GH60 Keyboard Project

[fl0w3n]

Personally I like symmetry, so I'm not sure how I feel about it.

Definitely seems like it offers some usefulness, though.

[IvanIvanovich]

It's coming closer to 70%... the next form factor? Nothing I need personally.

[rknize]

I'd rather stick with a design that fits into existing Poker/Pure chassis designs for this project.

[jdcarpe]

I agree. I don't know that we need another design between 60% and 75% boards. And with the PCB we have, you get the option to use existing Poker/Pure cases.

That looks cool, but maybe you should go for a F-row and make it the GH75 keyboard.

[samwisekoi]

I agree. I don't know that we need another design between 60% and 75% boards. And with the PCB we have, you get the option to use existing Poker/Pure cases.

That looks cool, but maybe you should go for a F-row and make it the GH75 keyboard.

I agree.  Does anyone else?  Anyone with plate and PCB skills?

GH75 anyone?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[jdcarpe]

I like it, but this isn't the thread for it. Maybe make another one in this same subforum called [IC] GH75 keyboard...

[samwisekoi]

I like it, but this isn't the thread for it. Maybe make another one in this same subforum called [IC] GH75 keyboard...

Will do.  I may also pursue a GH60/Poker case with room for an extra 5 switches.  Only the GH60 stuff will come here.

Thanks!

 -Ron | samwisekoi

[pasph]

I agree. I don't know that we need another design between 60% and 75% boards. And with the PCB we have, you get the option to use existing Poker/Pure cases.

That looks cool, but maybe you should go for a F-row and make it the GH75 keyboard.

I agree.  Does anyone else?  Anyone with plate and PCB skills?

GH75 anyone?

 - Ron | samwisekoi

Make it!

[rknize]

I like it, but this isn't the thread for it. Maybe make another one in this same subforum called [IC] GH75 keyboard...

A GH75 would essentially be a KS Mini.

[samwisekoi]

I like it, but this isn't the thread for it. Maybe make another one in this same subforum called [IC] GH75 keyboard...

A GH75 would essentially be a KS Mini.

So would a Choco Mini with betters stabs and some programmability.

Re the KS Mini, I've already asked them to take my money for that one!  But will it have all of the variants that a GH would?  Anyhow, we will see when and if that comes to life!

For now I'm going to focus on the GH60, perhaps with an augmented case design.  A case that will have room for a folded membrane should be able to hold five more keys on the RH edge when fitted with a Poker or a GH60.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[mashby]

Reading through all the posts to get up to speed, but I'm very interested in getting one of these.

[rknize]

I like it, but this isn't the thread for it. Maybe make another one in this same subforum called [IC] GH75 keyboard...

A GH75 would essentially be a KS Mini.

So would a Choco Mini with betters stabs and some programmability.

Re the KS Mini, I've already asked them to take my money for that one!  But will it have all of the variants that a GH would?  Anyhow, we will see when and if that comes to life!

For now I'm going to focus on the GH60, perhaps with an augmented case design.  A case that will have room for a folded membrane should be able to hold five more keys on the RH edge when fitted with a Poker or a GH60.

 - Ron | samwisekoi

No, not quite...but it will supposedly be fully programmable.

[damorgue]

I like it, but this isn't the thread for it. Maybe make another one in this same subforum called [IC] GH75 keyboard...

A GH75 would essentially be a KS Mini.

KS Mini, Choc Mini and LZ MX Mini all have the perfect layout in my opinion. None of them come in ISO though. I would much prefer a 75% ISO than a 60% ISO, but seen as neither exist, this upcomming 60% will have to do.

[vun]

I'll might be down for a kit or two if money allows when GB is up

[simkev]

When will this move from IC to GB?

[Acetrak]

After prototyping

[inteli722]

I just ordered a Phantom, and then I find out about this, with the chance to have a HHKB lookalike in Cherry MX. If this was later, like a year from now, then I could do it.

[__red__]

Wait what?  Where did you order a Phantom from?  I thought that GB was closed?

[SmallFry]

Wait what?  Where did you order a Phantom from?  I thought that GB was closed?

I think he just made the deadline.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Just a useless update: I have NOT received all the prototype boards yet.

[inteli722]

Wait what?  Where did you order a Phantom from?  I thought that GB was closed?

I think he just made the deadline.

Yep. Just made the deadline of R2 (ordered on the 2nd). However, as far as I can see, at 8:42 Central time, he's keeping it open for about 15 more hours (though don't quote me on this). So go check the GB just to be sure.

[komar007]

Just a useless update: I have NOT received all the prototype boards yet.

They're very close now:)

[OrpheusX]

I agree. I don't know that we need another design between 60% and 75% boards. And with the PCB we have, you get the option to use existing Poker/Pure cases.

That looks cool, but maybe you should go for a F-row and make it the GH75 keyboard.

Need? What's any of this got to do with need? 

Personally I love this GH60++ design. I think I'd prefer it to be a GH65/70 than a 75 though as I would want the arrow keys (for easier text selection when programming) but can easily live without dedicated function keys. The casing is still an issue I realize and thus makes the most sense as its own project. Just wanted to say I dug the design.

[samwisekoi]

I agree. I don't know that we need another design between 60% and 75% boards. And with the PCB we have, you get the option to use existing Poker/Pure cases.

That looks cool, but maybe you should go for a F-row and make it the GH75 keyboard.

Need? What's any of this got to do with need? 

Personally I love this GH60++ design. I think I'd prefer it to be a GH65/70 than a 75 though as I would want the arrow keys (for easier text selection when programming) but can easily live without dedicated function keys. The casing is still an issue I realize and thus makes the most sense as its own project. Just wanted to say I dug the design.

Thanks, and I will make a GH60++ thread and include 65, 70 and 75%.

 - Ron| samwisekoi

[vorn]

I think this is the third time I've refreshed this page today, and it's only 1pm!!!

TAKE MY MONEY!!!! 

[imsto]

wow...it nice, I would like to help to make  the perfect case for it. just need the size and the position of the holes.hope it will have the same as pure. and i am in for one too.

[komar007]

wow...it nice, I would like to help to make  the perfect case for it. just need the size and the position of the holes.hope it will have the same as pure. and i am in for one too.

Great!
Holes are poker-compatible and so is the USB connector.
Maybe we could get some logo stickers made to put on the case too.

[vorn]

I was just wondering... Beast said (I think) he would handle the plates in all the different layouts people choose, but the key caps are going to be quite a lot harder to consolidate, and also everyone has much stronger ideas of what they want for this piece of the puzzle...

Is this question too premature? Is there going to be one big GB for keycaps with lots of options to accomodate all the desired layouts?

[komar007]

Maybe in 2017 there will be group buy 5, and we can make a GH60-specific set:D

[SmallFry]

Maybe in 2017 there will be group buy 5

I LOL'd.

[jdcarpe]

GH60 specific set:

1. Base kit
2. Modifiers
3. 13-key (tsangan) kit
4. ISO kit

Then just throw out all unneeded keycaps.

[reverkiller]

GH60 specific set:

1. Base kit
2. Modifiers
3. 13-key (tsangan) kit
4. ISO kit

Then just throw out all unneeded keycaps.

SP Crap bag. I'm sure you can find plenty of keycaps with the right profiles!

They may not match much though

[gropingmantis]

60% ISO and fully programmable? Why did nobody tell me sooner!

I was close to finishing my own PCB design when I found this and it turns out my layout is possible on the GH60!

Put me down for two!

[TheSoulhunter]

Random idea: A 5x6 or 5x7 programmable would be a nice add-on to the GH60... The GH-KeyPad!

[damorgue]

I already posted an idea like that in the GH75 thread too. I am all for it.

[4LI4Z]

What I need for my  GH60:

Cherry PBTs (CHECK)
Lubed vintage Cherry MX switches (CHECK)
Nice MDPC-X-sleeved USB cable (in the mail)
Case? (Alu?)
Costar Stabilizers?
PCB (just have to wait for GB)

Can't wait for building one of these beauties!
By the way, if anyone is interested in MDPC-X-sleeve feel free to PM me.

[phetto]

I dont remember how many I said I wanted in the interestcheck form, but anyway I want at least 2 of these babies.

[Acetrak]

I definitely want this with jdcarpe's short right shift layout with 1.5 mods

[jdcarpe]

Epic plate GB will be epic!

I can't wait to see some of the case designs being worked on for this. My memory is terrible concerning all the members who said they were working on case designs, but I hope all the people working on them have some really great designs for us to see.

I have a feeling the prototypes will be arriving soon, so we can get them tested and start the GB process.

[TheQsanity]

Short right shift = good. Keypad = good.

[__red__]

MX Blues ordered.  CAD design for the case is underway...

[__red__]

This is the base design...



Once the GH60 is in place, the final layer will be a Raspberry Pi.   

[phetto]

Nice red, will you have any place you can cut those at?

[__red__]

Yes, I have access to a laser cutter at my local hackerspace.

[The_Beast]

Why is your plate so thick?

[__red__]

I'm using acrylic.  In order to get the stiffness I need I need 5mm.  5mm is the exact size which snaps the keys into place and has the PCB flush against the acrylic.

This is all of course subject to change when the real world gets involved ;-)   ... but for that to happen, my GH60 and MX Blues need to arrive!@

[jdcarpe]

Once the GH60 is in place, the final layer will be a Raspberry Pi.   

You are making an all-in-one PC, like the classic computers of yore, e.g. Commodore 64?

[samwisekoi]

Two questions re the PCB:

#1 What is the purpose of the six through-holes under the space bar?

#2 I assume there are unused rows and columns on the controller.  In a future round, can those pins be brought out to solder pads (perhaps under the space bar) for expansion possibilities?

Thanks for everything!

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[komar007]

#1 What is the purpose of the six through-holes under the space bar?

That is SPI which you can use to program the bootloader if there ever is a need. I'm considering dropping it in favor of JTAG.
The other possibility is to leave it there and use the JTAG pins for something else (though this will require programming fuse-bits through SPI) - for example break them out for expansion.

#2 I assume there are unused rows and columns on the controller.  In a future round, can those pins be brought out to solder pads (perhaps under the space bar) for expansion possibilities?

There is room for 6 another keys, but I'm not going to add pads for them unless there is a real need.

[samwisekoi]

#1 What is the purpose of the six through-holes under the space bar?

That is SPI which you can use to program the bootloader if there ever is a need. I'm considering dropping it in favor of JTAG.
The other possibility is to leave it there and use the JTAG pins for something else (though this will require programming fuse-bits through SPI) - for example break them out for expansion.

#2 I assume there are unused rows and columns on the controller.  In a future round, can those pins be brought out to solder pads (perhaps under the space bar) for expansion possibilities?

There is room for 6 another keys, but I'm not going to add pads for them unless there is a real need.

Thanks!

I am surprised that there is not more capacity on the controller.  Is this a smaller chip than (e.g.) the Liberator uses?

 - Ron | samwisekoi