Features
November 3, 2025 ยท View on GitHub
The Dilemma is a vertical stagger low-profile keyboard with mods.
Table of contents
Features
- heavy pinky stagger
- MX and choc compatible
- version with hotswap
- underglow RGB, per-key RGB
- 2 Rotary encoders on thumb clusters
- connectors for OLED, LCD
Versions
There are multiple versions of the dilemma:
| Folder | Name | Size | PCBA | Trackpad | Switches | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3x5_2 | Dilemma DIY V2 | 3x5+2 | no | Cirque | MX, Choc V1 | |
3x5_3 | Dilemma V2 | 3x5+3 | yes | Cirque | MX, Choc V1 | Underglow, per-key RGB, rotary encoders |
3x5_3_procyon | Dilemma V3 hotswap | 3x5+3 | yes | Procyon | Choc V1, hotswap | Underglow, per-key RGB, rotary encoders, VIK |
4x6_4 | Dilemma MAX | 4x6+4 | yes | Cirque | MX, Choc V1 | Underglow, per-key RGB, rotary encoders |
4x6_4_procyon | Dilemma MAX V3 hotswap | 4x6+4 | yes | Procyon | Choc V1, hotswap | Underglow, per-key RGB, rotary encodersk VIK |
Required components
3d prints - cases
You can find the required 3d prints in the mechanical folder.
Most cases require a transparent mid layer to look good. You can either print it, or order it cut in acrylic.
Electronics
The new revisions are made to be PCBA'd, you can find the gerber, BOM and POS files in the Releases section.
Procyon mod
The dilemma v3 hotswap is made to work with a Procyon PCB.
Cirque Trackpad mod
This mod uses I2C on the DIY version, and SPI on the assembled version.
The DIY version requires removing some resistors from the trackpad:
- R1
- R7 and R8 if you are using a microcontroller that runs on 5V
When installing the trackpad mod, you will need:
| Part name | Amount | Link / source |
|---|---|---|
| M3 screw, torx, 6mm | 4 | Conrad |
| M3x5x5 screw insert | 4 | Aliexpress |
| 3d printed parts | See mechanical folder | |
| 40mm cirque trackpad, curved |
If building the PCBA version, you will also need:
| Part name | Amount | Link / source |
|---|---|---|
| 12-position FPC cable, 0.5mm pitch, same side contacts, 100mm, type-B | 1 | Farnell |
If building the DIY version, you will also need:
| Part name | Amount | Link / source |
|---|---|---|
| SOD123 Resistor, 5kOhms | 2 | |
| Cables |
Cases
Acrylic midplate (v2 only)
This case is only compatible with the assembled_v2 version !
Add an underglow effect and a beautiful view into the PCB with those acrylic midplates.
Metal plates
Optional metal plates enables the use of tripods through magsafe magnets.
Order the metal plates in 3mm thickness. The metal needs to be magnetized ! Grab the appropriate DXF from the matched folder.
You will need:
| Part name | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Metal plates | 2 | 3mm |
| Tripods | 2 | Neewer Z flex |
| Magsafe tripod adapter | 2 | Amazon/Aliexpress |
Community mods
There are a range of community mods available (hex plates, covers...).
You can find more information in the readme in the mechanical/community mods folder.
Build guide
https://docs.bastardkb.com/bg_dilemma/intro.html