Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Paicorea
Paicorea is a 42-key low-profile split keyboard designed by DreaM117er – with PG1316S switches and Azoteq trackpad.
Published June 4, 2025
DreaM117er shared his Paicorea, an ultra-thin split keyboard built with PG1316S switches. It is driven by RP2040 Core-A controllers and features an optional Azoteq TPS43 trackpad.
I derived the name Paicorea from the MCU: “Pi” (from RP2040, Raspberry Pi) and “Core-A” — forming Pai-corea, hence, Paicorea was born – DreaM117er.
The initial concept followed designs like the AZCARD, Bayleaf, and Mikefive, which use PG1316S switches and compress the body to around 3 mm thick by using the PCB as the bottom plate. However, since DreaM117er isn't a big fan of wireless devices, he insisted on including a 3.5mm TRRS jack, common in split keyboards, so the keyboard's thickness is about 5.5mm.
Specs
- 42 keys (6x3+3)
- 35g PG1316S switches, SMD
- RP2040 Core-A MCU
- Azoteq TPS43 trackpad
The author spent a lot of time looking for suitable low-profile parts and eventually found three usable 3.5mm TRRS jack models: PJ-381B, PJ-381C, and PJ-399. Based on their datasheets and 3D models, he chose to use the PJ-381B.
Resources
Published on Wed 4th Jun 2025. Featured in KBD #192 (source).
Related
A Dactyl-like build with splay
This is a Dactyl-like Choc build by supertoughfrog with splay.
Ergohaven Velvet 2 review
My thoughts about the Velvet 2, a small 40% prebuilt split by Ergohaven - with hotswap switches and keywell.
Ilex prototypes
Ilex prototypes in white / black by holy_foot_fingers (discord).
Dactyl ManuBall
DrGarbinsky finished the next iteration of the Dactyl ManuBall.