Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
This pushed us past the August date sadly, but as a thank you for your patience in this drop we're working on a gift to be included with your Infinity Ergodox. I'll be back with an update as I get more details involving construction and fulfillment. Thank you as always for your understanding and expect an update soon.
We've been waiting for a long time, and I'd STRONGLY prefer to have the parts in a timely fashion than an additional gift.
You know what could be a good "gift" to include: it coming fully assembled. Just a thought after all this headache and delay.
Thanks for trying to keep us in the loop, but I am sure that you can appreciate the fact that we would like more information about what exactly is going on.
I understand that there were some changes to the PCB to ensure quality control; what I do not understand is how that can effect the physical dimensions of the PCB in such a way that the cases need to be modified. Can you explain that in more detail? How was a change so drastic made months ago without the needed case alterations noticed until just now?
We have yet to see how the LCDs work on this product. Now that you have a finalized PCB will you be updating the description showing a functioning unit (even one without a case)?
Can you be more candid about the gift that you hope to include for the multiple delays with shipping?
With my money tied up for over a quarter of a year I feel that there needs to be a lot more transparency. I understand that if I want, I can cancel my order with MD; but at this point if I do that I have just loaned MD money to make a product to sell to someone else.
Not trying to shoot the messenger here Alex. You are in a tough spot, and I am grateful for the updates.
To everyone complaining this is too much like a kickstarter, I think this illustrates that it is not. They are footing the bill to keep the quality high, I think if this were a kickstarter it would have been considered failed and been abandoned by now.
Would be a bummer to have bought $75 worth of wooden wrist rests (two ergodox' worth) and not have them fit.
Due to the Ergodox's unique shape (not a rectangle) and tight clearances, even small changes can cause some issues. In this case it looks like the thumb cluster that was modified required some very slight angle fixes. It won't be noticeable by looking at it or typing on it, but some of the keycaps were hitting the edge of the case and it was less than ideal.
@OverKill posted the link for the functioning LCD, but here it is again http://input.club/forums/topic/infinity-ergodox-update I'm personally really excited to see what people figure out to do with it.
The gift is still up in the air. We have a couple ideas in mind, but are very open to suggestions. Right now we're leaning towards maybe some wrist rests or since this is a more DIY oriented crowd we could send the PCB to make your own numpad. Something that will be fun or useful. Hopefully both. Maybe LED's? Like I said, very open to suggestions.
Hope this helps some. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I think that many people have already ordered wrist rests, but the idea of a PCB for a numpad to work with our Doxes is **very** interesting.
Is it safe to assume that orders are already pre-batched and once the cases come in you will be able to turn around and ship to customers with a day or two? If not, how long after you receive everything from your vendors will it take for shipments to start heading to us?
Thanks again
LEFTDOX ~~> NUMPAD ~~> RIGHTDOX ~~> PC
Whatever you do, I won't be upset. I joined this drop for the keyboard, and as long as it is delivered and works well I'm happy.
The display should be nice for showing what layer you're on. I get myself confused every now and then on my Ergodox.
LED's Would be cool, like most other people I got some wrist rests a while back from another drop :)
But, seeing as you asked regarding a physical gift, I think something directly related to the Infinity Dox would be great. Some ideas that come to mind (which I wouldn't mind buying in separate drops btw...):
- Integrated tenting solution - Travel bag - Full hand case - Trackpoint module - RGB leds - Stabilizers - 20" USB cable for connecting the two halves - Both DSA and DCS keycaps
A tenting solution would be amazing, but it seems that I'm in the minority for wanting to tent my dox. I'm hoping to work out a way to turn them entirely vertical.
About providing an assembled keyboard, I actually don't care since I enjoyed very much assembling my previous ErgoxDox. But I will not consider this as a "gift". About a gift for our patience, why not, but you can't provide one gift which will fit to everyone. In my case I plane to put this keyboard on the armrests of my chair, so I'm not interrested by stabilizers or plamrest. About the leds, seriously, it's not even 5$ for 100 leds ... So the best thing is to leave us the choice about this gift. In my case, I don't want a numpad or some extra stuff for putting this keyboard on a desk. But I will be happy if you can provide me an easy and reliable way to fix this keyboard on my armrests, or if you have no idea, this stuff : https://www.massdrop.com/buy/led-color-changer . Or a way to write on keycaps my custom layout with all the layers (I still can dream ... :p)
(no affiliation with the seller, etc.)
I've also throw into the ring of suggestions something kind of niche: tenting props. I know I am not the only person who got an ergodox because of RSI problems, and my stack of Post-Its really sucks, style-wise.
Or Genovation relegendable keycaps? Uh, or better these, which glow in the dark!: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/cherry-mx-keycaps-t7164.html
Or a 5x5 programmable numpad pcb instead of 4x5, for this keyboard (already has relegendable keycaps!): http://www.ebay.com/itm/130541363513 or better both pcb and keyboard :D