[GB] XENO | 75% Custom Keyboard

[Sent]

Silver/rose gold, of course!

I was never classy like you, Photo.  Think I'm on a black on black on black kick this time around.    Curious to see black case with black pvd.  Stealthy and sleek? :thinking:

[whentheclouds]

We are working on getting the other offered colours made. Once completed, we'll take new pictures. Pwner is also working on more renders as well.

which colors are you referring to?

[ian13]

I really wanted to see silver on black pvd or silver on rose gold pvd or black on rose gold pvd prototypes. Also, from the renders, black seems to be like a very dark gray? Is it going to that way or will it be black as in real black?

[oh_chesteroni]

Silver/rose gold, of course!

I was never classy like you, Photo.  Think I'm on a black on black on black kick this time around.    Curious to see black case with black pvd.  Stealthy and sleek? :thinking:

I went with the same combo. Black on black on black. Gonna throw gmk terminal on there and call it a day

[Pwner]

I really wanted to see silver on black pvd or silver on rose gold pvd or black on rose gold pvd prototypes. Also, from the renders, black seems to be like a very dark gray? Is it going to that way or will it be black as in real black?

We are waiting on new samples of all available color options!  Machining is done, waiting on the PVD finish.

Silver/rose gold, of course!

I was never classy like you, Photo.  Think I'm on a black on black on black kick this time around.    Curious to see black case with black pvd.  Stealthy and sleek? :thinking:

I went with the same combo. Black on black on black. Gonna throw gmk terminal on there and call it a day

Black on black is the move. 

[jackedhardwarejunkie]

Black on black on black here as well, but I shall not reveal the set for it jus yet

[bthezebra]

Black on black on black here as well, but I shall not reveal the set for it jus yet

Taking a guess and thinking GMK Taro.

[breckstar]

Hoping to see a purple rose gold (or silver) Laser combo

[menuhin]

How durable is PVD coating / finish?

Or what is it actually?

[Zeal]

How durable is PVD coating / finish?

Or what is it actually?

Like any polished surface, I wouldn't recommend "buffing" it with any regular rag. Try to use clean microfiber cloths to avoid micro scratches.

[menuhin]

How durable is PVD coating / finish?

Or what is it actually?

Like any polished surface, I wouldn't recommend "buffing" it with any regular rag. Try to use clean microfiber cloths to avoid micro scratches.

When I read into it, there are many kinds of PVD coating, and some are "virtually not possible to scratch it"
https://www.chronext.com/journal/mechanics/a-timely-question-%E2%80%93-the-difference-between-a-pvd-dlc-coating

What kind of PVD is that? Is that DLC?

[Pwner]

How durable is PVD coating / finish?

Or what is it actually?

Like any polished surface, I wouldn't recommend "buffing" it with any regular rag. Try to use clean microfiber cloths to avoid micro scratches.

When I read into it, there are many kinds of PVD coating, and some are "virtually not possible to scratch it"
https://www.chronext.com/journal/mechanics/a-timely-question-%E2%80%93-the-difference-between-a-pvd-dlc-coating

What kind of PVD is that? Is that DLC?

Yeah, that's dlc.  I'm not even sure if that's feasible in an application like this, let alone imagining what the cost would be.

[Zeal]

DLC=/=PVD. It would be much, much, much more expensive to offer DLC.

[fcnchuck]

Hoping for a couple of pictures of the silver case before the GB closes. I see the one in the initial OP but i cant tell if the silver is polished or brushed.

[dwmsuh]

We are working on getting the other offered colours made. Once completed, we'll take new pictures. Pwner is also working on more renders as well.

Hi! Are there any updates on additional renders? Thank you!

[juaninamilli]

Hoping for a couple of pictures of the silver case before the GB closes. I see the one in the initial OP but i cant tell if the silver is polished or brushed.

The silver case? Or the silver plate/weight? The case is anodized. The plate weight is PVD so it should be polished.

[MTXjunkie]

Anybody have more pics of the purple (Zephyr maybe?)?  Anthony has me nervous about my choice now. I’m good with dark purple, but from his video and his thoughts, it sounds/looks like purple is pretty much blue.

[ptiede]

Anybody have more pics of the purple (Zephyr maybe?)?  Anthony has me nervous about my choice now. I’m good with dark purple, but from his video and his thoughts, it sounds/looks like purple is pretty much blue.

My purple zephyr is very blue. It has a tinge of purple in it but is very blue.

[MTXjunkie]

Anybody have more pics of the purple (Zephyr maybe?)?  Anthony has me nervous about my choice now. I’m good with dark purple, but from his video and his thoughts, it sounds/looks like purple is pretty much blue.

My purple zephyr, is very blue. It has a tinge of purple in it but is very blue.

Thanks for the info.


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[clik_clak]

Zeal, Any chance we'll see another sale at the $420 mark before the GB ends? I'm really bummed I missed the GB at that price, and will purchase immediately if I see it back down to there.

[bball2]

My purple zephyr is very blue. It has a tinge of purple in it but is very blue.

That zephyr purple / blue is sexy af though, would have no complaints if that’s what it looks like!

[ptiede]

My purple zephyr is very blue. It has a tinge of purple in it but is very blue.

That zephyr purple / blue is sexy af though, would have no complaints if that’s what it looks like!

Oh I totally agree. I absolutely love the color. The thing is gorgeous. Didn't mean to sound negative

[HotRoderX]

Zeal, Any chance we'll see another sale at the $420 mark before the GB ends? I'm really bummed I missed the GB at that price, and will purchase immediately if I see it back down to there.

I am not zeal so take this with a grain of salt. The early bird price wouldn't make since to repeat it. I mean honestly it wouldn't make since to offer any discounts at this point. He did offer a discount he be screwing everyone that bought in at the higher price. That means going back and refunding those people. The board is something you really like then the 40-60 dollar difference shouldn't stop ya. That is to big a barrier for you to surmount then the board's not for you.

[Pwner]

Zeal, Any chance we'll see another sale at the $420 mark before the GB ends? I'm really bummed I missed the GB at that price, and will purchase immediately if I see it back down to there.

I am not zeal so take this with a grain of salt. The early bird price wouldn't make since to repeat it. I mean honestly it wouldn't make since to offer any discounts at this point. He did offer a discount he be screwing everyone that bought in at the higher price. That means going back and refunding those people. The board is something you really like then the 40-60 dollar difference shouldn't stop ya. That is to big a barrier for you to surmount then the board's not for you.

Pretty much this, would be unfair to the people that did jump in early.

Anybody have more pics of the purple (Zephyr maybe?)?  Anthony has me nervous about my choice now. I’m good with dark purple, but from his video and his thoughts, it sounds/looks like purple is pretty much blue.

I had a short chat with zeal during the stream and I believe these issues are being sorted out.  I will let Zeal comment further.

We are working on getting the other offered colours made. Once completed, we'll take new pictures. Pwner is also working on more renders as well.

Hi! Are there any updates on additional renders? Thank you!

I did do new renders but was not happy with them and to avoid any further color discrepancy we'll wait for the new samples which should be ready any time now.

Hoping for a couple of pictures of the silver case before the GB closes. I see the one in the initial OP but i cant tell if the silver is polished or brushed.

The pvd will be polished.

[MTXjunkie]

Zeal, Any chance we'll see another sale at the $420 mark before the GB ends? I'm really bummed I missed the GB at that price, and will purchase immediately if I see it back down to there.

I am not zeal so take this with a grain of salt. The early bird price wouldn't make since to repeat it. I mean honestly it wouldn't make since to offer any discounts at this point. He did offer a discount he be screwing everyone that bought in at the higher price. That means going back and refunding those people. The board is something you really like then the 40-60 dollar difference shouldn't stop ya. That is to big a barrier for you to surmount then the board's not for you.

Pretty much this, would be unfair to the people that did jump in early.

Anybody have more pics of the purple (Zephyr maybe?)?  Anthony has me nervous about my choice now. I’m good with dark purple, but from his video and his thoughts, it sounds/looks like purple is pretty much blue.

I had a short chat with zeal during the stream and I believe these issues are being sorted out.  I will let Zeal comment further.

We are working on getting the other offered colours made. Once completed, we'll take new pictures. Pwner is also working on more renders as well.

Hi! Are there any updates on additional renders? Thank you!

I did do new renders but was not happy with them and to avoid any further color discrepancy we'll wait for the new samples which should be ready any time now.

Hoping for a couple of pictures of the silver case before the GB closes. I see the one in the initial OP but i cant tell if the silver is polished or brushed.

The pvd will be polished.

Thanks for the reply. That sounds encouraging. I’m not against blue, but I paid for and want eggplant purple.


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[Darknight00z]

This was mentioned by riotonthebay on his No.1 60/65 thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=98780.msg2703523#msg2703523

Surprised the Zeal PCB mounting legs are loose, v1 were insanely tight in Cherry-spec PCBs. I heard Zeal tried to fix that for v2, maybe they over-compensated?

Ideally they're not loose in the PCB at all, so alignment with a partial/plateless build shouldn't be that problematic.

I don't believe Zeal over-compensated here — I don't want any misinformation to be spread. Wilba, who designed this PCB, designs PCBs for Zeal as well, and has in the past used a very slightly larger than Cherry-spec switch mounting holes in order to accommodate non-Cherry switches with legs that were slightly oversized. In my builds, it wasn't problematic (I've built two half-plate PCBs out at this point), but future PCBs will be made with standard Cherry-spec mounting holes.

Maybe zeal or pwner can confirm on the pcb situation if he has the proto case + pcb with the v2s on hand to test out. I may be being overly cautious but loose v2 with half plate Xeno might make keycap alignment troublesome. Thank you!

[Wilba]

Some of my PCBs in the past have used 1.8mm to accommodate slightly larger than spec PCB mount pins - if you've ever tried putting Gaterons or V1 Zealios into a PCB with 1.7mm holes, you'll know what I'm talking about. I know you probably think that was making Zeal60 preferentially catering to Zealios and you're right. Since Gateron was the biggest offender, and now they have fixed the bottom housings, I've reverted back to 1.7mm for Zeal60 rev 4 and future PCBs like WT75-A for Xeno 75.

[ian13]

Waiting for images of the proto in different colors.

[dyrdevil]

Some of my PCBs in the past have used 1.8mm to accommodate slightly larger than spec PCB mount pins - if you've ever tried putting Gaterons or V1 Zealios into a PCB with 1.7mm holes, you'll know what I'm talking about. I know you probably think that was making Zeal60 preferentially catering to Zealios and you're right. Since Gateron was the biggest offender, and now they have fixed the bottom housings, I've reverted back to 1.7mm for Zeal60 rev 4 and future PCBs like WT75-A for Xeno 75.

Great to hear, thanks for the info Wilba!

[bobdenard]

Waiting for images of the proto in different colors.

Same here.


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[Darknight00z]

Some of my PCBs in the past have used 1.8mm to accommodate slightly larger than spec PCB mount pins - if you've ever tried putting Gaterons or V1 Zealios into a PCB with 1.7mm holes, you'll know what I'm talking about. I know you probably think that was making Zeal60 preferentially catering to Zealios and you're right. Since Gateron was the biggest offender, and now they have fixed the bottom housings, I've reverted back to 1.7mm for Zeal60 rev 4 and future PCBs like WT75-A for Xeno 75.

Thanks for the clarification Wilba!

[krey]

already tempted to pull the trigger.

will wait for more renders!

[MTXjunkie]

Any update on the shade of the purple?


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[Zeal]

Any update on the shade of the purple?


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Will be getting samples in before CNY happens. So in a week or so.

[MTXjunkie]

Any update on the shade of the purple?


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Will be getting samples in before CNY happens. So in a week or so.

Sounds good.


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[forstsiven]

Still contemplating this: undecided on whether to go for half-plate vs full-plate. Thinking of going w/ purple, but wish there were a few more color options. Is there any intended plan to do a round 2?

[rymnd6c28]

a long shot but, can I just buy the pcb? you know, just add the pcb add-on to the cart and check out.

[Zeal]

a long shot but, can I just buy the pcb? you know, just add the pcb add-on to the cart and check out.

Technically sure you could if you're planning on designing your own case.

[regionfree]

having received my zephyr a few weeks back, can we expect the same quality in terms of anodization and polish with the xeno?

[Zeal]

Yes, it will be run through the same manu.

[regionfree]

Yes, it will be run through the same manu.

really happy to hear that. thanks!

[dwmsuh]

Have to voice out my long hidden question / wish:

Does the current PCB design (which already looks great) support any type of hot sockets for make it hot swappable?

I haven't invested in one of those multi-hundred dollar desoldering setup and every time I desolder something I burned, tore, and damaged the pad and the circuit.

Zeal or Pwner, have you guys had a chance to see if the hot swap sockets or Holyoke’s fit with the keeb?
I have led/switch holtites and mill max sockets on the way from another user that I will be using to test that. 

Any chance you guys have had a chance to see if the Holtites or hot swap sockets work with this?

[ramblinrose]

Also debating the full vs half plate here - I understand the extra flex / softer bottom out with half plate, but what about sound?Wish I could just afford one of each plate and 2x pcb, but probably out of my spend range.

[skaloola]

no RGB LED support like Xeno?

[swangful]

Excited to see this sample. Hopefully some RGB PCB action too like the zeal60/zephyr.

[Wilba]

no RGB LED support like Xeno?

Excited to see this sample. Hopefully some RGB PCB action too like the zeal60/zephyr.

No.

[swangful]

no RGB LED support like Xeno?

Excited to see this sample. Hopefully some RGB PCB action too like the zeal60/zephyr.

No.

[menuhin]

no RGB LED support like Xeno?

Excited to see this sample. Hopefully some RGB PCB action too like the zeal60/zephyr.

No.

Wilba is here..!
Hope it is Mill Max compatible and with some nice features at those 3-points LED indicators.

[bobdenard]

Still on the fence, any news on the new prototypes? Dying to see the other colors.

[dwmsuh]

Still on the fence, any news on the new prototypes? Dying to see the other colors.

Agree, I’ve been checking back here every day to see if there have been updates xD