Finally finished my first build! (lemmus.org)

submitted 1 year ago by Xyre@lemmus.org to c/ergomechkeyboards@lemmy.world

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Dactyl Manuform 5x6 full with trackball.
Resin case, Amoeba King PCBs, and hot swaps.
Used Kailh Box Navy switches.
Adafruit KB2040 and PMW3389 for the controllers.
TRRS with full duplex between the halves.

Took my sweet time wiring up to not burn myself out, but I think it was worth the wait! My soldering skills certainly improved by the end of it. 😅

Also, big shout-out to Wylderbuilds!

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[-] achsonaja@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

First build?! Jumped right into the deep end huh?

Edit: nice build and desk setup

[-] Necromnomicon@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Looking really good. How comfortable do you find the left thumb cluster? I've been eyeing that layout for my next build. You don't see too many DM with a full bottom row like that, interesting, what did you use to to make that happen?

[-] Xyre@lemmus.org 2 points 1 year ago

The left thumb is pretty similar to the Kinesis Advantage which I've used for years. No issues with comfort there!

The layout is a 5x6 full matrix. Wylderbuilds has the option to print with it, but I think the software used to generate the model supports it as well.

[-] PotatoesFall@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago

Looks siiick! How do you like the trackball, how many keys can you reach with the same thumb comfortably?

[-] Xyre@lemmus.org 1 points 1 year ago

So far, so good! I do think I need to tweak the DPI a bit but was actually surprised how quickly it felt normal to use. And I can easily reach all the keys. It's a similar layout to the Kinesis Advantage that I've used for a long time.

Only issue I've discovered so far is that I might need to put some rubber feet on it or something. I found it slides around my desk a little too much. 😅

[-] Grass@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

It's a booty!

[-] Shadow@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

I'm on the edge of doing a very similar build, but how do you find the buttons in front of the trackball? Is the ball big enough you don't hit those keys accidentally?

[-] Xyre@lemmus.org 1 points 1 year ago

Yup! My thumb rests on the enter key but can still use the trackball without triggering it. I do wish there was a little more space between those two keys but otherwise it's fine.

[-] Shadow@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

Is that breakout board you're using for the trackball? (I just ordered a raw sensor)

[-] Xyre@lemmus.org 1 points 1 year ago

It's the PMW3389. Following Wylderbuilds' trackball guide I soldered a header onto it to make it easier to connect.

[-] Shadow@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks, wasn't aware of the nicer versions on tindie.

[-] PostingInPublic@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

I see your WSAD keys, how is the keyboard for gaming? Would you use just the left side along with a mouse?

[-] Xyre@lemmus.org 0 points 1 year ago

Haven't tried it yet. The plan going in was to try and ditch the mouse entirely. It may take some tweaks and remapping but I hope to make it work!

[-] Necromnomicon@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

A gaming layer with the entire left side "shifted to the right one" so WASD falls on ESDF has worked well for me. I use a quick toggle layer on the right hand side to switch back to my typing layer and then back to gaming if I need to type something up in game.

this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2023

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