[IC] The Banana Split 60 - Group Buy Launching June 1st!

[yasintahir]

60% board with arrow key is what im looking for, especially if my layout can fit would be perfect 

[Arhipio]

So with the expressed interest for PCB mounted stabs. Evan looked over the PCB and we are happy to announce that we will be implementing PCB mounted stabilizers. Sorry with the lack of announcements, we are still working hard and diligently on this project. New updates will be coming out with more information on the finalization of the PCB and design of the plates. Thanks for the continued support, it means a lot. 

[ideus]

Excellent, the PCB will be fully flexible.

[onmybikedrunk]

Somehow missed this earlier.  Looks fantastic - love the versatility.

[Arhipio]

Hey, I have another update. The other day I was messing around with the layouts to see if we can create something more reliable. The major concern was finding keycaps for the set. I toyed around with the split-spacebar, but kept the original design for the arrow key cluster. To me the splitspacebar looked a little off and just wasn't as properly aligned as a standard 6.25. On top of this I started to really like the idea of having a key in between the spacebars. Hope this one image clarified layout concerns as well as show casing my new split-spacebar idea. If we have a majority who prefers this over the existing layouts, we will 100% accommodate and see if we can make it work.

Thanks for the continued support 



Edit: Regardless of which layout will be preferred we will produce a custom keycap set to go along with it.

Also I setup a strawpoll so you guys could vote.

http://www.strawpoll.me/11767993

[watsyurdeal]

Would this work???

[Arhipio]

Would this work???

Show Image

Sadly no, the bottom row only supports standard ansi so (1.25u) and the custom arrow key cluster.

[jchan94]

Just saw this and am hyped to see a good design with arrows for a 60% .

Hope a sweet case accompanies this.

[Arhipio]

Just saw this and am hyped to see a good design with arrows for a 60% .

Hope a sweet case accompanies this.

Thanks man, what's the update on the XDA samples. I ordered Middle Earth, after wanting Granite Elvish for so long.

[Parva Ovis]

The old layout supports 2.25u/1.75u/2.25u and the new one does not; 2.25u/1.75u/2.25u has the benefit of being able to switch to a 6.25u spacebar without switches being in the way, but I suspect I'm the only person who even wanted that.

That said, I'm in full support of the new layouts.

[Arhipio]

The old layout supports 2.25u/1.75u/2.25u and the new one does not; 2.25u/1.75u/2.25u has the benefit of being able to switch to a 6.25u spacebar without switches being in the way, but I suspect I'm the only person who even wanted that.

That said, I'm in full support of the new layouts.

Reason why I decided to mess around with it, also the old layout would not allow the 1.25 in between the split spacebars with the arrow key cluster. The old layout supported a splitspacebar only which is similar to this but instead it was two 2.75u with a 1.25u sandwiched in between. And I do remember someone figuring out that 2.25u/1.75u/2.25u was supported, but that was completely on accident. Glad you like the new one, I do too it's much more modular.

[derezzed]

I don't plan on joining this group buy, so I'm not voting.  But, the Banana Split is, hand's down, the best non-unique 60% board I have ever seen.  This surpasses the WhiteFox, IMO.  Put this in a skeleton case and I would still prefer it over a Korean custom 60% board.  If I was going to join this group buy, I would vote for the new design.   If you're considering naming your layouts, a la the WhiteFox, would you consider naming one of them the True Banana?  Will this still be able to fit into a universal 60% case?

[Arhipio]

I don't plan on joining this group buy, so I'm not voting.  But, the Banana Split is, hand's down, the best non-unique 60% board I have ever seen.  This surpasses the WhiteFox, IMO.  Put this in a skeleton case and I would still prefer it over a Korean custom 60% board.  If I was going to join this group buy, I would vote for the new design.   If you're considering naming your layouts, a la the WhiteFox, would you consider naming one of them the True Banana?  Will this still be able to fit into a universal 60% case?

The True Banana, I like it. And yeah the goal of this was a unique splitspacebar/arrow key 60% PCB that will fit all universal 60% cases. Thanks for the compliments means a lot. You can still vote even if you aren't planning on buying one, any support is appreciated.

[apaskal]

Nice updated layout 
I'm still trying to build hhkb banana with this pcb 

[stoic-lemon]

How about Top Banana, but perhaps only Brits will get it?

[derezzed]

I don't plan on joining this group buy, so I'm not voting.  But, the Banana Split is, hand's down, the best non-unique 60% board I have ever seen.  This surpasses the WhiteFox, IMO.  Put this in a skeleton case and I would still prefer it over a Korean custom 60% board.  If I was going to join this group buy, I would vote for the new design.   If you're considering naming your layouts, a la the WhiteFox, would you consider naming one of them the True Banana?  Will this still be able to fit into a universal 60% case?

The True Banana, I like it. And yeah the goal of this was a unique splitspacebar/arrow key 60% PCB that will fit all universal 60% cases. Thanks for the compliments means a lot. You can still vote even if you aren't planning on buying one, any support is appreciated.

Voted.  Maybe you should announce the poll in the thread title and put the poll link in the OP to raise awareness of the poll and get more feedback.  Also, I apologize for my inappropriate use of an apostrophe in my previous post.  I have reported my transgression to the NSA and am awaiting transfer to the regional detention center.

How about Top Banana, but perhaps only Brits will get it?

Top Banana for the ISO layout sounds appropriate.  One of this keyboard's features is that it presents many opportunities for banana-related puns.  Why not make a sleeve for the Banana Split and call it the Banana Hammock?

[ErectedLine]

I love. All these ideas. I have giggled at every single update.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[Arhipio]

I don't plan on joining this group buy, so I'm not voting.  But, the Banana Split is, hand's down, the best non-unique 60% board I have ever seen.  This surpasses the WhiteFox, IMO.  Put this in a skeleton case and I would still prefer it over a Korean custom 60% board.  If I was going to join this group buy, I would vote for the new design.   If you're considering naming your layouts, a la the WhiteFox, would you consider naming one of them the True Banana?  Will this still be able to fit into a universal 60% case?

The True Banana, I like it. And yeah the goal of this was a unique splitspacebar/arrow key 60% PCB that will fit all universal 60% cases. Thanks for the compliments means a lot. You can still vote even if you aren't planning on buying one, any support is appreciated.

Yeah I'll update the post later tonight .

Voted.  Maybe you should announce the poll in the thread title and put the poll link in the OP to raise awareness of the poll and get more feedback.  Also, I apologize for my inappropriate use of an apostrophe in my previous post.  I have reported my transgression to the NSA and am awaiting transfer to the regional detention center.

How about Top Banana, but perhaps only Brits will get it?

Top Banana for the ISO layout sounds appropriate.  One of this keyboard's features is that it presents many opportunities for banana-related puns.  Why not make a sleeve for the Banana Split and call it the Banana Hammock?

[Arhipio]

Post updated with the poll and the new layout. The results are strongly in favor of the new layout (http://www.strawpoll.me/11767993/r). I'll leave the poll for a couple more days, but with the way things are going I will be taking down the old layouts. I couldn't be happier with the new layout and I am extremely confident in this being our final product.

[FioraCorp]

Holy crap that new layout is so nice.

[Arhipio]

Holy crap that new layout is so nice.

[Arhipio]

Updated post with new sections that I will periodically fill out with information on the status of the project. New replies will still be posted in conjunction with the original post.

[nathanrosspowell]

Updated post with new sections that I will periodically fill out with information on the status of the project. New replies will still be posted in conjunction with the original post.

It's been great to track the progression of this PCB. While the latest version seems to be a big more 'conventional' than some of it's predecessors, I think people will be really happy with it.

I know I personally was a bit skeptical about split space bars until I used a '3 key' split with the middle key as a Fn. Now I want that layout on more of my collection!

With the current options it's possible to use all 4 shift sizes. That means most keysets will be able to provide full coverage without the need to hunt for more shifts! The ability to have all the correct profiles AND full color co-ordination make me want to try that out.



I dub it the 'Full Banana'   )

[gadzkun]

will it compatible with common 60% case?

[Arhipio]

will it compatible with common 60% case?

 The layout fits standard 60% dimensions which will allow the use of standard 60% cases ie. Poker and TEX.

[gadzkun]

will it compatible with common 60% case?

 The layout fits standard 60% dimensions which will allow the use of standard 60% cases ie. Poker and TEX.

sweeettt~ joining for sure

[Giorgio]

Your layout allows in quite similar to the bottom row that I had in mind, which allows to have vim-like arrows.




The bottom row that I suggest requires the removal of one screw. But I think that it is not a big deal, since there are 5 screws left.

[Tom_Kazansky]

here is my layout.


I actually want Fn-Space-Shift, but Space-Fn-Shift works too. 

As for keycaps, I guess I need 2.25u Spacebar and 1.75u Fn.
I can just "flip" the 2nd Enter to use as Spacebar, but as for this 1.75u Fn...

[ideus]

here is my layout.

(Attachment Link)
I actually want Fn-Space-Shift, but Space-Fn-Shift works too. 

As for keycaps, I guess I need 2.25u Spacebar and 1.75u Fn.
I can just "flip" the 2nd Enter to use as Spacebar, but as for this 1.75u Fn...

No right shift? Someone should take some serious typing lessons.

[Tom_Kazansky]

here is my layout.

(Attachment Link)
I actually want Fn-Space-Shift, but Space-Fn-Shift works too. 

As for keycaps, I guess I need 2.25u Spacebar and 1.75u Fn.
I can just "flip" the 2nd Enter to use as Spacebar, but as for this 1.75u Fn...

No right shift? Someone should take some serious typing lessons.

there is, it is after the "Fn" (Space - Fn - Shift)
I don't use my right thumb, so I was thinking of how to make it useful 

EDIT: and you're right, I probably have to retrain my typing, as of now it's very sad 60 wpm 

[derezzed]

This is the layout I would build, given the new design.



At first, I was skeptical about having two different sized keys for the split space bar, but I aligned a 2.25u, 1.25u, and 2.75u key with the standard space bar on my keyboard and discovered the version 2 layout options actually allow me to make more effective use of my thumbs.

[viridius]

I'm potentially interested in a HHKB layout like follows:



How difficult would finding a case/plate be?

[ideus]

here is my layout.

(Attachment Link)
I actually want Fn-Space-Shift, but Space-Fn-Shift works too. 

As for keycaps, I guess I need 2.25u Spacebar and 1.75u Fn.
I can just "flip" the 2nd Enter to use as Spacebar, but as for this 1.75u Fn...

No right shift? Someone should take some serious typing lessons.

there is, it is after the "Fn" (Space - Fn - Shift)
I don't use my right thumb, so I was thinking of how to make it useful 

EDIT: and you're right, I probably have to retrain my typing, as of now it's very sad 60 wpm 

I considered a layout with no right shift, once; however, I found it highly inefficient.

[Arhipio]

With the holiday season coming up I haven't had too much time to work on the project. At the moment I have a case idea and I am working on the 3d models for it. It will have an aluminum body with an acrylic mid-piece to let the PCB's rgb underglow shine through. Also we scrapped the original design for the keycap set, but we have a brand new one that I will be announcing sometime next week. 

[Tom_Kazansky]

looking forwads to it   

[derezzed]

With the holiday season coming up I haven't had too much time to work on the project. At the moment I have a case idea and I am working on the 3d models for it. It will have an aluminum body with an acrylic mid-piece to let the PCB's rgb underglow shine through. Also we scrapped the original design for the keycap set, but we have a brand new one that I will be announcing sometime next week. 

I really liked the original Roasted Banana colorway.  I hope it gets made some day.

[apaskal]

With the holiday season coming up I haven't had too much time to work on the project. At the moment I have a case idea and I am working on the 3d models for it. It will have an aluminum body with an acrylic mid-piece to let the PCB's rgb underglow shine through. Also we scrapped the original design for the keycap set, but we have a brand new one that I will be announcing sometime next week. 

Let me tell some ideas to make project harder to implement
Is it possible to design keyboard case to stand it up on top of 13 inch laptop keyboard and not to press any laptop's keys?

[Arhipio]

With the holiday season coming up I haven't had too much time to work on the project. At the moment I have a case idea and I am working on the 3d models for it. It will have an aluminum body with an acrylic mid-piece to let the PCB's rgb underglow shine through. Also we scrapped the original design for the keycap set, but we have a brand new one that I will be announcing sometime next week. 

Let me tell some ideas to make project harder to implement
Is it possible to design keyboard case to stand it up on top of 13 inch laptop keyboard and not to press any laptop's keys?

Pretty sure you can disable the on board keyboard in device manager. Doesn't require a fancy custom case

[apaskal]

With the holiday season coming up I haven't had too much time to work on the project. At the moment I have a case idea and I am working on the 3d models for it. It will have an aluminum body with an acrylic mid-piece to let the PCB's rgb underglow shine through. Also we scrapped the original design for the keycap set, but we have a brand new one that I will be announcing sometime next week. 

Let me tell some ideas to make project harder to implement
Is it possible to design keyboard case to stand it up on top of 13 inch laptop keyboard and not to press any laptop's keys?

Pretty sure you can disable the on board keyboard in device manager. Doesn't require a fancy custom case

Wow! A good idea, I'm stupid 
For Ubuntu you have to use
xinput float
command.

Thank you! 

[Arhipio]

New update announcing the supported key cap set me and Evan have been working on. When making this set I was personally inspired by the fabulous colors of tropical coral and diver culture. We are still running through name ideas like "Deep Dive" and "Swimming with the Fishes". The set will be in DSA and will support all layouts supported by our PCB. Although the image doesn't include ISO atm, those keys will be included (I just wanted to finish the 2D renders and get the post up before going to bed  ). The images are rough and they are there to give you an idea of how the set will look like.

2D Renders:



Rough image of extra keys that will be included for HHKB/ISO/ANSI. This was done in KLE I'll work on the vector files some time tomorrow (Posted 12/23).


3D Renders:







I can't wait to hear back from you guys, and like always flood the forum with feedback and suggestions! 

[gnmar2723]

I know this is probably a long shot by now, but is there any chance of making the shift row have a .25u stagger and a 2u left-shift like the HHKB JP has?

[Arhipio]

I know this is probably a long shot by now, but is there any chance of making the shift row have a .25u stagger and a 2u left-shift like the HHKB JP has?

The layout is final at this point, it's gone through a lot of revisions and I think many and myself included are happy with it's current capabilities.

[apaskal]

Nice colors!
But if there will be no "/?" key then I'm off.

[Arhipio]

Nice colors!
But if there will be no "/?" key then I'm off.

Rough image of extra keys that will be included for HHKB/ISO/ANSI. This was done in KLE I'll work on the vector files some time tomorrow. So don't worry everything will be covered .

[apaskal]

I know this is probably a long shot by now, but is there any chance of making the shift row have a .25u stagger and a 2u left-shift like the HHKB JP has?

The layout is final at this point, it's gone through a lot of revisions and I think many and myself included are happy with it's current capabilities.

Ok. Let us see PCB image of final layout please

[ideus]

Nice colors!
But if there will be no "/?" key then I'm off.

Rough image of extra keys that will be included for HHKB/ISO/ANSI. This was done in KLE I'll work on the vector files some time tomorrow. So don't worry everything will be covered .

Show Image

The set is missing a 1.5u Backspace or Delete key to cover the required keys for the HHKB layout.

[Arhipio]

Nice colors!
But if there will be no "/?" key then I'm off.

Rough image of extra keys that will be included for HHKB/ISO/ANSI. This was done in KLE I'll work on the vector files some time tomorrow. So don't worry everything will be covered .

Show Image

The set is missing a 1.5u Backspace or Delete key to cover the required keys for the HHKB layout.

Oh yeah I'll add that in later today, I just want to get a feel of what people think of the set as a whole (color scheme, novelties).

[Arhipio]

Here's what will be included with the entire keycap set. There will be no additional kits all of these caps will be together as the base kit. It will have support for standard ANSI and ISO as well as support for all the new unique layouts.



Updated post with the new 2D render.

[Phenix]

Will there be an international kit?

[Arhipio]

Will there be an international kit?

Probably not, we want to keep costs down and honestly the only reason we are offering ISO is because we want to cover every layout the board has. Legends might not be exactly what you want, but you'll have caps that'll cover a board.

Edit: If the set were ever produced on it's own in TKL fashion, International would probably be included as an additional kit, as this set is designed to accommodate the specific PCB we are sticking to the bare minimum to make it affordable.