Keyboard Builders' Digest / Inspiration
Disconnect MK1
The Disconnect MK1 is a pretty unique split by hid:ergo – with a single thumb cluster and trackpad.
Published November 25, 2022
Yeah, this is a group buy and I don't feature GBs very often. However, I hope you agree that the uniqueness of the Disconnect MK1 makes it fit for the blog.
The Finnish hid:ergo team came up with a rarely seen combo of features: thumb cluster on the left side only, the right one is replaced by a 63mm x 55mm trackpad.
Add some encoders, ePaper displays and the classic horizontal staggering to the mix, and the result is a feature-rich split keyboard which may raise the attention of the less hardcore ergo folks.
My inspiration originally was to build a keyboard which would suit me the best, just a one-off keyboard for my own use. I posted a picture of the original prototype on reddit about a year ago and the response was overwhelming to be honest – Ilpo Loikkanen.
Sound test and trackpad demo:
Features
- ISO or ANSI layout
- Hotswap
- Wireless, supports multiple on-board profiles for quick switching between machines.
- Dual 3.7v 1100mAh batteries.
- Dual encoders with aluminum knobs.
- Dual ePaper displays with customizable content.
- Trackpad resolution is 2000×2000.
- Custom PBT-dyesub keycaps designed and manufactured specifically for this keyboard.
- Aluminum plate.
- Plastic case with foam inserts to dampen sound
- Foam between plate and PCB.
Beside his inspiration, I also asked Ilpo about a few things.
Can you share some info on the custom keycaps?
They are OEM profile dyesub keycaps. They are manufactured based on a color scheme, layout and legends I designed.
And what about your experiences organizing the group buy?
At first I didn't think I would do a group buy or develop it further since I already have a day job and don't have that much free time but after the IC's overwhelmingly positive response I started to consider it more seriously. After a month of thinking I decided to start developing the product further to see if it would be viable to produce it.
After a while I realized there is no way I can do it by myself so I pitched the idea to my good friend who then joined the team. I have reduced the days I work at my day job to dedicate more time to this and hopefully I can make keyboards my full-time job at some point.
The experience has been very positive so far. I'm sure it will get more stressful when we start the manufacturing process in December. :)
After the group buy is finished and we have shipped the products we will take a "break" and focus on providing support for the people who joined the GB and resolve any problems which might come up. If everything goes well and we see happy customers and more demand for the product we might do another GB round or do in-stock sales at some point in the distant future.
Resources
Published on Fri 25th Nov 2022. Featured in KBD #104 (source).
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