Author Topic: KMAC,KMAC 1.2 & KMAC 2: Just what are the differences? (Read 43853 times)

balanar · « **on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 17:57:18 »

Hey guys, figured this might be a good place to ask a question that has been confusing me for some time now. What are the differences between a KMAC, KMAC 1.2 & KMAC 2? I mean in terms of PCB, case (shape, colour, finish), and anything else at all.

I don't have access to a KBDmania or OTD as my attempts to create an account keep failing for some reason so pictures would be friggin' awesome as well. Tried googling but very little if any info shows up and even then I'm not sure which keyboard I'm looking at. Please help a guy who just might have a rare chance to get one of these as soon as I am able to actually know the differences before choosing one.

metalliqaz · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:37:57 »

By my understanding the new KMACs are very similar, but have better anodizing for improved durability. KMAC2 has a new case design that can be switched between winkey and winkeyless by using a metal insert.

SmallFry · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:52:42 »

Heh, I'll post that PM here, as I figure that it may help some other GH'ers as well.

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 11:50:12

Well let's see... I believe the differences between the KMAC 1 and the 1.2 are mainly in the case. The KMAC 1 had a case that wasn't hard aninized. Thus, after a lot of touching of the case, the KMAC would change colors. They fixed this in the 1.2 IIRC. The KMAC 2 has blocks that make the PCB and case usable in 84 through 86/87 key layouts by adjusting where the blocks go for the case and adjusting the switch positions. I'm sure there's other differences since I don't browse there often, so start a thread.

Cheers.
Nate

m00nshake · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:55:26 »

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:52:42

Heh, I'll post that PM here, as I figure that it may help some other GH'ers as well.

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 11:50:12
Well let's see... I believe the differences between the KMAC 1 and the 1.2 are mainly in the case. The KMAC 1 had a case that wasn't hard aninized. Thus, after a lot of touching of the case, the KMAC would change colors. They fixed this in the 1.2 IIRC. The KMAC 2 has blocks that make the PCB and case usable in 84 through 86/87 key layouts by adjusting where the blocks go for the case and adjusting the switch positions. I'm sure there's other differences since I don't browse there often, so start a thread.

Cheers.
Nate

Very helpful... but where does the Kmac LE fall in this? Does it have the same issue as the Kmac 1?

jeroplane · « **Reply #4 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:56:35 »

Does anyone have any photos of these infamous "blocks" of the KMAC 2?

WhiteFireDragon · « **Reply #5 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:03:10 »

I saw the removable blocks on the kmac 2. Personally, not my cup of tea. It's just an addon square that screws to the main chassis. The block just doesn't look like it integrates with the case very well. Not as elegant IMO. I'll dig up pics when I have time.

reaper · « **Reply #6 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:15:40 »

Quote from: jeroplane on Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:56:35

Does anyone have any photos of these infamous "blocks" of the KMAC 2?

Here you go..

Also the final product won't have that fugly gold color block.

SmallFry · « **Reply #7 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:18:09 »

Quote from: m00nshake on Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:55:26

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 18:52:42
Heh, I'll post that PM here, as I figure that it may help some other GH'ers as well.

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 11:50:12
Well let's see... I believe the differences between the KMAC 1 and the 1.2 are mainly in the case. The KMAC 1 had a case that wasn't hard aninized. Thus, after a lot of touching of the case, the KMAC would change colors. They fixed this in the 1.2 IIRC. The KMAC 2 has blocks that make the PCB and case usable in 84 through 86/87 key layouts by adjusting where the blocks go for the case and adjusting the switch positions. I'm sure there's other differences since I don't browse there often, so start a thread.

Cheers.
Nate

Very helpful... but where does the Kmac LE fall in this? Does it have the same issue as the Kmac 1?

The LE was supposed to be a Limited Edition of the KMAC. I believe there were less LE's made than official KMAC's. The LE's were unfortunately plagued with the two-toned "mistake"
The KMAC 2's have a modular block that allows you to change the layout pretty easily. See Reaper's post here for some of the KMAC 2 pictures that won't take a year to load. The KMAC 2 comes in three colors as well, silver, titanium, and red, if you read in the KMAC thread I linked to above.

EDIT: Bah, ninja'd

jeroplane · « **Reply #8 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:23:37 »

Thanks for the pics reaper and the info, SmallFry. I would rather just use a 1x key there instead of that block.

But I suppose it would be slightly better if the colour matched the case.

SmallFry · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:26:49 »

The color will match the case in the final KMAC 2. I like the ability to use 1 unit Super keys as well! Much prefered layout to the total Winkeyless.

AKIMbO · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:28:46 »

That block...no me gusta. It makes the keyboard look less slick. Dunno what they were thinking. Maybe they were trying to reduce manufacturing costs?

alaricljs · « **Reply #11 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:32:38 »

Also, as far as I can interpret from pics it would appear as tho the plate is optional since standoffs are included and the appropriate holes are present.

SmallFry · « **Reply #12 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:33:07 »

People didn't want to get both KMAC's to use the 1 unit Super keys. You'd have to buy both cases and PCB's and swap them.

Sifo · « **Reply #13 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:35:37 »

If they made the blocks color match... would look cool.

Edit: ma bad, only looked at the pictures

SmallFry · « **Reply #14 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:41:13 »

The blocks are supposed to match. Read all of Reaper's post.

balanar · « **Reply #15 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 20:11:43 »

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 11:50:12

The LE was supposed to be a Limited Edition of the KMAC. I believe there were less LE's made than official KMAC's. The LE's were unfortunately plagued with the two-toned "mistake"
The KMAC 2's have a modular block that allows you to change the layout pretty easily. See Reaper's post here for some of the KMAC 2 pictures that won't take a year to load. The KMAC 2 comes in three colors as well, silver, titanium, and red, if you read in the KMAC thread I linked to above.

EDIT: Bah, ninja'd

Wait a sec, in the thread you pointed to, reaper mentioned that the KMAC 2 only comes in titanium. Which is it?

Also, does the new slanted design mean the height will not be adjustable. This is not the case (pun not intended) with the KMAC 1/1.2 right?

SmallFry · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 20:46:28 »

[Strike]See this post.[/strike]

m00nshake · « **Reply #17 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:20:48 »

I'm confused. What's the mistake in the two tones of the Le? I thought it was intended to be two tones.

reaper · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:28:16 »

Quote from: m00nshake on Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:20:48

I'm confused. What's the mistake in the two tones of the Le? I thought it was intended to be two tones.

Read my review on the original KMAC here (it's in archive). Look toward the bottom of the review for that particular info. The KMAC LE came from the defective batch.

Also I was told that the KMAC 2 only comes in titanium and that the new KMAC 1.2 will be available in either red, silver or titanium color.

alaricljs · « **Reply #19 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:29:15 »

It was not intended to be 2 tones on the 1 case set.

balanar · « **Reply #20 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:32:27 »

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 20:46:28

See this post.

So basically what I understand from that is:

KAMC 2 = 1 colour (Titanium)
KMAC 1.2 aka revised KMAC = 3 colours (Titanium, Silver & Red)

Both KMACs will come with the blocks. The blocks will match the colour of the case.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

SmallFry · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:33:17 »

Quote from: reaper on Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:28:16

Quote from: m00nshake on Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:20:48
I'm confused. What's the mistake in the two tones of the Le? I thought it was intended to be two tones.

Read my review on the original KMAC here (it's in archive). Look toward the bottom of the review for that particular info. The KMAC LE came from the defective batch.

Also I was told that the KMAC 2 only comes in titanium and that the new KMAC 1.2 will be available in either red, silver or titanium color.

Reaper is correct on the colors, scratch my color stuff from earlier.

MMB · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:33:53 »

KMAC 2 doesn't use legs like the KMAC 1. It has a case that is angled, and is quite a bit heavier, due to the extra aluminum.

MMB · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:41:21 »

They all come with blocks. This was confirmed.

This was the info I got from Taeyoung:

Quote

Yes, both of KMAC 1.2 and KMAC2 can use the blockers and which is allows to make 84 and 86 layouts.
As you can see the attached pic, KMAC2 doesn't use the keyboard feet any more which means KMAC2 is much heavier than KMAC 1 and 1.2(kmac2_02.jpg/kmac2_03.jpg)
And also you can assemble KMAC2 without plate due to KMAC2 has 33 ea support holes for non-plate-mounted style.
As for KMAC2, there's only one color which might be kind of dark grey or gunmetal grey color so you can order RED case.
Both of KMAC2 and 1.2 will have a RED metal plate

reaper · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:44:24 »

Okey Dokey... let me erase that then. lol

MMB · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:51:12 »

Also, as stated; KMAC 2 is NOT titanium. It's more of a gunmetal grey.

xsphat · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 22:47:14 »

How hard are these things to put together? can you buy an additional PCB to easily swap out the switches? and what's a base price for one of these ... kits?

Gotta say, I thought that KMACS was a new flavor of Emacs. I been out of it a while I guess.

SmallFry · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 23:06:31 »

About ~$400 USD xsphat.

xsphat · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 23:09:19 »

Why would anyone pay that much to do so much work? JK, I get it, I'm just not getting in line ...

alaricljs · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 04 November 2012, 23:15:39 »

Also, no on the extra PCBs, you buy the full KB kit, no replacement or separate parts. I have put together quite a few of these Korean customs... the all metal case ones are quite nice. I am not a fan of the acrylic models.

xsphat · « **Reply #30 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 00:37:23 »

Can you put Topre switches in them?

Just kidding, don't kill me, lol.

reaper · « **Reply #31 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 00:53:17 »

Haha, I wish. That would be cool.

xsphat · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 00:57:58 »

Quote from: reaper on Mon, 05 November 2012, 00:53:17

Haha, I wish. That would be cool.

I still like the Topre switch the best, but only the black stemmed ones ... Another joke.

m00nshake · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 15:16:08 »

Quote from: reaper on Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:28:16

Quote from: m00nshake on Sun, 04 November 2012, 21:20:48
I'm confused. What's the mistake in the two tones of the Le? I thought it was intended to be two tones.

Read my review on the original KMAC here (it's in archive). Look toward the bottom of the review for that particular info. The KMAC LE came from the defective batch.

Thanks for the clarification. Was this rectified in later batches of the KMAC LE? And other than the two tone color, is the KMAC LE basically the same as the original KMAC or KMAC 1.2?

Daniel Beardsmore · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 16:57:24 »

Quote from: SmallFry on Sun, 04 November 2012, 19:18:09

The LE's were unfortunately plagued with the two-toned "mistake"

I thought the two-tone look was really neat – just added a little extra to the styling. I imagine too many other people do to be able to snap one up really cheap ;-)

(Not going to spend a lot on a TKL as I'd only use it a spare at work, just for its low size – I likes my number pad, I do. I want a G84 board but Cherry cannot for the life of them manage a single sensible layout for the G84, while laptop makers the world over get compact layouts perfect.

The other reason I wouldn't want a metal keyboard at work as something about the floor means that I'd get static shocks off my keyboard all day and I'd end up throwing it out the window. That aside, I lament the lack of love that full-size boards get in the aluminium department ...)

reaper · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:00:34 »

Quote from: m00nshake on Mon, 05 November 2012, 15:16:08

Thanks for the clarification. Was this rectified in later batches of the KMAC LE? And other than the two tone color, is the KMAC LE basically the same as the original KMAC or KMAC 1.2?

You're welcome and as far as I know, it was never rectified. After the orginal KMAC was sold out, the rest was put on sale as LE.
KMAC LE is the same as the orginal KMAC except the letter LE on the PCB. KMAC 1.2 has a new plate & PCB.

Quote from: Daniel Beardsmore on Mon, 05 November 2012, 16:57:24

Not going to spend a lot on a TKL as I'd only use it a spare at work, just for its low size – I likes my number pad..

Like you numpad you say.. get a Kpad too then.

metalliqaz · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:07:32 »

Quote from: reaper on Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:00:34

Show Image

Now that's a mighty attractive setup right there.

esoomenona · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:11:48 »

reaper · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:19:54 »

Yup.

esoomenona · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:24:58 »

TheProfosist · « **Reply #40 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:29:10 »

Damn all you guys are so lucky!

tubby · « **Reply #41 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:37:09 »

Very informative!
Now, would any one know the differences between KMACs and OTD Customs? ^^;

reaper · « **Reply #42 on:** Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:39:58 »

Quote from: tubby on Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:37:09

would any one know the differences between KMACs and OTD Customs? ^^;

Which one? There's so many of them.

sherryton · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 06 November 2012, 00:02:02 »

Let me clear this up a little bit...

They got the KMAC batch. Somehow, they were able to distinguish the top and the bottom were different colors. If you look real carefully, they are the exact same colors, and it is nearly impossible to distinguish the differences without the Korean's eyes. They decided to re-order them again, and they posted the KMAC LE after the initial sale finished.

tubby · « **Reply #44 on:** Tue, 06 November 2012, 03:43:43 »

Quote from: reaper on Mon, 05 November 2012, 23:39:58

Which one? There's so many of them.

I don't have any specific ones in mind cos I don't even know whats out there ^^; But just in general. For example, case-wise I notice most of OTD Customs consists of 3 layers instead 2 like KMACs, would that be right?
And I was also told that they have different PCBs too, and would like to know how are they different =)

m00nshake · « **Reply #45 on:** Tue, 06 November 2012, 05:06:44 »

Thanks for the clarification about the Kmac Le, Reaper and Sherryton.

Now who's going to help me obtain Kpad? It looks really nice, Reaper.

trentva · « **Reply #46 on:** Tue, 06 November 2012, 08:29:16 »

ahhh want a kmac badly

TheProfosist · « **Reply #47 on:** Wed, 07 November 2012, 04:31:53 »

Quote from: m00nshake on Tue, 06 November 2012, 05:06:44

Thanks for the clarification about the Kmac Le, Reaper and Sherryton.

Now who's going to help me obtain Kpad? It looks really nice, Reaper.

you wont need a kpad for your kmac

your layouts got a numpad in it

The_Beast · « **Reply #48 on:** Tue, 20 November 2012, 01:00:28 »

Are there any pictures of the KMAC 2? These are programmable right?

sth · « **Reply #49 on:** Tue, 20 November 2012, 01:02:05 »

Quote from: The_Beast on Tue, 20 November 2012, 01:00:28

Are there any pictures of the KMAC 2? These are programmable right?

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Author Topic: KMAC,KMAC 1.2 & KMAC 2: Just what are the differences? (Read 43853 times)