Model Mini-Keyboard Mounting Solution

[Fruity_Grebbles]

It has come to my attention that I still have a lot of keyboards.

The only reasonable explanation I have come up with (considering how amazing these keyboards are) is that people are discouraged to order keyboards and use them for lack of a good, reproducible mounting solution.

@Luke had a fantastic franken-cased implementation, but seems to have abandoned that project.

I tried my own hand at a parametric faceplate, but it's admittedly pretty garbage.

So here's take three:

Spoiler: A proper clip based on the OEM mounting solution!

Spoiler: Clicky Boi, Solid Boi

I would like to know though: Were I (or you) to make a controller around this keyboard, what would the best layout be?

For visual aid, here is the original layout:

Spoiler: And a few other similar designs:

 

[Fruity_Grebbles]

Oh, and you probably want models.

 

[Luke]

@Luke had a fantastic franken-cased implementation, but seems to have abandoned that project.

You guys know that feel, when you're worried that something won't turn out perfect and so it discourages you from completing it?



My woes are the same as they have been for some time... trying to fit that 4.3" screen into the upper half of a standard 3ds without it looking like crap and with some new hinge system since the old one won't fit. Everything else is trivial. I'll try to put some work into it soon.

 

[Fruity_Grebbles]

Here's a mock-up of a split design:

For scale, the area included for the screen would accommodate a run-of-the-mill 4.3" LCD.

Anyone have thoughts on this layout? It seems like it would be comfortable, and it's fairly compact. 142mm across.

I'll add more concept models as I make them.

 

[Luke]

Is this supposed to be for a specific system, or a generic design? I'm not too fond of the left control stick being so close to the bottom, I can't imagine how that would be comfortable to use, unless you were able to make the whole thing very light so you could comfortably hold it that close to the bottom. Looks pretty cool overall.

 

[Fruity_Grebbles]

Is this supposed to be for a specific system, or a generic design? I'm not too fond of the left control stick being so close to the bottom, I can't imagine how that would be comfortable to use, unless you were able to make the whole thing very light so you could comfortably hold it that close to the bottom. Looks pretty cool overall.

This is intended to be generalized. I'll probably make a portable around this though; I do like the idea of something like the GPD Win or Dragonbox Pyra.

Would you have the left stick and d-pad be swapped?

 

[Luke]

I personally would, although I think your layout can be pulled off if it isn't quiiiite so close to the bottom. That's my opinion. One thing I might consider is that these things can get to be heavy, and particularly portrait style layouts can be a bit top heavy, so consider that you wouldn't want to have to hold it too close to the bottom.

 

[TheGreenPowerRanger]

Here's a mock-up of a split design:
View attachment 5310
For scale, the area included for the screen would accommodate a run-of-the-mill 4.3" LCD.

This mock-up made me feel feelings I didn’t know were possible. I would love to make a pi zero portable based around this design if you released some 3d printable files... of course that would involve buying a keyboard or two. Whats the going rate of your keyboards these days?

 

[Luke]

Ayyy a customer! lol

Why a pi zero if there's clearly room for a full pi 2/3?

 

[TheGreenPowerRanger]

Ayyy a customer! lol

Why a pi zero if there's clearly room for a full pi 2/3?

In the past I would frequent microcenter a lot when they sold pi zeros for a dollar each. I Ended up with a bunch because of this and don't currently have any 2 or 3s on hand. Also I don't emulate much more than snes on pis so i just go with pi zeros. Why have all that extra processing power if I’m not gonna use it?

 

[Fruity_Grebbles]

This mock-up made me feel feelings I didn’t know were possible. I would love to make a pi zero portable based around this design if you released some 3d printable files... of course that would involve buying a keyboard or two. Whats the going rate of your keyboards these days?

PM'd.

 

[Fruity_Grebbles]

Doot doot, I'm a fruit.

I'm thinking I'll make a clamshell. Anyone have any nice Raspi alternatives that will give me a little more "oomph?"

 

[DeoNaught]

View attachment 5938
Doot doot, I'm a fruit.

I'm thinking I'll make a clamshell. Anyone have any nice Raspi alternatives that will give me a little more "oomph?"

Latte panda computers have more "oomph" and they run Linux/Windows/Android

 

[YveltalGriffin]

The Odroid XU4 is a good choice. A little pricier than a Pi, but it emulates N64 and Dreamcast very well.

 

[cheese]

That mockup does look pretty decent for a pi portable. You ought to make one, people love to use already-made resources to make their own copy of a pi portable project.

 

[Fruity_Grebbles]

Here's a (more) complete controller.

I'd take any feedback y'all can provide, especially in the realm of making things more cleanly printable.

Spoiler: Behold my keyboard controller... thing

Spoiler: And here's partially exploded.