[IC] Fox Lab - Sand Glass Ergo (GB soon)

[senter]

Our First Ergo Layout Kit

Render:


Prototype:


Sand Glass Ergo is an 80% ergonomic layout keyboard kit design we designed in collaboration with designer KeepCalm.
I've always been hoping to create an ergo kit, and this is my first attempt.
We name this kit Sand Glass Ergo for the shape of its top exterior outline.

Layout

Even though I've been using an Alice-like layout (60% with arrow keys) keyboard for more than half a year now, I'm less experienced with ergo layout keyboards in general.
The present layout is obviously similar to many existing kits, but it is also personalized to KeepCalm's and my preferences.



This design isn't outrageous or exaggerated in any way.
We hope that it will be a board that most people can quickly become accustomed to, and that it will be a board that most people, including me, are willing to use as a daily driver.
That being said,

Plate & mounting & Structure

I like the skeleton plate design that we initially tested on Leaf 65.
Skeleton plates with improved flexibility will be available on Sand Glass Ergo.
The PCB will be 1.2mm thick for softer bottom out with the skeleton plate.



The mounting method is PORON sandwich.
To make the typing experience as even as possible, both the PCB and plate have been split into left and right parts.

Wrist Rest

Although the front of the board is not particularly high (18mm), I found that a wrist rest is still necessary for maximum comfort.
Because there is no compatible wrist rests on the market, the kit includes a specially developed wrist rest.
The kit was named Sand Glass also because of the way it looks with the wrist rest.



Forged Composite is considered as the material for the wrist rest.

Basic information:

1. Typing angle: 8 degree
2. Front height: 18mm without the wrist rest
3. Estimated price: 525 USD for the kit with the wrist rest

Highlights:

1. 80% Ergo layout
2. PORON sandwich + skeleton plate
3. No visible screws

To Do:

1. Collect feedbacks
2. Finish the skeleton plate design
3. Prototyping









We have a discord server now: https://discord.gg/gr6ZBB9xXy

[pngu]

We name this kit Sand Glass Ergo for the shape of its top exterior outline.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farfalle

[MIGHTY CHICKEN]

So down for this

[Vono]

Looking nice, definitely an unique layout 

[jackedhardwarejunkie]

Looking good!! Love my ergo tkls

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk

[lukelex]

I’m in


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[Puddsy]

unironically i think this board is a perfect candidate for second Y

still rules regardless. fox lab forever

[CookieFlow]

Looks very good.

But I would maybe look into another accent color than black for the blue and beige models.

The Black/Red and White/Black works really well, but I feel there could be a better match than black for the blue and beige ones.

[Damage]

I just got ~$525 lighter, at some point in 2022.

[Zurg Eon]

Looks good! Thank you for bringing the left spacebar closer to the centre. It's really what's missing from the standard alice layout.

[dudewth]

Nice! I'm interested

[Zyrophr]

Looks cool with the wrist rest!

[vinhsanity]

unironically i think this board is a perfect candidate for second Y

still rules regardless. fox lab forever

I 2nd the second Y

[zea]

would it be possible to have the option of a 1u key next to the left spacebar instead of the 1u key next to the right spacebar?

[vi0till]

This will be all aluminum construction with no weight? Also, would appreciate if you can consider to use unified daughterboard.

[UberPlatypus]

Was the name perhaps meant to be Hourglass which is the name of the object in reference I presume?

Personally I think it sounds better too.

Great looking board! Very inclined to get one.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

[catamscott]

looking super nice. curious to see what the color and plate material options will be

[tngpq]

Any chance of full right shift?

[lovetree]

I'm in! 

[the_useless_turtle]

I really like how this looks, I am just a little worried about its size. 80% Ergo sounds like it will be really wide. Any info on dimensions yet?

[Faceman76]

This is absolutely beautiful.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[darthcapn]

Lit! Waiting for gb!

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[kisstheringz]

This nice.

[Damage]

Hey, folks. Just a quick note. Not sure whether it's been pointed out yet or not, but the name "sand glass" is probably not the best choice. In English, we'd typically call this sort of sand timer an "hourglass." The "hourglass" shape is commonly referenced to describe objects with this sort of profile.

I don't know if it matters or is too late or whatever, but calling it "hourglass" might be more elegant and appropriate in English.

[deathjester]

I need one of these!

[OhKeycaps]

I don't think I'll ever understand the whole 'B' on both sides thing. Just learn to use your left hand for b and be done with it.

[aa212121]

Hey, folks. Just a quick note. Not sure whether it's been pointed out yet or not, but the name "sand glass" is probably not the best choice. In English, we'd typically call this sort of sand timer an "hourglass." The "hourglass" shape is commonly referenced to describe objects with this sort of profile.

I don't know if it matters or is too late or whatever, but calling it "hourglass" might be more elegant and appropriate in English.

i like sand, and glass too; but "egg timer" sounds way better than both sandglass or hourglass.

[Faceman76]

I don't think I'll ever understand the whole 'B' on both sides thing. Just learn to use your left hand for b and be done with it.

It's tough to un-learn after 30 years of touch typing the wrong way. 

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[UberPlatypus]

Hey, folks. Just a quick note. Not sure whether it's been pointed out yet or not, but the name "sand glass" is probably not the best choice. In English, we'd typically call this sort of sand timer an "hourglass." The "hourglass" shape is commonly referenced to describe objects with this sort of profile.

I don't know if it matters or is too late or whatever, but calling it "hourglass" might be more elegant and appropriate in English.

Absolutely agree. Especially when adding Ergo to the end. Saying 'Hourglass Ergo' or referring to the board "Hey have you seen the new Hourglass Ergo" etc may be a bit more appropriate.

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[Tree_]

Hey, folks. Just a quick note. Not sure whether it's been pointed out yet or not, but the name "sand glass" is probably not the best choice. In English, we'd typically call this sort of sand timer an "hourglass." The "hourglass" shape is commonly referenced to describe objects with this sort of profile.

I don't know if it matters or is too late or whatever, but calling it "hourglass" might be more elegant and appropriate in English.

i like sand, and glass too; but "egg timer" sounds way better than both sandglass or hourglass.

This is the one. Forget all the Hourglass requests.

[Ashardalon]

As always, Fox Labs continues to impress! The layout is well done and the wrist rest designed along with it is fantastic. I've just recently started typing on an AVA and certainly wouldn't mind having a rest for it, so this will be a welcome addition for the Sand Glass Ergo.

[hottrout]

Hell yes.

[OhKeycaps]

I don't think I'll ever understand the whole 'B' on both sides thing. Just learn to use your left hand for b and be done with it.

It's tough to un-learn after 30 years of touch typing the wrong way. 

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

When I was about 27 I switched to a split kb. I realized right away that I had been typing 'Y' with my left hand instead of my right. I got used to typing the right way within a day or two. So I don't really buy what you're saying. People just don't want to attempt to make the change, but it's really not hard.

[DraconicVision]

Dude this is sick!

I am super interested, how can we get pinged when this drops for GB?

[avtar]

This looks great but I feel the 1u key should be next to the left spacebar instead of the right one. The right side of the keyboard already has a Fn key. The left side could use that botton row Fn key.

[Poesjuh]

Hot. Friggin unit but hot.


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[Tyson]

100% will be jumping on this one! Can't wait!

[peacdesign]

Great looking board! Individual plates for each half looks interesting and look forward to seeing more!

[geshuni]

I'm interested. This would be my first ergo board =)

[gloomycloud]

A separation between insert-home cluster and print screen cluster would be nice, it looks too busy now

[Faceman76]

A separation between insert-home cluster and print screen cluster would be nice, it looks too busy now

That separation is helpful for touch typers.

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[10peaches]

Please make the right spacebar compatible with 2.75u too. As a right thumb spacebar user, this is very important for me.

[linell]

best layout ever 

[maximm]

ISO option please

[ylothar]

ISO option please

+1 

[Nurseh]

Snazzzy, I like it. Good work!

[senter]

Hey, folks. Just a quick note. Not sure whether it's been pointed out yet or not, but the name "sand glass" is probably not the best choice. In English, we'd typically call this sort of sand timer an "hourglass." The "hourglass" shape is commonly referenced to describe objects with this sort of profile.

I don't know if it matters or is too late or whatever, but calling it "hourglass" might be more elegant and appropriate in English.

I'm not sure about this. Isn't an hourglass basically a sandglass that can count for about 1 hour?

[senter]

ISO option please

Hmm, that will need a different top case.

[senter]

I really like how this looks, I am just a little worried about its size. 80% Ergo sounds like it will be really wide. Any info on dimensions yet?

Yes, it's much wider than a regular 80%. Leaf 80 was 360mm wide and ergo is 415mm.

[gwailo]

Love the design! Will it support full right shift?