WE'RE GOING TO GROUP BUY
(1/31/21 Update)Hello all, I hope everyone had a good New Year and wishing everyone a good Lunar New Year! It’s been a while but I’m happy to announce that the Group Buy for Nascent will be starting on February 21st. Details for the Group Buy are listed below:
- When: February 21st – February 25th (or until all units are sold)
- Where: https:/store.studiokestra.ca
- Units Available: 90 units (80 public, 10 private)
- Price: 365CAD + Shipping
- Cerakote Finishes Available: Moss, Highland Green, Blue Titanium, Armor Black, Satin Aluminum
- Format: FCFS
- Timeline: 6 month fulfillment, monthly updates will be provided.
Kit Includes:
- Nascent
- Solder PCB
- Gaskets
- FR4 Plate
- Unified Daughterboard + JST Cable
- Screws
- Keyboard Bag
- Microfiber Cloth
The biggest change is moving to full Cerakote, with the issue being I couldn’t find a good enough anodization shop. I know I also promised custom colors for a select few units but with how difficult it is to gauge how a certain Cerakote color would look like without physically seeing the color on a swatch, it would be too hard logistics-wise in satisfying the people who got the custom color units. Therefore, kbye and I decided to fully omit the custom colors option.
Anyways, it’s been a long time coming, and I’m glad this is finally moving on Group Buy phase. Please look forward to it!
Build StreamThis keyboard is not possible without the help of the hobbyists here in Alberta, and I'm proud to have Firewire, a local streamer show off the production version for a build stream!
Updated Overview/Results of First IC (10/08/21)The most prominent change from the first IC was that people wanted more neutral colors instead of the blue/green. 75 units will then be anodized black/clear (silver), 15 units will be Cerakoted. This and the higher number of units will also help with the price, bringing it down to a target price of 325CAD for the anodized version. Cerakoted units will still be at the target price of 375CAD unfortunately. No longer valid, every surface finish available will be Cerakote.
The next biggest change is switching from polycarbonate to FR-4 plate for the optional plate. My goal for this keyboard is to be plateless and I found that FR4 sounded better anyways if you do use a plate. Furthermore, the Nascent is compatible with typical 65% tray mount plates so its easier to source a polycarbonate plate (i.e. KBDfans, etc.) than an FR-4 plate if anyone wants to experiment with it.
The third biggest change is that I will be running this with kbye from Studio Kestra. He is a good local friend of mine who has supported me with this project from designing the PCB, agreeing to use his storefront, and just giving insight and tips in general. Having someone who has Group Buy experience directly involved in the project will definitely be a boon.
Current PhaseFinal production version is finished, photos taken, sent to a streamer for a build stream! We're going to group buy boys.
OverviewNascent (adj.): coming or having recently come into existence.
Inspired by the 7V, the Zephyr, the JER-A06, the TX65, the AKI-S, my inability to win raffles, and my procrastination, the Nascent is a 65% keyboard that utilizes a leaf spring mounting system for those who:
- want a lower typing angle than 6°
- like the feel and sound of plateless designs
- want the USB port on the right side
- don’t care about fancy weights
- don’t mind seams
- like screw holes (like really like them)
I’m looking to see if people are interested in such a board and if I should pursue the project even further.
LayoutNo hotswap because soldering is easy and I believe in you.
No ISO for now, sorry.
Surface FinishTwo options for the colors with the green being undecided yet. Blue Titanium is confirmed but I'm not sure if everyone would like Moss since it's more olive green or the deeper more vibrant Highland Green. The Cerakote website has better photos of the colors listed below. I have switched a large portion of the planned units to anodized clear (silver) and black. This is to answer the request from a lot of people for more neutral colors and also to reduce price (375CAD -> 325CAD). However! I also kept a portion of the planned units as Cerakote but instead of the 3 colors below,
any stock color can be requested. Note: I've only prototyped the three colors below though so I can't guarantee how good it would look like with other colors. We're going full Cerakote, I can't find any good anodization shops. Overall price down from 375CAD -> 365CAD.
Cerakoting will be done by a local shop so I can monitor surface finish better/send back units that fail QC easier.
These colors were chosen because they remind me of the Canadian Pacific Northwest vibe the most.
Round 4 Prototype (Production Version)Photos taken by
@jlai.keebs. Check him out! Production Version is Moss with GMK Bleached and GMK Olive.
Round 3 PrototypeUses a new manufacturer to fix some glaring issues that the manufacturer for the previous rounds couldn't get right and is going to be the manufacturer I'll be working with if this goes on Group Buy. Production will have QoL minor changes like a longer JST cable, etc. Last two photos of Highland Green built by AidenHero.
Round 2 PrototypesUnits were sent to friends to get their feedback. First photo shown are Blue Titanium and Moss in daylight taken using a Google Pixel 4a. Blue Titanium built by kbye. Moss built by Avi.
Round 1 PrototypeToo scuffed to show and I'm shy.
Discordkbye has graciously agreed to let me host this board's project log on his server Studio Kestra. This keyboard is a separate entity from the Nue and is my project.
Closing ThoughtsI’m posting this with a geekhack account with <10 posts (I’m more active on Discord), so I get the skepticism, but I hope that this IC shows my commitment to this project.
Special thanks to:
- kbye, for the support, feedback, and designing the PCB
- Avi, for constantly bouncing ideas with me and helping me dial it into what it is now
- Jay for taking photos, let's get Denny's when COVID calms down again
- Mike for agreeing to show off the prototype on stream and building it!
- Drew.keys, for the PCB help in earlier prototypes
- marcokbd for the renders (even though I didn’t end up using it anyways since I changed the design)
- gok and wilba.tech for the inspiration for the mounting system
- To everyone who filled out the interest check
- My family and friends who supported me in this hobby of mine. Love you mom and dad.
Stay safe everyone and please look forward to it.
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