Hey @shaysub. I'm so sorry, I don't get lemmy notifications, and didn't see this. If you use discord, join the fingerpunch discord and message me there. My username is sadekbaroudi
https://fingerpunch.xyz/discord
If you don't use discord, let me know how I can reach you directly!
(sorry for the delayed response, I don't have notifications set up for lemmy)
Yeah, I realize that hand soldering fpc is not easy. However, the alternatives were much more bulky connectors. I actually did add a footprint in VIK that allows you to use a 2 row pin header, as you had described! It's in the repository, though the README doesn't highlight it at all!
The footprints are here: https://github.com/sadekbaroudi/vik/blob/master/kicad/vik.pretty/vik-keyboard-throughole.kicad_mod https://github.com/sadekbaroudi/vik/blob/master/kicad/vik.pretty/vik-module-throughole.kicad_mod
With these, you can use a very commonly available, like this one: https://a.co/d/glcPKeg
If you search for "fpc 12 pin 0.5mm breakout", you'll find a bunch of these same ones.
So, adding support for a board using these shouldn't be too bad! Also, I just made a new controller that has a VIK connector built in, so you can make any pro micro compatible keyboard VIK enabled :)
https://github.com/sadekbaroudi/svlinky
[Ad] I also sell these on the fingerpunch site now, though it's open source, so you can fab them yourself as well.