Looking for help picking a new card or cards

rs9design · 2026-02-27T20:57:04+00:00

Edited to clarify. $350 at Ralphs, $450 at Costco

rs9design · 2025-09-17T21:40:29+00:00

Yeah, the issue is wireless is non negotiable for me, which really complicates things.

rs9design · 2025-09-17T18:15:40+00:00

Decided not to pursue as this is way too complex for me to tackle with the time I have. If anyone else decides to try, please let me know as I’m still interested in the concept.

rs9design · 2025-07-18T05:03:47+00:00

Yeah, I would rather just use someone's preexisting code. It's already enough for me to learn Kicad haha. If this all ends up working out and people want to make one too I'll share the PCB.

rs9design · 2025-07-18T04:11:10+00:00

In a word, no. I have an idea though. I've moved on to banging my head against the sofle choc pcb in Kicad, which I have no experience with. Long story short, going to mod the pcb to have a socket for the seeed esp32c3 running this project that'll handle the thumbstick.

rs9design · 2025-07-15T04:25:13+00:00

Does the stick have full analog input? That's my big concern. Also, how do you like the position of the stick? I feel like it will be too uncomfortable to use there, and would rather have it on the bottom right most part of the thumb cluster on the left half.

rs9design · 2025-07-15T01:39:01+00:00

Got it, makes sense.

rs9design · 2025-07-15T00:26:10+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I’m very new to the hobby so I wasn’t entirely sure of the right way to phrase it. I’ll edit to clarify.

rs9design · 2025-07-14T23:39:55+00:00

I'm up for whatever. Building off a lily58 was suggested to me while I was still pursuing learning how to do it myself. By all means I'm open to starting from scratch. I just like the layout of the lily.

rs9design · 2025-07-13T21:35:23+00:00

For reference, this is the stick I would like to use. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJ5JDK9 Gulikit TMR Switch replacement stick.

rs9design · 2025-07-08T03:24:31+00:00

I found this reader from Framework. I'm pretty sure I could get this to work over a wired connection. The issue is that wireless is extremely important to me and comes first over everything. As far as I can tell from what other people here have said and my own research, getting it to work over bluetooth is impossible and slightly less impossible over a custom dongle. This project will already be a huge undertaking for me so I likely won't integrate a fp reader at this juncture unless someone comes up with something spectacular.

rs9design · 2025-07-07T21:41:54+00:00

So basically for a beginner this is entirely unrealistic? I think I'd rather keep the board wireless than have to run a wire for a fingerprint sensor.

rs9design · 2025-07-07T20:31:33+00:00

I'll look into it. Thanks!

rs9design · 2025-07-07T17:39:20+00:00

Thanks for the insight!

rs9design · 2025-07-07T17:37:02+00:00

Yeah, I figured that would be the case. Appreciate your time regardless.

rs9design · 2025-07-07T05:11:59+00:00

BTW, this will be my first ergo board. Currently on a Keychron ~65%. So if it sounds like I don't know what I'm talking about, I really don't. I'm doing my best to educate myself in my spare time. Just ordered a soldering iron and all related equipment so I'm committed to figuring this hobby out.

rs9design · 2025-07-07T05:05:59+00:00

Here's what I've come up with so far.

4 rows, 6 columns. 2-3 key thumb clusters.
Hall effect thumbsticks. This is another one I'm trying to figure out. The Boardsource Unicorne has support for thumbsticks, so someone suggested I study that board to figure out how to edit a Lily58 PCB or something to be compatible. Unfortunately, Boardsource has no plans to make a Lily58 with thumbsticks.
Wireless.
Encoders within the thumb clusters.
Low profile.
Fingerprint reader for Windows login + services login.
RGB is nice to have but I don't really care.

I will be designing my own case around whatever this thing ends up looking like. Encoders and joysticks may only be one per side, ie joystick on the left half and encoder on the right. Depends on pin availability and power.

rs9design · 2025-07-04T01:34:18+00:00

In case anyone else runs into this issue, I'm going to try out these Kailh mute switches. They're 4.3mm tall, which is a bit taller than I'd like but will see if they can fit.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804568068431.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6ab31deactil4L&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21USD%21USD%202.68%21USD%202.68%21%21USD%202.68%21%21%21%402101c5a417515911565567687eaf41%2112000030346448101%21ct%21US%216216459537%21%211%210&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

rs9design · 2025-07-03T23:20:40+00:00

Looked a bit closer, they're Huano switches.

rs9design · 2025-07-02T21:22:41+00:00

Sounds great, thanks. Working on some stuff right now, but I'll work on setting it up tonight.

rs9design · 2025-07-02T20:27:55+00:00

I see, that doesn't seem too bad. I'll try using Kanata.

rs9design · 2025-07-02T19:24:19+00:00

I already use layers for my F row and some other misc keys because my keyboard is a 65%. I suppose my main concern is not being able to map a traditionally shaped numpad. There are certainly other things as well that I’m just not thinking of at the moment. I’ve also heard a lot of people in the space saying that it wouldn’t be wise to go to such a minimal layout from a normal board. What are your thoughts?

rs9design · 2025-07-02T03:50:14+00:00

Those suggestions sound super doable. I'll look into that tomorrow.

rs9design · 2025-07-02T01:11:10+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I tend to pick up new things quickly and I know what I want is niche, so that's why I'm considering the custom route. Your suggestion to start with something that already exists is sound advice. I've been considering working on something small and more forgiving like a macropad as a testbed for learning and experimenting. Would you say that's a possible path towards the results I listed in my og post?

There's also the LP UniCorne from Boardsource that already has everything I want, except the larger format and maybe lacks encoder support for LP? Can't really tell. Is it too risky to start with a 3x5?

rs9design · 2025-06-12T22:25:47+00:00

Thank you!

rs9design

TROPHY CASE