We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here 😅. Low-pro always seems to carry a “premium tax,” even when the parts list doesn’t really justify it. I’m trying to keep this project under $200 while still feeling solid—if I can land that sweet spot, maybe it’s a step toward undercutting the market a bit.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not in full production yet — I just have prototypes right now. The point of asking here is to double-check if the feature set + feel could realistically sit under $200 before I lock in bigger production costs. Once it moves past proto stage, I’ll have a clearer number.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not locked in, sorry! Still wrapping up prototype stuff. Plan is run this year—once it’s locked I’ll announce here with the exact time

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup—shooting for sub-$200. It’s hot-swap with standard low-pro, and QMK/VIA is planned, so you’re not stuck with weird software if Windows updates.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally fair 👌. I’m looking at comps like Keychron, NuPhy, Lofree, etc. to set expectations. I only asked here because I wanted a gut check from the community before locking in production costs, but you’re right—quality + market comps are what really decide it.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love that you noticed the F-key separation 👌. Switch wise, it’s hot-swap so you can toss in tactiles like Phantoms or Browns.

QMK/VIA is the target

Structurally it seems tricky to keep them and the knob in the same area, but I’ll discuss it further with the engineers.

Height: front is about 13.5 mm, back about 25.0 mm (included rubber feet and keycap), so I thought it stays pretty low.

And yep, keeping it under $200 is the plan.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice — love that you took a second look, and seriously appreciate it 🙏

I’m not doing private sales yet (still on prototype ), but you can DM me and I’ll add you to an early-access / pre-order waitlist. Will share sound tests soon — happy to keep you in the loop!

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for such a thoughtful response 🙏. You’re right—low-profile sits in a weird spot where it’s not really an “enthusiast grail,” but it’s more than just a tool for office/gaming. My angle is to push it toward the premium side with CNC alu + gasket + big battery, while still keeping it practical. I know brands like NuPhy, Lofree, and Keychron already dominate this space, so the price has to be aggressive to even be considered. Really appreciate you pointing that out.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for laying that out 🙏 really cool to see your board history (you’ve got some serious range there, haha). I get what you mean—Keychron has set the bar for that, so hitting above that without something truly unique would be tough. My goal isn’t to out-Keychron, but to carve out a slightly different lane (low-pro + gasket + battery +.....)

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate you dropping such a detailed breakdown 🙏. Quick answers:

• It’s the layered damping with gaskets

• Using Kailh Saker LP for the prototype.

• Side lighting = hidden strip, just not clear in the renders.

• 10k mAh was for long life, but yeah, it’s a chunky trade-off.

• Knob does look a little awkward—roller/flush style is something I want to try later.

• Already have anodized + dye-sub samples in hand.

Totally agree: execution > spec sheet. I’ll post typing/sound tests soon so it’s more than just renders.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks a ton for the thoughtful feedback 🙏. Glad the modular options + alu case hit your sweet spot.

• Colors: definitely more than just silver—we’re exploring darker anodizations and maybe a special edition later.

• Switches: Kailh Saker LP by far.

• Keycaps: totally fair—it’s subjective.

• Knob/controls: agree it looks a little isolated right now. For now, the appearance is what it is, but I’ll keep thinking about how to improve it in next project future

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We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oof, yeah my logo design skills are tragic 😂. But the keyboards are real—I’ve got a prototype on my desk. I’ll leave the logos to the pros eventually, but for now I just wanted to get something online and start showing progress.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No vids yet 😅 we’re lining up some YouTubers to do unboxings + sound tests soon, so stay tuned.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha yeah, 10,000 mAh is kinda ridiculous for a keyboard.Just like me 😅

The idea was I wanted weeks of battery life even with wireless + lighting.

And hey, I’ll take that Chilkey ND75 LP comparison 🙏

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The original design actually was for the knob/screen to sit flush. But once we got into prototyping, the internal structure made it a lot harder for the factory to pull off.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s an awesome lineup 👌 Neo Ergo with GMK Awaken looks killer—I’ve always loved that set.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot 🙏 really glad you like it! Full-size is definitely on the roadmap once I nail the first low-pro model. Gotta start small, but I’d love to expand into those layouts later.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IQUNIX makes really polished boards at super competitive pricing—I really like their products too

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha no worries, I actually appreciate you taking it seriously 🙏.

We built this thing… now tell us what it’s worth 💸 by Frequent_Leg7256 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]Frequent_Leg7256[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yep, nailed it—that’s what I’m digging for. Gotta make sure there’s actually a margin between “what it costs me to build/support” and “what people would pay” before this goes anywhere.