Awesome

The Dilemma is a vertical stagger low-profile keyboard with mods.

Table of contents

• Table of contents
• Features
• Versions
• Wireless abilities
• BOM
  • DIY version
  • Assembled version
  • Trackpad mod
• Cases
  • Acrylic midplate (v2 only)
  • Acrylic bottom plate
  • Tents - metal bottom plate
  • 3d printed thin case (v1 only)
  • 3d printed less-thin case with tenting pucks (v1 only)
• Community mods
• Build guide
• Forks
• Others / in progress

Features

• Heavy pinky stagger
• MX and choc compatible
• Underglow RGB, Per-key RGB
• 2 Rotary encoders on thumb clusters

Versions

There are 2 versions of the dilemma, in 2 folders:

• dilemma, for DIY that requires an additional MCU (eg. kb2040)
• dilemma_assembled, for PCB assembly

The Dilemma is made for rp2040, so if you go with the DIY version you should source your MCU board accordingly.

Wireless abilities

ZMK does not support input devices at the moment, and QMK does not support BLE.

However, as this is meant to be a portable keyboard, some ground work has been laid with the DIY version:

• pinout compatible with nice!nano
• 2 battery connectors footprints: JST, and THT
• on / off button footprint

At this time, the assembled version does not support wireless.

BOM

The PCB can work on standalone.

Depending on which version you go with, you will need to source different items.

On top of the basic build, you can add a range of options, which require additional components:

• 3d printed case
• mods (eg. trackpad)

Both versions of the Dilemma require:

DIY version

On top of the parts mentioned above, you will need:

Please note, the Dilemma is compatible only with rp2040 boards !

The release section contains the latest gerbers.

Order in 1.2mm thickness.

Assembled version

On top of the parts mentioned above, you will need:

The release section contains the latest gerbers with BOM and POS files.

Order in 1.6mm thickness.

Trackpad mod

This is the first mod made for the keyboard - so it can function as a standalone input device.

It uses I2C on the DIY version, and SPI on the assembled version.

The DIY version requires removing 2 resistors from the trackpad (see build guide).

When installing the trackpad mod, you will need:

If building the PCBA version, you will also need:

If building the DIY version, you will also need:

Cases

Acrylic midplate (v2 only)

This case is only compatible with the assembled_v2 version !

Add an underglow effect and a beautiful view into the PCB with those acrylic midplates.

You will need

*the 3d printed bottom plate can be swapped out for a full acrylic bottom plate, or a metal plate for the magnet mod (see following sections).

Acrylic bottom plate

If you are using the acrylic midplate, you can install a full bottom plate. Order the bottom acrylic plates in 3mm thickness.

You will also need to chamfer the M3 holes for the screws to be flush.

Tents - metal bottom plate

This plate enables the use of tripods through magsafe magnets.

Order the metal plates in 3mm thickness. The metal needs to be magnetized !

You will also need to chamfer the M3 holes for the screws to be flush.

You will need:

3d printed thin case (v1 only)

This case is only compatible with the DIY and assembled_v1 versions !

Designed for the minimum footprint possible, while still protecting the PCB.

The case is reversible.

It needs to be printed at 0.2mm layer height supportless specifically for the nut inserts suport-less interfaces. If you are doing a different layer height, use supports.

3d printed less-thin case with tenting pucks (v1 only)

This case is only compatible with the DIY and assembled_v1 versions !

Accomodates the Splitkb tenting puck, to be used with a Manfrotto tripod.

There are a range of cases available. See details in the mechanical/cases folder.

Community mods

There are a range of community mods available (hex plates, covers...).

You can find more information in the readme in the mechanical/community mods folder.

Build guide

https://docs.bastardkb.com/bg_dilemma/intro.html

Forks

• 3x6 version
• 3x5 + 3 version

Others / in progress

The PCB has available connectors for:

• oled