HERMES Rocketeer (SA) keyset proposal

[zslane]

Yes, I want to offer a number of different buying options including a Get-It-All package which includes a fully assembled board with case, switches, keycaps, cable, and carrying sleeve. I also want other options like Case + Keycaps (no board), Case + Board + Keycaps (no switches), etc. It remains to be seen which of these combinations MassDrop will offer.

[Elrick]

Yes, I want to offer a number of different buying options including a Get-It-All package which includes a fully assembled board with case, switches, keycaps, cable, and carrying sleeve. I also want other options like Case + Keycaps (no board), Case + Board + Keycaps (no switches), etc. It remains to be seen which of these combinations MassDrop will offer.

Suspect MassDrop will go for the ALL-IN-ONE Package;

Fully assembled keyboard with it's ultra cool retro-case.

The extras will be the carrying sleeve hence if this appears on MD, I shall go into FULL melt down in Ecstasy .

[zslane]

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x ... guest_open

[samuelcable]

if I may offer constructive criticism, I feel like if you're designing a case around a SA set the bottom row should be tall enough to cover the bottom switches, otherwise it looks quite inelegant imo. I also personally feel like the branding on the top of the case is too much, is that just for the massdrop image or does it have all 3 parts of the logo on the planned design? I think it could be cut down

[codemonkeymike]

I love all the questions about where all the arrow keys are.

[TheInverseKey]

I like how this keyboard is both getting hyped for being cool and awesome while also being in the "ugliest keyboards you've seen"

[mike52787]

I like how this keyboard is both getting hyped for being cool and awesome while also being in the "ugliest keyboards you've seen"

thats the cool thing about this hobby... totally subjective

while I may think it looks like total garbage (and I do) others can think that it looks fantastic.

[hhkbp2]

Great! It comes much faster than expected. A must buy.

[chuckdee]

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x ... guest_open

You've been working on this for a while! Congrats on getting the buy live!

[caligo]

Neat! The case doesn't really do it for me, the oversized logo and visible bottom-row switches kind of kills it – but to each their own, and I'm sure the drop will do well. The keycaps, however, look gorgeous. What happened to making the keycaps themselves avaliable separately, perhaps with more options? Is that still something that's happening down the line, or did that part of the project fall through?

[zslane]

Well, the idea here isn't to sell pretty green keycaps, but to provide a complete keyboard product. The case and the keycaps are purpose-made for each other, and they don't really make sense as separate products.

[caligo]

Oh. I haven't paid that close attention to this thread, but wasn't the initial plan for this to be a 60 % keyset with support for various layouts (ANSI, ISO, international kits, etc.)? Plans can change of course, and the idea of offering a complete kit is understandable.

[zslane]

Yes, it was. But unfortunately when MassDrop's engineers couldn't come up with a way to support other 60% boards (due to the USB routing issues the case imposed), those plans sort of went out the window.

So for the first round this is only a complete package offering. Down the road, if there is enough demand exhibited from people with their own 60% boards, MassDrop will consider making USB compatibility kits, and the original idea of selling the case and keycaps separately would become feasible. This first round will help determine if such plans make any sense economically.

[hhkbp2]

Yes, it was. But unfortunately when MassDrop's engineers couldn't come up with a way to support other 60% boards (due to the USB routing issues the case imposed), those plans sort of went out the window.

So for the first round this is only a complete package offering. Down the road, if there is enough demand exhibited from people with their own 60% boards, MassDrop will consider making USB compatibility kits, and the original idea of selling the case and keycaps separately would become feasible. This first round will help determine if such plans make any sense economically.

It needs to be tray mount if users' own 60% pcbs/plates are supported. How about MD making some plate and pcb compatible to more layouts, but still keep it top mount. In this case, there seems to be no USB routing issue?

[Elrick]

Well, the idea here isn't to sell pretty green keycaps, but to provide a complete keyboard product. The case and the keycaps are purpose-made for each other, and they don't really make sense as separate products.

Yep your keyboard is a hit at my house. The Boys love it and even the Girls have a liking for the design, very retro.

Am now all alone in Hating 60% keyboards, which seems to be a normal occurrence at my place.

Glad at least MassDrop is selling it as a complete keyboard because everything about it needs each part, to make it a complete design.

The colour, key-caps and casing really makes this THE 60% model to get this year. Still hate 60% keyboards yet this one isn't too bad looking. Just wish it was made as a 101 keyed keyboard, then it'll be the one I buy happily for myself.

[caligo]

Yes, it was. But unfortunately when MassDrop's engineers couldn't come up with a way to support other 60% boards (due to the USB routing issues the case imposed), those plans sort of went out the window.

So for the first round this is only a complete package offering. Down the road, if there is enough demand exhibited from people with their own 60% boards, MassDrop will consider making USB compatibility kits, and the original idea of selling the case and keycaps separately would become feasible. This first round will help determine if such plans make any sense economically.

Ah, that makes sense. You have a real knack for finding and reviving great looking vintage colorways – I missed out on Dasher/Dancer because of reasons, and was kind of hoping for being able to at least get this set. But alas… Oh well. Guess it's down to playing the waiting game then.

[zslane]

How about MD making some plate and pcb compatible to more layouts, but still keep it top mount. In this case, there seems to be no USB routing issue?

I think that is quite feasible from an engineering point of view. The economic question is harder to answer. Especially when you consider that everyone with a pet layout wants theirs to be made, and they can't all be made at once. I also suspect that MassDrop wants to avoid creating too many custom PCB designs until they have their own in-house EE department and can avoid paying the premium that they do now to use outside vendors for that.

[zslane]

Am now all alone in Hating 60% keyboards, which seems to be a normal occurrence at my place.

For quite some time I disliked 60% boards too, until I found a desperate need for something to use with my iPads.

[hhkbp2]

I think that is quite feasible from an engineering point of view. The economic question is harder to answer. Especially when you consider that everyone with a pet layout wants theirs to be made, and they can't all be made at once. I also suspect that MassDrop wants to avoid creating too many custom PCB designs

If it has to support Kaihua hot-swap switch sockets, each layout requires a somehow different PCB and plate, many more layouts are not likely to happen. But with soldering, one universal PCB and top mount plate would be good enough for most 60% layouts. It's quite feasible.

This round of GB should go well. Looking forward to next round. Maybe we could be able to have more options then.

[zslane]

If it has to support Kaihua hot-swap switch sockets, each layout requires a somehow different PCB and plate, many more layouts are not likely to happen. But with soldering, one universal PCB and top mount plate would be good enough for most 60% layouts. It's quite feasible.

Yeah, it's a trade-off for sure. However, hotswap was a key feature of this project for me, and I wasn't going to sacrifice it on the altar of layout flexibility.

[Scarpia]

That render is basically just a Pok3r case in the seafoam green color (and gray SA keycaps). The Rocketeer case will hopefully look more like this:

rocketeer_case_concept_3x.jpg

So. Very. Sexy.

[mtl]

zslzne, just wanted to let you know, I was on the fence regarding the Rocketeer (especially after having just shelled out for the ALT canvas, and due to layout limitations), but my wife saw it and was immediately sold. Very nice design!

[zslane]

Thanks for the support!

[Elrick]

For quite some time I disliked 60% boards too, until I found a desperate need for something to use with my iPads.

At work they tried to force us to use Tablets, all were trashed and ditched and we went back to using our Panasonic Laptops.

At least the laptops can take some punishment but the tablets are absolutely weak and sensitive. The high temps, water, grease and oil affects them immediately.

There are some areas, where the new tech doesn't survive well, particularly in our working environment .

[zslane]

I have my main iPad paired with a Brydge BT keyboard "cover", and when closed it looks like a small laptop. It is just as sturdy as one as well. I don't abuse my hardware, and as such it tends to last quite a long time, even under pretty typical EDC conditions. I actually dislike laptops and really have no use for one. 99% of what I would use a laptop for my iPad takes care of perfectly, with less maintenance and far less cost.

But even if I did use a laptop, I would still pair it up with a 60% keyboard, simply because I can't stand the lame chiclet keyboards that are built into laptops. They have insufficient key travel, insufficient sturdiness, and are ugly and non-standard in terms of key sizes and layout. No thanks!

[Muirium]

Sing it sister!

You saw my Hasu Bluetoothed HHKB when we met in LA. I’d only just performed the upgrade, somewhat worried about Hasu’s rated battery life which I compensated for in advance by shoving in a gigantine 2500mAh battery. That board has proven to be pure bliss ever since. Love the damn thing. Both on my Mac (often literally astride the built in chiclet keyboard you rightly malign) and with the iPad.

The iPad has in fact taken on a whole new rôle as my most portable practical writing machine, with that miraculous HHKB and (no kidding) a little wooden wedge from ikea! I pop it on a desk and type with the keyboard on my lap. Scrivener in particular is a superb app for big writing projects on the iPad (and the Mac) and my HHKB BT is even a Type-S so I can use it in really quiet environments without complaint. The iPad (9.5 inch Pro), keyboard and stand even all fits neatly in my old 12 inch PowerBook bag, itself an antique and better made than what’s available now. Colour me chuffed.

I considered your advice about the Brydge. But I just don’t need it. I prefer my keyboard low and my display up high. So any wee stand will do for me, and allows the iPad to come out and be a tablet again several times a day.

I like your Hermes design. Very distinctive little piece of kit. Just needs Topre domes and Bluetooth…

[zslane]

Good to see you back in action, Mu!