Infinity x GMK 3Run 60% Keyboard Kit Discussions | Drop

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Infinity x GMK 3Run 60% Keyboard Kit

Mech Keys

FULL DISCUSSION

drhubblephd

Oct 16, 2014

This is a blatant rip off of the GON skinny.

Oct 16, 2014

GL1TCH3D

275

Oct 16, 2014

drhubblephdI must agree... Really looks like a rip off with slightly changed layout (and IMO not even for the better but layout preference is subjective)

Oct 16, 2014

Expedited

Oct 16, 2014

GL1TCH3DIt seems similar...but really, once you look at the purpose of each keyboard, you'll realize that the Infinity is unique in its own respect.
The Infinity keyboard aims to create a customizable 60% keyboard with high quality parts and no BS. The GON Skinny is more of a flashy keyboard that comes at a premium. The bent plate design on the Infinity helps cut cost while using the higher quality stainless steel over aluminum.
I've tried this keyboard twice and I really have respect for HaaTa, who designed it. It definitely wasn't his intention to create a clone of another keyboard. As much as I love the flashy goodness of GON keyboards, I think this keyboard fills its own niche in the market.

Oct 16, 2014

deci

Oct 16, 2014

ExpeditedI like this keyboard design but other than offering an alps version... it really is just a cheaper non led version of a GON skinny with some HHKB layout influence thrown in. Even the MSRP of $250 is exactly the same as an assembled GON skinny. Doesn't anyone find that coincidental?
I really don't think someone like Haata would intentionally clone another keyboard though. Shrug, maybe GON helped design it?

Oct 16, 2014

Vote

HaaTa

558

Input Club

Oct 16, 2014

deciIf you look carefully at the plate, it's designed differently than the GON Skinny. TBH, we didn't really use the GON Skinny as a reference for this keyboard (I wasn't wasn't even aware of that case until after the keyboard was mostly designed). First, the case is made out of steel, rather than aluminium. While the aluminium does tend to "look" prettier it's just not as sturdy and tends to flex. Second, notice the bent edges instead of using the cut case edges as feet. Third, for this keyboard the choice was made to have an Alps/Cherry compatible plate. This complicates the hole design as you can't adjust the positions of the switches in the plate. So the two versions, hacker and standard each have their own plate (the pcb is compatible though).
IMO, the main selling point of this keyboard is the programmability. Even though other keyboards are programmable, I currently don't know of any keyboard firmware that supports this complex of macros without having to hand program in C each macro. KLL was designed to be portable between keyboards with completely different layouts.

Oct 16, 2014

deci

Oct 16, 2014

HaaTaHi Haata Yeah I guess it's understandable. I mean there are only so many ways you can differentiate keyboard cases so coincidences are bound to happen. I actually used a very similar bent stainless steel design when I used to make custom joysticks for people 7 years ago. Either way, sub $150 for a fully programmable alps is a steal so I'm sure this sale will be very successful.

Oct 16, 2014

dorkvader

199

Oct 21, 2014

deciI said this earlier, but just to make it clear: GON is awesome but did not invent this type of plate-case. The first reference to it was made by (Dominic Beauchamp) DOX at geekhack in 2011. It was the plate-case design he used for the first keybaord he designed: the DOXkb. He later went on to design the popular ErgoDOX. Also, I believe Ron (samwisekoi) independently invented this type of case before the GON skinny was available with his GH75. Both Ron's and Dominic's efforts are closer to this than the GON (which is CNC machined and awesome).
References: GH75 (May 2013) http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43450.0 (see plate-case picture page4) GON Skinny (June 2013) http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44613.0 DOXKB (June 2011) http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=19227.0 (pictures were sadly lost in the rootworm incident, you can see all the text-references to the plate/case)

Oct 21, 2014