[GB] Polaris - GB Complete

[ai03]

Polaris
by ai03 and Kevinplus

Gaskets. Seamless. 60%. $265 shipped, starting at $250.

Current status: GB complete. Thread being locked; please use Discord instead for extended support and discussion.

Discord for push notifications



Offering a quality typing experience without the high price tag, Polaris redefines the expectations from custom keyboards.
With proper gasket plate mounting, flex-slotted 1.2mm thin PCB, sleek seamless aesthetic, and accessible pricing, experience a top-tier 60% keyboard for a mid-range price.



Features

• Refined seamless aesthetic that borrows from KBD8X MKII, with a rear-extended weight for a premium look
• Plate held in place by a total of 18 gaskets. No metal-to-metal contact between the plate and case
• 1.2mm thick, flex-slotted PCB that extends the gasket comfort further
• Two foam filler sheets that remove open space within the keyboard while suppressing vibrations

Options

Tops:

• Regular/Full
• HHKB
• WKL

Case colors:

• Black
• Space gray
• Blue grey
• Burgundy red
• Forest green
• Rose gold
• Purple
• E-White (Extra cost)
• E-Yellow (Extra cost)
• Polycarbonate (Extra cost)

Plate options:

• Material: Brass, Polycarbonate, FR4
• Layout: WKL or Universal
• Style: Half or Full

Brass finish options:

• Simple clear matte PVD
• Matte black PVD

Timeline

GB will close in 1 month. Projected shipping time is around the end of the year.
This turned out very, very off from reality. GB completed August 26, nearly 9 months behind original ETA.

If you would like push notifications when there is progress, please join my Discord server and run the command ".iam Polaris" in the channel #bot-spam to receive direct updates whenever they happen.

Discord invite

[HoffmanMyster]

Approved! 

[KingOfMemes]

All aboard the hype train!

[valkyr1e]

Could I get a clarification on the colour:

Is this the space gray? (Definitely not black, but looks darker than space gray on other KBDFans space gray)

[1Weeb]

Is the polycarb case really that bad, any chance you could show samples of how "parts will not fit together perfectly" like the weight?

[nasp]

Could I get a clarification on the colour:

Is this the space gray? (Definitely not black, but looks darker than space gray on other KBDFans space gray)

Show Image

At the time of the render the colors were not listed so it's neither

[Mekuno]

I am assuming the color samples that are shown on the buy page are what they are aiming for.

[nasp]

I am assuming the color samples that are shown on the buy page are what they are aiming for.

Yes. There are only a few physical color samples available. It would have been very expensive to make samples of all the colors.

[Southern Discomfort]

In for E-White HHKB-layout with black matte PVD brass parts. Hope it will be shipped in December 

[jonowarren94]

So hyped to see this!

I know this might sound dumb but I would be correct in saying the base kit comes with a pcb and foam but not a plate right?

Thanks!

[Popopro]

Could I get a clarification on the colour:

Is this the space gray? (Definitely not black, but looks darker than space gray on other KBDFans space gray)

Show Image

I believe that is the space grey as Ai03 said blue grey will be more blue than that.

[donkey]

That to me looks like Black.

[Puddsy]

In for e yellow hhkb

[Vigrith]

In for e yellow hhkb

Same but WKL.

[hamilton]

Rose gold, WKL, poly half plate

[Emir]

HHKB, Blue gray, half pc plate, black pvd - let's get it!

[Tekniqs]

was fully in for a PC board but that warning is a little concerning

[valkyr1e]

Once the colour sample is confirmed: Space gray WKL, full brass plate 

[jooobe]

@ai03 did you get the chance to build the out of spec red board

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[mongoose27]

In for a E-White, WKL 

Can't wait to get it.

[112227]

what color is the fr4 plate?

[kekstee]

Any details on what exactly is the FR4 material option and what to expect from it?

[mongoose27]

Any details on what exactly is the FR4 material option and what to expect from it?

From the KBD site:

Materials:

- Brass: A stiff metal with a deep sound. Firm bottom-out that pairs well with tactiles and some linears.

- FR4: A durable yet flexible fiberglass that is often used for PCBs. Medium firmness, slightly bouncy bottom-out that works for most switches.

- Poly: A flexible plastic that is more resistant to cracking than acrylic. Very soft bottom-out that works with linears.

[pr0ximity]

 FYI all plate materials work for all MX-style switches 👍

[Mcnos]

Space Gray HHKB

[AcidBrain]

Could I get a clarification on the colour:

Is this the space gray? (Definitely not black, but looks darker than space gray on other KBDFans space gray)

Show Image

At the time of the render the colors were not listed so it's neither

Same, i was def in for PC also! I want to know if any other users that have had a PC board had an issue or have heard of this warning before....

[iammbox]

My body is ready.  Buy now, think later!

[konradb]

Will the burgundy be like KBDfans switch opener? Or will it be more bright red like on interest check photo?
This is a big difference for me and I don’t know if I should go safe with black, or trust that it will be dark burgundy.

[toanta]

Any samples of the forest green?

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Will the burgundy be like KBDfans switch opener? Or will it be more bright red like on interest check photo?
This is a big difference for me and I don’t know if I should go safe with black, or trust that it will be dark burgundy.

The one on the IC was stated as being the incorrect color.

[InvidiousIgnoramus]

Could I get a clarification on the colour:

Is this the space gray? (Definitely not black, but looks darker than space gray on other KBDFans space gray)

Show Image

At the time of the render the colors were not listed so it's neither

Same, i was def in for PC also! I want to know if any other users that have had a PC board had an issue or have heard of this warning before....

It's a warning that really should be put up for all boards available in polycarbonate. I purchased a Poly Singa75 used and was very surprised by the top/bottom alignment issues. visually you probably won't notice it, but it can be felt quite a lot. the main issue is that the Polaris, much like the Singa75, has fairly thin walls on the top half, and this can lead to a lot of side flex. It shouldn't be as bad once you've put it together though.

Oh, and I don't believe Ai03 has confirmed otherwise, so it's most likely the screws are threading directly into the polycarbonate, which means you need to be careful about over-tightening.

[f0leyme1ster]

Will this keyboard have a second round of groupbuys in the future? Or can that not be confirmed? I'm new to groupbuys

[nguyenhimself]

FYI if you don't mind a some misshapen arrow keys, Polaris actually allows an HHKB layout with arrow keys on the right side. This is a huge winning point for me.
Again, probably not for everyone. But for those who wish for HHKB-with-arrow-keys, this is awesome.

[nguyenhimself]

Will this keyboard have a second round of groupbuys in the future? Or can that not be confirmed? I'm new to groupbuys

Usually no guarantee. There's a chance that KBDfans would stock up a number of units for post-GB purchase, but again, no idea.

[Solotov]

E-Yellow for Serika 

[KingOfMemes]

E-Yellow for Serika 

This the move 100%

[sevenseacat]

I really want to go purple but I don't trust KBDfans doing purple, their 5degree purple cases are just... off. All-black it is!

[Ivanddt]

Has KBDfans done Rose Gold before? Can't seem to find anything on their site.

[raphaelf]

Will the burgundy be like KBDfans switch opener? Or will it be more bright red like on interest check photo?
This is a big difference for me and I don’t know if I should go safe with black, or trust that it will be dark burgundy.

I'm really interested to know that also. I love the red on the opener but the one in the proto didn't do much for me.

[jrs]

What's the best feeling plate for linear switches?

[jooobe]

To switch plate I will have to desolder all the switches?

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[MK47]

Is there a complete render of HHKB?

[kitty]

Has KBDfans done Rose Gold before? Can't seem to find anything on their site.

would like to see a rose gold colour sample too :>

[ddnomad]

In for e yellow hhkb

Let me guess: with MT3 Serika, right?

[Bubblegum]

Is Forest Green ano the same as KBDfans 5°/Tofu Dark Green?

[mr.squishy]

Is Forest Green ano the same as KBDfans 5°/Tofu Dark Green?

That's what I wanna know

[SpeakingSilence]

In for Rose Gold for Bliss.
E White for Milkshake.

[LubedNReady]

My body is ready.  Buy now, think later!

I feel this on so many levels.

All of you who have expressed interest in the polycarb plates - are you planning on buying an extra plate (either same or different material)?

[Jonny_Lopez]

Yee I ll buy 2 different plate and pcb

[nathanchere]

Could I get a clarification on the colour:

Is this the space gray? (Definitely not black, but looks darker than space gray on other KBDFans space gray)

Show Image

At the time of the render the colors were not listed so it's neither

Same, i was def in for PC also! I want to know if any other users that have had a PC board had an issue or have heard of this warning before....

https://brianlee.blog/2018/12/14/review-yuktsis-tgr-910re-polycarbonate/ sums it up nicely