An HHKB with a twist, suggestions?

[matt3o]

I'm working on this project lately, not sure if something similar already exists

sweet60.jpg (310.82 KiB) Viewed 5115 times

It's close to a HHKB with a split spacebar and an arrow cluster. The 2 spacebars are 2.25u+4u (I'd use the small one for FN).

I really like the "floating" switches case but that limits the layout options. Going with a standard tray case and a laser cut plate I could support multiple layouts (like single spacebar, 2u backspace, and so on).

Wondering if you've seen a PCB that already supports this layout and of course I'd like to know your opinion/suggestions.

[Findecanor]

The popular DZ60 supports some of what you did. It supports the inverse-T nav, but at the cost of shifting the ZXCV row 0.25 u left and using 2u Shift keys, to have 1u to the right of → instead of 0.75 to fit into a tray case.
It supports a 2.25u left Space, but 1.25+2.75 or 1.75+2.25 instead of 4u right Space.

I think yours is a much better layout than anything else but but there don't seem to be many keycap kits with 4u Space bar support. I've noted that SA should have it.
3u though is present in GMK, EnjoyPBT, XDA and SA and DSA .

[matt3o]

I believe both the PCB and the plate have to be custom made. Any 60% case could be used though.

yeah, only problem being 4u availability, but MT3 has it... so....

[Myoth]

YAS62

[matt3o]

aaaalmost

[Myoth]

well yeah, the YAS62 had compatibility for saner layouts

[matt3o]

I think I could do with a 3u+3u spacebar. I find the button between the spacebars just a filler

[zrrion]

3u+3u spacebar is the best space bar so this makes sense to me.

[Rayndalf]

My mind is telling me vertical 2u, but my body is telling be 4u+4u

3u+3u is great. Symmetrical bars are hot. Asymmetrical bars too. Really split bars are great in general.

I should really stop shooting in raw, the color correction is weird with Gimp

[matt3o]

I'll make another test tomorrow with 2x3u

only problem I see is the added space to the left

[matt3o]

mini60.jpg (327.09 KiB) Viewed 4903 times

I tried with 2x3u, also changed the first mod from 1u to 1.5u.

I believe I like the original better... but I could live with this version too.

[Rayndalf]

1.5 - 1.5 - 3 - 3 - 1.5 - 1 - 1 - 1 has a nice logical flow to it, but the original asymmetrical bars also had a nice look too.

Both are nicer than the standard 2.75 - 1.25 - 2.25 combos people use (but that combo has the advantage of being covered with shift keys). I hope more sets get additional options for spacebars and we see more layout variety.

Cutting into right shift is so much better than messing with '?'

[matt3o]

So... I did it. This is just a 3d printed prototype, but it's already my daily driver.

IMG_20210531_124516.jpg (176.13 KiB) Viewed 4055 times

I believe it took me about 4 days to get used to the more recessed arrow cluster position and the right shift, but now it's like second nature.

I'll try to work on a PCB next, possibly to pair with an adafruit BLE controller. We'll see. Hopefully I'll post more about it soon.

[Go-Kart]

That looks great! Cool desk mat too, bro.

[matt3o]

I made this