21XX - A modern unsaver keyboard

21XX

A modern unsaver keyboard



IC FORM IC FORM IC FORM

I am happy to announce that Cannonkeys has picked up this project as the lead vendor. We are currently working on figuring out potential regional vendors and the final group buy details!


https://cannonkeys.com/products/21xx

Specifications
Case:
▸ 5.5° typing angle
▸ 25.5° on F-rows
▸ 6063 Top and Bottom case
▸ PCB Top mount on the main alpha cluster
▸ Plate top mount for the f-row cluster utilizing a 5052 aluminum plate
▸ ~3900g unbuilt, ~4300g built (Current build is 4325g)
▸ WKL with cross nav cluster & WK with a 3x5 block nav
▸ 20.2mm front height (Inner bezel edge to bottom, with feet)
▸ 23.5mm EKH (Bottom row switch stem to bottom, with feet)
▸ Blue, Black, & Warm gray ano options


Front height & angle diagram



PCB
▸ PCB designed by Cipulot
▸ QMK & VIAL compatible
▸ Indicator lights
▸ 5V solenoid mounted on the pcb
▸ Solder only
▸ Faux integrated cable with an Internal USB C port
▸ FFC Ribbon interconnect cable between main & frow pcb
▸ 1.6mm FR4
Layout support



Design & Mount
As shown in the renders, and implied by the name, the design takes heavy inspiration from Cherry’s 2XXX series boards, especially the chopped converted boards reminiscent of the ever-classic IBM Unsaver keyboards. It features everything you would expect: chunky bezels, rounded corners, a proper Cherry lip, exaggerated seam, stepped design for the angled F-rows, an integrated cable, and plateless mounting.


More renders


In true 2XXX fashion the F-row plate features an aluminum plate that is top mounted, while the main alpha & navigation cluster features a plateless top-mounted assembly as shown in the render below. Due to the nature of the layout, the F-row cluster requires a separate PCB that is excluded from the render so that the F-row mount is visible.


(PCB featured in all renders uses an old & outdated outline. I will update the IC when I have the updated PCB design )

The 21XX also features a “faux” integrated cable, utilizing an internal USB-C port it gives a classic look without forcing you to solder a cable directly into the PCB. Furthermore to complete the vintage references the PCB supports a toggleable 5V solenoid.




Fancy renders
(Some of these renders are slightly outdated)


Prototype pictures
V1(newest prototype)


V0(Previous prototype)




Who am I?
hej hej I am Pontus, I’ve been in the hobby since ~2019. You might have seen my name attached to some renders or somehow stumbled upon the DCS Dolch GB I helped run earlier this year. I really like keyboards.


Timeline

▸ Design 1 (V0) – finished (2022)
▸ Prototype 1 (V0) – finished, typed on for roughly half a year (Early 2023 - Aug 2023)
▸ Design revision (V1) – finished (July 2023)
▸ Prototype 2 (V1) – received, currently testing (Aug 2023)
▸ Confirm design (Aug 2023)
▸ Review units (??)
▸ Potential revisions (??)
▸ Group buy (??)



Sale info and format

TBA
The purpose of this IC is to gauge interest in the project. I currently do not have any vendor or final details so there’s not much I can share. Hoping to be able to reach a MOQ of ~50 units but if there’s substantial interest it can be raised.
The price will almost certainly be more than 500EUR and hopefully less than 700EUR. I will share a more accurate price estimate once I have an understanding of the interest for the board.
Details such as colors and kit contents will also be added later down the line as this is a relatively early IC.

If you’re a vendor interested in running this board, please reach out to me on discord


Links

Discord
Instagram
IC FORM



Thanks