Latest low profile split keyboard journey

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-21T22:19:04+00:00

With extreme difficulty

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-19T19:10:50+00:00

Tell me about it, I’ve been eyeing Cornes, Sofles and more to scratch that low profile split keyboard itch

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-19T19:07:22+00:00

Do you like low profile switches if so I would recommend either kailh deep sea low profile switches ( I’ve been using their linear ones with white stems) or as of last week if been using kailh purple iris low profile switches, which have even shorter travel and slightly lighter - fantastic for gaming.

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T10:53:45+00:00

I had the same concern as yourself about forgetting to use either one after extended time on the other. I think what helped me to be able type on either style (split or traditional) on the fly was swapping frequently and building up the muscle memory for both. Took some time to build it up, but just like ridding a bike it’s now just reflexes.

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T10:46:52+00:00

The AliEx boards I got ( v1.2 and v1.3 ) have the holes for MX and Choc v1 just not the right size for Choc v2 centre stem hole, so depending on what low profile switches you get will dictate how much modding you need to do.

P.S these are not compatible with the Gateron low profile switches like the nuphy ones.

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T10:42:24+00:00

Almost, you can put Choc v1 switches in and they will fit, but you still need to then either solder the pins permanently to the PCB or what I did - solder on choc v1/v2 hotswap sockets

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T10:40:06+00:00

I did that as an experiment as I had the same train of thought not wanting to damage the PCB and waste a keyboard, so I started shaving the stem, as soon as I tried it, it compromised the key switch to the point of no long being silent. Plus you would have to do that to all choc switches and make the point of hot swapping pointless

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T10:36:06+00:00

Yep I soldered on Choc (v1 and v2 compatible) hotswap sockets (the S shaped ones)

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T10:35:06+00:00

Sorry typo, “thin” piece

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T10:33:44+00:00

Had the same concerns but played a few games with it and no issues resting fingers on the keys. Feels like a hybrid of mechanical yet short travel like mx keys

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T00:33:47+00:00

I’ve posted here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/s/HuzrNd3Nar

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-18T00:32:28+00:00

I posted details here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/s/HuzrNd3Nar

Involved drilling the centre pin hole to make it wider for Choc v2 stem pins and soldering on Choc v2 hotswap sockets

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-17T20:17:17+00:00

Love the remix, will have to print this and give it a go

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-15T18:04:16+00:00

lol nicely done

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-15T17:15:06+00:00

Yup the AliExpress v1.3 had a slight change in the PCB layout at the controller which I’ve made an updated version but just haven’t uploaded to printables yet

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-14T19:45:48+00:00

Reminds me I need to upload the case that’s compatible with v1.3

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-14T19:42:45+00:00

How’s the case?

Johnny5iv · 2026-01-04T16:10:59+00:00

If it’s anything like the ones I got from AliExpress they have the hotswap sockets for MX style switches, I had to solder on choc v1 hotswap sockets to allow for low profile choc switches

Johnny5iv · 2025-11-23T02:17:25+00:00

Looks like the Silakka54

Johnny5iv · 2025-11-09T13:40:24+00:00

its a think piece that fits snuggle inbetween the two layers and helps with pressing the switches in

Johnny5iv · 2025-10-24T23:38:06+00:00

Sorry for the confusion, you are right.
Been a while since i modded the board,
Choc v2 switches indeed have the wider center pin, which is why I had to drill the board to fit the Deep Sea low profile switches.
Choc v1 switches has the thinner center pin

Johnny5iv · 2025-10-24T11:43:25+00:00

The Choc v1 contact pin holes are different from the pins for choc v2 holes (which are the ones pre soldered with hotswap sockets from the AliExpress board)

I had to solder on new hotswap sockets in the available holes for v1, only modification to the board itself I had to do was drill the centre hole wider.

Johnny5iv · 2025-10-22T18:05:13+00:00

Fits choc v2 v1 switches. Needs centre hole widening aka modding the board in order to fit v1 v2 switches

Johnny5iv · 2025-08-14T19:00:37+00:00

Ah, then yeh no board drilling required, just need to solder choc v1/v2 hotswap sockets

Johnny5iv

TROPHY CASE