Module testing result and manufacturing progress

Hi there, and welcome to this monthly UHK status update!

TL; DR: We’ve shipped a couple of modules to select testers, and their feedback was very positive, but they’ve also noticed some small issues. PBT keycap and ABS tooling are late, which affects estimated delivery dates. We plan to start shipping the modules around the end of February or March and the UHK 60 v2 around late March.

Module progress

Shortly before Christmas, we finished assembling the following modules and shipped them to select testers.

The feedback we received was very positive but also revealed some new issues. For some testers, the top and bottom parts of the key cluster came apart.

As for the touchpad, some testers pushed the top board into the module case.

Regarding the trackball, we’ve learned during the assembly process that the sealing ring slightly interfered with the ball in some cases, causing the ball to get stuck somewhat. We’ve also noticed that adding a slight pattern to the ball significantly improves optical sensor tracking at high speeds.

We haven’t heard any critiques of the trackpoint, which is unexpected because the spacer that held the top trackpoint part was 3D printed and slightly wiggled. We already had an injection-molded spacer, but we improved it, resulting in lower trackpoint operating force, and the mold hasn’t been modified yet, hence the 3D-printed part. If the 3D printed part was good enough, then the final molded part will be great.

We’re also removing a small plastic part that connects the two case buttons of right-handed modules based on tester feedback. This way, the buttons will be easier to press along their entire surface. The small plastic part was needed for the 3D-printed button prototypes to be sufficiently rigid, but injection-molded plastic behaves much better, and we’re better off without this part.

Luckily, all of the above issues are easy to fix by tweaking the molds, and our contractor is working on the fixes.

It’s fair to say that we’ve learned a ton from the testers’ feedback and the module assembly. I think we’re at a point where apart from the above fixes, the module hardware is excellent and cannot be improved significantly.

Our mold making contractor expects to update the module molds by the middle of February, and UHK 60 v2 mold modifications are expected to get ready by the beginning of March.

Keycap progress

Our PBT keycap supplier has finally sent us samples for approval. The majority of the keycaps’ shine-through performance is excellent, except for a handful of keys, including Space and Mod.

Several UHK 60 v1 owners wanted consistent key cluster keycaps, and as a result, we will also provide ABS keycaps for the key cluster. Our ABS keycap supplier is ready with convex 1U keycap molds, and we’ll ship every key cluster with both PBT and ABS keycaps. We expect to discontinue ABS keycaps for the key cluster in the far future, but now they’re included for free.

Our PBT keycap supplier recently told us that they can only provide the keycap sets in late March, which surprised us quite a bit. Previously, we only used ABS keycaps, which weren’t subjected to such delays.

As it turns out, manufacturing high quality, custom PBT keycaps of excellent shine-through performance is much more time consuming and complicated than making laser-engraved ABS keycaps, hence the delay.

We’re pushing our supplier to provide at least the key cluster PBT keycaps in March, enabling us to start shipping the modules sooner. Unfortunately, the UHK 60 v2 PBT keycaps will have to wait until the end of March despite our best effort.

Module configuration options

Agent’s master branch can already visualize the modules in real-time, and remapping them should be possible soon. The following screenshot is a work-in-progress, but you get the idea.

Remapping the modules, however, is not sufficient to make them live up to their full potential.

It can be difficult to hit small targets or take too much effort to make large motions with the pointer when using the modules. That’s where speed and acceleration settings come in. The speed setting is a linear multiplier, and the acceleration setting is an exponential multiplier. We’ve been already playing around with these values, and they make a world of difference.

When it comes to module usability, another critical feature is navigation mode, which determines what modules do when using their mousing instrument:

  • Cursor mode: moves the mouse cursor
  • Scroll mode: behaves like a scroll wheel
  • Caret mode: moves the text cursor, just like with up/down/left/right arrow keys
  • Media mode: invokes volume up, volume down, previous track, and next track on upward, downward, leftward, and rightward motions, respectively

Speed, acceleration, and navigation mode will be adjustable on a per-layer and per-module basis. So, for example, you’ll be able to make the trackball scroll when the mod layer is active.

By default, the navigation mode of the base, mouse, mod, and fn layers will be set to cursor, scroll, caret, and media mode, respectively, which are sensible and intuitive defaults given these layers’ default behavior.

I can think of a couple more minor options, and I’m sure the community will make further suggestions, but by and large, I’m quite confident that the above configuration options will provide sufficient freedom to achieve excellent usability.

Your tweets

You guys keep sending your awesome tweets, and we're always eager to read and feature them! I’m blown away by Sebastian’s review, Hubert’s chair mount hack, Alex’s custom tenting stand, and all the modded UHKs. Keep it up!

We’ll be keeping you updated on all things UHK and are looking forward to talking to you in late February.

The comments are closed, but our forum is available for public discussion.

57 Comments

  1. Sidney 2021-02-01 at 18:46

    Long time lurker, first time commenter here: Thanks for the update, I'm super excited. I ordered my UHK v2 as soon as I saw the announcement, together with a couple of modules, and I've been dying to get it into my hand since. On one hand, I'm obviously super impatient want it in my hands right now, but on the other, I also realize that quality takes time. In the long run, I'd much rather wait and get a really nice and high quality product in my hands. Thank you for keeping us updated and for putting so much love into the product!

    • Pavel 2021-02-23 at 11:17

      Unfortunately, UGL consistently falls behind the timelines. But trust me as a v1 owner, it’s well worth the wait!

  2. Josh 2021-02-01 at 19:17

    Not a hyper relevant question to update, but whatever.

    Will it be possible to control the brightness of the LEDs on the keyboard from the keyboard itself without using Agent? For example could I set "Mod-T", "Mod-G", and "Mod-B" to turn up the LED brightness, turn down the brightness, and turn off the brightness, respectively?

    Having some method for turning off the LEDs quickly can be important when using the keyboard in different environments.

  3. Matthew 2021-02-01 at 21:54

    A bit disappointing since I have been waiting for these modules for quite sometime. But rather get something good than something rushed to market. Would you be sharing the comment or the review you gathered for these modules? That would definitely help me decide if I want to pre-buy the module or not.

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-02 at 14:36

      We will upload some videos about the modules that will help you to decide.

  4. David Smith 2021-02-02 at 06:26

    I'll be honest, I don't really see enough difference in the blank key caps on the UHK 60 v2 as pictured to understand the reason to push it back another two months. Is there a better or higher resolution picture?

    Please do note that I am super excited to get a UHK! Thanks.

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-02 at 15:06

      In reality, the dots on space and mod keys are paler on the blank keycaps. Sorry, we do not have a higher resolution picture.

      • László Monda 2021-02-02 at 15:11

        It's not really a matter of resolution, but camera sensitivity. (Sensitivity may not be the proper term; I'm not a photographer.) The difference is much more noticeable in real life, and shine-thru performance must be improved.

        • David Smith 2021-02-02 at 22:30

          That's fair. I borrowed the v1 recently from a friend and it is the best typing experience that I have ever had. So I believe it to be well worth the wait.

  5. Jura 2021-02-02 at 08:06

    I love my UHKv1 and you guys are real professionals at crafting high-quality keyboards. But all these delays are very annoying and frustrating. And don't look professional. They happened with v1, with the modules, and now with v2.

    When I preordered my v2 last year, I was quite optimistic that the 'end of January shipping' would be reached. After all, the team now has much more experience with production and estimates than when v1 was made. And v1 was something that was literally not done before, so delays were to be expected.

    But it looks like that estimates are still too optimistic. And the reason surprises me. Did the team only find out now that PBT takes 2 months longer? Wasn't that information checked with the supplier before giving the initial January shipping date?

    I'm sorry for the negativity because I also realize that the team is dependent on external suppliers. But then please give yourself more buffer when announcing expected shipping dates.

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-04 at 08:06

      We're sorry for the delay. We're dependent on our suppliers, and delays usually happen despite our best effort.
      We`re doing our best and making sure the final product worths it.

  6. M 2021-02-02 at 10:26

    disappointing news :(

    Would you ship a keycap less board and ship the keycaps once you receive them if I pay the extra shipping cost?
    Any cheapo set of keycaps will do for the time being, as I am stuck with Apple's magic keyboard.

    Btw. I am curios: what was the rational behind having all mod keys labeled with words, but the backspace key has a symbol?

    Best regards,

    Marty

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-04 at 08:15

      Sorry, we can not send a UHK without keycaps. We will start to assemble and ship the UHK v2 and the Palm Rest v2 when we will have all parts.
      The word Backspace in written is too long and the icon has a much better shine-thru performance.

  7. Matthew 2021-02-02 at 10:46

    So any comment that ask a quality related question is being filtered out? That is now how I imagined this company dealing with its customers and clients using their products.

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-04 at 13:34

      You can see, we are open and prefer transparency in the flow of information.
      Some questions, especially about ETA, were answered by e-mail because we only wanted to publish new information and not repeat the same information when it was already shared on the website.
      To avoid misunderstandings, kindly note, quality-related questions are not filtered out. We have already shared information on the blog, and we will share more as we have responded to you earlier.
      The modules are not ready yet, you will see reviews about the products, and even more, you will have the opportunity to experience it when you purchase it.

  8. Brett 2021-02-05 at 05:21

    I've ordered a V2 and cannot wait for it to arrive!!!! Well, actually, I can and will wait but I'm sure you know what I mean (which, in my experience, is rarely a safe assumption)...

    I'm currently using an ErgoDox-EZ which was my first experience with both a split keyboard and a fully programmable one. It's OK and has confirmed that i NEED a split keyboard, but there are too many negatives for me to keep using it (no Enter key, etc - all gripes are about number/placement of keys), so when I saw a review of the UHKv1, I felt like my prayers (to the flying spaghetti monster) had bean answered and all my dreams were about to come true, albeit in several months.

    I understand how things can be delayed, and I appreciate you keeping us in the loop as work progresses.

  9. Nick 2021-02-11 at 15:24

    Really excited to hear that the modules will start shipping soon! Over the last year or two, I've mostly worn through the right-hand mod-switch I use for mouse mode (the one on the frame), so I'm really looking forward to switching to something more permanent.

  10. Sasha Egorov 2021-02-15 at 19:11

    This update looks promising, I appreciate the goal of UHK team to deliver the best experience possible. Thank you so much.
    I'm patient as hell. Just waiting for my best keyboard ever. Whatever it going to take 😌

  11. Tomasz Wilczynski 2021-02-21 at 08:18

    Do you consider making the 1.25u key convex (maybe as an option)? For example, I think I will want to press the fn key with my thumb, and a convex key might be more comfortable.

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-22 at 12:02

      No, because we consider bending the thumb under the palm to be unergonomic.

      • Anton 2021-03-04 at 18:43

        Why do you think it’s unergonomic? I bend thumb under the palm all the time to reach modifiers.

        • Mária Horváth 2021-03-05 at 14:19

          Please see it in our blog: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/blog/2014/07/16/being-able-to-rebind-alt-tab-is-a-big-deal.

          • Tom 2021-03-05 at 14:32

            So how do you suggest a mac user should perform shortcuts like cmd+a cmd+c and cmd+v on without bending the thumb?
            Where is the default placement of the cmd key in UHK?

          • Mária Horváth 2021-03-05 at 20:58

            Press the cmd button with your ring finger and with your left hand you can use A/ C / V keys.
            You can see the default placement of the cmd key here.

          • Pavel Gurkov 2021-03-05 at 21:38

            If I may, pressing CMD with ring finger feels way less ergonomic for me. Too much unnatural downwards travel. BTW, I'm using UHK v1 and doing the usual "Mac-y" stuff (although not using Mac).

  12. Aaron Baff 2021-02-23 at 19:29

    Just ordered my v2! Hoping shipping times don't slip. Is the shipping time for the v2 + wrist rest going to be waiting for the modules, even if I didn't order any modules? Or are you waiting for the modules production as well before shipping?

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-23 at 19:59

      Development and shipping of the UHK v2 and the modules are running parallel, without effects on each other.

      • Aaron Baff 2021-02-23 at 20:02

        Awesome, great to hear! *crosses fingers* Here's hoping everything stays on track for shipping in March then.

  13. jonhenry13241 2021-02-28 at 16:28

    I ordered a key cluster along with a v2, will those ship separately or together?

    • Mária Horváth 2021-02-28 at 19:18

      Please for order-related questions contact us via e-mail.
      The modules will be shipped separately from all non-module items. All types of modules can be shipped together but without non-module items.

      • Tom 2021-03-06 at 00:53

        So if I place my ring finger on the Super key, which finger should I use to reach for the A key and how is that ergonomic?

        • Mária Horváth 2021-03-07 at 11:58

          If you put your right ring finger on the Super key, and you use your left pinky to reach the A key, that's more ergonomic than bending.

  14. Tom 2021-02-28 at 20:15

    Are there plans to make a version of UHK with low profile switches/keycaps?

  15. Anton Chikin 2021-03-07 at 19:48

    Will there be a monthly update?

    • Mária Horváth 2021-03-08 at 19:38

      Laszlo will share the monthly update this week. Thank you for your patience!

      • Max Rogers 2021-03-12 at 19:29

        It is now the end of the week in which we were promised an update, more than 12 days into March, and yet there is no news.

        Patience is wearing thin on the lack of communication as you retain more than $500 in preorder payments.

        I have the original UHK and very much enjoy the product, and I trust that the UHK 2 and modules will eventually be delivered. Supply-chain issues are understandable and forgivable; failing to provide regular updates, however, while still retaining funds from the preorder, is upsetting and not really acceptable.

        The silence, which *is* within your control, only increases the frustration with the delays, which I understand are not your fault.

        • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:28

          Sorry for the delay, Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.
          Thank you for your understanding and we´re glad you enjoy your UHK so much!

      • Ben Bettridge 2021-03-12 at 21:00

        Looking forward to it!

      • Max Rogers 2021-03-12 at 23:12

        It is now Friday and we have not received the promised update. It is also nearly halfway through March.

        Please be more transparent about the status of the manufacturing process. You currently retain more than $500 in pre-order payments and yet are running approximately two months behind schedule with little notice to your customers.

        Supply chain issues are understandable; leaving your supporters in the dark, however, is not acceptable.

      • lionoggo 2021-03-14 at 11:52

        Why hasn't the progress been updated yet?

        • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:30

          Sorry for the delay, Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.
          Thank you for your understanding!

      • Chris 2021-03-15 at 04:32

        Are we still getting the update?

        • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:31

          Sorry for the delay, Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.
          Thank you for your understanding

      • JY 2021-03-15 at 05:56

        I think there is no monthly update from Laszlo yet . The guy must be very busy. Is it possible this week?

        • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:32

          Sorry for the delay, Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.
          Thank you for your understanding!

  16. Jules Rogers 2021-03-14 at 14:05

    Where is the update we were promised?

  17. Jules Rogers 2021-03-14 at 14:06

    Where is the update that we were promised for this week?

  18. Josh 2021-03-14 at 20:32

    Hi, just wondering if everything is still on track for v2 to ship this month and if we're going to get an update this week as expected.

    Thanks

    • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:31

      Sorry for the delay, Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.
      Thank you for your understanding

  19. MFortuny 2021-03-15 at 13:18

    Is there going to be an update anytime soon? We were expecting it last week.. also really hope there will be no more ETA delays. I'm sure that the final product will be worth the wait but the regular delays are becoming quite annoying really.

    • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:35

      Thanks for your patience, we are doing our best to ship the best product!
      Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.

  20. Ankur 2021-03-15 at 14:40

    Any update?

    • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:36

      Sorry for the delay, Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.
      Thank you for your understanding!

  21. Solomon Douglas 2021-03-15 at 18:16

    Hello friends! Is there any word on when we can expect the next monthly status update?

    • Mária Horváth 2021-03-16 at 13:36

      Sorry for the delay, Laszlo is overloaded and we are prioritizing production over updates.
      Thank you for your understanding!

Comments are closed.

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