GH thread for questions
NOTE: Some of these renders are from earlier in the development process, the most recent iteration contains the updated chamfers as seen directly below. Furthermore you may notice some of the renders have angled lines making up the side profile, these are simply rendering anomalies. The inventor renders (which show the true shape) as well as all the other renders ZealPC and I have completed can be found here: http://imgur.com/a/Szltn
The Mira is a not so secret design that I have been working on for over a month at this point. NOTHING HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FINALIZED, a prototype will likely be a stage of this buy. It has a lot of design features worth discussing but first some background (i.e what the hell is a Mira?):
Mira (Omicron Ceti) is the name of a binary, variable, star system in the constellation Cetus. It consists of a red giant A star and a white dwarf companion B star. For those who aren't familiar with these terms, a binary system is a system consisting of two orbiting stars. While this may seem exotic, there is a significant percentage of star systems that consist of two or more stars. As for the term "variable," there are classes of stars existing in transition regions off the main sequence that exhibit variable behavior. That is that they have apparent brightness that change over time. Mira A is an example of a some 6-7000 known "Mira variables" named after this well known object. Its change in brightness is caused when the entire star expands and contracts on a 100+ day time scale.
Enough science, let's talk keyboards!
The board is inspired by these astronomical factoids as well as some other fun space themes. For example, the Mira logo containing two circles represents the binary relationship of the Mira system and the (not to scale) size difference between the red giant and white dwarf. The side profile for the Mira is inspired by the NASA chevron with a clean "sweeping" curve.
Facts about the potential group buy:
The Mira will be a limited run of 100 boards (hopefully with the unique number engraved). The first 57 boards that are reserved (after the number of years NASA has been operating) will come with gold stabs from ZealPC! The remaining orders will receive the same items but standard stabilizers. More from ZealPC as he unveils his secret item (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69590.0) expect this awesome item to be a part of the buy as well. The number of the board will be assigned in the order they are reserved, as a result, some sort of down payment will likely be required upon ordering. Ordering will start as soon as the Group Buy is posted at a preset date and time.
Mira currently features:
The custom b.Mira PCB from Winkeyless
An engraved stainless Steel weight, slotted in the back of the case
An acrylic logo insert in the front of the case , illuminated from the side using RGB LEDs
A full aluminum case
9 degree incline
A SS or alu plate which will support both 87 and 84 (Winkeyless with built in blockers, not shown above)
Gold plated stabilizer wire and cherry stabs for the first 57 buyers and standard wire for remaining purchases
Since the b.Mira will only have controller parts per soldered, I will probably be offering diode and resistor soldering (done by myself) as an add-on in the buy.
Price:
The price has not been finalized since I do not know who will be milling the Mira yet. I will be minimizing profit on my end to ensure that the price stays low however the prototype may be somewhat costly for me. Stay tuned for a more accurate estimate.
WE are still searching for a milling recourse to help accommodate the Mira. If you have a connection that would be willing or interested, please PM me!
Big thanks to ZealPC as well as Winkeyless for helping me organize and provide the full product for this buy!
Feel free to ask any questions below! Comment if you are interested, be sure to include what colors, layouts, ect. you would like to see!
This one looks ace!
