VE.A Specification

revision : 2016-05-31

Housing : VE.A

Four pieces of Aluminium Armor (Aluminium 6061), Anodized Two pieces of Poly-Carbonate Frame Two pieces of 1.5T STS Switch mounting plate Two pieces of 0.8T STS Laser marked plate Matching 3M urethane bumpon included

PCB : Vergo type.T-II

Split layout linked with SATA cable Cherry MX / Alps SKCx Compatible Full in-switch LED 18 of RGB LED under bottom side Supports ISO layout(short left shift, vertical enter), ANSI layout. Various bottom row Splittable backspace Splittable delete 1.6T White BG, Black FG Only VE.A can fit (Not fit with Vergo type.T reference acrylic housing design) No acrylic housing design is available now (2016-02-03) With "one standard 104 keycaps package + 1.75 shift" can cover whole layout



Software

Firmware made by winkeyless.kr Control program "bootMapperClient" by winkeyless.kr (Supports Mac/Windows) 4 Programmable layers, You even can re-map "layer change key" and macro keys. 12 on-the-fly quick macro, 12 custom macro on the fly LED mode shift and brightness adjustment Can map "Shift+ESC" to ~



Video Review====================================================================================[2016-02-06] Price and TaxesFormer mentioned price range (which is 400~450) was not includes tax.When I ran GB in Korea, it was considered as personal hobby thing.And domestic wire-transfer doesn't bring any attraction of Taxation bureau.But when I'm doing this with you -overseas- guys, that will ring the alarm.I confirmed this from friends who is in overseas trading business.So, I'm crunching numbers with my partner. (Man I didn't realize it's that complicated.)Korean tax starts from 10% of VAT and there's additional income tax. plus PP fee.When I calculated, that makes the price starts from 456USD minimum, God(Tax-an God) only knows how much higher it could be. the income tax can be up to 38%!!! I had no idea about it.I'll try to keep it as low as I can. but here's where I'm standing now.VE.A is made of 8 parts for housing.4 CNC Aluminium, anodized armor parts.2 CNC Poly-Carbonate parts.2 Laser cut STS switch mounting plate.(And since there's so may question about pre-soldering option, I'm searching for the way to go SMT.)I believe you already familiar with the price of CNC (MCT).VE.A has double parts comparing traditional boards since it's split. That's why I cannot make the price any lower.My anodizing factory offered me 0.5USD cut-off for MoQ 300. Man... it's not realistic number I'll say.CNC? no chance, my CNC factory usually produces cell-phone housing which is massive massive massive product.I'm announcing this that I want you to know how hard I'm working on to make this GB happen in realistic way (price-wise).Hope you can understand me.And don't worry about me, I'm a little stressed but happy stressed. I am actually enjoying this.Thanks for your interest on my works.[2016-04-05] Official WebsiteWe launched official website for VE.A.It's pretty much under development but you can get informations for VE.A.It's almost done, guys.Thanks for long waiting.[2016-04-21]Announcement from team oddforgeAs mentioned several times, we struggled to set this GB smoothly.We are building up e-shop solution but time is too short.We cannot hold you guys anymore.Finally found solution and this will happen in very safe/smooth way.We've been in touch with Massdrop to assist with coordination on this GB.Massdrop was excited to help with this project and VE.A is scheduled to launch in the middle of May.At this point, we will not set limit of quantity.Hope you guys are happy with this wayThanks for waiting everyone.[2016-04-22]Additional Announcement.I have to say really sorry for Alps fans since Alps switch mounting plate will not be provided in Massdrop.I believe all Alps fans can understand why I removed this option.But I'll explain anyway.Alps mounting system is very strict about layout.It has no sustain pins like Cherry MX, and stabilizers is mounted on mounting plate so "Universal Alps plate" cannot be made.Plus, there's no "Standard" keycap sets for alps (except Matias, but I don't want to limit selection of keycaps.).So, We will share alps plate drawing on public.And for who have no access to metalworks shop, we will accept order of Alps plate in our website.This can make you spend another shipping money. but at this time, I have no better way.Sorry again and thank you for your understanding in advance[2016-05-17]Announcement from oddforgeWe tried to make all of you happy.But time is short.I got sample PCB of swappable spacebar version yesterday.If I didn't make mistake. This PCB will included in THIS GB.And this PCB also support ISO layout.Wish me luck guys.The sample on Massdrop is "BLACK"[2016-05-24]Announcement from OddforgeHi guys, I got a news for GB.As you know, I was trying to upgrade PCB for ISO layouts and Swappable space/fn options.Test fails. There's another 200 bucks I'll never see again.Now, time is absolute not enough to make it in this GB.This might looks like a kind of lame execuse but, I'm gonna spit it out.Me and my partner has all exhausted out.Somebody might think this is not that kind of hard work but...We(oddforge members) both have a regular day job, and in Korea, we work very hard (I mean... looooooooooong, like 12 hours a day)We have to work at midnight and "precious weekend" for this GB.We did, we did tried over three months by now.Clock is ticking (man it's faster than we thought, really), we all are stressed out.BAM!, hospital, both of us.So, here's the deal about it.For now, there's no way I can make it before Massdrop application period ends. (in a week from now)We will keep trying anyway. but "NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS(UPGRADED PCB) WILL BE INCLUDED IN MASSDROP GB"I got three weeks to solve and test. If I got managed to solve things, it will be included. but chance is very slim as you see.Sorry guys, I didn't make it in time.If(---IF---) PCB is done after time limit. We will offer you a deal for it.(NO PRICE EST, NOR SCHEDULE EST, NOR GUARANTEE)Please, do not think this as a money making tactics.Thanks for your interest and considerate understanding in advance.[2016-05-27]Announcement from oddforgeImproved PCB debugging was successful.I produced another sample PCB (with express service... which is waaaaaaaaaay pricey... 150USD for 3 PCBs hahaha...)Here's today's status.Me and my partner has assembled two KitsANSI layout with default VE.A layout, and ISO layout with swapped left Space/FN.Which means, Vergo type.T-II PCB (VE.A's PCB) now supports- ISO(short left shift, vertical enter) layout.- swappable left space/fn layout.Everything is in function for now.We have to do long stability test. (It's day one)As mentioned, time is very short for enough test before GB ends.So, here's deal.We will do heavy stability test as possible as we can.And we will announce once more in two days.[2016-05-29]Announcement from oddforgeStability test was successful for two days.(I'm writing this with ISO + Space/FN Swapped version of VE.A)Still there is some chance for failure cause short test period.And you probably knows already.If you use VE.A with full LED on, plugged non-powered USB hub can cause malfunction.LED's Power consumption is very high.OK, I think this is the time for your final decision.I'm 99% sure this PCB is stable. Even if this fails, I think I can fix it.So, improved PCB will be included in Massdrop GB (99% sure)[2016-05-31]I am closing IC thread since application of Massdrop is over.Oddforge will continue discuss and support for VE.A in other thread.Thank you for your supports everyone.