one handed supplemental keyboard: an improvement

[tankfulloffoxes]

Some of you may have seen my thread a while back regarding the n52 mod that implemented cherry switches and an analog stick.  Since then, I've been able to test the device and make some observations on what I like and don't like about it. 

In general, I do like the idea of the one handed keyboard, not just for gaming, but also for cad, music production, and I'm sure other things that I don't do, but other people do.  The problem with devices currently on the market though (belkins products, the g15 or whatever it's called, and the orbweaver), is ergonomics, flexibility of key layout, or inputs that don't need to be there or that do and arent, ie scrollwheel.  That's personal preference, but the way I see it, you don't need a scrollwheel on your mouse and your keyboard. 

What I've come up with is what I'm dubbing The TFoF18.  The idea here is that your not using any extra real estate for the analog stick, but instead hiding it under the curve of you hand which also places it right within reach, not forcing you to stretch your thumb out like with all the other designs previously mentioned.  The analog stick will also be a click stick, instead of a seperate Omron switch.  The flexibility of being able to program the key layout will also allow you to use the thumb switch to act as a function key, allowing for multiple layers, expanding the usable keys from 18 to 34.

This is only a concept at the moment, but I do plan on having the plates made in a week or two,whenever I get the expendable money to be able to afford them.  In the meantime, If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to post them in this thread. 

[slickmamba]

It looks pretty good.  I would probably have 4 rows, much like the ergodox has. 

[tankfulloffoxes]

Ergodox has 5 rows doesn't it?  I just tried keeping this small since it's only meant to accent your main keyboard, or to be used for specific programs.

[tankfulloffoxes]

I should mention though, I've only ever typed on a standard layout keyboard, never a matrix or staggered like the ergodox, so I don't know how it feels.

[slickmamba]

The ergodox takes time to get used it.  It took me a few days to get used to it, but the functionality and quick switch between layers is awesome. 

Not to mention its great function in program specific use like video editting, coding etc and gaming  

[tankfulloffoxes]

I've been wanting to buy/build one.  They seem like they would be pretty nice to use.  Bills take priority right now though ha.  Maybe when tax returns come in, I can try them out.  Those hhkb pro 2 are pretty enticing too though...tough decisions lol

[tankfulloffoxes]

So, I'm not really sure how I'm going to make the housing for the analog stick.  That's the part of the drawing that kind of looks like a cone.  I was thinking about just getting the plate printed, then cutting out the space from the print where the stick would go and using like a piece of pipe to make the shape, then cast it with acrylic.  Has anyone had any experience casting plates/housings instead of getting them cnc'd/printed?  I only ask because my cad and sketchup skills aren't that great 

[nubbinator]

If you can make up a model out of wood or cardboard and finish it in clay, putty, or some other medium, it shouldn't be too hard to mold and cast it.  You'll just want a stronger resin that's made for thinner casting like some of the Smooth On TASK resins.

[berserkfan]

having experimented on this using a numpad turned sideways, I can't say I support your design. One big reason for a one handed keyboard is that it is easy to carry around and type one handed when you are on the move. A numpad can already barely fit in most pockets - the thumb key thing will take up way too much space.

[nubbinator]

It's not supposed to be more portable, but more comfortable for everyday use.

[tankfulloffoxes]

It's not supposed to be more portable, but more comfortable for everyday use.

This.  The application is pretty specific, but it's just meant for being like a cut and dry keyboard for if you don't need a full keyboard or in applications where you need a dpad or analog stick.  Basically its like you cut your keyboard in half but now your thumb has 6 functions it can do instead of 1 (the click stick and space bar). If I'm being honest, Im mainly building this for gw2, but I can see it working in other places.
Its not like orbweaver can't already do that, but I think this Will be more ergonomic and will allow for better key programming without having to download razers software.

[tankfulloffoxes]

so good news and bad news.  Good news is that the top plate FINALLY came in from shapeways, and I'm working on making a mold of it now, since it's easier, cheaper, and faster to case multiple plates than order them.  Bad news is as follows:  I designed the plate so that even though it was made of plastic, it would still be able to hold switches without needing hot glue or make a second plate.  Instead, while the plate was printed fairly precisely, not precisely enough to hold the switches in place without hot gluing, which sucks.  At least now I have a little indentation to put hot glue in.  Which is nice. 



So, what next?  Well, I'll tell you curious readers; next, I get some more switches, since I didn't order enough for both of my projects, and the other plate came in first (an ortholinear 40% with a different layout than the planck).  After that, glue them in place  and wire up the matrix.  The cutout for the analog stick and the housing also needs to be made, so yea.  After that, maybe I'll have a finished working product.

As far as pictures, I've taken some, and they will certainly follow, but I don't have internet yet, havn't for a few months now, and a man in a cape is finally coming to install the coveted "interwebs" this saturday, which will be so totally sweet.  At that point in time, I will grace your eye holes with beautiful pictures of this project nobody is following 

Ha, I kid.  You guys are great 

[berserkfan]

It's not supposed to be more portable, but more comfortable for everyday use.

This.  The application is pretty specific, but it's just meant for being like a cut and dry keyboard for if you don't need a full keyboard or in applications where you need a dpad or analog stick.  Basically its like you cut your keyboard in half but now your thumb has 6 functions it can do instead of 1 (the click stick and space bar). If I'm being honest, Im mainly building this for gw2, but I can see it working in other places.

If you want more thumb functions I think you should go for more thumb keys. Thumbs are versatile and can move around better than little fingers (which tend to be stuck with lots of work.)

[Zustiur]

I love the idea but the shape looks awkward to me. Also I'd vote for 5 rows.

[tankfulloffoxes]

It's not supposed to be more portable, but more comfortable for everyday use.

This.  The application is pretty specific, but it's just meant for being like a cut and dry keyboard for if you don't need a full keyboard or in applications where you need a dpad or analog stick.  Basically its like you cut your keyboard in half but now your thumb has 6 functions it can do instead of 1 (the click stick and space bar). If I'm being honest, Im mainly building this for gw2, but I can see it working in other places.

If you want more thumb functions I think you should go for more thumb keys. Thumbs are versatile and can move around better than little fingers (which tend to be stuck with lots of work.)

Do you mean like with what the datahand uses?

[berserkfan]

datahand doesn't use additional thumb keys. I was thinking of more 1u keys for the thumbs. To reduce the chance of accidental activation, you can use significantly different row profiles for the keycaps which works very well in my experience. (That's assuming you don't want to complicate the construction by having a curved or angled PCB).

[tankfulloffoxes]

datahand doesn't use additional thumb keys. I was thinking of more 1u keys for the thumbs. To reduce the chance of accidental activation, you can use significantly different row profiles for the keycaps which works very well in my experience. (That's assuming you don't want to complicate the construction by having a curved or angled PCB).

what do you mean by 1u keys?

[regack]

datahand doesn't use additional thumb keys. I was thinking of more 1u keys for the thumbs. To reduce the chance of accidental activation, you can use significantly different row profiles for the keycaps which works very well in my experience. (That's assuming you don't want to complicate the construction by having a curved or angled PCB).

what do you mean by 1u keys?

1 unit - like the all of the alphanumeric keys on a standard keyboard (vs 1.25u, 1.5u, 1.75u keys etc...)

[tankfulloffoxes]

I feel like that would be even more awkward than having a dpad or analog stick.  Of course I don't know how dexterous you guy's thumbs are.  Mine usually likes to stay in a pretty tight zone. 

[tankfulloffoxes]

Ok, so I've duplicate of the plate made, the housing put together, and the keys in place, with the exception of the analog stick.  I thought I'd go ahead and post a pick of the progress so far. 





And at this point, I feel like a used car salesman, but it really doesn't feel awkward to use.