[GB] CK980C - An Homage to the FC980C

[upas]

The CK980C is finally ready for group buy! We’ve tested everything we needed to test, and everything looks like it’s good to go, so we’d like to announce a date, pricing, and group buy details now.


More pics here:

More

TL;DR:

CK980C will run from August 29, 2025 to September 28, 2025 with a Q3 2026 estimated shipping date. Pricing starts at $360 for MX, $375 for EC (Naevy Compatible), $385 for EC (OEM compatible) with a 100 MOQ.

The Board
If you’re not sure what the CK980C is, I would encourage you to check out our IC thread - we go into a lot of details there about it. But as a quick summary, the CK980C is a fully custom EC-first keyboard designed around the same layout as the Leopold FC980C, except with a fully retro-modern style aluminum case and USB 3.1 hub built in (tested to USB 3.1 speeds!)


Please read the IC thread for more details!

Group Buy Details

Variants


This board is EC first, but we’re also offering an MX variant. Furthermore, with EC, there’s now a larger ecosystem available, and we want to support what we can.

So we’ll be offering 3 variants of this board during the group buy.

First, we have the OEM EC version - this will support OEM style EC parts such as parts from Dynacap, KLC, and Deskeys, as well as OEM Topre. This version will have a threaded brass 1.2mm plate (based on IC results), and an EC PCB included. You will need OEM compatible EC parts and EC stabs for this version.

Next, we have the Naevy EC version. This will support Naevy style EC parts, and feature a 1.5mm threaded aluminum plate and include an EC PCB. You will need MX stabs for this version.

Finally - there is the MX version, which will come stock with a 1.5mm alu plate and MX hotswap PCB. You will need MX stabs for this version.

All the necessary screws and/or standoffs will be included for each version.

In terms of the cost of a full build, once you buy all the parts, the MX version will be cheaper than the Naevy version, which will be cheaper than the OEM EC version. By offering all three options, we hope we can make trying out EC a little more affordable.



Layouts

Since EC requires specific fixed plates to really function well, we’re going to be offering the following plate layouts:

1.2mm Brass:
FC980C layout (6U)


FC980C layout except with ISO (6U)


FC980C layout except backspace is split (6U)


7U Bottom Row, ANSI Enter, Full BS


1.5mm Aluminum:
FC980C Layout (6U) Fixed


Universal


If you would like other layouts, Cipulot will have a plate maker for this board, so you can also order a custom one - but the unit you buy as part of the GB will come with one of these layouts.



Colors

Based on IC results, people seemed to really like the proposed colors, so that’s what we’re going to go with:

Black only


Silver only


E-beige only


Black w/ Red Accent


Navy w/ Silver Accent


(These images are renders)


Pricing
While we didn’t get a TON of interest in the IC phase, we really hope we can hit a 100 MOQ here. As such, we priced the board at a 100 MOQ. We’ll be paddling a bit upstream, but we hope there are enough EC and 980 enjoyers out there to make this a reality.

In the IC, we quoted a $450 price target.
At an MOQ of 100, we can actually achieve the following prices:

MX only (Alu Plate, MX Hotswap PCB) - $360
Naevy EC Compatible (Alu Plate, EC PCB) - $375
OEM EC Compatible (Brass Plate, EC PCB) - $385

With a $10 upcharge for the E-beige colorway.

This is significantly less than what we projected, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer this pricing.



Addons

We’ll be offering all the usual addons listed below with this group buy, but we’re also going to be offering a new DynaCap kit with this keyboard as well - this should remove the hassle of having to source your own OEM EC parts.

The DynaCap kit will contain all the EC parts you need to build a CK980C and will cost $155.
I’ve put the full list of what’s in the kit in the next post.

The rest of the addons are as follows:
Extra PCB - MX (hotswap) - $55
Extra PCB - MX (solderable) - $55
Extra PCB - EC - $70
Extra USB 3.0 Hub + 100mm JST Cable - $55
Extra MX Plate - Threaded Aluminum - Either Fixed 980C Layout-  $50
Extra MX Plate - Threaded Aluminum - Universal Layout -  $50
Extra MX Plate - FR4 - Universal Layout - $28
Extra MX Plate - Polycarbonate - Universal Layout - $45

Extra EC Plate - 1.2mm Brass Threaded - Fixed 6u ANSI - $60
Extra EC Plate - 1.2mm Brass Threaded - Fixed 7u ANSI - $60
Extra EC Plate - 1.2mm Brass Threaded - Fixed 6u ISO - $60
Extra EC Plate - 1.2mm Brass Threaded - Fixed 6u Split Backspace- $60

Extra AKB Feet (16) - $4
Extra Gaskets (28) - $6

Extra Back Accent (Ano) - $40
Extra Back Accent (E Coat) - $45

Extra Light Pipes (3) - $4


Vendors
Given the IC responses, we’re not sure that bringing on international vendors would make sense for them. It’s not really worth it for other vendors to put work into making pages and marketing just to get 1-2 sales.

Based on this, at the moment, we’re expecting to be the sole vendor.

We are asking international vendors, though, and if they want to hop on board, we will have them.


Timeline

We plan on starting the group buy on August 29, 2025 and it will run until September 28, 2025.
Our delivery ETA is Q3 2026, or earlier.

[HoffmanMyster]

Approved

[lecorsair]

You have one order from me when it's live, just have to decide on OEM or Naevy. Pricing is very reasonable imo, thank you!

[blakstealth]

My wallet will be ready. Definitely gonna go EC.

[upas]

I unfortunately forgot to make a reserved post, so this will have to be the 5th one haha.
I plan on replacing this post with details about the different EC options to help people decide which version they want to get.

MX
To build with MX, you will need switches and MX stabs.

Naevies
To build with Naevies, you will need 3 packs of 36 Naevies, and MX PCB mount stabilizers.
If you bought them on CannonKeys, this would cost:
3 x 22.75 for the Naevies = $68.25
$10 + $6 for Cherry Clip in stabilizers = $16
Total - $84.25

This option would be the most cost effective way to try an EC board.

OEM Style Parts
To build with OEM style EC parts, you'll need OEM style EC parts.
Third party parts are available from KLC, Deskeys, Dynacap, and others.
Mainly MX-stem compatible (check first for the "+" stem shape)
Keys ranging from 2u-2.75u in size (shift, enter, backspace) do not require stabilizers as they already have their own specific parts.
Spacebar keys require EC stabilizer parts with the appropriate wire (ie. you would require a 7u wire or 6u wire depending on layout).

In terms of cost, we'll go with DynaCap, since we will be offering that with the group buy.
For the $155 GB price, we'll send:
1u Sliders - 98
2u Sliders + Wires - 5
1u Housings - 98
2u Housings - 5
Stab Housings + Stems - 2
6u Spacebar Wire - 1
7u Spacebar Wire - 1
Uncoated Springs - 1
Dome strips (6 per strip) - 17
Silencing Rings packs - 1
Gaskets - 1

Which is everything you need for the OEM-style build.
Total - $155

This is how I built the prototype and I was very happy, I recommend this option if you already know you like Topre.

OEM Parts
Finally, you can also harvest parts from OEM Topre boards.
Cost varies greatly but typically you'll end up spending more than the $155 required for the DynaCap set, and be left with some extra stuff you can't use.
The stems are going to be the topre circle stems as well, so you won't be able to use MX stem keycaps.

[stomaha]

I shall buy