Open source computer mouse by Ploopy
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I needed another corded mouse and this time around I thought of @[email protected] and @[email protected] instead of Logitech's shareholders. These guys make open source mice among other open source hardware under the brand Ploopy. You can order one from them, assembled or as a kit, or you could print and build it entirely by yourself.
The mouse itself is pretty great. Coming from a long line of Logitech (MX518/G5/G500/G502), it's a bit larger than what I'm used to but I think I'm getting accustomed to it.
Here's another shot of it:
You need plastic that is more resistant to contact so that you don't end up covering your hand in microplastics. That material looks like questionable recycled plastics.
I'm also not giving up on wireless. I'd rather have an only bluetooth (slow?) mouse than a wired one.
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Is it comfortable in the hand? The surface looks super rough
Theoretically, you can mold it to fit your hand but the tolerances and mountings make that a hassle.
As for the print itself? Most people just do a quick print and have the telltale ridges from layers. But you can futz with settings to improve the smoothness or just finish the print itself. At which point it is not going to be as smooth as injection molding but it will be more "different" than "bad".
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I needed another corded mouse and this time around I thought of @[email protected] and @[email protected] instead of Logitech's shareholders. These guys make open source mice among other open source hardware under the brand Ploopy. You can order one from them, assembled or as a kit, or you could print and build it entirely by yourself.
The mouse itself is pretty great. Coming from a long line of Logitech (MX518/G5/G500/G502), it's a bit larger than what I'm used to but I think I'm getting accustomed to it.
Here's another shot of it:
wrote last edited by [email protected]These jokers are charging $130CAD for a mouse, what in the fuck
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I needed another corded mouse and this time around I thought of @[email protected] and @[email protected] instead of Logitech's shareholders. These guys make open source mice among other open source hardware under the brand Ploopy. You can order one from them, assembled or as a kit, or you could print and build it entirely by yourself.
The mouse itself is pretty great. Coming from a long line of Logitech (MX518/G5/G500/G502), it's a bit larger than what I'm used to but I think I'm getting accustomed to it.
Here's another shot of it:
I keep thinking I should give a ploopy a shot but I've increasingly grown to like/need vertical mice and, like most ploopy related efforts, it is mostly "you CAN do it" with nobody ever having even tried because it requires pretty hefty redesigns of almost every part to mount things correctly.
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I needed another corded mouse and this time around I thought of @[email protected] and @[email protected] instead of Logitech's shareholders. These guys make open source mice among other open source hardware under the brand Ploopy. You can order one from them, assembled or as a kit, or you could print and build it entirely by yourself.
The mouse itself is pretty great. Coming from a long line of Logitech (MX518/G5/G500/G502), it's a bit larger than what I'm used to but I think I'm getting accustomed to it.
Here's another shot of it:
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You need plastic that is more resistant to contact so that you don't end up covering your hand in microplastics. That material looks like questionable recycled plastics.
I'm also not giving up on wireless. I'd rather have an only bluetooth (slow?) mouse than a wired one.
I'm not sure what makes it seem recycled, seems like a reasonably fine print to me. I believe it's printed in PLA which personally I'd want to see PETG but that's more for long-term durability than microplastic concerns, which I can't speak to.
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These jokers are charging $130CAD for a mouse, what in the fuck
"These jokers" are giving the files and documentation away for free. They're charging for the cost of putting together a kit so you can build one without thinking or understanding anything. If you want it for cheap, self source and DIY, that's the whole point, that's why the files are free.
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I needed another corded mouse and this time around I thought of @[email protected] and @[email protected] instead of Logitech's shareholders. These guys make open source mice among other open source hardware under the brand Ploopy. You can order one from them, assembled or as a kit, or you could print and build it entirely by yourself.
The mouse itself is pretty great. Coming from a long line of Logitech (MX518/G5/G500/G502), it's a bit larger than what I'm used to but I think I'm getting accustomed to it.
Here's another shot of it:
wrote last edited by [email protected]I bought a Ploopy Thumb a few years ago. I assembled it myself, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was (when actually following the instructions).
The small button on the right has broken twice, which wasn't a problem because I just downloaded the stl file and reprinted the button assembly.
I wanted horizontal scrolling, so I used QMK to make the trackball a scroll wheel when the right side button is pressed (that may explain the faster button wear). It was surprisingly easy, and there was even a comment in the source code pointing out which line I should modify for horizontal scrolling support. I guess they expected people to want this feature.
The price is high, but I don't expect to buy another mouse unless my needs change. The open source hardware and software is excellent, making repairability 10/10. The edges of the buttons are slightly rough, but I have the 3d printing files, so I get to choose what material it's made of and what post processing / smoothing is used. It hasn't bothered me enough to do anything about it.
While I can't recommend a trackball mouse to anyone, I can recommend Ploopy. It's one of the few products that I feel like I actually own.
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All Ploopy's stuff looks rough. I think they're 3D-printing them. Maybe one day they'll progress to something that gives a nicer result.
I was looking at their trackballs but the ambidextrous ones look awkwardly tiny and have rattly bearings, in addition to the rough finish. I support what they're doing but I wish the products were a bit less prototypey.
It looks rough, but it's actually fairly comfortable.The only bit that bothered me was the edge of one of the buttons, and a nail file fixed that in seconds.
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These jokers are charging $130CAD for a mouse, what in the fuck
wrote last edited by [email protected]How much should it be? It uses a great sensor, Omron main switches, it's built by two guys in Toronto, Canada where rent isn't cheap. There're definitely cheaper massproduced mice that don't share IP for free. This isn't that.
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You need plastic that is more resistant to contact so that you don't end up covering your hand in microplastics. That material looks like questionable recycled plastics.
I'm also not giving up on wireless. I'd rather have an only bluetooth (slow?) mouse than a wired one.
All the 3d printed parts have files available online. You can 3d print new parts using any material you want.
As far as I'm aware, PLA is mostly safe, but every company has different proprietary additives.
Something plant based like cellulose would be nice. Longevity wouldn't be a concern with how easy it is to reprint and reassemble.
Wireless would be nice.
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I bought a Ploopy Thumb a few years ago. I assembled it myself, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was (when actually following the instructions).
The small button on the right has broken twice, which wasn't a problem because I just downloaded the stl file and reprinted the button assembly.
I wanted horizontal scrolling, so I used QMK to make the trackball a scroll wheel when the right side button is pressed (that may explain the faster button wear). It was surprisingly easy, and there was even a comment in the source code pointing out which line I should modify for horizontal scrolling support. I guess they expected people to want this feature.
The price is high, but I don't expect to buy another mouse unless my needs change. The open source hardware and software is excellent, making repairability 10/10. The edges of the buttons are slightly rough, but I have the 3d printing files, so I get to choose what material it's made of and what post processing / smoothing is used. It hasn't bothered me enough to do anything about it.
While I can't recommend a trackball mouse to anyone, I can recommend Ploopy. It's one of the few products that I feel like I actually own.
How'd you make the surface this smooth?
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All the 3d printed parts have files available online. You can 3d print new parts using any material you want.
As far as I'm aware, PLA is mostly safe, but every company has different proprietary additives.
Something plant based like cellulose would be nice. Longevity wouldn't be a concern with how easy it is to reprint and reassemble.
Wireless would be nice.
Or titanium? But that would probably require midifications of the bendy bits to keep them flexible.
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How'd you make the surface this smooth?
wrote last edited by [email protected]Overuse and poor lighting.
I know some people have used an acetone vapor bath with ABS prints. I've never looked into what works with PLA.
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These jokers are charging $130CAD for a mouse, what in the fuck
It's hand crafted, they probably barely breakeven.
Go ask Logitech if they will share blueprints or spend 0.10$ extra for a button that survives more than 100'000 clicks
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Overuse and poor lighting.
I know some people have used an acetone vapor bath with ABS prints. I've never looked into what works with PLA.
LOL, makes sense. I'm considering using epoxy. Seems like there's a product that can be brushed on. It fills the gaps. Can be painted if desired.
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Is it comfortable in the hand? The surface looks super rough
Only as good as your 3d printer and settings I'd say
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LOL, makes sense. I'm considering using epoxy. Seems like there's a product that can be brushed on. It fills the gaps. Can be painted if desired.
I'd be interested to see how well it works.
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It's hand crafted, they probably barely breakeven.
Go ask Logitech if they will share blueprints or spend 0.10$ extra for a button that survives more than 100'000 clicks
I have a Logitech from 2003 or so. The feet are gone. The plastic under the feet is rubbed rmooth. The Omron switches are still great, no failure symptoms. Meanwhile I replaced a G500 after couple of years of use due to a switch developing "double-click" from wear. The reason I needed another wired mouse now is that another Logitech developed double-clicking. So yeah, exactly.
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I'd be interested to see how well it works.
I'll try to remember to post if I end up doing it.
