I Found Taran's Ultimate Macro Solution

[tanvir175]

Sorry if this has been posted here before as I didn't search for it. I don't use twitter and the main reason I'm posting this is to bring it to Taran's attention. 

 

 

Fully programmable through open source firmware QMK and powered by a Teensy++ 2.0, this is a 15x15 PCB that can be Taran's ultimate macro solution. 

 

The IC over at /r/mechanicalkeyboards is only for a PCB Group Buy with the possibility of adding a Teensy++ 2.0 to the GB. The PCB is estimated at ~$25 when it launches, a Teensy++2.0 can be found from anywhere to $7-20, depending on clone or genuine, and, of course, you'll need 225 of whatever MX style switch you prefer. Then you'll need to put it all together, which shouldn't be hard and there should be a guide on how to do that by the time the GB has shipped. 

 

QMK isn't too hard to learn to program your board and, after watching Taran's videos on his journey for the ultimate macro solution, I'm sure he'll have no issues with tackling it. In case he'd like to take it easy at first, there's a website (www.kbfirmware.com) that makes it easier to program your board. You'll need to wait until donutcat_cables (the reddit user and vendor behind this PCB) makes publibly available a .json file that you can upload to kbfirmware.com so you have the correct pin wiring and everything. 

 

Hope this reaches you Taran!

[Imbellis]

Although what you've added up isn't much, the keycaps and switches are quite expensive. I think that may be a reason why he hasn't done it.

 

The cheapest cherry switches I could find were around $.8; however, I'll use $.5 just as an extremely good deal price.

As for keycaps - I've only been able to find them blank, yet again, for $.8 each; However, If he was alright with replacing the labels, he could buy a couple standard sets. I'd estimate a cost of $.35 per cap.

• PCB                         ~$20
• Teensy ++ 2.0          ~$10
• Cherry MX switches ~$110
• Keycaps                  ~$80/180

This totals with a frugal cost of $220 and a normal cost of $320.

 

Regardless, I'd love to see Taran do something along these lines - perhaps make a video for LTT similar to this one.

[tanvir175]

Well, the reason he hasn't done it yet is because it doesn't exist on the market yet. (Actually, I think someone did do a 12x12 one before)

Also, I don't think Taran browses /r/mechanicalkeyboards as much as I do so I'm only posting here to bring it to his attention. 

 

Switches wouldn't be too bad. You can find cherry switches for exactly $0.50 when buying in this amount. https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=708 

At 10 packs of 10 switches per pack, it becomes $5 per pack. A pack of 230 would be $115. I don't think this is too troublesome a cost for LTT and they probably have switches on hand or keyboards they can desolder.

 

I won't argue about the quality of Cherry switches versus others, even though I personally think there are many better switches out there, but since this will be a Macro board and not a typing board, there is no reason to go "premium" with Cherry. Just get Gaterons or Kailhs or Outemus. 

 

https://novelkeys.xyz/collections/switches/products/kailh-switches

These are in packs of 10. For 230, it'll cost $57.50, half of going for the Cherry switches (and kailh switches are better imo).

 

It's been a while since I've seen the macro video Taran made but doesn't he just print it out on a piece of paper and tape it to the key? Blank keycaps aren't too expensive.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/pbt-dsa-keycap-dsa-1u-mixded-color-red-esc-yellow-blue-keycaps-for-gaming-mechanical-keyboard/32820475945.html

$52 for 300 pieces. 

 

I bought from them before. They're decent keycaps for their price. And for a macropad, who's going to complain?