avalanche VS elephant42

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

Elephant42 and KLOR – but 1 less pinky key

Maybe the elephant42 if you can make do with over less key in the outermost columns 😬

Elephant42 – 4 thumb keys

The spacers I used are 8mm brass standoffs because I used the same layers as described in the Elephant42 repo but if I only used a 3mm switch plate, I'm sure you could use 6mm standoffs.

Fwiw I'm currently daily driving an elephant42 with a custom layout that does not use the outermost column. Given its pinky stagger and 4 relatively easily reachable thumb cluster, I could envision it to be an option.

Current is elephant42 with Boba U4s and YMDK milky fog keycaps.

There are few presets in the elephant42 for the RGB. Is there any way to define colors on my choice. For example if I want to select the RGB color for each key individually myself? Thanks

elephant42. https://github.com/illness072/elephant42