The flash process was successful, and I elected to go with the “Modern” bin file in attempt to alleviate the key ghosting/dbounce issue. So far so good, so we’ll see what happens. Thanks again!
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I’ve been eyeballing that one for my office!
I really do love the lubed Pandas - what thocky sound they make!
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I have a Keychron Q5 on the way (ETA Wednesday, June 22) and it has a switch for toggling between Windows and macOS along with OS-specific keycaps. Once it arrives, I’ll probably swap out the stock Gateron reds for some linear or click-bar switches (currently using Kailh Box Pale Blues but I wouldn’t mind giving U4Ts a demo).
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Any trackball people here?
I’ve been looking at getting an Elecom Deft Pro, except the price has doubled since last summer, and they’d be shipped from Japan regardless. (annoying fact… I could order a Deft Pro from Amazon.co.jp for less money (including exchange and duties) than getting one from amazon.ca)
Since the Elecom seemed to be a no go, I’m waiting for a Kensington Orbit Fusion to be delivered. Does anybody want to chime in on whether I made a huge mistake or not
I wasn’t aware of Keychron. It looks like their 100% model will launch in a day with the same set of features. I like the Mac switch. I’ve used wired keyboards most of the time, but I’d expect a high end wireless would be OK. Probably wouldn’t need to swap Gateron Blues for the Glorious Pandas if I got a pre-built with those. Like the Glorious GMMK2, it looks to be a very robust metal construction.
I looked at the K2 wired, much less, but it reads as if the backlighting - which is important to me - is at least a generation back. And the custom Q models also work with linux if I choose. I have a linux box also, but it doesn’t get much use.
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I’ve been using trackballs for about 30 years. Don’t care for mice. Tried quite a few of them, but always come back to the Logitech Trackman. I have about 5 or 6 of them, and they are with every computer I use. I’ve tried Kensington and a few other brands. I find that I like the plain, symmetrical shape of the Logitech. Some other models try to get you to use your thumb and not your palm. Don’t like that. Just like a real watercolor artist will hold the brush back and use arm, not finger movements, I find that’s the way I prefer to use a trackball, and that’s why the Logitech is right for me.
It’s wired. I’ve considered trying a wireless model, they are kind of square and boxy. I’ve still got to WICO trackballs from back in the Atari days - they are/were great gaming trackballs. Wico made most of the trackballs on commercial machines. Unfortunately they need a dongle of some sort to input properly with modern equipment. But damn, they’re bulletproof, just like their joysticks. So, I could be happy with a trackball in a larger flat box instead of the rounded shape of the Logitech. The Kensington Orbit Fusion looks OK if you prefer a handed shape. Every Kensington I had worked just fine.
I hope this helps with your thinking.
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I’m coming from a Logitech 570 which is suffering from that famous Logitech double click issue. No desire to buy another one, too lazy to try and replace the switches 
The first trackball Amazon sent me wasn’t even a trackball (it think it was some sort of network cable setup) so I had to reorder. It’s definitely a learning curve switching from thumb to finger movement. Not entirely convinced about the scroll ring. It works well, I just find the location kind of awkward - might just need to get used to it.
The one drawback, is it’s rather “sticky” when I’m doing small movements. Looking at it, the bearings are red coloured, so I’m going to assume they’re synthetic ruby like Elecom uses. This seemed to be the biggest complaint about Elecom balls so I might try some different bearings - it all depends on whether I want to sacrifice my warranty or not.
The headphone show’s very own DMS has a Keychron Q3 that he seems to love - he even made a video about it. I almost ordered one after being frustrated with my Drop CTRL for so long, but the firmware flash and cleaning the PCB seems to have resolved my issues. I will say this though: that KBD Fans Tiger 80 is super tempting.
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The Logitechs I use have never had a double click issue. No idea what that is. But in 25 years and 6 trackballs never had an issue once.
I’ve read many complaints online about the quality of the switches Logitech uses. Might be more of a mouse issue. I’ve had a couple mice do the same thing as my 570
I found a company that makes a DIN 9 pin to USB adapter for Atari peripherals. I ordered one. Hope to find out if I can use my old WICO trackballs. WICO used milspec micro-switches. Think of the trackballs in Missle Command and Centipede arcade games.
I had to go looking for that WICO one - never heard the name. One of the links went to Etsy and also had a bunch of listings for spheres. I’m thinking a black obsidian sphere might look sweet in a trackball. Have no idea if the optical sensor would track it though…
Way back in the day I bought a trackball for my Amiga that looked like those CST2545 ones. Never went back to a mouse until my PC days. For whatever reason, it never did occur to me to look for another trackball until a couple years ago. I’d like to get one of the Ploopy ones, but not for the $$$ they cost.
The Keychron Q5 arrived and my first impression of the keyboard was “damn, this parcel is heavy.” Because the board is an 1800-layout, I decided to get the wooden wrist rest as it’s not quite as wide as a full-size keyboard.
Boxes:
Keyboard and Wrist Rest:
I’ll spend the next week configuring the board (swapping out the stock steel plate for the brass plate, replacing the key switches, swapping in the Windows-specific caps, etc.).
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Very cool! I’ve seen people say the tape and poly fill mod do wonders for it as well. Enjoy!
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Well I got a custom adapter/dongle in the mail today to try a USB interface with my old WICO Commander joysticks and trackballs. Went online to a controller testing site and it was a washout with the trackball. Only the button works. When I connect the joystick, it correctly shows motion in 2 axis and the button. Both devices were identified as Amiga / Atari joystick controllers, that’s probably something in the dongle that gives that info. I guess it’s not surprising that the trackball is more complex. I recall reading something about that years and years and decades and decades ago.
The trackball has the exact feel of some vintage arcade games. Considerably larger than my logitech trackman.
I wonder if I fire up an Atari emulator if it will work with that…
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Sounds like a MAME cabinet is in order 
Just got a new keyboard! I saw the transparent electronic style and instantly had to buy.
It’s a Mojo68 Plastic. I’ve had a few keyboards before but not for a few years. It’s amazing how much high quality keyboard is available at budget price now. I intentionally avoided it until now because I knew I’d have to buy something once I got into it.
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Magic Girl keycaps, very nice. What switches did you go with?
Regards,
Vic
