Mionix Zibal 60 / Z60 gaming keyboard with backlit keys

[BaconKnight]

Thanks for clearing that up Mionix. Now, why not tenkeyless? Why doesn't any "gaming" company release a tenkeyless mechanical switch keyboard locally in the states? You have to realize by now from this and many other keyboard forums online that hardcore keyboard lovers would easily pay premium for a tenkeyless version. :-)

[The Solutor]

Ok im gonna answer this one not with a corporate answer.... :tongue1:

Multi color LEDs are too big to fit the switches, we tried to get around this many ways but we have to wait for either a new style multi color led to be smaller and not too expensive or we can modify the switch to take a larger LED. From what we know there is no RGB LED that fits a switch

 
BTW the two color led exist (I mean the two pin variant, with the leds wired internally in antiparallel) and are also not too expensive, the driving circuitry will be a bit more complex but nothing of unmanageable.

[Rally Man]

Ok im gonna answer this one not with a corporate answer.... :tongue1:

Multi color LEDs are too big to fit the switches, we tried to get around this many ways but we have to wait for either a new style multi color led to be smaller and not too expensive or we can modify the switch to take a larger LED. From what we know there is no RGB LED that fits a switch

 
Oh, I didn't mean multi color LEDs, I meant boards with different color led options.  You know the company that I work for has these LEDs that fit into a socket so they can be replaced if needed.  I think it would be neat if you could come up with something similar so that users could change the LEDs to what ever color choice and to which ever keys.  Have a specific color for the ASWD keys, arrow keys, command keys, num pad or just have multi-color board.  You'd be the first one with such a keyboard.

[morethanless]

Yeah, some kind of replaceable LEDs sitting in a socket. And Mionix could sell or retail these LEDS as 105Leds-package for color customization (after market)

[The Solutor]

Yeah, some kind of replaceable LEDs sitting in a socket. And Mionix could sell or retail these LEDS as 105Leds-package for color customization (after market)

 
You cant just swap LEDs because the different thresold of the different junctions.

Likely a better option could be a bright white led with a coloured mini condom, they where used widely on the cars stereo when the mini bulbs were more common than leds.

[Rally Man]

Mionix would be LEDing the market.

har-har...

[Rally Man]

I was thinking of something along these lines but I'm not sure they make them small enough.

[The Solutor]

no, they aren't small enough.

Something like tulipan connector should be used on the back of the PCB. But I think is not worth the work.

The soldered led has also the function of keeping in place the switch.

[The Solutor]

someone already had my idea.

http://www.asahi-rubber.co.jp/english/products/led/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho_Obdhho4g

it's time for a second mod on my xarmor, i think

[alaricljs]

Show Image

I was thinking of something along these lines but I'm not sure they make them small enough.

Those are just standoffs, not sockets.  There are sockets, but in order for a socket to work with the cherry switch it would have to be pretty complicated.  Add in the fact that you would have to find a way to deal with the junction threshold differences, you end up with a very limited and costly option.

[Rally Man]

White LEDs with color keys? Course that would also be costly.

[ZidaneTribal]

To be honest this whole thing has me torn.

First off new to the site, and actually joined because I read this thread in doing some research. Speaking as both a writer (as yet amature only, though that just makes me try harder) and as a gamer dome keybaords are and have been little more than an annoying pain in the butt since they hit the scene. The last time I was really happy with a keyboard was an old spring number I had gotten back in the mid 90s. Right now this baby and the xarmor u9bl both look really nice.

Honestly if this thing used Blue instead of black, or even just had a blue switch variant I think it would be a no brainer (the 3mm multi-colored LEDs would be nice too, but you can't blame Monix for not using it when no company seems to make them). Forgive me if I missed it but are there any plans to put out a Blue Cherry version of this board? I know everyone else has called for brown, red and clear but frankly without a blue cherry variant it's hard to justify getting this over the xarmor, at least from what little I have tried the latter.

[Tallon]

Well - black is supposed to be the best "Gaming" switch, and Mionix is definitely a gaming company - so it makes sense that's the first switch they release. I'm still torn that they (like everyone but deck) don't have clear switches =-\. I want this mionix board - but I want clear switches more. I may have to learn how to solder so I can switch out the switches...

[mtl]

(the 3mm multi-colored LEDs would be nice too, but you can't blame Monix for not using it when no company seems to make them)

Besides sourcing the LEDs, another problem is the Cherry MX switch only has holes for 2 LED leads. I'm pretty sure current RGB LEDs require 4 leads. So a keyboard designer would have to get creative about how the LEDs are mounted and wired.

[ZidaneTribal]

I have to be honest, soldering in some new switches is looking like an increasingly appealing option, especially if some LED ready ones can be found. I actually posted a thread about the prospects and one of the wonderful members here responded with a link to a tutorial. Go take a few soldering classes and give it a shot. it's a skill well worth your time anyways.

[The Solutor]

I have to be honest, soldering in some new switches is looking like an increasingly appealing option, especially if some LED ready ones can be found. I actually posted a thread about the prospects and one of the wonderful members here responded with a link to a tutorial. Go take a few soldering classes and give it a shot. it's a skill well worth your time anyways.

 
Btw spending 50 $ in new switches sound better on a 100$ keyboard like the U9BL-S than on a 150$ one.

Also, because the starting switch is black, will be not possible to do the beige switch/ergo clear mod (unless you buy the springs or an additional set of switches) , which I consider the best of the best on the cherry area.

[ZidaneTribal]

The thing is though that Color-change aside, This keyboard had MOST everything I was looking for. I don't know about anyone else but the prospect of a solid, stable metal casing and braided cable seems alot nicer than the plastic Xarmor (which uses blue keys anyways to my knowledge).

Really I just want the most play, the biggest click, and the biggest tactile feel I can get from the switches for writing.

[Tallon]

If you are looking for blues - it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to just get the Xarmor keyboard, since it comes with blues. I, personally, like the look of the mionix board better and trust the company a bit more (note: I will be waiting for reviews before any potential purchase).

[The Solutor]

The thing is though that Color-change aside, This keyboard had MOST everything I was looking for.

 
IMHO it has just two advantages over Xarmor: the availability of the ISO layout, and the availability in Europe, both of them should be inexistent for the US customers.

Other than that Xarmor works via USB and PS2 while the Z60 is just USB.

Both the keyboard have the wrong backlit color (Red should be the best option but also, amber, yellow or white, are better than green or blue)

Almost all the other features are pretty same.

Xarmor (which uses blue keys anyways to my knowledge)

Xarmor comes in two flavors, brown or blue.

[ZidaneTribal]

See, I was going to argue that the main selling point (for me at least) was the braided cord and metal case. But then one has to wonder if having the case replicated in metal (maybe with a little added bulge for an LED switch) and soldering in a better, braided PS2 cable might not end up being cheaper and easier than trying to cram in a whole new set of keys. Plus, you know, Metallic blue powder coat case....

[The Solutor]

See, I was going to argue that the main selling point (for me at least) was the braided cord and metal case.

Are we sure that the case is a metal one ? Looks like plastic to me.

Personally I don't love the braided cables, i think they are just harder to clean, with no evident advantages on a keyboard.

Maybe on a corded mouse...

[ZidaneTribal]

http://www.mionix.net/page.php?al=zibal60

Unless it means the mounting plate when it says this, the case is 1.6mm steel. Currenlty looking into how much it would cost/how much metal would be needed to replicate the aforementioned xarmor case. Yes it is probably stupid and horribly impractical, but if it costs less than 80 bucks for the sheet metal to make this and a braided cable to cannibalize it would definatly make a nice alternative to the Zibal 60

[The Solutor]

1.6 mm thick steel frame

I think it's referred to the plate mounted switches (same as xarmor, different than cherry).

[ZidaneTribal]

See when I think frame, I generally think of the case, while the word I would use to describe the mounting plate for the switches would be, well, plate. I donno maybe that's just what happens when you're Engineering teacher is going though a divorce and lets you learn on your own.

But yeah if it is plastic like the xarmor then it's hard to see the advantage for the new Mionix board.

[The Solutor]

See when I think frame, I generally think of the case

I think frame is correct, although chassis should be even more correct, but chassis is a term that sounds a bit old, so frame is often used as a synonym.

But yeah if it is plastic like the xarmor then it's hard to see the advantage for the new Mionix board.

Indeed I think that the choice should be based on the look and backlight color (which is matter of preference) the layout (xarmor has only one, mionix 3 or 4), the switches tipe, and last but not least the price.

If in doubt the other minor things should be taken in account.

BTW we should see the real retail price of the mionix when it will be sold.

[ZidaneTribal]

So really we could be (and probably are) looking at two companies putting out an almost identical product. You give up a Wireless feature you will probably never use, gain switches you may or may not prefer, better tech support and a cable that may help resist some minor issues in some situations. Plus once you realize that the Frame is not metal (which is kind of a gyp) the two have almost identical cases.

You know the way this is shaping up, it begs the question of what one could do when designing a keyboard from scratch.

[ZidaneTribal]

Crap, I am none of those things.

Ah well, I do have a free CAD program, a technical degree and WAY too much free time. Who knows maybe that will compensate.

Still I will say that I hope Mionix takes the mechanical keyboard ideas and runs with them. This is a nice board, but still really close to the Xarmor in most ways, and honestly considering the company's rep with gaming mice I really hope they come up with some new, fun innovations

[The Solutor]

C
Still I will say that I hope Mionix takes the mechanical keyboard ideas and runs with them. This is a nice board, but still really close to the Xarmor in most ways, and honestly considering the company's rep with gaming mice I really hope they come up with some new, fun innovations

 

I think the mech keyboards will become trendy in the next two years, thanks to backlight and the gamer market.


It's a sector where the margins could be high, so I think thath more companies will jump on the wagon in the next future.

[Human]

Mionix.

Any news???

At least update with Keyboard Babe pics please.

Show Image

 
Is that Roccat Valo? One of the most overpriced rubber dome keyboard i ever know.

[sixty]

Ok im gonna answer this one not with a corporate answer.... :tongue1:

Multi color LEDs are too big to fit the switches, we tried to get around this many ways but we have to wait for either a new style multi color led to be smaller and not too expensive or we can modify the switch to take a larger LED. From what we know there is no RGB LED that fits a switch

Considering you guys researched this for like two years, you have been slacking on that part!

[video=youtube;aehDqpbN3dY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aehDqpbN3dY[/video]

Teasing aside, I could not actually tell you the part number of these, since I have no clue. I received this as a gift. But as you see, they do indeed exist.

[The Solutor]

But as you see, they do indeed exist.

 
They are called "Raimbow led" to distinguish them from normal RGB led.

[alaricljs]

They are called "Rainbow led" to distinguish them from normal RGB led.

To be more descriptive, that LED has 2 leads and alternates through the 3 colors on it's own.  There is no control over it.  Comes in fast and slow, can be found on ebay.

[BucklingSpring]

To be more descriptive, that LED has 2 leads and alternates through the 3 colors on it's own.  There is no control over it.  Comes in fast and slow, can be found on ebay.

Mionix did say they looked into multi-color leds. Size and overhead was too important to get the product in the range they wanted it.

[The Solutor]

Mionix did say they looked into multi-color leds. Size and overhead was too important to get the product in the range they wanted it.

 
You cant use them for a whole keyboard, unless you want a xmas tree keyboard that with all the keys changing color w/o any control and in unsynchronized way.

Really the two pins RG or RB LEDs are the only option to get something useful.

[Zet]

The build quality of their plate mounted switches looks reaaaally nice

[morethanless]

Are there any shipping issues?
The only dealer for Germany postponed the availability date from 06/10 to 07/29

[The Solutor]

The build quality of their plate mounted switches looks reaaaally nice

 
Until someone will try it, it's not better or not worse than the average competing products.

In the meantime Mionix has lost its only certain advantage over Qpad, both will be available (also)  with the right enter.

You can have an idea about the build quality looking at the review of termaltake mecha g1 which is clearly the same board w/o backlit.

[The Solutor]

all I can say.

 

We all know it's all you can say.

It's time to learn some new words...:lalala:

[BucklingSpring]

+bump

I resisted to pre-order and chose to be notified when available instead.
Zibal 60 at NCIX, 149.00 CAD

[The Solutor]

+bump

I resisted to pre-order and chose to be notified when available instead.

 

Wow.

You are an hero...:pound:

[BucklingSpring]

Not really appropriate in a thread with a vendor.

We had a little fun at the beginning but I think this thread remained relatively clean.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the Zibal 60 reviews.
And I'm likely going to get one if it is more than just another wannaby like the XArmor or the BlackWidow.

I got burned once with the XArmor, now I'm little cautious.

[morethanless]

Why is the Zibal delayed?

[BucklingSpring]

Why is the Zibal delayed?

Where did you got this?

[BucklingSpring]

Probably read the thread.

:redface::redface::redface::redface::redface::redface::redface:
I guess I missed few episodes.

I see the part with the dealer in Germany... And a post from Mionix on OCN (dated a month ago) saying they have "timing" issues.

Dear Mionix spirit are you there?

Can you provide an update?

[The Solutor]

also qpad looks delayed http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-000-XM

something happened in sweden

[Wipster]

Is that the same design as the Thermaltake Meka G1? I wonder where they get these bodies from....
Would be interesting to see a side-by-side teardown and review of each.

[The Solutor]

Is that the same design as the Thermaltake Meka G1?

Looks like exactly the same

[RiGS]

I wonder what type of stabilizers do they use.

[HaveANiceDay]

Isn't Filco the only one that doesn't use Cherry stabilizers?

[The Solutor]

Isn't Filco the only one that doesn't use Cherry stabilizers?

 
My Xarmor and Qpad have both the costar style stabilizers, even blackwidows use them.