Author Topic: Input Club K Type Thread (Read 50816 times)

lekashman · « **Reply #50 on:** Thu, 11 August 2016, 11:42:55 »

The purpose of the two ports is to allow the keyboard to "daisy-chain" additional Input Club (seen here http://input.club/devices) keyboards running KLL firmware together. This opens the door to fancy things like using an Infinity ErgoDox as a number pad and we added it because no one else is doing this sort of thing with separate devices. Both ports on the K-Type are this sort of connector, just so there is no confusion.

Axiomatik · « **Reply #51 on:** Fri, 12 August 2016, 23:44:22 »

so... Is there a timeline on when this will drop? Need to find a home for some new keycaps.

SBJ · « **Reply #52 on:** Fri, 12 August 2016, 23:52:25 »

Switch choice looks like it's going to be limited. Unfortunately.

thelaughingman · « **Reply #53 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 10:04:46 »

any update guys? would the buy happen in 2016 or 2017 is more realistic?

robotmaxtron · « **Reply #54 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 10:10:54 »

Quote from: thelaughingman on Wed, 30 November 2016, 10:04:46

any update guys? would the buy happen in 2016 or 2017 is more realistic?

I seem to remember getting an email recently that said they were still shooting for a 2016 release.

daerid · « **Reply #55 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 10:39:16 »

Screenshot from my most recent email from them (9 days ago - Nov 21 2016)

pixelpusher · « **Reply #56 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 11:06:49 »

Quote from: daerid on Wed, 30 November 2016, 10:39:16

Screenshot from my most recent email from them (9 days ago - Nov 21 2016)

Show Image

She's a beauty! Now I'm going to have to make some tough decisions :(

Is it still USB-C?

It this going to run through Massdrop like the White Fox?

daerid · « **Reply #57 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 11:43:40 »

I sure hope it's still USB-C. I'm all about consolidating behind one reversible connector.

Parak · « **Reply #58 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 13:06:43 »

Yep, still very much Type C - two of them to be exact. Based on that work we've actually already done Type C for the previous and current Infinity Ergodox batches, so it's a well known component to us now. Which made that to my knowledge the first shipping (kit) keyboard with native Type C

KType's implementation is considerably more complex, however. I had a few brain cells go on strike when I did the schematic with HaaTa.

Data · « **Reply #59 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 13:25:00 »

This is probably the last board that I'll buy for a while. It's kind of my end game...

HPE1000 · « **Reply #60 on:** Wed, 30 November 2016, 15:03:25 »

Oh wow they added an led strip. Still really want this especially after the decision to move to cherry stabs

OverKill · « **Reply #61 on:** Thu, 01 December 2016, 06:39:23 »

Quote from: HPE1000 on Wed, 30 November 2016, 15:03:25

Oh wow they added an led strip. Still really want this especially after the decision to move to cherry stabs

We also added hot swappable switches.

thelaughingman · « **Reply #62 on:** Thu, 01 December 2016, 10:05:21 »

Quote from: daerid on Wed, 30 November 2016, 10:39:16

Screenshot from my most recent email from them (9 days ago - Nov 21 2016)

Show Image

I didn't get this email update which is weird cause I did the email sign up since 2015 and got the September email :eek:

thelaughingman · « **Reply #63 on:** Thu, 01 December 2016, 10:08:01 »

Quote from: OverKill on Thu, 01 December 2016, 06:39:23

Quote from: HPE1000 on Wed, 30 November 2016, 15:03:25
Oh wow they added an led strip. Still really want this especially after the decision to move to cherry stabs

We also added hot swappable switches.

K-Type has been, in my mind, my end-game keyboard since the very first announcement and with every updates it gets further vindication!

Lepidus · « **Reply #64 on:** Thu, 01 December 2016, 11:26:21 »

Quote

NOTE: We selected the Kai Hua Blue RGB SMD LED compatible switch for the Blue Switch in the K-Type after our findings. Other factors that had considerable weight in our decision making process was Kai Hua's development of SMD LED compatible light pipes to maximize LED brightness, invention of a novel hot-swappable switch mount included with every switch, and clear housings for better light dispersion.

Dont really know how to feel about this, every kailh blue switch I tested sucked. I even had a Nixeus moda with stuck switches and tons of chattering. Also, pretty much all of them felt like having a second bump near the end, when the clicky part of the stem scratched against the housing, like this:

https://gfycat.com/SomeLegitimateGibbon

I never tested RGB kailh tho, so maybe they improved the switches. If its like the regular version, it would be pretty disappointing.

Quote from: OverKill on Thu, 01 December 2016, 06:39:23

Quote from: HPE1000 on Wed, 30 November 2016, 15:03:25
Oh wow they added an led strip. Still really want this especially after the decision to move to cherry stabs

We also added hot swappable switches.

Thats interesting. Do you have any info about their expected life? I liked how Zhuque/Glorious included this feature, but the lack of information about its durability worried me. Wouldnt it be more prone to defects like chattering?

OverKill · « **Reply #65 on:** Thu, 01 December 2016, 15:28:38 »

Quote from: Lepidus on Thu, 01 December 2016, 11:26:21

Quote
NOTE: We selected the Kai Hua Blue RGB SMD LED compatible switch for the Blue Switch in the K-Type after our findings. Other factors that had considerable weight in our decision making process was Kai Hua's development of SMD LED compatible light pipes to maximize LED brightness, invention of a novel hot-swappable switch mount included with every switch, and clear housings for better light dispersion.

Dont really know how to feel about this, every kailh blue switch I tested sucked. I even had a Nixeus moda with stuck switches and tons of chattering. Also, pretty much all of them felt like having a second bump near the end, when the clicky part of the stem scratched against the housing, like this:

https://gfycat.com/SomeLegitimateGibbon

I never tested RGB kailh tho, so maybe they improved the switches. If its like the regular version, it would be pretty disappointing.

Quote from: OverKill on Thu, 01 December 2016, 06:39:23
Quote from: HPE1000 on Wed, 30 November 2016, 15:03:25
Oh wow they added an led strip. Still really want this especially after the decision to move to cherry stabs

We also added hot swappable switches.

Thats interesting. Do you have any info about their expected life? I liked how Zhuque/Glorious included this feature, but the lack of information about its durability worried me. Wouldnt it be more prone to defects like chattering?

Chattering has nothing to do with the hot swap mechanism. Chattering occurs when the contacts inside of the switch make contact and it the signal "bounces" from the on state to the off state rapidly until the contact finally is in it's resting position. As for the durabiity the hot swap connectors are rated at 100 cycles.

thelaughingman · « **Reply #66 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 10:47:43 »

Quote

NOTE: We selected the Kai Hua Blue RGB SMD LED compatible switch for the Blue Switch in the K-Type after our findings. Other factors that had considerable weight in our decision making process was Kai Hua's development of SMD LED compatible light pipes to maximize LED brightness, invention of a novel hot-swappable switch mount included with every switch, and clear housings for better light dispersion.

if Kailh blue is one of the switch options then what are the selections for brown & clear varietals, if any? I would like to use this board whenever wherever, which means at work in an office also so no clickies for me

daerid · « **Reply #67 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 11:31:28 »

Quote from: Parak on Wed, 30 November 2016, 13:06:43

Yep, still very much Type C - two of them to be exact. Based on that work we've actually already done Type C for the previous and current Infinity Ergodox batches, so it's a well known component to us now. Which made that to my knowledge the first shipping (kit) keyboard with native Type C

KType's implementation is considerably more complex, however. I had a few brain cells go on strike when I did the schematic with HaaTa.

I've been thinking that I might be able to handle my ErgoDox issues with a custom keycap for the thumb button. If you guys made the next ErgoDox infinity USB-C all around, I'd definitely pick one up.

daerid · « **Reply #68 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 11:32:36 »

Quote from: OverKill on Thu, 01 December 2016, 15:28:38

Chattering has nothing to do with the hot swap mechanism. Chattering occurs when the contacts inside of the switch make contact and it the signal "bounces" from the on state to the off state rapidly until the contact finally is in it's resting position. As for the durabiity the hot swap connectors are rated at 100 cycles.

So I can only swap out switches 100 times? That's less than promising

Data · « **Reply #69 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 12:23:39 »

Quote from: daerid on Fri, 02 December 2016, 11:32:36

Quote from: OverKill on Thu, 01 December 2016, 15:28:38
Chattering has nothing to do with the hot swap mechanism. Chattering occurs when the contacts inside of the switch make contact and it the signal "bounces" from the on state to the off state rapidly until the contact finally is in it's resting position. As for the durabiity the hot swap connectors are rated at 100 cycles.

So I can only swap out switches 100 times? That's less than promising

How often would you realistically expect to do full keyboard switch swaps?

I bet it's less than 20. 100 is overkill and you wouldn't use a board this nice as a switch tester (I hope!).

pixelpusher · « **Reply #70 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 13:39:37 »

Quote from: Data on Fri, 02 December 2016, 12:23:39

Quote from: daerid on Fri, 02 December 2016, 11:32:36
Quote from: OverKill on Thu, 01 December 2016, 15:28:38
Chattering has nothing to do with the hot swap mechanism. Chattering occurs when the contacts inside of the switch make contact and it the signal "bounces" from the on state to the off state rapidly until the contact finally is in it's resting position. As for the durabiity the hot swap connectors are rated at 100 cycles.

So I can only swap out switches 100 times? That's less than promising

How often would you realistically expect to do full keyboard switch swaps?

I bet it's less than 20. 100 is overkill and you wouldn't use a board this nice as a switch tester (I hope!).

I agree. In fact, I would bet that swapping out a full set of switches would happen on average 1-4 times max for the life of the keyboard. It's a very nice feature for someone new to mechanical keyboards that gives them the ability to try out a full board of switches for only $20-30. Whereas many of us had to resort to purchasing several keyboards with different switches for the same experience. I have no use for the feature now that I own 8 keyboards (of course with 3 on the way) all with different switches. However, as long as it does not add a significant cost to the board, I see it as a nice bonus.

daerid · « **Reply #71 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 14:06:33 »

I'd take that bet. I'd win.

I change up what switches I type on all the damn time. Also, it's not full swaps I'm worried about. One of the appeals of a hot swappable board is to easily try out combinations of switches. Combine that with my proclivity for changing what switches I like to type on fairly regularly, and the problem of one of those plugs wearing out becomes highly likely.

pixelpusher · « **Reply #72 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 14:24:07 »

Quote from: daerid on Fri, 02 December 2016, 14:06:33

I'd take that bet. I'd win.

I change up what switches I type on all the damn time. Also, it's not full swaps I'm worried about. One of the appeals of a hot swappable board is to easily try out combinations of switches. Combine that with my proclivity for changing what switches I like to type on fairly regularly, and the problem of one of those plugs wearing out becomes highly likely.

I see your point. But I would think most "enthusiasts" accomplish this by switching boards, not desoldering. Wouldn't it be much easier to just grab another board than to spend 20 minutes switching out switches and caps?

I too change my mind about what kind of switch I want, based on my task or my mood. That's why I have 8 keyboards

It would be cool if they decided to offer a DIY kit (like white fox) where you could choose to do either traditional or hot-swappable.

What would be even sweeter is if someone could create a new switch that was somehow controlled by the keyboard to add extra tension or clicky-ness. Like toggling the snares on a snare drum on and off. Just put MX stems on it and I'll buy! Well, also don't make it as ugly as the gloriousgaming board (make it beautiful like the k-type!)

daerid · « **Reply #73 on:** Fri, 02 December 2016, 14:39:50 »

That's what I do currently, but what I'm talking about is multiple switch types on the same board

Data · « **Reply #74 on:** Sat, 03 December 2016, 12:24:14 »

Quote from: daerid on Fri, 02 December 2016, 14:06:33

I'd take that bet. I'd win.

I change up what switches I type on all the damn time. Also, it's not full swaps I'm worried about. One of the appeals of a hot swappable board is to easily try out combinations of switches. Combine that with my proclivity for changing what switches I like to type on fairly regularly, and the problem of one of those plugs wearing out becomes highly likely.

I'd say this falls well outside the intended use case. Your expectations exceed the design parameters. I'd hate to turn anyone away (as if I had that power!

) ) from what will assuredly be an outstanding keyboard, but if you're expecting to do that many switch swaps then maybe K-Type isn't for you. I'm struggling to think of any keyboard that would enable you to do that many swaps without a failure point...

Or if you're otherwise still interested in the board, maybe temper your expectations a bit? Not sure what to tell you.

daerid · « **Reply #75 on:** Sat, 03 December 2016, 12:52:38 »

Oh it's definitely not a deal breaker. Just mildly disappointing. Still gonna get one, as I love the usb-C and full programmability. I just won't use that particular feature as much

Data · « **Reply #76 on:** Sat, 03 December 2016, 16:00:30 »

Quote from: daerid on Sat, 03 December 2016, 12:52:38

Oh it's definitely not a deal breaker. Just mildly disappointing. Still gonna get one, as I love the usb-C and full programmability. I just won't use that particular feature as much

Wise.

Parak · « **Reply #77 on:** Sun, 04 December 2016, 13:46:30 »

FWIW, if I'm reading it correctly, some of the more popular aftermarket socket mods for switches only claim being tested for 50 insertion cycles. Mill-max ones are better, but would be prohibitively expensive to put into keyboard.

reidacus · « **Reply #78 on:** Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59 »

Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

loud_asian · « **Reply #79 on:** Sun, 04 December 2016, 22:11:04 »

Quote from: reidacus on Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59

Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

no eta yet

OverKill · « **Reply #80 on:** Mon, 05 December 2016, 17:51:21 »

Quote from: reidacus on Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59

Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

We are hoping to get it out before the end of the year.

thelaughingman · « **Reply #81 on:** Tue, 06 December 2016, 10:51:04 »

Quote from: OverKill on Mon, 05 December 2016, 17:51:21

Quote from: reidacus on Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59
Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

We are hoping to get it out before the end of the year.

sooooo next week or the week after (?)

Data · « **Reply #82 on:** Tue, 06 December 2016, 11:49:04 »

Quote from: thelaughingman on Tue, 06 December 2016, 10:51:04

Quote from: OverKill on Mon, 05 December 2016, 17:51:21
Quote from: reidacus on Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59
Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

We are hoping to get it out before the end of the year.

sooooo next week or the week after (?)

I guess technically they have 25 days to launch the GB.

JDragon · « **Reply #83 on:** Tue, 06 December 2016, 17:40:59 »

Quote

Kai Hua Blue RGB SMD LED

Is there any way to source these switches whether in an existing board or individually so I can compare to Cherry MX RGB? Looked around on AliExpress and other sources but could only find the 4 pin variant.

hking0036 · « **Reply #84 on:** Tue, 06 December 2016, 19:28:00 »

Quote from: OverKill on Thu, 01 December 2016, 06:39:23

Quote from: HPE1000 on Wed, 30 November 2016, 15:03:25
Oh wow they added an led strip. Still really want this especially after the decision to move to cherry stabs

We also added hot swappable switches.

Ohhh man, so we can pop them in and out? Looks like I'll have to buy some zealios or something

Just keeps getting better.

arcsay · « **Reply #85 on:** Tue, 06 December 2016, 19:38:14 »

Here y'all more news off /r/mechanicalkeyboards

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/5gtkcx/the_input_club_meet_the_guys_looking_to_disrupt/

thelaughingman · « **Reply #86 on:** Tue, 06 December 2016, 19:44:21 »

Quote from: Data on Tue, 06 December 2016, 11:49:04

Quote from: thelaughingman on Tue, 06 December 2016, 10:51:04
Quote from: OverKill on Mon, 05 December 2016, 17:51:21
Quote from: reidacus on Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59
Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

We are hoping to get it out before the end of the year.

sooooo next week or the week after (?)

I guess technically they have 25 days to launch the GB.

realistically 16 days, you have to take out the last 9 days of Christmas & New Year

Data · « **Reply #87 on:** Tue, 06 December 2016, 20:46:50 »

Quote from: thelaughingman on Tue, 06 December 2016, 19:44:21

Quote from: Data on Tue, 06 December 2016, 11:49:04
Quote from: thelaughingman on Tue, 06 December 2016, 10:51:04
Quote from: OverKill on Mon, 05 December 2016, 17:51:21
Quote from: reidacus on Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59
Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

We are hoping to get it out before the end of the year.

sooooo next week or the week after (?)

I guess technically they have 25 days to launch the GB.

realistically 16 days, you have to take out the last 9 days of Christmas & New Year

Well they could launch the drop on 12/31 in the morning (it's a Saturday but stay with me) and run it for 2 weeks and it would probably still be a huge success. They would still have technically got it out by the end of the year. People will have post-Christmas money to spend. It's unlikely but I wouldn't put it past them. /shrug

dante · « **Reply #88 on:** Sat, 17 December 2016, 18:37:53 »

After 6 years of buying and selling keyboards - literally carpeting one room in tracking receipts - I believe the K Type will be my end game.

I already have keycaps / o-rings / etc. ordered specifically for this board.

Data · « **Reply #89 on:** Fri, 30 December 2016, 13:50:15 »

Quote from: OverKill on Mon, 05 December 2016, 17:51:21

Quote from: reidacus on Sun, 04 December 2016, 16:47:59
Hi All,

My apologies if this is something that has been asked before but do we have any clear timelines / milestones for when this may come to market? Appreciate that a lot of work goes into making these devices and I would rather that its done properly and takes a little longer than rushing it out. I love everything about this and the forward thinking and can't wait to get my hands on a few

We are hoping to get it out before the end of the year.

I'm guessing this didn't go quite as planned.

dante · « **Reply #90 on:** Fri, 30 December 2016, 14:09:53 »

Check out this article:

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/input-club-interview-mechanical-keyboards,33140.html

Quote

The K-type will be available early in 2017.

diqkiq · « **Reply #91 on:** Sat, 31 December 2016, 19:54:29 »

Will their be a version that can use a stepped Caps Lock keycap

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

skuko · « **Reply #92 on:** Sun, 01 January 2017, 16:22:44 »

i'm very interested in this board, but i would appreciate if the lower "lip" of the case would be smaller. seems that the footprint of the board is unnecessarily large.

dante · « **Reply #93 on:** Sun, 01 January 2017, 16:58:01 »

Quote from: skuko on Sun, 01 January 2017, 16:22:44

i'm very interested in this board, but i would appreciate if the lower "lip" of the case would be smaller. seems that the footprint of the board is unnecessarily large.

Agreed. I'm not a fan of chunky bezels.