XMIT Hall Effect - Round 2 Design Thread

[XMIT]

Hi friends! I'm hard at work on the design doc for Round 2 of the XMIT Hall Effect Mechanical Keyboard. I've spent the past month looking through eleven pages of notes and about 450 (printed) pages of Massdrop comments, as well as many threads on this forum and the other keyboard forums. All of this has resulted in a roughly 80 page design document that I will share with a few beta testers and my design, manufacturing, and distribution partners.

What features would you love to see in Round 2? What do you think is missing? What would you love to see?

I already know about some big issues: bamboo case quality, NKRO, programmability, tactile and clicky feedback, heavier springs, new layouts.

I can't always respond to every single post (though I try!) but please know that I really do read and act on all of the feedback I receive. I also can't promise that I can grant all requests.

So, what have you got?

[SpAmRaY]

Just take the leopold 980M layout, the case, the keycaps, silencing pad for general dampening etc and add hall effect switches.....no big deal right?

[XMIT]

NBD.

I'm looking into a 980M like layout for sure. Lots of people want this one. It's going to require a new PCB, and I may end up designing that PCB myself. Let's see how things shake out.

I've got some ideas for downstroke and upstroke damping too. Those might take mold tweaks but hopefully those are coming. Soft landing pads are easy - it's the upstroke that is hard to dampen.

[dante]

Round 1's cases had too much fat (bezel) for my tastes.  Please consider either putting it on a diet or make the PCB/Plate compatible with aftermarket cases.

For example, here is a Vortex Core:



Look how nice, clean, and flush the keycaps are with the body!

Besides the keyboard I would really love to see an accessory that would allow you to shorten the key travel.  Either make it compatible with Cherry O-Rings or come up with your own O-Rings specific to this switch.

[XMIT]

I'm looking into using a plate to allow compatibility with the usual 60% and TKL cases.

I need to break out the calipers but regular old Cherry style O-rings (especially the thick ones) /should/ work. I'm also looking for a better solution to adjust actuation height across the board.

[A Future Pilot]

Any possibility for a 65% layout like the Whitefox Vanilla or Aria? (Actually, IMO the perfect layout would be Aria, with no space by the arrow keys. So half-winkeyless).

[XMIT]

Any possibility for a 65% layout like the Whitefox Vanilla or Aria? (Actually, IMO the perfect layout would be Aria, with no space by the arrow keys. So half-winkeyless).

Yes, but not until I see how much trouble it is to get the 1800 made. If a new PCB layout is easy, maybe for Round 2. If not, then maybe for Round 3.

[jbondeson]

My top two that you haven't mentioned would be:

• Minimize switch wobble
• Make use of the capacitive functionality

I do need to get heavier springs for mine...

[XMIT]

Reducing switch wobble would mean tightening tolerances. I don't see that getting much better for this round, unfortunately.

What capacitive functionality - on the PCBs? I think the manufacturer also has a capacitive offering which is why it is there. I'm not planning on making use of it at all.

:/

[jbondeson]

 

Right in the feels XMIT... right in the feels.

For the capacitive side it was more a configurable actuation point thing.

[XMIT]

Well, better to let you down now than string you along for a while. I've added "reduce wobble" as a design goal.

We can do configurable actuation with Hall sensors. I'm exploring ways to do that in hardware for Round 2. )

[klennkellon]

I think there should be a little bit of dampening of some sort on the upstroke. The switches are really rattly and loud.

[romevi]

I have no input but am posting to keep apprised as I missed the first round and wanted to join.

[SpectreiiI]

The aforementioned 1800 layout would probably be a good call. They seem to be really hot right now. I just bought one myself.

[tp4tissue]

What About SPLIT configuration..  55 Degrees tenting?


I think EVERYONE wants to hear more about that  no ?


Yes they do, I'm sure of it..

[XMIT]

All joking aside, I'm considering an Ergodox layout for Round 3.

[dante]

All joking aside, I'm considering an Ergodox layout for Round 3.

I've never tried Ergodox before but as long as it's quiet enough for an office I might give it a go.

[tp4tissue]

All joking aside, I'm considering an Ergodox layout for Round 3.

NO TRRS

and for all those thumbcluster people ,  fine.. just move that first thumb button closer.. (but imho it doesn't matter.)

[Niomosy]

75% board.

50g springs seemed really light.  I would imagine going with the heavier springs from round 1 along with even heavier springs would take care of things better.

[chuckdee]

75% board.

50g springs seemed really light.  I would imagine going with the heavier springs from round 1 along with even heavier springs would take care of things better.

This.  Or the idea about the 1800.

[Niomosy]

75% board.

50g springs seemed really light.  I would imagine going with the heavier springs from round 1 along with even heavier springs would take care of things better.

This.  Or the idea about the 1800.

1800 could work as well.  Oh, a 96-key might be nice.  The wall of keys, basically.

[ipreferpie]

A QMK programmable, 1800 & heavy linear that can fit into a Cherry or high profile aluminum TX case would be amazing. That, or a Bluetooth 60% that's compatible with most other cases as well

[SpecTP]

I noticed that my stems are inconsistent. Some stems are fine with my MX cherry keycaps, but some stems are loose. It would be nice if the next round has more consistent stems in the switches.

[dwolvin]

Whoa- almost missed this!  leopold 980M is pretty cool, but really anything that allows semi-painless cap swaps is good (imho).

My only real requests are on the list already- tactile, quiet, and possibly case swappability.

[Neo.X]

Make the stem fit in other keycaps;

Silent the upstroke sound;

More crispy typing feeling;

[Skull_Angel]

Put me down for one. Happy to help development of this project.