Mechanical Keyboards @lemmy.ml z3bra @lemmy.sdf.org 8 mo. ago

Presoldered split keyboard

Hi everyone! I'm planning on getting a split keyboard to replace my planck, but I don't have a soldering iron.

What are my options ? Ideally I want:

DIY, no soldering involved
QMK firmware
40% format

The keyboard I'm leaning toward is the let's split as it's a planck split in two halves, but it seems that you need to at least solder the keycaps yourself, which I can't.

11 comments

Keeb.io should have you covered here with the Nyquist - 60% ortho split

If you want an ergo layout and can stick with a 40 they also have the Iris - 40% ergo split

I suggest you poke around their site. They have a couple other unusual split boards too.
but it seems that you need to at least solder the keycaps yourself, which I can’t.

solder ... keycaps? Surely you mean switches :D

Anyhoo, Moonlander? https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ - hotswappable switches, ortholinear-ish, split and qmk support

edit: or bit more minimal: https://www.zsa.io/voyager
- Switches indeed ;)
  
  Both voyager and moonlander are prebuilt, right ? I like the voyager, but might like just a few keys under the thumb compared to my current planck layout.
  
  Thanks for the suggestions !
  
  they're prebuilt as in: no soldering iron needed. I'm unaware if the switches/keycaps are on out-of-the-box, but that's like 15min of "keeb hobbying" to put them in.
Could always buy a soldering iron - it's not like they're extraordinarily expensive (but pre-built is...)
- It's not about the cost, it's more about my current situation, storage space, and besides this specific use-case, I have no use for it (and I dont like buying stuff I don't use).
  
  Well, that's fair!
- Or one could buy any of the existing pre-built splits. Which might be more expensive, but it does not involve something one very explicitly said they don't want to do.
  
  I'd rather spend twice as much on a well built keyboard with warranty than trying to solder one together myself and botch it up, and then it suddenly costs more than if I just bought a pre-built one.
There are non-solder options available here: https://typeractive.xyz/

I just got the 5 column Corne keyboard kit
The Iris Rev 8 might be just what you're looking for. In any case, I think the term you're looking for is "hotswapable" since you want DIY without soldering.

Personally, I have the Ergodox EZ and I love it. It almost meets all of your requirements but I think it's more than 40%.

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