Drop + Matt3o MT3 Susuwatari Custom Keycap Set Discussions | Drop

Jun 26, 2020

Final Update Alright everyone, it's time for the final update. And it wouldn't be a MT3 Susuwatari update if it didn't have some hiccups involved. As I mentioned in my previous update, we split the shipments of the keycaps into two segments, the Base, Blanks, Spacebars, Ortho, Ergodox was shipment #1. The Extras, Monotone and Colemak/Dvorak was shipment #2. The first shipment has arrived and has been unpacked by the warehouse, ready to ship. The second shipment that was supposed to arrive (at our warehouse today, Friday June 26th), has been rescheduled by the driver for Tuesday June 30th. We've put in a special request for weekend labor to start shipping out orders that do not include Extras, Monotone, or Colemak/Dvorak. The exact amount of labor (i.e. number of orders we are able to ship) is highly dependent on the voluntary acceptance of weekend overtime shifts. We can't tell/promise you that they'll ship over the weekend, but we're doing our best to get some moving. Once the second shipment arrives on Tuesday, we'll get the remaining orders shipped out. The next issue that I want to mention involves people who purchased the Blanks kit (approx 50 people). For some reason, we're still investigating the exact cause- the plastic packaging that holds the keycaps melted and deformed a bit in shipping. We've gone through many kits and the keycaps themselves are perfectly intact. That being said, we don't want to delay your orders, and we don't want to keep perfectly good keycaps from you, so we're shipping them as is. In about 6 weeks when the next round of orders arrive, you can request to swap your set and box with one that isn’t melted. On that second round of orders, or "extras" that everyone wants to get their hands on. We're trying to wrap our heads around how many we need to get into production, so we'll be re-opening the Susuwatari Keycaps for pre-order on Monday June 29th at 6AM PST. These orders have an estimated ship date in the middle of August. We’ll try to split these shipments as well to get them moving faster if possible. Okay, I've saved the best for last, and this part is really important. In continuing with Matt3o’s tradition of adding something unexpected in the first runs of his sets, every round 1 pre-order has a special gift keycap included. It's small, so you might miss it if you don't know to look for it, so be careful when you open your box! No spoilers, not gonna tell you what it is, but we think you'll love it. That's it for now, I will post some updates in the comments thread regarding the progress of shipments, but those updates will not be emailed out.

First round participants get a free coupon information (thread) Edit: Formatting, added photo and links.

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Jun 26, 2020

KevinOh boy, here come the color issue comments with that included photo.

erto

493

Jun 26, 2020

KevinNow that is an excellent update. Clear and filled with information. I have an extras ordered so I will be waiting patiently for it to ship next.

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Radam

Jun 27, 2020

KevinDid anyone buy an ortho set that doesn't need the 1u cmd key? (oops sorry I didn't mean to tag Kevin)

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Jun 27, 2020

Kevin46 orders shipped out so fa, as of Saturday at 12 Noon EST. 😄 Edit: 101 orders shipped today.

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vaginator

Jun 27, 2020

nice, got my shipping email ! Thanks

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brneor

187

Jun 28, 2020

RadamMe! But as I'm using a proxy to ship it to Brazil, the logistics of sending it to you maybe does not sound so interesting... But if you're willing to try I'd totally give it to you.

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folkrav

111

Jun 28, 2020

bugbbqSincerely, it was pretty damn inevitable that there would be a/many difference(s) between the renders and the final product, considering it was a new process, new molds, new plastics, new manufacturer... Especially since they can just get their money back if it doesn't match their expectations, why go up in arms lol It definitely doesn't look like exactly like the gruvbox-inspired initially pitched (alphas look more blue-gray tinted compared to the dark-brown from renders) but seriously, it still looks pretty kicking to me. And again, even if I don't like it when it gets here, it'll just get sent back and I'll get my money back, who cares.

sevenseacat

1938

Jun 28, 2020

KevinI'm not too fussed on exactly what day things ship on, seeing as it's about two months shipping to Australia at the moment....

eapdang

574

Keyboard Club Member

Jun 28, 2020

Kevinmine is Base kit only, hopefully it gets shipped out soon :)

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Jun 28, 2020

folkravI hear yah. There is something to be said about waiting two years to get a keycap set that is super unique and dark only to end up with a set of tall dolch keys.

Radam

Jun 28, 2020

brneorah yeah.. it might be real difficult. thank you for the offer

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Jun 28, 2020

KevinUpdate: 450 orders shipped as of Sunday.

Freik

Jun 29, 2020

KevinExactly 1 year after the "expected ship date" I have a FedEx tracking number :D HURRAY!

tanega

Jun 29, 2020

KevinThe colors looks bad, way off everything in the renders.

Jun 29, 2020

tanegaThe photos aren't flattering. I'm going to hold judgement until they're in my hands, but I agree....these look more like a dolch color scheme than what was advertised.

elmo_space

Jun 29, 2020

tanegaThat photo was just very poorly chosen. Directly against the light reflection won't show the colors correctly. Take a look at the pictures that Matt3o posted on his personal blog. The colors look way more accurate on his pics and match the renders pretty good.

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wilwil

Keyboard Club Member

Jun 29, 2020

Kevinsort of looks like what i imagine oblotzky would want to do with MT3 Oblivion, lmao.

tanega

Jun 29, 2020

elmo_spaceIt isn't much better on Matt3o website, even him stated: "Colors are still not a perfect match of what I had in mind"

Jun 29, 2020

elmo_spaceUm, I don't think so. Those look almost the same as this one. The colors are totally off, it's a darkish color scheme sure, but it's nothing like the renders at all. From Matt's blog:

The legends are just... white. Straight up. The keys are very light grey and grey, rather than dark grey and black. Really glad I'm just seeing this now and wasn't unlucky enough to join the GB ages ago, this is insane.

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elmo_space

Jun 29, 2020

FulluphighThe picture that you posted from the blog is massively overexposed. Just look at the case of that board. It's black but looks like it's light gray in the picture. Jeez educate yourself a bit on how photography works and stop judging colors from shitty smartphone pictures... This picture here is much more evenly and naturally lit and the colors look fine there.

Ffamran

Jun 29, 2020

elmo_spaceWhat color was the dress to you?

chriskin

Jun 29, 2020

elmo_spaceThe letters are still white though. They were not supposed to be white

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Jun 29, 2020

elmo_space"Take a look at the pictures that Matt3o posted on his personal blog. The colors look way more accurate on his pics and match the renders pretty good." Your own fucking words. Now you're saying they're massively over exposed and not accurate at all? Make up your god damned mind. You took an old photo of even older prototypes, when matt3o has said that the colors have changed since then as well, and has also expressed high dissatisfaction with how the colors of these keycaps turned out. Very, very high dissatisfaction, on various posts on his blog. And as another poster said: "The letters are still white though. They were not supposed to be white". Matt3o has described them as a "creamy/light yellow", which is also nothing like how anybody would describe the renders. Cut the fanboy bologna, these are obviously problematic.

folkrav

111

Jun 29, 2020

FulluphighIt's not like they're forcing it down your throat. Yeah, they're different from the renders, obviously. If they don't fit what you had in mind, just get a refund and go on with your life, what's so hard about that? Acting like an entitled child who lost his toy won't change the colors. Have you seen the Matt3o's last post about how he thinks they're "awesome", by the way? Reading through the comments, he also mentions them actually being cream, not white. https://matt3o.com/susuwatari-production-prototypes-tldr-they-are-awesome/

Jun 29, 2020

folkravGet over yourself dude. People paid for and funded a product, they want that product, which they're expected to pay for, to be what was promised. No shit anybody can refund it or not purchase it in the new round, but sitting here and pretending that there's nothing wrong with it or a reason to do so is disingenuous and full of shit. Nobody said anybody couldn't get a refund. Customers are entitled to want what they want, ffs. For that matter, so is the god damned designer. Here, let me help you with reading. What was said was that "The colors look way more accurate on his pics and match the renders pretty good." That's uh, not true? Also, I obviously did read the post, and the comments, since I, you know, quoted them? He's still obviously quite displeased with this, and it doesn't take a hint of reading between the lines to see just to what degree. He calls out the colors specifically as still being a problem. Let me help: "Colors are still not a perfect match of what I had in mind and a couple of keys (not important ones) would need some retouching, but anyway they are ready for production and shipping as they are." Put this in context of how unhappy he was that they were going to production as is from his previous blog post, and well. Hopefully you can figure it out. And once again, finally: "Cream" is not what was in the renders, nor it seems what matt3o desired, by any measure.

elmo_space

Jun 29, 2020

FulluphighWhat I said was that some of the pictures on Matt3os blog were much more accurate than the one posted in the update post. Namely the one that I added to my last post. And still: Do not take photos as a reference for colors! They are just photos. They will never show the actual color. The picture that I posted showed the last round of prototypes which already had the final colors. They most likely haven't changed the entire alpha and mods colors since then... "matt3o has said that the colors have changed since then as well, and has also expressed high dissatisfaction with how the colors of these keycaps turned out. Very, very high dissatisfaction, on various posts on his blog." You obviously haven't read his last blog post. Matt3o was very satisfied with how the caps came out and if he likes the colors I am sure that they will turn out pretty good because Matt3o is kind of known for being an extreme perfectionist. His words: "they are pretty darn good" For the "not quite perfect" colors that he was talking about it's most likely the accent colors like the green and red because those were the colors that he was most dissatisfied with in the prototype rounds. I doubt that it's the main color of the alphas or mods... As for the white/cream alphas: Try taking a picture of something with cream colored text on a very dark base. You won't be able to make the text look like the real color without making the entire photo way too dark. The dynamic range of cameras just can't pick up these bright colors well enough, especially on a dark background. They will always look white on pictures. Just look at pictures of old Commodore64 keycaps. Their legends are almost yellow in real life, yet they look white on almost all pictures that you can find on the internet. And honestly: buying keycaps based off of some renders and keyset drawings and expecting exactly that color would be pretty fucking stupid. You can't color match plastics that perfect. Simple as that.

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Jun 29, 2020

elmo_space"What I said was that some of the pictures on Matt3os blog were much more accurate than the one posted in the update post. Namely the one that I added to my last post. And still: Do not take photos as a reference for colors! They are just photos. They will never show the actual color." The picture you posted was a previous prototype. He received another set 3 weeks later, which turned out to be the final production set, and he wasn't very pleased about it. Unfortunately, the only pictures we have of it either have poor lighting or over exposed, or the final set just looks like ass, since literally nobody including Drop has posted a better photo. Also that's poppycock, it's not challenging in the slightest to make a photo color accurate Use a black box and decent lighting. Or just use indirect white light and fix the colors in post. Jesus. There's no indication from any party involved, except you, that those were the final colors, in the unfinal prototype, especially given that he was still pushing to have the colors updated. What lunacy. "You obviously haven't read his last blog post. " Christ alive, I fucking quoted it. Read more good. "Try taking a picture of something with cream colored text on a very dark base. You won't be able to make the text look like the real color without making the entire photo way too dark. The dynamic range of cameras just can't pick up these bright colors well enough, especially on a dark background." Just stopping here. Maybe with an old ass iphone camera you can't, but this is ridiculous. Taking product photos is neither a new nor challenging space. Get the hell out of here with that crap. Actually, one more: " buying keycaps based off of some renders and keyset drawings and expecting exactly that color would be pretty fucking stupid. You can't color match plastics that perfect. Simple as that." I would agree with this, but the entire purpose of the renders is to demonstrate the concept. And the concept of this was a very dark, low contrast colorscheme. You can buy expecting to see a dark, low contrast colorway in the final product. Instead, this. Criticism is valid, you nubs need to get over it.

A community member

Jun 29, 2020

elmo_space @Fulluphigh Please do keep the discussion civil. Here are some photos that better show the color of the alpha legends. It's still not quite the same as seeing it in person, though. The keycap below is a white ceramic keycap. To the left is a light grey ABS keycap. Above is a white PBT keycap. To the right is GMK WoB.

Jun 29, 2020

Thanks Albert, that's helpful. Is it possible to maybe post a raw so that we can white balance against the color of the known white keycaps? That would provide a pretty solid idea of what the final product looks like.

A community member

Jun 29, 2020

FulluphighNo promises, but I'll see what I can do.

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schwarzgrau

207

Jun 29, 2020

elmo_space"Try taking a picture of something with cream colored text on a very dark base. You won't be able to make the text look like the real color without making the entire photo way too dark. The dynamic range of cameras just can't pick up these bright colors well enough, especially on a dark background. They will always look white on pictures."

This has nothing to do with dynamic range. And you can easily photograph beige on black.
If you take a photo to show the final product better take a good photo or everybody will expect to be the product faulty.

schwarzgrau

207

Jun 29, 2020

KevinMaybe you should add some photos of the real caps in the product description. I've ordered a set and then saw the photo, which was the reason to cancel the order right away. Maybe others don't expect a dolch set either from your renders.

Jun 29, 2020

schwarzgrauRenders will get updated with studio photos later this week. In terms of your perception of the color, in the next 3-5 days you should see dozens of photos from pre-order buyers in all kinds of different light settings with different backgrounds and that's by far the best judge. Or just buy them and if you don't like them, return them. People complaining about this being white are 100% incorrect, it's categorically not white. Whether it's "cream enough" is in the eye of the beholder.

erto

493

Jun 29, 2020

I do recommend stop using the renders in the next (now current) promotion. I just saw the tweet Drop posted an hour ago and it is using the very dark render. I still haven't received my shipping notification on my set but it is quite easy to predict that a few people won't be happy with renders vs actual keys. I will reserve my opinion until I have them in my hand and can see with my own eyes. I do understand how lighting can make objects appear darker or lighter. I have a SA Dolche by MAX that I should be able to compare them to see just how off the colors are. I do understand that things aren't perfect with the new process but I recognize there was a lot of work put into them along with some unforseen circumstances that led to the delay.

A community member

Jun 29, 2020

ertoAs Kevin mentioned, we will have studio photos added. The renders are also nearly 2 years old at this point, well before we added image disclaimers to all keycaps sold with renders.

Buns

Jun 30, 2020

If you're happy with this result then I'm done with drop. I can't trust that I'll get anything close to what we're promised.

Jun 30, 2020

I think that's totally reasonable. It's early enough in this round that people can get a clear idea and decide if they want to join, and preorders from the initial buy are always running that risk, at least they're returnable. Thanks yall for understanding and working with us.

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tanega

Jun 30, 2020

Geez, can't Drop buy a decent camera for its employees? I know that studio pictures are due, but stop posting potato quality pics.

Jun 30, 2020

BunsI hear yah. After waiting for two years, hearing excuse after excuse, hoping to get something truly unique....only to be presented with a common dolch color scheme? To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. So yeah, I’m done with drop as well. The voucher for a free mt3 set is nice, but it’s just too little, too late. I’ll cash in my voucher and never visit drop again. Let’s hope there aren’t any defects...but I feel like that would just be par for the course.

Jun 30, 2020

KevinThe second shipment of the Susuwatari Keycaps (including Extras, Monotone, and Colemak) have arrived at the warehouse. They'll get unpacked tomorrow and hopefully start shipping tomorrow, if not the following day.

erto

493

Jun 30, 2020

KevinAwsome, still waiting on my shipping notification for the base set. I take it all have not shipped yet??

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A community member

Jun 30, 2020

FulluphighHere's a RAW file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1esnsp2JCYBKbzK5O2FZGQC0WaO_2C6P8/view?usp=sharing Still difficult to capture the colors exactly. The red in the photo is not as vibrant and saturated in person.

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MechEng

345

Jun 30, 2020

Fulluphighwell said " People paid for and funded a product, they want that product, which they're expected to pay for, to be what was promised. No shit anybody can refund it or not purchase it in the new round, but sitting here and pretending that there's nothing wrong with it or a reason to do so is disingenuous and full of shit. Nobody said anybody couldn't get a refund. Customers are entitled to want what they want, ffs. For that matter, so is the god damned designer." I am going to say to my boss or CEO next time color is in the "eye of the behold and subjective", just refund - that would be the end of my job.

Jul 1, 2020

Great, thank you! OK good to know on the reds. Safe to say the cardboard sleeves are basically true white? Same as a sheet of printer paper?

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A community member

Jul 1, 2020

FulluphighNot quite. The cardboard sleeves have a slight off-white/enamel tinge next to a sheet of printer paper.

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