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ScottoWing review

I built and reviewed Joe Scotto's cool ScottoWing DIY kit (PCB edition).

KBD.news
Published August 1, 2024
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This is a pretty unusual article in the sense that I've never had to solder for a keyboard review before. In contrast to the reviews of recent pre-built keyboards and barebone kits, this is an overview and quick build log of the ScottoWing DIY kit – a nice monoblock split in a 3D printed case, designed by Joe Scotto.

Joe doesn't need an introduction, but if you'd like to read more about him and his early projects, there's a piece in the 2022 advent calendar, wrapping up his "handwiring guy" period.

The ScottoWing, originally also handwired, was Joe's second PCB design. Parts of the project, e.g. the case, are open source. Otherwise the board is offered as a kit.

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TLDR;

The ScottoWing is a very well documented hotswap split DIY kit, featuring mostly through-hole components for an easy build. It offers a 3x6 or 3x5 layout (with snap-off column) to appeal to a wider audience. If you don't need a third thumb key, this build is ideal as a first soldering project for absolute beginners, as an introduction into splits with columnar staggering, but also as a daily driver on the long run. If you're not afraid of a little soldering, then building the ScottoWing kit is probably one of the best ways to acquire an affordable unibody split.

Disclaimer

I received this review sample for free which may introduce all kinds of bias – both negative and positive in my experience. Take everything I write with a grain of salt.

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Variants

The layout of the ScottoWing (PCB edition) is either 3x5 (34 keys) or 3x6 (40 keys), with a snap-off outer column.

The case is 3D printed, pay attention to the 5-6 column variants when ordering or printing, because snapping off a big chunk of the case is not really an option. ;)

The kit is very affordable, but if you are familiar with 3D printing, feel free to head to the repo where you can find the design files of the case.

And there's a Sprite Edition in existence as well, with the Thick Bezel case, if you prefer a chunkier look. (The released version doesn't have the Sprite logo as that was just a one off mod to the Thick Bezel case.)

ScottoWing review unit

I asked for a 6-column variant simply because of the extended latin character set of non-English languages I use, so received the bigger PCB, plate and case. The case is the white one. I received pretty much all the parts and accessories except switches and caps. Joe was kind enought to add an RP2040 Pro Micro, which is usually not part of the basic kit.

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First impressions

You know I have a penchant for monoblock splits, so I found the ScottoWing very appealing at first sight.

The 3D printing is very nice, the layers are barely visible, the multicolor design of the switch plate is also cool. The thickness of the case strikes a good balance between light weight for portability and rigidity. The angle of the halves seems perfect too, at least for my taste. I'm more comfortable with three thumb keys, but was looking forward to rearrange my keymap with as little pain as possible.

Specs

  • Monoblock split (3x6+2 or 3x5+2)
  • columnar stagger
  • MX, hotswap
  • Angle: 25° per half
  • PCB: through-hole diodes, snap-off outer column
  • Pro Micro footprint
  • 3D printed case
  • Total weight: 263g (my build)

Unboxing & Contents

The bundle came in a simple cardboard box, wrapped in this bubble thing, protecting the contents perfectly.

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I received pretty much everything for the build: not just the PCB, plate and case, but also all the required parts.

Diodes, hotswap sockets, stand-offs, bumpons – even a controller with sockets. Some parts for a potential wireless build too: on/off switch and JST extension cable for the battery.

Almost all the little parts have extras (diode, hotswap socket, screws, stand-off) to ensure messing up something on the way is not a critical issue.

All you'll need beyond the kit: switches and caps, plus tools and stuff for soldering.

Layout

If you are new to the ergo scene and come from a standard keyboard, the layout may look extreme.

If you are familiar with ergo splits, I'd say the layout is pretty standard – maybe except the two thumb keys per half: three keys is more common.

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All in all, the ScottoWing comes with 34 or 40 keys, with a quite conservative columnar stagger. Maybe my pinkies are too short, but I'd usually add an extra 1U offset to the pinky columns of pretty much any split, this time was no different.

Build log, build quality, structure

Well, because you have to solder and build this kit, the build quality depends entirely on you. ;)

I was a little worried because the last time I had to solder was sometime before the pandemic. It took me some days to find all the tools needed for the job, but well, it's good news if you are new to soldering: my anxiety and fumbling perfectly illustrates the challenges of building this kit for total beginners.

But in retrospect, there was no fumbling at all, the building process was very straightforward. It took me about 2 hours (net building time – diodes, hotswap sockets, socketing) plus messing around with switches, caps and my keymap.

I started with watching Joe's video, you can follow its steps too:

PCB

The PCB is shiny black. No flex cuts or any fancy silk screen.

The switch footprints are for MX compatible hotswap sockets, the diode footprints are for through-hole ones, and as already mentioned, you can break off the outer columns to turn the 3x6 layout into 3x5.

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Soldering the diodes

Orienting the diodes is quite self-explanatory: align the square mark on the PCB with the black line of the diode.

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Basically, diodes on the left are facing left, diodes on the right facing right.

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Next task: Cutting off (and saving) the diode legs.

Soldering the hotswap sockets

Pretty much the only thing to keep in mind is the orientation of the sockets: try not to block the stem hole accidentally.

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I don't have a fancy flux pen so applied a bit of old-school flux to each of the pads, and it's done the job pretty well. After 40 sockets or 80 pads I was pretty proud of myself. :)

Socketing the controller

At this point I was going to cut some corners. Call me a coward, but while soldering the diodes and hotswaps sockets should be pretty easy, even if time-consuming, I wanted to avoid socketing the controller. I have some of those spring loaded pin headers, sent to me by Talpkeyboard's Yousuke, which I thought should work like a breeze, saving me this step.

Well, not with the ScottoWing! While the original prototype PCB featured normal holes, the production one has larger ones to accommodate the sockets in the bundle. Which means I had to get back to the video.

Pic: Not great, not terrible

Not great, not terrible

Case, Structure & Mounting

The case, as already told, is very nicely printed. The angle between the halves is 25°, which is great, I felt right at home. When I designed my own board, my "perfect" angle was 28°, but you can easily adjust this by pulling the board closer to you, or pushing it further away, to find the ideal position.

There are two holes on the back: one for the USB connector and one for the on/off switch (if you decide to go wireless).

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The PCB is fixed to the case by stand-offs, the classic DIY approach. There are eight tiny holes in the bottom of the case for the stand-offs, nicely countersink from below.

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Plate

The plate is 3D printed too. It's more of a design element (it has this triangular spiderweb pattern) and has no structural function. I guess you could build this kit as plateless if you wanted.

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Switches

This is a DIY kit with a hotswap PCB, so feel free to use your favorite switches.

When building the ScottoWing, I was in the midst of resurrecting the monthly community favorite switch compilation, so I grabbed one of Akko's most popular switch models, the Akko Fairy (US | EU). I have a heap of Akko switches laying around, sent to me by the EU branch of the company, and went with these nice silent linears for this build. Maybe a bit scratchy compared to the best-selling Cream Yellow Pros and Cream Blue Pros, but I enjoyed typing on my newly built ScottoWing anyway.

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Keycaps

Again, we are talking about a DIY kit, coming without keycaps. Choose what you prefer. The white case is pretty universal, it matches many colorways. Because I prefer sculpted caps with flat plates, I went with some Akko MDAs.

With regards to keycap compatibity, for this layout you need 36 or 40 1U caps, so most keycap sets should work.

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Weight

The final build is relatively light, just 263g. I wouldn't say you'll toss it around on your desk at every keypess, haven't happened to me at all, but if you prefer something heavier, you can put some weight in the case like Joe did it, or my idea was to cut a steel plate instead of the 3D printed one.

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Sound & Sound dampening

If you come from classic layouts and prebuilt keyboards you may wonder, but sound is not really a thing with ergo splits. Choosing silent linears made this build, well, silent anyway.

Lights

No per-key RGB, not a single indicator LED at all, which is totally fine. This is definitely not a classic gamer keyboard.

Pic: The ScottoWing at night ;)

The ScottoWing at night ;)

Software

Software support: I had an RP2040 Pro Micro, so updating the firmware is done by dragging and dropping. You can find some firmware files for QMK and ZMK on github, including a vial.uf2 with Vial configuration support.

(To get to boot mode, keep the Boot button of the Pro Micro pressed while plugging it in.)

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Doing my usual SpaceFN test was unnecessary this time because the default keymap of the ScottoWing came with double-function thumb keys already.

Wireless

Because of the pretty universal Pro Micro footprint, you can use nice!nano as the controller board, turning your ScottoWing into a wireless keyboard.

Portability

Perhaps the greatest advantage of unibody splits in general, and specifically the ScottoWing, is that they are the most portable boards. After the many 2kg slabs of aluminum reviewed recently (Wind X80, MoeeTech Glitter, Akko YoD, Whitefox Eclipse, carrying around something this light and compact was a relief. ;)

You may wrap it into something, but otherwise you can just drop it into your backpack.

If you need a board on the go, something like the ScottoWing is probably one of the best options.

Ergonomics

Angled halves, columnar stagger. This is a proven monoblock split design. From the three major issues of the standard keyboard (ulnar deviation, forearm pronation, wrist extension), its fixed slant angle addresses ulnar deviation.

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While there are boards with lower profile out there, the ScottoWing is relatively low, or average I'd say, so wrist extension shouldn't be an issue with a properly set up working environment.

Pic: Height comparison

Height comparison

If you need something even lower, you can use the ScottoWing without the case, standing on the stand-offs or even the hotswap sockets. Don't judge me, I did this with my first designs for years. It works.

Finally, forearm pronation could be fixed with tenting, which is not really an option with unibody splits.

Conclusion

Joe Scotto's monoblock split ScottoWing is a great and affordable DIY kit: hotswap PCB with mostly through-hole components, nice 3D printed case, parts included. Very easy to build, no surprise, thanks to the great documentation. I enjoyed the building process a lot, already typed most of this write-up using the ScottoWing, but will surely work more on fitting my normally 46-key keymap into a 40-key layout.

If you're not afraid of a little soldering and can live with two thumb keys, don't hesitate to give this kit a chance.

As for me, I'm glad it has become part of my collection:

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Pros

  • Ergo split layout, printing quality, price.

Cons

For some users:

  • having to solder may be intimidating,
  • a third thumb key could come in handy.

Price & Availability

As already told, the ScottoWing is partially open source (case), but it is also available as a DIY kit.

$30 for the PCB and all the parts (except controller) + another $30 for the case.

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Published on Thu 1st Aug 2024. Featured in KBD #171.


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