[Introduction] A HHKB-style split keyboard is now available!

 

*This is an introductory article written by a keyboard enthusiast.

Introduction

Are you using a keyboard?

I forgot to write this article, and by the time the article was published, pre-orders had ended... (Aim for regular sales)
This is an article introducing a new keyboard product.

What we would like to introduce is a split keyboard similar to HHKB (Studio) (reservation deadline was until
August 31st A small number of spare lots are scheduled to be sold to the general public.
7sProMax sales page

Although it is a completely different product, this one is also recommended at this time.
https://www.lofree.co/pages/flow-lite

Please take a look first. The texture of this aluminum case and the HHKB layout exist as a split keyboard.
I'm sure she was moved to tears by the sight of her long-awaited appearance in the world...
(There are people in the company who use dual keyboards, but I have never seen anyone else use a split keyboard, so I may not be able to convey my impressions very well...)

Source: From the 7sProMax product page

Source: From 7sProMax blog

When purchasing

Producer

Mr. Salicylic Acid is famous in the homemade keyboard world.
He has made several homemade keyboards and is sure to be reliable.

7sProMax is also explained in the blog below, so please take a look.

Check out the interest in 7sProMax!
We will start pre-ordering the 7sProMax, so we will explain it!

4 options for purchasing

There are four options for purchase, and those who are not familiar with homemade keyboards may not know which one to choose, so I will briefly explain.
This is a summary of information referenced from the blogs mentioned above.

1. ProMicro (Micro USB)
   - Micro USB connection between PC and keyboard
   - Requires soldering
   - Wired connection only
2. KeebMicro-C (Type C)
   - USB-C connection between PC and keyboard
   - This is recommended as the terminal is less likely to break than ProMicro
   - Can be assembled without soldering (requires a component called con-through)
   - Wired connection only
3. BLE Micro Pro + battery board set
   - USB-C connection between PC and keyboard
   - Soldering required (con-through available *1)
   - Fully wireless/wired connection possible (*2)
4. Battery board set (BLE Micro Pro not included)
   - ③ excluding BLE Micro Pro
   - For people who can assemble the parts themselves, and for those who aim for partial wireless connection using BLE Micro Pro and LPME-IO (*3 )

*1 BLE Micro Pro can be used as a con-through, but requires soldering to chip diodes and capacitors.

*2 In the case of a completely wireless connection using two BLE Micro Pros (wireless between the left and right keyboards as well)

- It is not possible to connect the left and right sides with a TRRS cable.
- Requires power supply for left and right sides.
- Power source is either battery or USB cable.
- On the left side, you can choose to connect to your PC by wired, wireless, or both.
→ Even if you connect the USB cable to the right side, you cannot communicate with the PC (wireless connection is made on the left side, and the left side is connected to the PC), but power can be supplied.
Only wireless connection between keyboards

*3 In case of partial wireless connection using BLE Micro Pro and LPME-IO (wired between left and right)

If you attach BLE Micro Pro to your left hand side and LPME-IO to your right hand side, you will be able to make it partially wireless.
- Used by connecting the left and right sides with a TRRS cable.
→ It is not possible to use a 3-pole TRS cable.
- Only the left side requires power. No batteries required on the right side.
- Connections tend to be more stable than fully wireless.

Items that need to be purchased separately

There are key parts that are not included in the kit and must be purchased separately.

Keyswitch
You must choose a MX-compatible keyswitch.
7sPro requires 64 keyswitches.

You will need to purchase a keycap set that is
keycap
Due to special sized keys, even a full key set may not be able to fit all the keys.

A TRRS cable
is required to connect the left and right keyboards (there are 3-pole and 4-pole types, but 4-pole is better).

USB-C cable
Required to connect your PC and keyboard.

Cons through (optional)
Required if assembled without soldering using KeebMicro-C.

BLE Micro Pro (optional)
When making a wireless connection using Bluetooth, 2 (fully wireless) or 1 (partially wireless: wireless between the keyboard and PC, wired on the left and right sides of the keyboard) are required. One piece costs about 5,000 yen.

Digression

Among other split keyboards, the keyball series is famous.
This keyboard requires assembly from a self-made kit, which makes it a little more difficult, but it comes with a trackball, making it a popular keyboard.

I'm not interested in a split keyboard! If so, one of his recommendations is the Loftee Flow Lite, which has recently started taking pre-orders.
This is a ready-made product, and at this price, it is hot-swappable (key switches can be replaced), the key map can be changed, and the typing sound is of high quality (as seen in the video below), so it seems like it would be good as a second or spare keyboard. is.

Reservation: https://www.lofree.co/pages/flow-lite

This is uzi from the system solutions department.
If you are in the company and are unsure about purchasing, please feel free to contact me!

Previous article: https://beyondjapan.com/blog/2024/01/sns-cloudwatch-email-notifications/

Some useful settings for Amazon SNS + CloudWatch email notifications