[IC]Odysseus 209 (Update Sep. 07 Apple quality Anodizing.)

[kingnestea]

Update Sep. 07

There is a tough decision needs to be made. We have lately established a connection with the manufacturer that does the anodization for Apple, by using that anodization, we can make this MacBook pro quality, but then it will increase the price up to about 400$.

So we are currently looking into the design and see if we can do something about that to decrease the manufacture cost and keep this around 350$ with the same anodizing which Apple use for their products.

Need to hear your thoughts...

This is a picture for comparison. A Camp c225 anodized piece on top of the Apple quality anodizing



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Concept

Since I'm a lover of the KMAC mini layout, I wanted more people to share this nice experience thanks to the KMAC team. So here comes Odysseus 209.

Although this is just the start of a new project. More details will follow up. Please feel free to express your feelings about the design.

Technological Parameters

Manufacturing with the same manufacturer that has made all the REVO products and Camp c225.

Material TBD.
Color option TBD.
Layout compatibility TBD.
Keyboard slope: 5°











To Do list:

Gathering feedback.
Definite material and color options.
Sampling.
Pricing.
GB go live!

 

[kawasaki161]

Finally a new Keyboard IC, I'm pretty fed up with all the keyset-ICs popping up recently.

The general layout looks great, but I hope the plate is just a placeholder and will not be the final piece as I'd love to habe more options like a split spacebar (if we choose 2u and 2,75u + whatever fits we can get away with using one keyset) as well as splitBS support and of course switchtop removal.
Something that I'd also love to see would be 5mm Acrylic plates and plates that have the option to remove the stabs without desoldering (like SPRiTs and winkeyless' plates).
I'd also not oppose an optional Acrylic layer or complete acrylic bottom paired with RGB underglow (not a dealbreaker though).

[JDragon]

Interested; looks good. Love the layout. Seconding 5mm acrylic plates.

[xondat]

I think more layout options would be welcomed.

Is the angle part removeable? I think it's worth just waiting for more information at the minute, it all seems a bit up in the air on what the plans are )

[kingnestea]

Interested; looks good. Love the layout. Seconding 5mm acrylic plates.

We will provide acrylic plate option if there are enough demand on that.

Finally a new Keyboard IC, I'm pretty fed up with all the keyset-ICs popping up recently.

The general layout looks great, but I hope the plate is just a placeholder and will not be the final piece as I'd love to habe more options like a split spacebar (if we choose 2u and 2,75u + whatever fits we can get away with using one keyset) as well as splitBS support and of course switchtop removal.
Something that I'd also love to see would be 5mm Acrylic plates and plates that have the option to remove the stabs without desoldering (like SPRiTs and winkeyless' plates).
I'd also not oppose an optional Acrylic layer or complete acrylic bottom paired with RGB underglow (not a dealbreaker though).

I think switchtop removal is not gonna supported, but we can look into the PCB and see what we can do for different layouts.

I think more layout options would be welcomed.

Is the angle part removeable? I think it's worth just waiting for more information at the minute, it all seems a bit up in the air on what the plans are )

Yes, the angle part is removable, I'm hoping that this new feature will be a symbol to the Odysseus keyboards in the future.

And about more layout options, I'm quite open to that, we will sure add more layout compatibility to the PCB and plate.

[fublamchu]

Looks great! I'd be interested

[duynguyenle]

Interested; looks good. Love the layout. Seconding 5mm acrylic plates.

We will provide acrylic plate option if there are enough demand on that.

Finally a new Keyboard IC, I'm pretty fed up with all the keyset-ICs popping up recently.

The general layout looks great, but I hope the plate is just a placeholder and will not be the final piece as I'd love to habe more options like a split spacebar (if we choose 2u and 2,75u + whatever fits we can get away with using one keyset) as well as splitBS support and of course switchtop removal.
Something that I'd also love to see would be 5mm Acrylic plates and plates that have the option to remove the stabs without desoldering (like SPRiTs and winkeyless' plates).
I'd also not oppose an optional Acrylic layer or complete acrylic bottom paired with RGB underglow (not a dealbreaker though).

I think switchtop removal is not gonna supported, but we can look into the PCB and see what we can do for different layouts.

I think more layout options would be welcomed.

Is the angle part removeable? I think it's worth just waiting for more information at the minute, it all seems a bit up in the air on what the plans are )

Yes, the angle part is removable, I'm hoping that this new feature will be a symbol to the Odysseus keyboards in the future.

And about more layout options, I'm quite open to that, we will sure add more layout compatibility to the PCB and plate.

Is there any reason why you wouldn't consider switch top removal? I think it's quite a handy option to have. 

[repuls0r]

I think having a numpad on the left side would be nice.  Something like a reverse 96 layout.

[kingnestea]

Is there any reason why you wouldn't consider switch top removal? I think it's quite a handy option to have. 

They are not good for stabilizing the switches

[duynguyenle]

Is there any reason why you wouldn't consider switch top removal? I think it's quite a handy option to have. 

They are not good for stabilizing the switches

Fair dos

[Blackhawk]

Interested, I really like the look of the KMAC Mini layout. For choice of material, I would prefer 6061 alu for the housing and SS/alu plate.

[kingnestea]

We are currently looking at 6063T Alu. alloy manufactured in Japan.

There is a tough decision needs to be made. We have lately established a connection with the manufacturer that does the anodization for Apple, by using that anodization, we can make this MacBook pro quality, but then it will increase the price up to about 400$.

So we are currently looking into the design and see if we can do something about that to decrease the manufacture cost and keep this around 350$ with the same anodizing which Apple use for their products.

Need to hear your thoughts...

[xondat]

Is that price including the PCB?

[kingnestea]

Is that price including the PCB?

Yes, 400$ included top case, bottom case, angle case, plate, PCB. Paypal fee, the only cost left is shipping from China to you.

[xondat]

$400 is a good price in my opinion. $350 would be even nicer, but if I like a custom then I wouldn't mind spending $400.

[kingnestea]

$400 is a good price in my opinion. $350 would be even nicer, but if I like a custom then I wouldn't mind spending $400.

Thanks a lot for that. Do you like this one?

Beside this, there are a few friends of mine who are willing to join the sampling with the Apple anodizing. So there will be a few units made before this GB goes live, maybe we can start a vote and see which option you guys want. 

[MaNiFeX]

Looks great!

[romevi]

Love the name.

[RevoTeam]

It's impossible to get the apple anode for just $400

[JDragon]

Curious to see some more samples of the Apple anodization. I'd definitely be interested at the 400 price point but want to make sure it's worth it first.

Will the case be multiple colors? For example, can I get a black top, gold middle, and black bottom?

[xondat]

$400 is a good price in my opinion. $350 would be even nicer, but if I like a custom then I wouldn't mind spending $400.

Thanks a lot for that. Do you like this one?

It's okay, but not the aesthetic I'm looking for

[kingnestea]

Curious to see some more samples of the Apple anodization. I'd definitely be interested at the 400 price point but want to make sure it's worth it first.

Will the case be multiple colors? For example, can I get a black top, gold middle, and black bottom?

Yes, case colors are up to your choice for every single case.

There will be samples for every color option with Apple anodization before the GB launches. Just finalizing the design and we are up to sampling phase

[JDragon]

Curious to see some more samples of the Apple anodization. I'd definitely be interested at the 400 price point but want to make sure it's worth it first.

Will the case be multiple colors? For example, can I get a black top, gold middle, and black bottom?

Yes, case colors are up to your choice for every single case.

There will be samples for every color option with Apple anodization before the GB launches. Just finalizing the design and we are up to sampling phase

Awesome, time to start squirreling away some more pennies.

[cirrus82]

Really interesting layout and design, would be down for an Apple quality anodized kit.

[manofinterests]

I'm interested

[tanker666]

Is ISO compatibility considered?
Totally like it, even without ISO. 

[kenmai9]

Registering my interest.

[gain]

im keen

[tanker666]

Any news? I really want to have a kmac mini layout keyboard. Like really badly.

[catweewee]

Probably make the lowest plate into feet instead. Less surface area for anodizing?

[Auxo]

Probably make the lowest plate into feet instead. Less surface area for anodizing?

IMO the lower plate is what sets this apart from any other keyboard, i'd say keep it. If it wasn't this particular layout (60% instead) i would be really interested

[pon10]

a 60% would be awesome, but never the less looking forward to see more 

[EugeneYap83]

I'm keen

Stainless steel would be nice option since there are already ton of aluminum housing keyboards.

 It would be nice if the feet plate is made of brass for sheer weight and due to it's natural color is possible to skip anodizing.

[kingnestea]

to those who are interested in the Odysseus 209, first of all, thank you for your support.

This project has been put aside because I've been busy lately. I've been involved with different projects in cooperation with keyclack.com.

There is still an update related to this, several boards (one time project for several friends) are being made with the Apple anodizing.

I'll post some pictures after production is finished.

 

[tanker666]

Cant wait to see the pictures, and I hope in the future there will be a groupbuy for this if it turns out great.