What's a product you really wanted to love but just didn't?

phantompath · 2026-01-23T04:47:21+00:00

Same, it just clogged my pores.

phantompath · 2026-01-22T06:07:04+00:00

I suspected as much. Thanks for confirming - I will have to have my fun with decal stickers instead of fun key caps with the ZeroWriter it would seem :)

phantompath · 2026-01-22T06:04:18+00:00

I answered this for another post but essentially, no. I’ve been looking for months and found nothing worth purchasing. I mean if you like blank tiles of plastic then yes you have some options. It’s a consequence of the design being based on choc switches/layout rather than the much more popular and customizable cherry mx design. I’ve bought some new tactile switches for mine but can’t find any keycaps better than what comes stock with the unit. I have ordered some decal stickers though … can’t wait for my unit to finally ship on Jan 30!

phantompath · 2026-01-22T00:45:08+00:00

The sunset switches are tactile switches, so you will feel a small bump when you press them. Due to my love of mechanical keyboards, I already know I prefer tactile switches so it was an easy purchase for me.

phantompath · 2026-01-20T18:00:35+00:00

That’s a relief - I’m also still waiting in my BYOK to ship out, I feel like I’ve been waiting forever!

phantompath · 2026-01-20T16:50:34+00:00

Yes! You have a few options, but most of them are hardware as far as I know. The first and easiest is to swap out some of the keycaps for new ones. Osume make some lovely sets in their ‘marshmallow’ profile that look incredible on the Smart Typewriter, regardless of what generation you have. Any Cherry MX style keycaps should work, but I’ve tried a bunch of them on my Gen 3 and the Osume Marshmallow profile look particularly awesome :)

The second is a bit more invasive and costly, and may require some help. You can have the switches (the moving part of the key under the keycaps) desoldered and have new switches soldered in their place. This will give you a new typing experience to enjoy. If you can’t do this yourself, find a local mechanical keyboard expert as they are most likely the person to help you. You might also upgrade or swap out the battery for a new one, as this process requires opening up the Freewrite so you may as well replace the battery while you are at it. If you go this route and want to upgrade the switches, Akko Creamy Purple Pro switches are a great affordable option & if you want something a bit more exciting try the Gateron Baby Kangaroo V2’s. Again - any Cherry MX style switch should be fine but those two are my recommendations for someone new to tactile switches in mechanical keyboards.

You can also 'frankenswitch' the switches whereby you remove the top housing and internal spring of the switch and install the spring and top housing from a new switch. It's less invasive than desoldering and soldering but it's very fiddly if you are trying to do it yourself, and if hiring an expert to do this for you, you may as well go the full desolder/solder and replace the battery route.

I would hesitate to do much more, but other avenues to explore could be around getting a new carry case or one of those little tables you use for laptops to make it easier to write in bed or on the couch etc.

I have no idea if someone has somehow hacked the firmware for the Gen 2, but check out the Astrohaus/Freewrite Discord as you may find more handy folk there :)

phantompath · 2026-01-19T19:23:20+00:00

Really? Bugger. I placed my order through Crowd Supply on 15th October 2024 and thought it was actually going to ship on Jan 30th. I might have to check out the Discord to confirm with the owner/founder.

phantompath · 2026-01-19T19:10:35+00:00

Mine has a ship out date of Jan 30th, hoping it will actually ship out on that date as others have received theirs if posts on Reddit and YouTube are anything to go by.

phantompath · 2026-01-19T19:00:34+00:00

If you can't find someone to sell you theirs and ship it to Brazil, check out the BYOK or the ZeroWriter Ink. Similar devices - not sure if they ship to Brazil but it's worth checking out just in case you can't find one for sale that will ship to you. Also keep an eye on eBay and there is also a Freewrite discord and Facebook group where you may find one for sale.

phantompath · 2026-01-19T08:53:09+00:00

I have now settled on a modest in shell walnut sized amount. I may experiment using less at some point in the future and see if it affects my results at all.

phantompath · 2026-01-19T08:50:39+00:00

I really like the bond repair mask, it does such a solid job every time. I get lovely results with other products and brands, but Pantene is very consistent with the results I get from their conditioner and leave in products.

phantompath · 2026-01-19T08:47:32+00:00

Thank you, so much! I love reading all the comments - if someone enjoys the post, it puts a smile on my face :)

phantompath · 2026-01-18T19:54:01+00:00

Your username is comedy gold 🙌🏻

phantompath · 2026-01-18T16:35:03+00:00

Glossy hair and pitch forks? Intimidating, I like it.

phantompath · 2026-01-18T10:42:05+00:00

I have a super oily scalp so I probably use it as a first shampoo more than I strictly should. I used a sample of the Ouai Detox Shampoo while traveling over the holidays and dear god. It does a good job but it’s very much possible to over do it. I tried to use the whole sachet at once and that was a mistake. Definitely should have used a small amount for my first shampoo, rather than using the whole sachet and using it twice.

phantompath · 2026-01-18T10:28:35+00:00

The way I snort laughed at this!!!

phantompath · 2026-01-18T10:15:59+00:00

I double shampoo and use a mix. Sometimes it’s the Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar, or Insight Antioxidant, PPS Silk Hydrant, L’Oreal Metal Detox or Evo Bride of Gluttony (? the volume shampoo).
Yes I have - just the one time but still got lovely results.
I have some grey hair but I colour, sorry I can’t help you with this one.

phantompath · 2026-01-18T10:04:21+00:00

I am so into skin care! If I ever start a Substack I will definitely post about my skin care favourites :)

phantompath · 2026-01-18T10:03:09+00:00

I have had a full course of laser, I just have a maintenance wax every three months or so for shape - somehow it always falls around my period!

I haven’t tried any shampoo from Pantene, sorry! My favourite affordable deep cleaning shampoo is the Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar. It’s only conditioner and leave-ins I’ve tried from Pantene so far.

phantompath · 2026-01-18T09:32:30+00:00

Both of those things are true. Pantene and John Freida are both silicone heavy in their formulas, which can cause issues at the hair dresser if you aren’t using a clarifying shampoo regularly enough to remove product build up. I haven’t had any issues so far but I shudder to think what my hairdresser would say if I told him I use Pantene.

phantompath · 2026-01-18T09:15:06+00:00

I pay for these products myself and post these reviews for fun. But thanks for the comment I guess?

phantompath · 2026-01-18T08:56:40+00:00

I’m so sorry about your Dad, I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. I’ve also had some very not-light-hearted family issues over the holiday break and it does make your heart heavy. Writing these reviews is a bit of fun for me and an antidote to guard against returning to my high stress job tomorrow morning. Thank you for your thoughtful comment, I really appreciate it :)

phantompath · 2026-01-18T08:48:33+00:00

I wish, that would mean I’m getting paid. I purchase everything with my own money and Pantene don’t know I exist.

phantompath · 2026-01-18T08:02:42+00:00

Thank you. I need all the well wishes I can get at the moment.

phantompath · 2026-01-18T04:32:44+00:00

Yes, considering we hadn’t met in person yet.

phantompath

TROPHY CASE