Update #7
This is it. This is possibly the last update before the GB... because GB starts 04/04.
Here are the details that I've finalized so far:
- Price 460usd per kit.
- MoQ is 20
- Each kit includes:
- Case
- 6063 aluminium
- Two color choices: Silver or Black
- top cover will be CNCed with screws on the sides (laser-cut top cover with screws on the top like in the prototype is still supported, but not included)
- back cover will be laser-cut
- 1 set of PCBs (matrix + controller)
- all the mounting pieces, screws, silicone o-rings, etc.
- Extra PCB is 60usd per set (matrix + controller)
Yes, I know, there isn't a lot of options to choose from... I decided to remove all the non-essential options so that I have the highest chance of actually handle the GB properly.
I've thought about this a lot, because more options means you guys can get exactly what you want from the project and we might have more chance of hitting the MoQ. But in the end, I'm just one man with a full-time job who is doing this for the first time, so I want to make sure that I can do this and I absolutely don't want this to become such a big mess that it also become my last project. I believe even with the limited options, the core-concept that I want to deliver is still solid: A keyboard that you can easily modify, a keyboard that can be a platform for you to experiment on, a daily beater that will stay on your desk for years and years to come.
This price is also something that all of us are interested in. I hope that this is a price that most of us can agree on, because this is as low as I could go without risking losing money. I'm basically taking the quote that I got from the factory and round it up to a nice round number, and hope to god that they don't raise the price when I actually submit the order (the price in the quote is only valid for so long).
Another thing that I should be able to do if we're way pass MoQ, like >50, is price breaks. So, if that happens, it will definitely be cheaper.
I will also admit that I tried, but I could not get a "high-end" shop with custom keyboard experience work with me. My connections isn't the best, and this project isn't the easiest to machine. So, for better or worse, I decided to go back and work with the factory that created the prototype. It is a really good shop and the prototype is done quite well, so I have high hopes that the production units will also be beautiful. It is a factory in China that is not specialized in or have any experience in making custom keyboards. So, please expect a good looking, solid keyboard, with really well designed PCB, but please please don't expect absolute perfection cosmetically. However, I'm also not making excuses like "aesthetic isn't the focus, so it's okay to have ugly marks all over it" because I don't want that as well. I own many custom keyboards, I know how they should look, and I'm not setting my bar low, I know that by taking your money I'm responsible to deliver a custom keyboard that is worth that amount.
Thank you for all your continued support. I'm optimistic that we can hit the MoQ