Did they just stop that offer? I checked myself, and no dice.
The Shipping Policy page still shows the $100 deal so I’m not sure why it’s not applying. Maybe in stock only?
From what I can tell from the translated ZFrontier forums, there will be a Bluetooth PCB (possibly QMK compatible?) going into GB soon. It’s also possible that the cool gray color will be for both the top and bottom - the GB host said something to the effect of being lazy with taking pictures, but I’m not sure. Lastly, it sounds like there will be a Win-key version coming after this GB - the literal translation was “front teeth” vs “no front teeth” so make of that what you will.
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Ha. Love it.
I wonder how the hotswap works. You mean to tell me that not a single hotswap arm touches the bottom supports on the case?
I guess that’s just good engineering. Color me impressed. I’m going to go with the gray version. If it comes all gray that’s good. Two tone is fine as well. Can’t decide between hotswap and solder. I do like the idea of hotswap though.
Mine just arrived in the mail. Gray R1 soldered version.
Personally, I like the R1 Gray. But the R2 colours are okay, agree that two-tone look on the silver may not be ideal.
R3 could be interesting. TKL layouts, not just WKL, maybe they will offer all 3 colours. [Maybe you could mix-and-match top and bottom housings, but I dream…]
Still trying to figure out which switch would be ideal for the ‘plateless’ soldered NCR-80 here. I want to go the light tactile route. I think L + F SP Star Meteor Orange could be ideal, even though I was saving them for the HMKB.
I also have medium-weight Ergo Clears available [but would prefer light-weight on an NCR-80], and Zealio V1 on the way.
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very nice pairing! Still wish I owned a CRP set, but I’m not willing to pay reddit prices. ha. Surely another round on Drop one day.
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Yes, R3 or R4 is being delivered around the end of the year. Too bad the non-GB orders will be aftermarket…
But I know they are itching to start a new GB ASAP.
CRP in general goes well with the NCR-80, and I’ve seen all sorts of CRP on these boards. I think Honeywell [with green or cyan accents] would work well, 9009 does, and likely Solarized Dark.
Botanical might work, but I’m not a huge fan of that set.
When the next round goes, I’d go with Syrup Labs (CA) if they’re offering it again. R4 was the same price from syrup shipped to US, and none of the Drop shenanigans.
I’d also keep your eyes open for they upcoming RGB mods gb they’re offering.
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Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind
OK, so the R2 GB is all sold-out on ZFrontier now.
I was seriously, seriously tempted to buy a second NCR-80 because of the $80 price, possibly free-shipping over $100, and the silvery case colour.
But I’m happy to wait until R3 to get a WinKey version. Especially as I hear there may be full-size variants on offer. That could replace my current keyboard.
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I would have considered an additional shell / color for my R1, but it wasn’t worth the shipping cost.
You can still get in on the next production run through YMDK
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Looking at the PCB, there seems to be sockets for the Print Screen/Num Lock/Pause cluster. Is it possible to pop out the lock light shield and solder in switches?
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Does anyone know if there are any updates on this? I ordered through zFrontier, but haven’t heard anything about shipping estimates.
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Ordered from YMDK and I just got a shipping notification. Estimated to arrive (Canada) by next week.
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So tempting. Hoping for a cool gray / light gray TKL version in R3.
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For those who have purchased this kit - any regrets in what you ordered?
For example, do you regret getting a plate? Do you regret getting Hotswap version?
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I regret not getting a hotswap PCB. I think the NCR80 should be built plateless (true to the G80) for both the sound and feel, so I opted for the soldered PCB since I’ve seen comments on hotswap sockets causing switches to wobble during typing on plateless/half-plate builds. However it seems like this is not an issue with the NCR80 hotswap PCB according to this build
I’m planning on filling my NCR80 with Clickiez, so I’ll have to wait until late March or April before I can use my board even though I currently have keycaps and other switches available.
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