#massdrop

color, detail

It was a warm summer evening when I saw the OLKB Preonic (rev 3) on Massdrop. It looked gorgeous. It was a kit, but without needing to solder. I could get fancy switches I’d never heard of. Most importantly, it came in orange. I joined that drop, not understanding even how Massdrop worked. “Estimated Shipping Date: January 24, 2019.” Well, fuck, take my money anyway.

Life went on. Lots of life. I recommended this keyboard to @designpatternpirate without even trying it. Seasons changed. I kinda forgot all about it, which seems like what happens to most Mech Keys Massdrop-participants. Then, on an evening 70 degrees colder than when this all began, a tiny package appeared at my apartment door. “That box is too small to fit a keyboard,” my daughter said. “Wait, what did you buy?” said my wife. I grabbed my toolbox and took over the dining table.

It’s a very impressive piece of hardware. The Anodized orange case and MX plate are very sturdy. And the PBC, well...

🤤

Not only does it look great, and run QMK Firmware, but this version of OLKB (Revision 3) adds hot-swappable switches, meaning no soldering! I could include my 3 year old in the assembly without too much angst.

The only weird part of having hot-swappable switches is that (if you opt for the “extra secure” assembly method, which I did) you screw the board and plate in first, THEN add the switches, so I kinda was just crossing my fingers that the pins didn’t bend or anything. That being said, it was very straight forward; the stabilizers were already assembled, which is usually the hardest part.

Hey, guys! I really need your help! If you could amethyst on this poll, that would be really great. I would hopefully like to get the amethyst dice set as a gift for someone special to me, but I know I could never pay full price and probably barely would make the discounted price on Massdrop. Any help reaching that goal would be very appreciated. Thank you!