SofleKeyboard – A split keyboard based on Lily58, Crkbd and Helix keyboards | Hacker News Reader

SofleKeyboard – A split keyboard based on Lily58, Crkbd and Helix keyboards

josefadamcik.github.io

20 pointsAlupis20 comments

Are there any reasonably priced keyboards that feature a display screen for each key?

I haven't looked around for a while but I remember seeing several prototypes but not a commercially available one.

It should sell well in some segments.

The Elgato Streamdeck does this but not for keyboard.

The Optimus Keyboard which popularized the idea way back in 2007 did make it to market, but it was neither cheap or very good in practice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj7GYU-wedo

I don't see how you could avoid putting smooth glossy plastic on the keys, which feels terrible to type on.

There are paper texture-like screen protectors for iPads and they don't really affect the image. I wonder if the same surface can be used so the keys have better texture for typing.

Maybe, but the iPad does have the benefit of an optically bonded display. If the displays were recessed under the surface, as they were on the Optimus Keyboard, I suspect you'd see more blurring from that kind of matte coating as the light is scattered more.

I think you are correct, it would be more blurry. Unless the manufacturer goes for the same technology, but the BOM would probably just explode.

I built this a few years back. I ordered the parts from different vendors, but I got the PCBs from JLPCB. Still use it daily and love it. A few things broke but it was easily repairable.

I used a Corne for a while and I loved it but after a couple of years I found I was actually getting quite bad pain in my thumbs.

I've gone back to a normal keyboard for now but maybe I'll give this a go at some point.

How does one go about learning to design and make something like this?

https://wiki.ai03.com/ is what a lot of people use. Though it's probably easier nowadays to use an RP2040-based ProMicro form factor daughterboard so you only need to handle key placement.

Firmware... QMK: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/ || https://docs.qmk.fm/porting_your_keyboard_to_qmk

Disclaimer: I'm a QMK Maintainer.

There is Corne keyboard if you want even fewer keys.

See also the Soufflé, a further derivative which makes the vertical stagger more aggressive as has become the fashion for most newer ergo boards:

https://github.com/climent/SouffleKeyboard

If you go any further down the ergo rabbit hole you'll probably end up with fewer keys than that though, typically 34-36 in total, e.g:

https://github.com/davidphilipbarr/Sweep

https://github.com/pashutk/chocofi

Niches inside of niches. I’m one of the few who enjoys a split ergo with > 60 keys and low-pro caps that doesn’t want to build it myself. The sofle choc looks promising as does the pinky4[1] if it can be made with all chocs.

[1]: https://github.com/tamanishi/Pinky4

Yeah I dont wanna build one either. Where can I buy this thing?

Sadly, I don't know anyone selling pre-assembled ones.

How are the rotary encoders, in your experience?

From observation - the deeper down the split keyboard rabbit hole you go, the fewer keys there are. They all seem to ditch rotary encoders in favor of more thumb buttons.

I keep forgetting that I have volume mapped to my rotary encoder. I still use it as a button, albeit one that requires comparatively large amounts of force to depress and register as compared to standard switches.

I decided to go all in and get myself an artsey.io Bluehand: https://taoofmac.com/space/blog/2023/08/08/1230

And yes, I actually use it.

You mentioned modding the switches to make them quieter, have you tried the factory-silent chocs which were released since then?

https://lowprokb.ca/products/ambients-silent-choc-switches

Nope. Had no idea they existed.

My brain can't make low-keycount boards work, personally.

Ended up designing a 64-key one with displays: https://github.com/tzarc/keyboards/tree/main/Djinn -- can't see myself going any fewer than that.

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