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geekhack Marketplace => Group Buys and Preorders => Topic started by: VicareyG on Wed, 06 November 2019, 03:57:00

Title: [GB] Koala Switches -CLOSED - Extras available
Post by: VicareyG on Wed, 06 November 2019, 03:57:00
Hello All,

LINK TO GB https://preorder.opticboards.co.uk/product/koala-switch (https://preorder.opticboards.co.uk/product/koala-switch)

As some of you may be aware there has been a recent IC for Koala switches. Due to personal circumstances with Fropsie the initial IC runner this IC never made it to a Group Buy as of yet.

Fropsie has been kind enough to give me permission to continue on from his IC and run this Group Buy.

Original IC link https://redd.it/cu59t1 (https://redd.it/cu59t1)
 
Discord Server https://discord.gg/pZ6NA7W (https://discord.gg/pZ6NA7W)

>The koala switch, designed by creator biip, is a tactile switch using a POM stem and 62g gold spring inside a Nylon housing, with a color scheme matching that of Extended 2048.

The Group Buy will take place on my website. Each switch will cost ~$0.50 USD or £0.41GBP.

I will be honouring Fropsies original intentions to donate the proceeds to the Australian Koala Foundationhttps://www.savethekoala.com (https://www.savethekoala.com). $0.05 USD per switch sold will be donated to the foundation.

I will be having a soft minimum limit of 70 switches. I reserve the right to cancel orders below this minimum. However if you purchase over 200 switches you can use the coupon code “SaveTheKoala” at checkout for free shipping!

LINK TO GB https://preorder.opticboards.co.uk/product/koala-switch (https://preorder.opticboards.co.uk/product/koala-switch)

Thanks,

George
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Mon, 18 November 2019, 09:37:29
Approved :thumb:

Apologies for missing this one until now, the GB is still open if you follow the link.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: tex_live_utility on Mon, 18 November 2019, 10:53:31
Are the tops nylon or polycarbonate? Obviously plastic is more complicated than "X or Y", but in terms of sound signature are they going to be more like Zealio/Ink/T1 or more like MX?
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: Steezus on Mon, 18 November 2019, 10:57:37
Are the tops nylon or polycarbonate? Obviously plastic is more complicated than "X or Y", but in terms of sound signature are they going to be more like Zealio/Ink/T1 or more like MX?

>The koala switch, designed by creator biip, is a tactile switch using a POM stem and 62g gold spring inside a Nylon housing, with a color scheme matching that of Extended 2048.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: alanskiii on Mon, 18 November 2019, 11:02:31
How long is this open till?


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Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: eas on Mon, 18 November 2019, 11:53:09
How long is this open till?


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Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: tex_live_utility on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:40:23
Are the tops nylon or polycarbonate? Obviously plastic is more complicated than "X or Y", but in terms of sound signature are they going to be more like Zealio/Ink/T1 or more like MX?

>The koala switch, designed by creator biip, is a tactile switch using a POM stem and 62g gold spring inside a Nylon housing, with a color scheme matching that of Extended 2048.

Okay, except Fropsie (the originator of the Koala IC) in Discord said multiple times that they are dyed polycarbonate. So either Fropsie is wrong or George is wrong.

Moreover, after asking this question in the Koala Discord server Fropsie specifically answered me again to say they are dyed polycarbonate.

Edit: I already placed my order regardless. Just want to be sure people have the right information.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:53:55
When I've seen Koala switch on AliExpress, the bottom has been listed as nylon but the top has been listed as polycarbonate.
The material used for the top should not matter for key feel because the slider's rails are in the bottom.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: VicareyG on Mon, 18 November 2019, 13:27:27

Okay, except Fropsie (the originator of the Koala IC) in Discord said multiple times that they are dyed polycarbonate. So either Fropsie is wrong or George is wrong.


The original quote stating Nylon housing is me quoting fropsie on his original IC.

Alibaba product description specifies: 1. Polycarbonate & Nylon PA housing.

Not entirely clear, I have emailed the manufacturer to clarify.

Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: VicareyG on Mon, 18 November 2019, 13:28:33
Approved :thumb:

Apologies for missing this one until now, the GB is still open if you follow the link.
Thanks for getting this approved!
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: Steezus on Mon, 18 November 2019, 13:31:45

Okay, except Fropsie (the originator of the Koala IC) in Discord said multiple times that they are dyed polycarbonate. So either Fropsie is wrong or George is wrong.


The original quote stating Nylon housing is me quoting fropsie on his original IC.

Alibaba product description specifies: 1. Polycarbonate & Nylon PA housing.

Not entirely clear, I have emailed the manufacturer to clarify.

FYI, it also does say Nylon housing in the description in the pre-order link as well. Just to make sure that all sources agree with each other once you receive an answer.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: VicareyG on Mon, 18 November 2019, 14:06:57

Okay, except Fropsie (the originator of the Koala IC) in Discord said multiple times that they are dyed polycarbonate. So either Fropsie is wrong or George is wrong.


The original quote stating Nylon housing is me quoting fropsie on his original IC.

Alibaba product description specifies: 1. Polycarbonate & Nylon PA housing.

Not entirely clear, I have emailed the manufacturer to clarify.

FYI, it also does say Nylon housing in the description in the pre-order link as well. Just to make sure that all sources agree with each other once you receive an answer.

I will update all when I have a definitive answer. :)
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: J3ff_Leopard on Mon, 18 November 2019, 16:24:00
Guarantee if these actually have a PC top that they'll still call them Koalas when they shouldn't. At that point, it's just a recolored T1 with a lighter spring.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: tex_live_utility on Mon, 18 November 2019, 23:28:54
Guarantee if these actually have a PC top that they'll still call them Koalas when they shouldn't. At that point, it's just a recolored T1 with a lighter spring.

I get the sense that Koalas would have never had a nylon top. Might have been a misunderstanding all along.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: VicareyG on Tue, 19 November 2019, 14:42:49
Update

Response from my contact at Durock!

Quote
The Koala switch uses the same materials as T1 and our other linear switches.
Top housing: PC
Bottom housing: Nylon PA
Stem: POM

I hope that clears everything up.  :D
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches
Post by: VicareyG on Tue, 26 November 2019, 12:38:50
I am happy to announce that you can now buy stickers to accompany the GB. If you just want the stickers you can do that as well! 3 inch x 3 inch die cut stickers with art by the talented @wintheart. Stickers are free to ship on their own. If you have already placed a GB order stickers will be shipped with that order.

https://preorder.opticboards.co.uk/product/koala-sticker
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches _ now with stickers!
Post by: alanskiii on Thu, 28 November 2019, 10:44:57
Did site go down?


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Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches _ now with stickers!
Post by: VicareyG on Fri, 29 November 2019, 04:53:37
Did site go down?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It did, I was migrating my main site and the DNS settings went haywire for the sub domain. All back up and sorted now.
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches - 3 DAYS LEFT
Post by: VicareyG on Thu, 05 December 2019, 05:34:39
3 DAYS LEFT OF THE GROUP BUY

If you are wanting to join, do so now! The price will increase after the GB when they are in stock with me!
Title: Re: [GB] Koala Switches -CLOSED - Extras available
Post by: NoPunIn10Did on Mon, 03 February 2020, 16:28:45
I now have these installed on my Ergodox, and I can state that they are fun, bouncy switches.  The tactile bump is VERY noticeable.  My typing is a tad noisier now than it had been before (using Kailh Plums), but it's worth it. 

There's even a little bump on the upstroke too, which felt a tad odd at first. What I've found is that this secondary bump does a good job of tactilely reinforcing the transition between pressed and unpressed.  It reminds me of the feel of a game controller.