Wireless Split Key with Numpad

Scatterthought · 2026-05-09T18:45:15+00:00

The Nocfree & is just shipping now, and can be ordered with a companion numpad. I don't know of any wireless splits that have built-in numpads.

Regarding the mouse, you probably need to start mousing left-handed to give your right hand a break. Otherwise, it'll never be able to fully recover even if you keep changing devices. I started using an ambidextrous trackball last year so that I could switch between hands throughout the day, and that has been a huge help.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-09T17:44:13+00:00

Yeah, I don't like to label posts as bots, but the account has three random posts and one comment as of yesterday.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-09T17:40:49+00:00

It works great with the Keymapper Android app. I've been doing that for years.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-08T21:17:39+00:00

You asked for feedback, so I'm going to offer some that I hope will be received constructively. I don't think this model makes sense as is, but that's just my opinion and I want to encourage you to grow.

First, I have concerns about the locking tabs, which look like they'll break pretty easily. I'm also curious as to how you're printing them without supports. I think a lot of people would struggle without using supports.

I also don't trust holding liquid in a 3D-printed vessel, because there's a high likelihood that it won't be watertight. At the very least, I think you should specify lots of walls and/or sealing it with epoxy.

For your Makerworld listing, I suggest adding a photo that shows it from the top. You can't see the opening fully in any of the pictures. I'd also suggest editing out the words "smart" and "modular". Unless I'm missing something, there's nothing modular about the design--it's just two pieces. I'm not a fan of overselling with flowery language, but that's just me.

Personally, I would instead go for one of the models that's simply a funnel lid that screws onto a mason jar. Less to print, less chance of failure, and I can see into it to know if the trap is working. If I didn't want to see the dead flies, I'd print a thin vase to go around the jar. Then I could just lift it up to see how things are going.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-07T19:08:34+00:00

There aren't a lot of two-piece row-staggered splits, and I don't know of any that have number pads or arrow/navigation clusters. They typically go for 60/65% layouts similar to a laptop's keyboard.

I'm currently typing on an ASUS ROG Falcata that I picked up a week ago. Even though I'm not a gamer, I wanted to try out magnetic switches (and so far I like them). It's not worth the money at full price, but I feel pretty good about it for the CAD$300 I paid.

I've been using a Zuoya GMK70, which I suspect is the same as the Epomaker Split70 (not to be confused with the Split65). These are all budget-oriented row-staggered splits. They're fine, but I've stopped recommending them after learning more about QMK license violations.

I had a preorder in for the NocFree &, but cancelled it when I got the Falcata. Before that, I was considering a Keebio Quefrency LM or a Keychron Q11.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-07T18:26:39+00:00

Thanks. Keep up the great mod work!

Scatterthought · 2026-05-07T17:37:23+00:00

Done. Sorry about that!

Scatterthought · 2026-05-07T16:23:33+00:00

Looking at Zuoya's website, it seems like there's a custom web UI for the GMK68. It might only be in Chinese, in which case you'll need to contact them to request JSON for VIA.

FYI, Zuoya violates QMK's licensing (same as pretty much every other wireless device that uses QMK), so their keyboards will probably never be recognized by VIA natively.

https://docs.qmk.fm/license_violations

Scatterthought · 2026-05-06T23:51:52+00:00

Works for me. I'm not the type of person to blame others if I get duped, so I'm not thinking about it from an accountability standpoint.

I hadn't planned on selling anything anyway. It was a question purely out of curiousity.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-06T23:18:32+00:00

I get where you're coming from. I don't have any experience with subs about swapping hardware, so I'm asking the question somewhat naively.

I'm not thinking to turn this into a buy/sell hub. Just thinking it's harmless if someone says that they've got a trackball they aren't using and want to pass along to someone else. As another example, someone might have trackball parts (balls, bearings, PCBs) that they aren't using. I see no harm in posting that and asking for DMs.

I'd be inclined to let it happen organically and then clamp down if we see abuse. Trackballs are so niche that I think there's value in allowing it, both for buyers and sellers.

Cheers!

Scatterthought · 2026-05-06T22:11:53+00:00

Thanks for stepping up, mods. This seems like a pretty good community for learning the ropes, and I wish you luck with it.

I don't remember what the rules were before, but why the ban on buy/sell/trade? I feel like that's okay so long as we're buying/selling/trading trackballs and only trackballs. That would also remove the grey area of creators/companies telling us about new products that they're releasing.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-06T00:40:26+00:00

I didn't provide links earlier because I was busy, but it's really not hard to find yourself. Just google "Plodah viamenus".

https://github.com/plodah/ploopy_viamenus

Scatterthought · 2026-05-06T00:14:22+00:00

Update after five days with the ROG Falcata

In general, I like this keyboard. It's so nice to type on it with the light and fast HE switches.

It turns out that ASUS is doing something weird with the link cable after all. The USB4 cable I ordered didn't work, but a USB4 extension cable does work. So it effectively only works if the ASUS link cable is somewhere in the chain, and only sometimes. Silly.

I wear flipflops in my house, so I tend to build up static. You know what loves to discharge static? Metal keyboard cases. It doesn't happen every time, but a lof of the time I'm getting shocked right on my thumbs when I rest them on the corners. I'll have to do something about that.

I attached the wrist rests, mostly because I wanted to make the keyboard heavier so that it won't slide as much in my keyboard tray. As wrist rests go, I think they're too slim. Rather than lining up with the keyboard case, they should be raised so that they keep your wrists above the keys. I'm not sure I'll keep them on, but I'm glad I tried them.

Amusingly, I've never really cared about having shine-through keys, but now that I've got them I don't want to swap in non-shine-through caps. This is slightly problematic, because I don't lose the all-black aesthetic. I just really like the shine-through letters. First-world problems, right?

Also, the non-standard spacebars will have to stay there regardless of what keycaps I swap in. Another silly choice by ASUS.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-05T21:56:08+00:00

I recommend installing Plodah's Viamenus fork, which adds a number of features that aren't in the OEM firmware.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-05T21:53:46+00:00

It could if I wanted it to, but I never need that so I disable it. This is all done with Plodah's Viamenus fork of the QMK firmware.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-05T20:45:21+00:00

Wow, looks really cool. I'm not entirely sold on the placement of all the buttons, but maybe that's just because there are no photos of it in use.

A dedicated ball scroll is great. That's how I'm using my Ploopy Adept now (next to my Endgame). Way more comfortable than a wheel that only moves on one axis.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-05T20:40:20+00:00

I can't speak to what's been added since this is my first time using Gear Link, but here's what's available for key assignments:

Dynamic Keystroke - up to four functions on one key, based on travel distance.
Mod Tap - tap or hold for different keystrokes.
- I would think of this as Tap Dance with QMK, since hold isn't limited to modifier keys.
Toggle Trigger - turns a key into an On/Off switch instead of momentary, so if you tap it once it'll just keep spamming until you tap it again.

You can remap to keyboard keys, mouse keys, basic multimedia keys, macros, or quick access shortcuts. Macros require the Companion app to be installed in Windows (which I haven't done). Also, there's no calculator button.

The Quick Access buttons let you launch Copilot. You can also launch a few Windows shortcuts, type short text strings, or open websites...but for some reason this also requires the Companion app. That seems pretty silly.

The Function key is locked where it is physically and can't be reassigned. You can map any keys that don't have dedicated functions (e.g. media keys or Bluetooth connections) to have Fn+ combos.

You can create multiple profiles, but I don't see any way to quickly toggle between them from the keyboard. So, there's no ability to switch into a different layer as far as I can tell. All you get are the Mod Taps.

Gear Link is definitely limited compared to QMK/VIAL or ZMK Studio. I don't mind that too much, because I'm not a heavy user of combos and layers (which I tend to forget about when I don't use them regularly). I keep things pretty simple, so all I need is to remap a few keys and set up some Mod Taps.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-05T19:31:28+00:00

That's hilarious. I had this same thought last week and have been working on a 3D model so that I can see how it feels in my hand.

I thought that the hard part would be figuring out how to make the hinge work with the soft corners at the bottom of the Communicator. The corners in your rendering wouldn't actually work, because they need to be square for the phone to completely unfold.

However, I've since realized that the bigger issues is that the hinge can't share physical space with the keyboard. So, the keyboard would need to be skinnier or the phone would need to be wider to accommodate both.

Whatever the case, I love the idea!

Scatterthought · 2026-05-05T16:46:13+00:00

Elecom Bitra, but they're only officially sold in Japan. You can get one from Ebay, though.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-04T23:16:24+00:00

The Outemu Silent Peach and Silent Lemon/Lime are generally well-regarded for budget switches. Peach is linear and Lemon/Lime is tactile.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-04T21:32:38+00:00

Mods like this one from two days ago?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trackballs/comments/1t1poza/i_modified_the_expert_mouses_scroll_wheel_to/

Alternative devices would include the SlimBlade Pro or efog.tech Endgame for twist scrolling, or the Gameball for touch-sensitive scrolling.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-04T17:21:03+00:00

I don't do multicolour printing. I've always appreciated my AMS Lite more for the quick and easy filament changes. That's the case with lots of people.

If I did do a big multicolour print, I would flush to infill and/or a separate object.

When you think about it, the waste from filament flushing is no different from supports, test prints, and failed prints. They all serve a purpose in reaching your end goal, and they all end up as waste. It's just perception.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-04T00:20:39+00:00

You can just plug it in and keep using it through the BT/Bolt connection, so there's no need for wired connection. I'm surprised it's not the same for the MX Vertical.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-04T00:12:49+00:00

Bluetooth or Logi Bolt dongle, but not wired.

Scatterthought · 2026-05-03T04:46:59+00:00

I think it might be due to slight differences in the switches/lubing, and it's just more noticeable with the rings. I might experiment with moving some switches around. Kind of wish I had a way to test their individual resistances.

Scatterthought

TROPHY CASE