[IC] UK78 - 60%+Numpad Keyboard - A British Custom - GB LIVE!

[rozakiin]

UK78

Inspired by the XT and 1800 layouts the UK78 is a 60%+Numpad fully programmable keyboard.



The UK78 currently features:

• ISO AND ANSI Supported Supported Layouts
• MX and Alps Compatible!
• Custom PCB that can be cut to a 65% or 60%, restistors, diodes and MCU presoldered as standard with limited DIY bare PCBs available by request
• Underglow lighting and switch LED lighting
• A single piece aluminium case with acrylic 'vanity' base to view the pcb
• 5 degree incline achieved by custom CNC'd aluminium feet or a full width aluminium base
• Stainless Steel/Aluminium/Brass plate in various MX and Alps layouts with the option for specific layouts to be requested(increased time and cost)

To Do List:

• Manufacture prototype case (in production)
• Test prototype PCBs(ordered)
• Recieve the final quotes from all the manufacturers before Group Buy

Current colours:  RAL9005(Jet Black-CR), Pantone 533 C(Dark Blue), Pantone 466C(Dark Grey-N9), RAL2004(Orange) and Silver/Natural

1800 style case

Fjell style case


Click here and here for albums of the first prototype.

Update: 11/05/2017

• Second revision of the PCB is completed and samples have been ordered
• Sample case and feet have been ordered from the manufacturer for quality check
• Price quotes are being gathered from all manufacturers for the closest estimate I can give.
• LeandreN has given his approval for the Fjell inspired case to be produced so you will all have the option to choose either 1800 style or Fjell style!

Pricing Update(subject to change before GB):

• MOQ 10:
  
  • Fjell style top case: £125
  • 1800 style top case:£110
  • Separate Feet: £90
  • Fullsize Base: £180
• MOQ 20:
  
  • Fjell style top case: £110
  • 1800 style top case:£100
  • Separate Feet: £70
  • Fullsize Base: £170
• MOQ 50:
  
  • Fjell style top case: £100
  • 1800 style top case:£90
  • Separate Feet: £60
  • Fullsize Base: £100
• PCB: £25
• Plate:
  
  • SS/Alu: £15
  • Brass: £25
• Acrylic base/diffuser: £6
• Accessories: £5

Sample Case Photos:(lasered logo will be CNC cut in GB version)




Old Renders:

More

If you have any suggestions for improvements or to show interest feel free to comment bellow![/list]

[jihadu]

This looks endgame worthy. Too bad I'm broke

[rozakiin]

Group Buy is Live! https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=90060.0

[LDobler]

Looks really good!

[eddible]

Looks great! And especially good to see more stuff coming out of the UK!

[ectoplasmatic]

Really like the look of this. I can't imagine it wouldn't be compatible with ANSI, but i would need that, even though I'm uk I can't get used to ISO. Also consider a long acrylic foot like exant, since you're building an acrylic bottom plate anyways. Might be more stable?

[rozakiin]

Really like the look of this. I can't imagine it wouldn't be compatible with ANSI, but either case would need that. Also consider a long acrylic foot like exant, since you're building an acrylic bottom plate anyways. Might be more stable?

I was thinking about an acrylic foot, I have some spare acrylic left so I will experiment with that.

[speedemonv12]

Yes. I want. Now.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[kmba]

In

[Traveler]

At first I saw the prototype photos and thought it looked good. Then I saw these renders. They look beautiful. Can't guarantee that I'll join but I'm most definitely interested.

[jnthnrvs]

Yes, please. This is what I want and need. Very cool that it's a product of the U.K. I *am* a price sensitive shopper, but (I think) I'm willing to pay a reasonable price for this. There's no chance this'll be sub $200, right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Petch]

Partially interested, would have been sold if it had an F row

[kmba]

F row would make it a 96key, and there's several of those!  Very few 78keys. 

[el-Chapino-del-Pepino]

My hype-boner is raging.

[KaosJ]

I would also prefer this with the F-ROW (yeah basically 96-keys). Yeah i know we have already many 96 but is rare to get them 

[dantan]

Price needs to be known. You can have the most awesome board in the world, but for $800 it's going to be not within reach of most of us.

[Petch]

F row would make it a 96key, and there's several of those!  Very few 78keys.

Maybe there's a reason for that Variety is always good though, I guess

[rozakiin]

For those who suggested a different look to the case, is this an improvement?

[soilheart]

I'm very very interested as long as:
It's affordable, I.e. less than $300, preferably around $200 or less.
Feet are optional.
It supports 1.25+1.25+1.25+6.25+1.5+1.5+Arrow keys

Oh, and I like the newest render better than the old one personally.

Edit: Scratch that last part, I looked at it again and I think the first design is better. It's more unique anyway.

[LDobler]

I would prefer not to have screw in feet. An angled case is more aesthetic imo...

[jnthnrvs]

I'm very very interested as long as:
It's affordable, I.e. less than $300, preferably around $200 or less.

Edit: Scratch that last part, I looked at it again and I think the first design is better. It's more unique anyway.

Agreed.

[speedemonv12]

I love the high profile case. Very classy

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[SpinahVieh]

Id be interested when there's a possibility to just grab the base (case + PCB). Lookin' good!

[kmba]

For those who suggested a different look to the case, is this an improvement?
(Attachment Link)

I prefer this new version. Its a nice balance between having bezel but minimizing it at the same time. Looks sleek whereas the original looked a tad clunky.

[Molly]

LOOKS COOL

[Harms]

For those who suggested a different look to the case, is this an improvement?
(Attachment Link)

This is much improvement .

[rozakiin]

Here is a foot design rather than having a standard foot, if there is enough interest in this then I will get a quote from the manufacturer.

[atomicus]

Personally, I am not sure I see the point of the 'vanity' base... I for one would never turn my keyboard over to look at that, very much a novelty that would wear off after 5 minutes IMO, but it WOULD make sense to have it diffused for the LED's. Just my opinion anyway.

[dantan]

Personally, I am not sure I see the point of the 'vanity' base... I for one would never turn my keyboard over to look at that, very much a novelty that would wear off after 5 minutes IMO, but it WOULD make sense to have it diffused for the LED's. Just my opinion anyway.

the vanity base is one of the things that makes this most unlike other keyboards.

A glowing board from below is very nice to look at, and it won't blind you because you're typing on top. It's a big difference from all those backlit boards.

But I think we're looking at $500+ prices here, so I'm not following this thread anymore. Unless it winds up being massdropped and massproduced at $150 or less.

[atomicus]

Personally, I am not sure I see the point of the 'vanity' base... I for one would never turn my keyboard over to look at that, very much a novelty that would wear off after 5 minutes IMO, but it WOULD make sense to have it diffused for the LED's. Just my opinion anyway.

the vanity base is one of the things that makes this most unlike other keyboards.

A glowing board from below is very nice to look at, and it won't blind you because you're typing on top. It's a big difference from all those backlit boards.

But I think we're looking at $500+ prices here, so I'm not following this thread anymore. Unless it winds up being massdropped and massproduced at $150 or less.

Yes, unique for sure... just not sure I saw the benefit and diffusion would create a nicer effect from the LED's, rather than 'spotlighting' them as they tend to do otherwise.

But ouch, $500... bit rich for my blood.

[kmba]

Nothing screams $500 to me. Acrylic bottom makes the case cheaper. Stainless plate to skip anodization, cheaper.

[rozakiin]

But I think we're looking at $500+ prices here, so I'm not following this thread anymore. Unless it winds up being massdropped and massproduced at $150 or less.

We are not looking at $500+ the current over estimate is $350, in fact it is looking to be significantly less than that. The big variable is how much the PCB+components will cost.

[LDobler]

Would it be possible to have a full alu, angled bottom piece instead of the flat acrylic plate with screw in feet?

Other than that I do have to say that I like the design and the layout!

Cheers

[Burt Macklin]

Not really sure if I'd join as I'm trying to get into 60% club - but given it's something EU based (hopefully this'll go live while you're still in EU  ), I'm certainly interested.

I love those unusual feet, btw 

[Traveler]

Here is a foot design rather than having a standard foot, if there is enough interest in this then I will get a quote from the manufacturer.
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

If it doesn't add much to the cost I think the feet look really nice!

[rozakiin]

Would it be possible to have a full alu, angled bottom piece instead of the flat acrylic plate with screw in feet?

Other than that I do have to say that I like the design and the layout!

Cheers

Here you go!

[LDobler]

Would it be possible to have a full alu, angled bottom piece instead of the flat acrylic plate with screw in feet?

Other than that I do have to say that I like the design and the layout!

Cheers

Here you go!

(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

That looks sick!
I can't believe you made a render for it!

What price are we aproximately looking at for a kit with that case, angled bottom, plate and PCB?

This would be my endgame, I was thinking of saving up for a second hand blackbird but this is even better!

[rozakiin]

I will be getting quotes for the angled base and angled feet soon. The PCBA will get me a full quote when I have checked the pcbs. At that point I will be able to give an accurate quote.

[kmba]

I like the new base design, but I don't mind the acrylic either, even with standard screw in feet. I'm strongly leaning towards the fully beveled top though.

[stoic-lemon]

I made a similar layout on the keyboard editor, and have been gazing longingly at it for months. I really hope this goes ahead. I really like the latest renders of the case too.

[rozakiin]

I like the new base design, but I don't mind the acrylic either, even with standard screw in feet. I'm strongly leaning towards the fully beveled top though.

MOQ of the Aluminium tops is 10 each so I will be able to offer both if they hit MOQ

[kmba]

Oh geez I'd think you'd hit both. Good news though.

[Vigrith]

Even though I reside in Europe I don't do ISO, this looks very nice though and depending on pricing/time line I'd definitely make an exception and buy one.

[kmba]

Even though I reside in Europe I don't do ISO, this looks very nice though and depending on pricing/time line I'd definitely make an exception and buy one.

Supports ANSI as well

[Vigrith]

Supports ANSI as well

Oh yea, thanks, I just looked at the renders/didn't read the description and it didn't even occur to me that it'd support ANSI as well - it makes sense that it would, because why wouldn't it, I just didn't even give it any thought.

Still, probably end up building it as ISO because why not!

[ihalatch]

I would prefer not to have screw in feet. An angled case is more aesthetic imo...

+1

[soilheart]

I would prefer not to have screw in feet. An angled case is more aesthetic imo...

+1

-1

(I prefer flat cases, which is one of the reasons why I'm interested in in this keyboard.)

[rozakiin]

I would prefer not to have screw in feet. An angled case is more aesthetic imo...

+1

-1

(I prefer flat cases, which is one of the reasons why I'm interested in in this keyboard.)

Well you are both in luck as I should be able to offer both!

[riff121]

Great to see a UK keyboard with numpad - I'd definitely be interested.

I realise it's adding complexity, but could you give some thought to adding a Bluetooth module and battery to make this wireless? To my knowledge, there has never been an wireless ISO mechanical keyboard with a number pad ... ever. Adding that would make this my endgame keyboard. Great job.

If I can help bring this to life, let me know.

[rozakiin]

Great to see a UK keyboard with numpad - I'd definitely be interested.

I realise it's adding complexity, but could you give some thought to adding a Bluetooth module and battery to make this wireless? To my knowledge, there has never been an wireless ISO mechanical keyboard with a number pad ... ever. Adding that would make this my endgame keyboard. Great job.

If I can help bring this to life, let me know.

That would introduce a lot more complexity to the pcb, it is something that I would be interested in following up in future group buys but not for this one. Likely the implementation would be similar to how GON has done it with the GON 60 PCBs.