Submitted by BillieHawk t3_z8ueam in MechanicalKeyboards

Killer65 - by Aeris Studio

(Designed by Lewis Toh and billiehawk)

While the idea of endgame differs for all of us, there are features that are staples among many "endgame" keyboards being offered today such as counterweights, or numerous color customization. Of course, there are keyboards that offer more innovative features like the Kohaku, or the Satisfaction75, but these also come at considerably higher price points.

So our compromise is an affordable keyboard with features the average keyboard hobbyist would want. Our product follows in the footsteps of the Zoom65, QK65, and more recently the JRIS65, but with a twist. Inspired by the Canoe by Percent Studios (best keyboard ever), we designed one with a similar 2-3 tone aesthetic while streamlining the design to give it a minimalistic look.

Group-buy Date: December 9th - 31st

MOQ: 300

ETA Delivery: Q2 2023


DETAILS

  • Case Angle: 6.0°
  • Materials: Aluminium & Stainless Steel (For PVD Weights)
  • Colours:
    • Black
    • Silver
    • Brass
    • Navy Blue
    • Tiffany Blue
    • Maroon Red
    • Dark Green
    • E-white
  • Mounting method: Gasket-mount
  • Plate: 1.5mm Polycarbonate
    • Add-on, 1.5mm Aluminum, FR4, and POM
  • PCB: Killer65 hotswap 1.2mm PCB with flex cuts & USB-C daughterboard - configurable with QMK/VIA and has ESD protection
  • Foam: Poron plate, case foam & IXPE PCB foam
  • Counterweight: Aluminum & Stainless Steel (PVD)
    • Brass
    • Silver
    • Heart Gold PVD
    • Soul Silver PVD
    • Spirit Prism PVD (More Purple)
    • Brilliant Chroma PVD (More Yellow)
    • See prototypes for more apt description
  • Weight: ~2kg fully built (Depends on weight and plate)
  • Layout options: 67 keys with support for ISO, 7u spacebar, split backspace, and stepped capslock. See gallery for KLE.

VENDORS

We will be using CJDropshipping as our shipping partner to ship to these places.

  • America
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Oceania

Specific Countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR China, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, Myanmar (Burma), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

Price: $149 USD plus shipping for default kit (polycarbonate plate and anodized weight)

+$20 USD for PVD Weight upgrade

+$49 USD for an Aluminum, FR4, and POM Plate

+$49 USD for an extra Top Frame

+$69 USD for an extra Bottom Frame

+$39 USD for an extra Anodised Aluminum Counterweight

+$59 USD for an extra PVD Stainless Steel Counterweight

Timeline: The website is currently being readied for the group buy. We are currently searching for shipping partners to do bulk shipments to the US to lower shipping costs.


CURRENT STATUS

Prototypes have arrived to Keybored for review.


GALLERY *colors shown in the prototypes aren't final

Prototype Gallery

Typing Tests

https://youtu.be/aSHbYzkP3BY

https://youtu.be/1TBjL5c-QqY

https://youtu.be/l715ACmUrFw


FAQ

Will there be per key RGB or backlighting?

There won't be any RGB or backlighting provided. We backtracked on this to support more layouts on the hotswap PCB.

Why is the design so simple?

Personally, we prefer simpler designs as it keeps the desk looking minimal.

Aren't you guys reskinning the Zoom65/QK65 etc.?

What we are doing is filling up a hole in the market left behind by all these products, the JRIS65, Zoom65, QK65, etc, and adding our own unique 2-3 color tone look.

How many are you planning on selling?

Currently, our MOQ is 300. We plan on capping it at 2K units unless there is a lot of interest.

How long will it take to manufacture the keyboards?

We are aiming for 3 months after the group buy concludes, but may take up to 4 months.

How much will you charge for shipping?

According to CJDropshipping, most places should not cost more than $30USD to ship the keyboard. Shipping may cost more as you add more products.

Will you be doing different layouts?

Hopefully if everything goes well, we would like to make different layouts with fun designs in the future!


SOCIALS

For more discussions and future updates, please follow these pages!

Discord

Instagram


8. UPDATES

08/11/2022 - Interest check and website launches.

09/11/2022 - Socials started

14/11/2022 - Prototypes built and typing tests added.

29/11/2022 - Prototypes have arrived to Keybored

Planned

December 2022

5th December - Review by Keybored

9th December - Review by Lewis Toh

9th December - Group-buy launch

31th December - Group-buy closes

March 2023

Manufacturing completed

April 2023

Shipping starts

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Comments

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SiPhuYoda t1_iydcq2o wrote

Any images of the PCB? How thick is the PCB? flexcuts? Will there be a solderable version?

5

samvvell t1_iye4od4 wrote

Neat case design, I like it. Are there prototype photos of the dark green? I'd be interested in that color the most.

2