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geekhack Marketplace => Group Buys and Preorders => Topic started by: mvkb on Mon, 04 October 2021, 07:47:11

Title: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Mon, 04 October 2021, 07:47:11
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Our alien robot overlords are here, and you too can join their squadron of nuclear-powered spacecraft by purchasing this set of controls keycaps. This is a limited time offer available from October 4 2021 until November 4 2021 at an electronics store on-line e-commerce website*. Don't miss out on this amazing deal!

*Internet connection required.

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This set is an homage to the sci-fi books, TV shows and movies we all grew up with. It takes inspiration from a bunch of them, and adds its own little twists. Every single legends is custom designed, including the made-up alien-overlord language. The name "Command" comes from "By your command!", the Cylon battle cry from Battlestar Galactica.

We've really gone all out with the collaborations, which include 2 aluminum artisans, an aluminum knob, and even an absolutely stunning premium acrylic TKL board based on Protozoa (https://protozoa.studio/)'s succesful GLITCH/FROST (https://protozoa.studio/pages/glitch-x-frost) line.

This set is expected to ship Q2-Q3 2022.



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Command is currently in group buy, available from these vendors:


Pricing

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Renders

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Whimsy by PRKNS

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Conone 80 by KindaKeyboards

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Boop 65 by Biip

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Kitting

Command comes in 15 different kits (2 alpha kits, 3 modifier kits, numpad, spacebars and 8 international kits). It features a unique design with a simple color palette (RAL 3020 and RAL 9005). The Modifiers kit includes some extra keys so it can be used to deck out 2 boards (if you get 2 alpha kits). Caps are matte (not shiny).

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Samples

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Keyreative was kind enough to provide me with a full set of samples. The colors are absolutely stunning and the legends crisp, but let's dive into some of the obvious issues, and how I'm planning on making this one of the highest quality keysets out there.

ALIGNMENT OF LEGENDS

These are just samples, and a first round of them too. No alignment efforts were made during the production of this first set. Good news: These legends are super easy to align because they're all pretty much a rectangle.

BLUE-ISH TINT

Depending on how the light reflects off the caps, you can kinda see a blue-ish tint. Keyreative is working on this (it's caused because of the pigments they use), and if that doesn't work, I'll slightly tweak the color so it's closer to black. Worst case scenario, there might be a reddish tint in the black.

FADING AROUND THE HOMING BARS

You might've seen this issue on some other KAM sets, but sadly there isn't a good solution for this. So instead of having homing bars for Command, I asked Keyreative to create a scooped 1u KAM mold instead (something they don't have today). This won't have the discoloring issue, and provides the tactile feedback you need to know your hands are in the right position.



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The Protozoa Command TKL is a premium acrylic board produced by Protozoa (https://protozoa.studio/). It's based on their successful line of GLITCH/FROST boards (https://protozoa.studio/pages/glitch-x-frost). The colors match Command, and it comes with a custom-engraved top plate and solder PCB with custom screen printed artwork which supports a knob in the top right corner.

SPECS


Note: Renders show an ANSI plate and hotswap PCB; actual TKL will include an ANSI+ISO plate and solder PCB (supporting split backspace, split right shift, Tsangan or ANSI bottom row, ISO, switch or knob top right). Board will also include an encoder for the knob. Knob not included.

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Milled from aluminum and bead blasted for a matte finish. The vents are filled with resin as dark as outer space. Produced by Protozoa (https://protozoa.studio/), these come in a 1u (escape key) and 2.25u (return key) version. The shape is custom but matches the profile of KAM caps.

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Aluminum milled knob for your knob needs. Engraved and resin filled top with Command symbols. Two piece design with hotswap screwless exterior. Includes both red and black outer grip o-rings.

Produced by Protozoa (https://protozoa.studio/). Render by Alex Sailer (https://www.instagram.com/spicychickenrenders/).

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2 premium quality deskmats, 900x400mm, 4mm thick.

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Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: mvkb on Mon, 04 October 2021, 08:16:27
[Reserved for updates]
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Mon, 04 October 2021, 09:54:31
Approved :thumb:
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: _IanOfEarth on Mon, 04 October 2021, 11:45:25
What's the best mailing address for my wallet?
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: ravermeister on Mon, 04 October 2021, 11:48:36
I would add how the finish is. Atleast in the IC thread you mentioned it's the same as KAM Wraith (matte).
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: mvkb on Mon, 04 October 2021, 13:19:00
Quote from: ravermeister on Mon, 04 October 2021, 11:48:36
I would add how the finish is. Atleast in the IC thread you mentioned it's the same as KAM Wraith (matte).

Will add!
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: cthalupa on Mon, 04 October 2021, 18:06:29
Uniform profiles aren't my thing, but this is an excellent set and the amount of work you've put into it, down to the details in the IC and GB is astounding. Best of luck!
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: adi on Wed, 06 October 2021, 23:29:41
The pure effort that was put into this set... well done man.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: dvorcol on Fri, 08 October 2021, 14:41:51
(https://i.postimg.cc/dqnbk8q7/KAMcommand-Orders211008b.png)
Edit: revised scale
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: dvorcol on Tue, 12 October 2021, 12:43:02
More vendors just updated.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: dvorcol on Tue, 12 October 2021, 14:42:17
(https://i.postimg.cc/9m0QrXjh/KAMcommand-Orders211012b.png)
Edit: revised scale
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: dvorcol on Sat, 23 October 2021, 19:22:10
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bs8v3vg5/KAMcommand-Orders211023b.png)
Edit: revised scale
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: mvkb on Mon, 01 November 2021, 18:44:46
3 days left, numbers looking good (expect a Dvorcol graph soon), full hearts, can’t lose.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: dvorcol on Mon, 01 November 2021, 19:23:53
(https://i.postimg.cc/VmnLSH2d/KAMcommand-Orders211030x.png)
Edit: revised scale
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: mvkb on Wed, 03 November 2021, 22:52:01
Final day, last chance to get your order in!

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3]
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: dvorcol on Tue, 09 November 2021, 22:16:50
(https://i.postimg.cc/5J3sRZT1/KAMcommand-Orders211104fin-Yext.png)

More
(https://i.postimg.cc/qkQZySdk/KAMcommand-Orders211104fin-Next.png)
<-- without extras
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command
Post by: mvkb on Wed, 10 November 2021, 06:54:55
Just a quick note to thank everyone who supported this project. Well over 500 base kits, over 100 TKL's, tons of artisans and knobs... I personally had a ton of fun with the renders and general theme of this set. Already pinged Keyreative to kick off another round of samples, and a lot of the collaborations have already been ordered. On to the next one!
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: dvorcol on Thu, 06 January 2022, 14:21:56
Keyreative shared their estimated KAT/KAM production schedule - https://en.zfrontier.com/blogs/project-updates/keyreative-keyset-progress-report

(https://i.postimg.cc/VYpQKr4r/220106-vis-Keyreative-Keyset-Progress-Report.png)
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Thu, 06 January 2022, 14:30:23
Thanks for putting this together! Keyreative's estimates look safe and not overly optimistic, so I have a good feeling they will hit these dates (or at least close to it).
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Mon, 21 November 2022, 01:32:38
Quote
Current queue from Keyreative: Lil Dragon (in production), Soaring Skies (in production), command (planning done, injection ongoing, dye-subbing in mid Dec, should finish in Jan)
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Thu, 05 January 2023, 16:00:17
Latest update from the factory. There were some additional delays because of the massive Covid outbreak they're currently suffering from.

Quote
Production for command is expected to finish by the end of the month. Official CNY holidays are 21-27 Jan. So the very end of Jan or early Feb.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: William_S_Jones on Sat, 07 January 2023, 22:08:18
Quote from: mvkb on Thu, 05 January 2023, 16:00:17
Latest update from the factory. There were some additional delays because of the massive Covid outbreak they're currently suffering from.

Quote
Production for command is expected to finish by the end of the month. Official CNY holidays are 21-27 Jan. So the very end of Jan or early Feb.
Thanks for the update, I'm looking forward to receiving my kits!

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Fri, 03 February 2023, 14:41:14
Keyreative is in the process of QC'ing and packing Command right now. They've really come through these past couple of months, and I've been enjoying their transparency and progress. Give them a follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/keyreative_keycaps/) if you haven't yet.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: William_S_Jones on Sat, 11 February 2023, 21:47:52
Quote from: mvkb on Fri, 03 February 2023, 14:41:14
Keyreative is in the process of QC'ing and packing Command right now. They've really come through these past couple of months, and I've been enjoying their transparency and progress. Give them a follow on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/keyreative_keycaps/) if you haven't yet.
Thanks, I appreciate you.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Thu, 16 March 2023, 15:42:40
Keycaps are ready to be shipped out to vendors. People who ordered should be receiving them soon, they also have extras up already.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: Ranker2 on Fri, 17 March 2023, 03:55:18
Which sites have extras up?
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Fri, 17 March 2023, 05:32:32
So far only zFrontier.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: Ranker2 on Sun, 19 March 2023, 22:07:29
Got a link?  I looked on zFrontier's site but didn't see any preorders or extras listed
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Mon, 20 March 2023, 14:23:06
Quote from: Ranker2 on Sun, 19 March 2023, 22:07:29
Got a link?  I looked on zFrontier's site but didn't see any preorders or extras listed

Hmm strange. Someone on my server (https://discord.gg/mvkb) showed off a set. Maybe it was what they ordered during GB?
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Wed, 19 April 2023, 16:29:14
Some photos of the artisans:

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: AuthenticDanger on Wed, 10 May 2023, 16:56:41
Are the keycaps lost at sea? Haven't seen any news about shipping since mid-March.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: mvkb on Thu, 11 May 2023, 02:56:56
Quote from: AuthenticDanger on Wed, 10 May 2023, 16:56:41
Are the keycaps lost at sea? Haven't seen any news about shipping since mid-March.

Depends on your vendor, but most are still waiting for the keycaps to arrive. Sea shipping is quite slow sadly.
Title: Re: [GB] KAM Command (GB is over)
Post by: CosminOance on Thu, 31 August 2023, 05:40:42
Just received mine. I had forgotten about them twice :) So it was a nice surprise.