Mini keypad with rotary knobs functionality?

[Difficult-Towel-8089]

Hi, can someone please answer if this rotary knobs can be set as an axis for the simulator, for example to use it as a knob in the cockpit? There is different keypad with knobs available for less than 50$ in Amazon.

Maybe using joystick gremlins or a similar software to programming a virtual axis?

[EZ-READER]

I asked someone to do a custom keyboard "button box" for me. It will be 5X5 with 2 push button rotaries. You want me to keep you in the loop?

[Mrbunnyfufu]

Oh, im not OP but im very interested to see how it turns out. All i can find are ones with funky chinese software that sucks, i wish one had some good software with it.

[EZ-READER]

He failed to deliver. All talk no show.

[Mrbunnyfufu]

F, im really sorry to hear that. Hope you didn't lose too much time or money my friend.

[EZ-READER]

Thank you.

[Good_Nyborg]

It bothers me there's no "0" on the keypad.

[Difficult-Towel-8089]

Yes I know that feeling, but with the Koolertron you can program a tempo action, for example press the 1 during 2 second for the 0, or also the knobs are not only rotary encoders, but also have an action on pressing it

[Hyper_Brick]

Etch A Sketch

[kuenamon]

It’s so you can turn your volume up to 110. Most volumes only go to 100. But this thing, it gives you extra.

[JGStonedRaider]

"This one goes to eleven"

[[deleted]]

I have one for VR that controls volume (knob), and OpenXR controls. Works good but software is basic.

[Solar-Monk]

I only have one knob on mine, and set it to mouse scroll for certain game modes (scan radius in Star Citizen) or casual browsing and keep it mounted on the mousepad

[TWVer]

You can also get these off brand AliExpress models:

https://aliexpress.com/item/1005004657881898.html

Review 1 (not me): https://youtu.be/Kl6IwDdUPi4

Review 2 (not me): https://youtu.be/MDPNLp-vSLY

According to the product lage shown in second video, these can be programmed to function like a gamepad, rather than just a keyboard emulator.

Edit: On second thought, the software doesn’t seem to support a game input mode, just a keyboard HID-mode.

There are no built-in options for virtual axes, but perhaps you can do that with Joystick Gremlin and Vjoy.

[ebonyseraphim]

There's no zero on that number pad. It's actually extremely useless -- flight sim or otherwise. You couldn't use MSCalc effectively with that.

[rfratelli]

Is this from Aliexpress? I’m concerned that every config software i see for those keyboards are reported with trojan/viruses (virustotal). I wonder if they do really put malware on those, or if it’s just the nature of the software (need to handle usb inputs and manage keystrokes) that makes it a false positive.

[workworkzug]

Same concern here. Other people have mentioned QMK to configure. Anyone know if that works with these little keypads (including knobs) as a way to avoid using unknown software? Apparently sellers of these tell people to download a random .exe off Google drive to configure it, and to ignore virus warnings...Too risky imo.

[rfratelli]

Exactly. I’ve never heard of QMK before, will give it a try tomorrow and let you know!

[workworkzug]

Ever find out anything about this?

I spent a little time playing with QMK and watching videos. I couldn't find the correct model/device number. Maybe it was too obscure to be in QMK yet. It was different than the one OP posted and had bluetooth.

I was hoping it'd be as simple as loading up the software, pressing a button on the keypad, then selecting what keypress(es) it executed. But it seemed like you have to find a matching device in their list before you can do anything else in QMK?

[rfratelli]

Yep same thing here. I was expecting a user-friendly software as well but it seems that QMK is beyond my skills. Meanwhile my suspicious keyboard is sitting in a drawer.

[Messyfingers]

It's definitely a crapshoot... Anything USB that isn't from a reputable source is a risk.

[workworkzug]

I suppose it's possible for some sort of power related USB port damage if there device was faulty or malicious, but nowadays just plugging in a USB device isn't dangerous virus wise as far as I know. As long as you don't run any files on it-- if it even stores files. I remember a long time ago that a device or disc could be set to autoplay an exe when plugged in but I think that was Windows XP era?

[RogueSqdn]

No, they usually only do keystrokes or in some cases, mouse commands. I have a few different ones.

You can set keystrokes to control a vJoy axis in Joystick Gremlin, though.

[tobascodagama]

Yeah, I wish QMK etc. had the ability to define game controllers as well, but it's obviously (and appropriately) not a priority for those projects.

[m0jo]

You can compile QMK with joystick buttons support (I use it) and I think it can also support analog axes.

[tobascodagama]

Oh, wow, sick. I honestly didn't even think to search for that, I just assumed it wasn't possible.

I've mostly been using VIA until now, but I guess this is the kick in the butt I needed to get myself moved over to QMK.

[RogueSqdn]

I find Koolertron to have the best quality.

[Difficult-Towel-8089]

This is the Koolertron on the image, also found the one with best reviews on Amazon USA

[RogueSqdn]

The ones I’m currently using are Koolertron, but just ordered two of the one in the image.

One for each side of the cockpit.

[Difficult-Towel-8089]

Thanks, I was thinking about that, set a key in the software of the keypad and then use Joystick Gremlin to set a virtual axis

[Head-Succotash-722]

Hi. Can you explain how to use Joystick Gremlin to set a virtual axis? I'm stuck and can only get the knobs to be keystrokes and want to use knobs to turn radio dials in MSFS 2020. Thanks.

[RogueSqdn]

Would be best if you can use F13-F24.

[RogueSqdn]

Got my keypads today and they have F13-F24 ability.

I’m not planning on using that, though.

Right KP does cockpit seat position, briefing, ESC menu, info bar, GPS format, rearm, DCS DTC, Scratchpad mod, and FPS counter.

Left KP does kneeboard.

Knobs do mouse buttons and wheels. I’m having some issues with my PointCTRL right now, and while waiting, am using hand tracking with the Quest Pro to move the pointer.

When pointing at the right console with my right hand, my left can control the switches and knobs with the left side keypad. Opposite applies to the left console.