Unbelievably awesome project! Is there a chance of adding a click? The design looks futuristic yet retro. Hard not to love, especially considering how compact it is.
Hi! The purpose of this mouse is actually geared towards going next to/in between your keyboard (ideally one with QMK) so you can program the mouse buttons as keyboard presses. I use it either alongside my BastardKB Scylla (split ergo keyboard) or on top of my Svalboard (integrated directly on it) and it works wonderfully! I'll be releasing a video soon of a more compact trackball that has 5 buttons (called Ploopy Mini Trackball), so stay tuned for that. I agree that it seems nice to have extra buttons on this mouse, but to do that would involve a larger footprint, and make this much less compact.
@@NFSSAMHi! The purpose of this mouse is actually geared towards going next to/in between your keyboard (ideally one with QMK) so you can program the mouse buttons as keyboard presses. I use it either alongside my BastardKB Scylla (split ergo keyboard) or on top of my Svalboard (integrated directly on it) and it works wonderfully! I'll be releasing a video soon of a more compact trackball that has 5 buttons (called Ploopy Mini Trackball), so stay tuned for that. I agree that it seems nice to have extra buttons on this mouse, but to do that would involve a larger footprint, and make this much less compact.
@beepbuildsathing I figured something like that was the reason. And It's perfectly sound reasoning. However, I just find this form factor hugely more attractive than a Ploopy Adept If there were instructions on how to wire up your own momentary switch to the board I could modify the chassis and be on my way. As it is now, it looks like my only option is to create an entire new chassis for an Adept track ball print-it-yourself kit. Not unfeasible, but a higher hurdle to jump over. Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to my comment
micro usb costs less, and this is likely intended for split keyboard that can easily emulate mouse buttons. Ploopy has a number of USB-C options and products with buttons.
I'd guess the reason it doesn't use USB C is because they likely designed it with Micro USB (likely due to lower cost reasons) and still have PCBs leftover from an initial large-scale order. Or, they maybe don't see the point of updating it - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I personally dislike micro USB and avoid it where I can, but a mouse is something you don't plug/unplug a heck of a lot, so it likely wouldn't be an issue for most regular folks. Also they supply the cable, so you don,t need to use some janky old one that sometimes doesn't work you may already have (I have more than a few, heh). And yep - biggest reason there's no keys is it's designed as a companion to a split keyboard (for example), and is purely a pointing device. I asked Ploopy a while back about the possibility of adding keys to it, and I believe it's technically possible but would require some decent know-how and some extra soldering (neither which I have/have the time to explore myself).
there is a kicad project that swaps out for usb-c on the same board. If you're willing to order a few boards it can be done. the BTU mod looks top tier too
Yep! Just have to set up drag scroll, then assign a button on your keyboard to enable it :). Then it can be used as a pointer as well as a scroll ball. I found out how to properly do it via a reddit thread (can't recall the exact one but will poke around a bit when I have some minutes spare), so search there for sure! Or check out the Ploopy discord and I'm sure someone can help you there.
I bet there's a way to make it so, but it would have to be larger to store a battery, etc, so maybe not as useful then. Who knows in the future though, especially with booming battery tech stuff these days.
It's as smooth as any mouse would be on a screen. It's more about your personal comfort with a trackball. I personally have never gotten the hang of gaming with a trackball, but many out there enjoy it, and use trackballs regularly to game with.
This is adorable!
Haha, yes! I agree. It's a super cute trackball, and really useful if you're in need of only a ball (like on a split keyboard)!
Great work man, NEVER stop this!! BTW, we'd like to offer you some boards if you need them in the upcoming content. (PCBWay Daisy)
Hey Daisy, thanks so much! I'll look into some projects I can create PCBs for and reach out to you when I've got a chunk of time between videos :)
Unbelievably awesome project! Is there a chance of adding a click? The design looks futuristic yet retro. Hard not to love, especially considering how compact it is.
Indeed, the lack of click is a bit of a deal breaker.
@@NFSSAMThere are ones with buttons available too, on their website and on their github.
Hi! The purpose of this mouse is actually geared towards going next to/in between your keyboard (ideally one with QMK) so you can program the mouse buttons as keyboard presses. I use it either alongside my BastardKB Scylla (split ergo keyboard) or on top of my Svalboard (integrated directly on it) and it works wonderfully!
I'll be releasing a video soon of a more compact trackball that has 5 buttons (called Ploopy Mini Trackball), so stay tuned for that.
I agree that it seems nice to have extra buttons on this mouse, but to do that would involve a larger footprint, and make this much less compact.
@@NFSSAMHi! The purpose of this mouse is actually geared towards going next to/in between your keyboard (ideally one with QMK) so you can program the mouse buttons as keyboard presses. I use it either alongside my BastardKB Scylla (split ergo keyboard) or on top of my Svalboard (integrated directly on it) and it works wonderfully!
I'll be releasing a video soon of a more compact trackball that has 5 buttons (called Ploopy Mini Trackball), so stay tuned for that.
I agree that it seems nice to have extra buttons on this mouse, but to do that would involve a larger footprint, and make this much less compact.
@beepbuildsathing I figured something like that was the reason. And It's perfectly sound reasoning. However, I just find this form factor hugely more attractive than a Ploopy Adept
If there were instructions on how to wire up your own momentary switch to the board I could modify the chassis and be on my way. As it is now, it looks like my only option is to create an entire new chassis for an Adept track ball print-it-yourself kit. Not unfeasible, but a higher hurdle to jump over.
Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to my comment
very cool and simple project but why doesnt it use a USB C connector?
Also the addition of buttons for clicks would add a lot of value to it.
micro usb costs less, and this is likely intended for split keyboard that can easily emulate mouse buttons. Ploopy has a number of USB-C options and products with buttons.
I'd guess the reason it doesn't use USB C is because they likely designed it with Micro USB (likely due to lower cost reasons) and still have PCBs leftover from an initial large-scale order. Or, they maybe don't see the point of updating it - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I personally dislike micro USB and avoid it where I can, but a mouse is something you don't plug/unplug a heck of a lot, so it likely wouldn't be an issue for most regular folks. Also they supply the cable, so you don,t need to use some janky old one that sometimes doesn't work you may already have (I have more than a few, heh).
And yep - biggest reason there's no keys is it's designed as a companion to a split keyboard (for example), and is purely a pointing device.
I asked Ploopy a while back about the possibility of adding keys to it, and I believe it's technically possible but would require some decent know-how and some extra soldering (neither which I have/have the time to explore myself).
there is a kicad project that swaps out for usb-c on the same board. If you're willing to order a few boards it can be done. the BTU mod looks top tier too
@@kernalmustang260 Woah, sweet.
That's the beauty of open source stuff - it can always be improved upon.
Thanks for sharing!
Is it possible to use this Nano Ploopy to scroll?
Yep! Just have to set up drag scroll, then assign a button on your keyboard to enable it :). Then it can be used as a pointer as well as a scroll ball.
I found out how to properly do it via a reddit thread (can't recall the exact one but will poke around a bit when I have some minutes spare), so search there for sure! Or check out the Ploopy discord and I'm sure someone can help you there.
@@beepbuildsathing awesome great thank you !!!
would love for this to be wireless
I bet there's a way to make it so, but it would have to be larger to store a battery, etc, so maybe not as useful then.
Who knows in the future though, especially with booming battery tech stuff these days.
Can we please see how smooth it is on a pc screen? i would like to use it for fps games. i have no use of hands so it would help me
It's as smooth as any mouse would be on a screen. It's more about your personal comfort with a trackball.
I personally have never gotten the hang of gaming with a trackball, but many out there enjoy it, and use trackballs regularly to game with.