Introducing the KS Mini

[hazeluff]

Introducing the KS Mini. A fully programmable DIY Keyboard. Designed by none other than Mr Hazeluff (me ; p). This board is planned to be sold in a group buy style with switch options and two different layouts.




Read more here.


Feel free to comment/ask questions/give suggestions.

[cactux]

good luck with your new project guys

[Matt3o]

I'm totally in!

[boost]

Count me in

[absyrd]

I want it. Including the rubber-band ties!

[Halverson]

Do want!

[mm87]

Since the winkeyless is based on MX Mini, any chance at all that the winkeyless PCB will be compatible with the LZ-Mini alum. housing (here), in case that it will stop being just a tease and actually be available?

[i3oilermaker]

I'm intrigued...What do the blank keys in the top right do?

[mkawa]

awesome hazel! does sherry have a prototype of this board yet?

[Dajm]

Very interested in this!

[hazeluff]

awesome hazel! does sherry have a prototype of this board yet?

Not yet, I have the only working board so far. He'll get one once the design gets finalized.

I'm intrigued...What do the blank keys in the top right do?

It can do whatever you want. Mines going to be one that makes me ruler of the world (tho I have not tested this function yet).

Since the winkeyless is based on MX Mini, any chance at all that the winkeyless PCB will be compatible with the LZ-Mini alum. housing (here), in case that it will stop being just a tease and actually be available?

It will most likely will not be. It was not designed to fit in another keyboard's case.

I want it. Including the rubber-band ties!

Rubber-bands not included. How about screws?

[OrangeJewce]

Would this qualify as something like a 75% board?

+1 Interest.

Cheers,

[jcrouse]

I'm in for one.

[hazeluff]

Would this qualify as something like a 75% board?

+1 Interest.

Cheers,

I don't know how people have defined the "Mini". Its area is about %60-70 of a 104 layout.

[jdcarpe]

I think it's considered a 75% board if it has the function row and cursor arrow/navigation keys, e.g. Race, Choc Mini. The 60% boards lack those dedicated keys, e.g. Poker, Pure, HHKB.

So this should be considered a 75%

[boost]

Would there be an option to purchase PCB separate?

[hazeluff]

I think it's considered a 75% board if it has the function row and cursor arrow/navigation keys, e.g. Race, Choc Mini. The 60% boards lack those dedicated keys, e.g. Poker, Pure, HHKB.

So this should be considered a 75%

Man I'm such a noob.

Would there be an option to purchase PCB separate?

Will be considered.

[Matt3o]

still nobody wants to make a project like this but with wireless keyboard 

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

still nobody wants to make a project like this but with wireless keyboard 

IMHO: Wireless = batteries = a pain in the ass.

UNLESS someone was to design a wireless keyboard with an internal, rechargeable battery that can be plugged into and charged via USB.  Does such a keyboard even exist?

[jdcarpe]

And how would you get nkro over wireless USB?

[hazeluff]

still nobody wants to make a project like this but with wireless keyboard 

IMHO: Wireless = batteries = a pain in the ass.

UNLESS someone was to design a wireless keyboard with an internal, rechargeable battery that can be plugged into and charged via USB.  Does such a keyboard even exist?

It can be done, but selecting battery cell + designing the charging circuit will be the "tricky" part. But Wireless is always asking for trouble imo.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

And how would you get nkro over wireless USB?

Well considering many wired USB keyboards are still only 6KRO, I would have to say that it would be unlikely that an affordable wireless keyboard can be made with NKRO.

[Matt3o]

IMHO: Wireless = batteries = a pain in the ass.

I usually have to change the batteries to my wireless keyboard every 6-8 months with heavy usage... I'd say that it's acceptable

UNLESS someone was to design a wireless keyboard with an internal, rechargeable battery that can be plugged into and charged via USB.  Does such a keyboard even exist?

that is a great idea. there are some mice that can be recharged via usb (from roccat and razer)

And how would you get nkro over wireless USB?

6KRO is good enough for me

It can be done, but selecting battery cell + designing the charging circuit will be the "tricky" part. But Wireless is always asking for trouble imo.

Considering that there are 0 wireless mechanical keyboards (although the KBT bluetooth will be out soon)... I suppose it might be a good niche

[yearn4]

no soldering necessary!!
plate mounted!!
any guesstimates on price point?

[rknize]

Nice work.  A bit like the Race, but with more standard caps.

[leesofi]

its like Noppo choc.
mod 1.5 ->1.25 and longer spcaebar.

good job.

[Kellybear]

O_O!!!

Do you have different cases? Or can these boards fit MX mini cases?

[alaricljs]

no soldering necessary!!

Umm, wrong.  Notice it says DIY.  Also go to the main web page and look that it may even require SMT soldering.

[hazeluff]

no soldering necessary!!

Umm, wrong.  Notice it says DIY.  Also go to the main web page and look that it may even require SMT soldering.

Depending on response, we may do them for those who want it. It just depends on how adventurous everyone feels.

[ekw808]

This looks pretty identical to a MX mini except without the 1.5x modifiers, and that is what I am assuming is a centered stemmed caps lock?

[jcrouse]

I'll be in.

[hashbaz]

This looks pretty identical to a MX mini except without the 1.5x modifiers, and that is what I am assuming is a centered stemmed caps lock?

But by geekhackers for geekhackers.

[hoggy]

Looks nice. I'm in.

[hazeluff]

This looks pretty identical to a MX mini except without the 1.5x modifiers, and that is what I am assuming is a centered stemmed caps lock?

The main thing I addressed was the use of the more standard set of keys here. Which is the 1.25x modifiers and the 6.25x spacebar, which you find on most of the more recent made boards.

And yes, it is a centered stemmed caps lock.

[Elrick]

Nice work.  A bit like the Race, but with more standard caps.

I was going to buy a RACE for sure, but I think I will wait for yours.  Please say you will provide some kind of indestructible casing design for this venture?

[hazeluff]

Nice work.  A bit like the Race, but with more standard caps.

I was going to buy a RACE for sure, but I think I will wait for yours.  Please say you will provide some kind of indestructible casing design for this venture?

The case is planned to be made from sheets of acrylic. I don't know if thats indestructible enough for you tho.

[Matt3o]

will it be 6kro, right?

[cancelx]

Any info about the price? This thing is tempting

[hazeluff]

will it be 6kro, right?

Running a modified Phantom firmware, which is 6KRO I believe.

Any info about the price? This thing is tempting

Still finishing it up, I'll start calculating that afterwards.

[dorkvader]

Some people are more comfortable with through hole soldering. Is there any way to move the SMD stuff to a sub-board (or better yet, have the SMD stuff done at the factory, and the through-hole by DIYers and small-enterprisers on the forum?

Either way, I'd be in for one, depending on the price. I've always wanted a smaller 'board, and this looks excellent!

[hazeluff]

Some people are more comfortable with through hole soldering. Is there any way to move the SMD stuff to a sub-board (or better yet, have the SMD stuff done at the factory, and the through-hole by DIYers and small-enterprisers on the forum?

Either way, I'd be in for one, depending on the price. I've always wanted a smaller 'board, and this looks excellent!

SMD will be done at one point or another. I'd like to offer it up for people if they want to do it themselves, but I'll probably be the one doing soldering for SMD parts if you don't want to do it.

This will leave switch, diode and LEDs as through holes let to build.

Mainly is, i want to see how many people would be OK with SMD.

[telepete]

The winkeyless layout is sweet. The site also says it comes with keycaps as well as the case. This may be too rich for my blood but I'm interested as long as the price is sane.

[hazeluff]

The winkeyless layout is sweet. The site also says it comes with keycaps as well as the case. This may be too rich for my blood but I'm interested as long as the price is sane.

We probably won't make the keycaps compulsary, but it'll be something we probably will offer to make the keyboard complete. = )

[metalliqaz]

Im pretty darn sure that I will be in for 1 or more.   Switch options?

[hazeluff]

Im pretty darn sure that I will be in for 1 or more.   Switch options?

Red, Blue, Brown, Black

The standards.

[jdcarpe]

Are those keycaps the Cream Cheese and Blue set? Or are they a different set?

[boost]

Are those keycaps the Cream Cheese and Blue set? Or are they a different set?

This. Maybe the d3 set

[Broadmonkey]

I'm very interested in this, might also be interested in soldering everything myself if it makes it cheaper.

[hazeluff]

Are those keycaps the Cream Cheese and Blue set? Or are they a different set?

The keycaps are undecided. Could be Cream Cheese and Blue or could be Blue and White scheme. It hasn't been set in stone yet.

[TheProfosist]

Some people are more comfortable with through hole soldering. Is there any way to move the SMD stuff to a sub-board (or better yet, have the SMD stuff done at the factory, and the through-hole by DIYers and small-enterprisers on the forum?

Either way, I'd be in for one, depending on the price. I've always wanted a smaller 'board, and this looks excellent!

im interested an agree with this you should have the smd done by the factory if possible and id be willing to build kits for people that want the board but dont want to solder.

Also this layout looks very close to one that i designed for WASD and also posted in the GH60 keyboard thread.