Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Mantis v0.2
Felix Kuehling's Mantis v0.2, sporting HEX keycaps, has now PCBs on two levels to imitate tenting.
Published March 16, 2023
Would you like to contribute to this year's MK Advent Calendar? Here are the guidelines for authors, along with last year's edition for reference.
After his original Mantis, Felix Kuehling aka luckybipedal shared the next iteration of this unique unibody split keyboard with HEX keycaps.
The second prototype is working. It stacks a second PCB for the index finger and most thumb keys to approximate a key well and provide slight tenting – luckybipedal.
According to the author, the 8mm headers (used to stack the two PCBs) work but feel a little too high.
It actually makes my middle fingers feel short. I think I'll build another version using low-profile sockets and 5mm or 3mm M2 stand-offs before settling on a case design for the next version.
Specs
- 1x Pro-Micro or compatible controller
- 40 keys
- low-pro Kailh Choc switches with hotswap sockets
- FKcaps/s-ol's HEX caps
- reset switch (optional)
Resources
- More info with Ergogen and Kicad files on the Mantis GitHub page.
Published on Thu 16th Mar 2023. Featured in KBD #116 (source).
Related
0xC.pad & 0x33.board
Two exciting projects from s-ol, both with HEX keycaps: the 0xC.pad and 0x33 MIDI controller.
Hexagonal split ergo keyboard
This hexagonal split ergo by HellIsBurnin comes with in-depth documentation and a teaser.
Mantis keycaps
Felix Kuehling released the updated keycaps for his Mantis keyboard.
HEX keycaps
HEX keycaps have a low-pro hexagonal profile – designed and manufactured by s-ol and FKcaps for Choc switches.
Mantis: Hexagonal Keys in Ergonomic Keyboards
Felix Kühling explains how hexagonal keys work surprisingly well in an ergonomic layout without fine-tuning parameters like hand rotation, column stagger and splay.