Roadkit (first sold as Roadkit Mini) is a 4x4 fully programmable macropad designed to be a companion to the MiniVan.
¶ Design
Roadkit follows a similar design style as the MiniVan as the boards were intended to be paired together as a keyboard-plus-macropad combo. The original cases were CNC milled aluminum to match the MiniVan aluminum case and came in several finishes. Roadkit cases use a tray-mount design with an optional switch plate. Through-hole pads are included for in-switch LEDs for every switch position. A less expensive Roadkit Lite was offered toward the end of the product's lifecycle that shipped with an injection molded plastic case.
¶ Concept
The initial concept for the Roadkit was a trio of macropad designs intended to compliment multiple sizes of main keyboards.
- Roadkit: the largest version with a full numpad, arrow cluster, and three 8-key macro sections at the top
- Roadkit Mini: dropped the two top macro key sections and closely resembled the right half of a full-size 104-key board
- Roadkit Micro: a 4x4 macropad/numpad with no arrow cluster
To support multiple layouts, a two-piece plate design was conceptualized that allowed the user to swap out the numpad section with three 2u keys (+, Enter, and 0) for a traditional grid-like macropad layout of 1u keys. This would allow for a single large plate and two small addon plates to be shipped with the case instead of requiring two large plates for the whole board. The two-piece plate was never seen on production Roadkits as it was cheap enough to include two complete 4x4 plates (one per layout) with each kit rather than three plate pieces (base + 2 addons).
The plans for the largest Roadkit were eventually scrapped and the names were changed - Roadkit Mini was renamed to Roadkit and the Roadkit Micro became Roadkit Mini. Following the success of the first Roadkit Mini group buy in late 2016, the idea of a larger version was dropped entirely and the lone remaining 4x4 macropad earned the name "Roadkit" for all subsequent versions.
¶ Layout
The Roadkit PCB supports two layouts. Plate files are available for both layouts.
- Macropad - 16x 1u keys in a 4x4 grid
- Numpad - a 2u horizontal key in the bottom left and 2x vertical 2u keys on the right edge for a more traditional numpad layout
¶ PCBs
The official PCB designed by TheVanKeyboards that shipped with Roadkit received three revisions. All 3 revisions of the PCB supported Cherry MX and Alps switches. The front of all 3 revisions contained the name of the board, the revision number, and the text "Designed by Evan Sailer for TheVan Keyboards". All surface mount components were installed on the back side of the PCB. A reset button was located to the left of the USB port.
¶ Rev 1.0
The first PCB made for Roadkit mirrored many of the design elements of the original MiniVan PCB. The board was covered in a white solder mask with black silkscreen. There were no holes for PCB-mount switch legs for any of the switch locations. There were also no holes for PCB-mount stabilizers for the three 2u keycap locations so plate-mount stabs were required. The board used a Mini USB connector.
¶ Rev 2.0
Revision 2 PCBs sold with round 2 Roadkits added holes for PCB-mount switch legs for all of the switch positions as well as PCB-mount stabilizer holes for the three 2u keycap locations.
¶ Rev 3.0
Roadkit round 3 kits included an updated PCB to match the Low Rider PCB that was shipping with round 4 MiniVan kits. The board was covered in a purple solder mask and white silkscreen. It was updated to use USB C instead of Mini USB.
¶ Other
There are two other PCBs currently being developed that will be compatible with Roadkit cases
- Skiff - A new macropad PCB built from the ground up to support portscanning
- Chop Shop - supports every layout for all TheVanKeyboards 40% and below keyboards and adds modern features like USB C and per-key RGB LEDs
¶ Cases
¶ Aluminum
The original CNC-milled aluminum case that shipped with the Roadkit. Had a few revisions and colors. Hoping I can find a few good pics of the different revisions.
¶ 3D Print
Roadkit Lite kits were sold with 3D printed cases that were produced by KeyboardBelle. I'll find a good pic and do a little write up eventually.
¶ Wood
Stabilized wood case.
¶ Resin
Idea23.com sold resin cases using a custom mold made from an aluminum Roadkit case.
