Which Programmable Keyboard Should I Buy/Build?

[clickclack123]

Well the horrible mushy keys I'm using at work have finally annoyed me enough to want to get a new board for work.

I'm looking for a bit of advice on what to get.

here's what I'd like:

• fully programmable, ideally able to run hasu/soarer's firmware so I can try out all kinds of crazy layers, layouts, and macros.
• Cherry browns or clears.
• Smaller layout. I really like the layout of the CM Quickfire TK, but I haven't been able to find a programmable keyboard with that layout. TKL would be ok but not quite as good.
• Ideally backlit but this is not essential.

I'm good with a soldering iron, so I'd be happy to build it myself, although every GB that I see for boards that sound like what I'm looking for seem to just be filled with people complaining about how long it takes, eg GH60.

I would also be happy with a non-programmable ps2 keyboard that I can shoehorn soarer's converter into, as long as the case has enough room to fit the converter inside.

Anyone got any suggestions for me?

[SpAmRaY]

A phantom?

[clickclack123]

A phantom?

If Im going to go custom (and I think I'll have to), I'd like to get a similar layout as the CM TK, are there any custom boards like that?

[fourzeropooh]

A phantom?

If Im going to go custom (and I think I'll have to), I'd like to get a similar layout as the CM TK, are there any custom boards like that?

IIRC phantom can be either TKL or TK

[SpAmRaY]

This is one possible phantom layout.

[kmiller8]

This is one possible phantom layout.

LOL that bingecap. I couldn't sleep in the same room with that thing, I'd feel my keyboard staring at me all night.

[fourzeropooh]

This is one possible phantom layout.

Do you know if you can have the numpad on the left?

[SpAmRaY]

No

[clickclack123]

This is one possible phantom layout.

Wow, that's perfect. Anyone know how I can get one? Looks like the last GB ended Jan 2nd, 2013? 

[SpAmRaY]

This is one possible phantom layout.

Wow, that's perfect. Anyone know how I can get one? Looks like the last GB ended Jan 2nd, 2013? 

I could probably let mine go.

[clickclack123]

Whoops, actually I just realized that the phantom layout only has three columns on the numpad part, not four like the CM TK.

One thing that I like about the CM TK layout was that it has the arrows with the enter next to it, because often when you type into an entry field (like the location bar in a browser), it brings up a dropdown, then you have to arrow down to choose one, then push enter. So I like having the enter next to the arrows like on the TK.

Unfortunately my TK has older firmware with a bug where the enter key doesn't work if the arrows are active, but that's another story and I'm thinking about hardware modding it so the numpad enter just sends a normal return key. But that's another story.

Are there any other programmable TKL layout boards other than the Phantom and the GH60? Or boards where it's relatively simple to just connect the matrix outputs into your own controller, or fit a ps2 converter in the case?

[spiceBar]

Whoops, actually I just realized that the phantom layout only has three columns on the numpad part, not four like the CM TK.

One thing that I like about the CM TK layout was that it has the arrows with the enter next to it, because often when you type into an entry field (like the location bar in a browser), it brings up a dropdown, then you have to arrow down to choose one, then push enter. So I like having the enter next to the arrows like on the TK.

Unfortunately my TK has older firmware with a bug where the enter key doesn't work if the arrows are active, but that's another story and I'm thinking about hardware modding it so the numpad enter just sends a normal return key. But that's another story.

Are there any other programmable TKL layout boards other than the Phantom and the GH60? Or boards where it's relatively simple to just connect the matrix outputs into your own controller, or fit a ps2 converter in the case?

If you find a keyboard that is mechanically satisfying for you and PS/2 compatible, just use hasu's PS2->USB converter to turn it into a fully programmable keyboard.

You can assemble hasu's converter without installing the PS/2 and USB plugs, or desolder the PS/2 and USB plugs on an existing converter. Then you solder the wires directly (keyboard output -> converter -> wire going to the PC). I would guess that many keyboards have enough room for this. You need what, 2mm of clearance inside the keyboard housing?

I'm actually thinking about doing exactly this for my Poker X. Maybe you can do just that to your TK?

[clickclack123]

I tried the TK yesterday on ps2 and it didn't work, think the ps2 port is flaky on my mb. I'll try it with another pc tonight. If that works then I'll make a converter.

Then I can take the TK to work when I (finally) get my ergodox. 

That'll be good because then the kb will be hardwired for dvorak so all the stupid crappy programs I have to use at work can't force me to use qwerty anymore!

[clickclack123]

Well despite it saying in some reviews that the CM Quickfire TK has nkro over ps2, it doesn't. I opened another thread and someone confirmed my findings that it doesn't work over ps2. Disappointing that the TK doesn't when I'm pretty sure the Quickfire Rapid does work over ps2.

edit: Just to clarify after rereading, it doesn't work at all over ps2, not just no nkro. She no worky.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[spiceBar]

Well despite it saying in some reviews that the CM Quickfire TK has nkro over ps2, it doesn't. I opened another thread and someone confirmed my findings that it doesn't work over ps2. Disappointing that the TK doesn't when I'm pretty sure the Quickfire Rapid does work over ps2.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

OK, then you could get an active USB to PS/2 converter and still use your keyboard.

That would be:
  Keyboard -> USB to PS/2 > Hasu's converter -> Computer

A little awkward, but it would maybe cost you less than purchasing a new keyboard. But I don't think you could fit the USB to PS/2 converter inside the keyboard housing.

In any case, I'm still strongly advocating in favor of Hasu's converter. I have several of them and I love the freedom they provide in programming virtually any layout on my keyboards.

[Findecanor]

You could also consider bpiphany's "HID Liberation Devices": Replacement controller boards, each type custom-made for one of four models so far:
- Filco Majestouch (full size),
- Filco Majestouch Tenkeyless,
- CMStorm QuickFire Rapid (Tenkeyless)
- Rosewill (full size)

[Soarer]

No HID Liber for the TK though.

OK, then you could get an active USB to PS/2 converter and still use your keyboard.

Except... there's no such thing, or at least there isn't one that will work with the TK's NKRO USB report.

The TK could perhaps be modded for another controller, but it would be hard work, not even considering the backlighting. Removing the controller chip and wiring columns to one side of some switches is the easy part. The hard part is that the rows would need to go either to the ends of diodes, or to the pads where the controller was. Fiddly, but far less rework than a fully hard-wired matrix.

Various designs for a TK or Plum 96 alike have been mooted in the past, but I don't think any of them got to group buy stage. I could easily do the PCB, but it would need a good case too... what are the options there?

DIY 96 Key Project, recommendations welcome!
alternative to tenkeyless idea
Model F layout dug out of grave, horror ensues - LOL!

[spiceBar]

No HID Liber for the TK though.

OK, then you could get an active USB to PS/2 converter and still use your keyboard.

Except... there's no such thing, or at least there isn't one that will work with the TK's NKRO USB report.

Oops... Thank you for pointing this out. I was giving a bad advice then.

So, OP, you need a commercially available certified PS/2 compatible keyboard with a layout as close as possible to the one you want. Or a custom board (in this case it could be fully programmable out of the box).

The TK could perhaps be modded for another controller, but it would be hard work, not even considering the backlighting. Removing the controller chip and wiring columns to one side of some switches is the easy part. The hard part is that the rows would need to go either to the ends of diodes, or to the pads where the controller was. Fiddly, but far less rework than a fully hard-wired matrix.

Various designs for a TK or Plum 96 alike have been mooted in the past, but I don't think any of them got to group buy stage. I could easily do the PCB, but it would need a good case too... what are the options there?

DIY 96 Key Project, recommendations welcome!
alternative to tenkeyless idea
Model F layout dug out of grave, horror ensues - LOL!

[Wildcard]

This is one possible phantom layout.

Do you know if you can have the numpad on the left?

There are some mechanical boards out there that have the number pad on the left side. Another option is to go the 60% route and just use an external number pad on the left side when you need it.

[tbc]

^

the only reason i see for an integrated numpad is:

*cheaper cost for a full-size board
*a singe extra cable + usb port is an issue


otherwise, the vastly greater amount of options (including the option to easily have different switches than your main board)) you get from a separate numpad is immense.

[Oobly]

A programmable Korean Custom? I'm sure there are TK versions out there.

Otherwise perhaps a GH60 and a Filco numpad if you can live without the function keys (have them on a layer on the GH60, Fn+number row perhaps).

Findecanor already mentioned the replacement controller for Filco Majestouch, etc  if you like the layout of any of them.

Ergodox?

[daerid]

You know what I'm going to say

[clickclack123]

You know what I'm going to say

Judging by your sig I'd assume that you mean get an ergodox. I have one of those on the way from czarek for home which I am dying to get, but I think that would be too 'out there' for work, plus it's a little more money than I'd like to spend for a work keyboard... Not to mention I'd be worried that it'd go missing.

[tbc]

what kinda person does it take to steal a keyboard?  much less an ergo keyboard.

[Wildcard]

You know what I'm going to say

I'm glad you found keyboard nirvana in the ergodox

[clickclack123]

what kinda person does it take to steal a keyboard?  much less an ergo keyboard.

What kinda person does it take to do any of the things that people do?

I don't think it'd be likely to happen, just there are a lot of people around my office and the ergodox is expensive!

Mostly I don't want to have to answer all the questions about what it is and why I'm using it. The people around here who know that I'm using the dvorak layout already think I'm weird/crazy. Most people don't seem to give their input devices any thought at all. It's just crappy membrane keyboards with qwerty layout everywhere I look!

Since I seem to be unsuccessful in finding a mini TK layout programmable board, at the moment I'm tossing up whether to build a hardwired board similar to AcidFire's 70% layout, if it was all black it would at least look more like a "normal" keyboard than the ergodox's split layout. Plus it would be pretty similar for muscle-memory to my ergodox at home.

[daerid]

Since I seem to be unsuccessful in finding a mini TK layout programmable board, at the moment I'm tossing up whether to build a hardwired board similar to AcidFire's 70% layout, if it was all black it would at least look more like a "normal" keyboard than the ergodox's split layout. Plus it would be pretty similar for muscle-memory to my ergodox at home.

(Attachment Link)

I'm usually not one to toot my own horn, but I am exceptionally pleased with myself regarding that board (even though AcidFire did the actual prototyping).