[IC] Lunar II - 60% Alps AEK with solenoid | GB launching on the 26th

[catamscott]

Not that this really matters (im wanting to get this either way)... I am curious as to what type of USB will be used on this PCB? Assuming it will be USB Mini, but hoping for USBC of course

cutout on the back of the case looks like usb-c

[Havattack]

No kidding, what a weird complaint, you can't walk a yard without tripping over the dozens and dozens of MX PCB boards.

Yes... and none of those are compatible with a solenoid (out of the box at least).. i think it's weird that you find it weird, seems pretty simple and obvious to me, but maybe i'm missing something.

[Sdhebert]

So what's the best way to follow and get notified when you offer this?

I finally had my a-stock LunarAEK built by Taeha and i need this one so I don't have to haul it between work and home. 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Visionaire]

So what's the best way to follow and get notified when you offer this?

I finally had my a-stock LunarAEK built by Taeha and i need this one so I don't have to haul it between work and home. 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Following this thread isn't a bad idea. Also suggest joining ai03's discord as well.

[pixelpusher]

So, here I am, typing on an ADK64 build with AEK caps. After trying every single profile and material out there imaginable (with the exception of a KAM set),  I've come to the conclusion that a AEK caps are without a doubt the best sculpt and finish of any keycaps for me.  I NEED this board, sir.  Any updoots?  PCBs coming along?

[WBK]

It looks great. But it's too hard to get ALPS switches in good condition.

[KingOfMemes]

It looks great. But it's too hard to get ALPS switches in good condition.

Apple AEKs aren't terribly hard to find

[treeleaf64]

It looks great. But it's too hard to get ALPS switches in good condition.

Apple AEKs aren't terribly hard to find

Hard to find in good condition for a good price 

[misunderstood_artist]

Are there any viable switch clones out there? The matias quiet-click perhaps?

[pixelpusher]

Are there any viable switch clones out there? The matias quiet-click perhaps?

I mean, if you've never used a real dampened Alps switch before, Matias quiet click will feel okay.  But when you put them side by side... there's not really much good to say about the Matias.  I've found a few people selling NoS simplified white Alps switches, which are a step up from Matias clicks for sure.  NoS yellow Alps are still floating around here and there as well, and offer a great linear experience. 

[misunderstood_artist]

Are there any viable switch clones out there? The matias quiet-click perhaps?

I mean, if you've never used a real dampened Alps switch before, Matias quiet click will feel okay.  But when you put them side by side... there's not really much good to say about the Matias.  I've found a few people selling NoS simplified white Alps switches, which are a step up from Matias clicks for sure.  NoS yellow Alps are still floating around here and there as well, and offer a great linear experience.

Thank you for the warning. It was just a fleeting question. Really I am just trying to personally weigh the effort-to-reward ratio, given that I am a keyboard noob. The investment of time and effort to first acquire all the right parts + all the cleanings, diss-assemblies re-assemblies would thoroughly test me compared to you seasoned vets. ..its also that aspect that makes this board highly attractive..among others

[Sdhebert]

Any updates?  Is this being.produced?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[stimuz]

It looks great. But it's too hard to get ALPS switches in good condition.

Agreed, it's best to stop looking at this and look at MX

[Sdhebert]

It looks great. But it's too hard to get ALPS switches in good condition.

Agreed, it's best to stop looking at this and look at MX

I disagree. This board gives a home to Alps and AEK keycaps.  The shape of the keycaps were very different than anything we have today.  Just considering keycaps, not only are the stems a mismatch, but the slope and contour doesn't fit any board today. I love my LunarAEK - the sound and feel of my old aek in a 65% form factor.

He's making 50 or so a-stock keebs.  It's what customs are all about. I luckily got my lunar AEK from someone who wanted out of the group buy due to a job change.  I'm hoping to not miss out on this one.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Domantas]

I wish right shift would be possible to split (I know that it is hard to find keycaps, but I would like it to be possible, because it is my preffered way if I would decide to use it as main keyboard)

Update:
I red it intereferes. hm. I always need 5 keys on right side for arrows and alt gr OR fn and mods. Men I wish this was 65% as first run haha. No problem searching for keycaps if it satisfies me with my favorite layout I joined community kinda after the gb ran. R3 with 2u shift solves everything (ducky layout)

[PixelPlays__]

I'm keeping an eye on this one...

[Havattack]

It looks great. But it's too hard to get ALPS switches in good condition.

Agreed, it's best to stop looking at this and look at MX

I disagree. This board gives a home to Alps and AEK keycaps.  The shape of the keycaps were very different than anything we have today.  Just considering keycaps, not only are the stems a mismatch, but the slope and contour doesn't fit any board today. I love my LunarAEK - the sound and feel of my old aek in a 65% form factor.

He's making 50 or so a-stock keebs.  It's what customs are all about. I luckily got my lunar AEK from someone who wanted out of the group buy due to a job change.  I'm hoping to not miss out on this one.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Alps do deserve a good home... AEK however, are most at home in the fire place.. 

[linuxleah]

I am totally down on this (typing this response from an AEKII btw )

[Ranger_Trivette]

that curve is soooo sexy 

[Gepriester]

It's probably way too late for this, but I just saw this thread right now. Why not make the bottom row also compatible with AT-101 or are the other keys off? This way I had something to put my SGI Granit caps onto

[Applet]

It's probably way too late for this, but I just saw this thread right now. Why not make the bottom row also compatible with AT-101 or are the other keys off? This way I had something to put my SGI Granit caps onto

It's specifically designed (with the curvature) for AEK keycaps

[The0rigina1]

Ai03 = buy, no questions asked

[darthcapn]

Ooooowww this would be my first alps board!

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[UGunaLOSE]

Seen these before and absolutely love the aesthetic and feel.

[jyojoh]

any updates? my body is ready for lunar

[Havattack]

This looks Amazing. Definitely would cop this.

I just hope this is not another Raffle, FCFS limited board release thingy.

 In  the comment right before yours, the creator states, if there are not enough for everyone that wants one, he will do another round.

[Quadrum]

Still so excited for the day that this sells, I might have a reason to desolder the alps from my modern m0110

[ManiacMarc]

Deeefinitely interested

[bigapplepietart]

Just saw this. Recently acquired an AEK and an ALPS64, but it looks like I'll have to acquire another AEK...

[vyquad]

id like this with cherry compatibility too as all the cherry pcb's ive seen dont have native solenoid support

[gbchk]

id like this with cherry compatibility too as all the cherry pcb's ive seen dont have native solenoid support

Never gonna happen

[vyquad]

im just wanting to know know if the PCB files will be public

[genjokoan]

I just saw this and yes, please, I want one.  The only bit of kit I have from my Macintosh II days is its keyboard.  I tried a couple of ADB to USB dongles - they all failed to impress.  And so it sits in my closet.
Cherry clones have come a long way.  They would be my first choice.

[Ensaum]

Interested, and would also like plate files so I can customize them.

[war40ck]

Can we get ISO support blessRNG

[lbassett21]

Beautiful board, all in for one if this ever happens. Any updates on the project? It’s been a very long time but it seems like there are plenty of people interested in supporting this group buy.

[robotictomato]

I'm also hoping this is still happening - very interested and hoping I can pick one up.

[rossi94]

No chance for iso layout option? (Would be willing to pay extra).

[ai03]

Sorry for the long silence - with so much happening in life, didn't have the time to devote to this project for the past year or so.
Finally finding time to finish off the prototype and conduct testing, after which one of two things can occur:

- If the testing goes smoothly with nothing in particular to note, it will head straight to group buy.
- If the testing finds something to revise, I'll run one more prototype prior to group buy. Hopefully this won't take anywhere near as long as the last one.

Currently going through the hassle of lubing switches for the proto - once testing results are in, I'll report back here and on Discord.


Edit:
Early testing results are as follows with orange alps + solenoid:

[meawto]

🥺

[KingOfMemes]

What vendor will be used for NA?

[AuthenticDanger]

What vendor will be used for NA?

Switchplate Peripherals

[KingOfMemes]

What vendor will be used for NA?

Switchplate Peripherals

ty

[aspherical]

I'm in. 100 units will sell in a second. Please make more?

[menuhin]

I'm in. 100 units will sell in a second. Please make more?

I am a fan of many ai03's projects.
Please make the pricing competitive, so I can also support this project.
Despite my enthusiasm of ai03 and many of the great designers' projects, I cannot pay for anything not covered by my salary / savings...

[ai03]

I'm in. 100 units will sell in a second. Please make more?

This time around it'll be kept 100 per vendor for the sake of not exceeding the vendors' capacities - rather run multiple rounds or a successor in quick succession than have one huge group buy that goes on forever.

(And yes, there are plans for a third gen Lunar and a TKL in the works, but far too early to tell when they'll run (if at all) just yet.)


Just finished finalizing the case design based on prototype testing; awaiting feedback before finalizing GB details.

[Sandy]

The AEK had typewriter-like staggered row height right? I'm wondering if this board will implement that or if the plate is flat and it's just the sides of the board that are curved?

Disregard I don't know who told me the plate was curved it's the keycaps I realise now.
Are you making any improvements to the board now that it's been a few years and tray mount isn't end game any more? I recall end game being used to describe the board back then

[ai03]

Are you making any improvements to the board now that it's been a few years and tray mount isn't end game any more? I recall end game being used to describe the board back then

Re-read the first post to see the goals of this board.
Also, I've been happily running a tray mount board as a daily driver for over a year despite other boards such as Andromeda and Vega existing; the important details are of implementation specifics and applicability to the project rather than choosing some "end game" mount method by name alone.

[KingOfMemes]

I'm in. 100 units will sell in a second. Please make more?

This time around it'll be kept 100 per vendor for the sake of not exceeding the vendors' capacities - rather run multiple rounds or a successor in quick succession than have one huge group buy that goes on forever.

(And yes, there are plans for a third gen Lunar and a TKL in the works, but far too early to tell when they'll run (if at all) just yet.)


Just finished finalizing the case design based on prototype testing; awaiting feedback before finalizing GB details.

Yeah I'm down for 100 units. Less likely to have delays or miscoms with the manufacturer, and other entities involved, and other unknowns happen down the line. Hopefully that will translate to quicker turnaround times too.

[Getsome!!!]

Are you making any improvements to the board now that it's been a few years and tray mount isn't end game any more? I recall end game being used to describe the board back then

Re-read the first post to see the goals of this board.
Also, I've been happily running a tray mount board as a daily driver for over a year despite other boards such as Andromeda and Vega existing; the important details are of implementation specifics and applicability to the project rather than choosing some "end game" mount method by name alone.

I agree. More.. "advanced" mounting methods are beyond over rated. My best sounding keyboard is a tray mount.