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.
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.
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
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 !
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.
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.
Could always buy a soldering iron - it’s not like they’re extraordinarily expensive (but pre-built is…)
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).
Well, that’s fair!
Or one could buy any of the existing pre-built splits. Which might be more expensive, but it does not involve something one very explicitly said they don’t want to do.
I’d rather spend twice as much on a well built keyboard with warranty than trying to solder one together myself and botch it up, and then it suddenly costs more than if I just bought a pre-built one.
The Iris Rev 8 might be just what you’re looking for. In any case, I think the term you’re looking for is “hotswapable” since you want DIY without soldering.
Personally, I have the Ergodox EZ and I love it. It almost meets all of your requirements but I think it’s more than 40%.
There are non-solder options available here: https://typeractive.xyz/
I just got the 5 column Corne keyboard kit
