Hello guys，I am Xikii, one of the designer of Xikii 1800mini.
First of all, thanks for your attention, and Thank you Oldcat for post the IC for us.
We just wana to bulid a compact board with a practical and compact layout, Bluetooth&USB-C dual mode, All switchs Hot swap, Double sided RGB LED and also have stable tap feeling.
So we made it the Xikii 1800mini.
It’s my first post on geekhack.
I was very happy that I could introduce my work here on Geekhack to the players all around the world, with my pleasure.
Now, just let me show you some details of the 1800mini.
The layout of it is streamlined from the classical CHERRY G80-1800.So we named it 1800mini.
The size is only a little wider than 60% keyboards. Could be seen as a 40% keyboard added function and numpad.
We also made a graphical keymap builder for it (links:
http://ydkb.io/ OR
http://ydkb.xikii.com/ )，It's easy for everyone to edit their own keymap.
The keyboard structure is divided into three layers. The top case part mainly bears the fixing function of the switchs and PCB. The fully wrapped positioning structure design can ensure the stable feel of each switch and the stable connection with the hot plug component.
The details of the position plate in picture, you may never seen a switch plate like that before. I designed the position structure in the year of 2015. It's more stable than any other plates, suitable for hot plug.
A lot of testing and processing time is required here. The processing hours of one plate like this maybe could made two or three whole set keyboards of simple design. The cost is really high in it. A lots of machining cuts working with Very fine milling cutter here.
And it is suit for almost all MX switchs. GATERON and CHERRY switchs in picture.
The middle part is the light-transmissive layer made of acrylic. As a keyboard with wireless function, if it is made of all metal, the wireless signals will be shielded. Therefore, the intermediate layer was made by CNC cutting with acrylic material. On the one hand, it can guarantee the complete wireless signals, on the other hand, it is also a light-transmissive layer of RGB light. The RGB bottom light and the switch light also have some linkage effects.
This is a demo video of some of the lighting effects.
https://streamable.com/4p8lhOf course, there are structural functions to provide space for components on the PCB and separate the PCB from the 3800mah lithium battery.
1800mini has a 3800mah lithium battery inside. It could charging while using with USB.
The wireless life time is related to lighting effects.
If you turn on the light, the battery life is 2 days - one week.
Some lighting effects cost less power, and some lighting effects cost more.
If you totally turn off the light. You could use it for a long time. Maybe 60days or more.
The bottom case is made of aluminum alloy and provides the overall tilt of the keyboard. At the structural level, it has the function of a battery compartment and also blocks the rgb underlight on the PCB to make the illumination more uniform. In addition, it is responsible for fixing the screws with the top case. After the keycap is installed, there are no visible screw holes on the surface.
I am not very satisfied with the previous bottom design, so I just updated the design last week.
The below one is newer.
Have you ever seen any of the more powerful compact keyboards so far?
So, in my mind, practical and compact layout, Bluetooth&USB-C dual mode, All switchs Hot swap, Double sided RGB LED and also have stable tap feeling, the ultimate form of a compact keyboard is probably like this.
I hope that you will agree with it.
We started this project at 2015. And we made the first edition in 2018, then sold it only in CHINA for 2 ROUND , until 2019. In the last ROUND the price of 1800mini is about 380USD without any switch and keycaps.
If we officially start a GB on Geekhack, we will keep this price.
And consider to that some keycaps are not well matched. Just like the two 2.75U spacebar and 1.75U enter.
We may offer some options, just like custom SA raised 2.75U spacebars in the color you need (20USD) and a set of cheaper standard keycaps (No more than 50USD).
We also could provide some transparent switches (No more than 50USD a set)
The detailed option plan will be announced when the GB is start.
If the number of GB orders reaches a certain amount like 300orders.
We will provide one Xikii LOGO keycaps for every buyer as a gift.
Thank you all again, sincerely.
From your new friend Xikii.
