1 yr. ago • 100%

Explorer Pi V2 Complete

Finally completed my Explorer Pi V2 build. My primary goals for V2 was to adjust economics to fit my hand, improve build quality while reducing total part count, and to create a better thumb cluster. A lot of these changes trade modularity to achieve these goals, which is not a big loss as I get closer to endgame design.

Thumb cluster was my biggest complaint with the original; being modular made the whole assembly too weak and key spacing to large; not to mention inflating the part count. So I made a one piece design with additional mounting support. Also went with a six key, two row design. Finally I make the switch plate compatible with either MX or Choc switches (and swappable). Used my Enigma Dual Hot Swap pcbs for the thumb cluster keys. This thumb cluster is probably going to see some future iterations. I've made things fully modular in case I want to swap it out for a new one later.

I've made quite a few changes to the original to arrive at this point including:

adjusted stagger of each column
adjusted splay and height on the pinky columns
used flexible pcbs (from the BigSkree)
made the switch plate one piece per side (orig was individual columns)
added side walls to the switch plate
added additional support to the thumb cluster so it has less wobble
one piece, 6 key thumb cluster
support for both choc and mx switches on thumb cluster
added ARRI locating holes to the 1/4" mounting point
reduced total count of required inserts and screws
reduced diameter of the 1/4" insert hole to better fit the inserts I was able to source
adjusted 1/4" mount location for better center of balance.

While I originally was planning on taking more build photos and putting together a guide for this iteration I had a bit of a lightbulb moment while assembling this for how to improve the entire build dramatically so that going to be a goal for V3 now.

As a slight aside I came up with a pretty good mounting solution for this board. Each half has a stand using these rubber coated magnets, a low profile hawklock and super low small ballhead mounts. With my v2.5 base plate I modified the 1/4" center of balance so that these stands balance well enough on a non magnetic surface to type on. They are also rubber coated so surface damage as well as sliding are minimized. Then for my main setup to make things even more secure I simply place a piece of sheet steel under my desk pad. I'm liking this enough that I'm starting to wonder about the embedding some steel in the desk permanently.
Imgur

Keycaps:

DES alphas R2-R4
4x DES Thumbs R5x
2x DES R5 1.25u
2x cDES R5x
2x CS 1.25u
2x Gravity 1.25u

Switches:

MX Boba U4
Choc Sunsets

The Boba U4's are the second switch I've tried on here and still not satisfied. Anyone have some good silent tactile switch suggestions?

Links:

18 comments

These funky weird keyboards are fascinating.

Do you carry them with you if you expect to use another computer? I imagine whatever pose you have for this keyboard makes it awkward to use a flat keyboard?

5
- Hasn't really come up yet, I'm wfh, but yeah I would want to take this with me if I could. Actually bought a hardcase to stick this in should I need to travel with it.
  
  Going back to something flat would be a bit of an exercise. Sculpted alphas would go a long way even on a flat board but the biggest difference would be in the thumb cluster comfort.
  
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  What feels different in using this kind of keyboard? What makes this keyboard more attractive to you? I'm curious and want to learn.
  
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@demibyte Looks gorgeous. Isn't that too high though? Can't rest your wrists.

5
- I had considered adding integrated wrist rests but I rest my elbows on armrests and it hasn't really been any issue.
  
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  I wish I was enough of an artist to draw how I envision this.
  
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Next to U4s I can also recommend Durock Shrimp Silent and TTC Blueish White Silent

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- Thanks! I actually had Shrimp silents on here previously and I prefer them to the U4's. I'm giving these a chance but I think I'll be swapping these U4s back out for the shrimps unless I end up with something else. I'll have to look at the TTC's.
  
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  My friend has the TTCs and while I'm linear gang they did feel and sound pretty good and I'm looking to try them out sometime as well.
  
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Very tidy!

I just finished a MJF Scylla with MX browns and nice nanos, now looking at this I can't help but feel you're loosing a lot of the ergonomics by having them bound so close together? Shoulder position was a crux of the old non splits but you've chose it again?

Looks like it could be fixed with a longer cable however.

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Damn that's cool. I just built a Redox and you've got me wanting to start over.....

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Cool looking build! Thanks for the info.

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Congratulations, it's amazing!

I like how you use low profile keys for first row in thumb clusters, and high for second row. I came up to same idea in my custom build. (But in really awkward way by gluing two keycaps together )

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- Thanks. Love they simplicity of your solution.
  
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