Hello!
First time group buy runner here and now that school is done I'm going to push to setup and complete the group buy in a quick turnaround.
I still have a few details to hammer out with Greatfirewall but I believe most of it is hammered down so far.
There's one unfortunate problem, I didn't manage to build it yesterday since I forgot the PCB mount stabilizers when I went to visit Nathan. So right now it's still not built.
So what exactly is the Golbat?
The Golbat is a 40% keyboard that has an adjustable bottom row. This means that you can desolder and resolder in the way that you like. Here are some examples of how Greatfirewall, Ryu have setup their own Golbat:
The case is 4 layers. Top and bottom layers are aluminum and the middle layers are acrylic.
The colors available are the following:
Aluminum：sliver, black, pink, blue, green,purple
http://imgsrc.baidu.com/forum/pic/item/9ec0381f95cad1c8298f95cd7a3e6709c83d51b6.jpgAcrylic：you can choose the colors in this link：
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1-c.w137644-66242819.2.ZNnbyp&id=19615052779So this gives a really wide availability of colors for your color matching OCD.
The PCB comes with the diodes and resistors soldered on so the only thing left for you to buy is switches, LEDs, stabilizers.
One part of the acrylic goes above the PCB and the other below the PCB.
If you have any other questions regarding the keyboard itself, let me know and I'll either answer them or forward them to GFW.
Of course I haven't programmed my PCB yet since it's not built but I'll have it built before I start the GB. This is purely the IC.
The aim for the group buy is 20 units with each unit being about 1KG for shipping.
The units will be produced by the friend of GFW in China and shipped to me.
The standard Golbat 40% set will cost $80USD + fees and shipping.
For an extra $15 the HHKB plate will be included (so you'll get both the standard plate and the HHKB style plate). This is $95USD + fees and shipping.
Shipping it being done from Quebec, Canada and should be $12-17USD anywhere in Canada with insurance for $200 CDN.
To ship to the USA the price is $15-20USD including insurance for $100CDN. (It's a big jump for the extra insurance).
The range is because Canada Post doesn't have flat rate boxes and is all dependent on the distance. British Columbia is more expensive than Ontario to ship to. Some ZIP codes in the USA are more expensive but in general it's $15.
Anodized bolts: Before people ask, unfortunately GFW can't source them for the GB so they'll be plain grey.
If there's something else to clarify, let me know!
edit: Sorry should have mentioned that Ill be starting the order process probably mid Jan and collecting the money by the end of Jan.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/169l2KccXvQDXcpiQ0NBYSB4oK2ADylIuzr4nMcbr8BY/viewformedit2: Ill be starting the order process probably mid Jan and collecting the money by the end of Jan
edit3: No feet. You could do like the GoN mobik and just use the high quality rubber stick on feet
edit4: I am not the designer, just the organizer to order and distribute the bulk shipment from China here in North America.
This means that the designs are final and the colors are only the colors posted
edit5: Just want to clarify something, insurance for $100 CDN is about $75USD.
If it happens to get lost in the mail to you I can only refund the insurance money.
It's about $25 USD for shipping to USA for full coverage of the board.
The GB is of course at cost and I have to pay $75 / board up front for the order and it takes about 4-6 weeks from production to shipping if I understood GFW correctly.
So if I collect payment end of January it should be around mid-march to april for you to receive the kit.
edit6:
Bottom row is 1.25, 1, 1.25, 6.25, 1, 1.25
Or 1.25, 1, 1.25, 2.25, 2.75, 1.25, 1, 1.25
The HHKB layout drops the 1.25 at both ends.
edit7: I've organized to extend the order size to 50 units but no more for the first order. This avoids taking in too much money at once and won't increase production and shipping time by too much.
edit8: There's no easy way to add LEDs to the bottom of the PCB. While you could, let's just say that it's not originally supported.
edit9: Expect $40+ for shipping outside of Canada / USA.
