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The MiniVan by TheVan Keyboards - drop in the works.
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keyboard_arrow_downAuhal
90
Jul 9, 2016
Really looking forward to R2 of this. I have a bag of Zealios just waiting for a home.
Auhal
90
Jul 9, 2016
Of Zealios? 67g Tactile I think. I bought them ages ago. I don't know much about variants of the Van though - I just know I want a 40% and this seems to be the best one out there at the moment. I also like how active you are in the community.
evangs
1492
Jul 9, 2016
AuhalYes, of zealios :) I have some 65g and 78g. Thank you for the kind words! I have really enjoyed being a part of this community.
cbalcom03
283
Jul 6, 2016
evangs,
Just wondering if you are going to be putting up a video walking us through the firmware process. I think I will be pretty comfortable with the soldering (after the video you put up) but the programing part scares me a little. This will be my first build and programing experience. Would be lost once I got the board together.
Thanks for any info.
Thanks for any info.
evangs
1492
Jul 6, 2016
cbalcom03I am working on a programming tutorial. I will be posting soon. The hardest part is there are multiple operating systems and I want to cover each one. I guess I'll put out the Windows one first since that one is pretty much done and then focus on the others. There are two parts - compiling firmware and flashing firmware. There is a really nifty tool that has been created by a redditor, http://van.mgauck.de/, that can eliminate the compiling part as it will allow the configuration of your layers and then build the firmware at the press of a button. Then it is simply flashing an atmega32u4 chip. On windows I use the Atmel Flip bootloader. I've heard others have had success on linux and mac using the DFU bootloader. Instructions for these can be found online, but I do want to bring all that info together into one place to make it easier. So yes it is coming, but I don't know exactly when yet.
cbalcom03
283
Jul 6, 2016
evangsAmazing thank you. I did notice the tool that the redditor put together and did check it out but since I have absolutley no experience with anything in that area I didn't even know what I was looking at. But I am very excited to learn and looking forward to the videos. Thanks!
stiligFox
39
Jun 29, 2016
Is it possible that we might be able to get just the PCB, case and top panel? Or some combination like that?
ChuckDee
1906
Jun 26, 2016
I was in on R1, and just finished my build. It was surprisingly easy, though I did have to get some help from @evangs on the firmware. But there's a config site that helped a lot with that.
Great experience all around (the buy, the timing, the pricing, the quality), and I definitely recommend it!
Great experience all around (the buy, the timing, the pricing, the quality), and I definitely recommend it!
Xyverz
619
Jun 30, 2016
ChuckDeeNice build log. I'd have to also agree that the build was remarkably simple. I've got a switch-centric build log here: http://imgur.com/a/sb6m6
I say "switch-centric" because the most time-consuming part of my entire build was adding the SIP sockets to each of my switches. Even with doubling the number of pins to solder, the soldering only took me between 35 and 45 minutes. It's by far the easiest kit I've assembled to date. (I've also put together an ErgoDox and an Atreus.)
I say "switch-centric" because the most time-consuming part of my entire build was adding the SIP sockets to each of my switches. Even with doubling the number of pins to solder, the soldering only took me between 35 and 45 minutes. It's by far the easiest kit I've assembled to date. (I've also put together an ErgoDox and an Atreus.)
Mechmind
90
Jun 22, 2016
Good for you! I'm late to the game, and missed out on the van. Very excited to see its in the works. Ill buy 2, no doubt. So that's all you had to do, stop by and show it off? Of course it speaks for itself. I think I really want Bluetooth though. ... any room for a blueFruit in the case ?
SamPittman
85
Jun 23, 2016
LOL. *Prepping* for the baby pales in comparison to the actual baby. Congratulations! Just remember: tired, hungry, diaper. The order varies. (EDIT: thirsty, too. Keep them hydrated.)
evangs
1492
Jun 23, 2016
SamPittmanHaha, thanks. I helped take care of several younger siblings, but I imagine this will still be quite different. I'm excited a just a bit scared XD
evangs
1492
Jul 24, 2016
https://thevankeyboards.com is now live. there is a newsletter sign up at the bottom of the page :D
MicahElliott
1
Jun 22, 2016
Minivan looks pretty nice. Where can we find out more about it? What firmware can it use? Do we need to solder it? Any ballpark figures are helpful: price range, drop date, time to ship, etc. Thanks!
cbalcom03
283
Jun 22, 2016
For those that were not familiar with R1 here are the prices from GH.
$164.00 for the kit (pcb, case, plate, stabilizers, and hardware) $56.00 per set of keycaps
evangs; let me know if those were not the right prices for whatever reason. Thanks
$164.00 for the kit (pcb, case, plate, stabilizers, and hardware) $56.00 per set of keycaps
evangs; let me know if those were not the right prices for whatever reason. Thanks
RobFont
5
Jun 22, 2016
Nice to see a 40% get traction. I'm still collecting Planck parts but I may have to order this in round 3
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I sat down to lunch today with Yanbo. We had a great time talking keyboards and group buys. At the end of lunch he invited me to a tour of the Massdrop office. I accepted and set a time for later in the day. At 3pm I showed up and met several of the folks that work there as well as showing off my MiniVan keyboard, a usable 40% staggered layout keyboard. I felt like a damn rock star!
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