Keyboard Builders' Digest / Projects
Zilpzalp
Zilpzalp is a 28-key monoblock split by apfel, designed via Ergogen and featuring a XIAO controller.
Published May 1, 2023
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Browsing the galleries of the 2nd Leipzig Meetup, I came across apfel's (aka kilipan) Zilpzalp:
A wonky 28-key, column-staggered, unibody-split keyboard made with fantastic FOSS software: ergogen and KiCad – kilipan.
Zilpzalp was inspired by Peter Elliot's Hummingbird keyboard, with a few changes for its author's personal convenience: thumb keys are "much more reachy" and splayed, and the pinky only has one key left with a significantly increased stagger.
There are four variants available:
- default Choc spacing, solder only
- Choc spacing with hotswap support (extra space required by the socket)
- Minimal Choc, solder only – "with the tightest spacing that choc V1 switches allow" – no commercially available caps for this version, the author recommends Pseudoku's Philadelphia Minimalist.
- CFX version (also known as "cfxilpcfxalp"), which is almost 1.5 cm smaller horizontally.
Specs
- 28 keys, low-pro choc switches
- Choc and CFX spacings
- Seeed XIAO controller
- optionally hotswappable
Resources
Published on Mon 1st May 2023. Featured in KBD #121.
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