Drop ALT V1 Mechanical Keyboard Discussions | Drop

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Drop ALT V1 Mechanical Keyboard

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Drop ALT V1 Mechanical Keyboard

kevmacleod

Apr 26, 2020

Hey, I just purchased an Alt on Amazon, and it appears to have a defective USB-C implementation. Using any USB-C to USB-C cable with an e-marker causes the Alt to fail to make a connection, or to only make a connection in one orientation. At first I thought I had a problem unit, but unless I'm mistaken, this appears to be a widespread problem. The Raspberry Pi 4 recently launched with a similar issue, but they've since corrected the problem: https://medium.com/@leung.benson/how-to-design-a-proper-usb-c-power-sink-hint-not-the-way-raspberry-pi-4-did-it-f470d7a5910 The USB-C standard requires that any cable capable of 5A, or featuring SuperSpeed or higher, must include an e-marker chip. Due to the defective USB-C implementation of the Alt, all of these cables fail to work. Legacy USB-C to USB-A cables, or 3A maximum USB-C to USB-C cables without e-markers, work fine with the Alt, but that is simply because the defective USB-C implementation of the keyboard doesn't cause issues with these simpler cables. My questions: do all of the Alt keyboards have this defective USB-C implementation? Has it been fixed in the latest production runs? Are there any plans to fix it? Does the CTRL also suffer from this problem? Does the upcoming Shift? I'd like to buy more of these keyboards, but I don't screw around when it comes with USB-C, the potential to damage expensive computers through faulty hardware is way too strong when you're dealing with the voltage supported by the spec.

Pixionus

Apr 27, 2020

kevmacleod @Drop I second this.. It would be really helpful to know that my expensive keyboard is or is not going to burn something expensive if I use an odd USB-C cable and that I can buy standard cables and not have the keyboard fail :/

Apr 27, 2020

A community member

Apr 27, 2020

erickongIt's already been forwarded internally. Thanks for the flag.

kevmacleod

Apr 27, 2020

Is there any additional information I can provide to help? I have a bit of experience with the way USB-C functions and the ways in which it can go wrong, I'd be happy to forward more detailed information, or provide you with specific testing results

A community member

Apr 28, 2020

kevmacleodThank you for the offer. If we'd like more information from you, I will send you an email at the address associated with your Drop account.

kevmacleod

Apr 28, 2020

Awesome, do let me know if there is anything. This is pretty much the perfect keyboard for the iPad Pro, and I'd like to use it with mine full-time, except I don't want to have to use special cables or worry about whether the cable I bring with me will be compatible. I really hope you guys can get an updated port in this, because I'll be first in line to buy it!

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kevmacleod

May 10, 2020

Some further information about what I think the problem seems to be with the Alt/Ctrl’s USB-C implementation: https://www.scorpia.co.uk/2019/06/28/pi4-not-working-with-some-chargers-or-why-you-need-two-cc-resistors/ I can’t confirm this is the exact cause, since I haven’t unscrewed my Alt to look yet, but the symptoms match.

dorian_grey

May 17, 2020

Thinking of jumping in on the next batch of the ALT, however not keen on getting a defective USB-C implementation on a keyboard that hopefully lasts for years. I guess this won't be fixed for that next batch already?

A community member

May 18, 2020

dorian_greyCorrect. This next batch will not have any changes implemented.

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kevmacleod

May 18, 2020

Are you planning on fixing it eventually, or is the plan to just ignore it because most people currently use USB-C to USB-A cables, which don't cause the keyboard to exhibit the issue?

A community member

May 18, 2020

kevmacleodYes, we plan to fix it.

kevmacleod

May 18, 2020

That's great to hear, thanks! I'll buy a second one (or CTRL) just for my iPad when it's fixed

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dorian_grey

May 30, 2020

That's great news! How would we know for which revision you guys are planning to fix that? Is there a "changelog" before a new revision, where changes compared to the last batch are highlighted?

A community member

May 30, 2020

dorian_greyCurrently, no, as changes have been rolling, but we'll be sure to highlight the differences when major updates are implemented.

kevmacleod

May 31, 2020

I'm actually curious, what changes have been made to the Alt since it launched? Aside from changing keycap OEMs

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A community member

May 31, 2020

kevmacleodThe magnetic feet design was updated to use two magnets instead of one.

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kevmacleod

May 31, 2020

Any changes to the PCB? Or have the only changes been to the case and key caps?

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A community member

Jun 1, 2020

kevmacleodNo changes to the PCBA yet.

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kevmacleod

Jun 1, 2020

Well hey, if you're looking for suggestions for a future revision, here's my list of ideas... Essential: Fix the USB-C implementation so it functions with e-marked cables Suggested: Add cut-outs for PCB mount switches Add cut-outs for PCB mount stabilizers Ship with Durok/ePBT stabilizers, or something comparable Sell just the upgraded PCB separate from the chassis, assuming no physical changes, as a one-time group buy for people who want to upgrade earlier keyboards Provide Apple-friendly alternate keycaps in the box Not essential, but would be nice: Add support for switching between two connected devices via QMK Support USB-C PD passthrough to connected device, so keyboard can be plugged into the wall and charge a connected iPad/Laptop Add one or two additional USB-C ports Sell just the chassis without the PCB, possibly in limited run color batches.

(Edited)

A community member

Jun 1, 2020

kevmacleodThanks. A lot of those are already being considered.

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Merranza

Jul 15, 2020

kevmacleodAlt went out of stock. Hope the next time it comes back available some of your suggested changes will be implemented.

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kevmacleod

Jul 16, 2020

MerranzaWe can hope! More likely, they're just waiting for the next batch to arrive, or for their warehouse to be a little less overloaded. They did implement the last item on my list, adding new color options, and they're going to be selling the PCB separately

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Merranza

Jul 16, 2020

kevmacleodIndeed. I'm specifically looking at the USB-C fix so it works with e-marked cables and better stabilizers. USB 3.0 passthrough would be really nice too.

(Edited)

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JazzyAF

Jul 21, 2020

kevmacleodNew ones have this issue too. Mine only works when plugged in via a USB-A to C cable. I also recently flashed mine with it plugged into my computer via the right-side USB-C port on the keyboard (with all success messages in Terminal) and now it doesn't work at all when plugged in using that port. Left port still works, and I can plug another peripheral into the right port and it works (but only with certain USB-C cables. Like the charging cable that came with my Macbook Pro works but any other USB-A to C or C to C cable has not worked... very weird but that was the case before I tried to flash the board). I've reached out to support but as of right now I am very skeptical on the USB-C implementation on this board and am considering sending it back...

(Edited)

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kevmacleod

Jul 21, 2020

JazzyAFYep, it's a defective USB-C implementation on the PCB, no sign of a fix yet. If you use cables without an emarker chip, you should be fine. My favorite are Anker's Powerline III cables. I can confirm they work flawlessly.

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JazzyAF

Jul 21, 2020

kevmacleodGood to know, thanks! Now if I can figure out how to get it working from the right-side port again...

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mutedboot

Jan 25, 2021

kevmacleodWow, I bought a new pcb thinking that I had somehow fried my original one. But the new one didn't work either. Randomly pulled a different usb-c cable, and both worked. Turns out this board design doesn't like most of my other cables.

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