Hello Everyone,
I'm relatively new to this community, though I’ve been building boards for a while. I’d like to introduce a project I've been working on for a while: the Yuzu "Chorus.” This is a custom split ergonomic keyboard made with the goal of providing a higher quality split board.
Features:
- **Split Design:** The Chorus promotes a more natural typing posture, reducing strain on the wrists and shoulders.
- **Ergonomic Layout:** Based on the open source Ergodox/ErgodoxEZ layout, the ortholinear design minimizes wrist movement.
- **Open-Source Firmware:** Based on the popular Ergodox and ErgodoxEZ firmware. Allows full customization of layers, keys, and macros using QMK or VIA.
- **High-Quality Materials:** The biggest differentiator. Built from solid machined aluminum, with matching solid wood wrist rests. Bottom has an additional detachable weight.
Additional Details:
- Currently offered with POM plates, but other options may be available with interest.
- Thinner PCB with custom cuts allow for more flexibility.
- Mounted using poron gaskets.
- Originally considered daughterboard, but added too much manufacturing complexity and would’ve forced a redesign of the case. Instead, it’s using widened and recessed ports to allow for flex while reducing risk of port damage.
- Comes with switch, case, and plate foams.
- Original design included thumb key stabilizers, but in practice I found it wasn’t necessary while adding to the complexity. I did leave mounting holes for the option though.
Sound Test:
Photos:
Website with product history and additional photos:
www.yuzukeys.comGB Date
- If enough interest, would be around August. Production time would be about a month or two depending on factory’s availability, so estimate a conservative 3 month lead time for delivery.
- Soft minimum of 20 units. At 100 units, will be financially feasible to design and include a carrying case.
Price
- Estimate around $500-700 for a set, depending on number of units
- Set includes left and right casings, weight, pcbs, plates, and foams.
Vendor
- Will be working with Lumekeebs for fulfillment.
Special thanks to Lumekeebs for all the help, including filming and photos!
Also thanks to Hali for working with me on the case design.
### Why?
Like many keyboard enthusiasts, I've been trying to find the best typing experience. Getting older, I began prioritizing comfort and ergonomics since keyboards are devices I use many hours a day. Several years ago, I came across the original Ergodox. After spending a couple of weeks to get used to it, I’ve been preferring split boards ever since.
However, after getting into the hobby, I found a severe lack in high quality options for split ergo boards. There are tons for regular 65-100% designs, but few to none for something like the Ergodox. While the popular Moonlander and Dygma Defy somewhat fill this role, I wasn’t quite satisfied with the plastic construction and build quality after using a custom board, even though they got the job done. In the end, decided to invest in and pursue making my own. I settled on the Ergodox layout since I preferred their key sizing and the Lily was also too limited for me..
The board has undergone about 3 major revisions since inception, with one of the PCB and two of the case. Prototyping final units for this was a pain, since production costs for these were nearly doubled since they’re essentially two keyboards per set.
While this was originally a personal project (a split board for myself to use ), I received a lot of interest from friends (mostly engineers) and they suggested I consider a small group buy for others who may be interested in this niche item. So I’m going ahead with an interest check to see who may be interested in one.
The name and logo for the brand comes from one of my cats Yuzu, and the model “Chorus” is for the musical theme. I was a concert pianist a long time ago, and I thought the clefs fit well with a two handed split board. Hence the treble and bass clefs that label the right and left halves.
Thank you everyone for you time, and feel free to leave any questions or comments here! If there’s enough interest and a GB is imminent, I can open a discord as well.
