Does the no-solder hot swap need to be soldered on the board if ordered separately?
I am considering ordering a Corne custom board first with just an acrylic cover for the headers and then later ordering a no-solder hot swap and nice!view, are those able to be attached later without soldering? Thanks!
5 Replies
Hello!
You're in luck! The no-solder hotswap headers are designed specifically so you don't need to solder them to the PCB. You simply insert them into the PCB and push them down until they are flush. The nice!nano then pushes firmly into these headers.
For the nice!view, if you are using the no-solder headers for your nice!nano, then the nice!view also does not require soldering. You just insert the nice!view into its headers, which then connect to the PCB.
So yes, you can absolutely order your Corne with an acrylic cover first and then add the no-solder hotswap headers and nice!view later without needing to solder anything.
Let me know if you have any other questions by replying to this message!
What generally are the tradeoffs of the Corne vs Corne 5-column vs Lily58?
What generally are the tradeoffs of the Corne vs Corne 5-column vs Lily58?
The choice between the Corne, Corne 5-column, and Lily58 often comes down to key count, size, and how much you rely on keyboard layers.
Here's a general breakdown of the tradeoffs:
* Corne (6-column):
* Key Count: 42 keys.
* Tradeoffs: This is a very compact and minimalist layout. It requires significant use of keyboard layers to access all characters and functions, which can mean a steeper learning curve. However, its small size makes it highly portable and reduces finger travel.
* Corne (5-column):
* Key Count: Fewer than the 6-column Corne (typically 36 keys).
* Tradeoffs: Even more compact than the 6-column Corne. This layout maximizes minimalism and portability but demands even heavier reliance on layers and potentially more advanced ZMK features like autoshift (which is set up by default in our 5-column firmware due to limited space). This is for users who want the absolute smallest possible keyboard.
* Lily58:
* Key Count: 58 keys.
* Tradeoffs: Offers more keys than either Corne variant, providing a more traditional typing experience with less reliance on layers for common symbols and functions. This can make the transition from a standard keyboard easier. The trade-off is a larger physical footprint compared to the Corne, making it less compact.
In summary, the Corne variants prioritize extreme compactness and minimal key counts, requiring more layering, while the Lily58 offers more keys for a potentially easier adjustment, at the cost of a larger size.
Let me know if you have more questions!
Is there a video of a comparison of the sounds or typing test of the switch options?
Unfortunately, our documentation does not include videos comparing the sounds or typing tests of different switch options. Our build guides focus on the assembly process of the keyboards themselves.
While we sell keyboards that support Choc switches, we don't currently offer a resource that demonstrates the sound profiles of various switch types.
If you have any other questions about the build process or our products, feel free to ask!