Sofle Choc variant

[brianlow]

The Sofle Choc is a variation of the Sofle with:

• low-profile, Kailh Choc switches
• hotswap sockets
• per-key RGB
• thin, 15mm from desktop to top of keycaps
• Sofle v2 switch layout with the more aggressive pinky stagger

I've built the v2.0 version and use it daily. This PR is a v2.1 version with a few minor fixes/tweaks but I have not built it. v.2.1 has been built by a few poeple so far.

Can preview the build guide in this PR here:
https://github.com/josefadamcik/SofleKeyboard/blob/27579fdc7e9a97dca35b73e7a9bfa7a9111230ac/docs/build_guide_choc.md

Kits:
http://sofle.brianlow.com

Closes #40

[josefadamcik]

Thanks a lot for the contribution! It might take some time for me to review the design, feel free to remind me if it was taking too long.

[brianlow]

@josefadamcik sounds good, let me know if there is anything I can do to make review easier

[ebnewt]

How do you like the 19.1 vertical spacing for the choc keycaps? I'm designing an offshoot of the Sofle for chocs with an extra column and nav keys. I'm debating 19.1 vs 17mm or somewhere in-between. Also, how is the top plate fit with 14mm? Have you ever tried 13.8?

[brianlow]

@ebnewt

How do you like the 19.1 vertical spacing for the choc keycaps?

Works for me. I don't think I want a tighter key spacing for my hand size. Though not sure how much difference Choc spacing would make. Might look nicer when using opaque keycaps.

how is the top plate fit with 14mm? Have you ever tried 13.8?

Switches are held firm but not super tight. I sometimes pull the switch out when taking a keycap off. I think worth trying 13.8mm.

[dionysuzx]

@brianlow first of all thanks for all the work in this - its really awesome. second, i believe this pinky stagger is the same as the sofle v1, which is similar to the corne/lily, is that correct? if so, are there any plans to make a version of this with a more aggressive pinky stagger such as in the v2? if not i might give it a shot myself.

[brianlow]

@dweisiger This is based off the Sofle RGB which I am pretty sure is based ok Sofle v2 which had the more aggressive stagger. Not at a computer to confirm though.

In any case, I don't have any plans for further revisions. Feel free to ask if you try modifying.

[dionysuzx]

@brianlow i figured it out - yes the sofle RGB is based on the sofle V2, but it makes a few small modifications mainly the plate is different shaped a bit and then also the pinky stagger is less aggressive. Thanks for the info! I think I'll roll with this one anyways..and if I really want that aggressive stagger I'll have to learn kicad lol.

[dattanchu]

@josefadamcik Checking in on the progress of the design review.
@brianlow The cap in this picture of the original post is very nice, can you add it to the sourcing page please? Same for the encoder cap.

[brianlow]

@dattanchu keycaps: https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32980986552.html

[brianlow]

@Ataraxis7 replying here in case others find useful

i just wanted to relay that it looks like the pinky stagger may be the less aggressive iteration. It was reduced back to ~V1 stagger in the "RGB" (though thumb key placements remained V2 layout) to about 1/3 a key lower instead of about 2/3

Thanks for confirming. I didn't look too closely earlier. Will update the PR

i see the recent update/comment for V2.1 gerber files, but the files themselves are still labeled "Gerbers/Choc_v2/choc-v2-gerber-pcb.zip". I wasn't sure based on your comments in the guide so wondered if i may inquire if these reflect your V2.1 tweaks or those are not yet uploaded?

The gerbers on this branch should have all the v2.1 changed. I should have renamed the files. You can confirm this by checking the encoder opening on the top plate. It will be vertically 1mm larger on v2.1 vs v2.0. See the commit log for other v2.1 changes (all pretty minor).

Hope that helps

[frankbaumgarten]

Just a comment about your 2.1 gerber files because jlc came back to me..... its missing the drill files

[brianlow]

@frankbaumgarten thanks! Zips updated with drill files. Sorry it took so long. If you do build it, I would love to hear how it went

[brianlow]

@josefadamcik check-in on review of this PR

[marcjmiller]

As a heads up for the switch plate gerber, jlcpcb responded saying that it is too narrow in these 2 areas:

Also, they up-charged for 'too many small slots which will making routing step take too long' without much more information.

[brianlow]

@marcjmiller thanks for the feedback

As a heads up for the switch plate gerber, jlcpcb responded saying that it is too narrow in these 2 areas:

Hmm.. I wonder how Sofle RGB compares since this is based on of it. I did increase the vertical size of hole b/c I had to manually shave some material off on the prior version. Will check. Not sure on the edge near the keys - I didn't have a problem there and I haven't made any changes.

Also, they up-charged for 'too many small slots which will making routing step take too long' without much more information.

I did too. $15.20 CAD on 5 boards. Wasn't sure if there was a way to avoid this charge.

[marcjmiller]

I did too. $15.20 CAD on 5 boards. Wasn't sure if there was a way to avoid this charge.

Same here, but USD and 10 boards; At least it wasn't just me.

[frankbaumgarten]

Strange, got 10 pcbs and 10 switch plates from jlcpcb without them complaining about to narrow areas and charging more. Maybe the trick is to leave out the drill files so they ask you to change the files and dont check the new ones that much ;)

[marcjmiller]

I wonder how Sofle RGB compares

Well, apparently I uploaded the wrong file the first time, because it was the RGB top and not yours. I got it subbed out this morning so we'll see if they say anything different about it.

[frankbaumgarten]

Oh just 2 questions, a) the postioning of the pro-micros is dentical to the sofe i guess (on top, face down) ? and b) the foodprint for the 2 resistors next to the reset button is for the i2c pullups i guess ? is i2c even possible with the rgb stuff ? i remember qmk had some conflicts there ?

[brianlow]

@frankbaumgarten

a) the postioning of the pro-micros is dentical to the sofe i guess (on top, face down) ?

Yes. On top of PCB, facing down, in the pins outlined with a rectangle.


Would love any feedback on the build guide if this is not clear

b) the foodprint for the 2 resistors next to the reset button is for the i2c pullups i guess ? is i2c even possible with the rgb stuff ? i remember qmk had some conflicts there ?

I did not populate them. I am using serial. I have not tried i2c

[spxosder]

Just received my shipped notification from JLCPCB, and I did not receive any notices regarding additional charges or 'too small' slots. Seemed to go right through.

[brianlow]

Learned you can preview the build guide without compiling it:
https://github.com/josefadamcik/SofleKeyboard/blob/27579fdc7e9a97dca35b73e7a9bfa7a9111230ac/docs/build_guide_choc.md

cc @blewisemt

[josefadamcik]

@brianlow and all.
Sorry for the delay on this, last month was very busy (moving to new city). I am going to check the PR briefly now and merge it. I have been paying attention to the discussions here and here #40 and I do believe it's ready.

[josefadamcik]

@brianlow I must thank you again for high quality PR and for the time you took with the build guide etc. Awesome. I am merging it with this comment.

[brianlow]

Thank you!