Before Wind X98 group buy, there were a lot of you who wanted a rerun of the original Wind X. At the time, we were highly focused on Wind X98, but we heard and didn’t forget your requests and wished! We want to start by thanking the community for your overwhelming support as Wind X98 delivered much more units than we first anticipated and that is a confirmation of our team’s efforts. It felt great!
Short update on X98: current trajectory indicates that we could delivery all x98 GB orders to vendors before middle of Jan, after just 4 months!
Now to the star of today: after over a month of designing, gathering feedbacks, and testing, we are excited to bring you the upgraded Wind X R2. This is not just a rerun of the original Wind X, we put a lot of thought and design improvements to create a Wind X R2 worthy of being a new product on its own!
I. Design
Our Design Philosophy
Wind X lay out can be simplified as 65% with numpad. We initially chose this layout because boards with numpad are very rare in the community, those that do often sacrifice 2U 0 key for a more compact layout. However, for many a 2U 0 is essential on a numpad and we feel the same. That was our original intention when designing the keyboard. We applied for a patent of the layout and have received certification.
Unique Layout
*Provide streamlined and familiar typing experience with 2U 0 key
*Visual symmetry by keeping the arrow keys level with the rest of the board
*3 customizable keys on the left side of numpad instead of F row, keeping functionality while saving space.
Size：
A Keyboard with Soul
We have always believed in a simplistic design that will withstand the test of time. However, simplicity does not apply to all parts of a keyboard equally, we want to pursue a balance of form and function. By optimizing our internal layout, we want to emphasize functionality and customizability.
For those of you who are looking at the Wind X for the first time, we want to re-introduce you to the brand-new Wind X R2.
*Sandwich layout brings attention to the signature Wind Studios look, while preventing the board from looking bulky overall.
*Front gold color line accent adds to the long and sleek rectangular look of the keyboard
*Triangular rubber feet cutout on four corners, creating a camera lens effect and shifting focus towards the back weight
*X% filled progress bar weight, a symbolic representation of our progress toward the perfect board
*Independent quick release design, making stabilizer tuning a breeze
*Split PCB design with daughterboard numpad to improve typing experience
*Asymmetrical PCB flex cut improves sound evenness across the board
*A front facing engraved logo, a brand-new look from Wind Studio
Structure:
Full render:
Logo:
Layouts Continued
Because of gasket design and large layout, we continue to use split PCB design and a ribbon cable will connect the main PCB with numpad. This split PCB layout prevents the board from feeling stiff on the sides and soft in the middle, providing a more uniform typing experience.
For PCB flex cut, we continue to use the original Wind X’s unique asymmetrical cutout for the several reasons:
The acoustic performance of the original Wind X had been positive received by the community.
We did multiple tests internally and concluded asymmetrical cutout provides a more nuanced and unique sound. Of course, sound is subjective and that’s the whole point of a custom keyboard.
After working with LDN (Bluetooth solution provider) directly, so both Bluetooth and wired version can feature the split PCB.
PCB:
Plates
For plates, we’ve made new changes. Plates now support both top and gasket mount. There are still no flex cuts on the plate as it will soften the plate and lead to more hassle than it should while putting in and removing the switches, a pain many of you would understand. As a result, we are increasing the thickness of plates to 1.5mm.
Returning feature
This feature was received very well on the original Wind X and was highly requested on our last projects. New we are bringing it back!
Stabilizer tuning on a fully assembled keyboard is a huge hassle, we’ve all been there. In order to have quick access to stabilizers, we needed to hollow out the respective areas on the plate which will lead to the problem we just described related to switches. To counter this, we are using a “H” shape cutout to both achieve quick release and maintain plate rigidity.
Plate design:
Additionally, we are keeping IXPE top plate foam as it effectively eliminates resonance between switches and plate. In our testing, there is a big difference in sound and feel with and without this foam, now it’s your turn to decide which one you like the most.
Also, we provide both poron and silicon gaskets for customization.
Above are all the optimizations that went into Wind X R2. Please see below for group buy details.
II. GB Details
When?
Instock sale:400sets on Jan 30th to Feb 2nd 8:00 am ( GMT +8:00) 2023
Ship out within 1 week of payment
GB sale: Unlimited Group Buy from Feb 3rd to March 3rd (the exact starting time depends on different vendors)
Fulfillment to vendors (or direct from Wind studio store) 4 to 6 months after group buy closes
1x accessories bag (include gaskets, screws, type c, spanners, bumpons)
Extra part price：
Wired hotswap PCB/ Wired soldered PCB: $25/pcs
Bluetooth hotswap PCB (include 3000mahbattery): $40/pcs
PC,POM,ALU,CF,FR4 plate: $20/pcs
Brass, Stainless Steel colored PVD plate: $40/pcs
Additional Top upper case: $50/pcs
Additional Top lower case: $45/pcs
Additional Bottom case: $72/pcs
PC, Brass, PVD front accent piece: $10/pcs
Brass, PVD weight: $68/pcs
Foam kit: $10/pcs
Artisan keycap: $25/pcs
4. What are the differences between instock sale and GB sale?
· Case color
Instock sale: only provide 4 pre-defined colors. Instock color: (trigger warning )
GB: you can freely choose from 10 different top upper- and lower-case colors (needs to be same color, you can buy additional as extras separately), 10 bottom case colors. 100 total combinations available, group buy only.
GB color: (spoiled choice warning)
· PCB
instock sale: PCB options are limited to wired hotswap or Bluetooth hotswap. No option for Wired soldered PCB sold separately in stock. All 3 PCB options will be available for group buy and different PCB can be purchased separately in group buy.
GB: 3 options – Bluetooth hotswap, Wired hotswap, Wired soldered and SOUTHPAW option.
3 options PCB:
All PCB are in black and 1.2mm thick.
Wired options are VIA compatible; Bluetooth is LDN compatible. Bluetooth PCB will come with 3000mah battery.
· Plate
Instock sales: units will only have PCB mount stab pc plate version, no extras provided at instock sale.
GB: All options and extras available.
Support both top and gasket mount, 1.5mm thickness and designed for stabilizer quick access. Available in PC, POM, aluminum, brass, carbon fiber, FR4, stainless steel colored PVD. PVD plate only support hot swap versions.
PCB mount stabilizer plate：
Plate mount stabilizer plate：
· Front Accent Piece
Available in PC, brass, black PVD. For those who want a CAPS indicator light please choose PC. Note: All options available for both instock sale and group buy, however there will be no extras for instock sale. There will be extras for group buy.
Front Accent picture：
· Back Weight
Brass and black stainless steel PVD available. Note for instock sale both options are available but no extras. Group buy will have both options and extras available.
Back weight picture：
III. Southpaw
We’ll provide the 3 below southpaw versions, price and color options will be the same as the regular version. PCB will be limited to 2 wired hotswap & soldered version (no Bluetooth). Plate will be limited to PCB mount stabilizer PC plate.
We understand some will be frustrated with the limited options, I hope you can understand that there will otherwise be a sheer uncontrollable number of plates we need to premade, which was not a viable option for us.
Nevertheless, we’ll provide all plate file so you can make your own (I heard some guy called HypeKeyboards is pretty dope 😉)
Some asked whether the accessories on Wind X R2 can be used on Wind X or x98. The following data is for reference:
Aight, That’s all for now.
Oh, before we go: to show our appreciation for your support, we will offer a free artisan keycap with all keyboard purchases. Instock sale units will come with a matching color artisan keycap. For group buy, artisan color choice is up to you!
We’ll continue to post more reviews and actual photos, quickest updates on our discord, come join us: https://discord.gg/VEWAzhW2Z7
Mod Edit: Modified post title to make it less "sales"y - purely informational (please feel free to remove this when you see it)
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