ProjectD Outlaw 65: Packaging and Accessories

Ducky's aiming for its ProjectD Outlaw 65 to leave a strong impression and the unboxing experience does not disappoint. There is no product box and instead you get a handy carry bag with a handle and two good quality zippers keeping it closed. ProjectD branding is seen here instead of Ducky's own logo. The gray colors don't attract much attention either which is good when inside is a premium keyboard kit—or an entire keyboard when you have assembled and built it. Opening the bag shows a multi-layered approach with various parts in the netted compartment at the top and then an instruction manual (online copy available here) greets you on the bottom. This is an excellent manual outlining every single item and how to use it so Ducky has already made the assembly process easier compared to Wind Studio with its slightly ambiguous instructions for the Sin65. There are two foam sheets with cutouts to snugly hold and protect the various aluminium parts and we get some more paperwork including an ID card (w/serial number).


What also impressed me was every single item comes marked for easier identification in the manual. The pouches also have stickers which identify the exact items inside—22 M2.5x6 screws with a socket head, for example—including simple diagrams showing the type of screws, stabilizers, even washers. These parts also get code names (I1, I2, J, P etc) which get referred to in the manual at each relevant step. I also appreciated that Ducky provides everything you need to build the kit including the screwdrivers, let alone a brush and lube for the stabilizers. There's also a switch removal tool and a USB Type-C to Type-A cable which again has ProjectD branding instead of Ducky. At this point I decided to start taking out the larger parts beginning with this carbon fiber bottom plate that the aluminium pieces are installed on. This is why you see all those holes for the screws and these are placed in a countersunk on either side so the screw heads don't jut out of the surface of the plate.


The next pouch included two plates to choose between—a black FR4 glass epoxy plate which will be stiffer and a translucent white POM one for those who prefer a smoother material. There is also a Poron foam sheet which goes between the plate and the PCB to dampen and support your keystrokes. Speaking of which, the PCB and two other thinner foam sheets are in the final pouch, with one of the foam sheets going between the PCB and the case and the other being a switch pad as we will see on the next page. The PCB is black in color with excellent build quality. It uses Kailh hot-swap switch sockets with 3/5-pin switch support and has a Westberry Technology WB32FQ95 32-bit USB microcontroller which has QMK/VIA open-source support. There's also a reset button on the other side of this multi-layer PCB by the space bar key should you need it.