HERMES Rocketeer (SA) keyset proposal

[zslane]

The idea would be to offer blanks in as many sizes and row profiles as possible in order to accomodate alternate layouts. I'm not saying the blank kits would be super cheap, but they'd at least be available (if this imaginary GB were to ever happen).

Kit composition is always a tricky proposition. The more you separate special keys (like blanks) by size or row, the smaller the kits become and the more expensive they become. The alternative is to lump many of them together to make them cheaper per key, but the problem there is that buyers then end up with too many blanks they don't need or want. You really can't win.

[tofagerl]

Just popping in to say that this is still gorgeous!

[zslane]

I've switched over to PBT SA in my latest renders in the hopes of running this with dye-sub legends to save on cost and avoid the extreme backlog over at Signature Plastics for double-shot sets.

hermes_rocketeer_pbt_sa_poker_01.jpg (232.56 KiB) Viewed 6822 times

hermes_rocketeer_pbt_sa_poker_02.jpg (248.95 KiB) Viewed 6822 times

I have full kit renders as well, but all of that is just sitting and waiting for SP to add the other two row profiles to their PBT SA dye-sub setup components.

[Sigmoid]

Aw, I'd totally prefer double-shot ABS. I have a strong dislike for SA's unprofessional way of doing PBT. I think it would make sense to do a vote or gauge interest in both approaches...? How bad is the double-shot backlog you're talking about?

BTW, another thing... it would be cool if you could add a few extra keys to the set for HHKB Pro-like layouts? What those are...
* A "backslash" size key with "del" or "backspace" print (that's where it goes...)
* A numeric row profile, 1u "backslash" key.
* A numeric row profile, 1u "escape" key.
* A z-row profile 1u fn key (supposed to go to the right of an iso-sized rshift).

[zslane]

The backlog for double-shot SA is currently about twelve months, and getting longer every week it seems. I love double-shot legends too, but SP's dye-sub SA keycaps are virtually indistinguishable from their ABS double-shot counterparts. Plus, we save $75 per legend plate needed for each of the novelty keys. I feel that for this particular keyset, double-shot ABS doesn't offer enough win over dye-sub PBT.

As for alternate layouts, I have a specialty kit (and a blanks kit) that are intended to cover their needs.

[Sigmoid]

The backlog for double-shot SA is currently about twelve months, and getting longer every week it seems. I love double-shot legends too, but SP's dye-sub SA keycaps are virtually indistinguishable from their ABS double-shot counterparts. Plus, we save $75 per legend plate needed for each of the novelty keys. I feel that for this particular keyset, double-shot ABS doesn't offer enough win over dye-sub PBT.

As for alternate layouts, I have a specialty kit (and a blanks kit) that are intended to cover their needs.

It's not the legends, more the dreaded PBT warping I'm worried about. But yea, 12 months is pretty insane.

[niomosy]

The set still looks fantastic. I'm wondering when SP will manage to be able to dyesub sculptured SA caps, though.

[Orpheo]

There are gazillions of thin bezel cases in 60%. Let's make a retro style extra thick bezel, maybe in enamel glossy paint finish like the Hermes typewriter. There are some products and projects out there on the retro typewriter trend and they look more retro. Concept is king right? This Retro concept needs to be more obvious in my humble opinion.

[hhkbp2]

Lovely. Please add keycaps for the infinity 60, and the dvorak layout.

[pdc]

How about the (?nameless) high-profile spherical profile Matt3o is working on? Likely to be not much less lead time than SP by the sounds of things …

[zslane]

There are gazillions of thin bezel cases in 60%. Let's make a retro style extra thick bezel, maybe in enamel glossy paint finish like the Hermes typewriter. There are some products and projects out there on the retro typewriter trend and they look more retro. Concept is king right? This Retro concept needs to be more obvious in my humble opinion.

I love the idea. In fact, it is my sincere hope that I can entice Rama to design a retro 60% case for the Rocketeer set. The idea is to bundle case, keyboard, keycaps, and color-matched cable as a deluxe drop on MassDrop.

[zslane]

How about the (?nameless) high-profile spherical profile Matt3o is working on? Likely to be not much less lead time than SP by the sounds of things …

If they have the right colors, the M3 family would certainly be worth considering. And also as long as MassDrop has a vendor relationship with them by the time it's all ready to go.

[andrea-i]

Just spotted a Hermes with those awesome keycaps while watching fringe yesterday night.
Would love to buy this set!

[ShivaYash]

Is this happening? I'm in!


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[zslane]

I am working with MassDrop to put together a keyboard bundle including these keycaps. It will take some time to organize though. Yanbo's time is divided among many projects at MassDrop, and there's a lot to work out (where to source the PCB and plate, which switches to offer, lining up the custom aluminum case, etc.). But it is definitely in progress.

[ShivaYash]

I am working with MassDrop to put together a keyboard bundle including these keycaps. It will take some time to organize though. Yanbo's time is divided among many projects at MassDrop, and there's a lot to work out (where to source the PCB and plate, which switches to offer, lining up the custom aluminum case, etc.). But it is definitely in progress.

I guess they will MX caps right?
If by chance Topre compatible caps were available, that would be great!


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[zslane]

Yes, they will have MX stems.

[punkonjunk]

I would at least love to buy the enter key with a stylized penis on it, but the weird balls make me wonder.

[cods]

it does look nice..but as always my FC660M with strange spacebar will be a big problem..
Not to mention my FC660C Topre madness..ahahha

Our odd spacebars are but a narrow chisel, a dab of epoxy putty, and some minor bravery away from every key set under the sun! SA on small keyboards rocks. Arrow keys are, for some of us, non-negotiable.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyb ... cebar_mod/

The Topre thing? Sorry, tried it on an FC660C, relegated it to the family computer. Each to their own!

[cods]

I'm in.

Straight up I'm not going to buy a case.

I'll be sorting out blanks and odd-sized bottom row keys for my FC660Ms, to be up front, but I get where you're coming from, understand why you're sticking to just 60%, and despite my personal dissatisfaction with the Poker etc, I love the colour scheme, and am happy to support.

Consider me a certain for a full 60%, some novelties plus as many blanks as I require to fill an FC660M. Heresy, but honest!

[cods]

Any update zslane? Still keen!

[zslane]

MassDrop is working to bring together all the necessary resources. We're trying to find a case designer who would like to design the custom aluminum case. I guess that's proving harder than I thought it would.

SP is being given the kit renders as we speak, and it should be pretty easy for MassDrop to line up the necessary vendors for the PCB, plate, and switches. So right now I would say that the bottleneck is the effort to find a case designer.

[chuckdee]

What PCB are you looking at? A custom one, or just reuse?

[zslane]

A standard 60% PCB (e.g., Pok3r layout).

[macclack]

I think these are absolutely gorgeous, and I understand the idea of only wanting to do a 60% layout but I would be sad because there are some 66% and even full size keyboards that these would look spectacular on. My vote is at least support 66%. If these go to market, I'm in.

[chuckdee]

A standard 60% PCB (e.g., Pok3r layout).

I meant what particular PCB are you looking at. It makes a difference. TMK support, QMK support, etc, etc. There are a lot of them out there. I wondered if it had been considered. I've also seen a few outside of kits show up on MD, and even more in kits, so I wondered how were you sourcing that. If you don't know that yet, that's understandable, but I figured I'd ask.

[zslane]

Well, PCBs aren't my area of expertise. I am leaving all the keyboard kitting up to Yanbo. I have a mild opinion about which switches I'd like to see offered, but that's about it.

As for larger board coverage, that is possible using keys from the ARROWS, SPECIALTY, and BLANKS kits.

[hhkbp2]

Any update? Is everything still in schedule to run a GB soon?

[ShivaYash]

Yes any update?


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[zslane]

MassDrop is awaiting thc custom case prototypes for evaluation. They are also working on the PCB right now. As soon as there is something fun and exciting to show, I'll definitely post pics.