[IC] Summit - Price Reductions + More Options!

[flurples]

For pinnacle typing experience. Estimated at $250 $200.


UPDATE 8/10/24

Hey everyone! It's been some time since my initial IC. Thanks to your feedback from the original post,
I am pleased to announce several new improvements and features as we are closing in on the group buy.

• First and foremost, as I have been narrowing down where I'm sourcing parts,
  I have managed to reduce the estimated price to roughly $200, from $250.

• The Summit's accent pieces will now be offered in 2 different options:
  Sandblasted Brass as before, along with Polished Stainless Steel.

• Aluminum Plates will now be offered due to popular request. I still do not plan on offering other options,
  however, the plate files will be available in case users want to custom fabricate their own.

• The PCB now supports a Split 3:1:3 Spacebar configuration, for a total of 3 options: 7u, 10u, and Split. (Sorry 6u fans!)

• Design-wise, the internal weight has been updated to resemble a cloud - Not only does this add to the aesthetic theme of the mountaintop,
  but it greatly improves the look of the bottom of the keyboard, with the internal weight's design flowing smoothly with the external's.

Original Post:

More

Hey everyone! My name is flurples, and I am thrilled to introduce to you the Summit.
Implementing the iconic Gummy O-Ring mount, along with hefty dual brass weights,
its HHKB exclusive design delivers pinnacle typing experience, without the high price tag.







Cutting Edge
The Summit features a game-changing, laser cut brass weight system.
While traditional weights are CNC milled, its dual laser cut weights not only reduce waste, but also expenses.







HHKB Exclusive
By using a proprietary notched PCB, the Summit features the Unikorn-style, single piece chassis design loved by many,
while accommodating for the iconic HHKB blockers - a combo usually impossible due to interference of the corner blockers with the PCB.







Designed from the Inside Out
Offered exclusively in frosted Polycarbonate, the Summit displays not just as a striking statement piece for your desk, but as beautifully constructed instrument.
Its transparency allows users to appreciate beyond just its gorgeous external appearance.

Specifications
BOLD = New / Updated 8/10/24

Interface
Supported Layout: HHKB only
Typing Angle: 7.5°
EKH: 23.6 mm

Materials
Chassis: Sandblasted Polycarbonate
Weights: Sandblasted Brass, Polished Stainless Steel
Plate Options: Aluminum, Polycarbonate, Brass
Mass:

• Unbuilt: 840g
• Built, PC Plate: 1140g
• Built, Brass Plate: 1305g

Connectivity
PCB: 1.6mm Fr4, No flex cuts, Soldered only
Compatibility: USB-C, using Unified Daughterboard S Series
Software: QMK / VIA

Pricing
Estimated Price: $200
Availability: Limited GB
Vendor: TBA

Layout Options:





Prototype Albums

New Version:

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Original Version:

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Sound Test

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Feedback

Again, thank you so much for your interest in this project! If you are have any questions or feedback, please fill out the interest check form here.

Thank you for reading!

[mul7i]

no 6u hhkb 

[offbrandbiscuit]

no 6u hhkb 

Yeah, the fact that you kind of have to us a proprietary PCB for WKL/HHKB drop-in mount anyway kind of makes me wish he just made it 6u. I'm still interested in this though since it's well-priced and a nice-looking HHKB (can never have enough of those!), though hopefully Flurp will consider other plate materials besides just PC and brass. PC plate in a PC board usually doesn't sound very good imo, would be nice to see alu 5052 or CF as options, though I suppose it's not too difficult to just make your own.

[xLeHoy]

10U support, based

[flurples]

Yeah, the fact that you kind of have to us a proprietary PCB for WKL/HHKB drop-in mount anyway kind of makes me wish he just made it 6u. I'm still interested in this though since it's well-priced and a nice-looking HHKB (can never have enough of those!)

Even though I do love a classic 6u HHKB, I decided to opt for 7u as one of my goals for this project was for it to be more accessible to everyone, and 6u spacebars / stabilizers are slightly harder to come by.

though hopefully Flurp will consider other plate materials besides just PC and brass. PC plate in a PC board usually doesn't sound very good imo, would be nice to see alu 5052 or CF as options, though I suppose it's not too difficult to just make your own.

I am open to including more plate options! If enough people are interested, I can definitely get more options to happen. Thank you for your feedback!

[Bennettb]

I like this! Alu plate would definitely be of interest with the polycarb case GLWIC!
Just editing bc I wanted to know if you have a discord? I would love to follow the project!

[Andromax.wav]

Very cool keyboard , are you going to offer an EC pcb? Also I’m interested in the alu plate and it would be cool to have a stainless steel/gray brass for the weight as an option imo. GLWIC!

[flurples]

Just editing bc I wanted to know if you have a discord? I would love to follow the project!

I do not plan on creating a server because I don’t think I would be able to moderate it, but I plan on sending updates through email. If you have any questions as well, feel free to DM me 

Very cool keyboard , are you going to offer an EC pcb? Also I’m interested in the alu plate and it would be cool to have a stainless steel/gray brass for the weight as an option imo. GLWIC!

Probably no EC option this time around, as that would add more complexity to the project than I am comfortable with. But it seems like alu plates is something that many people want, so I can be sure to include those!

[stomaha]

I like this quite a bit. given the proprietary PCB, I wish there were 3:1:3 spacebar support, for a bit more layout flexibility.

[codecoffeecode]

+1 for additional plate options. Looking forward to progress. GLWIC!

[ylothar]

Is it possible to have some photos of the PCB and the plate?

[J_Noes]

The back weight should respect the hhkb front corners like your pcb does.
You've made the corners so clean with the pcb corner cutouts but the back weight ruins it because of the screws being visible.

Thats the only negative of this board imo.
Otherwise I love how clean the hhkb corners are.

[flurples]

Is it possible to have some photos of the PCB and the plate?

Added pictures of the PCB to the Prototype Album!

[flurples]

8/10/24 - update

[ylothar]

Added pictures of the PCB to the Prototype Album!

Thank you!

Is there no ISO support?

[flurples]

Thank you!

Is there no ISO support?

No problem!

No ISO support, since to my knowledge it's very rarely used with the HHKB blockers

[ylothar]

No ISO support, since to my knowledge it's very rarely used with the HHKB blockers

If you decide to design a custom PCB, supporting the ISO layout requires a very small extra effort: why not do it?
Then for the plate you can always offer only the ANSI variant but allow ISO users to cut it later - if you release the file, of course.

[flurples]

If you decide to design a custom PCB, supporting the ISO layout requires a very small extra effort: why not do it?
Then for the plate you can always offer only the ANSI variant but allow ISO users to cut it later - if you release the file, of course.

We'll see. The problem is that because I never anticipated having an ISO option, I actually have the MCU cluster placed where ISO enter would go, meaning I would have to completely redesign the pcb all over again 

If there's more demand for it then I will definitely consider adding it in. Thank you for your input though!