ZMK/Bluetooth Boards

Key Remap

Dear beginner, there is no real time key remap like Vial, but thanks to nickcoutsos for his work on Keymap Editor, a browser app allows you to load ZMK keymap code and manage it with a graphical presentation. Click Demo Keyboard if you dont have a split board with you, but wish to see how it works.

You need to flash both sides with new firmware even you just want to change a key value. Recommend for advanced users or users who are familiar and quite firm with their keymaps. If you are still new to split scene and requires to test for the layout, Bluetooth wireless can be a nightmare for you. 

Side note: ZMK mouse repo is not matured yet, that means any mouse movement cannot be applied easily. However, there is other repo that you can access but requires time for you to explore.

How to choose MCU?

  1. Nicenano v2: Genuine, more pricey
  2. Supermini / nrf52840: Budget, it has higher leak than nicenano, deep sleep uses 700uA with VCC off. The nicenano uses about 20uA.

To display or not to display?

Display is convenient to debug, check connected bluetooth profile and connection. Oled is budget and able to perform the debug function. Niceview saves more battery and fancy to have it, always niceview shortage though.

  1. Niceview: Genuine, saves battery, pricey. About RM200 / USD42 for a set. See the status of your keyboard at a glance including current profile, output, layer, battery, and with pre-load graphic.
  2. Oled: Cheap, draws more power. About RM20 / USD4.2 for a set. Shows current profile, output, battery, no pre-load graphic.

Battery usage

You may refer to ZMK Power Profiler to key in your configuration and understand how long it lasts, do note that it is just an estimate. Below are reports from users. Slave always last longer than master. Below with no RGB built, power toggle flipped when not using.

  1. Nicenano v2 mcu, no display, 140mah battery, master lasts for 3weeks+.
  2. Supermini mcu, oled display, 500mah battery, master lasts for 6days, slave 12days.

    Q&A

    1. Can pimoroni trackball or pointing device build with wireless?
    ▲No. Zmk for pointing device is still not matured.
    2. I like RGB, I can just turn off when I am not using it, can this saves battery?
    ▲You can but do note that battery still leak even though you turn off the RGB.
     

    Key Remap

    Using Keymap Editor. You will be given a github link for you to fork.


    Layers

    Read more from Layer Behaviors Zmk Firmware

    Keycode Short summary Explanation
    &mo Hold to access layer The "momentary layer" behavior enables a layer while a certain key is pressed. Immediately upon activation of the key, the layer is enabled, and immediately upon release of the key, the layer is disabled again.
    &lt Hold as layer, tap as another key The "layer-tap" behavior enables a layer when a key is held, and outputs a keypress when the key is only tapped for a short time.
    &to Go to this layer The "to layer" behavior enables a layer and disables all other layers except the default layer.
    &tog Turn on this layer, tap again to turn off this layer The "toggle layer" behavior enables a layer until the layer is manually disabled.