Hi All,
Here’s ht latest update to the Rolio split keyboard. It’s now almost done, it just needs some minor cosmetic and manufacturability tweaks.
The GitHub repo is here: https://github.com/MickiusMousius/RolioKeyboard
A quick run down on the features (so far):
- The keyboard itself
- Fully wireless thanks to the Nice!Nano controllers and awesome ZMK firmware
- Excellent battery life, I’ve personally been getting 2+ weeks before it gets to 60% with the previous iteration.
- A low profile, compact choc spaced form factor that is similar to the Corne
- Additional “Sometimes” buttons on the bottom row just like the Sofle
- Horizontal roller encoders on both halves
- A backlight that is efficient enough to be used on battery
- A robust chassis so that it can be treated like a normal keyboard
- An FDM version for at home low cost production
- A CNC option for a slick look and very premium feel
- A travel case that can easily be made using any FDM printer
- ZMK Keymap & Custom keycaps:
- The keycaps are fully customized and match the ZMK keymap thanks to FKCaps
- MacOS and Windows modes as part of the keymap to keep the “same” handy macros in both OSs
- All of the symbols and special behaviors can be accessed using at most two keys
- The settings keys and different modes are documented in the key caps themselves (easy to learn).
- The keymap can be easily customized thanks to ZMK, the keycaps can also be customized to suit your needs
This is my first time hearing about this. Looks really cool! Can you update some of the Aliexpress links?
These ones are dead:
- 75V 0.15A Fast Switching Diode, SOD-123
- EVQWGD001 Rotary encoder, dual channel, incremental quadrate outputs, with switch
- Kailh Choc hot swap sockets PG1350
- 30V Vds, 5.7A Id, N-Channel MOSFET, SOT-23
Links updated, let me know how you go!
Thanks, I’ll get that sorted later tonight.
Are you wanting to build one or just being helpful for those that might want to make one?
I have a few spare PCBs of the posted iteration, if you’re based in Australia I’m happy to send some on. Though I’d recommend waiting for the 1.0 release.
I’m considering building one. I’m not in Australia and think I’ll wait for 1.0, but thanks for offering! I haven’t soldered anything in a couple decades. Do you think it’s still possible for me to do this when a guide is made?
Yes. It’s fairly straight forward and there are test points to check everything is soldered properly as you go.
There is one exception, the backlight has some very small surface mount parts, the SMD resistors in particular are quite fiddly.
My current thinking is to sell pre-soldered kits with all the surface mount parts done (LEDs withstanding). This way people only need to solder the controller sockets and encoders to get a functioning keyboard.
I will of course keep all of the design files freely available. If you order your own PCBs from JLCPCB you will need to order a batch of 5 so you’ll have some practice boards 😊
I’m still working on a cost effective way to solve the pre-soldering of LEDs. I’ve looked into reverse mountable LEDs, but I’ve yet to find something that meets the required criteria (price, color, efficiency and availability).
Very slick! Love the custom legend key caps.
Me too, I highly recommend checking out FKCaps. The service is top notch.
That is a mighty fine board you have there
Thankyou 😊
Nice updates. I don’t know if it can give up my number row yet but I may have to consider it. Thanks!
Thanks.
I am working on a similar MX design that has a number row (Rolio Max). In addition to the roller encoders it’ll have these bad boys too:
It’ll be much more of an at home board than one you can shove in a backpack. But I figure why not make an all you can eat board too.
I don’t anticipate having the prototypes even until December though as I’ve got a fair bit of work happening at the moment. In practical terms I guess that means no publicly available designs until early next year.
Sounds cool. Look forward to seeing it.
Having had a full numpad on one of my layers for the last few years, I hate having to stretch my fingers all weird to hit 6, for instance, when using my laptop’s keyboards with a number row.
I hear you, it’s a slightly bigger stretch, but on the other hand habits are hard to break. Also, if you’re a gamer I could definitely see the dedicated number row as a hard requirement, particularly if you’re not comfortable making custom layouts.
I still use a qwerty layout and have a number row in my numbers layer as it requires less re-training.
I suspect that layouts with a dedicated number row are a transitional form for most people that stick with it, I quickly moved away from the Sofle for example. As before though I can understand the desire for something different.
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Having had a full numpad on one of my layers for the last few years, I hate having to stretch my fingers all weird to hit 6, for instance, when using my laptop’s keyboards with a number row.
Yeah, I think I have to just buckle down and really get used to my layers. I got two orthos in front of me with different layers and I should just start practicing num layouts now.
Curious, how well rollers work in that location? Are you using index finger or thumbs for those?
Index fingers, though you can use thumbs but that felt quite clumsy to me.
In the base layer they act as arrow keys. In the functions layer they are volume and zoom.
I’ve found the arrow key scrolling to be quite nice. It takes a little getting used to, but once you’re used to it regular arrow keys for text navigation feel clunky.
