Vortex Keyboard 丨Model M SSK KIT Coming soon! (Tribute to IBM Model M)

Vortex_Keyboard · October 22, 2022, 10:41am

Hello everyone
This is Vortex Keyboard
Some of you may have known us through our previous models, such as Pok3r、Race 3 or Core.
We’ve launched “KBt RE:” & “PC66” recently (a tribute to IBM PCjr)
And we are excited to announce to you that we will release Model M SSK KIT later this year

IC Form
Official Web

The prototype just arrived few days ago

And the brass and aluminum plate prototype

*Specs

● Layout: ANSI / ISO (WK & WKL)
● Gasket mount structure
● Case Material : Aluminum
● Weight: Approximately 2kg
● USB-C Connectivity
● PCB will be available in five versions,and they are all with QMK/VIA/Vial support

ANSI hot-swap PCB (Spacebar: 6.25u)
ISO hot-swap PCB (Spacebar: 6.25u)
ANSI hot-swap PCB (Spacebar: 7u)
ISO hot-swap PCB (Spacebar: 7u)
ANSI/ISO solderable PCB (Spacebar: 6.25u/7u)

※Compatible with MX and MX clone switches
※Only solderable PCB supports stepped Caps lock.

*Include

PCB x2 (Main PCB and F-row PCB)
Aluminum Case x1
Plate x1
Poron foam x 2
Gasket set x 1
Vortex aluminum badge x1
Screws set x1
Rubber feet and hex key

*Price

The final price has not yet been decided.
All we can tell is that it will be under 300 USD.

Join us on Discord for more latest update and information

pixelpusher · October 22, 2022, 1:49pm

Really looking forward to it. Can’t believe you can do this for $300. Do you have any photos of the prototype with keycaps installed?

Andreas · October 22, 2022, 4:09pm

I love the attention to detail and the design choices made. To me, this is a great example of a design inspired by something classic evolving into something new.

Very well done! Bravo!

skepp · October 22, 2022, 4:36pm

I approve!

ereck · October 23, 2022, 1:28am

cant wait for this to come out!

Vortex_Keyboard · October 23, 2022, 2:48am

Yeah ! We do have pictures with keycaps installed.
Keycaps are for reference only.Model m kit will not include any keycaps or switches.

As for the carrying case, it will be included

Vortex_Keyboard · October 23, 2022, 3:05am

Thank you so much:) It is really great to hear that.
Your words mean a lot to us.
We’re just getting started. M0110 is the next in line.

pixelpusher · October 23, 2022, 3:46am

This was the area I was most interested in seeing.

I remember there was a previous interest check that was scheduled to run for a similar model M tribute board that used a flexible PCB and curved plate. I think it was TKC who planned to run it, but it never happened. Obviously that is a more difficult endeavor and not really necessary if you use sculpted keycaps.

The straight bottom edge of the keycaps does look a bit awkward next to the curved detail of the case. Maybe it’s just the angle of the photo, but it seems like the bezel should have been raised a bit to cover the bottom skirt of the keycaps (also better for hiding the switches)

Still a very lovely idea and even nicer with the included case!

donpark · October 23, 2022, 8:57am

Whew. Dodged another compelling bullet with my addiction to Tsangan layout. Looks too damn good otherwise.

pixelpusher · May 6, 2024, 2:58am

Does anyone have this keyboard and have an opinion on it? I noticed these and the ABS version are both available in stock from some vendors

schizobovine · May 23, 2024, 5:03pm

Yeah, curious if anyone else has one and if they’ve gotten it working with QMK, since I didn’t see it in the source tree anywhere.

Debating between this and a KBD8X.

schizobovine · May 28, 2024, 5:46pm

For anyone curious about the firmware, I found Vortex’s Github repo, but it seems to lack firmware source for the model M.

(I’m on a quest to add host autodetection to my various TKL’s, so I need the source to rebuild the firmware with my additions – hence why QMK compatibility is a must.)