Amiga 500 mechanical keyboard on Kickstarter now - Page 2

talybont · 28 October 2019, 12:52

How will this compare to A1200net's mechanical keyboard? They showed a prototype at Amiga 34.

Here's some info from their Facebook:

- Fully mechanical
- Body armor (as in metal, not plastic)
- Custom switches - NOT Cherry MX.
- 100% compatible with Mitsumi Hybrid keycaps.
- Compatible with A500 / A1200 straight out of the box.
- Compatible with A2000 / A3000 / A4000 big boxes.
- USB / PC / Raspberry Pi compatible.
- Apollo Vampire V2+ / V4 Standalone compatible.

This new keyboard will be made available without keycaps.

MicroDave · 28 October 2019, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by talybont

How will this compare to A1200net's mechanical keyboard? They showed a prototype at Amiga 34.

Ours will be:
- Fully mechanical
- Use existing A500 metal plate
- Cherry MX compatible switches
- Cherry MX compatible keycaps
- Compatible with A500 / A1200
- Keycaps included

SpocksBeer · 28 October 2019, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicroDave

We will use keyboard manufacturer factory in China. After initial investment into the molds (five of them), price will be quite good as long as we have quantity. By the way, Amiga “A” keys are the standard size ones. We will use standard profile (aka OEM).

Attached are the custom molds we need to make (in red). Our manufacturer has all the others already.

Ah cheers. Yeah, I guess I was throwing "custom printing" in with "custom size", though really the only custom size by today's standards is the space bar. You shouldn't need a custom mould for the function keys, I would have thought, as 1.25u is a standard size; just not printed with F numbers.

At any rate, good luck. I've backed this project.

MicroDave · 29 October 2019, 06:40

We contacted many manufacturers and none of them have the ones we I marked in red. For example, everyone has molds for R1 1.25U, but not for function keys (which are R4 1.25U).

This link has good pictures https://support.wasdkeyboards.com/hc...-Compatibility

SpocksBeer · 29 October 2019, 10:14

Right, of course. I was thinking about a uniform profile, such as DSA or Signature Plastics SA.

Sim085 · 29 October 2019, 11:39

(I am no keyboard expert so sorry if the question might sound stupid)
Isn't the layout of the A1200 keyboard same as that of an A500? I know the controller is different but what about the layout?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicroDave

Ours will be:
...
- Compatible with A500 only
...

MicroDave · 29 October 2019, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sim085

(I am no keyboard expert so sorry if the question might sound stupid)
Isn't the layout of the A1200 keyboard same as that of an A500? I know the controller is different but what about the layout?

Good question actually. I don't have A1200 but from the pictures of the membrane found online, it looks like it may work. Layout is the same, caps are the same, even mounting holes are the same. Just need one more connector. I assume it has the same keyboard matrix (at least it would make sense).

Let me investigate a bit more ...

Jope · 30 October 2019, 08:20

The matrix and membrane connector are the same in the A1200 and A500 mitsumi keyboards. The only difference is where the connector is located at the back of the membrane.

MicroDave · 30 October 2019, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jope

The matrix and membrane connector are the same in the A1200 and A500 mitsumi keyboards. The only difference is where the connector is located at the back of the membrane.

Thanks for confirmation. A1200 will be supported then. Will update the campaign page shortly.

MicroDave · 30 October 2019, 22:34

Anyone knows if there was only one type of membrane produced for the A1200? For the A500 I know two - with one 31pin connector and with two 15+16. I attached the pictures.

Jope · 31 October 2019, 07:26

You have a comprehensive list of A500 and A1200 membranes there.

MicroDave · 31 October 2019, 22:19

Thank you.

MicroDave · 06 November 2019, 06:59

Some people asked us about keyboard for the Amiga 600 (it has the same keycaps), and we now offering it as well. So, now it will be two keyboards: for A500/A1200 and A600.

malikons · 24 November 2019, 10:49

Seems like the kickstarter campaign is going to miss the target pledge. Quite disappointed to be honest but I realize there aren’t many people like us out there. I’m wondering if it’d still be possible to make these keyboards for those who are interested in buying?

talybont · 24 November 2019, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by malikons

Seems like the kickstarter campaign is going to miss the target pledge. Quite disappointed to be honest but I realize there aren’t many people like us out there. I’m wondering if it’d still be possible to make these keyboards for those who are interested in buying?

I think part of it might be because there are other options, which may or may not have already saturated the market:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=94643

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=97394

Personally I'm waiting for A1200net's keyboard (which have made cases and keycaps before, and have showed a prototype which will be the next campaign). Some info: https://www.facebook.com/A1200net/po...43084835720170

malikons · 24 November 2019, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by talybont

I think part of it might be because there are other options, which may or may not have already saturated the market:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=94643

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=97394

Personally I'm waiting for A1200net's keyboard (which have made cases and keycaps before, and have showed a prototype which will be the next campaign). Some info: https://www.facebook.com/A1200net/po...43084835720170

Thanks for sharing that. I read a1200 keyboards but also read that people have been waiting for them for a while. This kickstarter project gave me some hope because it has some timeline. I guess I’ll also get in to the queue for A1200 keyboards. Look beautiful btw.

Cheers,

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mrprawns · 24 November 2019, 11:47

I know you addressed this in the Kickstarter comments, but I do wonder if offering the option of a black keyset would boost interest.

Alternative case colours are a thing, and some folks do seem to be seeking out cd32 keyboards specifically to rip out the black keyset for their A1200s.

MicroDave · 25 November 2019, 08:38

We need at least ~100 people to make black caps.

dalek · 03 December 2019, 03:59

39 hrs to go. Shame this didn't get more support. Would have been a lot cheaper for everyone especially us Aussies!

MicroDave · 04 December 2019, 08:27

Yeah it looks like we are not going to reach our goal. We are currently working on keyboard which would not require custom molding and will not require so many backers as this one. We will have prototype by the end of January. We will post any news here.

30 October 2019, 22:34	#30
MicroDave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Melbourne/Australia Posts: 22	Anyone knows if there was only one type of membrane produced for the A1200? For the A500 I know two - with one 31pin connector and with two 15+16. I attached the pictures. Attached Thumbnails

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Amiga 500 Keyboard	r.cade	support.Hardware	5	13 June 2020 01:50
Wanted - Keyboard for my Amiga 500	Marty_McFly	MarketPlace	4	01 August 2019 14:12
My new A1200 mechanical keyboard is complete	aeberbach	Hardware mods	9	14 May 2019 03:58
Best Amiga Mechanical Keyboard	fondpondforever	support.Hardware	2	24 January 2016 18:24
The X500 Evo - mechanical keyboard and more!	Omolungo	News	19	03 May 2013 11:27

28 October 2019, 12:52	#21
talybont Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norway Posts: 170	How will this compare to A1200net's mechanical keyboard? They showed a prototype at Amiga 34. Here's some info from their Facebook: - Fully mechanical - Body armor (as in metal, not plastic) - Custom switches - NOT Cherry MX. - 100% compatible with Mitsumi Hybrid keycaps. - Compatible with A500 / A1200 straight out of the box. - Compatible with A2000 / A3000 / A4000 big boxes. - USB / PC / Raspberry Pi compatible. - Apollo Vampire V2+ / V4 Standalone compatible. This new keyboard will be made available without keycaps.

29 October 2019, 06:40	#24
MicroDave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Melbourne/Australia Posts: 22	We contacted many manufacturers and none of them have the ones we I marked in red. For example, everyone has molds for R1 1.25U, but not for function keys (which are R4 1.25U). This link has good pictures https://support.wasdkeyboards.com/hc...-Compatibility

29 October 2019, 10:14	#25
SpocksBeer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Hobart Posts: 61	Right, of course. I was thinking about a uniform profile, such as DSA or Signature Plastics SA.

30 October 2019, 08:20	#28
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	The matrix and membrane connector are the same in the A1200 and A500 mitsumi keyboards. The only difference is where the connector is located at the back of the membrane.

31 October 2019, 07:26	#31
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	You have a comprehensive list of A500 and A1200 membranes there.

31 October 2019, 22:19	#32
MicroDave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Melbourne/Australia Posts: 22	Thank you.

06 November 2019, 06:59	#33
MicroDave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Melbourne/Australia Posts: 22	Some people asked us about keyboard for the Amiga 600 (it has the same keycaps), and we now offering it as well. So, now it will be two keyboards: for A500/A1200 and A600.

24 November 2019, 10:49	#34
malikons Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Amsterdam / Netherlands Posts: 2	Seems like the kickstarter campaign is going to miss the target pledge. Quite disappointed to be honest but I realize there aren’t many people like us out there. I’m wondering if it’d still be possible to make these keyboards for those who are interested in buying?

24 November 2019, 11:47	#37
mrprawns Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Saddleworth, UK Posts: 19	I know you addressed this in the Kickstarter comments, but I do wonder if offering the option of a black keyset would boost interest. Alternative case colours are a thing, and some folks do seem to be seeking out cd32 keyboards specifically to rip out the black keyset for their A1200s.

25 November 2019, 08:38	#38
MicroDave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Melbourne/Australia Posts: 22	We need at least ~100 people to make black caps.

03 December 2019, 03:59	#39
dalek Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NSW/Australia Posts: 462	39 hrs to go. Shame this didn't get more support. Would have been a lot cheaper for everyone especially us Aussies!

04 December 2019, 08:27	#40
MicroDave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Melbourne/Australia Posts: 22	Yeah it looks like we are not going to reach our goal. We are currently working on keyboard which would not require custom molding and will not require so many backers as this one. We will have prototype by the end of January. We will post any news here.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)