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Johnny831
285
Sep 29, 2018
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sooooooo $115 and not hotswap? Or split space bar? Am I missing something? or is this a brand thing....
Sep 29, 2018
tadavidsta
20
Sep 29, 2018
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Johnny831got hit with that zeal tax
Sep 29, 2018
JimDetroit
124
Sep 29, 2018
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Johnny831It does seem outrageously priced. I just bought a complete HHKB-style keyboard with QMK PCB and the PCB that was used is only about $37 new. It has 10 underglow RGB's.
Sep 29, 2018
Johnny831
285
Sep 29, 2018
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JimDetroitIf someone can enlighten me, I'm all ears. I can even understand if you like a brand, and they can charge more for it, kind of like cherry with switches. Zeal = BMW it seems.
Sep 29, 2018
lazyfart
3
Nov 8, 2018
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Johnny831I know this is late, and you might not even care at this point but here is an answer anyway. Most custom high end boards don't use hot swap because it severely limits your choice of switches. You can only use brand new switches with hot swap, not even NOS. So all the used or vintage switches are out. Therefore hot swap functionality (or lack there off in this case) is not a con for the target audience of this board. Yes, you are paying a premium for the zeal name. That is a definitely. But you also do get what you pay for. It's like comparing a Toyota (I.e. Dz60) to an Audi, they have the same perform the same function, but the experience will be very different. As for the lack of support for a split space bar (or more generally, just wider support for different layouts), there are quite a few veteran builders who view the support for limit layouts a good thing. The reason is because with more layout support it means the building process get more tedious and the chance of crooked switches, wobble, stuff going wrong in general, is higher. It is what it is. Lol In sum, it's more expensive because quality, experience, aesthetics and zeal branding. Hope it helps! :)
Nov 8, 2018
Johnny831
285
Nov 8, 2018
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lazyfartHey thanks for the reply. I'm not sure way qualifies as vintage with switches, other than things like buckling springs, foam / rubber dome, alps etc... But I don't think most of those types work with modern pcbs anyway because of pin layout, but I'm sure there are some out there. I would think a KB resto would make more sense in that case anyway, but each to their own. I'm not sure why you couldn't use used modern switches with a hot swap socket unless you really blow it on desoldering and leave crap on the pins. I've used them, and they have worked fine with both the little insert style, and the actual Kaihl socket. I would agree that when using vintage switches hot swap might not be wanted because you could bend a pin if not careful. You mentioned that the experience is better with this pcb, and I'm all ears. Other than aesthetics, what is actually a better experience? The software for programming? That's what I was going to hear. All n all, I think boards are moving to hot swap because people like them for obvious reasons. With more variety of switches coming out, it's a bummer to not have the hot swap ability when you want to try something new. I personally think underglow, hot swap, and led backlit are becoming standard. I am however a weirdo who likes to play with new switches... A lot... Anyways, thanks fit the response, I'm not entirely convinced it's worth it, but I'll keep am open mind.
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Nov 8, 2018
lazyfart
3
Nov 8, 2018
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Johnny831Hey, actually by experience I meant the building experience in general. PCBs like the Dz60 or similar that offer a lot of compatibility tend to have a lot of holes in them, which is why when you actually solder switches you have to be very careful about alignment. But unless you are very anal (I am, lol) most people dont gaf, and would prefer to save in an already expensive hobby. As far as hot swap goes, I'll be honest Im not keen. I used to love the idea of it, and was very excited for my ctrl to arrive, but after actually using it, I can safely say the hot swap is not for me. That goes for both built in hot swap capabilities, and modded (holtites, kailh hot swaps, etc). I say this because most holtites just aren't that good (loose and wobbly) and unless you solder the holtites in (which kinda defeats the purpose of hot swap in the first place, which is to partly avoid soldering) its loose af, and you always risk ripping out the entire holtites when changing switches. Some vintage switches include the popular vint blacks, hirose, nixdorf, invyr pandas (Holy pandas), etc etc. There are pcbs and plates that support alps, I use alps switches in my boards mainly actually. Built with a hasu pcb and a brass plate in the tofu case from kbdfans. The hot swap is definitely convenient if you like trying between the easily available cherry mx, gateron, and kailh switches, but I guess for me I much prefer the flexibility and option soldering provides. And tbh it scared the shit out of me having to rip my switches out of the hot swap. (and I don't like any scratching from the switch puller on my expensive switches lol)
Nov 8, 2018
Johnny831
285
Nov 8, 2018
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lazyfartI guess we agree to disagree lol all love though. Here is my Tofu, and I fit bored and made an alligator skin, zombie pin up girl storage bag lol
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Nov 8, 2018
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