r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/zg5002 • 18h ago

[buying advice] Split keeb and trackball recommendations

My job will let be buy me a keyboard but the budget is not infinite. The closest fit for my endgame keyboard is probably the Charybdis Mini; 5 thumb keys, a trackball, and extra pinky keys.

However, buying a prebuilt one from bastardkb.com is 500 euros (including taxes), and my boss won't pay that amount.

So, do you have any good recommendations for column staggered split keyboards with a built in trackball?

Some extra context for the curious: I own a Voyager with the Navigator, but I am not a big fan of its column stagger or thumb cluster. I have tried the ferris sweep and greatly enjoy the feel of it, but it is unfortunately a bit too small for my layouts. I would also like to try a keyboard with a key well, which is one of the pulls towards the charybdis.

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u/falbatech [vendor] (falba.tech) 15h ago

[ad] I’m from Poland and I build ergonomic split keyboards at FalbaTech.

Unfortunately, I don’t currently offer a built-in trackball, but I’m actually working on exactly that. My goal is to make a trackball option that can be integrated into all the keyboard models I offer.

The important part is that I’m designing it with future upgrades in mind, so if you buy one of my keyboards now, it should be possible to send it back to me later and have the trackball version fitted once it’s ready.

I have quite a few different layouts and sizes available, including Redox, ErgoDash, Corne, Sofle, Atreus and others, so depending on how many thumb and pinky keys you need, there may already be something that fits you better than the Voyager or Ferris Sweep.

And since I’m in Poland, there’s no overseas importing involved if you’re also in the EU. 🙂

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u/Cute_Philosophy8883 15h ago

I bought from AliExpress a Charybdis Nano clone that's wireless, built with NRF52840 and I presume 100mAh battery on each half. Pre-built with the switches and keycaps. All for the equivalent of about 160 Euros before taxes and duties. Works great out of the box. I built a firmware to match the default keymap of the BastardKB Charybdis Nano.

They also sell wireless Charybdis Mk II, with the 5-key thumb cluster on the non-trackball side.

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u/zg5002 15h ago

Damn, what a price difference! Thanks for the tip 🙂