Cannon Keys Bakeneko60 Review: A Witty Take

Hello, fellow keyboard enthusiasts! Today, I am thrilled to share my thoughts on the Cannon Keys Bakeneko60. This compact keyboard is a true gem that seamlessly blends impressive performance with a unique sense of style. Prepare to be whisked away on a typing adventure like no other!

Let’s start with its compact design. The Bakeneko60 is perfect for those who desire a powerful typing experience in a smaller form factor. Don’t let its size fool you; this keyboard packs a punch when it comes to performance. It comes with a range of components, including a PCB, plate, USB-C daughterboard, JST cable, M2 screws, hex key, silicone O-ring, clip-in stabilizers, silicone feet, and an aluminum case.

The Bakeneko60 is thoughtfully designed to make building a breeze. The PCBs come pre-flashed with VIA compatible firmware, ensuring a seamless setup process. The clip-in stabilizers, when used with the O-ring, guarantee optimal performance. Best of all, this keyboard offers a variety of customizable options, allowing you to showcase your unique style and preferences.

Are you ready to take your typing experience to the next level? Let’s dive into the captivating world of the Cannon Keys Bakeneko60!

Key Takeaways:

• The Cannon Keys Bakeneko60 is a compact keyboard that combines style and performance.
• It features a range of components, including a PCB, plate, USB-C daughterboard, and clip-in stabilizers.
• The building process is straightforward, thanks to the pre-flashed VIA compatible firmware.
• Customizable options allow you to make this keyboard your very own.
• Get ready to elevate your typing experience with the Cannon Keys Bakeneko60!

What’s Included in the Bakeneko60 Kit

The Bakeneko60 kit is a treasure trove of components that will make your compact keyboard dreams come true. With everything included in this kit, you’ll have all the essentials to build a high-quality and durable keyboard that reflects your unique style.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside:

• PCB: The heart of your keyboard, this Printed Circuit Board provides the foundation for all the other components to come together harmoniously.
• Plate: The plate plays a critical role in maintaining the stability and integrity of the keyboard. It ensures that each keypress feels solid and satisfying.
• USB-C Daughterboard: This handy little board allows for easy connection to your computer and ensures fast and reliable data transfer.
• JST Cable: A high-quality cable that connects the PCB to the daughterboard, ensuring seamless communication between the two.
• M2 Screws: These tiny screws are essential for securing various components of the keyboard, making sure everything stays in place.
• Hex Key: Your trusty companion for tightening and loosening screws during assembly. This key will help you get the job done with ease.
• Silicone O-ring: The O-ring acts as a cushion between the PCB and plate, reducing vibrations and adding extra stability to your typing experience.
• Clip-in Stabilizers: These stabilizers keep your larger keys steady and prevent any wobbling during use. They are designed for easy installation and optimal performance.
• Silicone Feet: These little feet provide a snug grip on your desk, ensuring that your keyboard stays in place even during those intense typing sessions.
• Aluminum Case: Not only does the aluminum case give your keyboard a sleek and premium look, but it also offers durability and protection for your precious creation.

With these included components, you’ll have everything you need to create a Bakeneko60 keyboard that is uniquely yours. But wait, there’s more! The kit also comes with detailed instructions to guide you through the building process, making it a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

So, go ahead and unleash your creativity with the Bakeneko60 kit. Get ready to build a compact keyboard that combines style and performance effortlessly.

Building the Bakeneko60

Building the Bakeneko60 is an exciting and straightforward process that allows you to create a customized keyboard tailored to your preferences and style. With the right components and a little bit of patience, you’ll be typing away on your own handcrafted masterpiece in no time.

Before diving into the assembly process, it’s crucial to ensure that you have all the necessary components included in the kit. The Bakeneko60 kit comes complete with a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), a plate, a USB-C daughterboard, a JST cable, M2 screws, a hex key, clip-in stabilizers, silicone feet, an aluminum case, and a silicone O-ring. Make sure everything is at your fingertips before starting the build to prevent any unnecessary interruptions.

Stabilizer Preparation

The first step in the assembly process is to prepare the stabilizers. Stabilizers are essential for a smooth and consistent typing experience. To get started, align the stems on the stabilizers and insert the stab wire. Repeat this process for each key on the keyboard that requires a stabilizer. Taking your time to ensure they are properly assembled will pay off when it comes to typing comfort.

PCB/Plate Assembly

Next, it’s time to install the stabilizers into the PCB. Carefully insert each stabilizer into its corresponding socket on the PCB, making sure they are securely in place. Once the stabilizers are securely attached, it’s time to insert the switches. Begin by inserting the switches along the outside of the plate and push them into the sockets while supporting the hotswap socket.

The PCB and Plate assembly is a critical step in the building process. The PCB is the heart of your keyboard, and it needs to be mounted securely to ensure proper functionality. Insert the PCB/Plate assembly into the case, making sure the O-ring is in place to provide additional stability. The O-ring will help alleviate any potential vibrations and enhance the overall typing experience. Finally, secure the assembly in place within the case.

Once your Bakeneko60 is fully assembled, it’s time to add the finishing touch – the keycaps. Choose from a variety of keycap sets and explore different color combinations to truly make your keyboard reflect your personal style. With your keycaps in place, your Bakeneko60 is now ready to be connected, and you can enjoy the satisfying clickety-clack of your creation.

Building the Bakeneko60 is not just about assembling the components; it’s about creating a truly unique and personalized keyboard that fits your typing style and aesthetic preferences. Whether you’re a seasoned keyboard enthusiast or a beginner, this assembly process offers an opportunity to unleash your creativity and unleash your typing potential.

Backspace and Spacebar Fixes

Some early Bakeneko PCBs may have issues with the mappings of certain keys. Specifically, the backspace key might be mistakenly mapped to “Delete” instead. But fear not! There’s a simple solution using the VIA Configurator.

To fix the backspace key, follow these steps:

1. Open the VIA Configurator and navigate to the Layout tab.
2. Toggle on the “Split Backspace” option.
3. Go to the Keymap tab and map “Delete” to “Backspace.”

With these easy adjustments, your backspace key will be functioning as it should, allowing you to breeze through text editing without any hiccups.

Another potential issue that some Bakeneko PCBs might encounter is with the spacebar. If you find that your spacebar is not behaving as expected, here’s a fix that can save the day.

To correct the spacebar mapping, you can try the following method:

1. Download the provided .json file related to the Bakeneko PCB.
2. Open the .json file in any text editor.
3. Search for the occurrences of “4,5” and change them to “4,6”.
4. Save the changes and load the modified .json file into the VIA Configurator.

By making these adjustments, you’ll successfully rebind the spacebar to ensure smooth typing experiences on your Bakeneko60.

Image: Illustration of a keyboard with highlighted backspace and spacebar keys.

GMK Shanshui 山水 Keycap Set Collaboration

The GMK Shanshui keycap set is an exciting collaboration between multiple vendors, including Cannonkeys, Zfrontier, iLumkb, CandyKeys, Daily Clack, Deskhero.ca, and Prototypist.net. It’s a true testament to the power of teamwork and creativity when great minds come together to produce something extraordinary.

Designed to capture the timeless beauty of the Lijiang and the essence of Chinese ink painting, the GMK Shanshui keycap set is a stunning combination of artistry and functionality. With its white-on-black Cherry profile design, it adds an elegant touch to any keyboard setup.

The keycaps are meticulously crafted, with base keys molded in GMK stock CR black and legends rendered in crisp stock WS1. This attention to detail ensures clear and easily legible legends, making for a delightful typing experience.

One of the standout features of the GMK Shanshui keycap set is its inclusion of sublegends in Cangjie, as well as modifiers in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. This makes it the first GMK set to incorporate true Chinese characters, adding a touch of cultural significance and uniqueness.

Various Kits for Every Preference

The GMK Shanshui set offers a variety of kits to cater to different preferences and layouts. Whether you’re a fan of the Simplified Chinese base kit, the Traditional Chinese base kit, the Cangjie monolegend alphas kit, the novelties kit, or the spacebars kit, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you want to fully embrace the beauty of the Chinese language or simply enjoy the exquisite design, the GMK Shanshui keycap set has the perfect kit for you.

Coming Soon: Group Buy on New Years Day 2021

Exciting news for keyboard enthusiasts! The GMK Shanshui keycap set will be available for group buy starting on New Years Day 2021. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of keyboard artistry and elevate your typing experience to new heights.

Stay tuned for updates from the collaborating vendors – Cannonkeys, Zfrontier, iLumkb, CandyKeys, Daily Clack, Deskhero.ca, and Prototypist.net – as they bring you the latest information and details on how to participate in the group buy.

Retooled Legends for GMK Shanshui

After submitting the original legends to GMK, adjustments were needed to meet mold tooling specifications. The legends were completely overhauled to create visually stunning and precise keycap designs for the GMK Shanshui set.

• The legends now feature cutaways, broadened strokes, and rounded corners, enhancing their aesthetic appeal.
• Negative space has been narrowed and straightened, creating a more balanced and consistent look.
• Elements have been simplified and refined to ensure clarity and readability.

These retooled legends not only adhere to the integrity of the Chinese language but also establish a consistent typography that can be utilized in future GMK sets. The attention to detail in these legends guarantees a high-quality and visually appealing keycap set that keyboard enthusiasts will truly appreciate.

Collaborations and Updates for GMK Shanshui

The GMK Shanshui keycap set has teamed up with a variety of talented artisans and makers to bring users exclusive accessories that elevate their keyboard experience. These collaborations include custom branded rare wood wrist rests from Digital Carpentry, set-matched aviator cables from Luxe Cables, and stunning metal artisan keycaps from RAMA WORKS. But it doesn’t stop there. The set also features mesmerizing resin artisan keycaps from Salvun, Latrialum, DE∆Gcaps, Sodie Caps, Destroyer Caps, Bludgeoned Kaps, Rascal Caps, Frumpzkeys, Fraktal Kaps, Rejeck Kaps, and Froue Loop.

These collaborations add an extra touch of luxury and uniqueness to the GMK Shanshui keycap set, allowing users to truly personalize their keyboards and create a setup that reflects their individual style. Whether you’re looking for the warm beauty of rare wood, the sleekness of metal, or the artistic charm of resin, these collaborations have something special to offer.

In addition to these exciting collaborations, the GMK Shanshui keycap set has also undergone updates to improve kit options, pricing, and other important details. The goal is to provide keyboard enthusiasts with the best possible experience, ensuring that the set meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.

If you’re eager to get your hands on the GMK Shanshui keycap set, mark your calendar for January 1, 2021, when it will be available for group buy from various vendors. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your keyboard setup with the collaborative magic and latest updates of GMK Shanshui.