The Banana Split 60

[chuckdee]

(note, I have no affiliation with this- just wanted it to get more exposure)

TheVan Keyboards in partnership with Arhipio is proud to bring you the BananaSplit60 keyboard kit.

What is the BananaSplit60?

The BananaSplit60 is a 60% PCB featuring a split spacebar as well as layouts that accommodate arrow keys on the default layer. The BananaSplit also supports ANSI and ISO layouts.

There are three options for the kit:

Base Kit:

Stainless Steel Plate
PCB
Authentic Cherry PCB Mount Stabilizers (6 x 2u, 1 x 6u)

Bare Bones Kit:

PCB
Authentic Cherry PCB Mount Stabilizers (6 x 2u, 1 x 6u)

PCB Only Kit:

PCB

Note: This is a group buy meaning that orders will be taken for a period of 19 days (June 1 2017 through June 19 2017) and once the orders close a bulk manufacturing order will be placed. The lead time from when the order gets placed is 4 weeks. We are expecting to start shipping kits out at the end of July 2017.

Group Buy Page: https://thevankeyboards.com/products/gb ... yboard-kit

[scl]

Sorry, but that is really expensive. 100$ and shipping for stabs, plate and pcb is a lot.

[gogusrl]

Yup, I've been waiting for this for a while (really want that split spacebar) but I'm not paying double compared to a GH60 just for 3 extra switch holes & stuff.

[Nuum]

I just asked in the GH thread why it is so expensive as I also really love the layout but not for this price.
The questions regarding price before my post have been ignored so far unfortunately.

[chuckdee]

And probably will continue to be. Me, I like it enough to pay the premium and support evangs. Even the miniVan is priced at a premium, but I like what I got.

[evangs]

Did the GH60 actually ship? Last I checked people were still waiting after 3 years. This includes authentic cherry stabs not the rattly knockoffs. The price includes a profit margin as well. Everything I make is made in America, it might be more expensive but to me it's worth it.

[hansichen]

I think he compared to the normal 60% PCBs which are available for cheap.
Cherry stabs are not really a selling point imo, the cherry screw in stabs are 1$ each, this doesn't add too much to a board. And 82$ shipped for a pcb, at that point I can think about buying overpriced zeal shit and have a Christmas tree board. I'm a big split space bar fan but at this price I wouldn't be able to enjoy my board.

[oknytt]

Here comes the EU whine train

I looked forward to this, but between $115 and $120, with shipping and VAT applied, for just a PCB... I mean the silkscreen print is nice and you get the split spacebar... but nope, I don't think so.

I paid about $75 for two Falbatech GH60's, with VAT and shipping included and no import fees, because of EU.

But GL with the GB anyway

[chuckdee]

Did the GH60 actually ship? Last I checked people were still waiting after 3 years. This includes authentic cherry stabs not the rattly knockoffs. The price includes a profit margin as well. Everything I make is made in America, it might be more expensive but to me it's worth it.

https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/collectio ... -60-layout

[hypkx]

I joined this (production phase):
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87 ... msg2360745
In my eyes a better GB, cheaper and more layout options.

[kawasaki161]

I joined this (production phase):
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87 ... msg2360745
In my eyes a better GB, cheaper and more layout options.

No fullwidth bottomrow support (so nothing for me), on top of that it uses Jigon instead of QMK.

In my eyes this is the better GB

[hypkx]

You are right the bottom row is some kind of different, also the firmware, booth things that arent that bad for me. I still hope for pcb with a split spacebar without the 1,25u keycap in the middle, some day.

[Stabilized]

Such a shame about this GB, I was really looking forward to it but $100+$22 shipping+20% VAT+handling fee = £120 just for a PCB and plate. Not sure if a split space is worth that much for me
I think I'll just wait for China to make a cheaper version.

I joined this (production phase):
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=87511
In my eyes a better GB, cheaper and more layout options.

I don't like how you can't get a split right shift with the pink fn like on a HHKB. Also don't like the dead space in the corners either, why not just put in another set of keys there?

[evangs]

http://imgur.com/a/heZ8Q

underglow I did on one of my prototypes

[chuckdee]

http://imgur.com/a/heZ8Q

underglow I did on one of my prototypes

So cool! You'll have to share exactly what you did...

[DanielT]

For a ghetto underglow you can just solder the LED's on the bottom of the PCB, it's an old trick

The PCB is interesting, I'm still on the fence for this, it's quite expensive for EU people because we have to pay the taxes ...

[evangs]

For a ghetto underglow you can just solder the LED's on the bottom of the PCB, it's an old trick

The PCB is interesting, I'm still on the fence for this, it's quite expensive for EU people because we have to pay the taxes ...

I can't do anything about the taxes :/ you'll have to talk to your government

[chuckdee]

For a ghetto underglow you can just solder the LED's on the bottom of the PCB, it's an old trick

The PCB is interesting, I'm still on the fence for this, it's quite expensive for EU people because we have to pay the taxes ...

I know the concept, but the execution is something different. Evangs went to a bit more detail on the thread on GH.

[DanielT]

Interesting, because it's very simple, you just bend the LED legs at 90° so that the led sits flush with the PCB, you can also file a bit to make it thinner. If this can be done some other way it is really interesting.