Keyboard Builders' Digest / Tips & Tricks
Joystick mouse
A joystick mouse attached to a keyboard – committed by u/commonCodeMonkey.
Published August 24, 2022
Fellow redditor commonCodeMonkey posted a strange input device: a "joystick mouse" attached to a Keychron K4.
Unfortunately, there are no files, repo, build log available: "It was pretty cobbled together so there's not a lot of work product other than the pictures."
The author wanted something he could use at his simulator rig without a separate mouse. He tried this first with a K6, but just bolting the contraption to the keyboard's side wasn't rigid enough.
So, I've sacrificed the numpad of a K4. I could have got one of those Logitech things with a trackpad but where's the fun in that? – commonCodeMonkey.
Even the "mouse" buttons are keyboard switches, but "linear wasn't the best choice".
The joystick part is basically an old Saitek ST90 that, after being taken apart, was put back together with a custom 3D printed "handle".
The switches are Outemu reds sourced for free ("I'll probably switch to a clicky low-profile and find some caps soon"), and they're just wired to the joystick's original circuit board.
It's a DirectInput device, so I found some freeware to convert that signal into mouse input, called World of Joysticks.
This whole package is bolted onto a plate, which in turn is clamped onto a Keychron K4.
I had originally tried this by bolting it to the side of a Keychron K6, but it put too much strain on that one part of the case. But I liked how the Keychron's plastic case is shaped, it has these sort of dovetails to align the aluminum plates if you get the aluminum versions of the keyboard. So I got the K4 and just sacrificed the number pad.
Published on Wed 24th Aug 2022. Featured in KBD #92 (source).
Related
ThumbsUp! V12 Omron
A steno/chording keyboard with mouse switches: ThumbsUp! V12 Omron by ak66666.
Lynx CAT
The Lynxware CAT is a set of split input devices built with mouse switches, open sourced by Ape_Devil of Lynxware.
LYNXware CAT review
The CAT by LYNXware is an incredible input device with a great potential. That said, you'll need some time to get accustomed to the custom software, the terminology, 22 thumb keys – and mouse switches!
Dareu A950 Wing mouse review
The wireless/wired Dareu A950 Wing mouse is another highly customizable companion for those seeking performance – with 8K polling rate both in wired and 2.4G modes.