[IC] Prime_E : Ergo 45% - Updated 4/24/19:revised sample. GB starts May 3rd

[leexy]

will zfrontier be a proxy for this gb? 

[holtenc]

Great board!

- is there an eta on when will the gb start? (Or gb will start as soon as you decide which manufacturer to go for)
- is the quantity capped at a certain figure and raffle will be implemented when the sale exceeds the figure? (I remember the MOQ is 80?)
- will the stab be plate mount only or we can choose for ourselves?

Thanks for your time and effort!

- decided to have another made due to some small changes. That will push the start date back some. So now aiming for end of April or early May. Sorry I can't be more specific right now.
- the MOQ is not 80. I was simply stating how many kits were need for me to recoupe my prototyping expenses. Which is actually irrelevant and probably shouldn't have been said. MOQ is 40. Quantity is not capped. However many orders there are after a 2 week period is how many will be ordered.
- stabs are PCB mount only.

[holtenc]

will zfrontier be a proxy for this gb? 

No, but there will likely be a Korean based GB.

[cijanzen]

Great board!

- is there an eta on when will the gb start? (Or gb will start as soon as you decide which manufacturer to go for)
- is the quantity capped at a certain figure and raffle will be implemented when the sale exceeds the figure? (I remember the MOQ is 80?)
- will the stab be plate mount only or we can choose for ourselves?

Thanks for your time and effort!

- decided to have another made due to some small changes. That will push the start date back some. So now aiming for end of April or early May. Sorry I can't be more specific right now.
- the MOQ is not 80. I was simply stating how many kits were need for me to recoupe my prototyping expenses. Which is actually irrelevant and probably shouldn't have been said. MOQ is 40. Quantity is not capped. However many orders there are after a 2 week period is how many will be ordered.
- stabs are PCB mount only.

A few more weeks to save up some funds! I think the wait is worth it to get it just right and I’ll still be on board when it’s ready to go.

[senryo]

Great board!

- is there an eta on when will the gb start? (Or gb will start as soon as you decide which manufacturer to go for)
- is the quantity capped at a certain figure and raffle will be implemented when the sale exceeds the figure? (I remember the MOQ is 80?)
- will the stab be plate mount only or we can choose for ourselves?

Thanks for your time and effort!

- decided to have another made due to some small changes. That will push the start date back some. So now aiming for end of April or early May. Sorry I can't be more specific right now.
- the MOQ is not 80. I was simply stating how many kits were need for me to recoupe my prototyping expenses. Which is actually irrelevant and probably shouldn't have been said. MOQ is 40. Quantity is not capped. However many orders there are after a 2 week period is how many will be ordered.
- stabs are PCB mount only.

Thank you for the swift response. I’m sorry I didn’t catch the update coz I usually just go through the first post to see your update, may I know what kind of small change will that be?

[cijanzen]

Great board!

- is there an eta on when will the gb start? (Or gb will start as soon as you decide which manufacturer to go for)
- is the quantity capped at a certain figure and raffle will be implemented when the sale exceeds the figure? (I remember the MOQ is 80?)
- will the stab be plate mount only or we can choose for ourselves?

Thanks for your time and effort!

- decided to have another made due to some small changes. That will push the start date back some. So now aiming for end of April or early May. Sorry I can't be more specific right now.
- the MOQ is not 80. I was simply stating how many kits were need for me to recoupe my prototyping expenses. Which is actually irrelevant and probably shouldn't have been said. MOQ is 40. Quantity is not capped. However many orders there are after a 2 week period is how many will be ordered.
- stabs are PCB mount only.

Thank you for the swift response. I’m sorry I didn’t catch the update coz I usually just go through the first post to see your update, may I know what kind of small change will that be?

Read the thread. It’s all there already! Tightening up some tolerances around spacebars and plate sunk in a bit more.

[snelltrail]

Just in case anyone hasn't seen already: Quakemz built the prototype on Top Clack last week! It looks great!

[holtenc]

Just in case anyone hasn't seen already: Quakemz built the prototype on Top Clack last week! It looks great!

Thanks snelltrail.

Just a quick update while I'm here. Still waiting on that revised sample. I'll post some pictures of it once I have it on hand.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[cijanzen]

Just in case anyone hasn't seen already: Quakemz built the prototype on Top Clack last week! It looks great!

Thanks snelltrail.

Just a quick update while I'm here. Still waiting on that revised sample. I'll post some pictures of it once I have it on hand.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Nice I hadn’t seen this so thanks for sharing snelltrail! Will hopefully tide me over until we all get these in hand…

[vicissitude]

Love this keeb.
Nice and delicate. 

[turbosloth]

Watching the vid, I only just noticed the PCB has 'north' facing orientation for the switches. I know its close to GB time but is that 100% set (or is the other way impossible due to space constraints)? I've found that GMK R3 caps fouls on the switch housing for everything except BOX switches, so would really prefer to avoid that.

[holtenc]

Watching the vid, I only just noticed the PCB has 'north' facing orientation for the switches. I know its close to GB time but is that 100% set (or is the other way impossible due to space constraints)? I've found that GMK R3 caps fouls on the switch housing for everything except BOX switches, so would really prefer to avoid that.

They are north facing mostly due to space along the top edge for USB. And yeah, it's pretty much too late to change the PCB anyway.

It's funny... I've never encountered a problem with north facing switches and GMK caps.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[turbosloth]

Yeah, its strange because some people just don't seem to notice it, but after having to deal with north facing on a stock Coolermaster with new GMK for 6 months I eventually had to desolder and handwire it to get them around the right way for me to handle it. It just changes the sound and feel on that row in a way that gnawed at me, especially if you bottom out a lot like I do. Might look into grabbing some washers OLKB sell or something.

[holtenc]

Did your stock cooler master have massive 3mm LEDs sitting on top of the switches?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[turbosloth]

Hahah nah, the LEDs were SMD and sort of shone through the switch/ hole in the PCB like this. It's not a huge clash or anything, but the sound and feel changes. Still, will look if I can live with it or shave my switches or something given I've been looking for this layout in a quality board for a while.

[holtenc]

Small update. The revised top part of case is shipping tomorrow.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[nothingzzz]

Small update. The revised top part of case is shipping tomorrow.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Sounds great

[Obe]

Is there any price estimate by chance? Really interested in this board!

[r4wromg]

Is there any price estimate by chance? Really interested in this board!

Price estimate from a recent Reddit thread:

"It's going to be expensive. I haven't worked out final pricing but all I can say right now is it's going to be over $300 but less than $330. Price breaks at certain MOQs."
"I'll put this out there: I need 80 or so GB participants just to recoupe expenses."

[regionfree]

Small update. The revised top part of case is shipping tomorrow.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

oh, that's nice, since it's a 2-piece kit, bottom can be reused. saved time prototyping!
btw, will there be a POLYCARB version? leaning on a mixed alu + poly top/bottom combo

[holtenc]

Small update. The revised top part of case is shipping tomorrow.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

oh, that's nice, since it's a 2-piece kit, bottom can be reused. saved time prototyping!
btw, will there be a POLYCARB version? leaning on a mixed alu + poly top/bottom combo

No there will not be a PC option for either the top or bottom parts. sorry.

[senryo]

I watched the prime e prototype build stream. It feels like its very difficult to plug in the switches, will this problem be fixed?

[holtenc]

I watched the prime e prototype build stream. It feels like its very difficult to plug in the switches, will this problem be fixed?

The switch holes are a bit tight. Working on it.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[gotjuicemate]

im really liking the red case color

[KingOfMemes]

That beige colorway is lowkey heat

[cijanzen]

That beige colorway is lowkey heat

Laura Palmer? Is that you?

[funderburker]

That beige colorway is lowkey heat

Laura Palmer? Is that you?

where are we? The Geek Lodge?

[holtenc]

That beige colorway is lowkey heat

Laura Palmer? Is that you?

where are we? The Geek Lodge?

I'm so lost...

[cijanzen]

That beige colorway is lowkey heat

Laura Palmer? Is that you?

where are we? The Geek Lodge?

I'm so lost...

Just Twin Peaks things

[GigaFlop]

The estimated price is steep, but I'm going to see what my wallet looks like when ti comes around. This would be a cool addition to the collection.

[holtenc]

revised sample is in. Much better on those bezels. Top picture is new sample. Bottom is hold.

[cijanzen]

revised sample is in. Much better on those bezels. Top picture is new sample. Bottom is hold.

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Oh yeah! That’s much tighter. Great job!

Can’t wait for this to start!

[regionfree]

revised sample is in. Much better on those bezels. Top picture is new sample. Bottom is hold.

Show Image

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that new sample looks perfect! this is ready!

final checks, then green?

[holtenc]

revised sample is in. Much better on those bezels. Top picture is new sample. Bottom is hold.

Show Image

Show Image

that new sample looks perfect! this is ready!

final checks, then green?

Think so. Case is good. PCB is good. Should probably get an updated price from PCB factory since it's been a while. I've already got all the screws and rubber bumpons.

I think I can tentatively say GB opens May 3. Weehoo.

[Rexios]

I’m so hyped. This will be my first build. Let’s gooooo!

[apossardt]

My body is ready. At this point, any keyboard smaller than a 60% that goes into group buy is instantly accounted for in my budget

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[bassmaniax]

My wallet is ready.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[holtenc]

My body is ready. At this point, any keyboard smaller than a 60% that goes into group buy is instantly accounted for in my budget

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I’m so hyped. This will be my first build. Let’s gooooo!

My wallet is ready.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pixelpusher]

Love this board.  How do you guys map your apostrophe?

[Xynerorias]

Damn I love it but I find it so expensive, I know it's the layout but more than 300 for a 45%... 

[holtenc]

Damn I love it but I find it so expensive, I know it's the layout but more than 300 for a 45%... 

Yep I agree. The cost of non-chinese manufacturing unfortunately.

[nothingzzz]

Definitely in for the GB

[ninjacore]

I know $300 keeps getting tossed around, but I don't see a price estimate in the OP (it's marked off in the to-do list, however).

Also, maybe a noob 40% question, but would it be possible to get a keycap sizing list for the modifiers?

[Rexios]

There was a Reddit thread where he said it would probably be $300-$330.

[holtenc]

I know $300 keeps getting tossed around, but I don't see a price estimate in the OP (it's marked off in the to-do list, however).

Also, maybe a noob 40% question, but would it be possible to get a keycap sizing list for the modifiers?

It will be $320 for the kit. Extra PCBs will be $40. There will be an option for either all white indicator LEDs or an RGB mix. The LEDs will not come pre-soldered.

Here's a pic that shows keycap sizing:

[cijanzen]

I know $300 keeps getting tossed around, but I don't see a price estimate in the OP (it's marked off in the to-do list, however).

Also, maybe a noob 40% question, but would it be possible to get a keycap sizing list for the modifiers?

It will be $320 for the kit. Extra PCBs will be $40. There will be an option for either all white indicator LEDs or an RGB mix. The LEDs will not come pre-soldered.

Here's a pic that shows keycap sizing:

Show Image

Pricing sounds quite reasonable to me considering how much time and money you put into prototyping. I’ll be in for one and +1 PCB.

Will the indicator leds be surface mount?

[audiosl4ve]

Was hoping for little cheaper pricing. I'll have to pass. Really awesome keeb either way

[holtenc]

Was hoping for little cheaper pricing. I'll have to pass. Really awesome keeb either way

Understandable. Thanks man.

Pricing sounds quite reasonable to me considering how much time and money you put into prototyping and also it being made stateside. I’ll be in for one and +1 PCB.

Will the indicator leds be surface mount?

The US based manufacturer got very busy and hasn't completed their sample yet. I just can't wait any longer and it doesn't look like they will have time to complete the production run in a timely manner. So I'm going with the Korean manufacturer that did the samples I'm been showing pictures of. They have made many high quality keyboards for various GBs and I trust their work.

The indicator LEDs are reverse surface mount. Just a fancy way of saying they're surface mount and the LED protrudes into a cutout in the PCB. You can catch a glimpse of them here:
https://imgur.com/a/vx483zM

They're very easy to solder.

[cijanzen]

Was hoping for little cheaper pricing. I'll have to pass. Really awesome keeb either way

Understandable. Thanks man.

Pricing sounds quite reasonable to me considering how much time and money you put into prototyping and also it being made stateside. I’ll be in for one and +1 PCB.

Will the indicator leds be surface mount?

The US based manufacturer got very busy and hasn't completed their sample yet. I just can't wait any longer and it doesn't look like they will have time to complete the production run in a timely manner. So I'm going with the Korean manufacturer that did the samples I'm been showing pictures of. They have made many high quality keyboards for various GBs and I trust their work.

The indicator LEDs are reverse surface mount. Just a fancy way of saying they're surface mount and the LED protrudes into a cutout in the PCB. You can catch a glimpse of them here:
https://imgur.com/a/vx483zM

Yep that makes sense for the LEDs. As for price I’m in either way!

[dr_unconscionable]

Agree, pricing sounds totally reasonable. I wish I had the money for it because the aluminum case looks amazing, but these pricy GBs hurt even more in Canada, with currency conversion and import duties. I would definitely grab a PCB and try to print or cut a case for it over here though!