[IC] ELEMENTO X zFrontier. Fr87 PRICING and More! GB starts in 2 hours!

[zFrontier]

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

GB for Fr87 will start on Feb. 18th 0:00 a.m. PST 

And here are the detailed pricing:

KIT OPTIONS:

• Full Kit with Half Plate (WK or WKL Aluminum case, PCB, Aluminum Half Plate, Aluminum Weight, plastic feet and screws)  -  $368 Shipping included, DHL
• Full Kit with Full Plate (WK or WKL Aluminum case, PCB, Aluminum Full Plate, Aluminum Weight, plastic feet and screws)  -  $368 Shipping included, DHL
• Upgrade to Gold PVD Brass Plate  -  + $30
• Upgrade to Gold PVD Brass Weight  -  + $25
• Upgrade to American Black Walnut Weight  -  + $35
• Colors for case: Speed Silver, Cool Gray, Dark Black, Tactical Blue
• Colors for Aluminum Plate: Silver, Gray, Black
• Colors for Aluminum Weight: Gray, Black

EXTRAS:

• Extra Aluminum Half or Full Plate  -  $20
• Extra Gold PVD Brass Half or Full Plate  -  $65
• Extra Aluminum Weight  -  $20
• Extra Gold PVD Brass Weight  -  $55
• Extra American Black Walnut Weight  -  $65
• Extra PCB  -  $70

Case Colors and WK/WKL:


Aluminum Plate Colors and PVD Brass:



Current plan for the PCB is a Matte Black PCB, what do you guys think?



Feb12 2018 Update

Elemento and us has worked out a GB date. The GB should begin on Feb 18th, which is roughly a week after this update.

Elemento received the quote from the factory, and we will be announcing the pricing on Feb 16 as requested by them . As always, the price will have shipping included and still be in the 300-400 range without upgrades.

Here's a little more details for the board:

There will be a serial number for each board sold, so we will be opening the GB at an exact time of the day. TIME TBD.

For the following days, I will be keep updating this post:

• you will see the WKL case
• you will have a animated preview of the side RGB strip

and I will answer all questions at my best.

Here's some render showcasing the colors:

Feb8 2018 -2 update

More

NEW RENDERS!



Deep Blue case w/ light and dark plates



Plates with your favorite PVD Brass



Bottom design

Please tell me what you guys think

Feb8 2018 Update

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• Top Housing (6 series Aluminum, WKL version with blockers and WK version without blockers)
• Plate (Aluminum, half-plate, ISO support, switch top removal, and PVD brass plate and full plate CONFIRMED)
• PCB (ISO support, WKL and WK layout support, USB-C, Bluetooth)
• Bottom Housing (6 series Aluminum)
• Weight (Aluminum, Brass, and American Black Walnut)
• Light Effects ( 2 RGB light strips, per key SMD RGB LEDs)
• Colors (Speed Silver, Dark Black, Deep Gray, Tactical Blue) for the cases and the Alu plate
• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!


Initial Post

More

We are proud to announce our first collab, FR87, with ELEMENTO, a Californian design studio of a group of talented enthusiasts.

zFrontier will be running the IC and the future GB for FR87 by Elemento’s request.

FR87 is Elemento’s debut in the custom mechanical keyboard community. FR87 will feature a half-plate and Bluetooth design.



Jan 23, 2018

Concept

Elegant and modern, FR87 is designed to be the centerpiece of your desk. Enabled by either USB-C or Bluetooth connection, FR87 is perfect for any typing scenarios. This beauty also utilizes a half-plate design which is only implemented in a few premium custom keyboards for a unique typing experience. Two RGB LED ambient light strips are placed on the sides of the keyboard which will not only highlight the cutting edges of the bottom case but also work as indication lights.

front↓


side↓


back↓


half plate↓


closeup↓

Design

FR87 features multiple cutting edges and beveled designs to provide a modern and sleek aesthetic.

This keyboard has a mild 6° incline.

The case will be made from CNC machined aluminum with an anodized finish.

Bluetooth

FR87 will support both USB-C and Bluetooth connection. Wireless mode will be powered by AA(AAA) batteries.



New renders with a sneak peak of case colors!
Keycaps: GMK Ocean Dolch










More coming soon… stay tuned.

[nastrovje]

Sign me up

[omegafivethreefive]

Looks wonderful... I'm in

[OneNightFriend]

Sexy! Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

[Giorgio]

This seems very nice.

Will you offer an ISO variant?

Will the half plate have switch cuts to allow the opening of switches without desoldering?

[soba]

No WKL?

[senter]

Yes, we need MORE bluetooth keyboards

[pixelpusher]

I like what I see.

[Paopawdecarabao]

+1 for me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Gonna need more details on this one before i come to any conclusions.

[reccatyo]

TKL + Bluetooth + Zfrontier = looking good if the price is right.

[paulforgione]

I'm loving that low profile from the side.

I know it would be a totally different product, but I'd love a full or 96 sized version of this. Count me in for one of those, and good luck with this one!

[Puddsy]

not bad

[Peiweisgreat]

Seems interesting, going to have to see the rest of the case to decide. Bluetooth tkl does sound like it would tickle my whistle though.

[get_weird]

Is it only bluetooth or are there options for wired connections?

[forevermadrigal]

Is this in collaboration with thesiscamper? Cause this looks exactly like his kira boards.

[zFrontier]

Is it only bluetooth or are there options for wired connections?

supports both wired and wireless connection

[Giorgio]

Whats the point of having a half plate? Aesthetics? It makes more firm only the less used keys (spacebar apart).

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Whats the point of having a half plate? Aesthetics? It makes more firm only the less used keys (spacebar apart).

I'd like to know about this too.

[Peppermint216]

Can anyone explain what half plate means please?

[Vigrith]

Can anyone explain what half plate means please?

If you look at the renders you can see that the plate only covers modifiers, not alphas - other customs have done this in the past and some people really like the way it feels, so much so that there have been small runs of half plates for already existing custom keyboards. I've never personally tried it so I can't provide insight as for how it differs from a full plate but yea.

[pixelpusher]

Benefit of 1/2 plate is having the the alphas with no plate AND top mounted, right? Both lead to a less harsh bottoming out, which is especially nice on linear switches. I think even better would be top mount with no plate at all, but this is a nice concept too.  Has anyone ever done a top mounted PCB?

I like that it is different in style.  I like that it is USB-C.  I like that it has bluetooth and wired connection.  I think it's going on my list.

My only complaint is the angle.  I wish it was 8deg instead of 6.

[Visionaire]

Looks really nice. Interested, depending on price.

For what it's worth... the back seems to be wasted space, imo. A neat underglow element here would be nice.

[bbrotha]

Awesome, very interested. Is there a winkeyless option in plan?

[zFrontier]

Awesome, very interested. Is there a winkeyless option in plan?

WKL is an option in plan

[pixelpusher]

I'm sure they'll work it out, but I wonder how the board doesn't tip when you press the top outer keys like page up and escape

[zFrontier]

Can anyone explain what half plate means please?

Vigrith and reececonrad did a good job explaining go check their reply. And, thank you Vigrith and reececonrad for explaining.

As for you previous questions:

ISO support is under discussion and Elemento’s working on a new plate that supports switch top removal.

[zFrontier]

I'm sure they'll work it out, but I wonder how the board doesn't tip when you press the top outer keys like page up and escape

We will have a heavy and sturdy bottom. Rest assured.

BTW, thank you all for the love and input! More renders and details coming soon!

[blighty]

From the render, it looks like the switches are going to be mounted with the LEDs on top?  R3 GMK keys will have some conflicts on bottoming out on the LEDs if LEDs are installed, correct?

[ricrackem]

Now this is interesting
 

[pixelpusher]

From the render, it looks like the switches are going to be mounted with the LEDs on top?  R3 GMK keys will have some conflicts on bottoming out on the LEDs if LEDs are installed, correct?

I didn't notice before, but yes, that would be a problem.  Unfortunately I cannot buy a board with switches placed in this orientation because of reasons mentioned above.

[duynguyenle]

I don't think north-facing LED is a good option. Is the PCB design too far along to get this changed?

[Unforgivable]

Really cool! But hopefully this doesn’t use North inswitch LEDs...

South facing inswitch LEDs please!

[Rykno]

USB-C and Bluetooth in a nice form factor, and gorgeous to boot! I'm in.

I'd speculate the half-plate is a design concession to improve the bluetooth signal.

[zFrontier]

From the render, it looks like the switches are going to be mounted with the LEDs on top?  R3 GMK keys will have some conflicts on bottoming out on the LEDs if LEDs are installed, correct?

I didn't notice before, but yes, that would be a problem.  Unfortunately I cannot buy a board with switches placed in this orientation because of reasons mentioned above.

We will be changing them to south facing leds.

[HotRoderX]

can this be had with out Bluetooth? As its just a feature I never use and would add to the overall price.. also what sort of price tag are we looking at. Overall this thing looks amazing thought.

[Giorgio]

can this be had with out Bluetooth? As its just a feature I never use and would add to the overall price.. also what sort of price tag are we looking at. Overall this thing looks amazing thought.

maybe it will help with the resale price, if you ever decide to get rid of it?

gon bluetooth modules cost 50 usd. In an heavily optimized production, I wonder if it will cost more than 20 usd, including the battery.

[Giorgio]

What's the price of this keyboard? Are we looking at 200 USD or 400 USD?

[SolidCactus]

This looks awesome! Would love ISO support to be added!

[zFrontier]

This looks awesome! Would love ISO support to be added!

ISO would be possible

[SolidCactus]

This looks awesome! Would love ISO support to be added!

ISO would be possible

Fantastic! I will be in as soon as it's available!

[Data]

Beautiful renders.  Well done.

[pixelpusher]

From the render, it looks like the switches are going to be mounted with the LEDs on top?  R3 GMK keys will have some conflicts on bottoming out on the LEDs if LEDs are installed, correct?

I didn't notice before, but yes, that would be a problem.  Unfortunately I cannot buy a board with switches placed in this orientation because of reasons mentioned above.

We will be changing them to south facing leds.

Great! 

[kmba]

Price range?

[Starston3]

Price range? Hot swap switches / holtite supported pcb?

[Peiweisgreat]

I guess the only real questions left are price and material. Is the board going to be 100% aluminum, will there be a brass weight, and what about the plate material? The way I read the description makes me want to assume that you guys are planning on pricing this as around the average custom tkl range, but if so I would like some more details about the construction. Its early in the IC, so I know not everything is probably finished design wise either, but would love to see some further details about it in the near future.

[pixelpusher]

H - I - J - K - Elemento - P

sorry, i've been saying that all evening.

[gr4v3m4n]

just found this thread...so is this going to be half plate only?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HotRoderX]

Price range? Hot swap switches / holtite supported pcb?

what I can gain from the pictures and what some other's have said hotswap/holtite would be impossible with this board. As its half plate and wouldn't have anything to secure the switches in. Other then the holtite sockets them self's.

[kmba]

Hot swap without a plate is a bad idea.

[WHeisenberg]

Love what I see! I'm likely in, depending on price and how prototypes look like.

[zFrontier]

Price range? Hot swap switches / holtite supported pcb?

FR87 will not have holtite support due to the current design

[funnystunny]

Definetely interested if the price is reasonable

[zFrontier]

I guess the only real questions left are price and material. Is the board going to be 100% aluminum, will there be a brass weight, and what about the plate material? The way I read the description makes me want to assume that you guys are planning on pricing this as around the average custom tkl range, but if so I would like some more details about the construction. Its early in the IC, so I know not everything is probably finished design wise either, but would love to see some further details about it in the near future.

Many things are still under discussion and yet to be finished.

The plate will be aluminum. And Elemento is now finalizing the bottom design, and of course there will be a weight or an accent.

More details coming soon!

[richard912]

SWEET ! ! !

[zFrontier]

Updated with new renders! Hope you guys enjoy.

[zFrontier]

TKL + Bluetooth + Zfrontier = looking good if the price is right.

SWEET ! ! !

Beautiful renders.  Well done.

Thank you!

[hansichen]

Looks pretty cool, iso and wkl support is definitely needed for it 

Edit: and just saw that it is, perfect. I'm getting very tempted on this one

[JDragon]

Any estimates on battery life? How easy will it be to replace the batteries/repair the keyboard? I'm very interested in a wireless keyboard but don't want to have to unscrew things to replace the battery or engage in pairing.

[Phrillis]

Any estimates on battery life? How easy will it be to replace the batteries/repair the keyboard? I'm very interested in a wireless keyboard but don't want to have to unscrew things to replace the battery or engage in pairing.

Speaking of battery life, I may have missed it but is there some form of a battery indicator? I remember that was one of the issues with the Anne Pro.

[waqar]

Option to have full switch plate? Maybe it is an issue with BT antenna to have a full plate.

[forevermadrigal]

Looks like this is getting some interest. Here's a link to a board where the FR87 is heavily inspired from as you can tell. It also has multiple prototypes made, not just renders

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93747.0;topicseen

[wholypantalones]

Is this in collaboration with thesiscamper? Cause this looks exactly like his kira boards.

Looks like this is getting some interest. Here's a link to a board where the FR87 is heavily inspired from as you can tell. It also has multiple prototypes made, not just renders

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93747.0;topicseen

[Vigrith]

Looks like this is getting some interest. Here's a link to a board where the FR87 is heavily inspired from as you can tell. It also has multiple prototypes made, not just renders

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93747.0;topicseen

I'm not really seeing it. I mean are we talking about the angled bottom that looks somewhat similar between both boards? Hardly looks like heavy inspiration to me.

[Kavik]

I'm not sure if I'm interested yet, but I'll follow the thread for updates. Very neat design.

[thesiscamper]

Is this in collaboration with thesiscamper? Cause this looks exactly like his kira boards.

Looks like this is getting some interest. Here's a link to a board where the FR87 is heavily inspired from as you can tell. It also has multiple prototypes made, not just renders

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93747.0;topicseen

Show Image

It is similar, and I care. But I'm not big enough that a significant number of people will care, like how some guys nitpick about similar colors in keysets, or pedantic bull**** like a compact 1800 vs an 1800 moniker. Why don't you post that meme where you actually belong, for points?

[Vigrith]

It is similar, and I care. But I'm not big enough that a significant number of people will care, like how some guys nitpick about similar colors in keysets, or pedantic bull**** like a compact 1800 vs an 1800 moniker. Why don't you post that meme where you actually belong, for points?

I was arguing about the Chinese Carbon copy on Reddit yesterday in favour of Tombery and his original design being protected; as you said, it seems to be something they care very little for over there because I mostly got downvoted which is something I never expected at all.

That said, I really don't see the similarities between this board and your designs as being super blatant - maybe I'm not looking at the right angle but it seems fairly distinctive, aside from the angled bottom portion in its side profile I think it looks pretty much completely different. Better safe than sorry, however, and if it does bother you and if it's something you and ZF can figure out then I think that'd be for the best.

[thesiscamper]

It is similar, and I care. But I'm not big enough that a significant number of people will care, like how some guys nitpick about similar colors in keysets, or pedantic bull**** like a compact 1800 vs an 1800 moniker. Why don't you post that meme where you actually belong, for points?

I was arguing about the Chinese Carbon copy on Reddit yesterday in favour of Tombery and his original design being protected; as you said, it seems to be something they care very little for over there because I mostly got downvoted which is something I never expected at all.

That said, I really don't see the similarities between this board and your designs as being super blatant - maybe I'm not looking at the right angle but it seems fairly distinctive, aside from the angled bottom portion in its side profile I think it looks pretty much completely different. Better safe than sorry, however, and if it does bother you and if it's something you and ZF can figure out then I think that'd be for the best.

I said it's similar, not blatantly similar. And I didn't know about this board until it was linked to me, so saying nobody cares is really annoying.

I already talked to ZF days ago, he even said he can see my concern, and I said it's different "enough". I care but I chose to keep silent. Well, until I see people talk ****.

It's funny people choose to see what they see, choosing what they want to support and condemn as long as it's convenient and in line with their interests.

[Giorgio]

Looks like this is getting some interest. Here's a link to a board where the FR87 is heavily inspired from as you can tell. It also has multiple prototypes made, not just renders

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=93747.0;topicseen

I'm not really seeing it. I mean are we talking about the angled bottom that looks somewhat similar between both boards? Hardly looks like heavy inspiration to me.

+1

[Vigrith]

I said it's similar, not blatantly similar. And I didn't know about this board until it was linked to me, so saying nobody cares is really annoying.

I already talked to ZF days ago, he even said he can see my concern, and I said it's different "enough". I care but I chose to keep silent. Well, until I see people talk ****.

It's funny people choose to see what they see, choosing what they want to support and condemn as long as it's convenient and in line with their interests.

Yea I'm aware, I wasn't trying to imply you said it was blatant. I agree, saying nobody cares is pretty silly indeed; even if you're not associated with either of the designs yourself (like the guy posting isn't) saying stuff like that is hardly warranted or funny.

I think your approach is for the better, from an outside stand point as said I definitely feel like it's different enough so that no one's upset that there's toes being stepped on. Commendable that you didn't pursue the affair publicly.

[wholypantalones]

It is similar, and I care. But I'm not big enough that a significant number of people will care, like how some guys nitpick about similar colors in keysets, or pedantic bull**** like a compact 1800 vs an 1800 moniker. Why don't you post that meme where you actually belong, for points?

Don't get your panties in a bunch about a joke meme and some keyboard that "maybe possibly" the bottom looks like your design. It seems you're also upset about me pointing out a keyboard posted on the place "where I belong" was a compact 1800 and not an 1800, or was it the engraving comment that did it?

Sorry for upsetting you Mr. thesiscamper, try not to take things so personally when strangers on the internet have comments or opinions and have a nice day.

[ipley]

i'm In

[zFrontier]

Feb8 2018

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• Top Housing (6 series Aluminum, WKL version with blockers and WK version without blockers)
• Plate (Aluminum, half-plate, ISO support, switch top removal, and Elemento is planning a PVD brass plate and a full plate if possible)
• PCB (ISO support, WKL and WK layout support, USB-C, Bluetooth)
• Bottom Housing (6 series Aluminum)
• Weight (Aluminum, Brass, and American Black Walnut)
• Light Effects ( 2 RGB light strips, per key SMD RGB LEDs)
• Colors (Speed Silver, Dark Black, Deep Gray, Tactical Blue) for the cases and the Alu plate
• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!

[pixelpusher]

Feb8 2018

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• Top Housing (6 series Aluminum, WKL version with blockers and WK version without blockers)
• Plate (Aluminum, half-plate, ISO support, switch top removal, and Elemento is planning a PVD brass plate and a full plate if possible)
• PCB (ISO support, WKL and WK layout support, USB-C, Bluetooth)
• Bottom Housing (6 series Aluminum)
• Weight (Aluminum, Brass, and American Black Walnut)
• Light Effects ( 2 RGB light strips, per key SMD RGB LEDs)
• Colors (Speed Silver, Dark Black, Deep Gray, Tactical Blue) for the cases and the Alu plate
• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!

Nice features!  Looking forward to more photos in the future

[p_blaze]

Feb8 2018

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• Top Housing (6 series Aluminum, WKL version with blockers and WK version without blockers)
• Plate (Aluminum, half-plate, ISO support, switch top removal, and Elemento is planning a PVD brass plate and a full plate if possible)
• PCB (ISO support, WKL and WK layout support, USB-C, Bluetooth)
• Bottom Housing (6 series Aluminum)
• Weight (Aluminum, Brass, and American Black Walnut)
• Light Effects ( 2 RGB light strips, per key SMD RGB LEDs)
• Colors (Speed Silver, Dark Black, Deep Gray, Tactical Blue) for the cases and the Alu plate
• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!

No red color?

[vtachkov]

Feb8 2018

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• Top Housing (6 series Aluminum, WKL version with blockers and WK version without blockers)
• Plate (Aluminum, half-plate, ISO support, switch top removal, and Elemento is planning a PVD brass plate and a full plate if possible)
• PCB (ISO support, WKL and WK layout support, USB-C, Bluetooth)
• Bottom Housing (6 series Aluminum)
• Weight (Aluminum, Brass, and American Black Walnut)
• Light Effects ( 2 RGB light strips, per key SMD RGB LEDs)
• Colors (Speed Silver, Dark Black, Deep Gray, Tactical Blue) for the cases and the Alu plate
• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!

A wooden weight? Haven't seen that before. I'm getting more and more excited about this, but that depends on the answer to my next question. Do we have any price points yet?

[zFrontier]

Feb8 2018

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• Top Housing (6 series Aluminum, WKL version with blockers and WK version without blockers)
• Plate (Aluminum, half-plate, ISO support, switch top removal, and Elemento is planning a PVD brass plate and a full plate if possible)
• PCB (ISO support, WKL and WK layout support, USB-C, Bluetooth)
• Bottom Housing (6 series Aluminum)
• Weight (Aluminum, Brass, and American Black Walnut)
• Light Effects ( 2 RGB light strips, per key SMD RGB LEDs)
• Colors (Speed Silver, Dark Black, Deep Gray, Tactical Blue) for the cases and the Alu plate
• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!

No red color?

No red 

[Giorgio]

Price

[zFrontier]

Price

i believe the price will be in the 300-400 range

[Randalljai]

switch top removal = hot swap for switches?

price range isn't bad considering all the perks in this, bluetooth, half plate (if that's a bonus) etc

also, i can't decide if WKL or WK is the way to go...any pros/cons to help me decide?

[zFrontier]

switch top removal = hot swap for switches?

price range isn't bad considering all the perks in this, bluetooth, half plate (if that's a bonus) etc

also, i can't decide if WKL or WK is the way to go...any pros/cons to help me decide?

switch top removal is not hot swap. It means that you can remove the top housings of the switches right of the plate without the need of desoldering them.

It makes it easier to modify your switches

[Randalljai]

switch top removal = hot swap for switches?

price range isn't bad considering all the perks in this, bluetooth, half plate (if that's a bonus) etc

also, i can't decide if WKL or WK is the way to go...any pros/cons to help me decide?

switch top removal is not hot swap. It means that you can remove the top housings of the switches right of the plate without the need of desoldering them.

It makes it easier to modify your switches

gotcha, like lubing and etc

[zFrontier]

switch top removal = hot swap for switches?

price range isn't bad considering all the perks in this, bluetooth, half plate (if that's a bonus) etc

also, i can't decide if WKL or WK is the way to go...any pros/cons to help me decide?

switch top removal is not hot swap. It means that you can remove the top housings of the switches right of the plate without the need of desoldering them.

It makes it easier to modify your switches

gotcha, like lubing and etc

yup lubing, swapping stems etc

[Giorgio]

> Wireless mode will be powered by AA(AAA) batteries

Not that this is a bad thing, but this will mean that we'll have to replace the batteries instead of simply plugging the keyboard to a usb cable to recharge it?

[zFrontier]

Confirmed that FR87 is getting a full plate!

[zFrontier]

> Wireless mode will be powered by AA(AAA) batteries

Not that this is a bad thing, but this will mean that we'll have to replace the batteries instead of simply plugging the keyboard to a usb cable to recharge it?

Will be working with the factory to see if they will work out a recharging solution with AAA batteries The main concern was shipping and handling a lithium battery would be difficult. But we do see rechargeable battery is a demand

[zFrontier]

Price range?

Hopefully this will be in a 300-400 USD range

[Choppersuey]

Confirmed that FR87 is getting a full plate!

That's nice

Will there be a prototype or at least anod samples before the group buy starts?

[zFrontier]

Confirmed that FR87 is getting a full plate!

That's nice

Will there be a prototype or at least anod samples before the group buy starts?

Elemento does have a very early prototype, we will see if he's willing to reveal it

[Starston3]

Confirmed that FR87 is getting a full plate!

now that we know this kit has full plate support, will the the pcb be hotswapable or support hotlites?

[zFrontier]

Some latest renders from elemento updated in OP, enjoy

[dysphorical]

Looks beautiful!

[Paopawdecarabao]

What are the advantages/differences between a half and full plate?

What is also the timeframe of production once GB ends?

I'm liking the walnut weight. It adds a classic elegant feeling to it like going inside an interior of a car with wood finishes.

I agree of being rechargable battery instead of using AA batteries.

[waqar]

Feb8 2018

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!

Nice features!  Looking forward to more photos in the future

Does that mean it is not programmable?

[zFrontier]

Feb8 2018

We are looking for a possible GB during the CNY

Major updates from ELEMENTO! Here are some more details:


The FR87 kit will come with:

• 4 DIP setting (Ctrl / Caps swapping, locking WIN key, WIN / Alt swapping for MAC, Disabling light effects)

more renders coming in soon!

Nice features!  Looking forward to more photos in the future

Does that mean it is not programmable?

Rest assure This board will be programmable, and Elemento has confirm to us that there will be a website program solution DIP will allow you adjust your key map on the go

[phorx]

I'm interested!  Renders look fantastic.

[waqar]

I am worried that with all metal case the BT will suffer with connection issues, specially with full plate. Have you guys done any testing?

[Randalljai]

how would i make a choice between half or full plate?

[zFrontier]

I am worried that with all metal case the BT will suffer with connection issues, specially with full plate. Have you guys done any testing?

Elemento ran a test based on a similar structure. 

[pomk]

I am worried that with all metal case the BT will suffer with connection issues, specially with full plate. Have you guys done any testing?

Elemento ran a test based on a similar structure. 

I’d be very interested to hear about the results of the test!

How much did the power consumption increase compared to a caseless design and by how much was the maximum range reduced?

I did some faraday cage calculations at some point and concluded that the tx&rx power consumption would be approximately doubled in a full plate metal case construction.

[fine_italian_leather]

Looks great! Totally on board.

[gorauskas]

+ 1

[zFrontier]

+ 1

Looks great! Totally on board.

Thanks for your love 

[zFrontier]

Here's a nice wallpaper for you 

Updated with some GB info in OP, feel free to shoot us any question you have.

[Choppersuey]

Here's a nice wallpaper for you 

Updated with some GB info in OP, feel free to shoot us any question you have.

(Attachment Link)

Looks great, very excited for the price reveal and the full plate options

I don't know if this can be answered yet, but what level of anodizing can we expect?
Also, is the plate top mount or sandwiched? Looking at the renders it seems to be the latter

[Darknight00z]

Does the PCB support holtite?

[Peiweisgreat]

It's too bad we won't have some bolder colors on a board that is taking things in a very experimental route. With the sleek design classic colors like this won't fail to impress though. Very interested, but will have to see what the price is looking like before I can commit. Gotta save up that M60-A still.

[K.Mak]

Since the SMD LEDs can't be moved, will you just be picking one bottom row layout?

[cloud8992]

will this keyboard support split backspace and will you have full plate option?

[plus_one]

I love the design!  I'm very interested in buying this if my wallet allows.

Does the PCB support PCB-mounted stabilizers (specifically the Zeal stabs), or just plate-mounted? 

[zFrontier]

Here's a nice wallpaper for you 

Updated with some GB info in OP, feel free to shoot us any question you have.

(Attachment Link)

Looks great, very excited for the price reveal and the full plate options

I don't know if this can be answered yet, but what level of anodizing can we expect?
Also, is the plate top mount or sandwiched? Looking at the renders it seems to be the latter

top mount

Since the SMD LEDs can't be moved, will you just be picking one bottom row layout?

The bottom row should fit a WKL and WK the SMD LED would be bright enough to shine through

[zFrontier]

will this keyboard support split backspace and will you have full plate option?

Yes there will be a full plate but no backspace i afraid.

I love the design!  I'm very interested in buying this if my wallet allows.

Does the PCB support PCB-mounted stabilizers (specifically the Zeal stabs), or just plate-mounted? 

PCB mount

[zFrontier]

 

Happening very soon on zFrontier! Check OP for options and detailed pricing

[phorx]

Thanks for the update with pricing.  Could you let us know what the weight of the different combinations are?  Or even min/max of the options?

[Devkey]

So if there are dip switches does this mean the PCB won't be fully compatible with, say, QMK?

Edit: Whoops, didn't read the thread closely enough. Pay no mind.

[zFrontier]

GB will start in 2 hours, GB post already submitted and is waiting approval

this thread will be closed once the GB go live and for future discussion please move to the GB thread

Thank you for your support!

[RavenPanther]

GB will start in 2 hours, GB post already submitted and is waiting approval

this thread will be closed once the GB go live and for future discussion please move to the GB thread

Thank you for your support!

I posted some questions on reddit but they haven't been answered, and since I want to get in early I'll ask them here before the GB starts:

Will you be offering an offset caps lock option? What safeguards are in place to prevent destroying the board if it's plugged in while there's batteries in it/while it's switched on? What kind of stabilizers will it support? Can the battery cover be flipped to expose the "structural" shapes on the back while mounted? (The switch for power is my concern here, if it's not centered then the panel can't be flipped)

As a final note, I think a black PCB is a good choice, since nobody else spoke up on that.

[Photoelectric]

Please click here for group buy information and discussion: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94140.0