Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
FelixKeeb
Beekeeb is introducing FelixKeeb, an optionally wireless 60% hotswappable ortholinear split keyboard.
Published July 28, 2023
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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
Wireless FelixKeeb by Beekeeb
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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