mechanical keyboard newswire
daily mechanical keyboards, firmware & tools
DarkBeacon Devil Breaker review¶
The Devil Breaker, a one-handed magnetic gaming keyboard by DarkBeacon, comes with TMR switches and various AI features.
Mode Designs opens pre-orders for Prologue keyboard¶
Mode Designs has launched pre-orders for the Prologue, a new keyboard featuring rounded corners, chamfered edges, and a tuned typing experience with specific mounting and plate designs.
KBD Digest #216: IQUNIX EC75 HE review and Hall-effect updates¶
Issue highlights include an IQUNIX EC75 HE review, August's top switches, and Hall-effect variants for the Silakka54 and Cantor keyboards.
Peaky 8-bit¶
A handheld, wireless, 2x4 key split chording keyboard for typing on the go: Peaky 8-bit by Toya Mimura.
sekigon releases High-Resolution Dial Module¶
sekigon has released a new high-resolution dial module hardware gadget on BOOTH for 2,500 yen.
moimate sells GoFortyMX, InSixtyMX keyboards¶
moimate store is selling MX switch keyboards GoFortyMX and InSixtyMX, with GoFortyRS and AtEightyJP coming soon.
Meletrix Zoom75 TIGA available, WS Flux switches 50% off¶
Meletrix announces Zoom75 TIGA availability, 50% off WS Flux switches, and a Star Kiss switch launch special.
SingaKBD Stinga60 groupbuy opens with mid-2027 fulfillment¶
The Stinga60 raffle has ended and a groupbuy collection is now live with kits starting at MYR 2,400 and an estimated fulfillment window of mid-Q2 to early-Q3 2027.
thecaptainsterling streaming NyxKeys Eclipse Keyboard Kit build¶
Streamer thecaptainsterling is currently live building the NyxKeys Eclipse Keyboard Kit.
thecaptainsterling streaming Clever Phi60 build¶
Streamer thecaptainsterling is live building the Clever Phi60 keyboard kit.
BRG Kohaku found¶
Micah Alpern reports the discovery of a BRG Kohaku keyboard.
Apiary Keyboards streams Keycult 1800 build¶
Twitch streamer Apiary Keyboards is live building a Keycult 1800 keyboard.
thecaptainsterling streaming Sebas TH Edition Keyboard Kit build¶
Streamer thecaptainsterling is live building the Sebas TH Edition Keyboard Kit.
Mode Designs Sonnet restock available for pre-order¶
Mode Designs has opened pre-orders for the Sonnet keyboard kit.
Apiary Keyboards live stream: Building a Keycult 1800¶
Twitch notification for a live stream by Apiary Keyboards featuring the assembly of a Keycult 1800 keyboard.
thecaptainsterling streaming Sensy Lab Supernova Keyboard Kit¶
Streamer thecaptainsterling is live building the Sensy Lab Supernova Keyboard Kit.
Keyboard Builders Digest #215: July Switch Sales, NocFree & Review¶
Newsletter covers July's top mechanical switch sales data, reviews of the NocFree & split keyboard, XVX Whisper EC/HE switches, and Royal Kludge RK R99.
SingaKBD Stinga-60 Groupbuy Details and Pricing Released¶
Official raffle page is live with base kit pricing of $580-$585, regional vendor list, and estimated fulfillment in late Q2 to early Q3 2027.
thecaptainsterling streaming KBDFans Tofull Keyboard Kit build¶
Streamer thecaptainsterling is currently live building a KBDFans Tofull keyboard kit.
Kinetic Labs Max102 Chalk Edition now available¶
Kinetic Labs announces the Max102 Chalk Edition, a pre-built 102-key mechanical keyboard with CNC aluminum, hot-swap sockets, and wireless connectivity, priced at $239.99.
Apiary Keyboards live stream: Building a Keycult 1800¶
Twitch notification for a live stream by Apiary Keyboards featuring the assembly of a Keycult 1800 keyboard.
SingaKBD Stinga60 enters first-looks preview phase¶
Official Instagram previews and a YouTube build video confirm physical units are with creators; raffle details remain unconfirmed.
SingaKBD lists STINGA-60 with raffle details coming soon¶
SingaKBD's official site now lists the STINGA-60 in three colors with plate and PCB options, noting that raffle and group-buy details are coming soon.
XVX Whisper EC/HE switch review¶
The very first EC/HE dual-sensing switches: XVX Whisper 2-in-1 magnetic silent – Topre feel also for your Hall-effect keyboards.
Kinetic Labs releases Turtle Silent Tactile Switches¶
Kinetic Labs introduced the Turtle Silent Tactile switches, featuring a pre-lubed design with a noticeable bump and low noise profile, priced at $10.80 per pack of 18.
OpenAI releases Codex Micro physical keypad¶
OpenAI unveiled its first hardware, a mini keypad with joystick and knob for controlling Codex agents.
Royal Kludge RK R99 review¶
The Royal Kludge RK R99 is a nice mechanical keyboard in the 1800 form factor. Wireless, hotswap, with huge RGB firepower.
Tofu Dactyl¶
Yanos626 shared the STL files of his handwired Tofu Dactyl, designed via the Cosmos generator.
Epomaker Glyph review¶
The retro, mid-century modern Epomaker Glyph is a typewriter-style tri-mode wireless keyboard with huge displays.
Omega Point 36¶
Ergohaven's wireless split Omega Point 36 is now open source.
Omnitype RF-8X groupbuy is live¶
Omnitype has opened a groupbuy for the RF-8X keyboard.
mass releases omni CS bearing swap kit on BOOTH¶
Creator mass has listed an omni CS bearing replacement kit for 1,300 yen on the BOOTH marketplace.
Direct03xD¶
A 42-key diodeless wireless split: Direct03xD by lander03xD.
XYZ workboard r2 - an OLKB first timer thoughts :)¶
First impressions of the Work Louder XYZ Workboard R2, discussing the ortholinear layout and raw PCB aesthetic.
[WIP] Building a handheld 8-key chording keyboard to type while walking.¶
A unique WIP build using Seeed Studio XIAO BLE (ZMK-compatible) for a wireless chording keyboard.
First Totem build — right-half XIAO RP2040 won't enter bootloader or enumerate after soldering. Salvageable without hot air?¶
Troubleshooting a Totem split keyboard build where the RP2040 fails to enumerate, discussing bootloader entry and soldering issues.
Spilled my drink on my K86, need HE keyboard recommendations (75%)¶
Seeking Hall Effect keyboard recommendations with good software/low latency, relevant to Wooting/DrunkDebounce users.
Keyboard Builders Digest #211: Switch sales, Epomaker HE68 Lite review, open source Levels54¶
Newsletter highlights April's top selling mechanical switches, reviews of Epomaker HE68 Lite and KiiBOOM Phantom 98 Lite, and open source projects like Levels54 and Vanguard Keyboard Outsider.
Tucky Two Times¶
Tucky Two Times is a low-pro split keyboard with funny placement of the thumb keys – by Stephan Møller.
ZSA releases Navigator trackpad for Voyager¶
ZSA launched the Navigator trackpad, a swappable input core for the Voyager shell, priced at $99, featuring a smooth surface and firmware tuned with Cirque.
KiiBOOM Phantom 98 Lite review¶
I reviewed KiiBOOM's Phantom 98 Lite, a cute wireless keyboard with 1800-ish layout and the silly froggy keycap design.
Vanguard Keyboard Outsider¶
DreaM117er's Vanguard Keyboard Outsider is a modular ortholinear board, supporting various trackpads and encoders.
They don't want you to know this, but Alps switches can be used in any hot-swappable keyboard (if you're crazy enough)¶
Detailed guide on desoldering hotswap sockets to physically fit Alps SKCM/SKCL pins, requiring custom plate cutting or 3D printing.
69split - my split keyboard with broken out IO for project development¶
Showcase of a split keyboard designed to break out ATmega32u4 IO pins for external project development while functioning as a keyboard.
Shematics build jelp¶
Request for schematic review on a 3x3 macropad with 2 rotary encoders; good for seeing beginner PCB design questions.
Modified Scylla (BastardKeyboards)¶
Handwired modified Scylla with encoders, joysticks, and TFT screens; interesting custom build details.
Mictlán Centinela¶
Synth60 build featuring GMK Mictlán R1 and Unity switches.
Show your boards the_world¶
MB44 V1 build with Scandivan PCB and Cherry Milkshake keycaps.
Keychron V3 8k and V0 Ultra¶
Comparison/showcase of Keychron V3 8k and V0 Ultra; user switching to wired for reliability.
My first build¶
First build: Athena 1800 with Durock V3 stabs and Gateron Oil Kings.
Fully Custom Keyboard¶
Custom PCB and case design by the author; QMK firmware with calc/volume keys.
My new left numpad¶
AEBoards EXT65v2 used as a left numpad with DuRock Blue Lotus switches.
My new favorite keyboard - completed build¶
Keychron Q6 Ultra build with Durock Ice King and Chosfox Arctic Fox switches.
Git Core Alice¶
Keychron Alice Q10 build with Epomaker Sea Salt Silent switches and GMK Dracula V2.0.
keyboard base on zmk¶
Showcase of a portable Bluetooth keyboard using ZMK firmware.
Wireless Split Key with Numpad¶
Looking for a wireless split keyboard with numpad and arrow keys for music production.
Wireless Voyager Alternative?¶
Seeking a wireless alternative to the ZSA Voyager for travel.
TGR Lena Mini¶
TGR Lena Mini Carbon build with Cherry MX2a Blacks.
Nd75 vs wave75 vs inky 75 vs Rainey 75?¶
Comparison of budget aluminum boards: ND75, Wave75, Inky75, Rainey75.
Logitech G815 Linear - TAB key triggers 10+ keys¶
Hardware issue where TAB key triggers multiple keys simultaneously.
Happy Topre Tuesday!¶
Showcase of a JustSystems 91U with 86U internals.
MID.1, a folded stainless steel 40% board I’ve been building for a long time¶
Showcase of the MID.1, a folded stainless steel 40% board by A.Okay!, now open for reservations.
Finally bought new switches¶
Review of BSUN Strawberry Cheesecake R2 switches on a Rainy 75 Pro, noting quieter/muffled sound.
QK80 Brown in 2026¶
Showcase of a second-hand QK80 with PBTFans Retro 100 caps and HMX Orange Grape switches.
I admit I've become dependent on this little guy.¶
Long-term review of the Geonix Rev.2 compact keyboard, praising its weight and portability.
Glitter Q4¶
Showcase of a Keychron Q4 with PC plate, PBTfans Neon R2 Glitter caps, and Gateron Oil King switches.
Trackpads! Who’s got the deets?¶
Seeking advice on wiring and sourcing trackpad modules for a KLOR Polydactyl build.
Anyone know about this kit? Good? Bad?¶
Inquiry about a specific split board kit for gaming/macro pad use.
Keyboard and switch compatibility¶
Question about compatibility between Keychron C3 Pro and Akko Penguin Silent switches.
NuPhy releases WH80 wireless 8K magnetic gaming keyboard¶
NuPhy launched the WH80, a wireless gaming keyboard featuring 8K polling rate and Hall-effect magnetic switches.
It's all wired up. Now all I have to do is learn to code.¶
OP is a complete beginner who just finished their first build and is now tackling the firmware coding aspect. High engagement due to the "journey" narrative.
Finally designed my own shell, PCB and top plate!¶
Custom build running KMK (Kaleidosaurus Microkernel) on an RP2040. Interesting technical discussion on the design process and sound test.
Free your minds! DIY no-stabs build.¶
DIY ortholinear build using a Pi Pico running ZMK. Discusses the challenges of a no-stabilizer layout and the "jank" involved in the build.
Levels54 is now fully open source!¶
Creator released all files for the split 54-key dual-trackball board, including PCBs.
Treasure announces TYPE-9 Series IV and 3 new projects¶
Treasure is launching the TYPE-9 Series IV along with three additional new keyboard projects.
Keyboard Builders Digest #210: IQUNIX EV63 HE, Laika, MMOrtho, Alatus, Krteq, and more¶
Newsletter highlights IQUNIX EV63 HE review and open-source projects including Laika, MMOrtho, Alatus, Krteq, Leonardo KeycapRio, Lemonshark, and PISIC.
ScottoAcademy live workshop: build a 3x3 macropad¶
ScottoKeebs is hosting a live workshop to build a direct-wired 3x3 macropad from scratch, with enrollment closing May 3rd.
Mode Designs announces 2026 Encore with Crown Mounting System¶
Mode Designs released the 2026 Encore keyboard featuring a new Crown Mounting System, with pre-orders open and fulfillment starting in July.
Self designed ISO MX PCB to fit Holy80¶
Small couple-designed ISO PCB that uses QMK — notable because it’s a custom ISO PCB + full RGB and shows a DIY ISO QMK build that others may reuse.
New Geonix teaser photo¶
Teaser image for a new Geonix—looks like a PC case variant; sparks discussion about a new revision/production.
Krteq (Open source)¶
New open-source 61-key unibody using Raspberry Pi Pico and QMK/VIA — notable for Gateron LP 3.0 compatibility and hotswap support.
Krteq 5x12 (+2)¶
Same Krteq board cross-posted to r/MechanicalKeyboards (build pics) — community attention on PCB/switch choice.
Connecting Issues¶
First-build connectivity problems (Supermini MCU + ZMK) — several troubleshooting replies (worthwatch if ZMK USB/bluetooth fixes emerge).
My first split keyboard: Keyball61¶
High-engagement photo/build post of DIY split board using Remap for keymaps — good signal for ergonomic board interest.
Open-sourced My Corne Eclipse Design w/Dual Encoder & nice!view¶
Custom Corne MX build with dual encoders, dual nice!view screens, ZMK firmware, and ZMK Studio support now open-sourced on GitHub.