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APT Hall Effect Mechanical Keyboard
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APT Hall Effect Mechanical Keyboard
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482 requests
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379 Sold
Product Description
The Hall sensor, for which this innovative keyboard is named, was popular in keyboards of the 1970s and ‘80s thanks to its reliability. Frequently used in nuclear reactors, missile silos, and aircraft cockpits, the sensor steadily became less popular due to high cost of production Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downMichdflo
0
Jun 17, 2019
I got the 98 key keyboard in the mystery box. How do you control the lights? Only the left 1/3 of the keyboard is lighting up right now. Controls I have figred out:
- FN+ a few different keys (each of the ALT, CTRL keys) seems to change which keys light up (but always a subset on the left 1/3).
- FN+Enter changes color.
- FN+spacebar turns off/on.
Michdflo
0
Jun 26, 2019
ozzyghostfaceDepends on which keyboard it is (how many keys). Here is the entirety of the instructions for the controls (I contacted customer support):
dmxtrix
5
Nov 10, 2018
plav
1
Oct 29, 2018
Okay, I'm back after a few days with a comment - AND a request.
My 108-key round-2 keyboard was delivered October 24, 2018. Today's the 29th. It's every bit as awesome as I mentioned earlier. However I am noticing one little issue, one that only promises to worsen with time.
The bottom of the keyboard has three supports in front (closest to the spacebar) but only two (closest to the function keys). It's heavy - which is great - but unfortunately the keyboard's already begun to sag.
The keyboard is rests on my thick, glass desktop - flat as it can get - so it's easy to notice. Looking at the keyboard in its as-used position, the line from the top right key (Cal) to the bottom left key (Ctrl) becomes the fulcrum of the sag, lifting the bottom-right support ever so slightly above the desktop. It'll only worsen over time. (Would the sag strain the circuit board, long-term? Can't say.)
The solution, of course, is the addition of third support where there are only two today.
So, here's my request. Can I obtain an additional plastic support and matching rubber foot? To be clear, I'm talking about the taller plastic support found beneath the function keys.
I seem to recall pictures of the round-1 keyboards having a rear support that was basically a stack of acrylic running the length of the keyboard. While the round-2 support system is far superior in appearance it's lacking in... support.
If an additional support's not available I'll have no choice but to fabricate one. My gut says I'd probably measure an existing support and turn some brass or aluminum stock on my lathe to duplicate the appearance.
Even with this flaw, this is still the best keyboard I've used in decades!
plav
1
Oct 25, 2018
My round-2 keyboard was delivered today so I've only got a couple of hours on it. It's the 108-key black acylic unit.
Nothing went awry in shipping, the packing was excellent: a foam-padded inner box within a form-fitting corrugated shipping box. No keycaps were dislodged, all the keys are fully functional with no binding or sticking. Both shift keys feel a little stiff, but both equally so, I'll get used to it. I've read of spacebar complaints, but this one feels fine to me - not mushy at all and doesn't miss. The supplied cable is adequate for my needs but I can see how some might prefer another foot or so. I was pleased to see three extra switches - they're either extras or dead samples to pass around to friends - and a keycap tool in the package.
If there's gotta be a complaint it's that the front of the acrylic looks a little rough. So what.
The feel of these keys is nothing short of awesome. Overall, the unit reminds me a lot of the old Northgate keyboards from the 1980s, just smoother, like butter. I'm showing my age here. Those old Northgate keyboards were bulletproof, built on a metal backplate with which you could fight off a zombie invasion, and win. But I digress.
I'm gonna lend this keyboard to my kid. He's a gamer, he's been griping about his keyboard for quite a while. If he likes this thing like I do, I've gotta ask, was this drop big enough to order another 108-key unit for him??
Thanks for making my first Massdrop experience a good one!
pwfff
1
Oct 17, 2018
This keyboard is so close to perfect! My issues:
1. The spacebar does feel a little mushy, and misses sometimes. I haven't noticed anywhere near the 80% misses some people are talking about; it gets it 95% of the time for me. Still not great, but I may just need to learn to type on it better. 2. My J key is depressed. It's not actuated, but the keycap sits about a millimeter under the rest. Actually, while typing this it's popped back up somehow... It seems to just be a little sticky. 3. The function layer on my 61 key is... not great. Dedicated keys to turn on layouts for games I don't play is probably useful to some, but I really want to reprogram this to have my standard layout for 60%s. Also, the WASD function, which supposedly turns WASD into arrow keys, only works for ASD. And the LED indicators showing this don't turn back off or revert to my other LED mode when I deactivate WASD mode.
Is there any way we can get the firmware or QMK support??
I'm really happy with the look of the keyboard, and I got this because I wanted to try a unique switch type. I don't understand the people complaining because they feel weird... I thought that was the point. I like it. I just really want to reprogram it.
1. The spacebar does feel a little mushy, and misses sometimes. I haven't noticed anywhere near the 80% misses some people are talking about; it gets it 95% of the time for me. Still not great, but I may just need to learn to type on it better. 2. My J key is depressed. It's not actuated, but the keycap sits about a millimeter under the rest. Actually, while typing this it's popped back up somehow... It seems to just be a little sticky. 3. The function layer on my 61 key is... not great. Dedicated keys to turn on layouts for games I don't play is probably useful to some, but I really want to reprogram this to have my standard layout for 60%s. Also, the WASD function, which supposedly turns WASD into arrow keys, only works for ASD. And the LED indicators showing this don't turn back off or revert to my other LED mode when I deactivate WASD mode.
Is there any way we can get the firmware or QMK support??
I'm really happy with the look of the keyboard, and I got this because I wanted to try a unique switch type. I don't understand the people complaining because they feel weird... I thought that was the point. I like it. I just really want to reprogram it.
Croktopus
29
Oct 17, 2018
pwfffI'm honestly jealous of your spacebar. I wrote 50% in my review but thats after taking into account that I'm slamming it because I know how hard it is to actuate. Just typing normally it never actuates.
But the problem isn't that these are different switches and so feel different. The switch mechanism itself is actually good. But I think they added foam which has made them mushy, and the stabilizers are horrendous.
But the problem isn't that these are different switches and so feel different. The switch mechanism itself is actually good. But I think they added foam which has made them mushy, and the stabilizers are horrendous.
hippiegunnut
4
Oct 20, 2018
pwfffYes same here - my "W" key doesn't function as up either with "WASD" mode engaged or while holding down the "Fn" key which leaves me having to use PL:" for cursor keys which it really annoying when you use vi every day and are very used to using hjkl movement keys.
Also - the usb socket was *VERY* tightly fitting in the case and badly aligned so plugging a USB cable in actually caused the usb socket to lift off the board. I was able to resolder it and carve out the hole in the case enough to stop it happening again but to have to do that on a brand new board to even get it to work and then discover the rather poor layout didn't even work as advertised was - disappointing.
For me too QMK support would be ideal but I'm not sure how possible that is given Hall Effect switches are basically analogue and QMK was written for boards with simple on off switches. Access to some sort of fixed firmware and preferably a reprogramming tool so I can put the cursor keys where I want them and loose a load of other functions I'm never going to use would be much appreciated though.
leo2017
31
Oct 16, 2018
We're very sorry about the manual. If anyone want a PDF version we can send to your email address. Please leave a message for the PDF version to macy@ace-pad-tech.com. We'll send to you straight away. Thank you very much.
Michdflo
0
Jun 26, 2019
A bit late, but I contacted customer support to get it. Here is the entirety of the controls from that doc:
equalunique
475
Oct 12, 2018
Can Ace Pad Tech please comment on whether or not the keycaps on the 89-key / 1800-layout keyboard are doubleshot PBT? The last time a GB for a 98-key hall effect keyboard occurred, it was explained that these were going to be laser-etched ABS and not PBT. This current drop's description says only PBT. So has something changed?
A community member
Oct 12, 2018
I'm getting mine in acrylic white full size soon, and based on the comments and reviews
very skeptical on the quality of this keyboard..
I should give it the benefit of the doubt until I have it in my hands but, starting to question if it's even worth $100 based on what I'm reading below
leo2017
31
Oct 14, 2018
MagicSmokeYes except the 60% frosted white acrylic with blank key caps, all the others are PBT/POM
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