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Drop + OLKB Preonic Keyboard MX Kit V3

Drop + OLKB Preonic Keyboard MX Kit V3

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Product Description
The original Preonic keyboard was praised for its build quality, compact form factor, and intuitive layout—and the new version is no different. However, this time around we're offering the CNC-aluminum case in your choice of five colors, including the striking new purple colorway Read More
Review Highlights:
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My absolute favorite
Easily my favorite keyboard form factor of all time. It has everything I need and nothing I don't use (and layers for things I want but don't use often). It's small enough to slip into my carry-on bag for work trips, or just in my backpack for when I'm going to chill at a coffee shop. Construction-wise, the Preonic Rev. 3 is built like a tank. Make sure you save the tiny pamphlet in the box, it has the assembly instructions. Personally, I go for the ultra-secure plate method. This uses the provided bolts and spacers to make the plate firm within the case. The plate is a hefty stainless steel plate with a tight tolerance. It will take some force to push the switches in. BE WARNED! The hotswap brackets for the switches can come off if you push too hard. I have made 4 of these model and have never had the issue, but it has been known to happen. The recommended method is to put a few switches in the plate, then line them up with the PCB, then place the remaining switches in place by putting your finger on the back of the PCB to hold the black hotswap in place while you use medium force to push the switch into the plate. This reduces the risk of popping off a hotswap. The board is programmed with QMK, but make sure when flashing it that you use the Rev 3 firmware. Rev 2 used a different micro controller and the firmware and layouts aren't compatible. I would love to do a write-up on QMK, but it's a bit complicated to set up and there are a million different things you can do with it. If you have questions, you can always ask on the OLKB subreddit (reddit/r/OLKB). Search first! Your question has probably already been asked and answered, but if you're really not sure just make a new post. People will usually help, but it's not super active so it may take a day or two to get a response. Included is a picture of my collection, which is just about a year old. I have quite a few more now...
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Would recommend to a friend.
This is my first orhtolinear, and three days in I'm really liking it. I'm still in the process of figuring out where I want keys to be, and am _really_ liking the MOD_T setup (i.e. left-shift on hold, enter on tap, etc). From what I can see, it looks like there is a little solder on the USB-C connector, though that piece still makes me a little nervous. I got a magnetic cable set ( https://amzn.to/2Eup4dR ) so there isn't any strain on the connector. Since I pack this from work to home and back, it's great for the convenience factor alone.
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Q&A Highlights:
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Do I need to assemble this myself?
Yes, but no soldering required to get a basic keyboard with switches.
LED ready--meaning LEDs need to be soldered to the board (yes/no)?
The board comes with presoldered addressable LEDs around the edge of the board, other than that there is a cutout under each switch where you could put LEDs but there is nothing else other than the hole. If you wanted per switch LEDs you'd have to wire them separately.
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New update thread so I get pinged with replies. August 14th Update: Sorry for the late reply everyone. I was hoping some details would update in the last couple days so I could give more concrete details, but here's a quick partial for now until I get confirmation. The vendor has scheduled the bulk shipment for pickup, but I'm not seeing a confirmed pickup date yet. This likely means things are ready to go and should be heading out soon, but I want to confirm everything before I commit to that. Fingers crossed this should be arriving in our warehouse around the 25th still, but maybe a few days after depending on transit times. Either way, I'll be back later today or early Monday as I hear more. August 14.2th Update: Tracking is being slow to show movement, but confirmed that the bulk shipment was picked up. I'll post back once we get some more info on the delivery date. Have a great weekend! August 20th Update: The Preonic and the soft carrying cases have arrived at a warehouse in New York. A line haul driver is being booked to deliver the last leg to our warehouse with an estimated delivery date of 8/24, but that is subject to a bit of flexibility. I'll update again once we have an officially scheduled delivery date at our warehouse. August 24th Update: These are officially scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I'll keep an eye on it, but they should arrive some time tomorrow at which point the warehouse will begin shipping individual packages to everyone in the following days. August 25th Update: Delivered! Warehouse has received them and will begin preparing for individual shipments shortly. I'm not sure what the turn around time is right now, but I hope these start shipping this week. September 3rd Update: Sorry guys, I had some personal things come up. There's a lot at the warehouse and they're working with limited staffing so it's slow going, but things are definitely shipping out.
(Edited)
peterto
4
Sep 15, 2020
Same for me. Anyone have their package go from FedEx to USPS, now it's being sent back to FedEx with "Shipment information sent to FedEx", currently stuck on "Scheduled Delivery: Pending" since 9/12 at 3AM?
mnic
34
Sep 19, 2020
petertoYeah that's exactly what happened to me. Took 2-3 more days and it went from Pending to Out for delivery. : /
Kevin
5434
Outreach
Jun 24, 2020
June 24 Update: I wanted to give everyone a quick update on the Preonic orders. There has been a delay in delivery of a couple components that are required to create the PCBA. We are expecting this to delay the expected ship date of the Preonic by around a month. The new ship date from our warehouse will be August 15th instead of earlier mentioned July 15th. We are working closely with the manufacturer to improve on the ship date, and are hopeful that we can move this up as we make progress. We’ll keep the community updated in this thread. July 23rd Update: Asked the vendor for an update today and they said they're running a few days behind. We've built some buffer into our schedule, so for now August 15th is still the ship date that we're working towards. I'll update again in about a week to see whether the manufacturer has caught up, is on track, or has fallen further behind. July 28th Update: Asked the vendor for another update, and they've pushed their "Ready" date back yet again. Originally it was end of July then it was August 4th (which we still felt okay with the August 15th ship date), but now we're hearing August 10th. So assuming August 10th is the correct date, we won't be hitting the August 15th ship date, (it typically takes 10-15 days to get from the factory in China, board a plane, land in the USA, clear customs, get trucked to our warehouse, and then be counted/shelved and ready to ship out). So, best guess right now is August 20-25th range, and we'll get more clarity around August 5th about how things are lining up. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but want to keep you guys up to date with the latest happenings.
(Edited)
massiker
28
Aug 11, 2020
Yep fingers crossed :) .
jackplantt
14
Aug 12, 2020
KevinAny news?
This is the Rev 3 Preonic! It has the same feature set as the Rev 6 Planck that I've been working on, but unfortunately breaks some of the compatibility with Rev 1/2 stuff. Please keep that in mind if you're trying to plan a build with different parts. The USB port has been pulled back in a bit to match the Planck's, and the mounting post holes have been converted to use 2.5mm soldered-in standoffs (using M2 screws in the drop).
It features Kailh's hot-swap sockets, an STM32 Arm processor, and USB-C! There are lots of extra footprints on the PCB for neat add-ons, and we're working on setting up a drop just for those components and related items.
Similar Preonic parts will be available on my store after the drop, but I'm not sure when those will be delivered yet - finishing up the soon-to-ship Planck parts will allow me to make a better guess! I'll be adding more info here as time goes on!
Tedd2011
11
Jul 3, 2019
jackhumbertHello, Is this stickied post the official source of new for this run ? Any news ? Can't wait for September :)
Tedd2011
11
Aug 7, 2019
Tedd2011Hello ... Anyone with news regarding this drop ?
2018-02-07 Update
Got the full production sample in and put together with /dev/tty!
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2017-11-07 Update!
Got some pictures of the laser ablation on the bottom - a "RESET" label is hidden by the calipers:
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This is the full design, along with the location of the sticker:
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Quick FAQ!
Can I have someone oddly describe the drop to me? Sure! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Hr2P82_bk


What firmware will this have on it? QMK Firmware! more info at http://qmk.fm/ and documentation at https://docs.qmk.fm/
How long will the drop go on? Four weeks! Until 2017-09-25
What USB port does the PCB have? USB Mini
What case colors will be available? Orange, Navy, Silver, and Gunmetal (see the pictures on the drop page)
What are the changes to the PCB from ones on the store? The USB port tab has been re-enforced, the MX nib holes are slightly larger (nicer with Zealios), and the mounting holes (previously unused) have been increased to 2.85mm
How will things assemble? Plastic stand-offs are snapped-into the PCB, and then counter-sunk screws come in from the bottom to screw through the stand-offs. There will be a couple of extra ones to attach that won't screw through the bottom (for extra support)
What layouts are will work with this? MIT (1x 2u key in the center bottom row) and Grid (2x 1u keys in the center bottom row)!
What plates will be offered? MX, Matias, or none (this will be added mid-day after the drop starts) - all support MIT and Grid layouts
What about the FCC/CE stuff? This will be FCC Part 15 compliant (and the appropriate CE compliance), and testing has been accounted for in the timeline
Can I get the kit without switches? Yes, this will be fixed shortly! e: fixed!
What keycaps are included in the Canvas option? Everything in this image: http://i.imgur.com/3D7LAQP.jpg
What will the sleeve look like? Like this! Some sizing corrections are needed, but the look will stay the same:
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cwkx
3
Sep 26, 2017
That's very annoying. Can this be stopped?
zzzaacchh
Nov 9, 2017
jackhumbertMe likey. The orange is super bright! Is the atomic ever coming back?
Hi Everyone, The Massdrop x OLKB Preonic Mechanical Keyboard Kits have arrived at the warehouse. The kits are going through quality control checks and will soon be prepared for shipment. During our initial checks, we unfortunately found that the Canvas keycaps were printed with incorrect legends causing the letters to be smaller than intended. Instead of holding up the shipment for those of you who ordered Canvas keycaps, we will be sending the units we have available now and we will ship out a second, corrected keycap set as soon as we’re able.
We apologize for this issue, and the delay while we wait to get you corrected keycaps. Our community support team will be reaching out to those affected with more information. We are on track to meet our estimated ship date of February 28.
thalesfsp
21
Apr 12, 2018
YanboWu@YanboWu How long to run another batch? I really want this keyboard, so bad! Thank you!
Dominosmofo
16
May 16, 2018
Just received my corrected second set of keycaps. They look so much better than the first batch I received. Didn't realize the larger font would be so prominent and make such a difference.
ddexter
1
Aug 29, 2017
Is that ship date correct? 6 months???
codyd51
26
Aug 30, 2017
That's a hilariously accurate observation
Ultimaq
38
Sep 18, 2017
I want it so badly that I'll wait the 6 months
Ty.Griffin
Sep 14, 2017
I received my Plank order the other day and was pleased except for the big Massdrop advertisement engraved on the bottom of the aluminum cases. I've never received a keyboard product from Massdrop where they've done this. I'd like to know if that's going to be done on this new Preonic and on the new low profile Plank. It's REALLY obnoxious and unexpected. I'd also like Massdrop to clearly advertise if they're going to stamp their name into visible keyboard parts in the future. That way we know what we're getting and can buy or not buy accordingly. All of that aside, the quality seems to be excellent. I am interested in this Preonic and the new low profile Plank but need to get this question answered before I decide.
baesex
220
Sep 18, 2017
I dunno man, the whole thing with your keyboards (for me at least) is how elegant and minimal they are. I don't think anyone deserves to sully that with branding, and I don't think your clients deserve branding on such an aesthetic piece of equipment.. Massdrop deserves to get paid for their work, and they do. Just my two cents. Love your work man.
cwkx
3
Sep 26, 2017
That's very annoying, can orders be specified to not have the logo?
uberpro
58
Sep 15, 2017
Buy the preonic from olkb.com, guys. The case may be slightly less cool, but you won't have to put up with the endless, unrelenting shitfest that has come to be Massdrip's signature approach to big drops. Just check out the Planck drop if you don't believe me.
zzzaacchh
Sep 20, 2017
Probably not, the orange case in the video looks more reddish-orange than the super bright orangey-orange in the pictures. I'll be happy with it either way.
Varholiaglimp
939
Feb 13, 2019
I'm glad you explained that the imaginary lime-green preownick was always fictive -- that it lives only in the mind's Forest of Twitted Tints. I've been fiending* over that version since I first saw the concept photos. There's something reassuring about knowing aesthetic choices are a mirage. Still, it would have gone with my chartreuse lime collection. ========= * The '90s will never die (as perhaps they oughtn't -- nay, aughtn't).
(Edited)
haliphax
21
Mar 27, 2019
Awesome that this is being offered, but don't call it a keyboard if it doesn't come with switches. :) I get the feeling at least a few people will feel duped if they get this and they have to order switches to make it functional. Either that, or draw more attention to the fact that switches are sold separately.
A community member
Mar 27, 2019
You've problems reading bud.
haliphax
21
Mar 27, 2019
Eh, touche'. I see it in the green box now. Not sure how I missed it initially, as I did read the entire post before posting my comment. By the time I reached the end, I was sure that switches were not included.
Chuckchuck526
88
Mar 5, 2018
I think im high from euphoria from finishing my first kit... or from the solder.
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evangs
1492
Mar 5, 2018
I like the shot, looks cool with the bright light source.
Chuckchuck526
88
Mar 7, 2018
The annoying part was trying to get the switches seated correctly but all that was forgotten when I made a quick vid of me playing part of the verse of "lion sleeps tonight."
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