Author Topic: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder | Extras Live  (Read 89407 times)

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Offline r00dy

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Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder

by r00dy, jr2417, and Keebwerk. Please join our Discord to stay up to date with updates. You can find the same information on our documentation site with Build Notes along with Plate and PCB Files.

280772-0

Design

Our intent was to design a seamless, substantial, and symmetrical 75% with a rotary encoder. The weight pays homage to our roots with the San Francisco skyline. After 1.5 years, we're happy to bring this to the groupbuy stage.


280752-1

280766-2

Case Specifications
  • Typing Angle: 7 degrees
  • Mounting Style: Poron and Silicone Gasket Mount, Plate and Case Foam included
  • Colors: E-White, Black, Deep Navy, Gunmetal, Purple
  • Plate Options: 1.5 mm Aluminum, 1.5 mm PC
  • PCB Options: Hotswap, Soldering, designed by jtallbean
  • Weight and Knob Options: Brass with a Gold or Silver PVD

280754-3

280756-4

PCB Options
  • The Hotswap PCB supports the following:
    • Normal and Stepped Caps Lock
    • Normal and Split Backspace
    • Bottom Row: 1.25u 1.25u 1.25u 6.25u 1.5u 1.5u
    • Bottom Row: 1.5u 1.5u 7u 1.5u 1.5u

  • The Soldering PCB supports the following:
    • Normal and Stepped Caps Lock
    • Normal and Split Backspace
    • Split Spacebar Bottom Row: 1.25u 1.25u 1.25u 2.25u 1.25u 2.75u 1.5u 1.5u
    • Bottom Row: 1.25u 1.25u 1.25u 6.25u 1.5u 1.5u

280758-5

280760-6

GroupBuy Information
  • Vendors, Quantity, and Opening Times
    • US: Vala Supply: 300 units, opens 10 AM PST on January 8th
    • Canada: Deskhero: 75 units, opens 9 AM PST on January 7th
    • EU: Candykeys: 75 units, opens 7 PM GMT +2:00 on January 8th
    • Asia: iLumkb: 75 units, opens 4 PM SGT on January 9th
    • Oceania: DailyClack: 50 units opens 11 AM AEDT on January 8th
  • Format: First Come First Served
  • End Date: January 31st
  • Total Quantity: 575 units
  • MOQ: 250 units
  • ETA: 9 Months (November 2022)

280762-7

280764-8

Configurations and Pricing
  • Base Kit ($480 USD) will include and allow you to select from the following:
    • Color Options:
      • EWhite
      • Black
      • Deep Navy
      • Gunmetal
      • Purple
    • Weight and Knob PVD Options:
      • Gold
      • Silver
      • Note: The knob and weight will match in the base configuration
    • Plate Options:
      • Aluminum
      • Polycarbonate
    • PCB Options:
      • Hotswap
      • Solder
    • Plate and Case Foam
    • Poron Gaskets
    • Necessary Hardware

  • Extras Pricing in USD (regional pricing will vary slightly):
    • Extra Hotswap PCB - $45.00
    • Extra Solder PCB   - $39.00
    • Extra Daughterboard - $9.00
    • Foam Set (not inc. Gaskets) - $15.00
    • Screw Set (all Paragon Screws) - $5.00
    • Poron Gasket Set   - $9.00
    • Silicone Gasket Set - $9.00
    • Silicone Feet - $5.00
    • PC Plate   - $29.00
    • Alu Plate - $39.00
    • Brass Knob Gold PVD - $40.00
    • Brass Knob Silver PVD - $40.00
    • Brass Weight Gold PVD - $110.00
    • Brass Weight Silver PVD - $110.00

  • KeyLabs Artisan Knobs (Electroplated Aluminum):
    • Nickel with Purple Resin: $55
    • Nickel with Grey Resin: $55
    • Gunmetal with Blue Resin: $55
    • Gunmetal with Grey Resin: $55
    • Note: The copper knobs will be offered directly through KeyLabs (not vendors)

280770-9

Sound Test

Alexotos built the Paragon on Stream. You can view the full vod on twitch and I've linked the soundest below:



280750-10

280768-11

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank BirgusLatro, David, Julien, and jtallbean for their contributions to this project. None of this would have been possible without them.
« Last Edit: Mon, 23 October 2023, 16:06:33 by r00dy »

Offline Meepergon

  • Posts: 46
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 05 January 2022, 23:09:52 »
Extremely excited for this group buy. Got the chance to handle the 3rd proto and it was incredible!

Offline mcheddadi

  • Posts: 9
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 05 January 2022, 23:11:44 »
Oh that's hot! those thick bezels, yesss please!

Offline waylaidwanderer

  • Posts: 10
  • Location: Canada
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 05 January 2022, 23:16:20 »
Glad to see this is finally happening! In for at least 2 units :)

Offline Xherion

  • Posts: 47
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 05 January 2022, 23:38:09 »
Woohoo, finally!

A great way to start the year, with the most anticipated 75% GB.

Very excited. Good luck, all!

Offline Techdude594

  • Posts: 25
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 06 January 2022, 00:26:50 »
Best 75% ever!  :D

Offline Grog

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  • Location: USA
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 06 January 2022, 20:16:01 »
Well worth the wait! It's so exciting to see this in the final phase.

Offline MadBinton

  • Posts: 34
  • Location: Europe
  • 40/45/65/75% user
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 06 January 2022, 20:31:08 »
Nice GB post.

Those are some quality pictures. Amazing how many boards have already been made before GB.

It appears someone has the same plans for the board as I have.  :p ;D

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 10:55:22 »
Thanks for the support. Just wanted to post a quick, last minute update that the Europe time got pushed back by 1 hour. There was a miscommunication on CandyKeys' end so the gropubuy will open at 19:00 GMT +1 instead. There will also be the option to select a separate top and bottom case for Europe only. Since CandyKeys doesn't use Shopify, they're able to handle more SKUs and variants and it was an option they wanted to add for the community. Thanks again and apologies for the last minute adjustments.

Offline Nurseh

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 12:28:05 »
Glad to hear GB went well!

Offline ZAND4

  • Posts: 42
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 13:24:38 »
Simply stunning af

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 18:54:29 »
Glad to hear GB went well!

Simply stunning af

Thanks, the groupbuy isn't over yet as iLumkb will be going live at 4 PM SGT today. Thanks again for all the support!

Offline jivex5k

  • Posts: 33
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 20:52:37 »
Glad to hear GB went well!
didn't realize overselling was considered running well

Offline waylaidwanderer

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  • Location: Canada
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 21:13:33 »
Glad to see this is finally happening! In for at least 2 units :)



I got at least 2 units. 😏

Shoutout for a successful GB so far. Shame that Vala oversold 80 or so units due to Shopify being crappy, but big props to you guys for quickly working with keebwerk and agreeing to produce some extra units instead of causing disappointment by cancelling those orders.

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 22:01:23 »
Glad to hear GB went well!
didn't realize overselling was considered running well

Would you rather we refund the orders? Both my partner and I have been a part of oversold sales (we were both refunded) and we didn't want people to have that same experience with the Paragon. We confirmed with Keebwerk and our vendor that the 80 units wouldn't cause a significant impact in our lead times and decided that it was in everyone's best interest to increase the quantity (especially considering the number of people requesting an increase in quantity in the IC).

Offline biohighbrade

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #15 on: Sat, 08 January 2022, 22:41:30 »
Glad to hear GB went well!
didn't realize overselling was considered running well

>Refunds 80 people
>80 angry emails going why refunded
>Points at the geekhack comment

Things like this happens all the time, look at the RTX 30 series launch. A lot of retailers screwed that up and oversold their stock, I was in the industry at the time and we copped a lot of angry emails from customers demanding their cards but hey at least this time there was luck in expanding the finite number of boards rather than just saying tough luck.

Offline thechemtrailkid

  • Posts: 52
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #16 on: Sun, 09 January 2022, 11:55:14 »
So pumped to have gotten this board after seeing it in development for nearly two years. Great job guys, thank you for working through the over selling issue.

Offline TinmanBones

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  • Location: Montréal, Québec
  • Peachfuzz love inna beauty...
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #17 on: Mon, 10 January 2022, 10:41:03 »
 ^-^ ^-^ so glad I got to join this!!! can't wait!!

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #18 on: Mon, 10 January 2022, 22:55:05 »
So pumped to have gotten this board after seeing it in development for nearly two years. Great job guys, thank you for working through the over selling issue.

^-^ ^-^ so glad I got to join this!!! can't wait!!

Thanks for the support. After talking to the vendors, we've decided to close the sale for extras (plates, pcbs, weights, etc.) in a week (around Jan 17th) so we can move forward with placing the manufacturing order. The knobs should then be available on KeyLabs' site (all 6) through the end of January.

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 07 February 2022, 14:44:21 »
Hey all, just wanted to post an update (will try to update the thread monthly for those who aren't in our server). Vendors have finalized their order calculations and have also added on a healthy number of extras. We’ve also finalized the PCB color and we updated the silkscreen. The PCB from the Alexotos build stream is not the final PCB color. Layouts will be the same, only the look will be different. We should be able to place the order once the factory gets back from the CNY break. In the meantime, here's the breakdown of the base unit orders:

282241-0

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 01 April 2022, 09:24:36 »
Just wanted to provide a status update for those who aren't in our server. The boards have entered the manufacturing stage and we've received some videos of partially machined cases. Everything seems to be on track so far.

Offline ZAND4

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #21 on: Fri, 01 April 2022, 11:43:06 »
Thx mate

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #22 on: Mon, 02 May 2022, 07:18:47 »
Checking in to provide a monthly update. Most of the top cases have completed machining. Foam and gasket manufacturing has begun. Here is a pic from the factory:

285827-0
« Last Edit: Mon, 02 May 2022, 07:24:45 by r00dy »

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 16 August 2022, 19:07:25 »
It's been a while since we've updated the thread but the groupbuy has been progressing.
  • Progress from last update up until now
    • All the components have been machined: case, knobs, weights, and plates
    • Black Paragons have finished anodizing
    • PCBs have finished fabrication
  • Current Status
    • Black Paragons have finished anodizing
    • We've received our first round of samples for color matching (pics posted below)

Samples for color matching:

290290-0

290292-1

290294-2

290296-3

290298-4

290300-5

There's a discrepancy between the purple prototype and the purple sample. We surveyed our server to see if purple buyers would like to switch to the new sample but it looks like there enough people who like the original prototype purple so we will most likely ask for a second sample. We don't want buyers to end up with a different color than the one they believed they were buying. Here's the form for those who are interested (especially purple buyers). Here is a picture showing the difference between the unbuilt color sample and the built prototype:

290302-6

Offline Ranker2

  • Posts: 102
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 17 August 2022, 04:26:35 »
Sample purple is so much nicer.  Anyone preferring the rendered purple must be blind

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #25 on: Thu, 18 August 2022, 10:17:22 »
Sample purple is so much nicer.  Anyone preferring the rendered purple must be blind

While sample purple won the popular vote, a considerable portion of purple buyers wanted the original purple so we will begin a new round of color-matching for purple.

Offline ZAND4

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #26 on: Thu, 18 August 2022, 12:24:04 »
...as long as I get my white board next week  :-*

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #27 on: Wed, 21 September 2022, 19:49:47 »
A pretty major update. TLDR: there will be a delay. Here's where we're at right now:

In progress

1. Packaging - prototyping is underway and Keebwerk is working on a second revision to maximize case protection while accommodating extras in your order.

2. PCBs - production has finished. The fabricator has already shipped 36 boxes of pcbs to keebwerk so those should arrive in Germany soon.

3. Machining - Plates, weights, knobs, and cases are all done.

4. Anodization - We shipped the purple prototype back to Keebwerk who forwarded it to the factory for color matching a while back. Purple is currently being color matched and both gunmetal and deep navy are underway. As a reminder, both e-white and black are done.

Next Steps - After anodization on all the boards is complete, the factory will pack and ship all of the finished components to Keebwerk in Germany. Keebwerk estimates that shipping (from the factory to Germany) should take approximately a month. From there, Keebwerk will QC, pack, and ship all the boards to vendors who will then be responsible for shipping the boards out to you.

So what does the new timeline look like - Given the current progress, we expect fulfillment (shipping from vendors to groupbuy participants) to be delayed to early Q1 2023. As always, there is always potential for other delays but we feel pretty confident in this timeline after speaking with Keebwerk.

Answers to some questions you may have

1. What caused the delay - There are a variety of factors involved but the order for the boards was placed towards the end of February/early March. While the groupbuy started in Jan, the delay for placing the order shifted the timeline by a few months. Obviously, the anodization mismatch on purple required another sample as well but the delay is mainly a result of everything taking a little longer than expected. Some of this is also the supply chain recovering from COVID-19, and this is affecting every step of the manufacturing process.

2. Where are the update pictures - The boards are currently at the coater so getting pictures isn't as straightforward as getting pictures from the factory. We talk to Keebwerk who then talks to the factory who then talks to the coater (like a game of telephone) so requesting pictures of boards isn't easy at the moment. However, the good news is that all the boards are at the coaters (the last step in the manufacturing/coating progress excluding qc) so progress is being made.

Final thoughts - While this obviously isn't the update that we wanted to put out, we're happy that progress is being made and the boards are nearing completion. We waited to see if we could get pictures for the monthly update but since we're coming up on a month, we've decided to put out the update regardless. If you have any questions regarding the update, please feel free to ask any questions here in the gb thread and we'll answer to the best of our ability.

Offline ZAND4

  • Posts: 42
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #28 on: Thu, 22 September 2022, 04:00:08 »
Appreciate the heads-up

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #29 on: Sat, 29 October 2022, 17:19:39 »
Some Fresh Updates:

PCBs: PCBs have arrived in Germany. Keebwerk tested a hotswap and solder pcb and everything looked good with the production version. Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication regarding the silkscreen and color so the pcbs are the same color as the prototype (black) with green daughterboards.

Boards have completed production and are being packed for shipment to Keebwerk. The estimated time for delivery to Keebwerk is roughly 4-5 weeks, but this could vary due to the uptick in shipments during the Christmas holidays. Packaging has also entered production.

Offline LongVD

  • Posts: 2
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #30 on: Mon, 31 October 2022, 20:25:11 »
Hi r00dy, How can I order 1 purple key board?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #31 on: Tue, 01 November 2022, 23:55:09 »
Hi r00dy, How can I order 1 purple key board?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You would have to wait for extras to go on sale after the boards have shipped to GB customers. There is no way to purchase them at the moment.

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #32 on: Mon, 27 February 2023, 18:28:02 »
Hey guys, we have a few updates:

- All units have arrived at Keebwerk and are undergoing QC as we speak!
- Packaging is on its way from the manufacturer and should be arriving within the next week.

Note: After all the units have been QC’d, they will be shipped to the regional vendors who will then ship it to you. We'll try to establish a timeline on QC’ing and shipping in the next few weeks. Thank you for your patience and support!

Offline ZAND4

  • Posts: 42
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #33 on: Fri, 03 March 2023, 11:36:18 »
Thank you for the headsup. Cant wait

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #34 on: Thu, 23 March 2023, 16:59:01 »
Hey guys, a few more updates:

1. Keebwerk has finished the QC and packaging.
2. All units are slated to ship to their respective vendors towards the end of next week.

We're in the home stretch! We'll post another update once the boards are on their way to vendors and we have an idea of the ETA.

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #35 on: Fri, 12 May 2023, 14:29:39 »
Hey guys, more updates:
1. ilumkb has delivered all the Paragons in Asia.
2. The boards are in transit to all other vendors (some vendors have opted for air shipping so you should see these sooner than later).
3. To flash and configure your pcbs with via/vial please check the files here.

Offline TerraKeycaps

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  • Location: Cambridge, UK
Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #36 on: Sat, 13 May 2023, 09:40:47 »
Some really clean product photos. And I love the range of keycaps & artisans used for examples.

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #37 on: Wed, 02 August 2023, 23:44:03 »
Some really clean product photos. And I love the range of keycaps & artisans used for examples.

Thanks!

The GB units for the U.S., Canada, Asia, and Europe have been shipped. Extras are already live for Asia and Europe and extras in the U.S. (on Vala) and Canada (on Deskhero) should be coming shortly. The boards are still in transit to Dailyclack since they were shipped by ship from Germany to Australia.

We've set up a central repository for Paragon related information.

To flash the PCB files, you can follow the guide and download the files here. There are separate instructions and files for using VIA and VIAL.

For build notes (recommendations and information on how to build your paragon), you can follow the notes here.

You can download the plate files here.

Offline ZAND4

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #38 on: Thu, 03 August 2023, 15:44:26 »
Thanks

Offline r00dy

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Re: [GB] Paragon - A 75% Gasket Mount with a Rotary Encoder
« Reply #39 on: Mon, 23 October 2023, 16:06:17 »
Extras are now live in Oceania, Canada, the U.S. as well. You can buy the extras in the U.S. at Vala Supply. Extras in Canada are available at Deskhero. Extras in Oceania are available at Daily Clack. You can check out Alexotos' recent build of the Paragon here.

Here are a few soundtests with the Group Buy units that we've recorded: