Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Mercury
Jamie Ding published the files of his Mercury, a wireless split keyboard with classic staggering.
Published July 5, 2022
Mercury is a row staggered wireless split keyboard by Jamie Ding aka jmding – with some other build configurations like wired and monoblock modes.
With 42 keys the board looks like a pair of wings – thus the name Mercury.
I finally got around to cleaning up and publishing the design files for Mercury, my row staggered keyboard design that kind of looks like a pair of wings – jmding.
It is primarily designed as a split, wireless, low-profile keyboard with enclosed batteries. Other build configurations are also possible, but "full feature parity is not guaranteed".
If you are looking for a 40% keyboard with thumb keys and a conventional row staggered layout, then Mercury might be for you.
In the default low-profile configuration the total thickness is 19mm (from table to typing surface, with MBK keycaps). The batteries are fully enclosed in the case and with 400 mAh via two 501040 batteries. Jamie gets about a month of usage between recharges.
Why row-staggered? This combination of features (split, row stagger, thumb keys) is pretty rare:
After playing around with Kyria for a couple months I noticed that I still preferred using my fourth finger to hit Q and P despite the aggressive pinky stagger. And since columnar layouts interfered with my muscle memory and ability to use my laptop keyboard, in the end it just wasn't worth it for me – jmding.
GitHub repo: https://github.com/jmding8/MercuryKeyboard
Published on Tue 5th Jul 2022. Featured in KBD #86 (source).
Related
Forager
Forager is a Voyager-inspired 34-key low-profile wireless split keyboard by carrefinho.
FelixKeeb
Beekeeb is introducing FelixKeeb, an optionally wireless 60% hotswappable ortholinear split keyboard.
wEnki44
wEnki44 is a wireless version of the split Enki42, published by aroum.
Womier ERA75 review
The 75% wireless Womier ERA75 is a very fun build. Nicely cut alu case in six themes, hotswap switches and encoder, double-shot caps, VIA support. The DIY stickers will keep you busy for some time.