Noob Q. Do they have soldering services?This is a DIY kit. They sell complete 'boards as well that we have sold a couple of times here (and will likely do again).
Why are there 2*PCB ?In case you screw one up. :)
Why are there 2*PCB ?
In case you screw one up. :)
Where would you get the switches?
Where would you get the switches?
We could add LEDS to this right?you would have to hand-wire them. the poker board doesn't have any traces touching the LED holes
Any clue to when this will be ready to ship?They should be ready to ship from Vortex as soon as the order is placed. When they order is placed depends on how soon you guys get your pre-orders submitted. ;)
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
Donor boards?
This kit is nice, somebody could finally make a plate mounted poker
in default-esc mode, FN-esc does not send ~
I can solder these for anyone who needs it. $140 per PCB. Shipping is your cost each way.
Won't you also need to order 7 LEDs for the normal places?
Ah, so in escape mode there's no way to pass ~ then?
I suppose it's not the end of the world unless you play games where console access is required. At least it's not a commonly used key.
I can solder these for anyone who needs it. $140 per PCB. Shipping is your cost each way.
I can solder these for anyone who needs it. $140 per PCB. Shipping is your cost each way.
Won't you also need to order 7 LEDs for the normal places?
I'm pretty sure you can order PCB mount Cherry MX switches of any type from Mouser.
Unless you like Vim/vi.
Wow that's steep, I don't think anyone was charging even that much for the 87key Phantom and this is only 61 switches.
Nice price! Compared to the people that ACTUALLY want to help others in the Phantom GB, your price is just 700% higher!
Soldering 60~ switches takes what? 2 hours if you're slow? $70 an hour is good business, you should quite your day job and do this full time! Bound to get lots of business :)
They are charging only $20 to solder a Phantom board? Wow.Yeah, people were doing it out of kindness of their heart to help fellow members get some custom boards :)
Might as well buy new poker that is pre built for that price than to solder it.I rather buy 2 kits and risk messing up 4 PCBs then pay $140 for a 2 hour job
I rather buy 2 kits and risk messing up 4 PCBs then pay $140 for a 2 hour job
Time to learn 101 how to slodering?
1st Quit smoke make your hand more steady.
Just let me know a fair price and I will do it for that. Not trying to gouge anyone, I just didn't know. :(Well it depends on how much free time you have really and how efficient you are at soldering, I'm sure you can come up with a good price.
Well it depends on how much free time you have really and how efficient you are at soldering, I'm sure you can come up with a good price.
with that said though, it's probably not worth it for people that cannot do it themselves as buying a finished poker is $100~ and a alum case is like $120~ so it's essentially the same price as buying this kit and getting someone to do the soldering, no benefits out of this. For people that are looking for some DIY fun then this is pretty cool :)
Agreed, but I'm sure some people will like the idea of a factory-made aluminum case.From what I know vortex will be offering these just like their tenkeyless aluminum case which would be offered with a keyboard inside and just the case separate.
Might as well buy new poker that is pre built for that price than to solder it for $140Note, it includes an aluminum case...
The compagny you work for has to pay taxes, secretaries/bureautics, research and developpement, locals, furnitures and equippement, and all the time the employee spend not directly working for a client :P.
We suppose you have a home and equipement for yourself which are already paid off or that you are working for, and are only doing this to help somebody out ^^. So what you should charge for is only your time.
This is going to sound stupid but what is "4x tape" for?
This is going to sound stupid but what is "4x tape" for?
Grips
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Ah, so in escape mode there's no way to pass ~ then?
I suppose it's not the end of the world unless you play games where console access is required. At least it's not a commonly used key.
Also, I must be very confused here. Why is a fully manufactured Poker about $100, but a KIT costs $80 more and doesn't even include switches?!? Obviously, I'm missing something critical here. Thanks for cluing me in. :-)
In unix environment it certainly is a commonly used key! I use tilde way more than I use ESC. Also, I can relearn where the ESC is, but I don't want to relearn my ~ key. Is there *really no way* to map this board to work properly? What's the scoop with the Pure? I am assuming they are basically the same.
...since I'm an old school vi nerd.
Finally -- something we can agree on, captain. :thumb:
In unix environment it certainly is a commonly used key! I use tilde way more than I use ESC. Also, I can relearn where the ESC is, but I don't want to relearn my ~ key. Is there *really no way* to map this board to work properly? What's the scoop with the Pure? I am assuming they are basically the same.
Also, I must be very confused here. Why is a fully manufactured Poker about $100, but a KIT costs $80 more and doesn't even include switches?!? Obviously, I'm missing something critical here. Thanks for cluing me in. :-)
I'm pretty sure the bug only occurs when you are in "esc mode", with esc the primary and ~ the fn, but with ~ as primary adn esc as fn it works fine. Someone whos typing on one confirm please, I just use mine at school.
Um maybe this question was already addressed and I just missed it, but does this kit include the stabilizers?
I would be interested in just the plate mount and stabilizer, spring set then. =)
plate just goes on top of existing poker or we have to desolder everything?
Blue, White, Green, Pink, and Purple LEDs all have similar voltage drops (~3.3V), so assuming you use a standard 20mA LED, you should have no problem with using any of those colors since the resistance of each LED circuit was designed for ~3.3V LEDs.
Yellow, Red, and Orange, on the other hand only use 2V, so if you wanted to use those colors you would need to add some resistance to the LED circuit to prevent burning out your LEDs.
So I can't just solder 61 LEDs onto the Poker I bought from Ebay?
I just measured my Poker's LEDs and they are ~2.8V. That would explain why limmy had dim LED problems; you were probably using LEDs that required a higher voltage and there is too much resistance on the circuit to light the LEDs you were using. The solution would be to either find ~2.8V LEDs or to figure out which resistors are on the LED circuits and change the resistance on the circuit (assuming there is enough voltage to go around sans resistance). I haven't traced the resistors on the board or measured their resistance, but it looks like R15 is the Esc and Caps lock resistor. Clearly the other 5 LEDs are on a different circuit, as they have a different brightness which means different resistance and/or voltage.
Thanks for the info! That explains. I was blaming Chinese ebay seller for low quality / off spec LEDs for some time, but I should update my belief now. The LEDs were advertised to be super bright.
I guess it would be safe to purchase the LEDs from the vendor unless you know about LEDs like WRXChris.
I'm guessing Vortex guys has no labor to assembly his products. So, he's change strategy by selling a DIY kit.No. This is a offering specifically tailored for hobbyist geekhack members. If you want a fully-assembled Poker, then this isn't the group buy for you.
No, the board is only wired for the 7 switches that come with LEDs from the factory. You would have to wire up your LEDs separately, and I have no idea what that circuit would look like other than a rat's nest under your PCB. :(
So for exisiting pokers out there, how is the plate kit going to work? Do we have to desolder everything?almost certainly. desolder the pcb mount switches, put plate mounts on with the plate. note that the place doesn't have the nice phantom quick swap holes too, so no more switch swapping without desoldering.
Like this? Hahalol that's lowpoly levels of dedicationShow Image(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/1889316168_64cc4d28_IMGP0631.JPG)Show Image(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/1889316168_0523b5de_IMGP0642.JPG)
http://www.otd.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=album&wr_id=116783&page=2
almost certainly. desolder the pcb mount switches, put plate mounts on with the plate. note that the place doesn't have the nice phantom quick swap holes too, so no more switch swapping without desoldering.
So for exisiting pokers out there, how is the plate kit going to work? Do we have to desolder everything?
Like this? Haha
http://www.otd.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=album&wr_id=116783&page=2
Ishtob made a plate for this DOX which is basically the same thing as the poker and it was PCB mounted but he added a plate on top afterwards without needing to desolder switches to switch to plate mounted ones, it might have been the plate design I'm not sure.
We're going to need confirmation on this before we can move forwardi am always moving forward (lol)
almost certainly. desolder the pcb mount switches, put plate mounts on with the plate. note that the place doesn't have the nice phantom quick swap holes too, so no more switch swapping without desoldering.
lol that's lowpoly levels of dedication
So for exisiting pokers out there, how is the plate kit going to work? Do we have to desolder everything?
Like this? HahaShow Image(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/1889316168_64cc4d28_IMGP0631.JPG)Show Image(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/album/1889316168_0523b5de_IMGP0642.JPG)
http://www.otd.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=album&wr_id=116783&page=2
Is it possible to get a standard plastic Poker case as well? (Since the kit comes with two PCBs, I'd probably want to build two Poker keyboards, one with an aluminum case and one with a plastic case for portable use.)i will happily sell you a couple plastic poker cases
Impressive - I've never seen spaghetti wire SMT!
(Attachment) 49626[/ATTACH]
Yes. I solder/repair IBM Servers/Motherboards every day, as well as build random things in my spare time. I've got a Hakko FX888, Aoyue 852+ Hotair Setup, warming plate, and a basic oven for low-level reflow jobs. I should be able to do BGA reballing soon as well (Xbox360 Repairs).
Normally we charge $75 - $125 an hour, but that's our commercial rates. I'm doing this as a favor to the GH Community.
Yes. I solder/repair IBM Servers/Motherboards every day, as well as build random things in my spare time. I've got a Hakko FX888, Aoyue 852+ Hotair Setup, warming plate, and a basic oven for low-level reflow jobs. I should be able to do BGA reballing soon as well (Xbox360 Repairs).
Normally we charge $75 - $125 an hour, but that's our commercial rates. I'm doing this as a favor to the GH Community.
You're a good guy!Don't learn from me :thumb:
I want to learn how to solder! Any tips?
You're a good guy!
I want to learn how to solder! Any tips?
For learning purposes, get some cheap LEDs, a few Caps, and a $7 Soldering iron from Radio Shack. Pay attention to your tips (soldering iron tips). Do not let them burn, clean them before each solder application, tin them correctly, and do not apply too much heat to the component.
For more advanced stuff. Spend the $60 and get a cheap used Weller or Elenco, adjustable Temp, get a medium-fine tip, and keep it at, or around 400c for most soldering applications. DO NOT use that cheap POS Radioshack on any heat sensitive components. The 25w Irons don't heat the contacts quick enough for the solder to flow properly, which will/can cause damage to the pads and components. De-lamination can occur, as well as total component failure.
Make good use of Flux as well. And keep your contacts clean.
Heh, I deadbug-wire/solder SMD all the time..
Here's my FraggleRock MIDI Door Chime Relay for a '95 VW Golf running on a 32 TQFP SMD ATMEG168...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWV3cYsR8Wc
Better example of the wires... it was a prototype... very ugly, but performed it's task. The "white stuff" is hot melt glue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqf9Rgwhoaw&feature=channel&list=UL
Anyway, if anyone needs these boards soldered, I'll offer services of $5 per board, you supply the parts and shipping both ways. I can do a board in 10 minutes or less. I have an oven and hot air system. I can do a 1 day turn-around.
PM me if you're interested. I accept paypal or moneyorders.
Since the plate is just floating and doesn't seem to interface with the PCB or case at all, does it really help all that much? I suppose it would help with the annoying PCB flex that the poker has.
For folks talking about LEDs, you need to consider ohms law when you calculate what value resistors to use. The keyboard in that picture appears to be strapping the LEDs to the 5V Vbus. So for a 2.8V @ 20mA LED, you could calculate the resistor for each LED value as follows:
Vdrop = Vbus - Vled
Vdrop = 5V - 2.8V
Vdrop = 2.2V
R = Vdrop / Iled
R = 2.2V / 0.020A
R = 110 ohms
The closest common value would be a 120 ohm resistor. That assumes you want them at full brightness. :) In fact, you won't be able to light a full set of LEDs at 20mA, due to the supply current limitations of USB (20mA * 80 = 1.6A!). You'd probably want to run them much lower than this to be safe. If you use an LED that operates at a voltage lower than 2.5V, you can place them in series pairs. Then your current requirements drop by half.
Any 1/4W or 1/8W resistor will be adequate. I wouldn't use SMDs unless you are experienced at soldering. Regular, axial carbon film resistors will work just fine.
Is it possible to get a standard plastic Poker case as well? (Since the kit comes with two PCBs, I'd probably want to build two Poker keyboards, one with an aluminum case and one with a plastic case for portable use.)
I was trying to explain to someone that the USB BUS can only support a "max" of 500mA at best
there are plenty of 1.8v LEDs on the market that operate at anywhere between 5mA-10mA, however, they're not nearly as bright as your standard 3.3v.
SMD isn't all that bad if you can get comfortable with 30ga wire and have a steady hand. 1206 SMD LEDs are pretty easy to work with (with practice). If you're willing to add a secondary USB Supply, you could run the LEDs at about 10mA safely.
Indeed...and that assumes that the controller requests high-power mode. Otherwise we are limited to 100mA. Looking at lsusb output, I don't think that the Poker requests 5 units.
I don't understand the obsession with bright LEDs these days. Blue and white LEDs are offensive to the eyes. To each their own, I guess.
This is probably the only reasonable option, unless it is somehow possible to modify the controller to request high-power.
Well, the modification that I was promoting was to utilize an ATMEGA32U4 or PIC24FJ256DA210 (Only USB MCU's I have on hand) to create a High Speed USB HID, and from that dedicate about 8 GPIO to a 8x8 Array doing PWM, with a A/D Pin wired to either a variable resistor, or do a switch/case w/ button statement to select variable brightnesses....
That would be quite fancy! :) You could do all kinds of interesting lighting effects if you dedicate an MCU to it. :)
The controller is a Holtek HT82K94E:
http://www.holtek.com/english/docum/computer/82k94x.htm
Anyway, if anyone needs these boards soldered, I'll offer services of $5 per board, you supply the parts and shipping both ways. I can do a board in 10 minutes or less. I have an oven and hot air system. I can do a 1 day turn-around.
i believe it's an ssop but i'll check when i get home
With 61 switches that's roughly 10 seconds a switch. How do you achieve this? Does the oven and hot air system do something to significantly impact the time it takes?
I'm not doubting you at all I'm just curious and unfamiliar with electronic soldering.
But really, what would be better than a Poker DIY, would be a Geekhack DIY that had a Pinout on the PCB for our own MCU. Hell, Soarer's Teensy Program loaded into an ATMEGA32U4 would be perfect, and there'd still be enough GPIO for various other mods. It would save a lot of work on the programming side. Failing that, I can probably desolder the Holtek and build a crossover interface to our MCU of choice. It's not THAT hard.
Since the plate is attached to all the switches it would work similarly to an anti-sway bar or the stabilizers on your keyboard. Press one switch down and that pressure gets distributed into the plate and across all the switches and into the PCB. Will it be just like a filco where the plate is what's mounted to the case? No, but I bet you'd have a hard time telling the difference.
Have a couple more questions ... all of my questions grouped here for covenience:^that
The plate looks like it's for the pure, any word on that? Nothing yet
Can we just buy plates? Not sure, pretty sure yes
Can we just buy PCBs? No
Can we just buy those cherry keycaps? Not in this GB
Can we just buy those aluminium trays? Not in this GB
Are these sets limited in quantity? No
Is there a cut off date for ordering? Nothing yet
Is there any estimates on first shipment dates? Nothing yet
Apologies if it's too soon to be asking, just curious! Thanks!
If it is at all possible can you stock some Cherry MX Clears switches? I'm not interested in the DIY kit, but I'd like some of these for other project boards.
it would probably be easier and cheaper for a handful of people to GB digikey or mouser for clears
i would wait until after the switch GB shipments go out first though; i suspect at least a few people will be offloading switches they discover they don't want/need at that point.
Can those squirrel keycaps be bought separately?
If the kit includes
2 PCBs and 1 aluminum case,
and if one only have to solder switches(purchased separately) and add key caps to make a working keyboard,
does it mean the kit includes stabilizers?
I would think so, but I do not find any stabilizers in the pics of the PCBs.
Have a couple more questions ... all of my questions grouped here for covenience:
The plate looks like it's for the pure, any word on that?
Can we just buy plates?
Can we just buy PCBs?
Can we just buy those cherry keycaps?
Can we just buy those aluminium trays?
Are these sets limited in quantity?
Is there a cut off date for ordering?
Is there any estimates on first shipment dates?
Apologies if it's too soon to be asking, just curious! Thanks!
Anyone want to split a kit?
I just want 1 PCB board
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Any estimates on when batches of these will ship out?
What other parts are needed to build these kits? I am thinking the following ...Should just be:
Switches
Key Caps
Key Cap Stems (not sure the name)
USB Cable
Time and Money
Joking aside, is that abought right?
Thanks,
John
Should just be:
Keyswitches
Keycaps
USB Cable
Mounting screws ?
Diodes.
Time (Money is included in the GB :p )
Solder and soldering iron/wave table.
Looks like the PCB supports LED's.
Why diodes? Where would they go?
yeah, already states diodes are on the PCB w/ the controller.I didn't see them on the board, I assume they are on the back?
the only documentation needed for this board is that the switches need to be stuffed
but the poker will probably feel best with pcb mount switches
Anyone planning any sort of group buys for switches?
iMav was also going to be selling switches and had even updated the first post with prices and such, but the last rollback seems to have eaten that change, and iMav never re-updated it...
Also, I'm still looking to get a PCB and (optionally) a plate. I'll even do your soldering for you. :biggrin:
I apologize if this has already been answered elsewhere in the thread and I overlooked it, but did we ever get a solid answer on whether the plate kits were up for sale by themselves?
This is a lot more expensive than a normal fully assembled poker, but as far as I know it's the only place you can get official aluminium cases for them.
So it's worth it if you like DIY and want an aluminium case for your poker.
are there any soldering experts that are willing to offer their services?
are there any soldering experts that are willing to offer their services?have switches, want pcb, will solder (!!)
stoked for a plate, not stoked to desolder my current poker.
+1 :rofl:
It wont be that bad, at least its not a 104.
I thought it was already stated that you only need to desolder the leds to put the plate on?
I thought it was already stated that you only need to desolder the leds to put the plate on?
These bits in red get in the way if you just take the top of the switch off (the plate needs to go under them in other words). Unless there's some way I'm missing to push the plate under these they'll need to be desoldered.
(Attachment) 51945[/ATTACH]
That's my question though, do you need to desolder all the switches or can you just pop the plate on?
actually, you don't need to desolder the switches to plate an existing unplated poker. you will need to desolder the LEDs, but that's it.
Well, take off the switch tops too and try not to lose any parts ;)
These bits in red get in the way if you just take the top of the switch off (the plate needs to go under them in other words). Unless there's some way I'm missing to push the plate under these they'll need to be desoldered.
(Attachment) 51945[/ATTACH]
These bits in red get in the way if you just take the top of the switch off (the plate needs to go under them in other words). Unless there's some way I'm missing to push the plate under these they'll need to be desoldered.
(Attachment) 51945[/ATTACH]
Bought two plates today. FML =\oops, it appears i had read the datasheet wrong. i blame litster!!
i might have an extra
If anyone wants it, I ordered one plate and now I'm selling it. I'm not getting my Poker or aluminum case anymore due to unforeseen financial issues. Please PM me and we can work out the details if you are interested.
Thanks,
Tad
So many people wanting only PCBs and so few kits actually ordered. I'm almost sorry I brought up the idea initially, when I offered to solder boards in exchange for an extra PCB. Definitely not the purpose of this project.
Maybe someone could contact Vortex and ask if we can do a GB for PCBs only (with the electronics mounted, of course). I don't think we even need to do an interest check for that one.
Somehow I doubt that's the case, but a plate was on the list of separately available items.
any update on the status of this?there is still no ETA from vortex.
any update on the status of this?there is still no ETA from vortex.
Hi
Shipping date will be in 10/29 or 10/30
Now we need treble328 to return with our extra cases. Has anyone heard how he's doing getting setup?he's quite easy to contact. he thinks the machines will get set up in mid-november at the earliest. note that our products are made during machine downtime, so that doesn't mean production will start then. best to talk to him if you'd like more information.
Buying a normal poker and a plate from Beast's GB on poker plates will come out much cheaper, and you also get to keep the switches that came with the original poker.
I guess I was more after just the PCB. Is that an option?