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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dac9 on Thu, 15 June 2017, 05:52:40

Title: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: dac9 on Thu, 15 June 2017, 05:52:40
Hey All,

I am looking to get my first 60% but would love to get feedback on my PCB and Plate to make sure they support an arrow cluster design such as the one attached.

Here are the build details. Feedback welcomed and encouraged.

Case - 60% Aluminum Case - Orange (Tex) https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=629 (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=629)
Plate - Universal Frame/Plate for 60% http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/housings-and-related-parts/17-universal-frameplate-for-60.html (http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/housings-and-related-parts/17-universal-frameplate-for-60.html)
PCB   FaceW - 60% Black PCB - SPRiT Edition (MK) https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1352
Switches - R6 Purple Zealio Switches (Tactile) 67G https://zealpc.net/collections/switches/products/zealio (https://zealpc.net/collections/switches/products/zealio)
Key Caps Core - SA Carbon Alphas & Alternate Colorway https://www.massdrop.com/buy/carbon (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/carbon)

Layout I would Like Below:
http://imgur.com/8aiuL4p (http://imgur.com/8aiuL4p)

Thanks.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: Tactile on Thu, 15 June 2017, 07:37:44
Your layout won't work because it's not 60% - it's 60% plus. Take a look at the Pok3r and count across the top row - it's 15 units wide: 13 1U keys and a 2U backspace.
[attach=1]
Your layout is 16 units wide. It won't fit on the PCB or in the case you've selected.

Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: dac9 on Thu, 15 June 2017, 07:45:05
Thanks for the heads up. Can you suggest a PCB and case that matches my layout?
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: zeltner on Thu, 15 June 2017, 07:49:47
If you want a 60% with dedicated arrow keys though, check out the banana split GB going on: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=89896.0.

I was worried about losing arrow keys when I first started using a 60% but I soon found out I like them better in a function layer because I don't have to move my hand as far to use them so I end up being a bit faster actually.

Also those keycaps are nice but keep in mind the ship date on those (March 2018!). I'm not saying don't get them, but I would get another set in the meantime if you plan to use your board anytime soon.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: Tactile on Thu, 15 June 2017, 07:53:10
Thanks for the heads up. Can you suggest a PCB and case that matches my layout?

Not exactly. The Clueboard (https://clueboard.co/) kits seem to be out of stock at the moment but it might give you some ideas. I don't know much about them - and don't know which is which - but one of: White Fox / Red Fox / White Scarf / Red Scarf might be what you want but I don't know how difficult it would be to find one of those kits - or even where to look.

I'm sure other people will have some ideas.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: Tactile on Thu, 15 June 2017, 08:15:12
Do you need arrow keys all the time? The Pok3r has a trick where you can turn the bottom right keys into an arrow cluster with up/down/left/right when you need it.
[attach=1]
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: dac9 on Thu, 15 June 2017, 08:25:35
If you want a 60% with dedicated arrow keys though, check out the banana split GB going on: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=89896.0.

I was worried about losing arrow keys when I first started using a 60% but I soon found out I like them better in a function layer because I don't have to move my hand as far to use them so I end up being a bit faster actually.

Also those keycaps are nice but keep in mind the ship date on those (March 2018!). I'm not saying don't get them, but I would get another set in the meantime if you plan to use your board anytime soon.

The banana split looks great im going to check it out.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: dac9 on Thu, 15 June 2017, 08:25:52
Do you need arrow keys all the time? The Pok3r has a trick where you can turn the bottom right keys into an arrow cluster with up/down/left/right when you need it.
(Attachment Link)

I would prefer dedicated arrow keys.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: kmba on Thu, 15 June 2017, 09:33:37
Go with the banana split. A little more expensive than some other setups, but you don't have to deal with gon (I would never order directly from GON) and you'll get high quality parts and arrows in a standard 60%
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: merlin64 on Thu, 15 June 2017, 10:35:07
You could also look on aliexpress for the xd60. Super cheap but awesome PCB and plate that allows you to put arrows on a 60%. You'll have to sacrifice a key though.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: Joey Quinn on Thu, 15 June 2017, 11:12:11
Buy a whitefox, swap to the switches you want, replace the caps.

Or you could buy any programmable 60% and start using HHKB arrows.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: Entropia on Thu, 15 June 2017, 13:06:31
How about a Tada68? It has PBT keycaps with dyesub legends and for its price (90€) it's a bargain.

(https://www.candykeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/TADA68Blue.png)
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: dac9 on Fri, 16 June 2017, 09:06:23
Hey All,

Just an update to let you know I purchased a new BananaSplit PCB. Very Excited.

Thank-you for all the advice. It is very much appreciated.
Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: rioc on Fri, 16 June 2017, 14:42:08
Doesn't the XD64 support 60% footprint with arrow cluster?

Sent from my sofa using lazy-stuff...

Title: Re: First 60% Need Arrow Cluster
Post by: MajorKoos on Fri, 16 June 2017, 20:32:10
This works well for me:
[attach=1]

I use the additional key to toggle between arrows and normal modifier mode.