Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Apiaster
A cheap, adjustable and upgradeable split keyboard by Saixos: Apiaster.
Published March 5, 2025
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This is the Apiaster by Nicolas Munnich aka Saixos. A 50-key split keyboard supporting both MX and Kailh Choc (v1 & v2) switches (different PCBs) – designed with price and flexibility in mind:
My goal with this keyboard was to create something that is ideal for newcomers to DIY ergo keyboards, but is also very nice for people who are down the rabbit hole. We often see people rotate through 3,4,5+ keyboards in their search for the perfect endgame. I wanted this to be adjustable, so that it can serve as an ideal starting point or possibly even an endgame for some – Nick.
The author aimed for a price comparable with the Cheapino. (It is approximately the same price, but at larger numbers the Cheapino wins just because it uses fewer keys.)
The Apiaster is named after the European bee-eater.
Specs
- 50 keys with non-columnar number row
- MX, Choc v1 & v2 compatibility, hotswap
- RP2040-Zero or XIAO footprint
- reversible PCB
- USB-A connection between the halves
- 3D-printed case
- ZMK firmware
Features
- Two PCB versions: Choc and MX.
- A single RP2040-Zero, or one or multiple XIAO BLEs. You can upgrade from one to the other. (One XIAO BLE has the halves connected via cable, connecting to the host via either BLE or USB)
- You can snap off and move the thumb cluster to wherever suits you best. (The case is generated from a script.)
- Alternative Ripple Thumb Keycaps.
- The keyboard uses a USB-A 3.0 cable to pass the keyboard matrix from the right half to the left half.
- The customisable case is generated via Python. You can cover up (almost) any of the keys, expose or hide any of the components, and have full freedom of where the thumb cluster goes.
- The keyboard can use either standard LiPo batteries or an LIR2032H coin cell battery as they are both more accessible and reliable. There is a spot to solder on a battery protection module when using a coin cell.
Resources
Published on Wed 5th Mar 2025. Featured in KBD #188 (source).
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