Author Topic: [IC] Harbour —港口: A 65% gasket mounted board designed by Kibou (Vote for colour) (Read 17235 times)

kibou store · « **on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:16:09 »

Harbour —港口: A 65% gasket mounted board designed by Kibou, Hong Kong

Forth Colour option poll is now up! https://forms.gle/99ASJrS4qD7P9qvo6

(Rendered with GMK minimal, GMK WOB)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IC Form: https://forms.gle/F6rFJk59PTUGQcrU8

1.) Introduction
2.) Specifications
3.) Renders
4.) Design
5.) Current Status & Timeline
6.) Vendors & Pricing
7.) FAQ
8.) Special Thanks
9.) News & Updates

1.) INTRODUCTION

About Kibou.
Kibou, 希望, is the Japanese noun for hope. It is a reflection of who we are: a bunch of hopefuls who believe that our passion for a better typing experience will allow us to make great products.

Why “Harbour”?
The keyboard’s name is a homage to Hong Kong - the place we grew up in. Historically, Hong Kong has long been an entrepôt between east and west - a place of trade, and, more importantly, a place where people of a common interest can gather. We hope Kibou will not only be the premier vendor for all things keyboard, but a community too.

2.) SPECIFICATIONS

Typing Angle: 6.0° typing angle

Colours: Black, Silver, E white

Plate Options: Aluminum, Polycarbonate (Half/ Full)

Mounting Style: Gasket Mount

PCB: H65 Designed by hiney (Normal/Hotswap version available)

Weight: Polished stainless steel

Layouts: WK/WKL layout

3.) RENDERS

Rendered with GMK 9009

Rendered with GMK Hanok

Rendered with GMK Kuroge Wagyū

Rendered with GMK Minimal

Rendered with GMK Lavender

Polished stainless weight

4.) DESIGN
Approach.
Our design approach is straightforward: simple design and quality materials. We wanted to design a keyboard that we would want to use ourselves. From the mounting style to the typing angle, the keyboard is designed to deliver the best user experience possible.

Inspiration.
Hong Kong is home to more skyscrapers than any other city in the world. Our skyline is dotted with iconic buildings that helped author the aesthetic style of our keyboard. In particular, the textured layout on the sides was inspired by the BOC building. The numerous skyscrapers facing Victoria Harbour are characterised with smooth window surfaces supported by curtain walls and steel frames. Drawing inspiration from these visual elements, we decided to create a keyboard with a seamless design accompanied by a stainless steel weight.

We also drew ideas from the community. The visual appeal of Gok’s 7V design (the weight in particular) was a concept we wanted to explore and build from.

Mounting Method & Materials.
Using both community feedback and anecdotal experience, we believe that the softer typing feel that the 2mm Poron foam as a Gasket provides is more comfortable.

Assembly.
Aside from the seamless design, we also designed Harbour with the intention of making your assembly process as user-friendly as possible. This includes self-aligning slots between the top and botton case.

Packaging.
Will be revealed in the future.

5.) CURRENT STATUS & TIMELINE

Current Status
Design completed; ordered first prototype.

Timeline
In the coming few months, we plan on:
- Collecting feedback from the community
- Testing our initial prototypes for flaws and make the changes accordingly
- Sending the prototypes out for review

This iterative process of feedback and design requires time. Though we hope to launch the group buy by Q3, it is possible that the group-buy may be delayed. We do not want to rush the process as we hope to release the best version we can produce.

6.) VENDORS & PRICING

Vendors
Worldwide: Kibou.store

Pricing
Actual price yet to be determined. Will be updated.

Units
100 Units Minimum Order Quantity

7.) FAQ

Q: What is the weight of the board?
A: Around 2 kg.

Q: Will it be ISO compatible?
A: For our base kit, the PCB is ISO compatible, but unfortunately the plate is not. However, we will be releasing a universal plate file that will be compatible with ISO.

Q: Are stabilizers, switches, keycaps included?
A: Unfortunately, these are not included in the DIY kit.

Q: Will the plate files be released?
A: Yes, we will open source our plate files.

Q: When will the keyboards be shipped after the group buy?
A: Estimated arrival of around 7 to 10 months (Yet to be confirmed).

8.) SPECIAL THANKS

We would like to give a special shout out and thanks to the following for all the help they provided throughout the design process.

- Gok for providing design inspiration, feedback, and suggestions throughout our design progress

- Hiney for designing our PCB, and support

- RNCables <3

- G14D for his help and suggestions

- Epsilon and his server members for their continuous support and suggestions during our design process

- All of our affiliates, Jintae, Ramen, Kiwi and Bao for their suggestions

- KingK22 for the renders

- And lastly, the HK mechanical keyboard community members for their support

9.) NEWS & UPDATES

Feel free to join our Discord for regular updates. We will also be hosting a giveaway for the board in the upcoming weeks!
https://discord.gg/nsvsAfGYHe

Or, if you prefer, updates will be available on our website, Kibou.store. Please consider supporting the store, we sell lubes, switches, accessories, and more!

Feel free to support us by adding the banner below! Thank you!

Code: [Select]

[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=111146.msg3012509#msg3012509][img width=360 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/OW6tB1E.png[/img][/url]

kibou store · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:26:25 »

24/2 Progress Update:
- First prototype should arrive in late March
- Added leaf spring plate, some extra self aligning spots
- Change in the shape of feets

More pictures and renders will be provided later on! Thanks for everyone's support

JKKEEBS · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:30:46 »

Love the weight!

kibou store · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:35:23 »

Thank you!

o3okevin · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:42:22 »

Cool design!

Fredington · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:42:50 »

Khaine · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:45:08 »

I really like the sides of the board, imo it's a really unique characteristic for the board as well as how the weight flows with it too! the universal plate for the ISO is a cool idea, GLWIC!!!

shuijiao · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:46:10 »

super nice board! i like it a lot

shay350 · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:47:09 »

im loving the back

kibou store · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:50:55 »

Quote from: shay350 on Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:47:09

im loving the back

Thanks!!!

kibou store · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:51:15 »

Quote from: shuijiao on Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:46:10

super nice board! i like it a lot

Thank you!

bthezebra · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 11:54:12 »

Super Clean Super Sixty Five

raykcy · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:21:37 »

OMG the design is very unique as well as the background story!!! Love the board will definitely get one!

AshF · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:31:02 »

Looks amazing. Ashame about the lack of ISO plate otherwise this would have been an instabuy. GLWIC

lbassett21 · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:31:14 »

Inspired from the Kira80 by ThesisCamper I see! Sucker for those sides. Good luck with your IC!

MiSo · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:32:10 »

The design is unique, but maintains a minimalistic feel. Really looking forward to the group buy! Will definitely be participating

WilsonWan · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:41:22 »

Look forward to getting one, good stuf

ShiroMoria · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:44:30 »

Hmm, i see some inspiration form the AKI-S as well

)

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 13:18:46 »

I went to Hong Kong and it was nice and I think you have done a decent job with the keyboard.

MIGHTY CHICKEN · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 13:26:31 »

Intersting sides

10peaches · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:11:08 »

Good work guys. I can see where you draw your inspiration from. Very well structured IC. Looking forward to see the first proto.

kibou store · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:16:09 »

Quote from: raykcy on Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:21:37

OMG the design is very unique as well as the background story!!! Love the board will definitely get one!

Quote from: 10peaches on Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:11:08

Good work guys. I can see where you draw your inspiration from. Very well structured IC. Looking forward to see the first proto.

Thank you all for your support! We will look into different colour options, and we are on track to receive our first prototype by early April.

Quote from: AshF on Wed, 10 February 2021, 12:31:02

Looks amazing. Ashame about the lack of ISO plate otherwise this would have been an instabuy. GLWIC

We understand that not having an ISO plate option may be a deal breaker for some, but we strongly believe that a fixed layout will be able to provide better sound. However, the PCB supports ISO layout and the plate files will be open sourced. If there is enough demand for ISO, we may consider adding it as an option.

Hawksmoor · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:48:52 »

could i request consideration of a non-metallic plate material if not already please?
E.g. Poly

technical_cofounder · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 15:45:21 »

Very cool design. Well done, team! And I love Hong Kong and miss the place so much, I’m in.

Chippy · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 16:34:37 »

Interesting take on this theme, I appreciate the colorways you're doing.

Livid · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 16:37:09 »

Quote from: Hawksmoor on Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:48:52

could i request consideration of a non-metallic plate material if not already please?
E.g. Poly

it says PC will be a plate option!

also i'm really liking this so far, especially the silver

keystream · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 17:11:40 »

Wow, I love the design of this board. Super clean, great job!!

kibou store · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 17:32:09 »

Quote from: Livid on Wed, 10 February 2021, 16:37:09

Quote from: Hawksmoor on Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:48:52

could i request consideration of a non-metallic plate material if not already please?
E.g. Poly
it says PC will be a plate option!

also i'm really liking this so far, especially the silver

Quote from: Hawksmoor on Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:48:52

could i request consideration of a non-metallic plate material if not already please?
E.g. Poly

Thanks for the responses guys! Yes a PC plate option will be included, we will also try out other plate options and test them once our prototype arrives!

kiwoli · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 17:36:27 »

In this for the design on the weight alone.

Lysol_ · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 17:55:04 »

nutty sides. me likey

deedz · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 18:39:21 »

WKL 65%?! Say no more

despairsray · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 18:51:32 »

This looks really clean. That Lavender render though, god damn.

hdbui120 · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 20:11:11 »

Sick!

soloplayer · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 20:43:06 »

do you have exploded view?
also could you offer CF full or half plate?
i'm very interested

kibou store · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 20:57:54 »

Quote from: soloplayer on Wed, 10 February 2021, 20:43:06

do you have exploded view?
also could you offer CF full or half plate?
i'm very interested

Exploded view will be released soon! And yes we will be offering half plates, we will be testing out different plate options when we receive our prototype, stay tuned for updates!

sexton · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 21:44:22 »

Love the clean look, especially the black. Any thoughts to more colours? Think a dark blue would really look nice

jmepstein · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 22:41:07 »

Looks absolutely incredible -- loving the WKL silver in particular. Looking forward to the GB!

Do you have any measurements of the front height?

dllm · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 22:50:35 »

So... being an US immigrant from HK who misses HK very much, I just feel that if I don't get this board I'm actually going to have to dllm...

G14D · « **Reply #38 on:** Wed, 10 February 2021, 23:22:27 »

Quote from: dllm on Wed, 10 February 2021, 22:50:35

So... being an US immigrant from HK who misses HK very much, I just feel that if I don't get this board I'm actually going to have to dllm...

I'm actually going to have to dllm...

lmfao sosad

alspdx · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 00:40:36 »

Such a nice design, love that side profile! Would definitely buy if it were 60%.

kibou store · « **Reply #40 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 01:18:46 »

Quote from: sexton on Wed, 10 February 2021, 21:44:22

Love the clean look, especially the black. Any thoughts to more colours? Think a dark blue would really look nice

We will look to add 1 or 2 more color options if there are enough demand for other color ways

Quote from: jmepstein on Wed, 10 February 2021, 22:41:07

Looks absolutely incredible -- loving the WKL silver in particular. Looking forward to the GB!

Do you have any measurements of the front height?

The front height measures at around 18.5mm without feet installed.

gautema · « **Reply #41 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 02:06:16 »

Looks fantastic! With a regular WK tsangan bottom row as an option it would be absolute endgame, but I'm going for it anyway

Edit: just saw that WK was an option! I'm so in!

Hawksmoor · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 02:18:12 »

Quote from: Livid on Wed, 10 February 2021, 16:37:09

Quote from: Hawksmoor on Wed, 10 February 2021, 14:48:52

could i request consideration of a non-metallic plate material if not already please?
E.g. Poly
it says PC will be a plate option!

also i'm really liking this so far, especially the silver

mb. i did look for it and just missed it. i'm blind

Jinho · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 02:38:34 »

looking forward to trying a proto

the_ream · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 03:07:18 »

This and the frusta fundamental, HK keyboard scene is killing it

oTEMPE5To · « **Reply #45 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 03:12:56 »

I love this, the sides remind me of the stealth pattern of my Spyderco Chaparral 2, as well as being low profile enough to not be in your face. Its very clean

Good luck with IC!

kibou store · « **Reply #46 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 03:25:14 »

Quote from: Jinho on Thu, 11 February 2021, 02:38:34

looking forward to trying a proto

<3

kibou store · « **Reply #47 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 03:36:55 »

Updated with exploded view!

kibou store · « **Reply #48 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 03:39:50 »

Quote from: dllm on Wed, 10 February 2021, 22:50:35

So... being an US immigrant from HK who misses HK very much, I just feel that if I don't get this board I'm actually going to have to dllm...

Quote from: G14D on Wed, 10 February 2021, 23:22:27

Quote from: dllm on Wed, 10 February 2021, 22:50:35
So... being an US immigrant from HK who misses HK very much, I just feel that if I don't get this board I'm actually going to have to dllm...

I'm actually going to have to dllm...

lmfao sosad

No worries, I will take care of the diu lo mo part <3

Senbeii · « **Reply #49 on:** Thu, 11 February 2021, 07:38:33 »

Oh my... that side profile... its quite sexy

News:

Author Topic: [IC] Harbour —港口: A 65% gasket mounted board designed by Kibou (Vote for colour) (Read 17235 times)