类型: IC
作者: DoCallMeKing
发布时间: 2020-09-29
22:00:52
更新时间: 2020-10-02 14:29:40
原链接:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108826.0
Monarch by King Boards
Please fill out the Interest Check Form below…
https://forms.gle/vfbGwMvrXM5xK7it8
Background
Welcome everyone and good morning/afternoon/evening
wherever you may be!
I’m DoCallMeKing from King
Boards.
I’ve been in the keyboard game for a while and
have owned well over 100 boards doing budget builds from the
kbdfans 5 o all the way to highly sought after collectors
items.
Something was lacking inside of me though. I had
the yearning to take the knowledge and experience from all
those boards I’ve come across to design something of my
own.
I didn’t want to create just another rectangle TKL
though and slap a logo on it. I wanted to try and do
something a little different. Challenge myself to create
something that was customizable.
I’m a believer that
65% strikes the best balance for all users due to most
people not using the F-row or numpad very often. So I wanted
my first public design to start with that layout.
I’ve
got a few other designs already in the hopper but wanted to
get this one out first and completed before I start moving
along to the other layouts.
All the boards in my series
will be fit for a King.
Description
Monarch is a WKL 65% with a separated arrow cluster,
rotary encoder knob, and interchangeable inserts.
I
wanted the board to be customizable based on the users
preference and the keysets they had on hand.
For
example if you have been rockin’ GMK Striker for a few
months and want to change it up, I thought it would be great
if you could change the look of your board as well to match
GMK 8008 if you’re throwin’ that on!
The
interchangeable inserts is really what I set out to create
because I like to switch my keysets frequently and I was too
often left with only a couple options that I could ever
match to my board.
Simply pop the case open, swap out
the insert to a new color, and you’ve completely changed the
look of your board!
The rotary knob has grown to become
something I really love on a board because it gives me easy
quick control of so many different things.
Monarch
deploys a 7.7 o typing angle for a comfortable typing
position anchored by a o-ring burger mount.
The front
lip height has been kept at a low 17.5mm for a smooth
transition.
Having a separate arrow cluster not only
increases usability but also shows off more of the stunning
inserts.
The board will also come with a 2mm custom
embossed internal liner for increased sound dampening.
A
large brass weight not only is visible from the back of the
case but also spans a large portion of the bottom of the
case with a beautiful engraving of the King Boards logo.
The
PCB has already been designed and prototypes are en-route to
me. It is QMK and VIA compatible which should be the
de-facto-standard for boards moving forward.
This
design also utilizes a daughterboard to enable an excellent
looking center-location port.
Plates will be available
in Aluminum and Brass.
This board is a beastly beauty
weighing in at about 7.5lbs for an all alu
version and a whopping 9.4lbs for the
Limited Edition versions.
Summary
WKL 65% (also available as WK)
7.7o angle
Rotary Encoder Knob
Interchangeable Insert Pieces
O-Ring Burger Mount
QMK/VIA compatible
17.5mm Front Lip Height
-
2mm custom internal liner for sound dampening
-
Roughly 7.5lbs for standard version and 9.4lbs for Limited Edition
USB-C Daughterboard
-
Layout*
-
Renders*
Additional Color Renders can be found here…
https://imgur.com/a/p6iJDir -
Limited Edition*
We will be offering 2 Limited Edition models.
White with a Brass Insert and Black with a Brass Insert
-
FAQ*
-
Any ISO?
Sorry not at this time. After receiving lots of great feedback, I’ve decided to modify the PCB to support ISO and will make the plate file public to allow anyone to get their own ISO plate cut. -
Can I get a custom color?
Sorry not at this time. -
How much is it going to be?
I’m in talks with a couple manufacturers at the moment but it looks like it’ll be somewhere around $500 usd for standard and obviously some more for the Limited Editions. -
How many units will you be selling?
I’m planning to do somewhere around 100 but we’ll see based on interest. -
How many Limited Edition units will you be selling?
Its dependent on the number of responses. Then I’ll set the numbers. -
WKL only?
Yes at this time there is only 1 layout. We’ll see in future iterations. Well that didn’t take long haha. Looks like a lot of you really want a WK option so I’ve decided to make the modifications to allow for WK. Enjoy -
How long until delivery?
This is still an initial IC so I won’t commit to a firm timeframe but I would ballpark about 8 weeks based on conversations I’ve had with my manufacturers. -
Is there a prototype?
PCB’s are on their way to me currently, and once I finalize with the manu, the case components should only be about 10 days. -
Is it Hotswap?
Sorry not at this time. -
Will I be able to purchase extra pcb’s and plates?
Yes.
Bigshout-out to Ramon Imbao for the PCB work and to Foggy over on discord for some tips and tricks. -
I really hope you enjoy the design! I look forward to answering any questions you may have.*