Tag: CannonKeys

Key Takeaways

1. The Photon keyboard will now be available as an in-stock item instead of a group buy, launching at $99 with a $5 discount.
2. It features impressive battery life, estimated at six months (4,000 hours) with RGB lighting off, using ZMK firmware for wireless efficiency.
3. The keyboard includes a navigation column with four keys, and an optional knob module can be added for $17.
4. Users can customize the keyboard with different materials and colors, including four translucent polycarbonate options.
5. The Photon is hot-swappable and wireless by default, with an optional complete kit available for $166.28.

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CannonKeys has revealed that the Photon keyboard group buy, initially set for early 2025, will now be available as an in-stock item. This vibrant and fun 65% keyboard will feature a $5 discount at launch, lowering the price of the barebones kit to just $99. The Photon adopts a classic compact 65% layout and incorporates a gasket mount design for a more comfortable typing experience. However, it distinguishes itself from the many standard 65% keyboards on the market with its unique and eye-catching aesthetics.

Impressive Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Photon is its impressive battery life. Similar to the CannonKeys BakenekoGO, this keyboard utilizes ZMK firmware, which is optimized for wireless keyboards and offers extensive customization options, including ModTap, Tap Dance, and onboard macros via ZMK Studio. Thanks to the efficient firmware, CannonKeys asserts that the Photon’s 1,500 mAh battery can provide roughly six months of usage, or 4,000 hours, with the RGB lighting turned off.

Comparisons to Other Keyboards

To put this into perspective, the longest battery life recorded in recent keyboard tests was about 580 hours with the Epomaker Galaxy100. Other models, such as the Keychron K15 Max, manage around 140 hours on Bluetooth in our evaluations. Therefore, if CannonKeys’s claims are at all accurate, the Photon should be excellent for wireless users, provided they can handle the standard low polling rates that come with typical Bluetooth connections.

Enhanced Navigation Features

A thoughtful aspect of the Photon is its navigation keys, which are not overly compromised. The navigation column on the right side of the keyboard includes four keys, contrasting with the common three-key setups found in many modern compact layouts. Additionally, the middle key in that right column can be swapped out for an optional knob module, available for $17 from CannonKeys.

Customization Options

There are also various extras that users can explore, such as alternative materials for the stock colour-matched PC plate (including aluminium, FR4, and carbon fibre), along with different PC plates for creative colour combinations. The Photon is offered in four translucent polycarbonate colors: Teal, Coral, Frosted (white), and Smoke. The keyboard kit comes hot-swappable and wireless by default but does include a USB-C cable for charging and wired functionality. You can also purchase it with optional switches, a basic stabilizer, and a keycap set for a total of $166.28.

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Key Takeaways

1. Solar-Powered Design: The Soleil TKL keyboard utilizes solar and ambient light for charging, aiming for about 12 months of battery life under normal usage.

2. Launch and Pricing: Currently in the group buy phase, the Soleil TKL is expected to be priced around $450 with a minimum order quantity of 100 units.

3. High-Quality Build: The keyboard features an aluminum case with wood accents, prioritizing sound quality and aesthetics while adhering to a standard TKL layout.

4. Customization Options: It supports a hot-swap PCB for easy switch changes and may include a wired PCB option, allowing for personalized configurations.

5. Advanced Software: The Soleil will use ZMK Studio firmware for extensive customization, enabling users to create macros and distinct profiles for a tailored experience.

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The concept of a keyboard that uses solar and ambient light for power isn’t particularly new. Earlier this year at CES, Lenovo introduced the Lenovo Self Charging Bluetooth Keyboard, which, although not yet released, promises an impressive two years of battery life. This idea appears to be gaining popularity in the enthusiast keyboard community, with CannonKeys recently revealing its own solar-powered DIY mechanical keyboard — the Soleil TKL.

Launch Details and Pricing

The Soleil TKL has not completely launched yet, as CannonKeys has begun the group buy process with an interest check form. The designers aim to hold a group buy in the Fall, and with a minimum order quantity of 100 units, the Soleil is expected to be priced around $450.

Features and Specifications

The key focus of the Soleil is to provide high-quality build and hassle-free wireless usage. Unlike typical wireless mechanical keyboards like the Keychron Q13 Max (which we have reviewed here) that require charging once or twice monthly, the Soleil should achieve about 12 months of battery life under normal usage, thanks to a 780 mAh battery, ZMK firmware, and a small solar cell located above the arrow keys. CannonKeys and the keyboard’s designer, known online as Gondolindrim, have shared more information about the specifications and construction in a Geekhack forum post.

Performance Under Lighting Conditions

Calculations and real-world tests indicate that under standard office lighting, the keyboard comes close to being self-sufficient. This suggests that, in typical office environments, you may still need to charge the keyboard at certain times… However, if your office receives plenty of sunlight, this keyboard might be able to sustain itself!

It’s worth noting that verifying CannonKeys’s battery life claims requires direct testing. For comparison, the BakenekoGO, another CannonKeys model utilizing ZMK firmware and a smaller 200 mAh battery, lasts about a month on a full charge. It’s reasonable to think that the Soleil’s solar charging could allow it to reach that one-year battery life, especially if the backlighting is kept off.

Design and Aesthetics

The Soleil adheres to a standard TKL layout, featuring an F13 key above the backspace and the navigation cluster alongside the arrow keys to the right of the alphanumeric keys. It is crafted with an aluminum case adorned with walnut or maple accents. The design of the case, along with the aluminum plate and top-mount structure, prioritizes sound quality over providing the cushioned typing experience found in models like the Epomaker Galaxy100 we recently reviewed (currently priced at $95.19 for Amazon Prime members).

According to CannonKeys, the front height of the Soleil will be about 20 mm, with the space bar positioned at 24 mm — not extraordinarily low, but certainly lower than many prebuilt keyboards. The fully assembled keyboard is expected to weigh around 1900 g. The Soleil will come in an anodized black finish with deep walnut accents or an e-coated white with lighter maple wood accents, and it will initially be sold as a DIY kit, meaning you will need to provide your own switches, stabilizers, and keycaps.

Customization Options

The Soleil will include a hot-swap PCB supporting both 6.25 u and 7 u space bars, along with split right shift and backspace keys, as well as a stepped caps lock. CannonKeys is also contemplating a wired PCB option for those who might prefer a wired connection while still wanting the Soleil design, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Software for Customization

For customization, the Soleil keyboard will utilize ZMK Studio, which is a fork of the open-source QMK project that focuses on efficiency and is tailored for modern wireless keyboards. This ZMK firmware and ZMK Studio will allow users to extensively personalize their Soleil keyboards with features like macros, ModTap, distinct profiles, and extra layers.

In conclusion, the Soleil keyboard seems to offer innovative features that could appeal to many enthusiasts, and its solar capabilities could change the way users interact with their keyboards.

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