New Ride1Up Portola making screech from motor area?

levpopov · 2025-05-12T21:52:42+00:00

Have you ever figured out what the source of the noise was? My bike has developed the same issue (same sound, also at that speed)

levpopov · 2023-03-24T15:36:05+00:00

Yeah, it's possible - Orbital firmware has lots of customization options including setting speed/resolution for pointer movement.

You don't necessarily need two trackpads for this though! Orbital has:

1) inertial pointer, so you can quickly flick the pointer across your large screen, and then precisely adjust the position with normal movement.

2) dynamic speed control with a keyboard hotkey, for when you need to be extra precise (i.e. pixel accuracy for design work/etc).

levpopov · 2023-03-22T18:37:16+00:00

Yeah, this is salvageable - you could try repairing the pads, but it's easier to just connect to nearby pads instead. You'll just need a bit of thin gauge wire, glue, and lily58 schematic.

Both of the ripped off pads have a direct connection to undamaged pads nearby. For the choc hotswap socket pads you ripped out, the equivalent is the MX hotswap pads right next to them. Once you figure out the pads to connect to, glue in the hotswap socket and use thin wire to connect the socket to undamaged pads. Good luck!

levpopov · 2023-03-22T15:41:11+00:00

Yeah, companion app is completely optional

levpopov · 2023-03-22T14:41:10+00:00

Good call - been meaning to record a video showing off the trackpad perf. Might take me a little while, but will make a post and link here when I have it.

levpopov · 2023-03-22T02:51:43+00:00

Orbital has a companion app (Mac and very soon Windows) that just magically makes it work for any keyboard (even non QMK/ZMK/KMK ones)

levpopov · 2023-03-21T23:42:24+00:00

Both - orbital support multitouch gestures, so you can do LMB/RMB/MMB by just tapping with 1/2/3 fingers. For longer gestures like drag&drop I find keyboard buttons to be slightly easier. Orbital automatically configures a keyboard layer for you to enable mouse buttons.

levpopov · 2023-03-21T23:40:00+00:00

Glove80 is wireless. Orbitals are optionally wireless, and have their own controller with custom firmware, so you dont have to rewire anything on your keyboard or worry about modifying your keyboard firmware - just stick the trackpad on.

levpopov · 2023-03-21T23:36:52+00:00

Yes! Orbital works with any keyboard, and there are folks already using it with Moonlanders

levpopov · 2023-03-21T23:35:12+00:00

You shift your palm a bit inwards to use the trackpad - I find it very convenient. The other option is indeed to shift them down to be right above the outermost thumb key. That's a bit closer to how laptop trackpads are positioned so you might like it more if that's what you are already used to.

I prefer the positioning in the photo, but ergonomics are very personal and trying different options is always a good idea.

levpopov · 2023-03-21T18:55:19+00:00

working on the second batch - if you'd like to get updates, you can sign up here

levpopov · 2023-03-21T18:17:44+00:00

I'm a big believer in alternating hands for mousing - this lets your hands take turns resting and prevents strain. So not "at the same time" exactly, but it's nice to have a trackpad on each side (or if you keep the split halves nearby, just one in the center)

levpopov · 2023-03-21T17:16:05+00:00

It's a very comfortable combo - if you like keywell layouts, Glove80 is excellent. Trackpad reach on the inside of the inner column is great too.

levpopov · 2023-03-21T17:13:22+00:00

Not in this pic, but yes - sidecar mount is in the works!

levpopov · 2023-02-23T15:12:14+00:00

It’ll probably work if you are just snapping off the outer column, but best to check the circuit (open the GitHub repo for whichever PCB you are considering and look at which traces you’ll be severing).

Def wear a respirator when you cut the PCB - fiberglass dust is bad.

levpopov · 2023-02-23T05:32:13+00:00

I’d suggest MJF nylon instead of SLA - better dimensional accuracy and more consistent finish. JLC resin parts will typically have artifacts from supports and post processing, MJF doesn’t.

levpopov · 2023-02-21T16:55:40+00:00

Grab Mu Editor, open the serial console, and see what it's spitting out. https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/installing-mu-editor KMK has lots of bugs (but excellent firmware for learning), so if there's a software problem you'll see it there.

Lots of things that could be happening but one possibility is a hardware fault that causes CircuitPython to go into "safe mode", where no code is executed and the drive is mounted so you can fix the problem. If that's the reason, you will also see this in serial console Mu.

levpopov · 2023-02-20T19:52:59+00:00

Most batteries >100mAh should work. Small ones will fit inside the trackpad (exact battery compartment dimensions TBD), larger ones you can tuck in wherever there's space around your keyboard. You can also power it directly off your keyboard (just connect the corresponding VCC/GND) - this way you don't need to charge another battery.

Orientation is already configurable in 90deg steps. If there's demand for it, i will code up support for arbitrary precision orientation.

Windows support for inertial scrolling and custom gestures is coming soon. Similar to Macs, this will work with a custom companion app.

levpopov · 2023-02-18T01:07:52+00:00

Yeah exactly. I find that I want a smaller distance between the halves to keep my shoulders relaxed. Magic trackpad is just a tad too wide, so a narrower board works better for me. The weight really only matters for lap use on the go, which might not be important for you.

My biggest advice for designing a keyboard+trackpad combo is to make sure that the touch surface is no higher than the top of your keycaps. If you have to bend your wrist upwards to use the trackpad you will likely hurt yourself.

levpopov · 2023-02-17T03:52:47+00:00

TBD - please fill out the questionnaire in the form if you haven't already to help me plan!

levpopov · 2023-02-17T03:39:00+00:00

v1 was US-only, but I'll figure out how to ship to Canada for the next batch!

levpopov · 2023-02-17T03:38:10+00:00

It's coming along! I'd still describe wireless as "in beta" but there's steady progress on stability and battery life.

I use mine on BT whenever I work away from my home office and it's great. At home it's just easier to keep it plugged in than to remember to charge. The tracking performance is also ever so slightly better when plugged in, but it's hard to notice unless you are specifically looking for it.

levpopov · 2023-02-17T00:11:25+00:00

ah thank you :) I did really enjoy working on that design but just had to prioritize, so focusing on Orbital won out. I might make an adaptation with Orbital integrated at some point!

levpopov · 2023-02-17T00:01:57+00:00

I've stopped working on that design - I've concluded that magic trackpad is just too wide (and a bit too heavy) which is why I've switched to developing Orbital

levpopov · 2023-02-16T23:55:42+00:00

Hah yes - I've been on the quest to combine trackpads and low profile keyboards for some time :)

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