The teaser
(https://i.imgur.com/THZ6pl7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/owlW80G.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4tGackN.png)
******BUILD STREAM LIVE ON TopClack today, 11/17 @ 12pm PST******
https://www.twitch.tv/topclack (https://www.twitch.tv/topclack)
The Story
I really like 65% keyboards. Something about dedicated arrow keys. But I also really like split boards. I think there was a time in the 90's when I would read 2600 or PC Mag and I would dream of owning a super cool ergo board. The fancy split microsoft boards. But I never owned one. But I have always had that ergo life in me. I enjoyed the em7, but it was big. I really enjoy the Alice, but its like a super model and what I need is a bottom. So thats what this is designed to be: semi ergo workhorse that has all the features I like and allows for my wrists to go home happy at the end of the day. Ive been through almost 40 "high end" keyboards this year, and though this wont be my "end game" board, my goal is for it to be my daily board that I use for everything. And instead of having 10+ boards I can have 3-5. Hopefully some of you are looking for something similar.
The Name: Doppelgänger. Needs no explanation.
The Details
- Split 65%++ With Macro Pad
- Top Mount
- 6 degree typing angle
- Split or Unsplit
- Bottom Row: 1.25 1 1.25 2.25 1 2.75 1.25 1 1.25
- QMK firmware
- Left: single plate, full left shift or split
- Right: iso plate, ansi plate + split bs option
- Same pcb on both sides
- USB-C for all connections
- There are 4 USB-C connectors. 2 on each half. the insides will connect the boards together. The outsides give you the option of connecting to the PC. So it can come form the left, or from the right.
- The case angles are 90 degrees from the plane on which it sits. This is a small detail that would normally be lost. Most keyboads have the same angle as their typing angle, but I really wanted a 90 degree. It just gives it a good stature on the desk.
- Dimensions:
Left half: 189.449 mm L * 117.351 mm W * 32.358 mm D
right half: 194.305 mm D * 117.351 mm W * 32.358 mm D
The Proto/Design
This started its life back in June. I worked with Westfoxtrot to get the drawings where I wanted them. Yiancar designed a PCB to work. Then it started getting built in August. It has a high failure rate on the tops because the design had a top that increased 1.8 degrees more than the plate, so that the top row would be 2.5mm sucken into the top of the board.) So that will change. But now I have a real proto, and it will be built by Jae of Top Clack on 11/17.
Revisions
After the build stream, the board is going to hop in a box and then get shipped to me. Once on hand, Ill do a through inspection and qc, and make some changes. There are already a few things that will change. One is the top angle. The next are the blocker vents will be increased in size very slightly. Right now they are the 1u size, but instead I will match them to the case and not the switch size. There will be a logo/print engraved on the weights. There may be some other small revisions.
Interest Check
Ill get a form going on 11/18 for feedback and wishes. Most things are set but if there is an overwhelming request for something or some new epiphany, I will make the revisions. This will take us into early December.
Communication
I will be running this through GH. I will not have a discord server or discord updates. Everthing will be communicated through here, including additional pictures/videos. I am available here or Discord, so if you want to chat and just talk about anything, the stars alignment or how lemon water is delicious, dm me or im noahf#2971 on discord.
Group Buy
Im hoping this can be ran early December. If everything is good and I can get all the revisions done by end of month, I dont see why that cant happen early December. If not, then it may get moved Jan. The goal is 40 units, fcfs. I dont see this being super hard to get. Price is expected to be 375 shipped to CONUS, with a little more (real shipping costs) for international shipping.
GB Options: Most important: Colors will be black, silver, and then one or two colors. Maybe purple, red, or navy. I will need ano chips before moving forward on color. Plate options: Left plate is the same for all, right plate will be either ISO or ANSI. Plate materials: plan to offer brass, alu, pc, pom, cf. Brass will likely be default because why not.
Two Fancy Additional Goals
To provide some type of tenting/palm rest option. Also to get a cable maker to do a fancy interconnect cable that will make your reddit posts really pop.
Special Thanks
Westfoxtrot for design + imagination + patience
Yiancar for pcb design + production + patience
Jae for input + building this thing
VonSwoopington for taking all my money and entertaining me
Classy for rush lubing switches for a build stream and getting the rush delivered to UK for me.
Update Log
- 11/18: Stream went well and board will be on its way to the US later this week. Once here ill update the thread on all the little things and try to get it fine tuned.
- 11/18b: mykeyboard.eu will be the official EU friendly place to buy. Details to come but im excited to make it easier/cheaper for the euro crowd.
- 12/5: Proto has arrived state side! Its a real beaut, clark. Salvun is going to be doing a Proto where we try and save the top design and have an EU manu. This is going to delay gb into 2020 as we try and keep the design true. Expect some updates in early jan with the new Proto.
Photos
(https://i.imgur.com/WN4CJaz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DC53Ara.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/sKBJrqi.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/7O9qOCw.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/Cle5iMz.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/nRqjNhD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ziRHj29.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/5fsSDC1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zR06Q2h.jpg)
PCB Layout Options:
(https://i.imgur.com/DCANErm.png)
Renders:
(https://i.imgur.com/nl2Eboq.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/XIA3H5n.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/2b77gO3.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7TCagTA.png)
PCB Renders
(https://i.imgur.com/mX2NpTT.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/dvyIwJG.png)
Failed experimentation
(https://i.imgur.com/zZH57ib.png)
I tried to do a top angle that was different from the plate, so that gmk style keycaps would "sink" a little towards the top, allowing for the top blockers to really "pop" and not get lost. Sadly, this had a really high failure rate. a 2-3 week proto took 2-3 months. So the top will be boring.
Love this concept.
Would a 1.25 - 1.25 - 1.25 - Spacebar - Spacebar - 1.25 - 1.25 bottom row be possible? Didn’t do the math but I assume it would fit without the third key between the Spacebars.
im not 100% sure but i dont think so because: it would mean you would have a 3.0 space bar on the left. it would need to be 1.5 1.25 1.5 2.25 and that feels a little weird to me. i like the idea of using that key a FN layer and it works well with thumb placement.
Very unique and cool concept, definitely interested :thumb:
thank you! in
:thumb:
Just watched the stream recording, the board looks very interesting and high quality, will definitely try to get in!
I hope you wouldn't mind my totally unsolicited suggestion and a terribly executed sketch, fingers crossed it gets my idea across. As previously mentioned align "the grill" to balance the case cutouts rather than key position, outer edge of the grill should be aligned with the outer edge of cutouts, hopefully my sketch explains that decently well. Same on the other side
Regarding LED's if it's not possible to make the light nice, diffuse and uniform across the whole grill, then I think it's not worth the trouble, it'll make the board feel cheaper. One can always turn off the LED I guess, but you lose the opportunity to put something cool there instead, like and insert or something.
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/1terITj.jpg)
yeah, i already know exactly what you are talking about. im waiting for it to be here in person so that i can get the fealing figured out. also there is a lot of talk already about figuring out a diffuser plate. ill update when details are solid.
期待
thanks?
Yay more split boards. Any idea on what it would be the estimated shipping to Canada?
i would expect Canada to be 10-20 dollars more? USPS has decent flat rate rates, but i havnt deep dived into it yet.