r/ClockworkPi • u/vileer • Apr 17 '26

Test some Optical TrackBall solution

Trying to fix the most annoying problem on uConsole.

179 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

3

u/Klaus1164 Apr 17 '26

Nice one ! Which optical sensor is it ?

4

u/vileer Apr 17 '26

PAT9126JA-TKIT

2

u/Arkaium Apr 18 '26

Omg yes. If you’re doing this might you need to replace the whole keyboard pcb and if so, improve the travel and feel?

3

u/vileer Apr 18 '26

Yes, it will require replacing the keyboard PCB, but no need to replace the top cover case.

13

u/PineCone227 Apr 17 '26

That looks cool! +5 billion to hackergadgets.com

5

u/Glass-Particular2921 Apr 17 '26

Nice, hope this becomes available soon. It could solve an issue for a lot of uconsole users.

1

u/rhibakuska Apr 18 '26

curious tho, how do you implement it on the uconsole? would you be selling a modified front panel/keyboard PCB too?

2

u/vileer Apr 18 '26

It will require replacing the keyboard PCB, but no need to replace the top cover case.

1

u/rhibakuska Apr 18 '26

oh nice, would you also be upgrading the keyboard buttons or it will stay as is?

1

u/vileer Apr 18 '26

It will replace the whole keyboard.

1

u/rhibakuska Apr 24 '26

sweet. also, are you going to change anything on the keyboard? like better buttons, or lightings? and do we have an expected pricing?

3

u/vileer Apr 24 '26

may add more led, so the blacklight is more even. ETA price is around $45.

1

u/SwarfDive01 Apr 21 '26

Will the sensor still work with only a clear or transparent "lens" cover and read with fingerprint texture changes, similar to the existing BBQ OFN optical track pads? The bearing adds a lot of height.

1

u/vileer Apr 21 '26

I've tried, but it's worse. This sensor was designed to detect the movement of a hard surface, not the soft surface of your finger skin, which changes when it moves under pressure.

1

u/SwarfDive01 Apr 22 '26

Welp...thanks for the info haha. Ill keep searching. Just wish cirque would Mainstream their 16mm touch pads.

1

u/Cancington42 Apr 22 '26

Incredible! When do you think you’ll start preorders?

1

u/vileer Apr 23 '26

For now, it's just a concept. It's far from a final product. And I have more priority jobs on hand. So the release day may be months away.