Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
1UP Pi60 series
The Pi60 HSE & RGB are the first mass-produced RP2040 60% boards – from 1upkeyboards.
Published November 4, 2022
These more classic boards don't usually get featured on kbd.news, but I have at least two good reasons to make an exception this time: the Pi60 HSE and Pi60 RGB are said to be the first mass-produced 60% boards based on the RP2040 chip, and secondly: I just learned about the Tsangan layout – with a hilarious etymology which would deserve a dedicated post on its own. :D
I wanted to introduce you to our 2 newest 60% PCBs based on the RP2040. As far as I know they are the first mass-produced RP2040 60% boards available – JB.
Well, I cant confirm if these are the first ones (correct me e.g. on Twitter), but the original IC in Geekhack was back in June of this year.
1upkeyboards launched preorders for the pi60 HSE about a month ago on their social media and reddit, and the pi60 RGB less than 2 weeks ago (here).
There is one last version of the pi60 which we are finalizing now. It will be a 2040 powered solder board with a bunch of layout support, underglow, daughterboard, and o-ring mounting support – JB.
If you're more interested in ortho stuff, there's also the pi40 which launched about 2 months ago (reddit post).
Tsangan layout
The pi60 HSE supports both ANSI and Tsangan layouts in one PCB thanks to the use of staggered hot swap sockets. This means that out of the box you’ll be able to use any combination of layouts including WKL, HHKB, Split Backspace, Split Right Shift, and Stepped Caps Lock.
Since I'm into splits with thumb clusters from the very moment I learned about mechanical keyboards, I was completely unaware about the Tsangan layout.
Sorry if this is common knowledge. I had to look up the term and for those who are living under a rock like I do here is the gist:
According to Tyson522: "Tsangan was a Geekhack mod who kept on asking for 7u support in keysets. He asked so much that it got to the point where people were adding "Tsangan" kits to their sets". :D (sources: 1, 2)
Resources
- https://1upkeyboards.com/product-tag/pi60/
- https://1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/1upkeyboards-pi60hse-60-pcb/
- https://1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/1upkeyboards-pi60rgb-60-pcb/
Published on Fri 4th Nov 2022. Featured in KBD #101.
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