Introducing the JD45 keyboard from Carpe Keyboards, a 40% form factor mini keyboard which combines an ultra compact size with standard key stagger and full programmability. Designed by J.D. Carpenter (aka jdcarpe), and manufactured by TEX Electronics Co. in Taiwan.
> > > ORDER HERE < < <
Prices start at $179.99, plus shipping.
Orders will be taken until 23:59 UTC on 2016-03-19. Any unpaid orders at that time will be canceled.
Note: You have the choice of purchasing a fully assembled JD45 keyboard, which will include soldered switches with keycaps, or purchasing a DIY kit with the parts you will need to build the keyboard yourself. You also have your choice of case colors, switch types (assembled only), and switch plates (DIY only).
Anodized Aluminum Case Housing
The foundation of the JD45 keyboard is a case housing milled from a solid piece of aircraft-grade aluminum. Each case is milled using a CNC process for outstanding precision. Material is 6061 aluminum alloy, which gives the small keyboard a satisfying heft, and a solid, premium typing experience. Finally, the case is anodized in either silver or black color, for that ultimate finished look. Optionally, there is available a version of the case with blocked corners, which emulates the aesthetic of the wildly popular Happy Hacking Keyboard. Available in black or silver colors.
Case in silver color, shown with blocked corners (optional)
JD45 PCB
The PCB is the heart of any keyboard. Designed by Wilba, the JD45 PCB features white silkscreen printing on a red solder mask, and comes pre-programmed with a standard layout. It is, however, also fully programmable! With an ATmega32U4 controller on-board, it is compatible with hasu's TMK firmware, metalliqaz's Easy AVR, or other compatible AVR-based firmwares. The PCB is compatible with both MX and ALPS switches, and all components of the assembled keyboard are installed at the factory. DIY PCBs have component electronics pre-soldered, to include diodes and resistors, so the PCB is ready for installation of key switches and optional LEDs.
Front view
Back view
Switch Plates
Included with every assembled keyboard and DIY kit, the switch plate is essential for stable mounting of the MX or Alps switches. Assembled keyboards will include a color matched anodized aluminum switch plate with standard layout only, which support MX switches. DIY kits will include your choice of switch plate, whether fixed-layout Alps mount, or universal MX mount, in either standard or blocked corner (MX only) versions.
MX Universal layout switch plate
Alps switch plate
Switches & Keycaps
With the assembled keyboard, you have your choice of MX switches, as well the inclusion of keycaps. Available switch types include genuine Cherry MX blue, brown, black, or red switches. Cherry mechanical key switches are manufactured by ZF Electronics, and have a proven record of reliability, rated to 50 million key presses. Included keycaps are uniform OEM profile, ABS keycaps with printed legends.
Specs
CNC Milled Case Housing
- Anodized aluminum
- Available colors: Black or silver
- Standard rectangular, or with blocked corners
PCB
- Pre-soldered
- Pre-programmed
- Standard layout
- MX and Alps switch footprints
- LED-ready
- Programmable with TMK, Easy AVR, or other firmware
Switch Plate
- Anodized aluminum, color matched with case colors
- Available colors: Black or silver
- Standard rectangular, or with blocked corners
- MX standard layout (included with assembled keyboard)
- MX universal, which supports all switch layouts available on PCB, includes cutouts for easy switch opening, DIY option only
- Alps standard layout, DIY option only
Key switches
- Cherry MX Blue
- Cherry MX Brown
- Cherry MX Black
- Cherry MX Red
Keycaps
- Durable ABS plastic
- Uniform OEM profile
- Printed legends, with front printed function layer legends
Shipping
All Domestic and International orders will be shipped personally by J.D.
All pre-orders placed in this group buy will be manufactured to order. Estimated ship date is June 30, 2016.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
FAQ
Q: When does the buy close?
A: 23:59 UTC on 2016-03-19
Q: Can I buy a [plate/PCB/case] separately?
A: Unfortunately, I am unable to sell kit components, such as the case, plate, or PCB, separately. These are packaged as keyboards and kits by the manufacturer, and I will be shipping them all personally from my home, without repackaging the items. Logistically, it is unreasonable for me to offer individual components for sale, as I would never realistically be able to fulfill orders within a sensible time frame.
Q: Are keycaps included with the DIY kit? Are there different color options for the keycaps?
A: Also, the decision was made early on not to offer keycaps with the DIY kits, as it would raise the cost of the kit beyond what I personally would want to pay. I assume that with a DIY kit, people will want to bring their own switches and keycaps. Only black keycaps with white legends are available, and only with the assembled keyboard package.
Q: Is the plate necessary?
A: For MX switches, no, the plate is completely optional when using PCB-mount switches. If you were to purchase an assembled kit, and later remove the plate in order to change the layout, that is perfectly fine. Alps switches, of course, require a plate.
Q: Can I mix Alps and MX switches with the DIY kit?
A: Yes! In fact, the MX universal layout plate will accept Alps switches, due to the design of the switch holes. It's a hidden feature.
Q: Does this keyboard have LED backlighting? RGB? Underglow?
A: The PCB does support LED backlighting, but LEDs are not included in any version, assembled or DIY. In fact, resistors are pre-soldered to the PCB for all versions. RGB LEDs are not supported, nor does the PCB have support for LED underglow. LEDs for backlighting are addressed as a group, not individually.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
JD45 KEYBOARD DEFAULT LAYOUT
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
JD45 KEY SIZE REFERENCE
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
ALL KEYBOARD LAYOUT OPTIONS
(all the options below the main section are bottom row options)
Red = not compatible with Alps switch
Amber = suboptimal Alps support (pad isn't pretty but it will work)
