[IC] Face U replica PCB+Controller+Diodes

[matt3o]

I might be able to get my hands on a limited number of FaceU Replica PCB complete with SMD controller and diodes already soldered.

The faceU is a poker compatible PCB with support for standard 60% layouts (including winkeyless and 1.75 right shift + 1u fn). The controller is of course programmable and it supports full backlight.

The problem is of course import taxes and shipping, for small quantities we can't go super low price-wise, 1 pcb should end up in the 50 euro range all included.

ETA is approx 2 weeks.

If there's interest I can take some, otherwise I'll take just one for me considering that GH60 is very slow moving.

Some pictures http://imgur.com/a/StdLF

Interested parties:

matt3o
DanielT
MrMen
invalidname
macmakkara
HzFaq
madhias
bazh
vsev
ClaudiaJ
Laser

[HzFaq]

What's the ISO compatibility like? I might be interested in something to tide me over until the GH60 lands.

[matt3o]

faceu I'm afraid is ANSI only.

this should be it

[DanielT]

I'm in for one 100%. I wanted to get a GH60 from Taobao via IMSTO as a proxy, but would rather go this way, the price is in the same range, but the source rather dubious, not many details from what I was able to translate Tomorrow is my paycheck day, so I have the money at hand

[Sayso]

hi,
what's the difference with the faceW?

[Muirium]

So close to my Shiny 60%'s layout! Reckon this would fit? My doubts are switch spacing (as we used a very slightly smaller pitch than Cherry's standard) and is that a stepped caps lock? The switch looks off to the left…

[matt3o]

hi,
what's the difference with the faceW?

faceW is ISO compatible.

caps lock seems to have both options

[matt3o]

I found some more pictures here http://imgur.com/a/StdLF

[DanielT]

One big question, does it come with all SMD's soldered on ?

[matt3o]

yes, SMD components are already soldered. It's ready to use, just add switches.

[DanielT]

Ok, that's a relief So count me in for one.

[Muirium]

Any idea what firmware and software it's running, and whether we can replace it with our own?

Makes me wonder quite how deep down the LED rabbit hole you're going, Matt, finding stuff like this. Ah, at least it's well lit!

[matt3o]

I and backlight are two very distant planets.

the firmware is opensource, you can flash whatever you want. it should be this https://github.com/showjean/ps2avrU and there's also an online tool to configure the keyboard (should be this http://boot.winkeyless.kr/bootMapper/ but I honestly have to check it out). Anyway it's a pretty standard controller, I bet we can as well use hasu's firmware.

[Muirium]

ARGH!!! FLASH SIGHTED!!!! And I don't mean LEDs.

So, do you think one of these could be a drop in PCB for my Shiny keyboard? I'm not bothered with lights either, besides maybe a handful for layer indicators.

[matt3o]

ARGH!!! FLASH SIGHTED!!!! And I don't mean LEDs.

you mean LSD?

So, do you think one of these could be a drop in PCB for my Shiny keyboard? I'm not bothered with lights either, besides maybe a handful for layer indicators.

is the pin position the same as standard cherry MX?

[Muirium]

I think so, or the switches can be rotated easily enough. The only fixed thing is the metal plate, I remember us using a small variation on standard switch spacing, by some fraction of a millimetre.

As for my LSD fix, it'll have to wait until I install Flash so I can read that page. So the day after the end of time…

[scottc]

If these suit Muirium's Super Shiny M84 project, then I'm in for sure. Are they pin-compatible with MX?!

[Muirium]

Wrong project! I'm talking about this guy…

Spoiler:

M84s are a whole different switch to mount than MX. Think of them a bit like Alps, but with the crucial advantage of MX cap compatibility!

[scottc]

Ah, damn. I saw this:

I think so, or the switches can be rotated easily enough.

And was hoping that you meant the M84s! Oh well...

[Muirium]

MX has those annoying staggered pins (differently distanced from the switch centre) while M84 is more like Alps and has them in a sensible straight line:

Spoiler:

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_M8#M84A-0100

And the magic of my M84 project is the wireless controller, so definitely a different PCB!

[Icarium]

MX has those annoying staggered pins (differently distanced from the switch centre) while M84 is more like Alps and has them in a sensible straight line:

Spoiler:

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_M8#M84A-0100

And the magic of my M84 project is the wireless controller, so definitely a different PCB!

That sounds like a cool project. I like these switches. Link? How do I get one?

[matt3o]

Wrong project! I'm talking about this guy…

Spoiler:

M84s are a whole different switch to mount than MX. Think of them a bit like Alps, but with the crucial advantage of MX cap compatibility!

I believe you should be able to make it work. the only problem I could think of is the USB port...

[bazh]

I'm in for sure since I can't get in sprit's shit. Will these be shipped with firmware flashed or it will need any external hardware to flash them?

[Muirium]

MX has those annoying staggered pins (differently distanced from the switch centre) while M84 is more like Alps and has them in a sensible straight line:

Spoiler:

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_M8#M84A-0100

And the magic of my M84 project is the wireless controller, so definitely a different PCB!

That sounds like a cool project. I like these switches. Link? How do I get one?

7bit has them in stock (I was his proxy, so I have mine already) along with the usual suspects:

http://deskthority.net/group-buys-f50/c ... l?hilit=m8

I think he calls them M8, ask him to be sure, as he has other oddball M series switches in too. The project Scott's talking about is a wireless M84 sub 60% that I've assembled a crack team to work on. Not quite at the IC stage yet, and it's prototyping like Matteo always says. But we have room for a handful of extra orders…

I believe you should be able to make it work. the only problem I could think of is the USB port...

Right. Where does that mount on this design? My port is hand wired currently, like everything else in the keyboard.

[matt3o]

I'm in for sure since I can't get in sprit's shit. Will these be shipped with firmware flashed or it will need any external hardware to flash them?

The PCB is USB flashable (pretty sure about this, I'll double check). It's a standard atmega32 chip, so we should be pretty free to choose the tool we prefer, anyway it comes with its (windows) flash program. I can flash it for you if you need help.

@muir: looking at the PCB pictures the USB is far to the left. I don't remember where we put the usb slot in your case

[matt3o]

it seems we can get PCB with ISO compatibility and also a 75% (the mx mini u)

[vsev]

Excellent news, you're definitely The Man matt3o !
Count me in with ISO compatibility !

[Muirium]

@muir: looking at the PCB pictures the USB is far to the left. I don't remember where we put the usb slot in your case

Yup, my socket is up between Escape and 1 at the top left, too. I suspect I'd have to hand wire the socket to any PCB, rather than mount it straight on though, because I have a case I have to fit.

[Findecanor]

Pardon me, but what was the "FaceU" which it is a replica of?

Anyway, I have already decided for a "Red Scarf GH/DT edition", which has all the capabilities of this one and more. I need my arrow keys...

[matt3o]

the difference this will start-end in 2 weeks instead of 6 months

anyway we will be selling the mini-u as well (which has arrow keys)