Author Topic: Any cheap keyboard compatible with VIA?  (Read 2456 times)

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Offline paipvora

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 1
Any cheap keyboard compatible with VIA?
« on: Wed, 05 July 2023, 04:13:25 »
I'm trying to customize a keyboard but I don't know which ones to get. And before you tell me to look on the website, it doesn't tell me what keyboards are compatible, and if I copy and paste the names of some of them, nothing even shows up. Please someone tell me the name of a cheap keyboard that I can use with VIA.

Offline Leslieann

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 4519
Re: Any cheap keyboard compatible with VIA?
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 05 July 2023, 05:54:19 »
Define cheap.
VIA only(?) works on keyboards using QMK firmware, you'd want to look at their website for compatible boards. While there is sort of a list on Github, many are long dead groupbuys.


The cheapest I know of though are:
GH60 clones
Novelkeys NK65 Entry Edition
Quite a lot of ergo keyboard kits as well, some of which are pretty cheap (lilly58m, Sofle, Corne, etc.)

Got access to a 3d printer, you can also make one, though this is quite a project needing a lot of different skills to finish.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
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Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion

Offline Rhienfo

  • Posts: 610
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
  • Why is everything I want here so expensive :(
Re: Any cheap keyboard compatible with VIA?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 06 July 2023, 00:20:56 »
I know that the keychron boards have via now, for the quality the price is pretty cheap, the V series is the cheapest, but if you go to their website you can sort by qmk/via. Keep in mind they are fixed layouts so they may not be for you.

You can also find a lot of stuff on aliexpress which do have qmk/via support now.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005248457611.html

this as an example has support for several layouts with hotswap if your not comfortable with soldering. It would be more expensive than the keychron because you need keycaps, switches and stabilizers, but it's far more customizable with the layout. This is just one example but there are more examples of these types of boards.
fjell | hhkb bt

Offline LASERman Projects

  • Posts: 139
  • Location: Kent, UK
  • Soldering is my native language.
Re: Any cheap keyboard compatible with VIA?
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 07 July 2023, 04:51:32 »
...VIA only(?) works on keyboards using QMK firmware...
Well... there are keebs like Epomaker TH96 that have no QMK files but only json for VIA.

Offline Leslieann

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 4519
Re: Any cheap keyboard compatible with VIA?
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 07 July 2023, 05:31:21 »
...VIA only(?) works on keyboards using QMK firmware...
Well... there are keebs like Epomaker TH96 that have no QMK files but only json for VIA.
The wireless version uses proprietary firmware, the wired version runs QMK.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
More
62g Zilents/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, pic
| Filco MJ2 L.E. Vortex Case, Jailhouse Blues, heavily customized
More
Vortex case squared up/blasted finish removed/custom feet/paint/winkey blockoff plate, HID Liberator, stainless steel universal plate, 3d printed adapters, Type C, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, foam sound dampened, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps (o-ringed), Cherry Jailhouse Blues w/lubed/clipped Cherry light springs, 40g actuation
| GMMK TKL
More
w/ Kailh Purple Pros/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 Magnetic cable
| PF65 3d printed 65% w/LCD and hot swap
More
Box Jades, Interchangeable trim, mini lcd, QMK, underglow, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, O-rings, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, in progress link
| Magicforce 68
More
MF68 pcb, Outemu Blues, in progress
| YMDK75 Jail Housed Gateron Blues
More
J-spacers, YMDK Thick PBT, O-rings, SIP sockets
| KBT Race S L.E.
More
Ergo Clears, custom WASD caps
| Das Pro
More
Costar model with browns
| GH60
More
Cherry Blacks, custom 3d printed case
| Logitech Illumininated | IBM Model M (x2)
Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion