60% Availability

[dragonxx21]

I'm thinking about delving into the world of 60% and am wondering what kind of options I have. I'm looking for a fairly easy to acquire keyboard and off the top of my head the only two I can think of are the KBT Pure and the Poker 2. I also noticed the TEX Beetle and it looked somewhat interesting. What custom keyboards are currently available in the 60% format besides the GH60 which seems to be hard to acquire without getting the PCB made myself. Should I just go for the easy to acquire and popular Poker 2 or are there any better options? Budget is ~$200, but preferably lower.

Edit: Also, is there such a thing as a 60% alps board? I'd assume not but I figured I'd give it a shot.

[Oobly]

Matias will be announcing a 60% Alps soon. Will have the same edit and arrow keys as the Ergo Pro.

Poker 2, Pure Pro, HHKB Pro2, Tex Beetle are the other popular options that come to mind right now. I guess you could kind of call ErgoDox a 60%.

[nzhao20]

There are various gh60 rev b on taobao and you could source switches and all that stuff from the same proxy to keep costs down. This all really depends on if you mind the poker 2 layout. I really don't see a reason to get gh60 unless you have a special layout that you want like hhkb or you just want to build your own keyboard.

[Oobly]

And Tex have just annouced this: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53669.0

60% board with Trackpoint nub. Uses MX switches for mouse buttons, aluminium case, etc. Nice.

[LONGZILLA]

Duckmini V2 supported Alps, but pretty out of your budgets.

Poker is one of the safer 60% choices because of it's layout, works with most standard keycap sets.

[reziak]

Check out Sprit's GB too!

[dragonxx21]

Check out Sprit's GB too!

Sprit's GB including everything sadly goes over my budget

I'm currently looking at the Poker 2 off of banggood. The white is looking incredibly nice right now

[mooswa]

For my first 60 board I am going with Sprit.  I figured I have to have a programmable board as all available layouts are not satisfactory IMHO.  I am not getting the case though.  If I end up really liking it, I think there will be cheaper options.  There was (still is?) ali's case for about 50$ shipped in classifieds recently.

[swill]

Check out Sprit's GB too!

Sprit's GB including everything sadly goes over my budget

I'm currently looking at the Poker 2 off of banggood. The white is looking incredibly nice right now

Just get the sprit pcb and worry about a case after. Especially if you want alps. I should be able to give you a guide for a DIY case soon. Check my sig.

[dragonxx21]

Check out Sprit's GB too!

Sprit's GB including everything sadly goes over my budget

I'm currently looking at the Poker 2 off of banggood. The white is looking incredibly nice right now

Just get the sprit pcb and worry about a case after. Especially if you want alps. I should be able to give you a guide for a DIY case soon. Check my sig.

What kind of DIY case are you talking about. I have access to literally 0 materials. Also, I really don't want to have just the pcb lying around.

[swill]

Check out Sprit's GB too!

Sprit's GB including everything sadly goes over my budget

I'm currently looking at the Poker 2 off of banggood. The white is looking incredibly nice right now

Just get the sprit pcb and worry about a case after. Especially if you want alps. I should be able to give you a guide for a DIY case soon. Check my sig.

What kind of DIY case are you talking about. I have access to literally 0 materials. Also, I really don't want to have just the pcb lying around.

I plan to set up a buy list with sourcing (will try to get most everything from Amazon.com). Check my case. If you are interested I will work on a guide to source and build it.

[dragonxx21]

Check out Sprit's GB too!

Sprit's GB including everything sadly goes over my budget

I'm currently looking at the Poker 2 off of banggood. The white is looking incredibly nice right now

Just get the sprit pcb and worry about a case after. Especially if you want alps. I should be able to give you a guide for a DIY case soon. Check my sig.

What kind of DIY case are you talking about. I have access to literally 0 materials. Also, I really don't want to have just the pcb lying around.

I plan to set up a buy list with sourcing (will try to get most everything from Amazon.com). Check my case. If you are interested I will work on a guide to source and build it.

May be interested. Would definitely like to see some prototypes before I commit to anything though.

[Oobly]

Oh yes, I forgot the Ducky Mini. It is case-compatible with the Pure and Poker also. Full LED backlighting and 2 function layers, one of which is completely programmable. I have only seen ISO layout so far, though.

https://www.teraset.net/ducky.php#8

[noisyturtle]

There's a Massdrop for the Pure Pro going on right now with the lowest price point met.

[LONGZILLA]

Oh yes, I forgot the Ducky Mini. It is case-compatible with the Pure and Poker also. Full LED backlighting and 2 function layers, one of which is completely programmable. I have only seen ISO layout so far, though.

https://www.teraset.net/ducky.php#8

From what I've read, there's no plans for a ANSI Ducky Mini. In any case, it's basically a Poker with LEDs

[Oobly]

Oh yes, I forgot the Ducky Mini. It is case-compatible with the Pure and Poker also. Full LED backlighting and 2 function layers, one of which is completely programmable. I have only seen ISO layout so far, though.

https://www.teraset.net/ducky.php#8

From what I've read, there's no plans for a ANSI Ducky Mini. In any case, it's basically a Poker with LEDs

I did a little research and it appears you are right! You can actually add the LED's to a Poker II to get the same functionality (seven brightness levels). It has the same programmable 3rd layer.

The more I read about it, the more I like it. Thick PBT caps, programmable, standard ANSI layout and keycap options, plate mounted, removable cable, etc. Would be nice if there were an option to remap Caps to Ctrl without having to use the Pn layer, but that's a small issue. At least you can replace the Win key with Fn on the left side

[SpAmRaY]

Oh yes, I forgot the Ducky Mini. It is case-compatible with the Pure and Poker also. Full LED backlighting and 2 function layers, one of which is completely programmable. I have only seen ISO layout so far, though.

https://www.teraset.net/ducky.php#8

From what I've read, there's no plans for a ANSI Ducky Mini. In any case, it's basically a Poker with LEDs

I did a little research and it appears you are right! You can actually add the LED's to a Poker II to get the same functionality (seven brightness levels). It has the same programmable 3rd layer.

The more I read about it, the more I like it. Thick PBT caps, programmable, standard ANSI layout and keycap options, plate mounted, removable cable, etc. Would be nice if there were an option to remap Caps to Ctrl without having to use the Pn layer, but that's a small issue. At least you can replace the Win key with Fn on the left side

You can also buy a Poker 2 that already has LED's.

[tbc]

^ but where's my duck

[Linkbane]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

[swill]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

[SpAmRaY]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

[swill]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

[rowdy]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

5 new boards?

Strong with this one the GH spirit is!

[swill]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

5 new boards?

Strong with this one the GH spirit is!

Haha, ya...  Just got my JD40 which I have to put switches on.  I have two GH60s coming with different plate layouts (I will probably PCB mount one and plate mount the other).  I have a 60 and 75 coming from Sprits GB as well.  Oh, I forgot to include the SmallFry prototype which I will be building as well.  So I guess thats 6.

I need lots of boards to test the different options of my case design. 

[Pacifist]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

5 new boards?

Strong with this one the GH spirit is!

Haha, ya...  Just got my JD40 which I have to put switches on.  I have two GH60s coming with different plate layouts (I will probably PCB mount one and plate mount the other).  I have a 60 and 75 coming from Sprits GB as well.  Oh, I forgot to include the SmallFry prototype which I will be building as well.  So I guess thats 6.

I need lots of boards to test the different options of my case design. 

whats a jd40?

[rowdy]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

5 new boards?

Strong with this one the GH spirit is!

Haha, ya...  Just got my JD40 which I have to put switches on.  I have two GH60s coming with different plate layouts (I will probably PCB mount one and plate mount the other).  I have a 60 and 75 coming from Sprits GB as well.  Oh, I forgot to include the SmallFry prototype which I will be building as well.  So I guess thats 6.

I need lots of boards to test the different options of my case design. 

whats a jd40?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53617.0

[swill]

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

5 new boards?

Strong with this one the GH spirit is!

Haha, ya...  Just got my JD40 which I have to put switches on.  I have two GH60s coming with different plate layouts (I will probably PCB mount one and plate mount the other).  I have a 60 and 75 coming from Sprits GB as well.  Oh, I forgot to include the SmallFry prototype which I will be building as well.  So I guess thats 6.

I need lots of boards to test the different options of my case design. 

whats a jd40?

It is similar to the SmallFry 40% board but it is powered by a Teensy instead of an on board controller.  There are a bunch of other differences, but thats the main difference...

[Pacifist]

More

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

5 new boards?

Strong with this one the GH spirit is!

Haha, ya...  Just got my JD40 which I have to put switches on.  I have two GH60s coming with different plate layouts (I will probably PCB mount one and plate mount the other).  I have a 60 and 75 coming from Sprits GB as well.  Oh, I forgot to include the SmallFry prototype which I will be building as well.  So I guess thats 6.

I need lots of boards to test the different options of my case design. 

whats a jd40?

It is similar to the SmallFry 40% board but it is powered by a Teensy instead of an on board controller.  There are a bunch of other differences, but thats the main difference...

Ah, whats better? Is it easier to modify?

[swill]

More

If you want to try Topre, there's the FC660C for about $190. Otherwise, that seems to cover the non-custom 60% boards.

I am not a huge fan of Topre (i know, call me crazy), but the FC660 boards are a thing a beauty.  I find the layout so perfect and comfortable.  The only reason I have not sold my FC660C is because I enjoy the layout so much.  It is pretty much perfect for me.

You can get the FC660M...same layout...cherry switches!!

Ya I know, but I have 5 boards on their way for me to build, so I can't justify that right now.    I am hoping a 75% board will be my perfect board.  We will see... 

5 new boards?

Strong with this one the GH spirit is!

Haha, ya...  Just got my JD40 which I have to put switches on.  I have two GH60s coming with different plate layouts (I will probably PCB mount one and plate mount the other).  I have a 60 and 75 coming from Sprits GB as well.  Oh, I forgot to include the SmallFry prototype which I will be building as well.  So I guess thats 6.

I need lots of boards to test the different options of my case design. 

whats a jd40?

It is similar to the SmallFry 40% board but it is powered by a Teensy instead of an on board controller.  There are a bunch of other differences, but thats the main difference...

Ah, whats better? Is it easier to modify?

I don't want to derail this thread anymore than we already have, but here you go.

The SmallFry is an improved version of the JD40.  Some differences are (from JD):
1. SmallFry has holes in the PCB for PCB-mount switches. (JD40 requires a switch mounting plate)
2. SmallFry has holes in the PCB for PCB-mount stabilizers. (see above)
3. SmallFry has an ATmega32U4 controller mounted onboard. (JD40 used a Teensy)
4. SmallFry has LED pads connected to traces, as on the GH60.  (JD40 has led holes, but they are not connected to any traces)
5. SmallFry has mounting holes in the PCB for use with standoffs in cases.  (JD40 does not have mounting holes, so it requires a special sandwich case)

Things I am not totally sure about:
- The JD40 is all through hole.  I think the SmallFry has some SMD pads.