Earlier this year, we came out with the Iris CE (Compact Edition) to provide the much-requested option for a low-profile version of the Iris using Choc switches. Besides being low-profile, the Iris CE uses the more compact vertical and horizontal switch spacing. This spacing is great for people who want to reduce the distance their fingers will move.

Left: Choc MBK/MCC spacing, Right: MX spacing
Bottom Left: MX spacing, Bottom Right: Choc MBK/MCC spacing

However, the reduced spacing may put someone's fingers too close to each other or is too much of an adjustment to transition to, so we've worked on a low-profile version of the Iris that has the more traditional spacing that is used.

So we present to you a new keyboard that will be joining our lineup: The Iris LM!

The "LM" here denotes "Low-profile MX" to indicate that while being low-profile, the spacing is like the normal MX spacing of keyboards most people are used to.

Switch Compatibility

There will be 2 different PCBs available at the initial release that will have hotswap sockets and per-key RGB lighting:

  • Iris LM-K
  • Iris LM-G

The difference between these two PCBs is which type of switches they support since the hotswap sockets differ.

Iris LM-K - Kailh Choc V1 & V2

The "K" in Iris LM-K is for "Kailh Choc", indicating that the PCBs are compatible with Choc V1 and Choc V2 switches. Note that the PCB does not have holes for the additional pin on Choc V2 switches that are present on some variants of the switches. This pin can be clipped off without any issues.

We will be stocking V2 switches that don't have this extra pin.

Iris LM-K PCBs (green prototype version)

Iris LM-G - Gateron KS-33 Low-Profile

The "G" in Iris LM-G is for "Gateron", and the PCBs are compatible with the Gateron KS-33 Low-Profile switches.

Iris LM-G PCBs

RGB LEDs

Both PCBs have per-key RGB LEDs installed for your visual enjoyment.

0:00
/0:04

Available Switches

We will be stocking the following switches to go along with the Iris LM-K and Iris LM-G:

  • Kailh Choc V2 Silent Tactile - Deep Sea Mini Whale (yes, we know the name is weird)
  • Kailh Choc V2 Silent Linear - Deep Sea Mini Islet (same comment on naming as before)
  • Kailh Choc V2 Full POM Tactile - Black Cloud
  • Gateron KS-33 Low-Profile (variants TBD)
  • Kailh Choc V1 (same as before) - Browns (tactile), Reds (linear), White (clicky)
Choc V2 switches that will be available at Keebio

Keyset Compatibility

For the Choc V1 switches, you can use the various Choc keycaps out there, but if you are using something that use the more compact Choc spacing (17x18mm), then there will be larger gaps in between keycaps.

Iris LM with MBK Keycaps

For the Choc V2 and Gateron KS-33 switches with MX-stems, you can use any keycaps with MX stems on them. But assuming that you want to have something low-profile, we have the Tai-Hao THT Low-Profile MX Keyset available to match up with your board. XVX Low-Profile keycaps also work well with the board as well.

Tai-Hao THT Keyset in Black and White

Keyboard Case

The Iris LM is constructed similarly to the Iris CE, but will only be available in Aluminum to start. It's still to be determined if polycarbonate cases will be made. The case consists of the following parts:

  • Black Aluminum Switch Plate - 1.2mm thick
  • Plate Support Foam - Helps keep switches the correct distance from the PCB
  • O-rings - Isolates the PCB/Plate from the bottom tray
  • Silicone Tray Liner - Improves the sound of the keyboard, else it can sound hollow
  • Removable Silicone Feet

The case is compatible with both the LM-K and LM-G PCBs.

Left: Iris LM-K PCB installed with Choc V2 Silent Linears, Right: Iris LM-G PCB installed with Gateron KS-33 Browns

Carrying Case

As with the Iris CE, the Iris LM will come with a carrying case. The upcoming batch of carrying cases will be gray instead of black.

Left: New case in Gray, Right: Original case in Black

Timeline

Current status of all the parts:

  • PCBs - Expected end of November
  • Switches - Already have Choc V2 ones, need to order Gateron LP switches still
  • Aluminum cases - Production is already underway, we expect to have them on hand around the end of November

We expect to have the Iris LM available at the beginning of this December!

Future Developments (a.k.a Wireless wen?)

Over the years, we’ve gotten requests for wireless capabilities for our boards. So with the Iris LM, we are currently working on wireless versions of the PCB, tentatively named Iris LM-KW and Iris LM-GW (should be fairly obvious why they are named as such). It is possible that the RGB LEDs are dropped and a version with Choc sockets and Gateron LP sockets are simultaneously on the PCB, but that is to be determined.

We have been sponsoring the development of ZMK Studio, a VIA-like configurator app for ZMK (wireless firmware), and we’re looking forward to actually making a board that uses it. Stay tuned.