[IC] Faraday60 - A QMK-compatible Topre HHKB Pro replacement PCB

[Gondolindrim]

so... Topre alice when?

This is endgame. Im currently talking to xondat about possibly making something like this

[Heist Morty]

so... Topre alice when?

This is endgame. Im currently talking to xondat about possibly making something like this

[mbsurfer]

so... Topre alice when?

This is endgame. Im currently talking to xondat about possibly making something like this

Oh my yes.

[Gondolindrim]

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates recently.

I have come across some plateaus in the development of this PCB so I left it alone for a second. Hilariously yesterday I was in a call in the TopClack Discord and Lagelandia gave me a piece of his genius and helped me figure it out.

Sleepness night tonight, some personal issues, so I just picked this up again and might have finished the circuitry design. I am retaking the project as I can, and might do some design streams in the future.

If you guys want to keep up with me and my projects, please consider joining the AcheronProject Discord server: https://discord.gg/2Vc52e2

[poor yorick]

Never done this before and generally find the replies like "in" and "can't wait" kind of pointless, but since this seems to have lost some momentum I wanted to say that I have a yang controller, tmk compatible, and still would buy this asap. Easily my most anticipated IC. The potential for custom capacitive pcb's and eventually cases is actual innovation and change in a sea of "gAsKEt mOuNT 65%/75%" Can't wait for a good wkl or standard 60 capacitive with hhkb sliders and domes.

[Gondolindrim]

Never done this before and generally find the replies like "in" and "can't wait" kind of pointless, but since this seems to have lost some momentum I wanted to say that I have a yang controller, tmk compatible, and still would buy this asap. Easily my most anticipated IC. The potential for custom capacitive pcb's and eventually cases is actual innovation and change in a sea of "gAsKEt mOuNT 65%/75%" Can't wait for a good wkl or standard 60 capacitive with hhkb sliders and domes.

This has absolutely not lost momentum; I'm still actively designing for and incorporating into it. The issue is that I recently had some ****ty life situations happen and I'm just detoxing from the hobby for a while.

There are also behind-the-scenes stuff I can't talk about right now but in a couple months you guys will hear from this again!

[2Moons]

It looks like Ramon has been hard at work on making QMK work with Niz switches. Here is a blog post from July 2020: https://ramonimbao.github.io/niz-ec60/ I think he's close to finishing Niz compatibility with QMK from reading the blog post.

[Applet]

Stay safe man, no stress. Life is more important than the keeb-hobby. Really appreciate the work 

[perry4761]

I'm hella late to the party, but holy hell this is exciting stuff! Sorry to hear about your personal problems, hopefully you can catch a break soon The hobby can wait, take care!

[AristideTorchia]

Hi Gondolindrim,

Definitely count me in, it sounds like THE thing that needs to happen to HHKB community.

While I fully understand the desire to make this primarily for the HHKB 2 Pro, I'd will add my three cents in trying to reason that a version for the Pro 3 (Classic) / Hybrid would be the way to go, perhaps alongside the Pro 2.
This generation, started earlier this year is probably going to stay here for the next decade or more and it'd be worth to future-proof a project as precious as what you're attempting.

I own HHKB Hybrid, use Macintosh ecosystem and I'm about to purchase Norbauer's Heavy Grail, which led me here as part of my research for the end game that could combine all the best features into one.
Personally, I'm of an opinion there's no going back from the Hybrid's extremely convenient functionality of multi-device bluetooth, layout mapping and wireless operation with future-proofing convenience of USB-C.
Only its plain housing and unsightly battery bump drags it down aesthetically.

For that reason, I'd say my personal priorities and an end-game feature-set would be:

- layout mapping / ala the new HHKB Keymap Tool, perhaps extended beyond stock limitations so that Q,Z,X keys etc aren't blocked on the function layer.
- USB-C / HHKB Pro 3 layout
- Bluetooth / 4-device rapid-switching
- Battery / internal lithium with enough charge to hold its ground through a few weeks of heavy use.

I'd be happy to splash $100 or so for such a little wunderkind.

[treeleaf64]

I am giving this the stamp of love

[poor yorick]

This has absolutely not lost momentum; I'm still actively designing for and incorporating into it. The issue is that I recently had some ****ty life situations happen and I'm just detoxing from the hobby for a while.

There are also behind-the-scenes stuff I can't talk about right now but in a couple months you guys will hear from this again!

Thanks for your patience, and I apologize for the tone of my comment. I'm very sorry to hear things have been tough recently, and hope you are in a good place mentally and physically. I regret implying that this hobby should somehow be a priority over such clearly more significant issues. Please know that you have my utmost respect and support, and when this project comes to fruition, you will certainly have my dollars!

[TalksToChalk]

Nice

[beekey]

Very cool. I don't need a USB hub and never user RGB. Bluetooth optional like the Skog might reduce cost for those not wanting it. I would get it if offered.

[Freeaboo]

The modularity of the circuitry is awesome.  With your open-source track record, Gondo, I would hope this would be made public. That, combined with the affordable and MX-compatible "switches" from NiZ makes me very hopeful and excited for the future of custom EC boards. Good luck with this project, hope it's the stepping stone we need to make quality Topre customs not only accessible but existant too!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Gondolindrim]

The modularity of the circuitry is awesome.  With your open-source track record, Gondo, I would hope this would be made public. That, combined with the affordable and MX-compatible "switches" from NiZ makes me very hopeful and excited for the future of custom EC boards. Good luck with this project, hope it's the stepping stone we need to make quality Topre customs not only accessible but existant too!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Everything will be open sourced, and I'm already talking to NiZ to make everything compatible with his stuff. The idea is to make it so that makers can offer a single plate that supports MX and "Faraday style" electrocapacitives

[Freeaboo]

The modularity of the circuitry is awesome.  With your open-source track record, Gondo, I would hope this would be made public. That, combined with the affordable and MX-compatible "switches" from NiZ makes me very hopeful and excited for the future of custom EC boards. Good luck with this project, hope it's the stepping stone we need to make quality Topre customs not only accessible but existant too!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Everything will be open sourced, and I'm already talking to NiZ to make everything compatible with his stuff. The idea is to make it so that makers can offer a single plate that supports MX and "Faraday style" electrocapacitives

Sounds amazing.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[vladimir108]

Guys, do you know about this?
"Hacking HHKB Professional Classic" https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106213.0

[foysauce_]

Is this project still active? I am desperate to be able to use QMK with my HHKB

[joshuarubin]

Is this project still active? I am desperate to be able to use QMK with my HHKB

You can always try to use a hasu controller in the interim.
(not in stock atm: https://1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/hasu-hhkb-usb-controller-usb-c/ but mine is working fine with qmk even though it only mentions tmk)

[Havattack]

I'm pretty sure the number one reason topre is "scarce" is becasue they use rubber domes, and are not "mechanical".. (Not saying that's a negative for me, but I think most people perceive it that way)

[ban25]

Subbed!

[Obamas Mama]

so... Topre alice when?

This is endgame. Im currently talking to xondat about possibly making something like this

Oof. If you can get this done with mx stabs I'd pay $400 just for the pcb.. maybe more who knows.

[igooo33333]

Is this dead?

[Gondolindrim]

Is this dead?

No. The first version of the circuit was too complicated and not very scalable, so I am desgning a second version that uses a dedicated chip for capacitance sensing.

I will give more information as I have more results to show.

[menuhin]

More

Is this dead?

No. The first version of the circuit was too complicated and not very scalable, so I am desgning a second version that

uses a dedicated chip for capacitance sensing.

I will give more information as I have more results to show.

 

[touch]

A bit late to the party, but it's great to see this is still alive and well! Would love to see JIS support!

[ManiacMarc]

This is a pretty cool idea!

[Gondolindrim]

Ok guys, small update.

The first prototype works. However, the strategy I used is really not scalable.

I am currently working with the QMK people to bring this to a reality on a better format. A new prototype with a new strategy has been ordered.

[wencan008]

Glad to hear this project is still going, best of luck with the new strategy

[Gondolindrim]

Glad to hear this project is still going, best of luck with the new strategy

I will make a stream tonight on my channel showing the new strategy. It will probably happen at 7PM BRT at http://twitch.tv/gondolindrim_

[Applet]

Oooh, yes! Great to hear this is progressing  !

[Versaknight]

wow this looks great!

[stotle.caps]

i will be looking over this project, really need to reprogram my hhkb pro 2 so they would have a secondary function layer for media controls, good job mr.gondo

[DeMechanica]

So hyped for this! I’d finally get a Topre. Nice work man!

[shutuphamish]

id buy like 6 pro 2 pcbs if its accessible to aus

[hseenam]

count me in!

[vladimir108]

Do you know about this? It's sold out anyway:
https://www.jels.au/products/gb-usb-c-hhkb-controller?variant=41738239377562

[Gondolindrim]

Do you know about this? It's sold out anyway:
https://www.jels.au/products/gb-usb-c-hhkb-controller?variant=41738239377562

I am aware of a couple controllers around, yes

[KbJohn911]

This is a godsend for HHKB owners like me

[thocciness]

I support anything Topre. This is up my alley!