Author Topic: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)  (Read 25788 times)

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Offline paulgali

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[IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:54:09 »
Introducing Ζήνων (Zeno)

Named as such after the greek philosopher. He has an interesting paradox, go check it out.
Or Baulice, since you all wont stop calling it that.


Having used ergos as my daily driver for a while, I wanted to give a go at my own implementation, with some different takes on mounting and a flatter tilt in the alphas.
The idea behind this was to get a significantly softer typing feel that I have yet to feel in ergos that are not using half plates. Maybe I have missed out on them :(
This is a concept / very early proto. Given the feedback received at the recent Dubai meetup, I thought why not share it now.



Before filling out the form, please note, the layout of the board has been altered from the above image. See below for more
IC FORM


Specs

- 8 degree board with 7 degree tilt on alphas
- Adjusted front height of 18.746 mm (see below, measured from the control key area, not spacebars as that would be a useless measurement)
- 7.8mm plate to top case clearance
- MX only compat for now - working on alps plates
- Alu 5052 or black Pom plates
- Brass Inside! Internal brass sheets under the alphas. I don't want this to be a heavy board
- Burger mounted with TX tape, or isolated gummy strips. Gummy mounting typically being found on boards such as the unikorn are in development on the 2nd prototype
- 1365g with current build (POM plate)


Layout
I initially made this with winkey on the left only, as this is the ideal layout for my use case.
Since then, I have changed the bottom row to mirror the left hand on the right side of the split.



A quick look at mounting. The options are either burger mounting, or HOTDOG MOUNT (using silicon orings under each of the tab areas under the plate) - akin to the F1. In this case, the plate is fully isolated.



And the internal weight structure, positioned below the alphas as much as possible.



Adjusted front height. Add 0.75 to include bumpons.



Proto v1

Let me be clear - I am not happy with the anodizing; the color shift under lighting is too much for me, and whilst this is VERY smooth (180 grit), it's too reflective.
This is just an initial prototype, and I expect a few more to come down the line.
Seams are exaggerated here because I did the force break mod with something a little too thick, all a part of testing  :D
Potato pics. I forgot how to use a camera :(

----------

Pictured with GMK Burgundy. v1 had the giant right blocker, so consider that changed by the time the new version is here.



Its a light board. I consider portability an important factor.



Side profile. Considering a few changes here, but I'm happy with how it turned out.



You know me, and discreet engravings :)



Showcasing the alternative mounting, isolating the plate with gummy strips. The silicon tape on top prevents any lateral plate movement once assembled



Proto v2

Order placed.

Current Updates

- USB moved to alpha-central alignment (previously board central)
- Added 1u r-win key to the right side
- Increased stab clearance on the spacebars due to low front height causing conflicts
- Updated PCB files with new layout
- Moved JST to improve ease of building
- Alignment pillars updated
- Plate modifications (for alu plates only)
- X-ring testing as an alternative
- New PCB firmware push to QMK (+ via and vial)
- New anodizer testing
- New special coating being tested (an alternative finishing option I may consider for this)

Soundtests

Take soundtests with a grain of salt. Recorded with an Oktava MK0-12 + HC capsule, placed at head height.

- Gateron CJs, lubed with 3204 and using tx55m springs
- Pom Plate, in burger mount
- Sussy c3 stabs - but they work
- GMK Yuru


Another soundtest with an alu plate will come when I have rebuilt that assembly ;)

Pricing / Vendors / Unit allocation

I'm changing factories - again. I will keep working until I am satisfied with the product and so I can't give a price just yet.

Credits

Maelk and Cipulot - guiding me through pcb work. Yes, I made the pcb on twitch, and these two were a godsend!
The MENA community - you all tried this at the meetup, and I appreciate the valuable feedback. You have been heard!
Boat enjoyers (smh my head) - you know who you are, thank you for the constant encouragement <3
Alessio - for the hotdogs


Discord


Support this project by adding this to your signature <3
Code: [Select]
[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=117695.0][img width=210  height=120]https://imgur.com/Ikog95k.png[/img][/url]


« Last Edit: Mon, 11 July 2022, 07:00:03 by paulgali »

Offline paulgali

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:54:21 »
Reserved for hotdog mounts and memes

BOI that new anodization can't come fast enough

2022/07/09: Interested to know what you think about the sides though, i was considering "softening" the curve.
More

« Last Edit: Mon, 11 July 2022, 06:59:29 by paulgali »

Offline of_sam

  • Posts: 272
  • Location: United States
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:55:39 »
I love Sandlice.
Typing on: HHKB Pro 2 - Stock :aware:
Collection: F1.69, Police, Jubi, RF 87U, En Dash, Rosenthal, Soulless, Frog, Calliope, GAF 910, Sabre, W1-AT

Offline plag

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:57:07 »
Cool AND good

Offline elvenmonster

  • Posts: 78
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:57:18 »
Baulice my beloved

Offline Bachoo

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:57:26 »
Soooooo ****ing lit

Offline Dumbass

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:58:22 »
Certified banger

Offline Hetpet

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:58:38 »
nice


Offline whirlwind

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:58:49 »
Baulice my beloved

Offline Fe

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 08:59:07 »
good

Offline Pyroo

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:01:57 »
YEAAAAAAAAAAAA
Bunny enthusiast

Offline $W4GK!NG

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:04:35 »
Love you and your stuff man

Offline rookb

  • Posts: 65
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:06:04 »
Board looks good, not the biggest fan of the bottom row, glwic baul

Offline spedywin

  • Formerly spedywin
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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:06:28 »
lit

Offline The0rigina1

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  • fumoposting
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:15:24 »
Weight avail?

Offline clickpig

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  • naisu naisu naisu
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:16:55 »
blessed baulice

Offline chorb

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  • Location: Poland
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:17:44 »
Board looks good, not the biggest fan of the bottom row, glwic baul
If you read the IC you'd know that it was changed roo keyboard.  :thumb:

Another good looking and sounding board from you baul, GLWIC!

Offline KeyBros_

  • Posts: 108
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:46:03 »
Cool asf
« Last Edit: Tue, 05 July 2022, 11:09:32 by KeyBros_ »

Offline Detrimend

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:55:05 »
Very interested to see how this project progresses, i really like the practical approach you seem to have taken rather than completely sacrificing the experience for aesthetics - strikes a nice balance!
Love the understated look regardless of finish quality on the first proto, super clean :cool: also gib baul 60% now hehe

« Last Edit: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:57:36 by Detrimend »

Offline unusuaL_

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 09:58:03 »
so naice, 180 grit must feel good to the touch, certainly looks the part.
collection: yae60 proto, f1-8k (cocogoat shill), hhkb pro2

Offline rookb

  • Posts: 65
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #20 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 10:16:20 »
Board looks good, not the biggest fan of the bottom row, glwic baul
If you read the IC you'd know that it was changed roo keyboard.  :thumb:

Another good looking and sounding board from you baul, GLWIC!

Yes, and I still dont like it? not a fan of the 1us.

Offline chorb

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  • Location: Poland
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 10:52:34 »
Board looks good, not the biggest fan of the bottom row, glwic baul
If you read the IC you'd know that it was changed roo keyboard.  :thumb:

Another good looking and sounding board from you baul, GLWIC!

Yes, and I still dont like it? not a fan of the 1us.

288703-0

Offline beelzking

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #22 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 11:09:39 »
Nice Baulice, personally I'm not too fond of the extra 3 keys usually offer on regular alice, so this is a good take on alice without those extra keys IMO.

GLWIC

Offline MK47

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 11:15:58 »
Lit. I want one

Offline ankit

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 11:46:24 »
Another banger baul board, what is there to say? Sick mounting, sick layout, and looks fantastic.
GLWIC, love ya dude.
collection:
More
  Daal, Emp Mini, HHKB x5, Horsey, Prophet, RS60, Seis Cero, Unikorn, Pixy Mini

Offline kyuut

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 11:51:00 »
i love beats by baul
More
TGR Jane v2 | TGR Jane v2 CE | TGR x SINGAKBD Unikorn 2.2 | SINGAKBD Kohaku R2 Prototype | HHKB Professional 2

Offline linell

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #26 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 12:37:16 »
strange looking boat but I love it!
bro this a **** set, just be thankful you even getting 1 base running fr

Offline pepperfez

  • Posts: 13
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #27 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 12:56:20 »
I love the look of this board, but I'm worried it'll never actually arrive.

Offline niicao

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #28 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 13:05:50 »
everytime i see paul posts an ic, i get excited cause i know theres something fcking amazing on the horizon

Offline puggo69

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #29 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 14:12:02 »
i love you paul

Offline paulgali

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #30 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 14:17:33 »
I love the look of this board, but I'm worried it'll never actually arrive.
V2 already ordered, so I assume next month I'll receive it  :thumb: I'll be able to give clearer details when that happens

Offline jendall

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #31 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 16:03:25 »
First the Safa and now this? Hell yeah, count me in for another board by baul. Love the bottom row and the lack of the 3-key nav cluster.

Offline mr_foggy

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #32 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 16:58:42 »
portability good. will keep an eye on this.

Offline Rob27shred

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #33 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 18:58:57 »
Very nice, fixes the couple small issues I have with my Meridian (which has been my DD for months till I got my Babylon), the 1.25u mods on the bottom row & stiffer top mount. Definitely will be keeping an eye on this, keep up the awesome work Baul!

Offline treeleaf64

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #34 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 20:27:28 »
Not ergo enough
treeleaf64: https://discord.gg/rbUjtsRG6P

This is the cat and pat!!!!!!!!

Offline Sandy

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #35 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 21:14:18 »
Did the 60xt finish? Or were you shelving that and your other projects?
🍑C11🍑KWA.6🍑GPK60 47-GR1RE🍑Vast60🍑Rose60🍑EHKB🍑Viktus Sinne🍑Boop65🍑Jelly60 Pro🍑Fuji65🍑Ginkgo 65🍑S7.7🍑Treasure Type-9 II🍑Thermal R2🍑Jelly 60🍑


Offline L0fi

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #36 on: Tue, 05 July 2022, 23:45:17 »
Really like this look. Super clean. Will be following this :)

Offline paulgali

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #37 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 01:54:01 »
Did the 60xt finish? Or were you shelving that and your other projects?

Nothing was shelved. 6xx has gone through several QC rounds and will be entering gb pretty soon (dates tbd).

This is an early design for a different project, to gather feedback, that’s all for now. IMO there is nothing wrong with overlapping ICs; especially given this isn’t a pre-sale announcement.
« Last Edit: Wed, 06 July 2022, 02:04:33 by paulgali »

Offline paulgali

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #38 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 01:56:07 »
Very nice, fixes the couple small issues I have with my Meridian (which has been my DD for months till I got my Babylon), the 1.25u mods on the bottom row & stiffer top mount. Definitely will be keeping an eye on this, keep up the awesome work Baul!

Are we the same person?? Hehe

Offline blacksimon

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #39 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 02:47:14 »
I like baul keyboards and baul keyboard accessories

Offline Zurg Eon

  • Posts: 148
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #40 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 05:00:50 »
Nice layout and design. Not as aggressive inward rotation as standard Alice layout and fixes the left spacebar placement for me. I would prefer three keys in the bottom right, like the Meridian, so you can use mod tap and have arrow keys, but that wouldn't really fit well on this board with the 1.5u mods.

Offline Stringer Bell

  • Posts: 9
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #41 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 12:42:24 »
Looking forward to not missing this Baul's GB after the Safa accident  :-[

Offline AstralYT

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #42 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 12:57:46 »
Imo this is your best work yet baul, I daresay.

Offline Zyrophr

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #43 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 16:01:40 »
Interesting! That red is wonderful.
French keyboard streamer

Offline Phractals

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #44 on: Wed, 06 July 2022, 18:16:40 »
Another banger from baul! Baulice might become my first ergo board.

Offline base

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #45 on: Thu, 07 July 2022, 22:19:38 »
wew boy, this has got me feeling things

Offline paulgali

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #46 on: Sat, 09 July 2022, 08:41:28 »
Adding traditional gummy to proto. Should be interesting to see how it works

Just want to pop in and thank each of you. Fingers crossed the new proto fixes the few issues I face with this!

Interested to know what you think about the sides though, i was considering "softening" the curve.

NEW:

« Last Edit: Sat, 09 July 2022, 08:47:17 by paulgali »

Offline Rob27shred

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #47 on: Sat, 09 July 2022, 09:37:29 »
Adding traditional gummy to proto. Should be interesting to see how it works

Just want to pop in and thank each of you. Fingers crossed the new proto fixes the few issues I face with this!

Interested to know what you think about the sides though, i was considering "softening" the curve.

NEW:
Show Image


Nice gummy ring mount might smack on this! As for the curve, I think the newer one looks pretty damn good. Wouldn't change my interest in this project either way though. I'll be trying to get one regardless of the side profile you choose!

Offline yuunoda

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Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #48 on: Mon, 11 July 2022, 04:31:52 »
hype hype

Offline caz1e

  • Posts: 4
Re: [IC] Zeno | 60% Ergo (early proto)
« Reply #49 on: Mon, 11 July 2022, 05:44:22 »
Adding traditional gummy to proto. Should be interesting to see how it works

Just want to pop in and thank each of you. Fingers crossed the new proto fixes the few issues I face with this!

Interested to know what you think about the sides though, i was considering "softening" the curve.

NEW:
Show Image

The softened curve looks really good. Definitely thinking about picking one up.