E80-1800 VS gh80-series

Depends a lot. If you want it fully assembled, you have to go to larger fab houses like PCBway, and spend a few hundred bucks on a 5pc batch. If you can hand-solder some parts (in this case, the Bluetooth module and the USB connector) and design the rest around jlcpcbs libraries, you can get away with 20-30USD per unit (MOQ of 5) plus shipping/customs. Then add another 10USD for the bluetooth module and USB connector.

A simpler wired design like my E80-1800 (https://github.com/ebastler/E80-1800) can be completely assembled by jlc for ~30ish USD per unit.

Oddly enough, small-batch prototyping at jlc can be cheaper than medium sized (50-150 pc) runs at other fabs.

Hope this doesn't sound like an ad, I've compared a lot of prices and nobody came close to jlcpcb, but With their limitations (limited stock, limited finish/color choices, frequently chnaging stocks and component prices) and sometimes far-from-ideal QC (some scratches can happen, in rare cases even missing components that were present in the BOM) they are not really my first choice for production runs. For prototypes or small unofficial-ish batches with a few friends though - god tier.

Some options include but are not limited to TKC1800 PCB, E80-1800 PCB, GH80-3000 or 3003 PCB.

-2x GH80-3003 PCB, with all components soldered by jlcpcb except the MCU and the USB cable/connector, more info here Pictures of the PCB

This is one of the open source PCB options for the G80-3000, for your reference: https://github.com/evyd13/gh80-series/tree/master/GH80-3003

Some options include but are not limited to TKC1800 PCB, E80-1800 PCB, GH80-3000 or 3003 PCB.

A few months back I had some Gh80-1800 pcbs made by jlcpcb using Maartenwuts awesomeness. I only needed two and have 3 extras. I bought enough spare parts from lcsc to build all 5 pcbs. Then I collected cases until I found one that I liked and will keep. All said, I have enough left overs for 3 full gh80-1800 keyboard kits. This kit requires soldering over 100 smd components and can be used plateless. After soldering the components all you'll need to complete the build is switches, stabs, and a cable.

Sure dude!

Ahh ok gotcha, yeah I can understand the frustration. I picked up a Shift not long ago and while the ping is annoying, I can live with it. Another option is to pick up an used (or new) G80-1800 and alternatively swap in a new PCB. This person has created a custom one for replacing the original. https://github.com/evyd13/gh80-series/tree/master/GH80-1800 You'd have to have the PCB's manufactured and buy and solder the components. It's a fun and somewhat simple project if you're into that sort of thing. Another option is looking around for the Leopold FC980M. Although I recently tried buying one from two different sellers on Amazon and they both flaked out on me. I started a thread over on geekhack not long ago about looking for 1800 layout keyboards also. It kinda sucks that they're so hard to come by now. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=110247.msg2995382#msg2995382