geekhack

geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: HendyZone on Mon, 13 July 2015, 10:55:17

Title: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: HendyZone on Mon, 13 July 2015, 10:55:17: Hello all :cool:

Actually right know we are dealing distributorship with Varmilo about their products in ID (Indonesia)

I thought their new switch tester is really cool

- Micro USB Connector
- LED
- 12 Switch
- PBT Keycaps
- Aluminium housing

Sample :

(http://i.imgur.com/dmwApQB.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/kvgs4e6.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/WaN3NmH.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/KGtxdiY.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/KyKp0j3.jpg)

You can request both combined Cherry MX / Gateron Switch, Switch Position, LED Color

If many people are interested in, i will open the group buy here

For pricing i will update very soon
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: Data on Mon, 13 July 2015, 11:56:27: Hmm... Similar to the one that was run on Massdrop a few months ago. Looks like they added another row to the top and painted it.

I hope they improved the quality of their PCB. The one that came with the Massdrop tester was terrible and nearly impossible to solder some pads.

You mentioned USB support. Where is the connector? I don't see one in those photos.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: Latin00032 on Mon, 13 July 2015, 12:03:19: I missed this on md. This looks cool.
I'd get one depending on the price.

Can I program macros?
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: Data on Mon, 13 July 2015, 12:19:05: Found a better image here: http://www.igao7.com/news/201503/lG3HnF4uSBcO1X8p.html

(http://i.imgur.com/sBTMgOK.jpg)
Original (HUGE) (http://igao7.qiniudn.com/uploads/new/article/pic/201503/54f7eb958ca83.jpg)

So it does appear to have a controller (of some sort) and might be programmable. If so I'm definitely interested.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: lolpes on Mon, 13 July 2015, 12:20:50: Interest is here :D
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: KnivesM on Mon, 13 July 2015, 12:33:27: http://www.pcwaishe.cn/article-11564-1.html (http://www.pcwaishe.cn/article-11564-1.html)
Whole bunch of photos here, was posted about a month ago on reddit.

I'd be interested in getting one if the price is reasonable
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: lolpes on Mon, 13 July 2015, 18:44:46: Just please do that color splash in blue and silver :3 or blue and cyan :3
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: HendyZone on Mon, 13 July 2015, 20:15:53: Quote from: Data on Mon, 13 July 2015, 11:56:27
Hmm... Similar to the one that was run on Massdrop a few months ago. Looks like they added another row to the top and painted it.

I hope they improved the quality of their PCB. The one that came with the Massdrop tester was terrible and nearly impossible to solder some pads.

You mentioned USB support. Where is the connector? I don't see one in those photos.

Quote from: Data on Mon, 13 July 2015, 12:19:05
Found a better image here: http://www.igao7.com/news/201503/lG3HnF4uSBcO1X8p.html

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/sBTMgOK.jpg)

Original (HUGE) (http://igao7.qiniudn.com/uploads/new/article/pic/201503/54f7eb958ca83.jpg)

So it does appear to have a controller (of some sort) and might be programmable. If so I'm definitely interested.

Yes i forgot to take a shot of the connector
here is the picture when it plugged in

More
(http://i.imgur.com/wBcNLvr.jpg)
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: romevi on Mon, 13 July 2015, 20:43:22: Interested.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: quake4mhg on Mon, 13 July 2015, 22:45:35: What do we need to solder to make it works? Little wires on the back between switches & controller?
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: Danboard on Mon, 13 July 2015, 23:12:41: Definitely interested!
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: HendyZone on Tue, 14 July 2015, 07:31:46: Quote from: quake4mhg on Mon, 13 July 2015, 22:45:35
What do we need to solder to make it works? Little wires on the back between switches & controller?

You don't need to play with solder
It comes assembled :thumb:
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: quake4mhg on Tue, 14 July 2015, 12:22:14: I mean to make it works like a real numpad with computer. Thanks.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: Data on Tue, 14 July 2015, 14:38:01: Quote from: quake4mhg on Tue, 14 July 2015, 12:22:14
I mean to make it works like a real numpad with computer. Thanks.

It doesn't exactly have enough buttons to emulate a full numpad. If it's programmable (it probably is) you can assign your own functions to it, including number keys, using software. There's no soldering involved, but there might be some programming.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: Latin00032 on Tue, 14 July 2015, 19:30:27: Quote from: Data on Tue, 14 July 2015, 14:38:01
Quote from: quake4mhg on Tue, 14 July 2015, 12:22:14
I mean to make it works like a real numpad with computer. Thanks.

It doesn't exactly have enough buttons to emulate a full numpad. If it's programmable (it probably is) you can assign your own functions to it, including number keys, using software. There's no soldering involved, but there might be some programming.
Im hoping for some macro type programmability.

It will make it easier for me to use my autocad. Instead of pressing multiple keys.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: 00zeRO on Tue, 14 July 2015, 21:27:02: Deal me in...
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: Data on Wed, 15 July 2015, 08:03:49: Quote from: Latin00032 on Tue, 14 July 2015, 19:30:27
Quote from: Data on Tue, 14 July 2015, 14:38:01
Quote from: quake4mhg on Tue, 14 July 2015, 12:22:14
I mean to make it works like a real numpad with computer. Thanks.

It doesn't exactly have enough buttons to emulate a full numpad. If it's programmable (it probably is) you can assign your own functions to it, including number keys, using software. There's no soldering involved, but there might be some programming.
Im hoping for some macro type programmability.

It will make it easier for me to use my autocad. Instead of pressing multiple keys.

Maybe, depends on how robust the programming software is -- assuming there is software. We know nothing at this point. It may require writing your own firmware and device drivers for all we know.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: SamFlynn on Fri, 10 June 2016, 23:22:57: I have one of these, and I want to break the code and reprogram. Does anyone know what we are dealing with in the controller before I desolder mine to the max? I really want to write my own firmware for mine since it does not send Numpad codes, but number rows...yuk.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: _skeletontoucher on Wed, 08 February 2017, 08:57:30: Quote from: SamFlynn on Fri, 10 June 2016, 23:22:57
I have one of these, and I want to break the code and reprogram. Does anyone know what we are dealing with in the controller before I desolder mine to the max? I really want to write my own firmware for mine since it does not send Numpad codes, but number rows...yuk.

Hey, were you able to reprogram this controller? I've been wanting to turn mine into a mini-game pad.
Title: Re: [IC] Varmilo VA12M - Custom Numpad Tester
Post by: SamFlynn on Wed, 08 February 2017, 10:26:10: Quote from: _skeletontoucher on Wed, 08 February 2017, 08:57:30
Quote from: SamFlynn on Fri, 10 June 2016, 23:22:57
I have one of these, and I want to break the code and reprogram. Does anyone know what we are dealing with in the controller before I desolder mine to the max? I really want to write my own firmware for mine since it does not send Numpad codes, but number rows...yuk.

Hey, were you able to reprogram this controller? I've been wanting to turn mine into a mini-game pad.

Nope. The problem is that the controller is very simplistic and requires a hardware rewriter in order to make changes. I tried the USB to USB converter made by Hasu, but it will not work at all. (Any Varmilo brand keyboards I have tried have the same result)

I think we're stuck...