The Ultimate Keyboard: Adding a TrackPoint and Going Wireless!
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Adding a TrackPoint to a Split Keyboard!
In this video, I’m walking you through my journey of transforming a split keyboard with some awesome custom upgrades! I’ll show you how I added a Lenovo TrackPoint, designed my own custom PCB (thanks to PCBWay), and added Red Pro Choc switches for a unique typing feel. To top it all off, I’ll be making the keyboard wireless for ultimate portability and freedom.
Here’s what you’ll see in this video:
1. TrackPoint Installation: Adding a classic Lenovo TrackPoint for that iconic pointing experience.
2. Custom PCB Design: I’ll show how I designed and built a custom PCB to bring it all together.
3. Switch Choice: Why I chose Red Pro Choc switches and the feel they bring.
4. Going Wireless: Making the keyboard wireless for a seamless, cable-free setup!
Links and Parts:
Print-Service/Sponsor: www.pcbway.com
Red Pro Switches: de.aliexpress....
Diods: de.aliexpress....
Hot swap sockets: de.aliexpress....
On/Off Switch: de.aliexpress....
Nice!Nano clone: de.aliexpress....
Reset button: de.aliexpress....
Keycaps: de.aliexpress....
Battery: de.aliexpress....
Nice Nano Sockets: de.aliexpress....
Battery JST Connector: de.aliexpress....
Screws and standoffs I used m2
Thinkpad trackpoint pinout: deskthority.ne...
Repository: github.com/aur...
The repository contains also the pcb and the code/action to build code
Whether you’re a keyboard enthusiast or just curious about custom builds, this tutorial will guide you through each step. Stick around for tips, challenges I faced, and a close look at the final result!
💬 Comment below with your thoughts, and let me know if you’d try this for your own setup! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more cool DIY projects and tech tips!
#SplitKeyboard #DIYKeyboard #TrackPoint #CustomPCB #WirelessKeyboard #mechanicalkeyboard
man, as me trying to build my custom keyboard with zero knowledge, this is really helpful. Your layout is 95% what I've in my mind already, 36 keys, and trackpoint. Another similar keyboard is TPS42.
Glad to hear it!
The tps looks awesome
They even put the trackpoint in the middle. Love their layout.
Only issue is to solder these damn plastic flat cables. Tried once, don’t want to do it again 😂
@@CodingWithAuryn The case is a neat idea.
Another question, is 1.2 mm pcb sturdy enough in this size? 1.6 mm is quite sturdy in 75% keyboard, wondering how 1.2 mm feels like, and maybe I can use it as mounting plate.
Thank you :)
The switch plate is 1.2mm
But ended up not using it, since the switches sitting tight in the base plate. The base plate is 1.6mm and this is stiff enough :)
@@CodingWithAuryn Since you might using it for a while without switch plate, Is it causing a problem if the un-populated pads get dirty?
No issue at all, but i also keep my keyboard clean. so no dirty hand on it.
but as long as you dont put metal on it and shorten a contact, this is no problem. even shortening would only result in the keypress, since this is basically what the switch does.
I've been planning something like this for a while now, good to see someone made it work!
Glad I could help!
gonna see if i can get the trackpoints of of some old laptops at work. This is exactly what i want. Not a main pointer device, but something to just move the cursor slightly. Amazing work Auryn, thanks!
That was exactly my idea as well yes. main device is still the trackpad or the mouse, but for small adjustments it just make sense :)
mousekeys could maybe be a solution too?
@@bullzebub i thought about that too, but it's too "clunky" for any good usability.
Great job
I personally lack time (other priorities) to spend so much time designing, prototyping, soldering, assembling, programming, testing and improving self made keyboards.
(Well.. I do other projects hence keyboard must just work)
Although thanks to people like this gentleman here we have more and more options available on the market.
Just recently I discovered that you can preorder UHK 80 wireless. Which is basically the same stuff, but ready out of the box.
If I can earn more $ in the time spent building my own I can finally go and buy one to replace the Kinesis Gaming Split one
Yep agree. Their are cheap options as well available on AliExpress ready to go. For me its just a hobby, building a keyboard fitting my fingers. But from the pure financial perspective, would be wiser to just buy one 😂
New haircut looks good my man
Check out the Ambients Silent switches btw. I was using regular Red ones but I found them not that nice. The Ambients are significantiy nicer. Not sure how they compare to the Red Pro's though.
Thanks a lot :)
I wanted to test them, but couldn’t find them on AliExpress 😅
If you have a link, I might test them as well :)
love the video! this is something i was looking for, my charybdis with trackball is not compct for travelling so I was looking for something like this. looking forward to the next iteration!
very enjoyable watch as always,
so did the hotplate not work? it looks like you soldered regularly.
also would be cool if you made a keywell keyboard.
also very simple solution for the case, i like that alot.
missing the cool steel ball on the homerow keys :(
its your signature!
Thank you a lot.
yea, it did somehow, maybe i was just to dump or impatient, but hand soldering felt way faster in the end for me. I will give it another go for sure :D
i am already trying to print some tented keycaps from KLP
www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/s/oQSet3s9hq
but i am new to resin printing and hating it so far :D
the steelball is ordered :D
i am already missing it and missplacing my hand quite a lot. so this will be added for sure ;)
Love the board and the video, thanks! +1 on the ambient switches I have them on my 5 column choc and love them. I would support you on Patreon if you have one!
Thank you a lot for your support :)
Not sure if you are not the only one 😂
So far I just want to give back to the community, so like share and sub are already plenty :)
Hey man, you look great with the new haircut!
Oh thank you
Why is the video mirrored?:)
good question :D
looked somehow wrong the other way :D
Always wonder why you keyboard customisation guys are so wedded to those little Pro Micro boards. There are only a few components on them and it would be easier just to put the components directly on the main circuit board. Then you could reflow the chip in one operation and would not have to hand solder every individual pin. Plus it would be much more compact. Plus you'd have all the I/O pins on the chip available for the switch matrix, not the subset that fits in the Pro Micro pinout. Plus if you wanted to produce in volume you could have them pick and place assembled in a factory.
indeed very good point. Honestly, i never got into putting the components directly onto the board. would probably be the next step :)
For now it was just easier to use a pro micro, since they are just 6€ a piece and it is easy to solder :D
@@CodingWithAuryn wouldent you lose qmk support that way?
I am using zmk, but adding the same components directly on the board should theoretically make no difference, except making it smaller
I find pico w with rp2040 or rp 2350 more usefull and capable, with more ram, flash and also wireless, plus you got 2 cores, on my keeb 1 core does keeb stuff and other handles a touch screen macropad
oh very cool, how did you make this? like from the code side?
seems like a very interesting project!
full circle fr