this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2023

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ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

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Keep it ergo

Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)

i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²

¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid

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Some useful links

EMK wiki
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Compare keycap profiles Looking for another set of keycaps - check this site to compare the different keycap profiles https://www.keycaps.info/
Keymap database A database with all kinds of keymap layouts - some of them fits ergo keyboards - get inspired https://keymapdb.com/

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[Vendor] [Orders close today!] ErgoMechKeyboards made this keyboard a reality: 4c (formerly chocboard) DIY kits now available! (midwest.social)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Headsup! Orders for first batch close tonight at midnight (CDT)

(4c) DIY kits are now open for orders on compression keyboards!

I have been designing and fine tuning the (4c) since late 2022, and am excited to share this product with the world. This first batch will be an extremely limited run.

Orders will be shipped out beginning in just 3 weeks from today 7/25/23.

Note: if you are purchasing the (4c) PCB kit, please check out our wiki for information on building a (4c) and uploading a custom layout! There is also a build guide video that takes you through all the soldering and assembly directions of the (4c) and its accompanying case.

With regards to cases, you can also purchase a 3D printed (4c) case from compression keyboards and they will ship out alongside the PCB kits. In addition, if you have your own 3D printer you can print your own case by heading to the wiki for files and more information.

The wiki with details on part selection, building, design files, and compiling firmware is here: https://compressionkeyboards.com/blogs/wiki

travel case has become magnetic, its almost the footprint of a phone. Magnetic wrist rest accessory anyone?

Thanks to everyone on the subreddit (now lemmy community!) that encouraged me to pursue making these real! I'm so happy to be giving back to the community and making these designs available to everyone on Github.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hey, where are you besed? I'll add you to the wiki.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

based in Wisconsin, USA

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Added

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

thanks!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

That does look really nice and it might just be exactly what I want. I'll throw a few questions in here that came to my mind. (Would be my first build, so I do not know too much):

could I get away with one display to see the battery life of both? Or is it just displayed on the connected device? Don't really know what else I would use it for
is there a print sample to figure out if the size is right?
it is really only for these kailh choc switches, right? I can't use others? I mostly find v2 of those.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

for the main half (by default the right board) battery is reported both to the OS and on the display, the other half only shows battery on the screen. The left half lasts longer that the right. So recharging both sides when your computer reports battery is low will ensure you always have charge.
print out this dxf
just choc v1s for now, in the future I am hoping to make a mx version.

The group buy ends tonight at midnight (central time) btw! This first batch is very limited but future batches will run longer.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Tyvm for the kind response! I might have to keep my eyes open for the mx version

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

:) doing my best to keep lemmy way more positive than Reddit ever was haha

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

This might be a dumb question, but does this kit come with everything needed to get it working? Obviously assembly is required I'm just trying to figure out if I would need to also purchase other things to get it working out of the box.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I don't think it does since it just states it comes with just the boards and links the wiki to get the parts.

If it does then I've got a whole bunch of extras coming my way which I guess I could use for a Corne build in the future if so ._.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

No you got it right!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not a dumb question! Just the pcbs and cases are being sold. The cases come with screws, magnets, etc to put them together but for the pcb there is a part selection guide on the wiki with all required non-included parts.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Gotcha. I have been wanting to try this style of keyboard but the expense for a good one has been hard to justify when I don't even know how I would like the setup. This seems a lot more reasonable than several hundred bucks lol.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Well, you can also get a corne choc PCB kit for around the same price if you take into account the parts to assemble. Add the cost of the additional parts to make the whole board and it still in the hundreds for either kit. A cheap alternative kit which is similar is a piantor by beekeeb.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Looks real nice, good job on getting it out there!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's a really interesting case design too! Cool to see that you're taking into account that one might bring it into the office or so and needs a "travel" case as well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks! The travel case came from that exact need for myself. It packs up so well now that I don't leave the house without it.

My hope is that with the design files released could see other keyboards with similar case designs! As well as others using the magnets embedded into the case for other accessories like wrist rests.

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