You’re reading this because you love mechanical keyboards and you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty building your own. But there are a thousand different mechanical keyboard builds out there and you can always design your own from scratch if you’re into self-flagellation. Even with so many options out there, you might want to hold out for Zack Freedman’s MiRage mechanical keyboard. Freedman showcased the first version of the MiRage, the Mk1, in October of last year. But like a mirage, the project seemed to disappear. Now Freedman is back with an update on the MiRage Mk2 mechanical keyboard.
If all you want is a basic mechanical keyboard, then this isn’t the project for you — there are many affordable options on the market that don’t require this kind of work. But if you want all the features, then the MiRage is a project to watch. While Freedman’s update is about the MiRage Mk2, he already has plans for an Mk3. Freedman published the MiRage Mk2 design files so you can build your own, but you’re better off waiting for the Mk3 and that could still be a year or two away. Still, the current Mk2 is already pretty dang interesting.
Like the Mk1, the MiRage Mk2 is a split keyboard — but also not. Freedman designed the PCB so the user can choose if they want to split it into two pieces. Theoretically, users can even daisy-chain multiple “halves” to create a keyboard of any size. Each section also has a modular accessory area where users can put an e-ink display, control knob, or something else. Every section also has its own controller: a tiny Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 development board. Those RP2040s communicate with each other through I2C, with SATA cables connecting the boards together.
As one would expect, the MiRage Mk2 features RGB backlighting for every key. Reverse-mounted LEDs handle that, which also leaves room for a variety of hot-swappable key switches. Cherry MX key switches — the fan favorite — will work, but so do other popular key switch footprints. That means that virtually every key switch/key cap combo available to MiRage Mk2 users.
There is a lot more interesting information on the MiRage Mk2 design in Freedman’s video, so be sure to watch that to get the full details. You can also sign up for his project newsletter or become an alpha tester if you’re especially brave.
