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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Ealdin on Tue, 27 August 2019, 12:13:12

Title: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: Ealdin on Tue, 27 August 2019, 12:13:12
[attachimg=1 align=center width=1600]

Let me introduce you the Quadrant, a 5x14 ortholinear keyboard, inspired by the Plaid and The_RoMac.

I genuinely adore the aesthetic of these through hole boards, and I wanted to give them a little design twist. These two projects encouraged me to get familiar with designing PCBs and create my own one. It was a real fun and I would like to share with you the final result, fellow clackers, not only in the form of pictures but also in the form of a product.

Group Buy is closed! You can find the Google form here: https://forms.gle/SpGum41mFL4UQW576

Thank you for the participants, guys! I didn't expect to close the GB this fast, but all slots had been reserved. I will send out the invoices on Saturday (UPDATED from "in the next 14 hours")..


The long wait is over, the Quadrant is coming to town on 19th of December! The GroupBuy will start at 19:00 CET (UTC+1):


Album link for the T2.0_v1.0 prototype (using Teensy 2.0): https://imgur.com/a/Dtllkvf
Album link for the E-C_v1.1 prototype (built in an acrylic case): https://imgur.com/a/mSFzUCS
More pictures about the the acrylic case: https://imgur.com/gallery/dqrPj6h

Features of the keyboard:

The construction of the Quadrant follows the usual "main PCB - standoffs - bottom plate" structure, without any plate. Therefore, it accommodates only PCB mounted switches.

[attachimg=2 align=center width=800]

The 5x14 matrix gives you the opportunity to use the extra columns for additional modifiers, macro keys or full “ISO” support to the fellow Europeans in the community.
You can see the layout options below:

[attachimg=3 align=center width=800]

The kit contains:

Extra thoughts:

The source files for the Quadrant PCB will be uploaded after the GB ends.

I designed an acrylic sandwich case for the keyboard as well. The files for laser cutting will be released after the GB ends.

The small companion on the left side of the Quadrants is called Aphellion, and it’s a 1x4 macropad with rotary encoder and OLED screen support, dedicated to media control. This project is still in development and I will share all the details with you as soon as I figure out how to display the data of currently playing media files.

Timeplan:

Please feel free to share your ideas and thoughts with me here or in the IC form!

Outdated stuff:
More
Link to the Google form (https://forms.gle/YC3Ugac5p3EQaoZe8) (closed)

PCB colour variants (https://imgur.com/a/hMctp2E) (the black and the white verions got most of the votes by far in the IC, therefore there will be available only these two colors in the GB)

There were two versions of the main PCB (the bottom PCB is the same):
  • the T2.0 version supports Teensy2.0
  • the E-C version supports Elite-C (standard Pro Micros are not supported because of their fewer pins)
It was not decided which version would be the final product, but the most votes from the IC went to the popular Pro Micro clone with USB Type-C.
[/list]
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: detinho on Tue, 27 August 2019, 12:14:54
All in
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: _rubik on Tue, 27 August 2019, 12:23:04
There should be a third option on the google for between 'Yes, I'm in' and 'Nah, just lurking' -- I'm "Interested, and watching closely".

Super amazing board, you've piqued my interest :)
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: audiosl4ve on Tue, 27 August 2019, 12:35:45
Looking very cute. You have my attention :D
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: nguyenhimself on Tue, 27 August 2019, 13:08:39
Compared to the colorful Plaid or Tartan, the exposed electrical bits here look rather bland TBH.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: foxlive on Tue, 27 August 2019, 14:59:37
Interesting design, idk for daily usability of ortho (never tried) but I love the look of this!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: Ealdin on Tue, 27 August 2019, 17:08:34
Quote from: nguyenhimself on Tue, 27 August 2019, 13:08:39
Compared to the colorful Plaid or Tartan, the exposed electrical bits here look rather bland TBH.

Hsgwchan's keyboards have a very nice retro and DIY/hobby electrician feeling, but my intentions weren't to copy his work. My goal was to achieve a more modern, sleeker design.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: msting on Tue, 27 August 2019, 17:33:43
Ooh..  I like this one. Slick design. Just industrial enough.  ;D Very interested!

FYI, You should be capturing emails in your Google form to send updates when it goes live.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: missylo on Wed, 28 August 2019, 02:19:49
This is nice! I've been looking for a 5 row ortho / XD75 alternative, and this comes so close!! Will you ever consider doing a 5 X 15? The 2u spacebars at the bottom have me sold, but i'd really prefer to have it 15 than 14 (numpad in the middle / a bit of the separation between the two alpha sides).

Thank you!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: ctrlshiftba on Wed, 28 August 2019, 04:39:08
If you change your grid to 7x10 you could support standard pro-micro which doesn’t have always going out of stock supply problems or cost $20 like the other options.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: Ealdin on Wed, 28 August 2019, 08:55:13
Quote from: missylo on Wed, 28 August 2019, 02:19:49
This is nice! I've been looking for a 5 row ortho / XD75 alternative, and this comes so close!! Will you ever consider doing a 5 X 15? The 2u spacebars at the bottom have me sold, but i'd really prefer to have it 15 than 14 (numpad in the middle / a bit of the separation between the two alpha sides).

Thank you!

That's not a bad! I chose the 5x14 matrix to support ISO languages, and I thought that the extra 15th column won't be so necessary. But, you can't say never, so maybe in the future there could be a version with a 5x15 matrix ;)

Quote from: ctrlshiftba on Wed, 28 August 2019, 04:39:08
If you change your grid to 7x10 you could support standard pro-micro which doesn’t have always going out of stock supply problems or cost $20 like the other options.

I know about the duplex matrix, but for my first project I wanted to keep it simple. If there will be greater demand I'll consider using that trick.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: ctrlshiftba on Wed, 28 August 2019, 09:05:22
I've done the matrix grid before would be happy to help if you need it.  :thumb:
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: Ealdin on Fri, 06 September 2019, 20:04:59
Hello everyone! First of all, I would like to thank you all of your feedback. I’m very delighted and grateful that the Quadrant has become so popular and many of you have liked it. It encouraged me to launch a GB, but to do so, I have to test the new features and changes I’ve done according to the comments and ideas.

The things that changed from the previous version (E-C_v1.1 PCB renders (https://imgur.com/a/CAeSs5U)):
To try out all these new stuff, I’ll order a new batch of protos next week.

Some info about the GB:

P.S.: a sneak peek of a case ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
More
[attachimg=1 align=center width=2200]
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: sinnyc on Mon, 28 October 2019, 22:15:24
Bumping this because it's just so cool...
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard
Post by: Ealdin on Tue, 19 November 2019, 19:31:34
Hi folks!

First of all, sorry for the long silence,  I was really busy with work and my personal life, therefore I had little time to work on the Quadrant. Nevertheless, the project is alive, the firmware and the final version of the PCB are almost ready. I will get my order of WS2812B LED strips this week and I will test all the functions and components before I come up with the finished keyboard. I would like to release a product that is perfectly functional and pleasing to use for everyone.
So I would like to ask for your patience. As soon as I finish the PCB and the firmware, I will announce the date of the GB! (If everything goes as I imagine, it will go live in the first weeks of December.)
Thank you guys for your understanding and I hope to meet you during the group buy!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: Ealdin on Sat, 07 December 2019, 19:15:04
Updated the original post with new infos of the GB!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: CodeMayhem on Sat, 07 December 2019, 22:47:24
what acrylic case is that and where could i get one?

also this supports 4u space-bar too doesn't it.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: Ealdin on Sun, 08 December 2019, 04:15:04
The case is designed by me and lasercutted by a local company. I'm not willing to sell it in the GB right now, but I will share the files of the case after that. Therefore you will have the opportunity to make it.

Yes, you could use a 4U spacebar in a similar way of POS spacebars: the keycap will rest on 2 switches instead of 1 switch plus stabilizers. However it's a very rare size.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: CodeMayhem on Sun, 08 December 2019, 12:17:43
Quote from: Ealdin on Sun, 08 December 2019, 04:15:04
The case is designed by me and lasercutted by a local company. I'm not willing to sell it in the GB right now, but I will share the files of the case after that. Therefore you will have the opportunity to make it.

Yes, you could use a 4U spacebar in a similar way of POS spacebars: the keycap will rest on 2 switches instead of 1 switch plus stabilizers. However it's a very rare size.

oh i didn't know 4u bars were pos mounts
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: Ealdin on Sun, 08 December 2019, 13:07:00
SP manufacture 4U spacebars and some MT3 profile keysets contain that size as well, but I don't know if they are POS caps, or regular types with stabilizer support :/
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: JuiceTin255 on Sun, 08 December 2019, 21:54:29
I feel that the bottom row could use a bit more options for larger keys like a 7u (wouldn't that look just dandy in a 14u wide board?) or two 3u bars? I'm probably in either way but I do enjoy my spacebars. My dream would be to have alphas and numbers with MX switches and all the modifiers be Choc so that I can use my chording for all that stuff and still have all the other keys just in case. Plus wouldn't that look so cool????
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: CodeMayhem on Mon, 09 December 2019, 18:22:54
Quote from: JuiceTin255 on Sun, 08 December 2019, 21:54:29
I feel that the bottom row could use a bit more options for larger keys like a 7u (wouldn't that look just dandy in a 14u wide board?) or two 3u bars? I'm probably in either way but I do enjoy my spacebars. My dream would be to have alphas and numbers with MX switches and all the modifiers be Choc so that I can use my chording for all that stuff and still have all the other keys just in case. Plus wouldn't that look so cool????

but it's an ortho board? it has all the layouts that an ortho board would have.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: Robosculpts on Wed, 18 December 2019, 15:54:11
Quote from: JuiceTin255 on Sun, 08 December 2019, 21:54:29
I feel that the bottom row could use a bit more options for larger keys like a 7u (wouldn't that look just dandy in a 14u wide board?) or two 3u bars? I'm probably in either way but I do enjoy my spacebars. My dream would be to have alphas and numbers with MX switches and all the modifiers be Choc so that I can use my chording for all that stuff and still have all the other keys just in case. Plus wouldn't that look so cool????

Have you seen the Boardwalk? It is an ortho/ergo board that fits in 60% cases. You can have your space bars and have an ortho layout.

Also, I'm in for one of these at the end of the month. This little board is rad af.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: CodeMayhem on Wed, 18 December 2019, 18:52:14
Quote from: Robosculpts on Wed, 18 December 2019, 15:54:11
Quote from: JuiceTin255 on Sun, 08 December 2019, 21:54:29
I feel that the bottom row could use a bit more options for larger keys like a 7u (wouldn't that look just dandy in a 14u wide board?) or two 3u bars? I'm probably in either way but I do enjoy my spacebars. My dream would be to have alphas and numbers with MX switches and all the modifiers be Choc so that I can use my chording for all that stuff and still have all the other keys just in case. Plus wouldn't that look so cool????

Have you seen the Boardwalk? It is an ortho/ergo board that fits in 60% cases. You can have your space bars and have an ortho layout.

Also, I'm in for one of these at the end of the month. This little board is rad af.

yes ik what a boardwalk is i owned one. this has all the layouts that 99% of ppl expect from an ortho with 1u mods.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: CodeMayhem on Wed, 18 December 2019, 19:19:47
Quote from: Ealdin on Sun, 08 December 2019, 04:15:04
The case is designed by me and lasercutted by a local company. I'm not willing to sell it in the GB right now, but I will share the files of the case after that. Therefore you will have the opportunity to make it.

Yes, you could use a 4U spacebar in a similar way of POS spacebars: the keycap will rest on 2 switches instead of 1 switch plus stabilizers. However it's a very rare size.

also mt3 does have a 4u non-POS mount bar. I checked with Zamb and mt3 serika does have this key in the odd bars kit.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: equalunique on Thu, 19 December 2019, 00:13:42
Is it using all the pins of the Elite-C, or are there any free pins? I'm curious about utilizing extra ones, if there are any.

Sent from my Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB will start on 19th of December)
Post by: Ealdin on Thu, 19 December 2019, 10:09:08
I've used all pins of the Elite-C: 5+14 for the matrix, 2 for the encoder, one for CapsLock LED and one for the RGB strip.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: sinnyc on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:04:57
Registered for the GB!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: Ealdin on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:06:58
Thank you, buddy! :)
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: helborne on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:07:46
Also registered, if we're confirmed for payment, would you be open to sharing the case files with us? I don't know how long it's going to take to get the case cut and delivered and would prefer to have the case ready to go by the time the kit arrives.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: jaspertandy on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:13:03
Set an alarm and signed up to geekhack after a year of lurking for this! Hope I got in!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: Ealdin on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:21:29
Quote from: helborne on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:07:46
Also registered, if we're confirmed for payment, would you be open to sharing the case files with us? I don't know how long it's going to take to get the case cut and delivered and would prefer to have the case ready to go by the time the kit arrives.

Of course, after the GB is closed, I intend to share the files with you. I think the lasercutting could be done in 3-4 days, at least it took me that long, but your mileage may vary.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: Ealdin on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:56:24
Quote from: jaspertandy on Thu, 19 December 2019, 12:13:03
Set an alarm and signed up to geekhack after a year of lurking for this! Hope I got in!

I'm grateful for your application and I can tell you that you don't have to worry ;)
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: parsec on Thu, 19 December 2019, 13:09:11
I too registered for the GB :D

Hope I actually spelled all my info right. Pretty sure I did, but I wanted to make sure I got in.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: sinnyc on Thu, 19 December 2019, 14:16:47
@Ealdin are you going to make a post in Group Buys?
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: helborne on Thu, 19 December 2019, 15:17:36
I saw the post on reddit regarding Alps compatibility. As a big fan of Alps switches, I think this is great to offer a plate that's alps compatible for the case, however I noticed the PCB holes for the switches only look to be MX compatible.  Are you going to change the PCB to accommodate other switches? If so, what about choc compatibility?  Not that I'm seeking to overcomplicate your design.  If it's MX only, I'll happily just use MX switches
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: Ealdin on Thu, 19 December 2019, 16:26:41
Quote from: sinnyc on Thu, 19 December 2019, 14:16:47
@Ealdin are you going to make a post in Group Buys?

I wanted to, but it turned out that I have to have at least 25 posts across the forum to be able to create a GB thread, aaand I don't have yet that amount of posts unfortunately D:
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: Ealdin on Thu, 19 December 2019, 16:32:09
Quote from: helborne on Thu, 19 December 2019, 15:17:36
I saw the post on reddit regarding Alps compatibility. As a big fan of Alps switches, I think this is great to offer a plate that's alps compatible for the case, however I noticed the PCB holes for the switches only look to be MX compatible.  Are you going to change the PCB to accommodate other switches? If so, what about choc compatibility?  Not that I'm seeking to overcomplicate your design.  If it's MX only, I'll happily just use MX switches

I used an earlier model in the exploded view, which have holes only for MX style switches, but in the latest version there are MX and Choc compatible holes. I'm working on changing the footprints to make the PCB Alps compatible as well.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: lun0r on Thu, 19 December 2019, 18:54:11
Registered for the GB and hopefully one of these will find its way to Germany :)

Really nice job! And that we can get the case files is awesome, laser cutting next door beats high import taxes !
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is live!)
Post by: helborne on Thu, 19 December 2019, 19:40:16
Quote from: lun0r on Thu, 19 December 2019, 18:54:11
Registered for the GB and hopefully one of these will find its way to Germany :)

Really nice job! And that we can get the case files is awesome, laser cutting next door beats high import taxes !

100% agreed
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: Ealdin on Thu, 19 December 2019, 22:26:31
Update: GB is closed, we reached the maximum number of slots! The invoices will be sent out in the next 14 hours, so check your mailboxes!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: CodeMayhem on Fri, 20 December 2019, 00:40:06
Damn glad I didn't dilly dally with this!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: Ealdin on Fri, 20 December 2019, 10:40:17
Update: I have some personal stuff today (Friday), therefore I'm going to send out the invoices on Saturday. Sorry for the delay!
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: jaspertandy on Fri, 20 December 2019, 15:02:56
Quote from: Ealdin on Fri, 20 December 2019, 10:40:17
Update: I have some personal stuff today (Friday), therefore I'm going to send out the invoices on Saturday. Sorry for the delay!

Thanks for the update. Hope everything's OK.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: CodeMayhem on Sun, 22 December 2019, 23:39:04
Quote from: Ealdin on Fri, 20 December 2019, 10:40:17
Update: I have some personal stuff today (Friday), therefore I'm going to send out the invoices on Saturday. Sorry for the delay!

did they get sent out?
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: Ealdin on Mon, 23 December 2019, 07:40:39
Quote from: CodeMayhem on Sun, 22 December 2019, 23:39:04
Quote from: Ealdin on Fri, 20 December 2019, 10:40:17
Update: I have some personal stuff today (Friday), therefore I'm going to send out the invoices on Saturday. Sorry for the delay!

did they get sent out?

Yes, they did on Saturday. Please check your spams, there must be an email form PayPal.
Title: Re: [IC] Quadrant: a 5x14 ortho keyboard (UPDATE: GB is closed!)
Post by: Wyze69 on Mon, 23 December 2019, 07:49:26
I already got my invoice Saturday. I forgot to ask but does the keyboard come with instructions and a needed parts list? This'll be my first build