13 votes

Ploopy Classic 2 open source trackball

9 comments

  1. [2]
    ButteredToast
    Link
    Its shape looks quite like something one might see sold commercially, but the print finish as photographed really drags down the impression it gives. Not that it matters that much but it’d feel...

    Its shape looks quite like something one might see sold commercially, but the print finish as photographed really drags down the impression it gives. Not that it matters that much but it’d feel somewhat out of place sitting on a desk next to e.g. an anodized aluminum mech keyboard.

    With my own prints I’ve noticed that printing with filaments that have a matte finish make for notably more professional looking results, and I’d bet that applies here too. To my admittedly limited knowledge though, it’s mainly PLA filament that’s sold with matte finish options but Ploopy’s are likely printed mostly in PETG for durability reasons.

    6 votes
    1. 1338
      Link Parent
      I agree on the finish. In the pictures it looks... like a toy. I'm glad to find out an open source trackball exists but I'll stick with my Expert. Maybe if I find myself with a lot more free time...

      I agree on the finish. In the pictures it looks... like a toy.

      I'm glad to find out an open source trackball exists but I'll stick with my Expert. Maybe if I find myself with a lot more free time and get into 3D printing...

      6 votes
  2. [5]
    Rudism
    Link
    I use a Ploopy Nano with my split keyboard and love the heck out of it. Saw that they announced a new version of their classic model and thought it might be of interest to fellow...

    I use a Ploopy Nano with my split keyboard and love the heck out of it. Saw that they announced a new version of their classic model and thought it might be of interest to fellow trackball-enthusiast Tilderinos.

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      Toric
      Link Parent
      What split keyboard do you have?

      What split keyboard do you have?

      2 votes
      1. Rudism
        Link Parent
        I went through a keyboard-building phase a while back and built myself three different Corne keyboards (two wired and one bluetooth), all of which I use pretty regularly on various different...

        I went through a keyboard-building phase a while back and built myself three different Corne keyboards (two wired and one bluetooth), all of which I use pretty regularly on various different computers.

        2 votes
    2. [2]
      paris
      Link Parent
      How is the adjustment to no buttons?

      How is the adjustment to no buttons?

      1. Rudism
        Link Parent
        I got used to using the keyboard for clicks almost right away (right hand on Ploopy, left hand clicking). I also built a little 3x3 macropad that sits next to it with buttons for clicking,...

        I got used to using the keyboard for clicks almost right away (right hand on Ploopy, left hand clicking). I also built a little 3x3 macropad that sits next to it with buttons for clicking, toggling scroll-wheel mode on and off, browser forward and back keys, stuff like that so I can still accomplish stuff one-handed when I need to.

        1 vote
  3. Toric
    Link
    Ive owned one of their mice for ~3 years, its a very good piece of kit. Dont care especially for trackballs, but far be it from me to do anything other than celebrate another bit open source...

    Ive owned one of their mice for ~3 years, its a very good piece of kit. Dont care especially for trackballs, but far be it from me to do anything other than celebrate another bit open source hardware. Only thing bad I have to say about it is the name of the mouse gets raised eyebrows every once in a while.

    3 votes
  4. ackables
    Link
    I had a ploopy a while back and wasn’t very satisfied with it. I was hoping for a Bluetooth model to come out at some point because my use case for trackballs is for situations where there is...

    I had a ploopy a while back and wasn’t very satisfied with it. I was hoping for a Bluetooth model to come out at some point because my use case for trackballs is for situations where there is limited desk space or during travel. They are generally the best for the trackball market, but I found that a $30 Bluetooth thumbball from Amazon fit my needs better.

    3 votes