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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: ishtob on Wed, 24 May 2017, 14:19:10
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hadron.ver2 - a ortholinear Cherry ML keyboard - interest check
I have posted this little project on /r/mk a month ago, and looks like there are quite a few people asking for a GB.
Starting this thread to get a general idea of the volume and to get an idea of options people want and get a count so I can estimate the pricing.
Keyboard Spec:
- Features Cherry ML swithces (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_ML)
- 72% Ortholinear layout
- Powered by QMK firmware for full customizability
- USB type-C
- Full RGB underglow
- 1.5cm tall with keycaps (1.8cm tall with rubber feet)
Interest check survey
(https://goo.gl/forms/uDpiGob4xe33izQe2)
Some shots of the prototype:
(http://i.imgur.com/vYR5sgM.jpg) (http://imgur.com/vYR5sgM)
(http://i.imgur.com/HFwvYdL.jpg) (http://imgur.com/HFwvYdL)
(http://i.imgur.com/kE9oaeg.jpg) (http://imgur.com/kE9oaeg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4CFB7Zj.jpg) (http://imgur.com/4CFB7Zj)
I have recently posted a build log on how these are made. You can find that Here (https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/6cikmb/a_cherry_ml_ortho_board_hadron_ver2_build_log/)
Current Plan:
Planning to do an initial smaller run to test out the whole process. I have 25 units being built/on order and will start that as a pilot GB when I get back from vacation. This will help me smooth out logistics of running a GB as this is my first time running one of these.
If there is enough interest, there will be a bigger groupbuy with hopefully lower prices if I get enough orders.
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I'm interested, put me down for 1.
The only modification I may want is an option for different switch support. I know the switches are what makes the board unique, but sourcing both switches and caps might be a pain. Having alternative options for different switches types would be nice, but I don't know how it would work, i.e. compatibility and whether it requires a different PCB?
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Thats really cool looking! I loved your build log too.
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removed.
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I'm in for one. I do say that the layout and the OLED screen are interesting features of the board, and it would be neat if you choose to make one compatible with regular switches as well. Case looks really nice as well, good luck with the group buy!
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Filled out the survey. Love the look and ingenuity behind the keyboard!
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Interested! More interested if it becomes a mega portable mechkey. It will be a cool one since Cherry ML greatest feature is its size, I imagine having a Planck/Preonic size for this will be nice. Meanwhile, I really want to build this layout with MX!
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Interested! Any ballpark on the price range ?
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the pilot gb will prob be around $65-75 for an assembled pcb (everything soldered except switches and OLED)... rest i'm still getting prices for
edit: I'm on vacation for the next 2 week, so expect the pilot run to start end of june or so. trying to make that a quick gb, where almost everything is ready to ship before starting it so it can ship within a week or two after the end if the gb.
edit#2: Part of the higher cost of the first pilot run is that since I am making majority of them (ordered a few from an assembly service to see how well they are done) AND boards from the first will will have the teensy halfkey bootloader 32u4. These are the officials ones sold PJRC and cost significantly more than the standard 32u4s. The will have more room for firmware as well as easy flashing.
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so... how hard would it be to modify the pcb to accommodate mx switches? is there a special affinity to my switches?
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removed.
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so... how hard would it be to modify the pcb to accommodate mx switches? is there a special affinity to my switches?
MY? if you mean ML (I think so), it's pretty different than MX.
yep, my bad. ml is a 4-pin switch, correct?
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so... how hard would it be to modify the pcb to accommodate mx switches? is there a special affinity to my switches?
MY? if you mean ML (I think so), it's pretty different than MX.
yep, my bad. ml is a 4-pin switch, correct?
ML has 4 pin, but 2 are not used (they are jumpers for cherry to wire 1 layer boards easier) I usually only solder the 2 pins that matters
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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so... how hard would it be to modify the pcb to accommodate mx switches? is there a special affinity to my switches?
it can't take MX if that's what you mean, keycaps are 1mm shorter than the MX and the switch footprint is completely different.
I could make a MX pcb if people are interested
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Great work! Hope you can come back soon and start the GB.
BTW, have you considered to use greetech (http://www.greetech.com/en/showproducts.asp?id=501) or kailh (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=82008.0) low profile switches?
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so... how hard would it be to modify the pcb to accommodate mx switches? is there a special affinity to my switches?
it can't take MX if that's what you mean, keycaps are 1mm shorter than the MX and the switch footprint is completely different.
I could make a MX pcb if people are interested
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
definitely interested in an mx board. i love your design, and i dont mean to take away or divert from any of your efforts, but mx is definitely the prevalent switch type when it comes to custom kits. as noted above, keycaps are much easier to find for mx stems as well. its probably a significant effort, but i think it will get you much more interest from the DIY market
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removed.
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so... how hard would it be to modify the pcb to accommodate mx switches? is there a special affinity to my switches?
it can't take MX if that's what you mean, keycaps are 1mm shorter than the MX and the switch footprint is completely different.
I could make a MX pcb if people are interested
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
definitely interested in an mx board. i love your design, and i dont mean to take away or divert from any of your efforts, but mx is definitely the prevalent switch type when it comes to custom kits. as noted above, keycaps are much easier to find for mx stems as well. its probably a significant effort, but i think it will get you much more interest from the DIY market
ML is super cheap to buy if you look on ebay.
yup $10-30 for a ML board for harvesting the switches and keycaps.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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so... how hard would it be to modify the pcb to accommodate mx switches? is there a special affinity to my switches?
it can't take MX if that's what you mean, keycaps are 1mm shorter than the MX and the switch footprint is completely different.
I could make a MX pcb if people are interested
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
definitely interested in an mx board. i love your design, and i dont mean to take away or divert from any of your efforts, but mx is definitely the prevalent switch type when it comes to custom kits. as noted above, keycaps are much easier to find for mx stems as well. its probably a significant effort, but i think it will get you much more interest from the DIY market
Part of the appeal for me is that it is a ML board. I think that the switch allows it to be so small and compact.
There are plenty of MX customs out there for people who are interested in that.
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Any updates on the pilot GB?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Any updates on the pilot GB?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
got 11 units made now, not sure how people want to do the keycaps, I have a small order with sp, but was told to expect 6 weeks for production. Backup plan is in motion as well, I was able to get my hands on a 20 piece lot of the ANSI g84 keyboard part of laptops, should be around $15 after shipping, cheap enough I think most people would be happy to just have them as place holders.
Looking to start the GB in a week or two
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Thanks for the detailed update. Looking forward to the GB
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This is awesome.