[IC] TKC1800 Kit, QMK PCB, Plate (G80/G81 compatible) Official Announcement

[TheKeyCompany]

GB GOES LIVE FRIDAY, MARCH 2 7PM EST
EXPECTED DELIVERY MID APRIL 2018
UPDATED PRODUCT PAGES ON OUR SITE

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[Vloshko]

I can't wait, they all look stunning! Normally I go for dark colors, but I am definitely leaning towards a bright color with these. Fingerprints, smudges, and everything else showing up on dark colors is getting to me after too long.

[bciamny]

i was thinking about the black before that pink was announced. that pink is amazing. it really does look like an automotive paint job. and the lime green seems perfect with terminal.

great job with this, i hope to get one .

[TheKeyCompany]

i was thinking about the black before that pink was announced. that pink is amazing. it really does look like an automotive paint job. and the lime green seems perfect with terminal.

great job with this, i hope to get one .

Thank you! Im glad you dig. I have some new lighting coming in this week, I hope to take some better photos and update in the next week or so.

[Vloshko]

Are you still thinking about making the "White Pearl Tri-coat, aka cocaine white." you spoke of at one point?

[Rykno]

Is that a black with metallic flake? Any chance of really dark green?

[TheKeyCompany]

Are you still thinking about making the "White Pearl Tri-coat, aka cocaine white." you spoke of at one point?

That Cocaine white is in production at the shop as we speak! Should have them back by Christmas time.

[Vigrith]

That pink is perfection. Double edged sword because I really wanted the white you guys are working on before but the pink has to be bought - make sure the price is right and I'll probably end up getting one of each!

Very much looking forward to it.

[Rumblehotep]

Will you be running the Samoyed at the same time?

[TheKeyCompany]

Will you be running the Samoyed at the same time?

Yes we will. The Samoyed will ship a bit later than the first lot of TKC1800s.

[TheKeyCompany]

Is that a black with metallic flake? Any chance of really dark green?

It’s more of a metallic grey. It’s a Mopar color that’s currently out, Granite Crystal Metallic.

[wholypantalones]

I can't decide which color I like more.

[Rumblehotep]

I can't decide which color I like more.

Inorite, thas some kinda magenta ah garontee

[tjweir]

Yes, I have a Dolch to rebuild and an extra case with enough Alps for this.

2 x plate and PCB probably. 

Looking forward to this.

[wholypantalones]

I can't decide which color I like more.

Inorite, thas some kinda magenta ah garontee

Translation: am cajun, I like magenta keyboard. Yes.

[alisonica]

My nipples metapodding, confirmed in for 2 or moreif it will support Latching SKCM alps.

[TerryMathews]

My nipples metapodding, confirmed in for 2 or moreif it will support Latching SKCM alps.

Since it runs QMK, it supports locking keys on caps, scroll, or num lock. If you're on an OS that doesn't understand locking lock keys, you have to enable locking resync but it's a very tested and reliable feature in QMK.

Also, a tease. There's a huge advantage to using a MCU that has enough pins that we don't have to remap dedicated function pins like I2C into GPIOs to drive the matrix.

[Rumblehotep]

My nipples metapodding, confirmed in for 2 or moreif it will support Latching SKCM alps.

Since it runs QMK, it supports locking keys on caps, scroll, or num lock. If you're on an OS that doesn't understand locking lock keys, you have to enable locking resync but it's a very tested and reliable feature in QMK.

Also, a tease. There's a huge advantage to using a MCU that has enough pins that we don't have to remap dedicated function pins like I2C into GPIOs to drive the matrix.

Show Image

But can it play Doom?

[TheKeyCompany]

Finally got the new mylar diffusers in from the shop.

[TerryMathews]

Nice

[futurecrime]

Maybe I'm being thick but I can't see anywhere it says what the case is made out of? I mean I guess it's aluminium...

Anyway, those pink and green ones look special. I can see myself indulging in this if the funds allow.

[TheKeyCompany]

Maybe I'm being thick but I can't see anywhere it says what the case is made out of? I mean I guess it's aluminium...

Anyway, those pink and green ones look special. I can see myself indulging in this if the funds allow.

They’re plastic. They start life as a Cherry G80 case and undergo a refurbishment process. I’m not sure how that fact got omitted from the post, my bad. I’ll update it shortly.

[futurecrime]

Maybe I'm being thick but I can't see anywhere it says what the case is made out of? I mean I guess it's aluminium...

Anyway, those pink and green ones look special. I can see myself indulging in this if the funds allow.

They’re plastic. They start life as a Cherry G80 case and undergo a refurbishment process. I’m not sure how that fact got omitted from the post, my bad. I’ll update it shortly.

Oh wow. Great! I guess they'll be a fair bit cheaper than alu then.

[clappingcactus]

Are you still thinking about making the "White Pearl Tri-coat, aka cocaine white." you spoke of at one point?

That Cocaine white is in production at the shop as we speak! Should have them back by Christmas time.

Any updates on this? I think I'd really enjoy having the white.

[OfTheWild]

This looks pretty awesome... are you going to handle sourcing all the G80/81 donor cases?

[duynguyenle]

This looks pretty awesome... are you going to handle sourcing all the G80/81 donor cases?

He's got a pallette full of the damn things 

[avtar]

I'm so down for that pink And looking forward to more pics and plate colours

[pixelpusher]

They're nice, but I sure hope this isn't too pricey.  If you look closely at the prototypes, the blue has some paint issues on the right corner by the seam, and the green has issues in the middle by the seam.  I personally wouldn't want to pay top dollar for cases that had cosmetic issues.  My personal opinion, but I've never seen painted finishes on keyboards come back flawless.

[TheKeyCompany]

They're nice, but I sure hope this isn't too pricey.  If you look closely at the prototypes, the blue has some paint issues on the right corner by the seam, and the green has issues in the middle by the seam.  I personally wouldn't want to pay top dollar for cases that had cosmetic issues.  My personal opinion, but I've never seen painted finishes on keyboards come back flawless.

What’s “top dollar” in your eyes?

The cases I’m shooting with are ones that had issues from the paint shop. I have been playing around with the appliqués and diffuser stickers and didn’t want to handle the cases we will be selling too much to keep them pristine. We will have A stock options with no imperfections on the top case, maybe slight imperfections on the bottom case (where you don’t see it) and also B stock options that have slight imperfections like the ones you pointed out and will be selling those at a discount.

[_rubik]

I love the idea of sourcing G80 cases and refinishing them. With a potential rerun of skidata, that blue is making me salivate.

I'm certainly interested, price dependent as always.

[pixelpusher]

They're nice, but I sure hope this isn't too pricey.  If you look closely at the prototypes, the blue has some paint issues on the right corner by the seam, and the green has issues in the middle by the seam.  I personally wouldn't want to pay top dollar for cases that had cosmetic issues.  My personal opinion, but I've never seen painted finishes on keyboards come back flawless.

What’s “top dollar” in your eyes?

The cases I’m shooting with are ones that had issues from the paint shop. I have been playing around with the appliqués and diffuser stickers and didn’t want to handle the cases we will be selling too much to keep them pristine. We will have A stock options with no imperfections on the top case, maybe slight imperfections on the bottom case (where you don’t see it) and also B stock options that have slight imperfections like the ones you pointed out and will be selling those at a discount.

I would pay around $100.  Just hope these aren't in the $200-$250 range

[TheKeyCompany]

They're nice, but I sure hope this isn't too pricey.  If you look closely at the prototypes, the blue has some paint issues on the right corner by the seam, and the green has issues in the middle by the seam.  I personally wouldn't want to pay top dollar for cases that had cosmetic issues.  My personal opinion, but I've never seen painted finishes on keyboards come back flawless.

What’s “top dollar” in your eyes?

The cases I’m shooting with are ones that had issues from the paint shop. I have been playing around with the appliqués and diffuser stickers and didn’t want to handle the cases we will be selling too much to keep them pristine. We will have A stock options with no imperfections on the top case, maybe slight imperfections on the bottom case (where you don’t see it) and also B stock options that have slight imperfections like the ones you pointed out and will be selling those at a discount.

I would pay around $100.  Just hope these aren't in the $200-$250 range

<$100 for the case only? You’re in good shape.

If you’re expecting this full kit to be sub-$100 you’re gonna have a bad time.

[_rubik]

They're nice, but I sure hope this isn't too pricey.  If you look closely at the prototypes, the blue has some paint issues on the right corner by the seam, and the green has issues in the middle by the seam.  I personally wouldn't want to pay top dollar for cases that had cosmetic issues.  My personal opinion, but I've never seen painted finishes on keyboards come back flawless.

What’s “top dollar” in your eyes?

The cases I’m shooting with are ones that had issues from the paint shop. I have been playing around with the appliqués and diffuser stickers and didn’t want to handle the cases we will be selling too much to keep them pristine. We will have A stock options with no imperfections on the top case, maybe slight imperfections on the bottom case (where you don’t see it) and also B stock options that have slight imperfections like the ones you pointed out and will be selling those at a discount.

I would pay around $100.  Just hope these aren't in the $200-$250 range

<$100 for the case only? You’re in good shape.

If you’re expecting this full kit to be sub-$100 you’re gonna have a bad time.

Is there a price range you're hoping to hit for the whole kit? I'd imagine with all the pcb work, that accounts for half the price.

[Vigrith]

Is there a price range you're hoping to hit for the whole kit? I'd imagine with all the pcb work, that accounts for half the price.

The price I've seen mentioned has been $250~ pretty consistently, I may be wrong though as that was not directly from TKC. Pretty steep for a plastic case most people would say (and potentially true), however with the entire process this has to go through I'd say it seems quite fair.

[_rubik]

Is there a price range you're hoping to hit for the whole kit? I'd imagine with all the pcb work, that accounts for half the price.

The price I've seen mentioned has been $250~ pretty consistently, I may be wrong though as that was not directly from TKC. Pretty steep for a plastic case most people would say (and potentially true), however with the entire process this has to go through I'd say it seems quite fair.

Floating around 200 would be ideal IMO, but considering the amount of labor put into this (obtaining the cases, painting them, etc.), I'd consider 250 to be more than reasonable. But then again, they also have me wrapped around their finger with the blue g80 + skidata...

[TheKeyCompany]

They're nice, but I sure hope this isn't too pricey.  If you look closely at the prototypes, the blue has some paint issues on the right corner by the seam, and the green has issues in the middle by the seam.  I personally wouldn't want to pay top dollar for cases that had cosmetic issues.  My personal opinion, but I've never seen painted finishes on keyboards come back flawless.

What’s “top dollar” in your eyes?

The cases I’m shooting with are ones that had issues from the paint shop. I have been playing around with the appliqués and diffuser stickers and didn’t want to handle the cases we will be selling too much to keep them pristine. We will have A stock options with no imperfections on the top case, maybe slight imperfections on the bottom case (where you don’t see it) and also B stock options that have slight imperfections like the ones you pointed out and will be selling those at a discount.

I would pay around $100.  Just hope these aren't in the $200-$250 range

<$100 for the case only? You’re in good shape.

If you’re expecting this full kit to be sub-$100 you’re gonna have a bad time.

Is there a price range you're hoping to hit for the whole kit? I'd imagine with all the pcb work, that accounts for half the price.

I want to be very cautious quoting prices until I’m sure this factory doing the PCBs is up to my standard.

However I’ll safely say that a full kit (PCB, plate, plain Jane case) will be under $180. I’m teying to make the base model kit as close to $150 as I can.

[TheKeyCompany]

Is there a price range you're hoping to hit for the whole kit? I'd imagine with all the pcb work, that accounts for half the price.

The price I've seen mentioned has been $250~ pretty consistently, I may be wrong though as that was not directly from TKC. Pretty steep for a plastic case most people would say (and potentially true), however with the entire process this has to go through I'd say it seems quite fair.

Floating around 200 would be ideal IMO, but considering the amount of labor put into this (obtaining the cases, painting them, etc.), I'd consider 250 to be more than reasonable. But then again, they also have me wrapped around their finger with the blue g80 + skidata...

Not an official statement here but I can say this:

I’ve been working the pricing out and the only kits that will get into the $250 range are the ones with the premium tri stage candy paints. To give you an idea what we’re talking about, a pint of the candy pink base (A PINT!) costs $200. I get 8 cases out of that pint. So we won’t be doing a ton of the super high end colors unless the demand is there.

[pixelpusher]

Yes less than $100 for the case.  And that seems to be what you’re planning.  So all is good for me

[Vloshko]

That pink is perfection. Double edged sword because I really wanted the white you guys are working on before but the pink has to be bought - make sure the price is right and I'll probably end up getting one of each!

Very much looking forward to it.

I feel the same

[TheKeyCompany]

Yes less than $100 for the case.  And that seems to be what you’re planning.  So all is good for me

Oh god, I hope you didn’t think I was going to charge $200+ for cases. That would be rapacious. The custom candy colors won’t be cheap but they won’t be that high.

I promise you won’t be disappointed.

[fractl]

Which ones are considered custom candy colored?  I assuming not everything other than black, but have no idea which other than black would be the cheaper option.  Though I do really like the green for some reason, probably because I have the Lime keyset coming soon, but I'm sure that's one of the candy colors.  I just don't know if I could justify $250 for a plastic keyboard, regardless of the excellence of the paint job.  I'm not saying I don't understand the cost involved.  We'll see.

[pixelpusher]

SA Lime on the green
Carbon on the orange
Lazer or Miami nights on pink
The electric blue with hydro would be awesome too, no?

[ideus]

Any idea of the pricing for a simple stock naked case and a PCB?

[TheKeyCompany]

Any idea of the pricing for a simple stock naked case and a PCB?

I’m going to try to keep it as close to $150 as I can get it.

[poolside]

The blue case with the SkiData set is quite enticing 
The first post has pictures of boards with a beige cable. Were those shot with the original G8X internals?

[avtar]

Any idea what the estimated timeline will be like for this, from invoicing to shipping? Also, are the case colours finalized?

[Delirious]

This one supports alps. Winning!

[pixelpusher]

This one supports alps. Winning!

Okay, that’s cool and all, but where in the hell are you going to find an 1800 compatible alps set?

[duynguyenle]

This one supports alps. Winning!

Okay, that’s cool and all, but where in the hell are you going to find an 1800 compatible alps set?

DSA is a good candidate... Though I feel like it's not the best choice for a 1800 form factor board. You could also try and find old terminal style 1800 Alps boards and mix and match the caps with the alphas/normal 2.25u enters from more common ANSI boards to try and get a cohesive kit. Definitely possible, just takes more work

[Rykno]

What type of USB?