Name: Cloudline V2
Brand: KEYGEM
Price: 495.8 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

Cloudline V2

Keyboard Kit Color (Top - Bottom - Accent - Weight):

Serene 2.0 (Cost Blue - Silver - Polished PVD SS - Brass)
Dusk (Dusk Purple - Silver - Polished PVD SS - Brass)
Smog (Taupe - Taupe - Polished PVD SS - SS)
Midnight (Black - Black - Black Polished PVD SS - SS)

Details
Kit includes Cloudline V2 keyboard, full aluminum plate, custom PCB + daughterboard, LED PCB + JST cables, 50A o-ring, polycarbonate top-mount spacers, injection-moulded feet, spare hardware, carrying case, and microfiber cloth. Kit does not include keycaps, switches, or stabilizers.

Layout: F12 TKL (WKL or Full, split right-shift / backspace support)
Plate: Full aluminum, anodized black
Typing angle: 7 degrees
PCB: Solderable Cloudline V2 PCB by Mechlovin' (STM32)
Case materials: Aluminum 6063, Stainless Steel 304, Brass
Weight: ~2200g / ~4.9 lbs built
Front Height: ~17.1mm (21.8mm EKH)
Mounting: Inverted o-ring friction mount / top mount

Inverted o-ring friction mount
This mounting method is an implementation of the classic o-ring mount with a few key differences. The first thing to note is that we lean on a 'friction-fit', where the o-ring applies outward pressure on the side walls of the keyboard chassis. We also leave a ~1.0mm gap between the plate and the top case, ensuring there's no vertical pressure on the plate (and thus, no pressure on the top case - which often is the culprit for a 'boxy' and resonant sound). In addition, the o-ring is friction-fitted almost entirely into the top case while merely resting on the bottom case mounting posts, in hopes of providing as many contact points as possible to the o-ring.

Classic top mount
Top mount is still an option for owners who prefer a more classic sound profile. This time around, we've avoided unnecessary experimentation, and opted for a more straightforward top-mount implementation. No large relief cuts or arms on this plate, to avoid excess vibration - however, one key point is that we provide polycarbonate standoffs to properly space the plate away from the top case. This way, we can ensure that the inverted o-ring mount can be built without the plate contacting the top case, while still providing a completely viable top mount option.

Refined, yet familiar.
The original, iconic silhouette of Cloudline V1 remains minimally adjusted throughout this iteration. Motifs of freedom, optimism, and possibility present themselves cleverly throughout several external design elements. A new interpretation of the original front engraving finds its way to the new weight design, restricted from below yet unbound by a limitless sky.

Precision in progress.
Subtle, carefully-considered adjustments can come together to make meaningful changes. Adjusted bezel ratios, corner radii, and tweaked design decisions lend to a more refined and balanced keyboard aesthetic. Cloudline V2 returns in a new "classic" F12 TKL layout, including improved ergonomics with a notable reduction in front-height and EKH (down ~1mm and ~0.6mm respectively).

More than meets the eye.
Typing sound and feel were some points of controversy for Cloudline V2's predecessor. With aesthetics being one of its strengths, it became my personal goal to make this iteration as focused and refined as possible from a typing perspective. Because of that, I've opted to implement the inverted o-ring friction mount on this keyboard, while still giving users the option to revert to classic top-mount.

Inside - out.
The intricate internal elements of Cloudline V1 were a major draw for many - however, a recurring (valid) sentiment was that owners preferred for it to be exposed. The bottom design has been reworked from the ground up to expose the signature contrasting weight finishes and beautifully detailed laser engravings. A new steel accent serves to differentiate the keyboard from above, while optional RGB references the silver lining namesake.

Addons:

Hotswap / Solderable PCBs (by Mechlovin')
Custom F12 TKL PCB with H87 mounting post positions & JST footprint. Extended to work with Cloudline V2 LED breakout board for front RGB accent.

Solderable: Supports ANSI F12 TKL Tsangan layout with options for stepped caps-lock, split left shift, split backspace, split right shift, and ISO enter. (1 included in keyboard kit)

Hotswap: Supports ANSI F12 TKL Tsangan layout with options for stepped caps-lock, split right shift, split backspace. Note that some F-row switches are inverted to allow for mounting post clearance. Note: It's highly recommended to use a solderable PCB for o-ring mount for more secure switch fitment. In addition, screw-in stabilizers on hotswap PCBs will not work with o-ring mount. Hard typists and flexible builds may have greater chance of bottoming out with hotswap PCBs due to increased height from sockets.

Plate Materials

Aluminum full plate: anodized black (1 included in keyboard kit)
Aluminum half plate: anodized black
Polypropylene full plate: black (very dark gray)
Polycarbonate full plate: dyed smoke gray
Plates are ANSI-layout only. Plate files may be released later for ISO customization. Note that plastic plate details may slightly vary from renders due to the manufacturing process.

Aluminum Internal Frame
By default, all Cloudline V2 kits come with a pre-installed brass internal frame. Brass, being a denser material, not only provides a very slight bump in weight, but also lends to greater vibration absorption and dampening.

If you'd like to experiment with an aluminum internal frame, you may find that it leads to a slightly more resonant sound which may be to your liking.

O-ring Options

30A o-ring: Off-white (light gray) silicone
50A o-ring: Translucent clear silicone (1 included in keyboard kit)
70A o-ring: Dark gray silicone

Regional Vendors

US: jjwkb.com
CA: Mino Keys
EU: KEYGEM
UK: Prototypist Keyboards
OCE: Switchkeys
AS: Pantheon Keys
KR: Swagkeys

Cloudline V2

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