Hike News
Hike News

【IC】Think6.5 v2 - Gasket 65% Keyboard || GB July 19 | Live stream | giveaway

类型: IC
作者: oldcat
发布时间: 2020-04-24 11:19:45
更新时间: 2020-07-19 16:08:27
原链接: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=105950.0


For July GrayStudio giveaway, we will try to do something out of the ordinary!
@alexotos will be live stream building think6.5v2 prototypes, the first stream will be this Sunday 1PM ET at https://m.twitch.tv/alexotos/, tune into his stream channel! So far it is confirmed that Apairy will be receiving a prototype to build as well.
I will discuss details with Alex on how to join the giveaway!! Thanks Alex!
Follow oldcat87 and alexotos for more details soon!
Alex’s build stream of the PC version: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/684464581
Apiary and Alex will be both building an aluminum version next week. I will also send my own prototype to Tiny and Taeha next week. Their schedules may not work out for the GB, but at least you will enjoy the build streams some time!


Hello keeb friends,
It’s been a while since the Think6.5 GB! Hope you are doing well and staying healthy.
I have started this design last year but was not able to start an IC due to personal reasons. Now things are much better, I now decide to start an interest check for a gasket-mount, half-seamless Think6.5 V2. For those of you who are curious about how the R1 design looks like, here is the original IC: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=99634 and a more user-friend and detailed collated information page: https://keyboard.guide/board/think6.5/
2U Version

1U Version

Here are some features of the V2 version that are different from V1 Think.

  1. Mounting: Gasket-mount. Double sided, specially made gaskets.
  2. Badge position: Both 2U (OG) and 1U badge positions will be offered.
  3. Badge designs: Lightbulb-Gear badge will be the default badge. Optional badge: 1U (Anchor), 2U (Compass)
  4. Case material: Aluminum, and frosted polycarbonate (PC).
  5. Plate material: Dual-color FR-4 plates.
  6. PCB: Works with both QMK and VIA out of the box; RGB LEDs diffused under: Badge (1U and 2U), light strip (2U), and underglow (under PCB). ESD protection.
  7. Colors: Single tone: e-white, black, PC; dual-tone: white-black, white-pink, gray-black, purple-black, pink-black, blue-black.
  8. Price: Anodized Aluminum $349; e-white/e-white dual-tones: $369; PC: $379 (with fees covered, shipping is not covered).
  9. GB Format: AirPotter from Gray Studio will be the vendor and manufacturer. GB will be hosted on Graystudio.club for a limited time.
  10. Timeframe: GB currently projected in the week of July 20, 2020.

**Geekhack IC Feedback Items to Incorporate (all incorporated and case 3D modeling design finalized):
**

  1. Remove ‘2020’ from the 2U Badge: done
  2. Remove ‘2020’ engraving from the bottom: done
  3. Rename the sequel to “Think6.5 v2.0”: done
  4. Bring back the lightbulb to the badge design: done
  5. Reduce the size of the 2U badge: done
  6. Polycarbonate option: done (yes)
  7. Make an anchor badge: done
  8. Start a poll about various choices and options: done
  9. A brass/aluminum Think artisan keycap to go with the GB: done
  10. Reduce the size of the 1U badge: done
  11. Engrave “THiNK” on the bottom: done
  12. Tweak “THiNK” engraving location: done
  13. Rubber feet do not cover screw holes.: done
  14. A tweak to the rear end to enable PC production: done
  15. CatThink artisan: done
    16: Thonk artisan: done
    17: Compatibility layout options: done (everything will be provided except split space)
    18: USB outlet design: done (gear-outlet)
    19: Decide which badge design(s) to pick: done (pretty much)
    20: Adding chamfers to 1U badges: done

Follow daily updates on Instagram
Discuss in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/n3rtEpY
Support your boye OldCat and this project by using this signature to share Think6.5 v2.0 to the community!
Code: [Select]

[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=105950.0][img width=312 height=60]https://i.imgur.com/keZqB1N.png[/img][/url]






















And cast your vote in the new poll for the design/layout options


***The story behind the design choices: Why do I choose anchor, sailboat, and compass to replace the gear and lightbulb?


More

There is always some sort of story behind a purposeful design, I like reading those stories with I join a Group Buy, but this time I was a bit hesitant in sharing the story as it can sound a bit corny. Now I feel it is important that I share why I made the choices, given the divergent opinions on the ‘drastically different looking board’ here being discussed. I do believe everyone has provided a lot of value in their feedback, and I am sure some will be taken into account as I keep finetuning things. Some of the comments are confirming my prior beliefs about some additional changes. As I am not in a hurry to run a Group Buy given CyberVoyager production is in progress, more feedback sparks more thinking, and is always beneficial to the board design as well as future owners of the board.
With the preamble out of the way, here are mainly two rationales behind this design choice.
First, I have no intention of replicating Think6.5 R1 because it is not fun and not challenging as an enthusiast. Further, I do not participate in the group buy profit sharing and replication of Think6.5 R1 will not make sense for me. Therefore, the question is, do I change the design elements for R2, or keep the design elements and just modify the structure (to gasket)? I opt for a refreshing design that has the potential to be aesthetically more pleasing than the R1 design.
Second, back to the meaning of the design. It was not meant to be a “nautical” theme. In a literal sense, it is nautical; yet at a higher level, the thinking process has little to do with nautical. To start off, I already had a replicated design last year for R2 based on the R1 design with a new gasket structure added. But as I pick up the project now, I want to divert from the original design to add elements that are more meaningful for 2020. The anchor came from my wife’s idea of “refuse to sink,” as the world is sinking to some extent; and then the sailboat and compass are lucky icons in many cultures that symbolize peace and success in life, be it the status quo or your new adventures. And the symbolic value is that I hope everyone’s life will anchor in a safe haven. In terms of the design, the anchor is made to shape like a “T” in Think, and I have designed other original Think elements (e.g., lightbulb badge) that are not yet shown here. To be honest, I feel 2020 is a special year and it may never get old. But I do consider removing 2020 from the 2U badge. With all the above said, the overall design flavor is actually very close to Think6.5 (same angle, similar chamfers, and trying to be a good looking minimalist design).
In anyway, this design story is not intended to change your opinion of the design. Aesthetics can be a tricky thing, particularly design elements that pop out visually. So apparently this sequel to Think6.5 will not be in everyone’s taste. But with me sharing the context and design thinking process, at least you are aware that these are not random elements placed together. And as more badges are released and some are perhaps modified, I hope they will at least salvage some friends’ love for the original Think6.5.
Lastly, quite a few people DM’d to ask me about whether I have any plan to do a replication of Think6.5 R1 version as a group buy. Regretfully, I will not. As I mentioned above, I am not interested in running the same GB twice, particularly as I am not participating on the financial side (e.g., profit-sharing) of the Group Buys. I am happy enough and grateful that AirPotter and Gray Studio help me materialize my design visions into actual products. I have released all my parts of the copyright of the original Think6.5 to AirPotter so it is up to him if he chooses to run in the future.

, ,