[GB] 7V - 75% Keyboard by gok (COMPLETED)

[gok_nz]

7V- designed by gok





0. CONTENTS

• DETAILS
• VENDORS
• STATUS
• VIDEOS & BUILD STREAMS
• GALLERY
• FAQ

1. DETAILS

• Case Angle: 7.0°
• Materials: Aluminium & stainless steel (PVD coated steel/brass as extras)
• Colours: Anodised Black, Grey, Dark Blue & E-white for the main chassis
  
• Mounting method: Dampened plate over wilba.tech leaf-spring PCB-mount
• Plate: 1.5mm Polycarbonate or aluminium. Link to the CAD file
• PCB: WT75-C (non-hotswap) & USB-C daughterboard by Wilba- configurable with QMK/VIA
• Weight: 2.6kg fully built
• Layout options:
  
  
  
  
• Dimensions:
  

DOWNLOAD THE BUILD GUIDE HERE


2. VENDORS

• America: Novelkeys
• Europe: Mykeyboard.eu
• Asia: Deskeys
• Oceania: Daily Clack

Price: Base price of $450 USD plus shipping (polycarbonate plate and polished stainless logo and weight)
Timeline: Group-buy running from 10th of April 2020 till 5th of May 2020.



3. STATUS

ORDERS CLOSED

Group Buy completed.


4. VIDEOS & BUILD STREAMS

Typing test by Apiary Keyboards

Build stream & typing test by Taeha Types

5. GALLERY

**LINK TO THE BUILD ALBUM**


Grey with raw polished stainless steel weight and logo - GMK Oblivion keycaps




Really dark blue (this won't be the blue colour for the production run_ with raw polished stainless steel weight and logo - Enjoypbt 3000SAT keycaps






Black with black PVD stainless steel weight and logo - GMK White on Black keycaps




E-White with raw  polished stainless steel weight and logo - Enjoypbt Kuro/Shiro keycaps




PCB






6. FAQ

• What blue will be used for the production run?
  It will somewhere along the lines of the current blue renders which is lighter than the blue prototype. The target colour should resemble this. Please note that it is incredibly difficult to colour-match anodisation.
  
  
• Why can't we purchase the black PVD logo and weight as an upgrade option?
  The main reason for this is to streamline the quality checking and packaging process. We are expecting the QC process for PVD to be much more difficult than the raw steel parts and would like to deal with that separately.
  
  
• Any brass plate or weight/logo option?
  All the options have been locked in but the plate files will be released after the group buy closes so you can get your own plates cut in the material that you wish.
  
  
• Can we purchase the plate foam separately?
  Each plate that you buy from the extras page will come with its own plate foam. I'm looking into the possibility of selling these separately through Deskeys for those that want to get their own plates cut when I eventually release the plate files.
  
  
• Do you have a sound/typing test?
  I don't think providing a sound test in isolation is useful but the plan is to send the final round of prototypes to streamers which have done other tests in the past which will give you a point of reference for what this will sound like
  
  
• Can you explain the mounting system?
  This is primarily a PCB mounted keyboard. Instead of fixing the plate to the chassis and having the PCB float, this reverses the arrangement and has contact between the PCB and chassis and the plate sits on top of the foam.
  The little legs, dubbed "leaf-springs", provide flex that gives a softer typing experience.
  
  
• What are the differences in plates
  Aluminium is stiffer than polycarbonate and is my preference for clicky switches. I would recommend the aluminium plate for first-time builders because the switches stay in place better while building.
  The polycarbonate flex plate is an attempt to make a plate that is as close to a half plate as possible but still providing the tight switch cutouts to keep switches straight.
  At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference on which would be the best for you.
  
  
• If I buy the kit, what else would I need?
  You will need Keycaps (ensure that it has 1.75u shift in the kit), Stabilisers (1x6.25u, 3x or 4x 2u depending on layout choice) and switches.
  
  
• Will this work with holtites/millmax sockets?
  I can't verify whether they work or not because I haven't tested it
  
  
• Do you have a discord server?
  I don't have the time to maintain a server but there are vendor servers that are dedicated to the 7V at Daily Clack and Deskeys.

[gok_nz]

Reserved

[whalematrontron]

nice

[lush_bunny]

Ordered a black one on deskeys with an extra pcb and plate. Get hyped!

[Evo_Spec]

Went all in for a personal board! 
Very happy that it's finally happening, the IC felt like it lasted so long.

[f1]

Yessss! GB thread is here.
11 months in IC
3 weeks in GB
11 months till delivery
Can't wait!!

This thing is going to give 2021 a rocking start!

Sent from my smartphone which I have. Cable, charger, everything.

[akverma]

Would the flex plate have a largerly same sound signature as the normal poly?

[mrpetrov]

Fantastic, thanks gok!

Do you think streamers will receive their prototypes before the GB is finished?

[gok_nz]

Would the flex plate have a largerly same sound signature as the normal poly?

For the most part, yes.

Fantastic, thanks gok!

Do you think streamers will receive their prototypes before the GB is finished?

Hopefully. I've been pestering the manufacturers for updates about when it will be finished for the past couple of days. The machining on them was done a while back and they were waiting on anodisation.

[oldcat]

Looking great and best luck with the GB!

[outterspacetits]

I placed my order and I'm hoping for a speedy delivery. I presume this is conservative time-frame and given it's open and for 3 weeks, I'm super interested in seeing numbers ordered once GB closes.

Also, the three prototypes you have don't include the gray, right?

[gok_nz]

I placed my order and I'm hoping for a speedy delivery. I presume this is conservative time-frame and given it's open and for 3 weeks, I'm super interested in seeing numbers ordered once GB closes.

Also, the three prototypes you have don't include the gray, right?

Correct. The last prototype I'm getting will be grey.

[walie]

I placed my order and I'm hoping for a speedy delivery. I presume this is conservative time-frame and given it's open and for 3 weeks, I'm super interested in seeing numbers ordered once GB closes.

Also, the three prototypes you have don't include the gray, right?

Lol, you’re definitely not getting it until 2021

[outterspacetits]

I placed my order and I'm hoping for a speedy delivery. I presume this is conservative time-frame and given it's open and for 3 weeks, I'm super interested in seeing numbers ordered once GB closes.

Also, the three prototypes you have don't include the gray, right?

Lol, you’re definitely not getting it until 2021

Sure, I read the expected delivery time. : )

[zaME19]

Finally a group buy with the layout i want!

Hope to see all colour options, cant decide yet

[lady_renari]

Incredibly excited, went all in.  This will be a great project for me this time next year.  Happy to hear you'll be releasing the plate files eventually too - thank you for that.   GLWGB!

[dallman5]

I prefer the 6u bottom row aesthetically (not a big fan of mixing 1.25u and 1.5u mods); where is a good place to source a 6u stab wire from? If memory serves, some old Cherry 1800/11800/11900 boards have them, but I was wondering if there is anything out there that wouldn't require me harvesting a full board for just one stab wire.

I'm very excited to join the buy! I'm torn between blue with silver accents or the completely murdered out black look, currently.

[flatwhitemyth]

I prefer the 6u bottom row aesthetically (not a big fan of mixing 1.25u and 1.5u mods); where is a good place to source a 6u stab wire from? If memory serves, some old Cherry 1800/11800/11900 boards have them, but I was wondering if there is anything out there that wouldn't require me harvesting a full board for just one stab wire.

I'm very excited to join the buy! I'm torn between blue with silver accents or the completely murdered out black look, currently.

If you look on the included items in the kit, there is a line item that says "1x Genuine Cherry 6u stabilizer," so it looks like they are going through the effort of sourcing the 6u for you.

[dallman5]

I prefer the 6u bottom row aesthetically (not a big fan of mixing 1.25u and 1.5u mods); where is a good place to source a 6u stab wire from? If memory serves, some old Cherry 1800/11800/11900 boards have them, but I was wondering if there is anything out there that wouldn't require me harvesting a full board for just one stab wire.

I'm very excited to join the buy! I'm torn between blue with silver accents or the completely murdered out black look, currently.

If you look on the included items in the kit, there is a line item that says "1x Genuine Cherry 6u stabilizer," so it looks like they are going through the effort of sourcing the 6u for you.

Oh sweet! I completely glossed over that bit, good looking out

[chowbabyloving]

Would the flex plate have a largerly same sound signature as the normal poly?

For the most part, yes.

Fantastic, thanks gok!

Do you think streamers will receive their prototypes before the GB is finished?

Hopefully. I've been pestering the manufacturers for updates about when it will be finished for the past couple of days. The machining on them was done a while back and they were waiting on anodisation.

Which streamers do you think will be receiving prototypes? I heard Taehatypes was on that list?

[siggerzz]

Been out of the loop with mechanical keyboards since I picked up my M60-A at the end of 2018. Glad I decided to come on here the other day!

Picked up the e-white colourway, but forgot to pick-up a spare PCB... Think I'm going to put Serika on here, but GMK Peaches N Cream looks so clean.

[HoochTheHero]

Made a geekhack just to comment on the IC for this. Super stoked. Got one black and one white with pvd weight. Nice work Gok, now I just need that kuro shiro r2!

[Cuttooth]

In for E-white with the PVD weight and logo. The Kuro/Shiro shots just look too good and plenty of other sets such as GMK Bleached or Sumi would also look great with the black contrast. Can't say I haven't been incredibly tempted to get a black one too.

[gok_nz]

Would the flex plate have a largerly same sound signature as the normal poly?

For the most part, yes.

Fantastic, thanks gok!

Do you think streamers will receive their prototypes before the GB is finished?

Hopefully. I've been pestering the manufacturers for updates about when it will be finished for the past couple of days. The machining on them was done a while back and they were waiting on anodisation.

Which streamers do you think will be receiving prototypes? I heard Taehatypes was on that list?

There are only a couple of units and Taeha is on that list.

Made a geekhack just to comment on the IC for this. Super stoked. Got one black and one white with pvd weight. Nice work Gok, now I just need that kuro shiro r2!

Kuro/Shiro will be coming back this year but with some alterations. Epbt had a hard time making the black accent keys so most of those are out but I might be able to keep the novelty.

[BigBabyJesus]

Hoping we can get that Typing test. =)

[outterspacetits]

Is it suggested that I order two PCB's?

[Solotov]

In for all black with extra black pvd 

Kuro/Shiro will be coming back this year but with some alterations. Epbt had a hard time making the black accent keys so most of those are out but I might be able to keep the novelty.

Any chance you run kuro/shiro in gmk as well? Actually, I just want it in ABS instead of PBT, so even JTK will do .

[onmybikedrunk]

Is it suggested that I order two PCB's?

Every time I haven't ordered two, I've regretted it.

[gok_nz]

In for all black with extra black pvd 

Kuro/Shiro will be coming back this year but with some alterations. Epbt had a hard time making the black accent keys so most of those are out but I might be able to keep the novelty.

Any chance you run kuro/shiro in gmk as well? Actually, I just want it in ABS instead of PBT, so even JTK will do .

If I were you, I'd just get GMK Metaverse

[DukeEsquire]

Is it suggested that I order two PCB's?

Wilba PCBs are usually pretty rock solid, but for such an expensive board, I would get a backup PCB.

[Djmm]

Can we put other PCB into this case you reckon? Say if it broke in the future and you don't wanna have expensive paperweight

[gok_nz]

Can we put other PCB into this case you reckon? Say if it broke in the future and you don't wanna have expensive paperweight

Not really because it's PCB mount. If there is a need for it, I'd consider running a GB for replacement PCBs in the future, much like what Fox Labs are doing.

[BigBabyJesus]

I'm pretty new to this and I was doing some research and now I totally understand why you went for a Polycarbonate plate. I can only imagine how good this board will sound.

[OmniSzron]

In for all black with extra black pvd 

Yeah, that blackout version is an absolute thing of beauty. Wish I didn't have to buy them separately and then discard the stainless steel ones, though.

[zaME19]

Hey i want to put the Nautilus 2 Keycap set on it, should be alright with the blue colour posted earlier, right?

Edit: Another maybe foolish question, if i go for layout option 2 (6.25 u spacebar), im still able to go for the normal backspace in the top row instead of the 2 keys?

[itsmartin]

Correct, split backspace, stepped caps lock and your bottom row are all independent choices.

[Narcolepsy]

I plan on getting GMK Bleached and putting it on this, but I can't decide if I should go with E-White with PVD/Logo or Black with PVD/Logo. Also that $700 price tag, ouch.

[lush_bunny]

I plan on getting GMK Bleached and putting it on this, but I can't decide if I should go with E-White with PVD/Logo or Black with PVD/Logo. Also that $700 price tag, ouch.

your choice, but Bleached's white (WS1 I think?) is brighter than E-White, if that helps. I bought two pcbs. One for Dark and tactiles, and one for Masterpiece. Haven't decided what to use with Masterpiece yet, most likely clickies.

[zaME19]

Correct, split backspace, stepped caps lock and your bottom row are all independent choices.

Thanks for the quick response,

im right with my assumption that we need plate mount stabs, no pcb mount available?

[chowbabyloving]

How does the stainless steel weight's durability compare to other more common keyboard materials like anodized aluminum and pvd coated brass or even uncoated brass?

Is it easy to repair cosmetic issues like scratches or scuffs on the stainless?

[mrpetrov]

Correct, split backspace, stepped caps lock and your bottom row are all independent choices.

Thanks for the quick response,

im right with my assumption that we need plate mount stabs, no pcb mount available?

the pcb will, im sure, support both pcb screw in and pcb clip in stabs. which is what 99% of modern pcbs support.

[zaME19]

I couldn't see the screw in holes or pinholes for snap-ins in the pcb pictures.

[chowbabyloving]

I couldn't see the screw in holes or pinholes for snap-ins in the pcb pictures.

I'm pretty sure there are stab holes there around spacebar, backspace, left shift and enter.

[mrpetrov]

I couldn't see the screw in holes or pinholes for snap-ins in the pcb pictures.

they're there man, i see them loud and clear.

[Djmm]

Just wondering, as the group buy is via several shops, when it comes to delivery, how will this get done? Evenly across each shops or. First batch goes to all shops in same amount, etc

[gok_nz]

How does the stainless steel weight's durability compare to other more common keyboard materials like anodized aluminum and pvd coated brass or even uncoated brass?

Is it easy to repair cosmetic issues like scratches or scuffs on the stainless?

Stainless steel is less durable than the anodised surface of aluminium but more resilient than raw aluminium or brass.
There are stainless steel polishing kits and you can buff out small scratches.
There are also stainless steel protection sprays but these look to be pretty expensive

[trg1234]

any numbers update on how many units sold?

[rath_k]

Will the prototypes be sold at some point? I imagine they won't, but I am very interested in the really dark blue vs the lighter render color.

[gok_nz]

any numbers update on how many units sold?

Can't release this information, sorry.

Will the prototypes be sold at some point? I imagine they won't, but I am very interested in the really dark blue vs the lighter render color.

I won't be selling the prototypes.

[mgsickler]

Will the prototypes be sold at some point? I imagine they won't, but I am very interested in the really dark blue vs the lighter render color.

Proto's will not be sold. I am sorry but we have plans for them.