What’s up GeekHackers, this is Simen from： NESON DESIGN. It has been a while since we last posted here.
Please follow our Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/neson.design/ or join our Discord：https://discord.gg/g6YQHD9e4b for the latest updates!The 700E Series 170 units Raffle Sale will star from Wed June，8th，2022 0：00 EST to Sat June，11th，2022 12：00 EST！！The 700E Series Group Buy link：https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=117412.0In 2019, we designed a 70% keyboard – cross, and it has been one of our favorite designs. Today we are going to introduce to you to a revamped design of the cross – The 700E Series.
5/8/2022 Updates1. 700E WK PhotosWine Red WK
Black WK
2. 700E Group Buy PricingsThe price for the keyboard will cost $460~$480 USD. Due to the crazy price hikes on the chips and raw ingredients, we have reserved some buffer for unforeseen fluctuations. There will be a limit of 150 keyboards for this group buy. We will provide more details in the future group buy posting.
3. Streamers to showcase 700EWe will ship the 700E to Alexoto and Taekeyboards for building on stream. We have also posted a typing demo on our Instagram. Please check out the link below and join our discord for any discussions!
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Ccpm9sYATLh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linkCatalog：1. Keyboard Specs
2. Keyboard Design
3. Design Changes Log
4. Prototypes Ver.1-Ver.3
5. Q&A
1. Keyboard Specs： - Layout：70% WK / HHKB
- Mounting System：Gasket Leaf + Spring Mount
- Typing Angel：9° （front height 19.3mm）
- PCB：1.2mm solderable（does not support hot-swap）, Type-C with daughter board. PCB supports QMK and VIA, designed and manufactured by Astro
- Plate: Default Aluminum, PC as optional
- Layout picture:
Keyboard Exploded View：
Parts included with the kit① Keyboard itself（Top/Middle/Bottom Case, Plate, PVD Badge, Aluminum Weights）× 1
② 1.2MM PCB and daughter board × 1
③ 0.5MM PE foam ×1
④ 3.5MM poron case foam ×1
⑤ C shaped gasket ×10
⑥ 1.5MM poron bottom case foam ×1
⑦ LED diffuser ×1 Reflector ×1
⑧ PCB stabilizer foam ×10
⑨ USB cable ×1
⑩ Bumpons ×2
⑪ Instruction pamphlet x1
2. Keyboard Design：Prototype Photos：
2-1: Inspiration for Isolated Spacebar:
The inspiration for the 700E’s isolated spacebar design came from some older keyboards with customized large spacebars. They allow the thumb to have more contact surfaces with the keycap, which provides a more comfortable and satisfying typing experience. We wanted to replicate that design but knowing it’s difficult to obtain a one-off spacebar keycap, we decided to achieve a similar result by shifting the spacebar downward, isolated from the main cluster.
2-2: Keyboard External Designs：
We continued the design language of the N series to the 700E. In order to achieve a balanced typing experience, we separated the PCB into two parts, left one for alphabet, and the right one for function and arrow keys.
IC Form: https://forms.gle/rHTBJRoVFVN6suzV9If you are interested in the keyboard or if you have any suggestions, please let us know by filling out the IC form or tell us on discord. We sincerely appreciate everyone's participation and suggestions. Discord：
https://discord.gg/g6YQHD9e4b 3. Design Changes LogVER.1 Prototype
· 70% layout as the fundamental design
· Tested multiple top cases with different positions of the spacebar
· 9° Typing Angel
VER.2 Prototype
· Finalized the shift distance of the spacebar
· Tested three different thicknesses of LED diffuser
· Tested three different thicknesses of side profile
· Modified the fillet radius of bottom case
· Adjusted LED layout and improved LED drive circuit design
VER.3 Prototype （in production）
· Modified gasket support to avoid interference with stabilizer
· Modified the badge design and upgraded it to PVD brass
· Modified the placement of the internal screws and simplified installation
4. More Prototype PicturesVER.1 Prototype
（with different spacebar distances）
In August 2020, we got our first prototype. We made several top cases with different positions of the isolated spacebar. With repeated testing, we confirmed the idea of an isolated spacebar is possible. If you like to install your spacebar upside down to enhance your typing experience, then you should have an even better experience with this design.
VER.2 Prototype
（External Design, Internal Design, LED Diffusion Design）
In September 2020, we made our second prototype to confirm the distance we want to shift the spacebar from the main cluster. We also made three different bottom cases to verify the best thickness for the LED diffuser and revised the size of the Fillet radius.
LED Diffuser Design
For the diffuser, we followed the same design language of the N series. We spent a lot of effort to improve the diffusion on this keyboard. We have divided the diffuser to three parts, made of different materials. The top part is made of transparent acrylic, middle part made of a sheet of 0.85mm reflector, and the bottom part made of matte white acrylic. We have also increased the number of LEDs from 32 to 64.
VER.3 Prototype （Being made）
Fast forward to February 2022, we have started manufacturing the third prototype. Modified gasket support near spacebar，resolved issues with certain stabilizers interference. We have also changed the badge at the front to be made of PVD brass to enhance the look of the keyboard.
5. Q&A1： What are the color options?
Black, Silver, Wine Red.
2： What is the limit?
Limited to 150 keyboards.
3： Where do I get the latest updates?
Please join our discord channel or follow our Instagram.
4： I don’t like your designs; can I say something?
Of course. We accept feedbacks from everyone.
5： How much will 700E cost?
TBD
6： Will there be any sound tests or test builds?
Pending. We will make some if enough people request.
7： Can the weights be made of different materials?
TBD
Ending:Based on our testing so far, we have confirmed that an isolated spacebar can bring a different typing experience. The shifted space at can be a new typing experience without changing most people’s typing habits and styles.
We hope that the product is perfect when it arrives the owner’s hands. We will provide further updates once the third prototype is finished and show you the beauty of the assembled product. If you are interested, please join our Discord to discuss further and get the latest updates!
