I'm starting down the rabbit hole myself and even looking at designing my own pcb but for now, just gone with a pre-built from Mechboards. I'm a software dev, mainly frontend too and looking at learning colemak to us on my new keyboard. I'm hoping that this will help with coding as Querty isn't designed for coding with 🙂. Great video again and look forward to more from you.
I very recently designed my own drop-in PCB replacement for the 65% EK68/GMK67 in KiCAD from scratch. Working on the KMK firmware customisations now to meet the needs of my board. Designing and receiving a completed board was great. Looks really nice and professional. I have two RGB circuits too: 66 RGB and a 2 RGB for status lights. Perhaps I'll get to splits eventually. The reason I did what I did, was the firmware on the mystery MPU was limiting with only 1 Fn layer. It's been a great experience but it can be pricey compared to a store bought basic job. I'd say go for it if your budget and time allows.
Clean, concise review. Really liked it. I'm considering going down the rabbit hole of building a Sofle RGB with choc switches (first project), didnt find much info, so I found this review pretty helpful.
Another great video Ben! I appreciate your take on it. I differ a bit myself in that I'd rather have a home-built board than the likes of a moonlander. I personally daily drive a Sweep which has no case - just the pcb with some rubber feet (comes to about 15mm from desk to top of keycaps). I love the minimalism of it. The Sofle has way too many keys for me - I am very happy using layers and combos with the 34 keys of the Sweep. The great thing in the world of keyboards is that there are so many options open to suit everybody. Keep making the videos, I really love them. I was genuinely excited to watch another Ben Frain video!
Thanks very much for the kind words. I do kind of envy the people that can get away with these tiny little boards - my mind just won’t adapt!! But you are right, we have never had it better. Trouble is that means I’m typing on something different every month! 🤣
I've been using the MX Switch of the Sofle for 2 years now as my daily driver. I'm currently building the Choc version mostly just to try out the Choc switches in a familiar form factor so I was interested in the review when I saw it come across my suggested videos.
I very recently designed my own drop-in PCB replacement for the 65% EK68/GMK67 in KiCAD from scratch. Working on the KMK firmware customisations now to meet the needs of my board. Designing and receiving a completed board was great. Looks really nice and professional. I have two RGB circuits too: 66 RGB and a 2 RGB for status lights. Perhaps I'll get to splits eventually. The reason I did what I did, was the firmware on the mystery MPU was limiting with only 1 Fn layer. It's been a great experience but it can be pricey compared to a store bought basic job.
Note on the cost. It depends where you live. In india: Making the Soufle costs around $100 maximum. Importing something like the Voyager, would cost me $400 or more with Shipping and Import taxes.
Thanks for this review - it helped me make the decision to purchase. I've not come across your channel before but I really appreciate your review style.
Your points on the rotary encoders are interesting, because that's why I'm here. You seemed to mark them against the Sofle, but I'd argue you made a great case in support of this keyboard as completely unique. First, your description of three button patterns - clockwise keypress, counterclockwise keypress, and stalk press - is more input density that having keys in those slots, giving the whole keyboard +4 inputs without needing additional sockets. Second, depending on the sampling frequency and handling of the rotary encoder input in QMK the speed/precision of the rotary encoders can be handled. The repeated press behavior is higher level than I was expecting. Third, you could use the rotary encoders to cycle layers on each half of the keyboard, or double up with layers, ala Satisfactory loadout wheels. I'm planning on screens for info readout and an RGB flavor of Sofle to indicate layers/filters with colors as I get used to it.
I like the idea of them but practically a key with tap dance is more flexible. Still four possible inputs and you are not locked into that spot having an encoder. But I’m curious how you find them and if your plan for them works out. Would you mind updating here when you have done it and used them a little?
One thing to consider, if you break the usbc port, unsoldering the controller is an absolute pain. Got 2 of these kits at home. Waiting for my last list and pin row to make the controller removable.
Thank you for your review, I was not sure if took a corne or a sofle. I had my doubts on the rotary encoder, seems like less is more on this one. I'll take the crkbr.
You bought some of them? I'm lookin to buy one, and I searched for both (corne and sofle), the corne look good with only 3 rows, but it looks really thick, that would be a big downside to it. And I didnt liked the rotary on the sofle.
Sofle gives you more options layout wise. I need arrow keys for example, and that means a layer switch with the Voyager. However, build quality is completely in favour of the Voyager. Incredibly well made and solid feeling. The Sofle is far more fragile.
Hey, cool video. I find myself hitting 2-3 keys using thise keycaps and switches, I went back to MX switches as keys are more separated. I also solved my Corne with big battery yet very slim 3d printed case. But I wanred to ask you, is linear encoder any better? Ever tested?
Great review as always. Do you have a link for the keyboard case? I have a softer myself and have been using literally a tied down rubber to transport it lol
that's the nicest sofle I've ever seen, always bothered me how the other ones I see around are just the bare pcb, yours look amazing, looks like you got it done in a factory
Thanks but I dare say it doesn’t look quite so finished ‘in person’. There are some nice cases out there though. Both printed and wooden. I might get to enclosing this one soon too 👍
By any chance are there also eink displays? As I think that is perfectly enough for battery info or even layer info. While also not draining battery at all.
I have e-ink displays on one of my keyboards but they aren’t great. Refresh is too slow to be genuinely useful. Not tried a nice!view though. Would be curious to know if they are any better
Wow. Don’t know how but I’ve never come across Falba. The bamboo cases really appeal. How do you find it? The middle key of moonlander thumb clusters is never used and I find just the one thumb key in the right position on the Sofle is great. Have to double up elsewhere but not really an issue.
I was thinking about getting a low profile Sofle from Falba, so I have the same doubt as Ben, how do you find it? Is it robust? Or does it give the same filling that Ben is commenting for his home built Sofle? Also, I am not sure about the Falba casing for a low profile, since it looks like the thumb key may be difficult to press. All other fingers attack the key from above, but thumbs -at least mine- come from the side of the key. Falba's cases seem to preclude a nice pressing dynamics, or at least they seem to force your thumb to impact against the casing, which does not seem superb either. I will be happy for any comment that anyone can make on that respect.
I got my Falba second hand. The quality it's pretty good. If my redox will break I would buy another one from them. Of the 4 thumb key on each side I basically only use the bottom 2s ... But I think this is the bare minimum for me. I would like to try the kyria .... looks nice.
Yes, I know a lot of people opt for those from aliexpress and the like but I read enough reports of them failing and being poorly made that it put me off. There is enough potential for failure with my soldering skills so need to give myself the best chance of success 🤣
