New Cherry MX keyboards for the A500, A600 and A1200 - Page 27

rlake · 19 February 2020, 18:53

Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow so I expect to be pleasantly surprised!

rlake · 20 February 2020, 21:35

Well, it's here! Have to read the instructions and test but first impressions are good, feels sturdy...

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Gryfon · 20 February 2020, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlake

Well, it's here! Have to read the instructions and test but first impressions are good, feels sturdy...

Attachment 66256

Looks fantastic. Enjoy!

Acill · 24 February 2020, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlake

Not at all, it was Oct 21st 2018 around 1pm Pacific. Probably well in the preorder noise, there's really no way to tell when it tailed.

Wow, mine also black and I ordered the same day. Not a single word about it other than when I got the email receipt and it showing up on the site as me paying for the order. Lucky you!

Jope · 25 February 2020, 08:06

So what's the deal with these? Will they ever be mass produced? Can anyone ever buy one again?

Acill · 25 February 2020, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jope

So what's the deal with these? Will they ever be mass produced? Can anyone ever buy one again?

After this mess with how they are being handled I doubt it! The best solution is to hope that the a1200.net keyboards get mass-produced, but the best solution would be to come up with a way to make them open and use easily obtainable parts at this point. I've made a few of the other design that is open and it works well, but is just as expensive to make at cost as these are when you gather all the parts and get them put together.

Mick · 25 February 2020, 22:25

What happened to looking into other sellers? I'd like to buy a couple but I'm not going to pre-order with what seems to be a year long waiting list.

rlake · 26 February 2020, 04:15

This is just a general observation (and an opinion!) but in its current form it's not a good build for manufacture. Better layout/routing may allow placement of all surface mounts on the same side, there aren't many through hole parts but the raised LEDs and angled connectors are a little awkward (blame Commodore for limited space with shielding? anyone still have it in place?

). Possibly low profile smd connectors would work instead of basic headers but then cabling becomes a bit too specialist for an average user.

If they were to go for more volume I'd propose fixes to get all of the smd assembled (and programmed?) upfront and then offer the parts kit. These would barely even have to touch the shelves in store.

To be clear, the quality and package is great as-is. There are plenty of opportunities to improve though!

Acill · 06 March 2020, 04:52

Seems my KB has been delivered. Of course I am away on a work trip most of this month and cant get to it now! It only took a year and a half to get to me.

rmzalbar · 07 March 2020, 06:41

I wouldn't have minded doing my own assembly. I do a lot of soldering, I like doing it, and any excuse for more practice is good times for me.

Vlad · 07 March 2020, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acill

Seems my KB has been delivered. Of course I am away on a work trip most of this month and cant get to it now! It only took a year and a half to get to me.

Did he update the order page to show it was shipped, or is it still in 'awaiting fulfillment" ? My order is from Oct 20, on the very first day, still nothing, looks I got skipped.

adonay · 07 March 2020, 19:59

This is why i almost never pre order . If only we could get this in kit form....

Acill · 08 March 2020, 02:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad

Did he update the order page to show it was shipped, or is it still in 'awaiting fulfillment" ? My order is from Oct 20, on the very first day, still nothing, looks I got skipped.

Yes it updated and emailed me a notice with tracking. They posted in Facebook they are behind and just about done with ordered from that October. It's going to be a bit for those after us I assume. I also say they will offer refunds now if you no longer want to wait.

AmigaHope · 08 March 2020, 03:54

Still hoping to someday find a way to source new keyboards with the North American layout (full-size enter and left shift keys). Someday my prince will come.

Vlad · 08 March 2020, 04:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acill

Yes it updated and emailed me a notice with tracking. They posted in Facebook they are behind and just about done with ordered from that October. It's going to be a bit for those after us I assume. I also say they will offer refunds now if you no longer want to wait.

Thanks! I dropped them an email and got response within an hour, on Saturday, which is a pretty good sign. Got a little nervous seeing others with later order dates getting theirs already, but looks like my order didn't disappear and I'll get mine within two weeks or so.

I searched all of Amiga group on Facebook and couldn't find the update, only to realize just now that it is posted on their own timeline.

rlake · 08 March 2020, 17:34

And a blog post!

http://amigaonthelake.com/blog/amiga...yboard-update/

kipper2k · 08 March 2020, 18:27

i thought i would chime in and let people know a little bit about my involvement in this project as i seem to be getting a bit of negative comments from people directed at me.

The project was initially started by myself as a means of introducing Cherry MX keys to the Amiga. I designed the basic pcbs (2 boards required, the upper and lower plate). Once the basic design was done it was decided that we would make the Keyboard fully USB compatible so that it could be used with other devices inside the A500/A1200 cases and would also fit inside the external keyboard cases. Mkstr created the USB code for the keyboard which makes it a very flexible keyboard that can be used in multiple Amigas. As the keyboard design was approaching its final completion i found a way to add a nice way of controlling the Gotek and we decided to make the changes which added a bit of time to the release .

These changes did slow down the release of the project and also i had no intention at all to actually build these as it is a time consuming process and also due to the expensive rates of Canada Post it is now too expensive to mail outside of N.America.

We contacted a manufacturer from china to produce the MX keys and molds were created to fabricate the non standard keys. AOTL began obtaining al the components needed for the keyboard and then work started to build them. it is a slow process and i am glad that i decided to not partake in this part of the process.

AOTL are guilty of trying to do too much and have obviously realized that the original timescale was impossible to follow and is now paying the price with refunds/cancellations etc. Looking back we all should have probably kept our mouths shut until the project had matured more.

I have other projects i have done that i will not reveal now until i have decided how/where they will be released to try to avoid this hassle. Hopefully for the people who have been patient they will like the board once they receive them

Acill · 08 March 2020, 22:00

I don't fault them at all for the time it's taking. I do for the lack of communication. I built several basic MX keyboards and know just how time consuming it is, so I fully understand. They need to keep people updated.

kipper2k · 08 March 2020, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acill

I don't fault them at all for the time it's taking. I do for the lack of communication. I built several basic MX keyboards and know just how time consuming it is, so I fully understand. They need to keep people updated.

yes there was a lack of communication, the MX keyboards are a little bit more harder and more time consuming to build than some of the clones i have seen so i do understand their delay

MrDBUG · 09 March 2020, 05:32

Maybe make an external keyboard also like in the case Stephen Jones made !
And have a external keyboard adapter made also with the A600 or A1200 in a Plexilaser case - or a Checkmate case. (Plexilaser only have A600 cases maybe.)
I'd like a Amiga keyboard this way for my MiniMigs also :-D

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19 February 2020, 18:53	#521
rlake Hittin' the hardware... Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA Age: 44 Posts: 156	Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow so I expect to be pleasantly surprised!

20 February 2020, 21:35	#522
rlake Hittin' the hardware... Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA Age: 44 Posts: 156	Well, it's here! Have to read the instructions and test but first impressions are good, feels sturdy...

25 February 2020, 08:06	#525
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,862	So what's the deal with these? Will they ever be mass produced? Can anyone ever buy one again?

25 February 2020, 22:25	#527
Mick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 710	What happened to looking into other sellers? I'd like to buy a couple but I'm not going to pre-order with what seems to be a year long waiting list.

26 February 2020, 04:15	#528
rlake Hittin' the hardware... Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA Age: 44 Posts: 156	This is just a general observation (and an opinion!) but in its current form it's not a good build for manufacture. Better layout/routing may allow placement of all surface mounts on the same side, there aren't many through hole parts but the raised LEDs and angled connectors are a little awkward (blame Commodore for limited space with shielding? anyone still have it in place? ). Possibly low profile smd connectors would work instead of basic headers but then cabling becomes a bit too specialist for an average user. If they were to go for more volume I'd propose fixes to get all of the smd assembled (and programmed?) upfront and then offer the parts kit. These would barely even have to touch the shelves in store. To be clear, the quality and package is great as-is. There are plenty of opportunities to improve though!

06 March 2020, 04:52	#529
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	Seems my KB has been delivered. Of course I am away on a work trip most of this month and cant get to it now! It only took a year and a half to get to me.

07 March 2020, 06:41	#530
rmzalbar Registered User Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Oceanside, CA - United States Posts: 28	I wouldn't have minded doing my own assembly. I do a lot of soldering, I like doing it, and any excuse for more practice is good times for me.

07 March 2020, 19:59	#532
adonay active amiga 1200 user Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Either Haugesund /Norway or Vaxjø Sweden Posts: 220	This is why i almost never pre order . If only we could get this in kit form....

08 March 2020, 03:54	#534
AmigaHope Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Sandusky Posts: 942	Still hoping to someday find a way to source new keyboards with the North American layout (full-size enter and left shift keys). Someday my prince will come.

08 March 2020, 17:34	#536
rlake Hittin' the hardware... Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA Age: 44 Posts: 156	And a blog post! http://amigaonthelake.com/blog/amiga...yboard-update/

08 March 2020, 18:27	#537
kipper2k Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Thunder Bay, Canada Posts: 4,323	i thought i would chime in and let people know a little bit about my involvement in this project as i seem to be getting a bit of negative comments from people directed at me. The project was initially started by myself as a means of introducing Cherry MX keys to the Amiga. I designed the basic pcbs (2 boards required, the upper and lower plate). Once the basic design was done it was decided that we would make the Keyboard fully USB compatible so that it could be used with other devices inside the A500/A1200 cases and would also fit inside the external keyboard cases. Mkstr created the USB code for the keyboard which makes it a very flexible keyboard that can be used in multiple Amigas. As the keyboard design was approaching its final completion i found a way to add a nice way of controlling the Gotek and we decided to make the changes which added a bit of time to the release . These changes did slow down the release of the project and also i had no intention at all to actually build these as it is a time consuming process and also due to the expensive rates of Canada Post it is now too expensive to mail outside of N.America. We contacted a manufacturer from china to produce the MX keys and molds were created to fabricate the non standard keys. AOTL began obtaining al the components needed for the keyboard and then work started to build them. it is a slow process and i am glad that i decided to not partake in this part of the process. AOTL are guilty of trying to do too much and have obviously realized that the original timescale was impossible to follow and is now paying the price with refunds/cancellations etc. Looking back we all should have probably kept our mouths shut until the project had matured more. I have other projects i have done that i will not reveal now until i have decided how/where they will be released to try to avoid this hassle. Hopefully for the people who have been patient they will like the board once they receive them

08 March 2020, 22:00	#538
Acill Tech Guru Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 189	I don't fault them at all for the time it's taking. I do for the lack of communication. I built several basic MX keyboards and know just how time consuming it is, so I fully understand. They need to keep people updated.

09 March 2020, 05:32	#540
MrDBUG Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Larvik, Norway Posts: 125	Maybe make an external keyboard also like in the case Stephen Jones made ! And have a external keyboard adapter made also with the A600 or A1200 in a Plexilaser case - or a Checkmate case. (Plexilaser only have A600 cases maybe.) I'd like a Amiga keyboard this way for my MiniMigs also :-D

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