geekhack

geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: RominRonin on Thu, 31 January 2019, 02:39:37

Title: Can someone build one of these please...?
Post by: RominRonin on Thu, 31 January 2019, 02:39:37
Until somebody makes trackpoint units widely available and easier to integrate to mechboard projects, a wrist rest with a trackpad is really the next best thing. If somebody rendered one of these in 60% size, that looked sleek and sexy, that'd generate some interest, right?

(http://www.fentek-ind.com/mwrtpb.jpg)

(taken from http://www.fentek-ind.com/mwrtpb.htm#.XFKzLs9Kgsk, in case sleek and sexy is not your thing)
Title: Re: Can someone build one of these please...?
Post by: suicidal_orange on Thu, 31 January 2019, 05:21:03
Not a bad idea, are there any good DIY friendly touchpads available though?

I've long thought about a 60% that's split and angled to be more ergo with arrows in the middle gap, but a touchpad could work there too.
Title: Re: Can someone build one of these please...?
Post by: JianYang on Thu, 31 January 2019, 05:52:48
Hmmm. Trackpoints are widely available and easy to integrate? Just order an old lenovo replacement keyboard, should be around $13, cheaper than a bare module would cost.
Title: Re: Can someone build one of these please...?
Post by: nevin on Thu, 31 January 2019, 10:31:41
There are a bunch of small stand-alone touchpads that you could incorporate into whatever you want to build. some that come to mind... Alps Glidepoint, Ergonomic Touchpad, etc.. just cut out a spot for it in a grifiti notebook wrist rest or any other 12" wrist rest. the 12" ones fit 60%s nicely.
Title: Re: Can someone build one of these please...?
Post by: BreakWoodVN on Sat, 02 February 2019, 01:09:18
A good idea, however will it get stuck if we leave it in the armrests?
Title: Re: Can someone build one of these please...?
Post by: nevin on Sat, 02 February 2019, 07:25:09
looking back at your original post & the link to fentek... the model you have a picture of is only 12.5" wide, so that one should fit a 60% nicely. my GH60/Pure is 11.5" wide.

12" grifiti
[attach=3]

the little touch pads are meant to be stuck somewhere (sticky back) as they are very light. take a look at http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/ and all the places they have their little pads placed
[attach=1]

another option would be to get a 60% case (wood, aluminum) with built in wrist rest (part of the case) and just stick your touchpad of choice on it. then you'd have a mobile, laptop form factor, mechanical keyboard.
[attach=2]
Title: Re: Can someone build one of these please...?
Post by: nanovolt on Mon, 11 February 2019, 07:04:07
I saw a PS vita thumb stick on Taobao, this could probably sit on 2x2 keycap space like a IBM red dot.