类型: GB
作者: Nedzc27
发布时间: 2022-08-21 16:55:21
更新时间:
2022-10-27 01:03:29
原链接:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=118154.0
Loki65:
A full-CNC Polycarbonate, 65% Keyboard that adopts
multiple mounting-styles.
(Group Buy: 17th of September to 23rd of October
2022)
Latest Updates right here:
2nd of September 2022:
-All
units from the Early Bird sale held in February 2022 have
been delivered! Thank you so much for the support! Check out
some more awesome pics below.
-We finally have a Group
Buy Date for the Loki65. It will be on the 17th of September
2022!
-Schedule for streams and video reviews are also
out for some of the Youtubers:
- Lewis Toh (Build Stream on YouTube) - 7th of September 2022, ~8pm GMT+8
- Alexotos (Build Stream on Twitch) - 9th of September 2022, ~7pm EDT
- Keybored (video review) - 12th 10th of September 2022, EST
-
nearLucid - TBC 16th of October 2022
8th of September 2022:
Lewis Toh X Loki65 Build Stream replay:
10th of September 2022:
-Alexotos X Loki65 Build Stream replay: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1586587884
-Review of the Loki65 by Keybored!:
16th of September 2022:
-Dutchmasterw X Loki65 Build Stream replay:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1591958288
17th of September 2022:
-Dutchmasterw’s typing test on the Loki65:
16th of October 2022:
-Review of the Loki65 by nearLucid!:
27th of October 2022:
-Loki65 Group Buy Closed!
Hey guys! It’s been
such a journey for us…
We had an interest check on the
Loki65 back in February 2021; it was nothing more than a
passion project started by just my project partner and I.
We
are 2 keyboard enthusiasts from Singapore, both with a
desire for bringing innovative features to the custom
keyboard community. Seeking improvements on the existing
features that we see on current keyboards, but also tossing
away a few redundancies that we saw. The Loki65 is a
by-product of a design that heavily favors function over
form. Despite that, it definitely isn’t made to be just
another boring-looking custom keyboard.
We are so
excited to be at our Group Buy phase and so glad (and
pleasantly-surprised) to see the reception and sell-out when
we launched the Early Bird sale a few months ago. We are
grateful for all the love and support.
The Loki65 Group
Buy is planned to happen in September 2022. Do stay tuned
for the YouTubers that will be reviewing/featuring the
Loki65 on their respective channels in the month of
September. We will update their schedules here, so keep a
lookout!
Interest Check post previously:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=111422.0
Join us on Discord (build guide available here
too):
https://discord.gg/RHmR7HZK5J
Instagram (many more pictures right here):
https://instagram.com/loki65kb
Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfctYC_sSYW6oZf5-XaP4TA/videos
More pictures here. Loki65 Early Bird found on
Instagram:
More
by @keibsdesk
by @complexminded.keebs
by @nickthelard
by @Benzeebenz
by @kiplol
by @alexotos
by @0nichiwa_
Once more, let’s take a look what
the Loki65 is:
The Name: Loki65
The inspiration came from the boards unique feature
of having multiple mounting-styles, providing different
typing experience and sounds based on how the user
configures it.
This board is pretty much a
shapeshifter, and I reckon you would agree too after looking
through this post?
(upcoming diagrams below)
Hence, our favorite Norse
God, Loki, came to mind and became part of this project.
(Any Viking fans around? Norse Mythology?)
Research and Thought Process
As someone who prefers the sound of boards made of
Polycarbonate over Aluminum, I wanted to design a board that
encompasses Quality, Functionality, and that signature
Polycarbonate THOCK. Besides, there seems to be quite a lack
options for high-end PC custom keyboards in the market right
now, compared to the Aluminum counterparts. Isn’t it?
Also,
I’ve realized that many current Injection-Molded (IM) boards
tend to have thin bezels or case “walls” which result in a
fairly “hollow”-sounding and a less-than satisfactory typing
experience.
Im definitely not an expert at materials,
but at the time when I was designing the Loki65, Ive had my
fair share of bad experience with other Polycarbonate
keyboards in the current market. Theyve had
manufacturing-defects, cracks, thread-shearing, squeaks, and
a few more issues.
I cannot be sure if theyre of
inferior quality, but it certainly goes against known
material properties/characteristics of Polycarbonate
for being extremely durable. The Loki65 will only be using
the best-quality PC sheets from the fabricators
(Dadesin).
We do agree, IM cases do have their own
benefits, most-notably their lower costs due to bulk
production. However, according to many fabricators, CNC is
sometimes the preferred choice due to higher precision and
better quality-control. If you are seeking a high-end
Polycarbonate custom keyboard, this is it.
To
summarize, this is a board designed to achieve the
following:
- Full-CNC Polycarbonate, for maximum quality, durability and sturdiness. We’re talking about a thick, solid bezel and case. And to top it off, a hefty brass weight.
- Screw-holes with Stainless steel inserts to ensure absolutely no thread-shearing (PC material in screw thread does not wear-off).
- Ability to customize the typing and sound experience due to the plate and keyboard’s unique design (featured below, in this post). With an array of plate options available, the possibilities are huge.
- Ability to customize the aesthetics with the different types of plates and badges available.
-
A high-end, premium keyboard.
Mounting System and Plate Design:
Now, lets talk about this. Much of the philosophy and design-concept of the Loki65 revolves around the unique design and mounting methods of the plate. This was the core-focus during the creation process of the Loki65. In short, with a single plate, different mounting-styles can take place.
On top of that, the Loki65’s array of plate material options enables the user to find the perfect plate flexibility and overall typing feel. What will yours be?
The mounting-styles:
Mount 1 (top-mount)
The Plate is attached to the Top Case via M2 screws
with Poron gasket strips.
Mount 2 (gasket-mount)
The Plate is
sandwiched between the Cases via Poron gasket strips.
Mount 3 (burger-mount)
The Plate is
attached to the Top Case via M2 screws and silicone
O-rings.
Specifications:
Keyboard:
Dimensions: 321mm (length), 122mm
(width), 20.5mm (front height)
Case Material: Full-CNC
Polycarbonate (sandblasted)
Case colours: Frosted, Ink
Black
Weight Material: Brass (sandblasted,
clear-coated)
Plate Material: PC, FR4, Anodised
Aluminum, Brass (sandblasted, clear-coated)
Badge
Material: Anodised Aluminum, Brass (sandblasted,
clear-coated)
Typing Angle: 5 degrees
Mounting
style: At least 3 variations
Full-build (alu plate):
Approx. 1.35kg
PCB and Layout:
Designed by Yiancar,
Hot-swap/Soldered
RGB
Underglow; powered by a large number of LEDs, to reduce the
hot-spotting and allow for better light diffusion on your
desk
Caps Lock LED indicator
1.6mm thickness
VIA/QMK
support
USB-C connection
Hot-swap PCB Layout:
Soldered PCB Layout:
PCB and Underglow:
Group Buy Information:
Vendors,
quantities, and more:
Soft-cap limit: 400 units
Format:
First-come, first-served
Lead Time: approx. 3 to 6
months after closure of Group Buy
US and Canada: Mechs
& Co., 150 units allocation
Europe: mykeyboard.eu,
50 units allocation
UK: proto[Typist], 50 units
allocation
Asia and Oceania: Hex Keyboards, 150 units
allocation
Pricing:
Base Kit, 395USD. It
includes:
1 set of Soldered PCB (additional 10USD for
the Hot-Swap PCB instead)
1 set of Top and Bottom Case
(choose between Frosted and Ink Black),
1 set Brass
Weight,
1 set of FR4 Plate,
1 set of Brass ‘Runes’
Badge,
1 set of Poron Foam Sheet kit (1 thick Case
Foam, 1 thin Case Foam, 1 under-PCB Foam, 1 Plate Foam),
1
set of Poron Gasket Strips with adhesive-backing,
1 set
of Poron Gasket Strips without adhesive-backing,
1 set
of silicone O-rings,
1 set of M2 Washer Screws,
1
set of Allen/Hex key,
1 set of silicone keyboard
feet, and
Various screws that are installed during
assembly after fabrication.
Add-ons available for
purchase:
Soldered PCB, 55USD
Hot-Swap PCB,
65USD
Alu/PC/FR4 Plate, 38USD
Brass
Plate, 55USD
Badges, 32USD
Foam Kit + Gasket
Strips (adhesive and non-adhesive), 20USD
All prices
exclude shipping and taxes.
Note:
Badges come in 3
different designs. Materials available are Brass and
Anodised Aluminium.
Plates come in 4 different
materials. FR4, PC, Anodised Aluminium, Brass.
Cases:
Frosted PC, Ink Black
Badges: ‘Runes’, ‘Fenrir (Wolf)’, ‘Viking Helm’
Anodised Colours: Pantone 187C, Pantone 547C
Other Information:
We will also
be collaborating with various YouTubers/Streamers in
the upcoming weeks for reviews and coverage on the Loki65.
Stay tuned for more updates and details on this GB post.
We
are honored to have:
Lewis Toh: Stream on YouTube: 7th of September 2022, ~8pm
GMT+8
Alexotos: Stream on Twitch; 9th of September 2022, ~7pm
EDT
Keybored: Video review: 12th of September 2022,
EST
nearLucid: TBC
Also, here’re a
few sound-test clips done on the prototypes:
Big Thanks to
:
-My project partner, who’s been with me throughout
the entire project and acting also as a driving force
towards where we are right now.
-Our project manager at
Dadesin, Cathy, who has helped us so much in overseeing so
many of the fabrication processes.
-Jae aka @jaekeyed;
a huge inspiration to me and also for giving me the big
support and numerous tips in this project.
-Keith aka
@carrotcake; for your lovely pics and awesome video clip of
the Loki65.
-Yiancar, for the awesome PCB design.
-Vendors
whom we are teaming up with.
-All content creators who
have been, or will be, featuring the Loki65.
-Friends
over at the Loki65 Discord channel, whom have shown so much
love and support for this project, and some since the
beginning. Many of you guys are the reason we pushed for
this Group Buy to happen.
-All Loki65 Early Bird
adopters.
-Fellow enthusiasts in the various
communities who have contributed to this project, one way or
another.
-Friends and family for their utmost support.