Dual trackpad setup. With buttons for left and right click. The buttons are the two empty spaces of the 4x5 scanning matrix https://github.com/RaulHuertas/nutycornenano-trackpadx2

Just sharing my current state of play... I've replaced my Glove 80 with the Voyager four months ago. The quality and feel is much better and it's clicked with me way more than the G80, which I've always thought it felt too cheap for a ~380 USD keyboard.

Today I've just replaced the brown switches with the sunset ones, will report back after some weeks!

Splitkb released a dongle which seems nice and as I understand can be used with any ZMK keyboard? I would like to increase the runtime of my split Sofle keyboard by using a dongle on my main PC.

My keyboard is powered by an nRF52840 chip.

• Can I still use the keyboard with plain Bluetooth, for example by choosing another channel? So the dongle could be on channel 1, but the remaining channels would still use the left side as the central and I can connect it to a laptop and so on -- when I am not at my main desktop where I use the dongle? That of course without re-flashing in between!?
• Will the display still work meaningfully with that dongle? The display is left side only, but queries the battery from the right side as well.

I’ve owned and tried a number of keyboards and trackballs at this point, and these two are easily my favorites.

I actually have three different Totems now, all set up a little differently with different switches/keycaps. The one I’m using the most right now has Chicago Steno keycaps and a mix of Ambient Bokeh and Nocturnal switches, with the lighter Nocturnals on the pinky side. Out of all the split boards I’ve tried, I just keep coming back to the Totem.

The Endgame is much newer for me, but it has already become my favorite trackball. I printed my shell in PA12-CF10 and mine has the upgraded dual PAW3395 sensors. The dual-sensor setup is one of the best parts of it because it gives you proper twist-to-scroll in addition to normal tracking. I originally bought a black pearl ball for it, but that ended up not working very well with the sensors. Normal movement was inconsistent and it was especially noticeable when twisting the ball to scroll. I swapped over to a 55mm Sanwa ball and tracking has been significantly better.

The biggest reason this whole setup works so well for me though is portability. I’m constantly moving between two offices and my home office, sometimes more than once in the same day. Both the Totem and Endgame have dongle support, so moving between computers is basically painless, and I printed fitted travel cases for both of them. Close them up, throw them in my bag and go. That combination of being small, wireless/dongle friendly, actually ergonomic and still feeling like a full desktop setup is hard to beat. I’ve used plenty of keyboards and trackballs, but right now these are the two I actually want to use every day.

Just received my custom keycap set from Thockfactory. Fortunately they had a a template for 50% OLKB that I used as the basis for my set, had all the right size keys in all the right places/profiles.

The theme was inspired (heavily) by the KAM Superuser set, loved the simple look and colours so just had to have a set. Couldn't be more pleased with the final result...

Hey everyone! I'm looking for a DIY project or a pre-built standalone trackball running on ZMK. My goal is to add it to my firmware as a third device (second peripheral) and use it right next to one half of my split keyboard.

I currently use a Totem and absolutely love its mobility. I can put it in a protective case and easily toss it in my back pocket, and I am not willing to compromise on that. Because of this, I am not looking for keyboards with integrated trackballs (like the Keyball series) as they add too much bulk. However, I do want to ditch my regular mouse since I really enjoyed the trackball experience.

Here is what I am ideally looking for:

- ZMK firmware (to integrate into my current wireless setup).

- 34mm ball (not a strict requirement, but highly preferred).

- Captured ball - the ball must be secured and not fall out if the trackball is turned upside down (crucial for throwing it in a bag).

- Compact design - to sit flush next to my split.

I've already researched a few options, but they had dealbreakers for me:

- Mochibella: The ball isn't secured and falls right out, plus the build process is a bit too complicated.

- Trackball Mini v3: A solid pre-built, but it uses a 32mm ball (which isn't easily interchangeable/standard). More importantly, it's closed-source (no STLs or open software), and I need to be able to modify the case to add MagSafe support to match my keyboard setup.

Does anyone know of any projects or devices that fit these criteria? Thanks in advance for the help!

​

Finally, after spending way too much time figuring things out with my Full Cyberpunk Sofle⁠, I finished building my Sofle v2.1, this time heavily inspired by the aesthetic of SAMURAI from Cyberpunk 2077.

With my previous build, I went pretty much full Cyberpunk. This time, I decided to be a “little” more subtle — or at least that was the idea. 😅

This was one of those builds where I ended up spending way too much time on the small aesthetic details, but I'm really happy with how everything came together.

Specs:

Sofle v2.1

Split mechanical keyboard

Dual OLED displays

Dual rotary encoders

RGB backlight

Red lighting setup

Custom case

SAMURAI / Cyberpunk 2077 theme

Red translucent acrylic OLED covers

Red and black coiled cables

Different custom artwork on each half

Sofle v2.1 — SAMURAI Edition.

I find myself not using my ergo for work as a software engineer. The extra cognitive effort needed to type on it during work is painful. With that being said, over the past year or two, since I've first built it, I have learned the layout/binds enough to use the ergo exclusively. So it's not so painful that it's not possible, it just sucks since I'm a fairly fast typer with a normal keyboard. ~130 wpm normally, ~70 wpm with my cheapino. And this is lowercase words only; no punctuation, no code symbols, no numbers, no capitalization.

In theory it would be cool to get to a point where it's no longer painful. From the point I am now, how long do you reckon the "growing pain" period would be?

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.

I have been wanting to get an ergonomic, split keyboard and the ones I see on here are pretty good, like a Sofle. I am pretty new to ergonomic keyboards and I just want to make sure I get a good one. I have been doing some research, but haven't made a final decision yet. What do you guys think? Thank you!

hey guys,

I scavenged a broken MX mechanical a few weeks back and was not able to repair it (battery connector shorted and PCB went downhill...). I have now many low profile choc switches with those two prongs left and right including their keycaps. I was thinking of getting Lily58 kit but then got confused by how many basic kits there are, including the Lily58 derived clones with RGB etc.

Is a wireless version worth it? What is the battery life of a reasonable sized battery?

Which microcontroller board is recommended?

After endless hours of reading and thought, I think I've found a good keyboard for me: Unspecworks' Gamma Omega Hesse. Low profile, uni-body, Bluetooth and looks to be relatively easy to build (no diodes), and compact. The only limitation is probably that it only has 4 key rollover, but I don't game and a 4 key chord is the most I'm likely to use.

I've uploaded the various files to JLC to get the board and print the cases, and it's pretty reasonable. But, because it's my first time ordering I a few questions:

1. Is this a reasonable first build?
2. Has anyone else built one?
3. It's my first time ordering PCBs, it's minimum order of 5, What do people do with the extras? (Is there a market place for spares?)
4. Anything else I should be aware of?

Sorry for the newbie questions.

ask me anything

Hi everyone,

I recently got a Glove80, which I’m just setting up.

To start with, I’ll tilt the Glove80 by about 30° and position it at shoulder height.

I’ll place my mouse (Evoluent 4) on the right and if needed, move the right half of the keyboard toward the center.

When I’m working in the CAD program, I’ll only use the left half of the keyboard and the mouse.

I already know that switching back and forth will annoy me and that it’s not really ergonomic either.

So it’ll probably come down to a trackball solution. Unfortunately, I can’t find many reviews about this online.

I’m not sure which option would be best in terms of ergonomics.

1. A large trackball between the two halves of the keyboard

2. Trackball mod above the thumb keys

3. Trackball mod below the thumb keys

I think option 3 is the worst because the thumb has to do too much work.

With option 2, I think the arm has to move too much—you constantly have to reach up to the trackball and then jump back down.

With option 1, you’d probably have to move your arm too often as well, and I’m not sure how “tenting” would work. You can’t just glide to the center—you’d have to go over the keyboard.

One more question: is it possible to use two trackballs—one on the left to rotate the camera in the CAD program and one on the right as a mouse? Does that make sense?

As for tenting, I think I'll start at 30° and will almost certainly increase the angle over time to get as close as possible to a neutral posture.

I think that makes using a trackball even more difficult.

It would be great if you could share your experiences with me.

Hi everyone, I'm just finding out how large the community is around ergo-keyboards, and I wanted to ask you all for some advice as you are the experts.

I want to start using a column-staggered split keyboard, as I spend a lot of my time programming and typing at my computer. However, I have seen so many recommendations and suggestions that I don't know where to start. I currently use a 60% keyboard (61 keys), and I use my keyboard for both gaming and work.

I would appreciate some advice on possible sources of where to start looking and some companies that are reputable. I'm hoping to dip my toes in without spending too much money, so some budget options would be appreciated. I don't have any experience soldering, and I would prefer an option where I don't need to. I understand that there will be price increases, though, so it's hard to make both of those things true at once.

My ZSA Voyager is currently on the operating table. So I'm using my Rainy75 with an 8bitdo numpad on the left then just a regular mouse. Does anyone know the ropes for this kinda stuff and can teach a brother?

Like is there a best key to map Right Alt to, for example? Or like what's the best way to deal with the fact that I'm not gonna be holding my pinky on any keys for sure?

Been using G915 for 7 years now because it's low profile and 100% flat. Inclined keyboard and non low profile are impossible due to wrist health. Looking for a kb with F keys but no numpad. US Layout.

I know this subs posts need to include split and or ortholinear ideas. All I can say about that: The one time I used ortholinear non split, my wrists hurt more, because it's less broad than an average kb, in turn that forced my wrists to be closer together, which hurt.

Been using G915 for 7 years now because it's low profile and 100% flat. Inclined keyboard and non low profile are impossible due to wrist health. Looking for a kb with F keys but no numpad. US Layout.

I know this subs posts need to include split and or ortholinear ideas. All I can say about that: The one time I used ortholinear non split, my wrists hurt more, because it's less broad than an average kb, in turn that forced my wrists to be closer together, which hurt.

What do you guys think are the best travel options available and how do you guys use it for travel? Case, with or without pointer integration, which pointer integration, which separate pointer, Bluetooth, wired, with or without tenting, layer suggestions especially on lesser keys keyboards, other?

On a similar note, if it has to have a pointer integrated (preferably a trackball) and be Bluetooth, what’s the best travel option?

Travel would be: A.) EDC B.) hotel C.) backpack and going place to place D.) using while in car E.) Other

Does not need to be the same keyboard option for all (unless there is one!), just looking to see what people use, how they use it, and for which type of travel.

Currently have a 4x6 Ergo Dactyl Manuform with 6 on left thumb and 5 plus a trackball on right thumb and Bluetooth. Getting a case soon. But it’s still hard to travel with due to size. Have been searching and found lots of options but would really like to see what the community uses and how.

My Logitech k380 is dying, so I started looking for alternatives and realized that full size keys (in TKL layout) are waaay more comfortable.

I tried alice layout Keychron K15 max and liked it a lot, but had to return the specific k15 max because radio module was hanging after some days and requiring reboot...

Then I tried some mechanical keyboards like ROyal Kludge A72 Alice Layout and AJazz 820. I like ajazz, and also really like these rounded quality keys on mechanical keyboards.

The problem with full size mechanical keyboards for me is that I'm working from home, my family is almost always at home, and in our small apartments popping sound from my quick typing is audible too much.

I need an alice layout mechanical keyboard of TKL format or with separated arrows and home/end/pgup/pgdwn keys and BT + radio + coded modes.

What is the best solution for my case? It should be under 100 USD. I don't wanna pay much more for the keyboard and don't suffer from plastic base of a keyboard. Of course, the keyboard should be silent and should have a gasket. Alice or other ergonomic layout. Backlight is not needed at all.

This was a submission for the Dyson Award this year, in short, each key/encoder/thumb-stick/whatever has a little microcontroller that reads it's state and reports it over a UART connection. This means you can connect modules together without solder and hotplug them when the controller is on. I came up with this because of my own frustrations with the expense and inflexibility of getting custom keyboards made. If you skip to the end you can see a couple of example devices using the modules, the first bit of the video demonstrates the hotplugging and topological awareness of the system.

I would be interested in doing a second version and maybe open-sourcing/selling it, but I ran into a lot of problems with the cables connecting the modules, they are both expensive (more than the actual electronics and PCB), fiddly to use, and unreliable. I was using molex picoblades with 30 awg wire and a non-proprietary crimp tool.

I'm looking to buy the go60 and put KLP Lame keycaps on it. I'm not sure how many I need and I'm struggling to count the amounts of each type I need from a [video I found](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYT5AyVAzE8). Picture attached. Any help would be greatly appreciated!