Mechanical Keyboards

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Presoldered split keyboard (lemmy.sdf.org)

submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

There are non-solder options available here: https://typeractive.xyz/

I just got the 5 column Corne keyboard kit

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Could always buy a soldering iron - it's not like they're extraordinarily expensive (but pre-built is...)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago

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).

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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 !

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago

Bought a moonlander about 2 months ago. It comes fully assembled, there are multiple switches to choose from and blank or qwerty style keycaps. It is hotswap and comes with a tool for pulling caps and switches included, so you can change things up as needed. Iirc you can buy it barebones without switches if none of the ones they have are right for you.

It runs on QMK but they have their own configurator which is super handy imo.