MassDrop Sentraq 60% DIY Keyboard Kit

[Pdub]

Ordered two! 

Hope someone else might like this as well! 

MassDrop Sentraq 60% DIY Keyboard Kit


Mod edit: removed referral link

[FLFisherman]

Link for those without accounts or not signed in.

[Pdub]

Link for those without accounts or not signed in.

Fixed Original Link. Thank you!

[jdcarpe]

The base kit comes with a choice of Gateron switches, a choice of universal 60% plate, plate-mounted Cherry stabilizers, a universal PCB, and a case. There's also an option to add on a set of black-on-dark-gray dye-sub PBT keycaps (+$20). For those with their own switches or cases, those can also be removed at checkout.

Wonder how those are supposed to work with the universal plate, which has no mounting points for stabilizers?

[Sifo]

The base kit comes with a choice of Gateron switches, a choice of universal 60% plate, plate-mounted Cherry stabilizers, a universal PCB, and a case. There's also an option to add on a set of black-on-dark-gray dye-sub PBT keycaps (+$20). For those with their own switches or cases, those can also be removed at checkout.

Wonder how those are supposed to work with the universal plate, which has no mounting points for stabilizers?

Must be a typo, it says PCB-mount every where else on the page

[Pdub]

The base kit comes with a choice of Gateron switches, a choice of universal 60% plate, plate-mounted Cherry stabilizers, a universal PCB, and a case. There's also an option to add on a set of black-on-dark-gray dye-sub PBT keycaps (+$20). For those with their own switches or cases, those can also be removed at checkout.

Wonder how those are supposed to work with the universal plate, which has no mounting points for stabilizers?

Hmmm

[jdcarpe]

The base kit comes with a choice of Gateron switches, a choice of universal 60% plate, plate-mounted Cherry stabilizers, a universal PCB, and a case. There's also an option to add on a set of black-on-dark-gray dye-sub PBT keycaps (+$20). For those with their own switches or cases, those can also be removed at checkout.

Wonder how those are supposed to work with the universal plate, which has no mounting points for stabilizers?

Isn't this where the stabilizers go? or do you mean Enter and Shift?

I meant that those holes are just holes, with no mount points. Which require PCB-mount stabilizers. But as Sifo correctly pointed out, it must be a typo. Further down the page it says this:

Included

   

• Plastic case
• Plate
• PCB
• Mini USB cable
• Set of PCB-mounted Cherry stabilizers
• 65 switches

[Crapiface]

Somebody knows if the PCB supports LED backlight ?

[joey]

Somebody knows if the PCB supports LED backlight ?

It doesn't.

[Pdub]

I don't think it does. But still check.

[Bromono]

I really want to grab one. But I know I would butcher it with my $20 soldering iron.

I think it would be cool to buy pre soldered pcbs for a little higher fee for us newbs =(

[Pdub]

I really want to grab one. But I know I would butcher it with my $20 soldering iron.

I think it would be cool to buy pre soldered pcbs for a little higher fee for us newbs =(

That is what I am working with. Should be fine.

[doodersbrother]

I really want to grab one. But I know I would butcher it with my $20 soldering iron.

I think it would be cool to buy pre soldered pcbs for a little higher fee for us newbs =(

It is presoldered! All you have to do is solder the switches

[Bromono]

I really want to grab one. But I know I would butcher it with my $20 soldering iron.

I think it would be cool to buy pre soldered pcbs for a little higher fee for us newbs =(

It is presoldered! All you have to do is solder the switches

even that I am scared of doing o.o

But I need to learn to do it sometime.

[Glod]

why get this when you can get the parts for a GH60RevCN aka Satan GH60 aka GH60INO (In name only) for the same cost if you source the parts correctly and more features RIGHT NOW from taiwan on ebay or through others.

[VinnyCordeiro]

why get this when you can get the parts for a GH60RevCN aka Satan GH60 aka GH60INO (In name only) for the same cost if you source the parts correctly and more features RIGHT NOW from taiwan on ebay or through others.

Maybe because the PCB designer (a.k.a. me) can read your opinions and develop newer PCBs with better features?

[Glod]

why get this when you can get the parts for a GH60RevCN aka Satan GH60 aka GH60INO (In name only) for the same cost if you source the parts correctly and more features RIGHT NOW from taiwan on ebay or through others.

Maybe because the PCB designer (a.k.a. me) can read your opinions and develop newer PCBs with better features?

I don't know how to reply properly to that other than just look at the Nerd60, thats how a 60% board should be in almost every way, and the Satan GH60 which has the LEDs facing the right direction for back-lighting. i own both.

[Glod]

and before i look like the bad guy (probably too late), let me explain what you got right, the layout options are correct and TMK firmware is great, so if you don't need any sort of lighting and TMK is OK, this board is absolutely fine it would seem without owning the board myself.

[jdcarpe]

why get this when you can get the parts for a GH60RevCN aka Satan GH60 aka GH60INO (In name only) for the same cost if you source the parts correctly and more features RIGHT NOW from taiwan on ebay or through others.

Maybe because the PCB designer (a.k.a. me) can read your opinions and develop newer PCBs with better features?

You should be proud of your design! Also, I don't think people knew before today that VinnyCordeiro = Sentraq.

[VinnyCordeiro]

You should be proud of your design! Also, I don't think people knew before today that VinnyCordeiro = Sentraq.

I am not. I'm just the PCB designer, doodersbrother is the one who runs the show.

[azhdar]

Wish I could buy pcb only love the 1.75 +1 spliting

[joey]

why get this when you can get the parts for a GH60RevCN aka Satan GH60 aka GH60INO (In name only) for the same cost if you source the parts correctly and more features RIGHT NOW from taiwan on ebay or through others.

Maybe because the PCB designer (a.k.a. me) can read your opinions and develop newer PCBs with better features?

I don't know how to reply properly to that other than just look at the Nerd60, thats how a 60% board should be in almost every way, and the Satan GH60 which has the LEDs facing the right direction for back-lighting. i own both.

What do you like about the Nerd60 in particular?

[VinnyCordeiro]

EDIT: content deleted.

[jdcarpe]

You should be proud of your design! Also, I don't think people knew before today that VinnyCordeiro = Sentraq.

I am not. I'm just the PCB designer, doodersbrother is the one who runs the show.

Ah, okay gotcha. LeandreN had told me that, but I forgot who all the players were.

[VinnyCordeiro]

I don't know how to reply properly to that other than just look at the Nerd60, thats how a 60% board should be in almost every way, and the Satan GH60 which has the LEDs facing the right direction for back-lighting. i own both.

My problem with LED lighting is that it is pretty hard to do without frying your USB port and having a nice lighting level.

I do have an idea to solve this, thanks to Ben Heck's Phantom Keyboard video last week, but I have to test it before commiting to the PCB design. Unfortunately, USD to BRL exchange rate skyrocketed in the past year, it is too expensive for me to prototype things now.

[Bromono]

Will this come with 7x space bar stabilizers?

[neverused]

I don't know how to reply properly to that other than just look at the Nerd60, thats how a 60% board should be in almost every way, and the Satan GH60 which has the LEDs facing the right direction for back-lighting. i own both.

My problem with LED lighting is that it is pretty hard to do without frying your USB port and having a nice lighting level.

I do have an idea to solve this, thanks to Ben Heck's Phantom Keyboard video last week, but I have to test it before commiting to the PCB design. Unfortunately, USD to BRL exchange rate skyrocketed in the past year, it is too expensive for me to prototype things now.

Yeah that was pretty creative, I have to try it myself.

[Pdub]

EDIT: content deleted.

Will this come with 7x space bar stabilizers?

dear god i hope so 

[Bromono]

EDIT: content deleted.

Will this come with 7x space bar stabilizers?

dear god i hope so

Me too o.o that's the only space bar I got for my cherry set

[Glod]

why get this when you can get the parts for a GH60RevCN aka Satan GH60 aka GH60INO (In name only) for the same cost if you source the parts correctly and more features RIGHT NOW from taiwan on ebay or through others.

Maybe because the PCB designer (a.k.a. me) can read your opinions and develop newer PCBs with better features?

I don't know how to reply properly to that other than just look at the Nerd60, thats how a 60% board should be in almost every way, and the Satan GH60 which has the LEDs facing the right direction for back-lighting. i own both.

What do you like about the Nerd60 in particular?

I ****ed up by dissing a community member's board, I don't want to derail this more, the backlight discussion is valid but I'm not going to start selling GON's stuff here, I've already made myself sick for acting like an ass.

[Steezus]

While most boards require you to desolder each individual switch to do something as simple as replacing a spring, the S60-X’s special cutout lets you easily remove switch tops. Replace stems, swap springs, lubricate switches, and more with ease.

What does Massdrop exactly mean by "special cutout", are they talking about the plate?

[inanis]

While most boards require you to desolder each individual switch to do something as simple as replacing a spring, the S60-X’s special cutout lets you easily remove switch tops. Replace stems, swap springs, lubricate switches, and more with ease.

What does Massdrop exactly mean by "special cutout", are they talking about the plate?

Yeah, I would assume that they are referring to the notched plate for switch top removal, a feature this plate does have. And thank goodness. I don't know how people deal without that. Like, why even bother?

[user 18]

While most boards require you to desolder each individual switch to do something as simple as replacing a spring, the S60-X’s special cutout lets you easily remove switch tops. Replace stems, swap springs, lubricate switches, and more with ease.

What does Massdrop exactly mean by "special cutout", are they talking about the plate?

I would assume so. Looking at the plate, it seems that the cutouts are wider than normal for a Cherry switch, which should theoretically leave enough space for a switch tool to open the switch without desoldering. I would recommend PCB mount switches though, as you lose a lot of stability from this type of plate (Massdrop doesn't seem to specify whether the included switches are PCB-mount or plate-mount).

E: Beat by inanis

[Bromono]

why get this when you can get the parts for a GH60RevCN aka Satan GH60 aka GH60INO (In name only) for the same cost if you source the parts correctly and more features RIGHT NOW from taiwan on ebay or through others.

Maybe because the PCB designer (a.k.a. me) can read your opinions and develop newer PCBs with better features?

I don't know how to reply properly to that other than just look at the Nerd60, thats how a 60% board should be in almost every way, and the Satan GH60 which has the LEDs facing the right direction for back-lighting. i own both.

What do you like about the Nerd60 in particular?

I ****ed up by dissing a community member's board, I don't want to derail this more, the backlight discussion is valid but I'm not going to start selling GON's stuff here, I've already made myself sick for acting like an ass.

To be fair you didn't know and your opinion is valid. I am sure had you known that a geekhack member was actively helping with the board you would have had different thoughts. If that was just a plain Jain Unknown PCB I would agree with you.

Also can anyone confirm this comes with multiple style stabilizers?

i.e: spacebar

[Steezus]

While most boards require you to desolder each individual switch to do something as simple as replacing a spring, the S60-X’s special cutout lets you easily remove switch tops. Replace stems, swap springs, lubricate switches, and more with ease.

What does Massdrop exactly mean by "special cutout", are they talking about the plate?

Yeah, I would assume that they are referring to the notched plate for switch top removal, a feature this plate does have. And thank goodness. I don't know how people deal without that. Like, why even bother?

I would assume so. Looking at the plate, it seems that the cutouts are wider than normal for a Cherry switch, which should theoretically leave enough space for a switch tool to open the switch without desoldering. I would recommend PCB mount switches though, as you lose a lot of stability from this type of plate (Massdrop doesn't seem to specify whether the included switches are PCB-mount or plate-mount).

E: Beat by inanis

Thanks for the responses, in my opinion the ability to remove switch tops should be the standard. It seems that most customs do not support it for some reason, I know that my Jane and Orion v2 do not.

It just seemed a little weird to me that Massdrop did not specify that it was the plate and the picture seemed to give extra room to support it but at the same time it looked different than the plates that I'm use to seeing that provide switch top removal. Best of luck Vinny!

[f1xedgear]

Since nobody has mentioned this yet, livingspeedbump has a kit already and will be doing a build log/AMA over here.

[doodersbrother]

We have dropped the MOQ in order to get these out there. It is at the minimum price of $99.99 + Shipping