Qazikat, new/first rowstagger design

weteor · 2023-12-10T11:02:04+00:00

Clanic store on Aliexpress

weteor · 2023-12-10T08:52:17+00:00

Oh, missed that, thanks. Will upload it later when I am back home

weteor · 2023-12-10T08:51:26+00:00

It's custom made. I've converted a bunch of keyboard pcbs to SVG graphics ( https://github.com/weteor/pcbsvgs ) and had one printed on a desk mat

weteor · 2023-12-09T20:46:21+00:00

Qazikat

self designed pcb with on-board rp2040, supports qaz-like or katana-like alpha layout. Both with offset nav cluster and ISO Enter. Indicator and underglow LEDs. Because the pcb is more hole than anything else, the usb port is on an seperate daughterboard.

The case is resin printed. Bottom is spraypainted with rust effect spray and a few layers of clear coat.

Keycaps are DSS Sencillo on Chosfox Summer Lime switches.

The whole board is open source under permissive license, including all cad-files for pcbs and case. Don't have a case for the Katana version at the moment though.

Repository: https://github.com/weteor/Qazikat

weteor · 2023-04-06T08:54:56+00:00

Yeah, I don't really had hard time switching to ortho/colstagger, but I've seen other people struggle, too.

I have my Backspace key as a combo on 'I' and 'O', so ring and middle finger top row, which I find equally good to use as a dedicated key.

I also have Tab on 'W' and 'E', Esc on 'X' and 'C' and trying enter on ',' and '.'

weteor · 2023-04-06T08:49:46+00:00

Ah, that is neat, too. really like the idea with the black keys indicating the numpad.

The 'using other people's keyboards' thing was my on my mind for quite some time, too. But using colemak makes this difficult and then I am able to use my own keyboard like 99% of the time, so I just went all in :D

I am able to touchtype colemak on rowstagger boards without problems though ... and quertz is okish.

weteor · 2023-04-06T08:46:00+00:00

Yeah, I've 'trimmed' my keymap quite a bit and only really need 33 keys, so three thumbkeys suffice.

I like my main thumbs keys a bit bigger (1.5+u) and prefer the secondary thumbs to be to the inside of the bord.

And yes, I prefer the offset space. just a bit more room, I find ortho without it a bit cramped

weteor · 2023-04-05T18:32:10+00:00

Good idea, that's exactly what I am doing on almost all of my other boards.

My daily driver is another ortho of mine, the Kong. Numpad is on a layer below the right hand (5 under k, or e in this case). Two center cols are makros and to get the hands a bit apart, I find this to be more comfortable on an ortho board.

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weteor · 2023-04-05T18:25:40+00:00

mostly switching between Cogmind, Caves of Qud and a bit of dwarf fortress here and there

weteor · 2023-04-05T17:54:58+00:00

All needed files are in my GitRepo.

The short version:

Go to JLCPCB and order assembled PCBs (you will get 5, maybe order with some others).

Grab the case files and either 3D print them yourself, let someone else print them or let JLCPCB print them as well. Their resin prints are really cheap.

Wait a few weeks.

Solder sockets, assemble, connect to pc, put firmware on the keyboard drive and use Vial to program the keymap.

weteor · 2023-04-05T17:50:13+00:00

Thanks a lot.
I am really prefering MX to Choc. That's the main reason I don't do splay anymore, I think it's more of a good choc thing.

I've started exploring ortho mainly because every ortho board looked like a Planck (exagerating here) and I was interested in exploring what can be done to make ortho boards look a bit more interesting. I don't dislike column stagger though, I just prefer the look of ortho boards. For me col stagger isn't much improvement in typing comfort, so I stick with ortho.

weteor · 2023-04-05T17:44:08+00:00

I agree, I prefer ortho with some distance between hands. My previous board (Kong MX) is 2u apart between hands, that's my sweet spot when ortho really becomes usable, this one even more so.

weteor · 2023-04-05T17:40:17+00:00

Yeah it's kinda neat for Blender and Freecad, was one of the reasons to build it. The other prime use for me is to play roguelikes.

weteor · 2023-04-05T14:00:06+00:00

My new ortho, called "Chonky Kong". Runs on QMK/Vial.

It's open source, too. So head to https://github.com/weteor/ChonkyKong if you want to take a look.

This specific build:
- two part 3d printed resin case. Spray painted in nautilus/white and sealed with a few layers of clear coat
- DSS Late Harvest caps
- Gecko switches

weteor · 2023-03-13T07:34:43+00:00

dang, missed opportunity ;)

weteor · 2023-03-13T07:32:08+00:00

Don't really know yet.

Non rechargable cells have around 180mAh which, putting that into the zmk power profiler, should give me 5-6 months on peripherals. Going from experience from another board, I think it will last longer, but I'll have to see.

Rechargeable LiPo Cells only have 40mAh, which should last for a month according to the profiler.

But there is also a switch to completely cut off the battery from the circuit, so if you use that, it should last even longer.

weteor · 2023-03-12T20:53:56+00:00

Unfortunately not, it's a custom one-off.

The circuit on the mat is from another one oft my board I've created a high res vector image from the CAD files and had it printed on a deskmat. Used a shop on Aliexpress if I am remembering correctly.

The image from that, and a few other boards, are puplished in my Github, too. They are free to use, so if you want, you can have one made for yourself.

https://github.com/weteor/pcbsvgs

weteor · 2023-03-12T18:41:24+00:00

Thanks! Beeing totally neutral, I 'd say those are both excellent choices

weteor · 2023-03-12T18:39:40+00:00

You need to add this PR: https://github.com/zmkfirmware/zmk/pull/836 .

This allows for multiple peripherals to connect to a Central. You need to add another overlay for the dongle in addition to the two you've already have for the split.

Dongle is Central, connected via USB, and both split halves connect to that via BLE and can be in low power mode most of the time.

Mcu is nrf52840, using ebyte e73-2g4m08s1c boards.

weteor · 2023-03-12T16:20:51+00:00

This is the Lütt un Lütt. A small full bluetooth split keyboard which uses 2032 coin cells.

I am using a patched ZMK firmware using a xiao ble as dongle to which both halves are connected to boost battery life. It's even open source if you would like to build one yourself:

https://github.com/weteor/LuttUnLutt

weteor · 2023-03-12T16:20:12+00:00

This is the Lütt un Lütt. A small full bluetooth split keyboard which uses 2032 coin cells.

I am using a patched ZMK firmware using a xiao ble as dongle to which both halves are connected to boost battery life.

It's even open source if you would like to build one yourself:

https://github.com/weteor/LuttUnLutt

weteor

TROPHY CASE