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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: goobus on Thu, 26 September 2013, 21:30:17

Title: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: goobus on Thu, 26 September 2013, 21:30:17
Okay, so I can either get a KMAC from Originative or a Alu Filco case (from sherryton also lol) + phantom.  I have the switches already.  Which one should I get?

I know the Phantom probably requires more work in terms of parts I would need to gather, but which board would give me more flexibility in terms of layout/LED programming, etc?  Also this will be the first time I'm putting together a custom, so I'm also interested to know which one is the most hard to **** up :P

Would be great to get you guys' thoughts!
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: Hyde on Thu, 26 September 2013, 23:23:34
I vote KMAC cuz it looks better.  That is all LOL.

P.S:  Hopefully the next person who comment on it is an expert unlike me.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 26 September 2013, 23:32:06
I want to sell my KMAC, I much prefer the phantom: the firmware supports layers and is actually usable.

KMAC is missing features such as momentary vs toggleable function keys (they dont work) and many of the selectable key functions dont work either.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: meiosis on Thu, 26 September 2013, 23:34:59
KMAC 2 has such a sweet case. Unless you get the skeldon case I think KMAC is much sleeker.. as much as the phantom is for customizing and keymapping most people don't need it that much or use AHK. You can also hack the KMAC firmware
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: terran5992 on Fri, 27 September 2013, 03:00:06
I prefer the colors on kmac
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: goobus on Fri, 27 September 2013, 04:23:39
I want to sell my KMAC, I much prefer the phantom: the firmware supports layers and is actually usable.

KMAC is missing features such as momentary vs toggleable function keys (they dont work) and many of the selectable key functions dont work either.

That's one of the deal breakers for me actually TT and I just bought the phantom. gg. Do you think sherryton will let me cancel the order? Or do you think I should just go with it?? I guess I do have so many filcos that I can get a PCB and make myself a phantom for relatively cheap..
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: esoomenona on Fri, 27 September 2013, 04:57:32
I know that the aluminum case sherryton was offering didn't accept a Phantom. Has this changed?
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: goobus on Fri, 27 September 2013, 05:20:18
Doh you're right.  Well, I can't possibly go too wrong with the KMAC - the titanium color looks pretty bomb :D
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: xandr on Fri, 27 September 2013, 05:40:11
While the KMAC looks really nice, I personally would go with the phantom simply because there's an ISO version of that. The KMAC comes in ANSI only unless I missed something.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: metalliqaz on Fri, 27 September 2013, 07:30:52
There is no better quality than KMAC.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: metalliqaz on Fri, 27 September 2013, 07:35:53
I want to sell my KMAC, I much prefer the phantom: the firmware supports layers and is actually usable.

KMAC is missing features such as momentary vs toggleable function keys (they dont work) and many of the selectable key functions dont work either.

You mean the media keys, right.  Those functions only work on Mac. It's in the KMAC manual somewhere.

I've often wondered why some people need so many layers.  I set up the layout I want and then leave it, even in my own designs where I have infinite possibilities
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 27 September 2013, 10:52:04
I want to sell my KMAC, I much prefer the phantom: the firmware supports layers and is actually usable.

KMAC is missing features such as momentary vs toggleable function keys (they dont work) and many of the selectable key functions dont work either.

You mean the media keys, right.  Those functions only work on Mac. It's in the KMAC manual somewhere.

I've often wondered why some people need so many layers.  I set up the layout I want and then leave it, even in my own designs where I have infinite possibilities

Toggleable function layers are in the firmware but don't work (only momentary). If I wanted a keyboard for Dvorak use, I'd have one QWERTY keymap for use at home on a computer that's set up for dvorak in software. and one keymap for Dvorak in hardware for use abroad where I can't change the keymap of the computer in question.

Why have features in the firmware that don't work? In the end, I don't care about media keys, but I'd like to be able to use my KB on all my computers. Now, I could solder an MX lock to the function key, but I'd rather keep the green that's there (for tactility purposes), and the option is there in the firmware, but doesn't actually work (I would assume hasty programming with no support after release.)

Additional layers would be nice, so then I can have my two useful layers and one function layer with things like LED control, etc.

You must either use QWERTY, or only one computer.

Now, I suspect that someone has made a custom firmware for kmac, I think I remember reading something. I'll have to try it eventually, but until then frosty flake (on my qfr) and my phantom (and skeldon when it arrives) are the way to go.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: esoomenona on Fri, 27 September 2013, 10:56:05
I think I read just recently that there is TMK software for the KMAC.

Maybe this helps? https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard/pull/38
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: Sifo on Fri, 27 September 2013, 11:00:55
hasu/tmk kmac is the ****.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 27 September 2013, 11:02:45
It's in the KMAC manual somewhere.

There's a KMAC manual? Link me?
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: esoomenona on Fri, 27 September 2013, 11:03:40
It's in Korean. You're too new to understand.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 27 September 2013, 11:05:29
Someone who's older should tell me what it says :P
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: ITzNybble on Fri, 27 September 2013, 11:14:58
KMAC is my vote
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 27 September 2013, 14:40:32
I think I read just recently that there is TMK software for the KMAC.

Maybe this helps? https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard/pull/38

Yes, that was what it was, though I think it's not fully developed maybe? The KMAC is not crippled as much as the cherry G80-1960 (1950? that matrix kb) by software,  so TMK kmac might be the best. We'll see.
Title: Re: Phantom or KMAC?
Post by: Neo.X on Fri, 27 September 2013, 19:36:37
I love my KMAC I and II, but I want a phantom in that sexy lister case as well.