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Author Topic: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard  (Read 4415 times)

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Offline abhixec

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  • Posts: 17
Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« on: Thu, 23 November 2017, 11:56:46 »
Hi all,
New member here pardon me if someone had a similar question posed here.

I am thinking of getting a fully programmable keyboard(upgrading my setup from POK3R - blue) and am not sure which one to get. 
I am looking at the Ultimate Hacking keyboard, Ergodox-ez and the one in input.club. I would ideally like a 60% keyboard.
Do you guys any suggestions or comments on which would be a  good buy?

1. Since I have never had fully programmable keyboard I would like to know certain workflows that people program or use the programmable keyboard in.
2. Can you create macros in fully programmable keyboards?
3. How many layers can I program(is recommended)?
4. I am a colemak user and want to know if it is possible to kind of bake the extended layer on to the keyboard(https://forum.colemak.com/topic/2014-extend-extra-extreme/)

Thanks in advance for taking time to read this post and responding to it.
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Offline captsis

  • Formerly matt2dlg
  • Posts: 343
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 29 November 2017, 02:05:34 »
I recommend the Winkeyless B.FACE. Its a Korean PCB that includes 4 programmable layers . Has macro support, RGB, in switch LED, and is an all around awesome board. Supports several different layouts such as hhkb, winkeyless, and standard 60% in ANSI or ISO. The caveat is that it is quite expensive. Less so if you assemble it yourself but costly nonetheless.

On the cheaper side you have the GH60 that is fully programmable however only has 2 layers. Very cheap and is another good choice.

(side note: There is also the NERD by GON, However I strongly recommend against it as He has a history of being VERY unreliable.)
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Offline ninjacore

  • Posts: 329
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 29 November 2017, 21:41:47 »
I’ve used two programmable boards - a whitefox and an XD60. Both were relatively straightforward to program, though I’d probably give the edge to the whitefox in terms of simplicity. Both support several layers. I have a hard time imagining using more than 2-3.  I’m assuming you can toggle layers w the whitefox, but I know you can w the XD6, which would give you the ability to have a colemak layer.

I would say, first step, decide what key layout you want and then use that to determine what PCB to go with.
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Offline davkol

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Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 17:38:34 »
My idea of fully programmable is that you can run a custom firmware; then you're limited only by the hardware (esp. memory), when it comes to layers, macros etc. Major firmware options are
  • hasu's TMK
  • QMK (more user-friendly TMK fork)
  • metalliqaz' Easy AVR USB Keyboard Firmware and Keymapper
  • HaaTa's Kiibohd Controller
You can start by looking at the list of supported keyboards for each.
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Offline ErgoMacros

  • Posts: 313
  • Location: SF Bay Area
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 17:50:46 »
Quote from: davkol on Thu, 30 November 2017, 17:38:34
...
  • hasu's TMK
  • QMK (more user-friendly TMK fork)
  • metalliqaz' Easy AVR USB Keyboard Firmware and Keymapper
  • HaaTa's Kiibohd Controller
...
to which I'd add:
* Keyboardio Model 01, running Kaleidoscope
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Offline davkol

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Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 18:20:28 »
I could have listed a dozen other firmwares that run basically on a single keyboard; for example, Chris Andreae's for Kinesis/ErgoDox.
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Offline ErgoMacros

  • Posts: 313
  • Location: SF Bay Area
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 18:56:29 »
Quote
I could have listed a dozen other firmwares that run basically on a single keyboard; for example, Chris Andreae's for Kinesis/ErgoDox.

Yes, and the stated goal by Keyboardio for Kaleidoscope is: Open source, and not just for the Keybordio.
For example "Shortcutting Kaleidoscope" here https://asylum.madhouse-project.org/blog/2017/02/15/Shortcutting-Kaleidoscope/ talks about a non-Keybordio port from February.
I'll quickly admit, there's not much in the way of non-Keyboardio Kaleidoscope keyboards out there. Maybe it will catch on, maybe not, but it looks like a possible contender.

If the need is "off the shelf" and "today" I totally agree with you.

So far I'm mostly doing QMK, with a little TMK on the horizon. (No Model 01, yet anyway.)

All the best!
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Offline abhixec

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Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:06:59 »
Hi guys thanks for the input, I actually ended up ordering : https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/collections/new-arrival/products/5-aluminum-full-assemble-keyboard-abs-backlight-keycaps
Can some one tell me how many layers I can program in that? And if I can program macros on that keyboard?
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Offline captsis

  • Formerly matt2dlg
  • Posts: 343
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:17:04 »
Quote from: abhixec on Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:06:59
Hi guys thanks for the input, I actually ended up ordering : https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/collections/new-arrival/products/5-aluminum-full-assemble-keyboard-abs-backlight-keycaps
Can some one tell me how many layers I can program in that? And if I can program macros on that keyboard?

The board you ordered is a GH60 that i previously mentioned. Hope you enjoy your keyboard!
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Offline abhixec

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  • Posts: 17
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:35:53 »
Quote from: matt2dlg on Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:17:04
Quote from: abhixec on Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:06:59
Hi guys thanks for the input, I actually ended up ordering : https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/collections/new-arrival/products/5-aluminum-full-assemble-keyboard-abs-backlight-keycaps
Can some one tell me how many layers I can program in that? And if I can program macros on that keyboard?

The board you ordered is a GH60 that i previously mentioned. Hope you enjoy your keyboard!
How do I find out how many Layers I can program on it?
according to : https://tkg.io/ When I select keyboard GH60 it shows I can add 8 layers but from your post you say it is 2.
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Offline captsis

  • Formerly matt2dlg
  • Posts: 343
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:55:21 »
Quote from: abhixec on Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:35:53
Quote from: matt2dlg on Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:17:04
Quote from: abhixec on Thu, 30 November 2017, 23:06:59
Hi guys thanks for the input, I actually ended up ordering : https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/collections/new-arrival/products/5-aluminum-full-assemble-keyboard-abs-backlight-keycaps
Can some one tell me how many layers I can program in that? And if I can program macros on that keyboard?

The board you ordered is a GH60 that i previously mentioned. Hope you enjoy your keyboard!
How do I find out how many Layers I can program on it?
according to : https://tkg.io/ When I select keyboard GH60 it shows I can add 8 layers but from your post you say it is 2.
My apologies if I was incorrect. this should give you more information on your board.
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Offline sandy1995

  • Posts: 22
Re: Suggestions for fully programmable keyboard
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 11 December 2017, 08:12:05 »
Since coder are always night owls, therefore, backlights must be needed!
And Coder always are richer in a way, so, budget is no limit lol.
Ducky One TKL RGB - go for it!
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