The feature of Piantor:
- using the same layout as Cantor – the stronger column stagger making typing more comfortable for those who have short pinkies like me
- diodleless & non-flippable – with the minimalist and error avoidance design, it can definitely be your first soldering project.
- soldered in / hotswappable key switches – with the choc hotswap sockets, you can change and lube Kailh Choc v1 key switches when needed
- breakable pinky column – you can convert the 42-key keyboard to a 36-key (same layout as Cantor Remix)
- RP2040 MCU (Raspberry Pi Pico / WeAct RP2040 / WaveShare RP2040-Plus) – with huge memory in the controllers the keyboard can have 10 layers. You can also use the U2F flashing feature
- supports C (QMK) and Python (KMK) based firmwares
- programmable – you can use QWERTY, Colemak, Dvorak, Miryoku or any keymaps that you like
Variants
- Hotswap version is slightly wobbly, but you can swap the switches by hand.
- Soldered in switches are more stable but they are not hotswappable.
Kit
- 2x PCBs
- 2x MCU Raspberry Pi Pico (Micro-USB 2MB Flash Memory) / WeAct RP2040 (USB-C 2MB Flash Memory) / WaveShare RP2040-Plus (USB-C 16MB Flash Memory)
- (Optional) Pin header for WeAct RP2040 MCU
- (Optional) Resistors for WeAct RP2040 MCU
- 2x TRRS Jack
- 42x Kailh hotswap sockets
- 1x TRRS cable
Case
- A pair of 3D printed top / switch plates – it’s less wobbly using switch plates in builds with hotswap sockets.
- A pair of 3D printed low profile bottom case
- Rubber Feet
- Screws
Note
- Don’t connect or disconnect the TRRS cable when the keyboard is powered. Always disconnect the USB cable first.
- You need soldering tool to solder this keyboard. Build Guide: https://s.beekeeb.com/piantorbg
- Pre-soldered Piantor Keyboard is available here.
Source & License: https://github.com/beekeeb/piantor
Anonymous –
excellent quality and very easy to build
keypresspunisher –
Great compact design. Quick easy build. 3D printed case is made really well.
Nicky –
Super easy build! Everything worked first try, very happy with it.
Anonymous –
The kit is nicely packed and easy to build. The case is really nice. Thanks a lot !!
vatin –
I’ve finished my build. Leo, owner of beekeeb is very helpful. He contacted my personally had help guide me until I could finish my build.
Winded –
This kit is fantastic and very well put together. There are extras of all the smaller pieces that you may drop or mess up during the build. This was my first build, and it went well. I definitely think this is as approachable a first keyboard build as you will find. I chose the black, but I think the green controller may be a bit easier since each pin is a single solder joint on the top instead of messing with all the pins of the header on both the PCB and controller side. I also think I would prefer how it sits a little more flush. Still, I’m extremely happy. The board itself is about as compact as you could want, but it still has a top and bottom case and stays together if you commute with it, as I do. That’s why I chose this over the Cantor. I had a couple issues during the build that I was able to sort out on my own, so I can’t say anything about the support, but judging from how well the kit was put together and packaged, I’m sure support is very good. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another keyboard here the next time I’m looking.
Anonymous –
Very cool keyboard, easy to build.
DIY kit selections:
– controller: WeAct RP 2040 (black – USBC 2 MB Flash Memory)
– key switch: Choc Red (linear 50gf)
– keycap: MBK blank black
– case: black PLA
– number of keys: 42 keys
additional buy:
– Bobtail Keyboard Tenting Legs
– soft keyboard bag: Piantor 42
About the keyboard:
– Price is perfect (just compare it to Kinesis, Moonlader and all the other keyboards)
– Shipping was fast (arrived in under 2 weeks)
– It is really good for traveling because it is light (without tenting kit about 100grams per side) and very compact.
– Quality is decent – in my opinion the weight is a little bit too light, and it feels a little bit plastic-ish. BUT if you buy the tenting kit and attach it, it will add about +50grams per side and add some sort of heavy metal (not the music genre lol) feeling. This made the feel of the keyboard perfect for me.
I just started to learn 10-finger-typing and I already reached 90wpm (small letters only) with this keyboard – so it’s totally possible to type fast with the Piantor – the only thing I am struggling is the layer switching, but it’s not about the keyboard it’s about relearning over 20 years of using default keyboards wrong, so shame on me.
The only thing I am missing in the shop are some orientation buttons. Like on a normal keyboard you got those little nipples on the F and J keys. Even if I would use different and custom layouts, this kind of buttons would really help.
As soon as I buy another pair of keyboards (not because the piantor is bad, but because I like playing with this kind of stuff) I will reach out to the vendor and ask if they could add those in the shop.
Nevertheless, the Piantor may become my main keyboard in near future.
Greetings from Germany
Anonymous –
Great shipping speed, arrived in under 3 weeks in Ukraine, amazing packaging, Leo, the owner, helped invaluably during the build(Im bad at soldering, so messed up some things, but keyboard itself is fairly easy to build), do not recommend 50g switches though, too heavy as for choc switches imo. Overall excellent build quality, fully recommend.
Uwe Born –
The delivery from Hong Kong to Germany was surprisingly fast. I couldn’t be happier with the entire set I ordered. The setting/programming of my chosen layout using Vial (local version) also worked very well on my Linux PC. Now time will tell if an old dog can learn new tricks and memorize the key assignments. 😀