The Skinny Chameleon

Features

The Chameleon is a grid type orthogonal keyboard with two optional layouts in one single PCB. Being able to break off the bottom row allows both a 5x12 layout similar to the popular Preonic and a 4x12 layout similar to the equally popular little brother Planck on the same PCB.

While the original Chameleon uses the more common 19.05 mm grid spacing, the Skinny Chameleon uses the same unique 19 mm key spacing as the Preonic & Planck, making this PCB a drop in replacement PCB if you have a failed Planck or Preonic PCB and want to use that case.

Being fully hot-swap and with PCB mounted stabilizers ¹, Chameleon adds support for up to four encoders and a bottom row allowing either a single stabilized 2u key or two 2u keys in the middle, allowing for a layout that suits most users. If used as a 5 row keyboard, the bottom encoders can alternatively be placed at the edges on the second row, but not more than one per corner.

The PCB is designed such that you can install hot-swap sockets for all the options of the bottom row, and dynamically swap the keys and stabilizers, and have either a full 1u grid, or your choice of 2u keys without any soldering needed. ²

The Chameleon features 8 bottomfacing RGB LEDs for underglow effects or to be used for layer indication or similar.

Please Note! This PCB fits only a Planck/Preonic case! See the original Chameleon for a PCB to use with various aftermarket cases.

Main Features:

• QMK and VIAL compatible, fully programmable keyboard
• RP2040 MCU, Dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz
  • 264KB of SRAM, and 4MB of on-board Flash memory
  • USB-C connector to host computer, (USB 1.1 device and host support)
  • Low-power sleep and dormant modes
  • Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB
• Kaihl hot-swap sockets for Cherry MX compatible switches (3 & 5-pin)³
• Cherry Style PCB mounted stabilizers (Clip-in type preferred).
• Two main layouts:
  • Preonic - 5x12 with 58 to 60 keys
  • Planck - 4x12 with 46 to 48 keys (Break off bottom row)
• Configurable bottom row (Full hot-swap, no soldering):
  • Full 1u grid
  • 1x centered, stabilized 2u key
  • 2x centered, stabilized 2u keys
• Fully drop-in compatible with all existing Planck & Preonic cases. You can swap out your PCB in mere minutes.
  • Note that the RP2040 MCU uses two physical buttons (boot & reset), which are blocked in a stock OLKB/Drop case. (These are not needed in normal use, flashing can be done from a key-bind).
  • Optional soldered mounting studs - 2.5 mm tall M2 studs as on the original Planck/Preonic PCB (6 pcs Planck / 5 pcs Preonic).

Optional add-ons:

• Support for up to 4 rotary encoders (one encoder per corner)
• Optional RGB underglow (8 pcs SK6812 mini-e)

These options requires additional components not included in this listing and sold separately.

Assembly

Little or no tools at all needed! The PCB can be delivered fully built and ready to use, either as a full matrix, or with your selection of rotary encoders and/or RGB. Then the components for this needs to be purchased with the PCB!!!

If ordered fully built, the entire layout specified (Plank/Preonic) is fully populated with hotswap sockets, and accepts both a full 1u grid and 2u keys without any changes or soldering needed, and one or more encoders are soldered as per your note.⁴ Mounting studs are soldered if included. RGB is soldered and functional according to layout if added to the purchase. If you include encoders, please leave a note with their position.

The middle ground is "Partial/Barebones", where I will assume you want a full grid and fully populated bottom row for your chosen layout, but no extra components are added. If you want to leave out any sockets for easier use of any specific layout or to easily add encoders yourself, and deviating from standard, please choose "Fully Built" instead. Mounting studs purchased with this option will be soldered included in this price.

Or as a "DIY Kit" with soldering required. As a full DIY kit all the hotswap sockets, studs and RGB are left unsoldered, while the small and more difficult SMD components, the USB port etc, are already fully soldered and tested. This option is for those that prefer soldering as an experience, or simply want too save a few bucks. All components are very DIY friendly and easy to solder, and no previous experience soldering is needed.⁵

Case & Plate

The design is made to fit any Planck or Preonic case and plate, and act as a drop-in replecment PCB. It does not fit any case not advertised as specific fitment for these PCB's.

Any mounting hardware should accompany the case, and is not supplied with the PCB. This means you will have to save and re-use the hardware like the screws and plate from your original case.

The optional solder on studs match the mounting dimensions of the original PCB. This means the PCB can easily be mounted in an original OLKB case. Ordering the PCB as Partial/Bartebones, or as Pre-Built and adding the studs means it comes with the studs already soldered to the PCB and ready to use.

You can remove and re-use the studs from an original PCB if you want too, but beware it takes some amount of skill to solder them without damaging the PCB as it needs a lot of heat, and you will need to first clean off all excess solder from the stud to fit it to the rather snug hole on the new PCB. This is only recommended for more experienced DIY'ers.

Case Fitment

Planck

Confirmed to fit OLKB/Drop Rev 2 -> current revision (DROP V7) cases

OLKB/Massdrop Rev1 - Unconfirmed, but should match rev 2. Please PM for confirmation before order or leave a message and I will contact you.

Preonic

Confirmed to fit OLKB/Drop Rev 3

Partial fitment for OLKB/Massdrop Rev 2 - Upper case holes match, lower holes do not. Case can be drilled or spacers can be left without a bolt, as supports only.

OLKB/Massdrop Rev1 - Unconfirmed, but should match rev 2. Please PM for confirmation before order or leave a message and I will contact you.

Known Sellers/Stores for cases

SM Keyboards - Planck & Preonic cases in stacked acrylic available.

keycapsss - Planck & Preonic sandwich type cases available.

Datamancer - Planck & Preonic cases in hardwood available.

Version

Version 1.00 - Initial version

Version 1.10 - In version 1.10 the mounting holes for the Planck sized PCB has been corrected, and the USB port has been re-centered, since it was accidentally centered on 19.05 mm spacing. Oops.

¹ Clip-in stabilizers are preferred, as they can clip into the PCB holes with all sockets installed. Bolt-in stabilizers can still be used, but you will need a felt/plastic washer or similar to avoid short circuiting the sockets with the metal bolt heads.

² Technically you can install sockets on both rows, but it makes installing stabilizers much more difficult.

³ Please note that the Skinny Chameleon supports only Cherry MX type switches (3 & 5 pin), NOT Kaihl Choc, as they require a different PCB and plate design.

⁴ I will solder both the encoder and the hot-swap socket unless noted otherwise, making it possible to remove the encoder easily and use the key position as normal.

⁵ Soldering experience is not needed, but it certainly helps. And if you have never ever held a soldering iron, please ask in discord, and I'm happy to help recommend tools, or how to practice first, and how to solder to avoid destroying things.

Normal handling time is 3 - 5 working days, not including build items (Those usually take 1 - 2 weeks).

Shipping is done with insured/signed for parcels, where no such service is available the parcel is sent as insured parcel, but may not be fully traceable the entire transit. If no insured or traceable service is available, parcels will be sent as uninsured/untraceable at the buyers responsibility. All of which is clearly stated on checkout.

All packets are represented to courier services and customs at their true sale value, and all responsibility for import fees, taxes and tariffs lie with the buyer.

The SE/EU "Act on Distance Contracts and Off-Premises Contracts (SFS 2005:59)" allows returns of the items in undamaged (unsoldered!) condition within 14 days of receiving it. Return shipping on returned items are the responsibility of the buyer.