Issue 185 / Week 3 / 2025

This is a hand-picked selection of last week's content from a keyboard enthusiast's perspective. Posts that may teach you something, make you think and contribute to the common knowledge of the DIY builder community.
Contents
Editorial
Behind the scenes #185
Keyboard projects, reviews, quick news, in the mailbox, meetups, vendors, discounts.
Hey, what's up everyone!
Welcome back for another weekly recap and behind-the-scenes write-up.
If you are new to kbd.news, you can read how this started out and what this is all about nowadays. If you like what you see, subscribe to the newsletter (free) and donate some bucks to keep this otherwise free and ad-free project alive.
Some posts worth sharing
- A Voyager-inspired budget unibody split: Mantaray by Colton Hawkins.
- I have a heap of keyboards to review, but I only had time to test a mouse this week: the wireless GravaStar Mercury X Pro mouse, a cutting-edge precision tool for competitive gamers, overkill for anybody else. ;) Cool sci-fi aesthetic, ultra-light magnesium frame, fancy RGB light.
- Designed by Penk Chen, the Haori36-MX is a unibody ortho split keyboard.
- A clever 3D-printed case for Keebio's BDN9: Banchan from Capsule Deluxe.
- Crosses is a modular ergonomic keyboard with trackball – shared by Vinnie Franco.
- Designed by Ming Gih-Lam, TKLish is a series of PCBs that mimic the style of a TKL keyboard.
- N36tsu by n1tsu. A low-profile split with PG1316S switches.
- The Red Cedar is a well-documented Dactyl-like split by Tim Wenger – with PS2 buttons.
- Lio46 is a wireless, 46-key split keyboard – designed by Liolaeus.
TIPS
- IBM Selectric caps to Choc adapter by ak66666. In case you feel the urge to combine absurdly high-profile caps with low-pro switches. ;) STL this way. Inspired by the Hacktrick.
- Ewen Cluney (weirdlittlekeebs) made metal plate keycaps – an MX keycap model to accommodate 1/2", 17 gauge metal discs glued to the top.
I had an idea to make keycaps with metal plates to allow for easily interchangeable legends, but it turns out that 304 stainless steel doesn't really work with magnets. I nonetheless really like the look and feel of the resulting keycaps, so I printed and assembled enough to cover a Reviung34 Split – nekoewen.
- Raks321 made a Prospector Case, a dongle holder for the Pipar & Sol board (source).
- Keyboard Unchatter? Well, a 8 years old software solution to a hardware issue, but some people may find it useful as grigby did.
Closed-source, WIP, etc.
- Blashphemy by dohn-joh. An angled monoblock split with custom keycaps: BLP aka Blasphemy Low Profile. A sculpted low-profile set with caps of many sizes, designed with row stagger and FDM printing in mind. Repo later.
- Svalboard Lightly – now with touchpad.
- Oni is just a sweep36 with custom images on the PCB (more photos). Posted by danihek.
- The Titus65 is a 65% concrete keyboard case.
- Link Split Ergo (GB) – an upcoming keyboard project from CannonKeys. PCB featuring an RP2040 with USB-C interconnectivity and high profile CNC aluminum case supporting an in-house tenting solution (source).
- Baaawbag's Magpie was inspired by the Voyager.
I've named it the Magpie due to it being based on bits and pieces from various designs [Sofle Pico, ZSA Voyager] – baaawbag.
- Buenzliboard with Cherry MX ULP switches – by senekor.
- Handwired Hatsu by Duy__Do – with progress photos.
- Nury Mini COLOR by Flaky_Ad_7038. Repo soon.
- A 10-key low-profile macropad: Palette by Escobyte/Modern Coup's pabloescobyte.
- A monoblock non-angled keyboard by SupaRaggs.
- Kai-Pad v2 by Kai_. Angled thumbpad acting as tent.
- If I understand correctly, TLTB made a Game Boy style outer shell for a Logitech keyboard: Key Box.
- macro 64 – a cure retro-looking wireless macropad.
I really like the Commodore 64 computer design and I wanted to capture it's charm in a macro pad. It uses mechanical keys and has bluetooth wireless connection – Fistful_industries.
- PetitSpatula teased a MNML (pronounced Minimal) prototype by Clickety Split. A thin version of Leeloo-Micro, with ultra-thin notebook switches.
History
In this section I feature retro stuff usually, but let's repurpose it for history being written: photos of the California fire carnage – posted by Matte_Box.
Well, in my second ever post here, I thought you might want to see what remains. 20 keyboards at least, plus an insane amount of keycaps, switches, etc (and incidentally my entire neighborhood) in Altadena, CA. Aluminum cases melted into a shiny puddle, but brass and copper didn’t (like this QK65 v2 Classic weight), which means it reached between 1,200 and 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. Plastic just… Evaporated. I’m absolutely amazed PCBs didn’t melt. I managed to get out with a couple of my best boards! And we are safe. This is just a microcosm of a historic, massive tragedy, but I thought y’all might find it interesting – Matte_Box.
In the mailbox
GravaStar sent me the Mercury X Pro 8K mouse (review above), 3dkeycap sent a bunch of cool keycaps. And a Lexicon from WeirdLittleKeebs just arrived a few minutes ago.
Along with two complete split sets, Loïc of 3dkeycap.com was kind enough to send me lots of single samples. Even a kbd.news cap!
I featured Ewen's Lexicon last summer, and now I'm going to review this cool prebuilt board for writers – with a word layer right out of the box.
Keyboard art
- An Israfel build by GeckoAutruche.
- Vany Alice by Whatever Studio x Wuque.
- A table full of kohakus at a meetup in Toronto.
- Crocheted keyboard cover by soyozan's wife. :)
- I liked this cerakoate job a lot: Baionlenja Bias shot by Lyzerfex.
- MIDI88 is a 88-key MIDI piano controller, shared by BFB. 3D printed, powered by QMK.
The silly thing is: I've never learned piano (which remains one of my dreams), or musical instruments in general. Although, I seem to have an almost perfect pitch and sing to myself quite often. So the checklist is as follows: V - Learn programming V - Learn soldering V - Learn CAD V - Learn 3D printing _ - Learn piano – I'm on my way =D – BFB_Workshop.
Weekly Diderot effect
- Alice edition keyboard stands by mar_mech. (5% off with the KBDNEWS coupon code.)
Was a bit of a challenge to adapt the current stands to the ergo geometry, but I got it to work – mar_mech.
Donations
- New donations came from Joshua Congdon, SadWitch, and Stefan Schwarzer. Thanks everyone!
- And many thanks to my awesome regular supporters and everyone who helped this project thus far.
For all the donation options check out the donation page!
Meetup database
It seems this isn't the most active season for meetups.
As always, this meetup database serves as both a calendar and an archive, so feel free to send me upcoming events or even ones from the recent past to make this collection as comprehensive as possible.
Vendors & Discounts
Feel free to use the KBDNEWS discount code at 166 keyboard shops! And do not hesitate to report any issues.
New shops and updates to the database of keyboard vendors this past two weeks:
- Vince is behind Ergokeyboards.com and the Crosses, and he offered you a 15% discount (code: KBDNEWS).
- Marmech (US) added. 5% off keyboard stands and trays with the KBDNEWS coupon code.
- Alohakb (CN) added.
- Escobyte Keyboards (CA) added. This is a new shop of Modern Coup's (sleeves) Christian for keyboards.
- Shelter (Poland) added. Shipping to EU countries.
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That's all for today. Thanks for checking by. As always: Keep learning and building!
Until next time,
Tamás
Review
GravaStar Mercury X Pro mouse review
With its sci-fi/alien design, ultra-light magnesium frame, and fancy RGB light, the wireless Gravastar Mercury X Pro mouse is a cutting-edge precision tool for competitive gamers.
Yes, this is still the same keyboard-themed blog you know as kbd.news! However, GravaStar was kind enough to send me this awesome mouse – the Mercury X Pro 8K – and I instantly fell in love with it. So, I figured it’d be useful to share my impressions.
Introduction
As you can tell from its striking design and impressive feature list, the GravaStar X Pro gaming mouse was built for serious gamers – blending top-tier performance with intricate aesthetics. Yep, it’s a fast, ultra-lightweight wireless gaming mouse. And, as you probably know by now, I’m not a gamer. So once again, you’ll be getting my perspective from the world of coding, blogging, and other far less intense daily tasks – typical of an office worker and hobbyist, rather than a competitive player.
That said, resizing columns in Excel/Sheets or achieving pixel-perfect image cropping for this very blog can be just as intense as landing the perfect headshot in an FPS… so maybe this mouse is overkill – but I’m here for it.
Variants
GravaStar initially made a name for itself with its futuristic audio products, but has since expanded into keyboards and mice, bringing its signature sci-fi aesthetic to gaming peripherals as well. The brand offers a whole bunch of cool mice, sharing the same mouth-watering design language.
The Mercury X Pro 8K is the current flagship model, boasting an 8K polling rate, a 32K DPI sensor, and an ultra-lightweight 49g build! While it features a new sensor and a slightly updated design compared to the Mercury M1 Pro, it looks identical to the more affordable Mercury X (non-Pro) – at least on the surface. In reality, the non-Pro variant is limited to a 1K polling rate.
Color-wise, the X Pro is available in black, silver (Galaxy Black and Interstellar Silver), and the cool, battle-worn yellow – GravaStar's signature colorway.
In the photos below you can see the silver version, matching the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro keyboard in concrete gray, reviewed earlier.
By the way, the Mercury K1 is still the best pre-built gamer board I've ever tested – amazing feel and sound right out of the box. So, naturally, I was excited to test out the accompanying mouse.
Unboxing & Contents
Now this is what I call quality packaging. I'm talking collector-level stuff here:
In the fancy, shiny silver cardboard box you have the mouse itself, the user manual, 2.1m cable with paracord, an 8K receiver, two sets of anti-slip stickers, replacement feet pads, and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
Quick specs
- Compatibility: Windows 10 and above (more details later)
- 0.8mm magnesium alloy body
- tri-mode connectivity: 2.4G wireless, 5.1 Bluetooth, USB-C wired
- 8K max polling rate
- 32,000 max DPI
- Battery: 400mAh
- Controller chip: NRF52833
- Optical sensor: PAW3950
- Dimensions: 124.6x63.5x40.5mm
- Weight: 49g
Design and Build Quality
The Mercury X Pro is ridiculously lightweight – just 49g! That said, it feels sturdy enough to last for a long time, thanks to the magnesium alloy frame.
We’re all built differently, but its smooth curves, ergonomic design, and relatively low-profile shape fit my hand and fingers almost perfectly. A big part of that is the concave main buttons, which are surprisingly versatile, and the fact that all the buttons are well-placed – at least for my grip style.
And this is important: Your experience, much like with mechanical keyboards, will depend on a variety of factors—some personal preferences, others individual characteristics like hand size, finger length, grip style, working environment, etc.
If we classify grip styles into palm, claw, and fingertip, the Mercury X Pro is well-suited for any of these. However, due to its relatively low profile, most of you will probably use it with a claw or fingertip grip. That said, the airy skeleton frame has some extra benefits for palm grip:
Ventilated, durable, and ergonomic. The innovative hollow skeleton design ensures superior airflow, keeping your palm cool and sweat-free even during intense gameplay. Designed with ergonomics in mind, the shape molds naturally to your hand, providing an optimal grip for hours of smooth, fatigue-free gaming – GravaStar.
Scroll wheel
Silent, no audible clicks, but good tactile feedback anyway.
I'm glad the surface of the scroll wheel is rubber, not magnesium (like the one on the recently reviewed Dareu mouse). Magnesium definitely belongs on the frame, not the wheel surface.
In addition, its pattern provides a good traction.
Performance and Sensor
Equipped with the NRF52833 control chip and and PAW3950 optical sensor, the Mercury X Pro offers exceptional tracking capabilities. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to judge its gaming performance. In theory, this sensor supports DPI settings up to 32,000 – way too high for me personally – but it ensures responsiveness across various gaming genres. Based on my tests, something between 1600-2400 DPI is ideal for my taste. :)
The 8K polling rate should translate into near-zero latency, allowing for ultra-smooth cursor movement, even during high-intensity gaming. However, aside from competitive gaming, I don't think extreme settings like this have much practical significance.
All in all, whether you're sniping with pixel-perfect precision, making fast, sweeping movements, or browsing kbd.news, the sensor and switches deliver a great experience. The device's capabilities will definitely not limit your gameplay.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Mercury X Pro is a tri-mode wireless mouse – it offers:
- Wireless 2.4 GHz.
- Bluetooth for versatility across devices.
- USB-C wired mode for uninterrupted usage and charging.
According to the product page, the 400mAh battery should last for several hours—113 hours with Bluetooth, according to the specs.
I haven't charged it yet, still using it as it came (with the receiver) – after some heavy stress test involving plenty of lighting effects.
Some hard numbers? I've been writing this review for about two hours now – typing, photo editing, file management, online research –, and the charging level went from 70 to 68%. So the specs seem to check out.
Anyway, the software should indicate the actual level of charging, so you can keep track of it whenever you want.
Customization and Software
Thank god, there's no need to install any software to access all the settings. Instead, the GravaStar download page directs you to an online configurator (by the way, there's a typo in the printed manual, which is why that link doesn't work).
According to the info on the packaging, the mouse supports "Win 10 and above". That said, it works with older versions like Win 7 too, though you won't be able to connect it to the online configurator (it pairs but doesn't connect). If you're okay with the default settings, it still works just fine.
However, using the software is straightforward and offers plenty of customization options, so it would be a shame not to explore the ways you can personalize your mouse:
Out of all the color effects, I liked the default rainbow one the best, but you can easily customize it via the dedicated page. You can tweak the colors, effects, and even adjust some energy efficiency settings.
Similarly, you can choose any DPI you want, up to 32K. However, you can set the physical button to toggle between 1-6 preset levels. For my everyday use, I played around with a 6-level setup—though, let’s be honest, my resolutions are pretty pathetic compared to the capabilities of the Mercury X Pro. :)
Experiences
It only took a few minutes to find the optimal sensitivity (DPI) for my multi-monitor setup. Initially, I went with the second slowest option on the physical button, but it still felt a bit too fast for tasks like precision cropping of photos for kbd.news. :)
Once you’ve got it set up properly, you don’t really need to worry about the settings anymore.
I haven’t had the heart to stick on stickers or take it apart – disassembly would require tearing off the sliding feet. Let me admire it a little longer, and then I might eviscerate the thing and post some internal shots. ;)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- awesome look
- leightweight
- shape: ideal for various grips
- tri-mode connectivity
- cool lighting
Cons
- the extravagant design may limit its usability in more formal office environments :)
- price?
Conclusion
The Mercury X Pro by GravaStar is my current favorite mouse. It was easy to set up and fine-tune, and it fits my hand and grip style almost perfectly. If you're into this aesthetic, the features won't disappoint. The Mercury X Pro excels as a precision tool for competitive gamers seeking a lightweight, high-quality wireless mouse, but it performs just as well in an office environment – though, let's be honest, it's definitely overkill for the office.
That said, the cutting-edge features come with a relatively hefty price tag. If you're not a gamer and know you won't need 32K DPI and 8K polling, the non-Pro Mercury X offers pretty much the same experience at a somewhat friendlier price and specs for normies. :) Or the similarly fancy Mercury M2, I especially like the transparent one, for almost half the price.
For more information and to purchase the Mercury X Pro or its smaller siblings, visit the GravaStar website:
- Mercury X Pro –
$140$126 – the KBDNEWS coupon code doesn't seem to work at the moment, probably because of the already discounted prices - Mercury X –
$110$99 - Mercury M2 – $68.
Also in the photos:
- Mercury K1 Pro keyboard – concrete gray
- Agile Yosemite deskmat from Kinetic Labs.
Projects
Mantaray
A Voyager-inspired budget unibody split: Mantaray by Colton Hawkins.
The Mantaray2040 is a ZSA Voyager inspired low-profile, column-staggered ergonomic mechanical keyboard, shared by Colton Hawkins aka Tuxedo Makes. The design is intended to provide a low-cost, easy to build alternative to the ZSA Voyager for users who aren't looking for a true split keyboard design.
I’ve been working on a split ergonomic keyboard project inspired by the ZSA Voyager, but built at a fraction of the cost – foregoing the wireless and split features. I call it the Mantaray – Colton.
The main goal was to have a layout similar to the Voyager, but for around $100 in parts.
Features
- 52 keys (6x4+2)
- low-pro Choc V1 switches, hotswap
- Pro Micro footprint (RP2040 Pro Micro controller for this build)
- 128x32 SSD1306 OLED display
- 3D-printed case
Video
The author put together a YouTube video walking through the entire ideation and build process:
Resources
Haori36-MX
Designed by Penk Chen, the Haori36-MX is a unibody ortho split keyboard.
Almost one year after publishing the Haori, Penk Chen released the Haori36-MX, the MX version of this originally low-profile split.
Another no-frills build with per-key RGB LEDs, based on the Choc version – Penk.
Specs
- 36 keys (5x3+3 per half)
- MX, hotswap
- RP2040-Zero controller
- per-key RGB
- QMK/VIA
Resources
Banchan
A clever 3D-printed case for Keebio's BDN9: Banchan from Capsule Deluxe.
As already mentioned in my recent editorial, Capsule Deluxe's Pixljar announced Banchan, a 3D-printed case for Keebio's BDN9 PCB. Its gentle curves, softly rounded corners, and “deep dish” plate design lend it a truly unique look and feel.
We teased this fun little case design for Keebio's BDN9 last year and have been getting inquiries since. On top of of 2024 getting a bit hectic towards the end, it turns out the PCB for Rev 2 had a different enough footprint I had to tweak the case and plate components (thankfully not from scratch) in order to retain its designs and proportions – pixljar.
Case designs are available for both Rev. 1 and Rev. 2 PCBs now – make sure that you choose the correct files for your PCB!
Features
- Simple print with minimal supports
- Two-part design for easy mixing and matching
- Clean aesthetic with no visible screws
- Works with both soldered and hotswap (Mill-Max) PCBs
The two-part, invisible-screw design is easy to print, so users can combine different case and plate colors to match any setup.
Several improvements were made during the redesign process, and like the team's Manta58 case, Banchan is free to download from Maker World.
Resources
Crosses
Crosses is a modular ergonomic keyboard with trackball – shared by Vinnie Franco.
Vincent Franco aka timbetimbe of Good Great Grand Wonderful LLC shared the files of his Crosses, an ergo split with trackball(s) and an interesting thumb cluster approach. Open source, but also available as a DIY kit or fully pre-built keyboard at ergokeyboards.com (15% off with the KBDNEWS coupon code).
Made with a precise trackball sensor. Eliminating the need to have another pointing device, everything is within reach – vinniefranco.
Features
- 36-52 keys (3x5, 3x6, 4x6 variants)
- Kailh Choc switches, hotswap
- Pro Micro footprint
- Left/right or dual trackballs
- Optional OLED screens
Video
Resources
TKLish
Designed by Ming Gih-Lam, TKLish is a series of PCBs that mimic the style of a TKL keyboard.
TKLish is a series of three PCBs that mimic the style of a traditional TKL (tenkeyless) keyboard. Designed and shared by Ming-Gih Lam aka dcpedit/dj_edit, the creator behind the Red Herring, IBM Mmm ortho, MidEvil, Dissatisfaction30, and many other projects.
Variants
- 80% layout with ortholinear keys (o80)
- 40% layout with ortholinear keys (o40)
- 40% layout with staggered keys (s40)
Features
- 54-69 or 87-92 keys
- MX, hotswap
- on-board STM32F072C8Tx MCU
- PCB can support up to 3 rotary encoders
- various bottom-row options
- s40 can use standard keycaps (no 40s kit required)
- s40 & o80 can utilize any ergo/ergodox kit with 1.5u modifier keys (ex. GMK Sixes, SA Carbon)
- Utilizes Unified Daughterboard (C4 version with Molex Pico-EZmate connectors)
- Vial
The author designed a stacked acrylic case for the 40% variants, but in the top photo, the PCB is housed in a Theca x Rubrehose beige case.
Resources
n36tsu
N36tsu by n1tsu. A low-profile split with PG1316S switches.
The 36-key n36tsu is another ultra-low-profile wireless split keyboard featuring Kailh's PG1316S switches. Designed by n1tsu/n2tsu via ergogen, with batteries directly soldered to the PCB without a socket:
My inspiration was from the mikefive keyboard. I don't know if there is another choice in order to keep the keyboard height low (battery connector height is larger than other components) – n2tsu.
Features
- 36 keys (5x3+3)
- Kailh PG1316S ULP switches, soldered (SMD)
- nice!nano controller
- nice!view display
- wireless, ZMK firmware
This is the author's first keyboard design, so there are some issues with the PCB:
The most problematic things that I didn't see, was that to solder the nice!view flush on the PCB. It was not possible to only use solder paste. nice!view has electronic components on the backside, making a gap between the pcb and its holes. Since I designed soldering pads and not soldering holes on pcb for screen, I used individual pins that I made at the right height to make the bridge between pcb and nice!view – n2tsu.
Resources
Red Cedar split
The Red Cedar is a well-documented Dactyl-like split by Tim Wenger – with PS2 buttons.
The Red Cedar, shared by Tim Wenger aka WesternRedCdar, is a well-documented Dactyl-like split with PS2 buttons and Nintendo Switch joystick – inspired by Tewtham's TypeSafe.
This keyboard was designed to look a bit like a red cedar tree – it has a green outer shell with a red cedar bark tree stem (copper PCB) showing through :). The PS2 buttons were just for fun – but they do allow you to comfortably press Control and Alt at the same time with one thumb – Tim.
Features
- 46 keys?
- MX, handwired, plus PS2 switches
- RP2040 Pro Micro controller
- keywell
- QMK
Resources
Excellent documentation with files, BoM, build guide, tips, etc:
Lio46 V2
Lio46 is a wireless, 46-key split keyboard – designed by Liolaeus.
Lio46 is a wireless split keyboard designed and shared by Liolaeus aka Bonsoirlesgens.
It is finally time to present my homemade keyboard. It's a 46 key choc LP and wireless board, with a 3d printed case, designed to be simple and portable – Bonsoirlesgens.
Features
- 46 keys (6x3+4+1?) 4 thumb keys, one extra key on ring column
- Kailh Choc v1 switches, hotswap
- 18x18mm spacing with CFX caps
- nice!nano controller, nice!view display
- wireless, powered by ZMK
- generated with ergogen
Resources
That was Issue #185. Thanks for stopping by.
splitkb.com, MoErgo Glove80, ZSA Technology Labs, Aiksplace, Upgrade Keyboards, @keebio, Cyboard, Jason Hazel, Jacob Mikesell, Sean Grady, Ergohaven, KEEBD, @kaleid1990, littlemer-the-second, Timo, ghsear.ch, u/motfalcon, Bob Cotton, FFKeebs, TALPKEYBOARD, @therick0996, Christian Mladenov, Brendan P., Schnoor Typography, Daniel Nikolov, u/eighty58five, Caleb Rand, James McCleese, Ben M, Yuan Liu, zzeneg, Spencer Dabell, Anatolii Smolianinov, Penk Chen, Clacky, Matthias Goffette, Stefan S., Alex Miller, Trey Causey, Gordon Diggs, Dylan Ingham, Mario S., Cloyce, Hating TheFruit, Shnobble, Davidjohn Gerena, Duncan B., HubertTheMad, Jesse L., Andres Sakk, Stefan Schwarzer, s_p_l_o_d_e, nutylabs, Joshua Congdon, SadWitch.
Your support is crucial to help this project survive.