KC60 On Massdrop a $74.99 60% Keyboard

[RoastPotatoes]

I think this warrants some discussion. Looks good for the price but there is a real lack of information.https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kc60-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open

[jbondeson]

I really hate how massdrop rushes to put offers up prior to completing the copy.

For that bargain basement price you really need to know who's doing the manufacturing and assembly, because massdrop certainly can't assemble for that price by themselves!

[Rotaku]

I'm just wondering who's manufacturing those keycaps 

[SL89]

Much like the ErgoDox, is this not MD just selling an 'open source' / community project.

Good on them, as I know the chinese clones seem to be popular, and they certainly have a better time shipping (even at its worst) then the chinese copies and proxies.

[byker]

I'm just wondering who's manufacturing those keycaps 

Look like gateron keycaps, and a chinese board. I am interested though, might have to pick one up as my first MX 60%.

[jdcarpe]

Much like the ErgoDox, is this not MD just selling an 'open source' / community project.

Since they say it's based on the GH60, yes.

[SL89]

Tbh, much like anything else, MD is preferable over most options to get clones / replicas. At least it has some protection for the buyer. This is a good move on their part. I have my gripes with them but this is good for the community.

[calvinhousecat]

Those are some gorgeous caps

[digi]

Damn, that price with those caps and led's, that's gonna be tough to pass up.

Does anyone know if that plate can take plate mounted cherry stabs? I hate wire stabs..

[jbondeson]

Damn, that price with those caps and led's, that's gonna be tough to pass up.

Yeah, the price is pretty insane especially considering they're limiting to 300 units.

BOM has got to be damn near $50 at those quantities, which doesn't leave much for assembly considering they have such a wide array of switches to choose from. 

[Corey]

So torn on whether to buy or not. 300 units, great price, little information. I hope some are left when I return from work...

[RoastPotatoes]

So torn on whether to buy or not. 300 units, great price, little information. I hope some are left when I return from work...

Someone is supposed to be answering questions but nothing yet.

[cryptowillem]

So torn on whether to buy or not. 300 units, great price, little information. I hope some are left when I return from work...

I'm in the same spot. One the fence until I get more info, but worried they might sell out in the meantime.

[micr0n]

In for one with MX clears.  If all else, I can always source out the clears and replace it gaterons.

[jbondeson]

Alex from massdrop just replied

Alright then. Incoming brick of text. With some pics at the bottom

Who makes this?
The company name we were given is NPKC.

Mac/Linux compatibility?
Tested it on both and everything works fine.

Does the PCB and plate support different layouts?
Yes and No. The PCB has the spots for split shift keys and split backspace, but the plate is the single layout. So either you can remove the plate or you'll need to work out getting one custom cut.

Blank/No keycap option?
We asked about getting a no keycap option in the mix here, but haven't heard back yet.

What caps are in the pictures? What do the dye sublimated look like?
The dye sub caps are the ones in the pictures. So if you choose Dye sub at checkout it comes with the purple font. Would probably look good with a purple TEX case(wink wink)

Pics of the other caps/cases?
I think this is a first production run so this might be the only one that currently exists completed. Because of this I don't have any other option shots. The case looks and feels just like the one from the infinity drop though so you can use that for reference. I'm trying to get clarification on the other keycaps.

Pics of the backlighting?
The LEDs will be full backlighting, but I do not have them installed on this board to sample shot. I did put an LED in to confirm that it works with no other work, so changing the color would be as easy as going to Amazon/Sparkfun/Ebay and buying whatever color of through hole LEDs and soldering them in. They are located above the switch.

Is the switch housing removable without soldering?
Someone 'borrowed' my tool kit and it hasn't been seen since so I can't personally try it right now, but the plate does have the extra slots cut out. This leads me to believe this is very doable.

Programming interface link?
The link we have is in Chinese only and we're having them translate it to english which for some reason has taken the site down currently. As soon as the site is back up I will post the new link. Based on my testing it's incredibly intuitive and easy to use. Simple GUI interface with drag and drop.

Gateron yellows?
I disabled them as an option because they cause confusion every time. Based on the Spec sheet they're identical to the Blacks. One post on Reddit showed them weighing an impressive 180g or something, but Gateron has denied this is anything they manufactured. I feel only disappointment can come from having them in there as an option.

[thismat]

I went in for 2, why not? Worse case I can get a lot of my money back selling just the keycaps

It's compatibility with TMK would be nice to know though, I don't like trusting (even massdrop) external companies sites tools for keyboard configuration.

[digi]

So Gateron's are included in the price but Cherry's are available at an additional cost. I've never tried Gaterons, I could easily swap them to Cherries.

[nickheller]

Really like the key caps, not sure I am willing to buy the keyboard just so I can get those though.

[ceflame]

Actually those purple on beige keycaps look a lot like the "Enjoypbt" caps that frostylove had: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67302.0

So maybe not gateron?

more pics: http://noblehwani.tistory.com/74

[Blaise170]

Looks really interesting. None of the drops ever have MX Whites though.

[sethk_]

Costar stabs ****ing ruined this for me

[Liar]

Really like the key caps, not sure I am willing to buy the keyboard just so I can get those though.

Found the link on the interwebs:



http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.1.UQVMMJ&id=520028638168&ns=1&abbucket=7#detail

[nickheller]

Really like the key caps, not sure I am willing to buy the keyboard just so I can get those though.

Found the link on the interwebs:

Show Image

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.1.UQVMMJ&id=520028638168&ns=1&abbucket=7#detail

Just need to find a proxy, if they are super expensive to get to me in the states it may end up being cheaper to buy the keyboard, and then sell it without caps.

[sethk_]

Really like the key caps, not sure I am willing to buy the keyboard just so I can get those though.

Found the link on the interwebs:

Show Image

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.1.UQVMMJ&id=520028638168&ns=1&abbucket=7#detail

Just need to find a proxy, if they are super expensive to get to me in the states it may end up being cheaper to buy the keyboard, and then sell it without caps.

Taobaoagent, qtan, and there are some others

[KnivesM]

I would buy one if it wasn't for the costar stabs, and now it looks like they're out of dyesub sets  so that's a definite no.

[berserkfan]

i can't care less about the keyboard, but wish someone will do a group buy for the keycaps. Don't feel like paying $100 shipped for the keycaps but I imagine if all geeks bought 200 sets in a Gb prices would come down to some very nice level.

[E3E]

Hmm, the whole "based on the GH60" aspect intrigued me. I waited too long through, because I'd much rather the dye-sub caps than lasered. Eh, I guess it's not really my style in terms of color anyway. Nice keyboard, especially for the price. If I had gotten into keyboards later, it would've made a great first board.

[digi]

PBT w/ purple dye sub no longer available at checkout..

[E3E]

Heh, yep. Without MX Clears or the Dye Subs, this is certainly a no go for me. Maybe next time! I've been trying to budget in order to save for a GON NerD 60 to complete a build idea I have.

Part of me wonders if I should've *ahem* gone with the KC60 instead. Oh well! I'm eager to build a bluetooth keyboard anyway!

[minTea]

These sold really well,  I was quite tempted by it but perhaps now I'll see how other people feel about them when they get theirs and catch the next drop

[Hypersphere]

I finally got around to setting up my KC60. Apart from a few quibbles, I like it -- mainly because it is completely programmable.

Pros:

+ Completely programmable.
+ Handsome dye-sublimated PBT keycaps.
+ Costar-type stabilizers (a plus for me, but some people prefer Cherry stabilizers).
+ 60% form factor with standard layout.

Cons:

- Programming is not exactly user-friendly.
- Some batches had a legend error, "Backspase" instead of "Backspace".
- Keycaps on Q-row hit the LEDs, making this row feel mushy.
- Cherry mx (I prefer Matias or possibly purple Zealios).

For those who like its features, the KC60 is a good value. Once I got the programming to work, I set mine up with a HHKB layout plus some extras, including media and LED controls.

I will probably put some high-profile caps on it to take care of the issue of the Q-row keys hitting the LEDs. I might also put some shock-absorber pads under the spacebar to deaden the downstroke clack.

[vincentalpha]

Guys,
I want to contact with NPKC so that I can modify my order, because MD wont let me do it.
Do you know who and how I can contact with them?
Thanks.