this GB  wondering how much extra cerakote white will be. Otherwise will definitely try to pick this up

[BloopHD]

Are the colors fully decided?

[KikosLab]

Looking forward to this GB  wondering how much extra cerakote white will be. Otherwise will definitely try to pick this up

$15 USD extra for Cerakote White!

[KikosLab]

Are the colors fully decided?

For the most part, yes! I have some color samples shown on my discord of the prototype, is there any color you were hoping for thats out?

[xanserkx]

Do you have more photos for 3D printed version?

[KikosLab]

Do you have more photos for 3D printed version?

The best I can currently give is photos of my older design, but that isnt accurate since it was printed in pieces. I ordered a single piece print of the old design thats on its way to me, and once thats in I’ll have a more accurate picture since the settings for print will be the same. If youre curious about print settings, it’ll be printed in PLA (colors in IC or you can source your own PLA filament), 0.4mm nozzle, .2mm layer height, and 20% infill. All 3D printed ones will come with FR4 plates

[underling]

Super interested in this board.

I love that is has the split spacebar, encoder and oled option.

Not sure what I'll do with so many keys though...

[RUN_GMSEE]

pretty sure you guys are pinoy

[chris_1865]

dual encoder and split space somehow remind me of sound voltex lol
btw, interested in 3d one

[BloopHD]

Are the colors fully decided?

For the most part, yes! I have some color samples shown on my discord of the prototype, is there any color you were hoping for thats out?

No specific colors in mind, maybe a white one... but damn! That purple one on the discord is fire!

[KikosLab]

Are the colors fully decided?

For the most part, yes! I have some color samples shown on my discord of the prototype, is there any color you were hoping for thats out?

No specific colors in mind, maybe a white one... but damn! That purple one on the discord is fire!

A Cerakoted White will be an option!!! Just don't have a prototype of it, but if you look up Cerakote Frost H-312, thats the white we'll be using!

[150LAT10N]

This is probably the board I am most excited about. Also appreciate the hell out of your engagement with the community. Can't wait for 11/21!!!

[zoo]

already at GB? very speedy!