[IC] OGR2 by AKB

[Alchemist Keyboards]

>SEE LATEST UPDATE HERE<



Had to trim down the IC (too much yapping) for this update as there appears to be a hard character limit when posting now.
Certain parts of the IC will be linked to external sources


Links:

AKB Website
AKB Discord
AKB Instagram


About the board:

It's an old story now. The OGR was originally designed as an entry for the OG Summer competition on r/customkeyboards in 2019. When it won the top spot my chosen prize was a fully-funded prototype, _{and Simon's wallet has quietly resented me ever since.}

During the obsessive research phase before landing on the final layout and design I grew a real attachment to keyboard/computer design of the 80s and early 90s. I cherry-picked some features from my favourite boards as inspiration (G80-0832, G81-3077 & G80-0530), and combined them in a way that eventually became the OGR. I self-ran the group buy in 2022, for better or worse, and I'm grateful that the feedback from people who use them regularly since they shipped in 2023 has been wholly positive, so I've planned to run this again for quite some time.

I'm terrible at leaving things as they are, and it wouldn't feel right to just milk one design until it's dry, so I've made some minor adjustments this time round.


Specs and features:

• Inspired by vintage Cherry design
• 10° typing angle
• Full 6063 aluminium construction
• 65% and FRL TKL modules, both compatible within the same case
• Sandwiched + top mounted leaf-spring plate (MX)
• 21.5mm effective front height (with bumpons)
• QMK and VIA USB-C PCBs by Upas (MX) and Cipulot (EC)
• Choice of using "integrated" cable connection or daughterboard
• Period-authentic product sticker
• CF plate by default (MX)
• Manufactured by Hongtu
• Is still an absolute unit
• 2.9kg (6.5lbs) unbuilt

More details:

Changes from R1

Other key features


Prototype photos:






More photos to come when the new prototype lands


Plate compatibility:

MX - 65%


MX - FRL TKL



Colour and layout options:

More

It should go without saying now, but these renders are approximations so the colours may vary slightly in production.

Dolch - 65% - WK (6.25u)


Dolch - 65% - WKL (7u)


Dolch - FRL TKL - WK


Dolch - FRL TKL - WKL


Beige - 65% - WK (6.25u)


Beige - 65% - WKL (7u)


Beige - FRL TKL - WK


Beige - FRL TKL - WKL


Fool's Dolch - 65% - WK (6.25u)


Fool's Dolch - 65% - WKL (7u)


Fool's Dolch - FRL TKL - WK


Fool's Dolch - FRL TKL - WKL

GB details:

• MSRP starting from $440
• Group buy launching on July 25th!
• More details (vendors etc.) will be confirmed when I post the GB thread soon

>SEE LATEST UPDATE HERE<

[twitchytheinsideman]

classy

[HubertThemad]

Hey girl heyyyyy  GLWIC, def in for one!

[Gtour]

Pog

[LMarci]

Very cool, would be interesting to see it in a completely new color

[paperassgasket]

I like the rendered color!

[rfcclub]

It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?

[Alchemist Keyboards]

It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?

Fair question, I should probably poll this

[mr_foggy]

happy to see this board getting a second round!
as a proud R1 owner, I’ll gladly pick up a FRL upgrade.

[Alchemist Keyboards]

Added an interest check form this time, it's like a real IC now!

[unusuaL_]

great board from a great guy, what's not to like? 

[cthalupa]

Will the EC parts be backwards compatible with R1 or R2 only?

[Alchemist Keyboards]

Will the EC parts be backwards compatible with R1 or R2 only?

R2 only. I did try to make R1 compatible with EC but that was ready before the more readily-available aftermarket parts were available.

[ligmatronics]

It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?

Fair question, I should probably poll this

FRL WK please. Love the keyboard, but need the wk for hyper/meta shortcuts (emacs says hi).

[NoWrinkles]

Rush rush

[cijanzen]

This is the board that got away. Hoping to join for this round!

[Rob27shred]

This is the board that got away. Hoping to join for this round!

Same here, I was so disappointed my finances couldn't squeeze one in during the first sale. Hoping I'll be able to snag one this time around too!

[DirtyGingy]

I have one from the first run and it's great. I hope it goes well

[ivanh98]

It's very beautiful, I might get one. GLWIC!
Is there any chance it will have WK version ?

+1 for WK FRL TKL

[KaiHG]

Absolutely love my OGR, it's a board I will never sell if I can help it. More people should experience this bad boy.

GLWIC!

[bluntkrayon]

This is looking niiiiiice. +1 for a WK FRLTKL please.

[cthalupa]

Will the EC parts be backwards compatible with R1 or R2 only?

R2 only. I did try to make R1 compatible with EC but that was ready before the more readily-available aftermarket parts were available.

Understandable!

Maybe I need a second OGR...

[Randomlosername]

Hello I would like one WKL 65 XT pls and thank you.

FREAKING IM IN.

[FoxandFoundry]

Yes!!

[TheManicGeek]

UGH, love the 6head and penrail on this board, and FRL TKL MY BELOVED! GLWIC

[QWER|key]

Yes, yes, yes... a million times yes.  Love this board. Not even read the IC yet, but .....  yes LOL

Any chance of Prototypist as a UK vendor?

[Alvi]

Yes please! I always wanted the OGR but with a DB option so this absolutely perfect. Id be in for a kit and an FRL kit!

[EdgeOfInfinity]

oh it's back, very cool!

[Alchemist Keyboards]

Update time:

• The IC poll showed that roughly 25% of you wanted the option for WK FRL TKL so that will now be an option when you buy your board (which now totals 4 possible layouts for 1 board).
• Colourways are now decided! See detailed explanation above in the post for how I landed on these.

Dolch:


Beige:


Fool's Dolch:

[ivanh98]

will there be protos shown in anyway before GB?

[QWER|key]

Do we get the option to apply the sticker ourselves in case we want to Cerakote the board a different colour?

[Alchemist Keyboards]

will there be protos shown in anyway before GB?

Yep! There's one on the way now. There are also photos above of a prototype from last time which is visually the same.

Do we get the option to apply the sticker ourselves in case we want to Cerakote the board a different colour?

Yeah they'll be included separately in the box. The Petrichor mistake will not happen again let me assure you 

[fewmanyclicks]

oooh, yup I’m going to need a Fool's Dolch - 65% - WK or WKL thank you very much

[Metakeebs]

I will definitely consider buying one

[QWER|key]

Yeah they'll be included separately in the box. The Petrichor mistake will not happen again let me assure you 

Woohooo....   definitely in for this.

[Alchemist Keyboards]

Update time:

GB plans:

• MSRP starting at $440. (A little extra for hotswap and/or E-Beige)
• Group buy will be launching on July 25th!
• Confirmed vendors so far are CannonKeys (US) and Thocc Exchange (UK). More to follow soon.

(MX) PCB changes:

• PCBs this time round will be grey (not dark green).
• MCU has been changed to STM32F072CBT6.
• Top-side reset button has been changed to a reset switch/toggle that is mounted on the bottom side of the PCB, but is still accessible via the top so you shouldn't need to disassemble the keyboard to reset the PCB.
• There will now be both solder and hotswap options for all layouts.
• The PCB switch footprints have been adjusted to be more mill-max friendly now.
• These new PCBs will be compatible with R1 if you desolder the JST connector.

Other updates:

• I have updated the badge engraving for a cleaner look.
• The plate files have been updated to reflect the change in reset switch type/position.
• There will be EC kits for both the 65XT and FRL TKL layouts available that will support OEM-style EC parts. Naevies will be supported via Cipulot's EC plate generator after the GB.

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