Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects

FelixKeeb

Beekeeb is introducing FelixKeeb, an optionally wireless 60% hotswappable ortholinear split keyboard.

KBD.news
Published July 28, 2023

Announced by Beekeeb's Leo, the FelixKeeb is a 5×12+4 (5×6+2 on each side) split ortholinear keyboard with hotswap socket support. It comes in both wired and wireless versions, and beside being on offer as a pre-built product, it's also open source.

The board is based on Cipulot’s Helix HS Choc and MakotoKurauchi’s Helix keyboards.

By the way, the Felix name apparently comes from Helix too:

"Felix" means a wireless bluetooth Helix that is Free from tangled wires / Free of cable clutter – Leo.

Designing the PCB wasn't that easy though. Using 3.3V controllers on the Helix can be challenging because it connects RAW and VCC (more info).

Specs

Wireless version:

• 64 hotswap MX keys
• nice!nano controllers
• nice!view support
• Socketed MCU & displays
• On-board JST battery sockets
• Power (on/off) switches
• ZMK firmware

Wired version:

• 64 hotswap MX keys
• Sea Picro RP2040 controllers (16 MB flash memory)
• OLED display support
• USB-C connectors (no pin shorting problems caused by TRRS jacks)
• Compatible with Helix/rev2 VIAL Firmware

Resources

• The project is open source: https://github.com/beekeeb/FelixKeeb
• More photos of both of the wired and wireless builds
• Wired FelixKeeb product page on Beekeeb
• Wireless FelixKeeb product page

Published on Fri 28th Jul 2023. Featured in KBD #129 (source).

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