I want to make custom keyboards for Elite: Dangerous

[Datalink]

I am interested to see what you do.

I have an X52 on order and when I get used to it was thinking about supplementing it with arcade controllers and buttons in a custom housing and a kade interface.

Seems simpler to use pre-existing stuff and customize it to me but I have been proved wrong far too many times.

I'd be happy to provide links for any of those parts, the major thing with what I'm doing is making the keyboard controller, that's software mostly, the hardware's almost all off the shelf and those arcade buttons are actually pretty popular with the home arcade crowd. Since I'd be making my hardware as a custom each time, I'd be able to use certain hardware as needed.

The thing stopping me right now is my finances aren't as good as I'd like, or I'd probably be doing a build log here instead of a survey and proposal.

 

[Jackel]

Thanks for the offer Datalink, depending on costs .... Although I did mean to knock something up this summer.... I might be persuaded

 

[anikaiful]

... and replace 3 (or more numerous) monitor setup with a single large Oled screen bent for 180-degree coverage and you'll have a cockpit.

 

[Zplintz]

I am considering making own so no interest in one for me but I do like the idea.

 

[starjump]

Was thinking about an Elite HOTAS pad maybe... Especially for trade programs etc (like the new one in the forums) where you can access it and set it/bring it up for journal entry writing etc. So a pad that fits between the joy and throttle with a couple large soft-ish buttons for easy access. Shift buttons (orange) to switch them so you have double setup. A couple smaller extra buttons for whatever you need. Numbers/letters/symbos could be on the buttons for better rembering as well as lights (the shift button with green light is active in pic). Quick and dirty mockup. I will prolly sit down and design one for real and see what happens.
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[della Trezzi]

So you want this?

 

[DraigUK]

Depends on cost, best of luck. Add me to whatever dist list you form.

 

[Jagaroth]

My finances arnt that hot now either or I would offer a similar service. I just think it cost less to use arcade parts.

Edit for Starjump

You can get software for android to do exactly what you want on a phone or tablet.

 

[Egan]

As others have said, everything I need is now on the HOTAS, with a couple of exceptions so it would have to be something special for me to want to spend the cash. It's an interesting idea, though, and I hope you get iPhone serious interest and get it off the ground.

Now, if you could make some sort of natty space hat that I could attach my Track IR clip to, well, I might be verrrrry interested.

 

[Frank Thefarmer]

WO-One I remember those cutouts!! For flight sims on my C-64! Like AH-64 Apache and F-177a Stealth fighter! =) Anyway, I would be interested in replica keyboard, so please keep me up to date!

 

[Datalink]

Was thinking about an Elite HOTAS pad maybe... Especially for trade programs etc (like the new one in the forums) where you can access it and set it/bring it up for journal entry writing etc. So a pad that fits between the joy and throttle with a couple large soft-ish buttons for easy access. Shift buttons (orange) to switch them so you have double setup. A couple smaller extra buttons for whatever you need. Numbers/letters/symbos could be on the buttons for better rembering as well as lights (the shift button with green light is active in pic). Quick and dirty mockup. I will prolly sit down and design one for real and see what happens.
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That... actually would be a very good type of control for me to build, I'll consider that one. With the right software I could even interface a screen on my custom keyboard. I'm gonna work on that as a possible concept.

@Della Trezzi: well... I'm trying to make one that's a bit more specialized... this started out as looking at the keyboard in the Sidewinder cockpit and thinking "I can build that" but I think the design's evolving a bit.

I guess I can amend my proposal to include your designs others would want to see which may be too daunting for them to do themselves.

My biggest competition seems to be HOTAS... I need to look into the construction of them I think.

 

[Sandmann]

I've been seriously thinking of doing something similar... to the point of drawing up plans and pricing components. I decided to wait to see if FD deliver on the promised API. It'd be very cool if we could get output from the game to display on such a custom keyboard... lights that turn on/off as things are deployed/retracted, ammo remaining, etc.

 

[Remiel]

If you can make this as reliable as, and without lacking the features of, my G710+, including the brown switch mechanical keys, I would happily pay up to $500 for a quality custom job like that.

 

[Voxoid]

Hey, I'd be quite interested in a custom keyboard. I use an X52 Pro HOTAS setup and would also like to be able to use a keyboard to communicate. My current keyboard is a bit too big for my desk and is slightly oddly shaped and not very comfortable to use with my joystick. The X52 has screw holes on both the joystick & throttle to screw them down, and I think it'd be great to have a custom keyboard with side plates to mount them on so they can be one whole unit.

 

[Datalink]

If you can make this as reliable as, and without lacking the features of, my G710+, including the brown switch mechanical keys, I would happily pay up to $500 for a quality custom job like that.

I was looking at Cherry's MX series of switches, one of the more popular switches for keyboards, but I could source from a few suppliers easily, I can likely find good keyswitches to suit a person's preferred feel. I can easily source a lot more than Cherry switches as I have accounts with a few engineering suppliers.

I'm basically offering commissions of my engineering services for making custom hardware, that means nothing is set as far as keyboard design until I've talked with my customers.

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Hey, I'd be quite interested in a custom keyboard. I use an X52 Pro HOTAS setup and would also like to be able to use a keyboard to communicate. My current keyboard is a bit too big for my desk and is slightly oddly shaped and not very comfortable to use with my joystick. The X52 has screw holes on both the joystick & throttle to screw them down, and I think it'd be great to have a custom keyboard with side plates to mount them on so they can be one whole unit.

That'd be easy, I'd just need to get the dimension distance of the holes and I could match that in one of the base layers of the keyboard, making it mountable with bolts.

 

[Datalink]

I've been seriously thinking of doing something similar... to the point of drawing up plans and pricing components. I decided to wait to see if FD deliver on the promised API. It'd be very cool if we could get output from the game to display on such a custom keyboard... lights that turn on/off as things are deployed/retracted, ammo remaining, etc.

I'm probably a bit less patient, besides, my plan'd be to make display panels in addition at that point. If you want to look into making your own keyboard, Sandmann, look at the Teensy 3.1, Teensy's been said to be good for custom keyboards, and would also be able to support use as a secondary joystick or similar hardware.