[GB] The Gentoo - A Penguin Themed 65% Keyboard | Currently LIVE

[dvllpxe]

i really hope this gets an r2, or i can snag extras because i keep kicking myself for not joining this gb 

[deletus87]

It is very normal in GBs for vendors to refer questions to the GB starter, I don’t see anything wrong with that.

BTW where will updates be posted? Is there a Discord channel?
Very excited for this one 

Updates will be posted here, there is not a discord for this one. Sorry.

So what is the current update? 

The orders have been submitted to manufacturers. The Q4 target is still the estimated delivery.

Hey Abec, any updates ?

[BillyShears]

CannonKeys had sent me an update via email that the units had finished machining and were being prepared for anodization; this was September 2nd.  CannonKeys has a tracker that they seem to try to keep updated here: https://cannonkeys.com/pages/project-updates.

[Abec13]

It appears things are moving to anodization! Estimates are still Q4 of this year!

[Rilow]

Can't wait! Hope we'll get it before the end of the year.

[Rilow]

Any updates on this? Q4 still realistic?

[8um8lebee]

Any updates on this? Q4 still realistic?

Guess you got your answer lol. Hoping for an update soon...

[Abec13]

Boards are enroute to vendors, waiting for a more clear ETA

[redge]

Cannon Keys says that it will ship its Gentoos in the next two weeks. From Cannon Keys via e-mail yesterday, January 13:

Gentoo Shipping Soon!

Hi ____,

We are excited to let you know that Gentoo has arrived at our facilities! Units are currently being sorted, counted, QCed and packed by our fulfillment team in preparation for shipping. As this will take some time, we expect to ship your order within the next 1-2 weeks!

If you have moved to a new address since making your order, you can use our self service portal to get your address updated! Please note that once a shipping label has been created for your order, we will no longer be able to make any changes to it.

We look forward to getting these in to your hands very soon - thanks!

The CannonKeys Team

[redge]

Further to the post just above, I plan to use the Gentoo with GMK Metropolis R2 keys. These have also started shipping. Mine were sent today (January 16) by Oblotzky via DHL Express (Cologne to New York). DHL says to expect delivery two days from now.

[redge]

DHL delivered my Metropolis R2 keys (post just above) from Germany this afternoon, a day early. Next, receipt of The Gentoo from CannonKeys.

This morning, someone posted a photo on Oblotzky's Discord showing how the Metropolis keys look on a KBD 67 Lite R3 keyboard: https://discord.com/channels/688111779796353067/818930111377178634/1064933841250291732

[redge]

CannonKeys says in its January 13th e-mail (post #58, three up) that it plans to ship the keyboards by this Friday, January 27. Has anyone received their keyboard or a tracking number yet?

[redge]

CannonKeys's e-mail of January 13th (post #58, four above) says that Gentoo keyboards will be shipped by tomorrow (Friday, January 27). The CannonKeys website window below says by Saturday.

Has anyone received their keyboard, had notice of shipping or a further update?

I've asked CannonKeys via e-mail whether I can expect shipping tomorrow, and I'll update here when I get a response.

[SoloMilo]

 

[redge]

Further to my post #62 (two above), CannonKeys has sent the following response to my e-mail. They plan to start shipping early this coming week:

Hi there and apologies for the delay.

QC'ing the boards and weights ended up taking us longer than expected and so we haven't shipped out your order yet. We should begin to fulfill and ship Gentoo orders early next week.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience.

-Harry
CannonKeys Customer Support Agent

[redge]

Here's hoping that CannonKeys starts shipping Gentoo keyboards tomorrow. Shipping from Rhode Island to NY City, where I am, should be next day delivery.

When I receive my components, I'll post some photos if others haven't already done so:

[redge]

CannonKeys e-mail this morning saying that my order is shipping. Delivery is by the US Postal Service, Priority Mail, which says that a shipping label has been created. My keyboard only has to go from Rhode Island to NYC. If it's given to USPS today, as I expect, I should receive it tomorrow. The items that I ordered are shown in the post just above.

[mr_foggy]

jumbled thoughts in text form

this thread got more updates about your GB experience than the GB itself lmfao

[redge]

jumbled thoughts in text form

this thread got more updates about your GB experience than the GB itself lmfao

There appears to be some interest in shipping and delivery of this keyboard. The thread has had 590 views in the last three days.

[Treestaars]

jumbled thoughts in text form

this thread got more updates about your GB experience than the GB itself lmfao

There appears to be some interest in shipping and delivery of this keyboard. The thread has had 590 views in the last three days.

I'm thankful for the updates; I was checking my email and this thread like crazy the last few days.

[firstworldproblems]

jumbled thoughts in text form

this thread got more updates about your GB experience than the GB itself lmfao

I've been on the edge of my seat...

[redge]

As of 9 p.m. EST, it appears that CannonKeys made a shipping label this morning, but hasn’t delivered my order to the post office.

Following CannonKeys's e-mail this morning (post #66), the USPS web page has shown what’s below since about 10:30 a.m. (the time on the form of 2:20 p.m. is wrong, a glitch).

I'll update when the USPS page changes.

Pawtucket, Rhode Island is about 180 miles from me, so I should receive the keyboard the day after ConnonKeys gives it to the post office.

[redge]

[REVISED]

As of 9:29 p.m. EST, USPS says that my keyboard has arrived at the Providence Distribution Center. Next stop is New York City. While USPS says to expect delivery by Saturday, the distance is only about 180 miles. If the package leaves Providence tonight, I may well receive it tomorrow.

According to the screen capture USPS "accepted" the package in Pawtucket from CannonKeys or its agent tonight at 8:14 p.m.

[redge]

USPS sent the package from Rhode Island this morning. It arrived in New York City at noon (Jamaica/JFK airport sort facility) and is now headed to my part of the city. Delivery today is possible, but tomorrow is more likely.

[Rilow]

Dude, nobody cares about your shipping updates

[redge]

Dude, nobody cares about your shipping updates

Evidently you're wrong. This thread has had 385 views yesterday and today. There's a comment above that specifically disagrees with you. By the way, my name isn't "dude", at least among people with basic manners.

Given that in the last while you've asked twice about delivery timing for this keyboard, it's amusing that you're complaining about someone who's provided info on status after CannonKeys missed its delivery window.

As stated above, I'll be posting some photos when I receive the keyboard, probably tomorrow, or do you have a problem with that too?

[ankit]

Any way to sign up for text notifications for your delivery @redge?
I feel emotionally invested in this package now!!

[redge]

Any way to sign up for text notifications for your delivery @redge?
I feel emotionally invested in this package now!!

Thanks for a chuckle

I'm certain that I'll have the keyboard and components tomorrow. Just wanted to post status from "we're a bit behind and should start shipping early next week" until the order actually left Rhode Island. If my experience is anything to go by, some people may find that there's a delay of a day or so between "your order is on its way/creation of a shipping label" and actual shipping. Perhaps better to know that than wonder what's going on.

As mentioned, I'll post some photos on receipt if nobody else has.

[redge]

Delivered early this morning. Components in the box are listed in post #65. I'll post some photos a bit later.

[redge]

Further to the above, these are some iPhone snaps, medium quality, 1000px wide, shot under window light, very basic processing.





Carry/Storage Case:

[redge]

I'm very happy with the colour and the finish. In the photos, I haven't tried to match the colour perfectly. I'd say that it's a bit darker than these two photos suggest.

[redge]

[firstworldproblems]

(Attachment Link)


(Attachment Link)

Looks very nice. Green FTW!

[redge]

Further to posts 80 & 81 above, I wanted a little colour and decided to try GMK Metropolis R2 keys. I wasn't sure about the choice because the Gentoo examples that I saw were more conservative. However, it looks like the combination will work well as long as I'm sparing with the brighter colours/don't go overboard.

[redge]

Looks very nice. Green FTW!

It looks very smart. The contractor that Abec13/CannonKeys hired to make the case and do the finish did a very nice job.

[helborne]

anyone able to successfully flash the via compatible firmware with the qmk tools? edit: showing flash error but completed flash, I'm able to edit using updated via now

[redge]

Does anyone know if there's a Gentoo build/review coming up on YouTube or Twitch? Channel?

Thanks

[karohan]

Excited for my keyboard to be delivered soon. Will any extra PCBs, plates, or weights be available for purchase?

[Abec13]

(Attachment Link)


(Attachment Link)

I'm glad you got yours I'm still waiting on mine!

Does anyone know if there's a Gentoo build/review coming up on YouTube or Twitch? Channel?

Thanks

If there is it would not be anything planned by CK or myself, would be of streamers on their own accord.

Excited for my keyboard to be delivered soon. Will any extra PCBs, plates, or weights be available for purchase?

I'm certain there will be some extras, there is no clear date on when though.

[HarryBackman]

Does anyone know if the firmware is Vial compatible?

[helborne]

abec, is intentional that the plate foam compresses over the spacebar stabilizer wire?

[redge]

Some comments on using the VIA app with a Mac computer and the Gentoo...

I have an M1 Mac Studio with MacOS Ventura 13.1. VIA is offered as an online app and as a downloadable desktop app. If you use the Safari browser, as I do, you have to install the desktop app.

The Arm-based STM32 microcontrollers on the two versions of the printed circuit board, solder and hot-swap, are apparently pre-flashed with the Gentoo firmware and work with VIA out of the box. No need to use QMT Toolbox.

Be sure to use a USB-C data cable, not just a USB-C power cable, to connect the PCB to your computer.

The first screen capture below shows the VIA Configure page. I connected the hot swap PCB to my Mac and VIA recognized the PCB immediately (red arrow).

The second capture shows the VIA Key Tester being used to test, before assembling the keyboard, whether all of the electrical connections on the PCB are working. Turn on "Test Matrix" (bottom of the screen capture). I used a paper clip, after burning off a bit of the paper clip's plastic coating at each end, to make the connections. Tweezers are less fiddly, but mine weren't handy. All of the keys changed colour from grey to pink, meaning that I could go ahead and assemble the keyboard. I have both versions of the PCB and tested both at the same time. If there's a problem with one of the PCBs I want to know that now, not down the road when the PCBs are no longer available.










_______________________________________________________________

Computer Mac Studio/Eizo ColorEdge Monitor
Keyboard Forest Green Gentoo 65 (Abec13/Cannon Keys)
Keycaps Metropolis R2 (Riley Onyon/GMK Electronic Design/Novel Keys)
Switches Tangerine Linear 62g v.2022 (C³ Equalz/JWK/The Key Co)
Stabilisers Nylon Staebies v.2.1 (Zambumon/AE Boards)
_______________________________________________________________

[HarryBackman]

I'm trying to update my gentoo 65 to a vial firmware I compiled...That has not worked.

So I wanted to try to update the gentoo with the via firmware that is on the via website to try to eliminate any errors on my end. I tried that with different OS's, cables and firmwares.

Outcome of attempt on MacOS firmware upgrade (both with via and vial firmwares): First pic.

In Windows, the keyboard doesn't go into DFU mode when holding Esc key and shows this error: second pic.

I tried different cables (as well as different OS's and firmwares) and the outcome is kind of similar.

[redge]

Hi Harry,

If you haven't already, you might try QMK Discord. It's quite busy, and there are people who know what they're talking about and who are generous with their time. There are specific channels called help-via and help-flashing.



_______________________________________________________________

Computer Mac Studio/Eizo ColorEdge Monitor
Keyboard Forest Green Gentoo 65 (Abec13/Cannon Keys)
Keycaps Metropolis R2 (Riley Onyon/GMK Electronic Design/Novel Keys)
Switches Tangerine Linear 62g v.2022 (C³ Equalz/JWK/The Key Co)
Stabilisers Nylon Staebies v.2.1 (Zambumon/AE Boards)
_______________________________________________________________

[redge]

In Windows, the keyboard doesn't go into DFU mode when holding Esc key...

I don't know anything about Windows or your issue, but I thought that I'd mention the reset button and toggle switch on the bottom of the printed circuit board. The QMK Github page on the Gentoo65 says that the toggle switch should be set to 0 to go into bootloader mode, followed by briefly pressing the reset button. See photo below. The photo shows the hot-swap PCB, but that isn't material. The yellow arrow points to 0 on the toggle switch, red arrow to the reset button. I don't recall what the page says about the Escape key as an option.

My apologies if this is not useful information.





_______________________________________________________________

Computer Mac Studio/Eizo ColorEdge Monitor
Keyboard Forest Green Gentoo 65 (Abec13/Cannon Keys)
Keycaps Metropolis R2 (Riley Onyon/GMK Electronic Design/Novel Keys)
Switches Tangerine Linear 62g v.2022 (C³ Equalz/JWK/The Key Co)
Stabilisers Nylon Staebies v.2.1 (Zambumon/AE Boards)
_______________________________________________________________

[HarryBackman]

Thank you. I'm going to look into this.

[BillyShears]

I've got mine and was able to build it to completion.  I've used mill max sockets on the solder keyboard and I'm rocking a split back space with a 7u space bar.  Got all the keys mostly configured and I'm liking it so far.

[BillyShears]

An additional update, I felt like the case was too resonate for my taste.  I added some tape in between the top and bottom halves and this seems to have greatly reduced the resonance of the case.

[helborne]

Now owning the Gentoo and the Adelie, I feel like this board has been a step down in quality.  The Adelie looks and feels like a product of true affection for the form factor.  The fitment of the parts and the excellent attention to detail, the curvature matching the flat parts on the front and back.  The rock solid feel of the board along with the mild amount of flex as you're typing, and the consistent sound of each keypress top to bottom, left to right.  It's not perfect, no board is. The LEDs that indicate layers are just offset to the right angle that they shine directly through the caps and needle you in your peripheral.  I turned them off.  It was an expensive little board but I'm very happy with it.

I preface my comments about the Gentoo with this: I'm keeping the board.  I paid for it and I'm going to enjoy it despite its flaws.  I like 65% just as much as the other form factors in my collection and it's a pretty board, but just not as nice as the Adelie.  The fitment of the parts is not as well-done as the Adelie. Maybe this was intended to prevent collision of parts? I don't know.  But it doesn't have that "like a glove" look to it that other boards have achieved.  Use an Iron165 (or others) as an example and you see how tight those tolerances are. With this board, the top and bottom pieces have a gap that almost looks like gasketing was intended to go in between them. As I type, my thumbs dip down and touch the curvature at the front of the board.  It's almost a sharp border.  It makes me think costs were cut with CNC time by not having as smooth of a curvature to the flat areas.  Again with the Adelie it's pretty smooth, but not perfect.  Sound consistency? Maybe by row but not by column. More hollow near the number row, more solid by the spacebar.  I don't know what the solution is there, I used case foam to dampen the sound.  Didn't seem to help that much. Flex? I used a PC plate which was very flexy, of course.  Finally assembled there really isn't much flex because the PCB does not flex.  It's too thick.  Then there's the plate foam.  I think it was an afterthought and thrown in the mix simply to make more money.  As it was it prevented the stabilizers from returning properly and I had to make significant cuts.  If it had been tested prior to starting the GB those problems would have immediately been found.  Which sort of brings me back full circle over the entire thing.  I don't think this board was as much of a labor of love as much as something that was likely pushed by Cannonkeys, to make money.  I do not fault a company for wanting to make money off of products or services, but at the price point this board went for, far more attention to detail should have been done.  Testing would have made all of these issues plainly evident.  Maybe they were and the company that did the machining did a bad job and Cannonkeys just passed the buck along.  Speaking of Cannonkeys, branding is far more evident on the PCB.  So there's that? (I don't care about branding really).  65% is hot.  I get it.  It's hits the sweet spot for most people and the push for a business would be to take concept X and make it 65%. 
Lastly, and this is not limited to the Gentoo alone, there's a bit of a disconnect lately between the hobbyist community and making solid build instructions. I don't know what it is but it's pure laziness not to. Even just taking 10 minutes to make bullet point instructions would be better than nothing.  I might lay that in Cannonkeys' lap this time since it's "their" board.

Yes this is a hobby and I'm not trying to extract blood from a stone with my review of the board, just express that the board was a bit of a let down compared to the excellent job done during Gen1/Adelie.

[dvllpxe]

any idea on when extras would be available?