avalanche VS Fulcrum

I have been unable to get the Avalanche v4 keyboard I just built to communicate over a TRRS cable using I2C or serial. I'm trying to get serial working right now to keep things simple, but I'd eventually like to get I2C working instead. Right now, whatever side is connected to the computer works but the other side doesn't send any input despite the pro micro's LED turning on to show it's getting power.

I've been researching these keyboards for a while now and want to start with the Avalanche https://github.com/vlkv/avalanche . I was thinking it would be cheapest to have the top plate be a PCB, I know I can upload the Gerber files to get them printed, but I'm not sure if that's all there is. My question is, if I upload the top plate gerber files do I have to request anything from the manufactures to make sure the keys will fit? Also, can you recommend some online PCB and 3D printers that you believe are trustworthy vendors. Any tips/resources for a first time builder is also appreciated.

Avalanche – ALL the thumb keys

Interesting! I'm currently in some kinda wierd limbo where I'm hovering between the Iris, the Avalanche and/or waiting on the Elora, aka Kyria with number row, which should be available Soon™. How would you compare the Iris and the Kyria? The aggressive pinky stagger has me a bit leery, but at least printing out the layouts it feels kinda comfy.

Try Avalanche https://github.com/vlkv/avalanche It checks all your boxes.

Selling a fully soldered Avalanche v4.2 split keyboard. Github.

Keyboard github: https://github.com/vlkv/avalanche/tree/v4.2

I didn't design the PCB, just the 3dp case that is in this post. This is the creator: https://github.com/vlkv/avalanche. I think it's for Cyrillic languages that need some accent keys. For me, an English user, i just put ESC or a mod over there when I use my Avalanche.

Avalanche – 7 thumb keys, break-off top row, break-off pinky key

dude I really think you should consider a sideways-mounted 5-way switch for the thumbs like I did on the fulcrum. I think it would work really well on this form factor

You may be interested by the 40-key version of the Fulcrum

It's tough to use more than 2 or 3 regular thumb keys. Check out the Fulcrum for max ergo thumb functionality

I use 20 keys as my daily driver and it’s been a dream come true. My RSI disappeared and as a bonus I type faster than I did before on regular keyboard.

Fulcrum allows you to use one of the thumb joysticks as a mouse, though i wouldn't recommend it as a full mouse replacement

Although, I guess you could also go with your idea with using one hand for the vowel and one for the consonant and use just two 5way switches. There is actually a DIY keyboard with two 5way switches: https://github.com/dschil138/Fulcrum I think it would work well for kana input.

I think you would really like the fulcrum

I doubt this will be what you are looking for but I did the same thing with the keylogger and had the same realization, which heavily informed my keymap and hardware design on the Fulcrum. Full keymap is at the bottom of the readme page. Also if you go to my profile I have a pinned repo on key press stats that you may find interesting.

Fulcrum would be either your dream keyboard or your nightmare keyboard. Not sure which

I humbly suggest the 40-key version of the Fulcrum, which will give your thumbs a multitude of ergonomic options