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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: simplycanada on Wed, 28 December 2022, 19:39:10

Title: silly question re split keyboard kit being built as macropads..
Post by: simplycanada on Wed, 28 December 2022, 19:39:10
given that this one is qmk programmed I didn't see why it probably is not possible..
but anyhow just had to wonder if I'm not the only one to actually think of buying a single pcb kit (which is basically two 6x4's minus a single 2u switch position on both) and make two separate macropads out of that instead?
Title: Re: silly question re split keyboard kit being built as macropads..
Post by: suicidal_orange on Thu, 29 December 2022, 05:02:49
As long as both sides have (somewhere to mount) a controller there's no reason not to.  Do you really need two macro pads though?  Maybe they would be good to have the same setup at two desks...
Title: Re: silly question re split keyboard kit being built as macropads..
Post by: simplycanada on Thu, 29 December 2022, 06:17:25
thanks as always suicidal_orange

I will admit I would really only need one right away but the unassembled pcb kit are generally cheap enough that I may as well as keep the second pcb and its pieces around for to eventually build a bit something different out of it another time

this is the first choice I had in mind and it indeed does have split microprocessors footprints as well
https://keeb.io/collections/clearance/products/levinson-lets-split-w-led-backlight (https://keeb.io/collections/clearance/products/levinson-lets-split-w-led-backlight)
Title: Re: silly question re split keyboard kit being built as macropads..
Post by: Lanrefni on Mon, 02 January 2023, 20:35:24
I actually use half a Levinson as a macro pad and it works without issue.
Title: Re: silly question re split keyboard kit being built as macropads..
Post by: user 18 on Mon, 02 January 2023, 23:16:23
As s_o says, the only obstacle to using them fully independently is whether or not each side has its own controller and USB port. I have a(n older revision) Quefrency that works this way, and have been able to use each side independently -- I have actually used the left side as a standalone gamepad at times. I believe a lot of the designs from keebio work this way, and likely some other brands as well.