Any gaming keypad recommendations?

[BeastChan23]

I was looking for something more ergonomic to use other than my keyboard, see quite a few online and ordered a Redragon one, it's fine but I picked it due to having hot swappable sockets.
Turns out they're Outemo sockets which means that I can only use Outemo switches, I ended up bending the pins on some Box Jades and my Holy Pandas didn't work either.

Anyways I was wondering if anyone knows of any alternatives, or even something DIY where I can use different switches. Some of the larger Macropads don't really seem ideal for gaming due to them having a numpad layout and the rows not being staggered. I wouldn't be opposed to soldering but I would prefer to have hot swappable sockets if possible even if I have to solder them in.

[Letgomyleghoe.]

Don't mind me I read keypad as keyboard.

 

[BeastChan23]

Well it is a board with switches lol
The thing I bought was called a "One-Handed RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard"

[Mr. Smiley]

NK65e, KBD67Lite, Rama Kara, or Bauer Lite. Whichever you can get first. NK65e is plate mount stabs, the rest are PCB mount. Rama Kara is HHKB layout while the rest are 65%. Not sure when the next drop of NK65e's will be but should be soon. Rama Kara and KBD67 Lite supposedly ships Q1 202. Bauer Lite has no set date for a buy. 

 

If you need something now the Drop or GMMK boards are not terrible but all of the boards linked below are better, and cheaper. Just note, that they are both north facing switches so you might run into keycap compatibility issues compared to a board that uses south facing switches. 

 

NK65e: https://novelkeys.xyz/collections/keyboards/products/nk65-entry-edition

KBD67 Lite: https://kbdfans.com/products/kbd67lite 

Rama Kara: https://ramaworks.store/products/kara
 

Looks like the D60 is also in stock on KBD right now, but not sure what your budget is. Although, since you are using HP's I would assume it is somewhat decent. If that doesn't work, any try mount 60% with a DZ60 PCB and universal plate will be fine. And should be under $150 shipped. Would just need to add switches and caps. 

D60: https://kbdfans.com/collections/60-diy-kit/products/d60-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit
Tofu65: https://kbdfans.com/collections/diy-kit/products/tofu65-custom-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit?variant=34208471842955
 

[BeastChan23]

9 minutes ago, Mr. Smiley said:

NK65e, KBD67Lite, Rama Kara, or Bauer Lite. Whichever you can get first. NK65e is plate mount stabs, the rest are PCB mount. Rama Kara is HHKB layout while the rest are 65%. Not sure when the next drop of NK65e's will be but should be soon. Rama Kara and KBD67 Lite supposedly ships Q1 202. Bauer Lite has no set date for a buy. 

 

If you need something now the Drop or GMMK boards are not terrible but all of the boards linked below are better, and cheaper. Just note, that they are both north facing switches so you might run into keycap compatibility issues compared to a board that uses south facing switches. 

 

NK65e: https://novelkeys.xyz/collections/keyboards/products/nk65-entry-edition

KBD67 Lite: https://kbdfans.com/products/kbd67lite 

Rama Kara: https://ramaworks.store/products/kara
 

Looks like the D60 is also in stock on KBD right now, but not sure what your budget is. Although, since you are using HP's I would assume it is somewhat decent. If that doesn't work, any try mount 60% with a DZ60 PCB and universal plate will be fine. And should be under $150 shipped. Would just need to add switches and caps. 

D60: https://kbdfans.com/collections/60-diy-kit/products/d60-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit
Tofu65: https://kbdfans.com/collections/diy-kit/products/tofu65-custom-mechanical-keyboard-diy-kit?variant=34208471842955
 

I don't really need a full keyboard I already have a GMMK for that, just wanted something smaller with only the gaming keys similar to an orbweaver, really just need the left half of a keyboard lol

[Mr. Smiley]

9 hours ago, BeastChan23 said:

I don't really need a full keyboard I already have a GMMK for that, just wanted something smaller with only the gaming keys similar to an orbweaver, really just need the left half of a keyboard lol

Op, sorry about that! Maybe something like this or similar could work? Could just use which ever half of the board you wanted, and could slap some blank caps on there. 

Conre: https://keyhive.xyz/shop/hotswap-corne-helidox
Iris: https://keeb.io/collections/iris-split-ergonomic-keyboard/products/iris-keyboard-split-ergonomic-keyboard

[BeastChan23]

These are really nice, however I'm having trouble finding a complete set, kit but no case in one shop and vice versa. I really like the Corne