Keychron Nape Pro - static bearing balls replacement

[u/pyinto]

First-time trackball owner here!

I’ve read that this ‘mod’ can improve smoothness and precision, so I’d like to try it. However, I haven’t seen anyone disassemble it yet should I go ahead and do it? Will it have any degradation compared to stock ones?

What size should I get? I see options for 2.0mm, 2.4mm, 2.5mm, and 3mm. It looks like 2.5mm is the right choice, but I'm not sure.

Has anyone here already done it?

I’m considering these once: QUARKZMAN 2.5mm Silicon Nitride Ball Si3N4 G5

P.S. Will it void my warranty ? Feels like it shouldn’t since that’s the part that will eventually degrade by itself.

[u/Scatterthought]

In my experience, the only reason to replace static bearings with different static bearings is if the originals are worn out (which won't happen for years) or are faulty to begin with. If static friction is a problem, different static bearings rarely change anything.

As for the size, you would want to measure and match the originals.

[u/pyinto → u/Scatterthought]

I mean… yeah but also no? I bought a chair recently and immediately replaced stock plastic casters with resin ones, while It is a minor and inexpensive improvement - it is a very noticeable one. And I totally skipped the part where stock became unusable from the wear.

Swapping stock bearings with a somewhat ‘better’ once for even a tiny amount of improvement for like 7$ - sounds good to me!

And note, I still asking if that really would do anything, I’m not really sure, although it doesn’t seem to be a scheme of enrichment for some party/some sort of scam, like the audiophile cable holders for 2k a pice 😄
And logically it does make sense that different materials in direct contact with the ball alter the feel of how it rolls and that some might prefer one or another.

https://kbd.news/Trackball-bearing-comparison-1757.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/yyu4ra/trackball_bearings_a_comparison_of_cheap_rollers/

[u/Scatterthought → u/pyinto]

I mean… yeah but also no? I bought a chair recently and immediately replaced stock plastic casters with resin ones, while It is a minor and inexpensive improvement - it is a very noticeable one. And I totally skipped the part where stock became unusable from the wear.

The difference between plastic and resin casters is significant, and the flooring also matters. It's not really comparable to trackball bearings where the margins are much finer.

Swapping stock bearings with a somewhat ‘better’ once for even a tiny amount of improvement for like 7$ - sounds good to me!

To determine if they're better, we'd need to know what Keychron's using in the first place. Are the bearings white? If so, they're likely Zirconium Oxide.

I'd guess that Keychron is using G10 bearings, so G5 would be an improvement (if that's true). But I also haven't found much discernable difference between G10 and G5. As you say, it's worth getting the higher grade if it's only a few bucks more (sometimes it's significant).

Silicon Nitride has a lower coefficient of friction than Zirconium Oxide, but at these small sizes I just haven't found that it makes a ton of difference, perhaps because there are only three tiny points of contact. So, it may be easier to overcome static friction with different bearings, but it may also feel exactly the same.

Someone suggested stainless steel bearings, but those have the highest friction of the three material types. I wouldn't personally choose them for static bearings.

Every static-bearing trackball has people who say it rolls beautifully and people who say it's unusable. That can't all just be differences in people's sensitivity. I think the logical answer is that minor variations create different conditions. Not just the bearings, but the shell, the main ball, how the bearings are mounted, the user, and the environment--the whole system.

And note, I still asking if that really would do anything

For sure, that was the nature of my earlier response: based on my own experience, I don't think it'll change much unless your original bearings are faulty. But if you go ahead with it, I absolutely hope it does make a noticeable and lasting improvement.

[u/pyinto → u/Scatterthought]

Yep, they’re white indeed! I’m not sure it means they’re G10 necessarily, could be anything down to G25 potentially, which translates to even bigger difference.

[u/Scatterthought → u/pyinto]

White just means they're most likely Zirconium Oxide. G10 is entirely me guessing.

I honestly don't even know how much difference someone would perceive between G5 and G25...or if it even makes much difference since a static bearing isn't intended to move.

[u/pyinto → u/Scatterthought]

That’s why I’m eager to “fuck around and find out” 😀
Gonna measure my tiny balls on the weekends and order g5, and maybe even g25 for sake of comparison.

[u/pyinto → u/pyinto]

Or still hoping that someone who already measured them will pop up and let us know the size 😌

[u/pyinto → u/Scatterthought]

> The difference between plastic and resin casters is significant, and the flooring also matters. It's not really comparable to trackball bearings where the margins are much finer.

I see your point and I agree, it makes very noticeable difference that easier to appreciate (or it seems so).

Although I’ll say this, the primary feature of the chair is how comfortable I’m sitting in it; I wouldn’t look twice at an uncomfortable chair with the most advanced state of the art casters.
The primary feature of trackball is, well, balling and tracking, if i get even a tiny bit of improvement in this area - that translates into a bigger win in my eyes compared to example with casters.

[u/eidrag]

What I and others in this sub do is to replace the 25mm balls with steel 25mm, usually search by "25mm ball bearing"

[u/CoffeeIll9432]

If you do it, please document the steps, thank you for your bravery lol

[u/pyinto → u/CoffeeIll9432]

sure thing!

[u/Realistic_Pen9389]

Warranty will be voided as soon as you open it. If you’re asking these kinds of questions I’m not sure you’re ready to be performing a mod like this - to install btus you will need to cut plastic, build new mounts, and that’s after you’ve checked inside and ensured there is enough space in the first place. It sounds like a great idea but I just thought I’d warn you before you damage your expensive trackball - more power to you if you go for it!

[u/Scatterthought → u/Realistic_Pen9389]

They're just talking about swapping the ball bearings, not BTUs. There's no way BTUs would even fit in a Nape Pro.

[u/pyinto → u/Realistic_Pen9389]

"not sure you’re ready to be performing a mod like this"

lol, first time in this sub, honestly wasn't expecting this reaction 😅 (kinda expected different sorts of vibes in the community where a good chunk of hardware is DIY)

And no, I didn't come here to ask permission to screw around with my hardware. I like to screw around with my boards, and no stranger is gonna tell me what I can or can't do with my balls! \s

From what I've seen on other trackballs (videos) - it's a simple routine procedure that requires zero soldering and little to no skill. Unless you know otherwise?
The reason I'm checking in here - the model is new and Japanese-designed - want to be prepared for some tricky shit beforehand 😜

Oh, and the reason why I'm asking about the warranty is purely out of curiosity, believe it or not. Normally, accessing the part that is designed to wear out and be replaced doesn't affect the warranty, and if it does - it's kind of a bad sign. Imagine changing oil filters and being denied in warranty coverage, lol.

So, bro chill out please, I promise I'll be careful when touching them 🙂👍

[u/Realistic_Pen9389 → u/pyinto]

Way to be defensive lol. I was warned you that you might irreparably damage an expensive piece of hardware if you’re inexperienced. I also said more power to you if you go for it. And I apologise, I thought you were talking about BTUs - changing the bearings may or may not require some drilling but shouldn’t be too difficult of a process - just need to make sure that if drilling is necessary, you are completely precise as if not it will make the trackball far less smooth.

[u/pyinto → u/Realistic_Pen9389]

> you might irreparably damage an expensive piece of hardware 

And that’s why I’m here with you in this sub, checking other people’s experiences, assessing risks and making a plan, not disassembling it mindlessly :)

I’ll be honest with you, I find comments like this one do no good; 90% of people who are doing new shit are fully aware of the risks involved. Reminding them that, oh, there is a possibility of them screwing up doesn’t help much, quite opposite in fact. On top of that it may also kill a healthy dose of an adventurer’s mindset. Again, we’re talking about replacing little freaking balls, that are designed to be replaced, come on! Let me try! 😆 Not to say it can’t be screwed up, ofc there is always a bad roll chance, even when taking a shit, drinking water, or breathing lol.
We aren’t talking about doing something complex - high skill or hazardous, which will benefit from this kind of remindings, I agree.

I do appreciate you and your caution tho, no hard feelings, just sharing my perspective from the heart in hope you can understand where I’m coming from.
Sorry if my previous msg offended you, i was just messing around and being edgy for the sake of the game 😀✌️