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Tex Yoda II TrackPoint Mechanical Keyboard Kit
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Tex Yoda II TrackPoint Mechanical Keyboard Kit
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Product Description
When Tex Designs originally released the Yoda TrackPoint mechanical keyboard, it revolutionized the way we think of (arguably) the two most important components of our desktop setup. Now Tex Designs is back with the second iteration of the keyboard, the Yoda TrackPoint II mechanical keyboard kit Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downMakami
4237
Aug 30, 2018
Just in case, someone doesn't know.
Tex Kodachi, even pricier, but for fans (maybe) worth it.
dvorcol
5377
Keyboard Club Member
Nov 12, 2018
MakamiThe keycaps in the photo you posted looked unique to me based on the shape of the dish. But looking at another picture on the MechanicalKeyboards website, it seems they are DSA.
Al_TheEngineer
75
Feb 16, 2018
Guys, I just want to tell you that this keyboard is TRULY awesome if you are a coder, software engineer, typist, or anyone who uses the keyboard for a very long amount of time daily. The presence of the track point is actually GREAT, it helps you use the mouse while not even moving your hands off the keyboard! I have both YODA 1 and now YODA 2, both are amazing keyboards! The model 2 being completely re-programmable makes it extremely versatile. It can even save macros for you! It has 3 levels of "FN" keys which means you can have a BOAT load of combinations (if you so desire). All in all, it's a pleasure to type on and it is currently my daily driver at work. I have typed over a million lines of code on my YODA 1 (with green switches) and it maintained outstanding performance, comfort and ergonomics.
Al_TheEngineer
75
Feb 18, 2018
Okay any 60% format will have a learning curve, if you buy Pok3r, HHKB or any others, which is why I didn't discuss that in my original post. When I first moved to the 60% format, I came from a TKL as well. Yes, it took about 3 or so weeks to master it, but when I got used to it, It became way faster than my normal TKL. The 60% format is designed to where you have the least hands movement around or off the keyboard, and while yes to access the F1-F12 keys you'd need to hold 'FN' first, it's honestly not a problem at all. It's natural to me and I am very used to it by now and it doesn't bother me at all.
As I said above in my other comment, I have mapped my right ALT, right MENU, right WIN and right SHIFT keys as right, down, left, and up arrow keys (in that order). For page slide keys you can easy make them FN left arrow and FN right arrow (after the re-map above), or FN + '<' and FN + '>', and so on. Again it is 100% re-programmable and with ANY 60% layout, you're going to become an FN key master! YODA 2 supports 3 levels of FN BTW!
But yes, there is indeed a learning curve, and once you get there you will see how fast and quick it is and with YODA 2 having the track-point you'll never even need a mouse, even for little annoying things that cannot be done with keyboard shortcuts. I too use keyboard shortcuts for 98% of everything, the remaining 2% gets handled by the track-point, and it is a MUCH better experience than moving my hands off the keyboard to the mouse to do something simple!
As I said above in my other comment, I have mapped my right ALT, right MENU, right WIN and right SHIFT keys as right, down, left, and up arrow keys (in that order). For page slide keys you can easy make them FN left arrow and FN right arrow (after the re-map above), or FN + '<' and FN + '>', and so on. Again it is 100% re-programmable and with ANY 60% layout, you're going to become an FN key master! YODA 2 supports 3 levels of FN BTW!
But yes, there is indeed a learning curve, and once you get there you will see how fast and quick it is and with YODA 2 having the track-point you'll never even need a mouse, even for little annoying things that cannot be done with keyboard shortcuts. I too use keyboard shortcuts for 98% of everything, the remaining 2% gets handled by the track-point, and it is a MUCH better experience than moving my hands off the keyboard to the mouse to do something simple!
fatpolomanjr
128
Feb 19, 2018
It is called layer toggling. And no it is not currently possible on the TEX Yoda II. They are still adding enhancements to the programmability and just recently added the option to map a single key to a macro. I really wish it supported QMK to get some of my favorite functionality I use all the time on my planck. Including layer toggling.
equalunique
475
Dec 18, 2018
PLEASE ADD QMK SUPPORT.
I already have one of these boards in my collection, but I would purchase one, possibly two more, if QMK were supported. It's a sure bet that others would purchase more of these too.
(Edited)
delusionull
70
Feb 7, 2019
equaluniqueYes! This is the first thing I looked for when I was checking out this drop. I would only pay that much for a keyboard that is fully configurable. In fact, I'm so spoiled by QMK, I will no longer own a keyboard that is not compatible with it.
DeviceNode
15
May 27, 2018
Does anyone know about the origin and makeup of the actual TrackPoint in this? Is it the same as the TrackPoint on a ThinkPad? Notably:
1. Is it based on a rigid Strain Gauge or movable Force Sensitive Resistor? 2. Does it have the ThinkPad programming and motion algorithms?
I worked with the inventor of the TrackPoint at the IBM Almaden Research Center, and I worked on some of the advanced motion algorithms that Lenovo inherited when they split off the ThinkPad business from IBM in the 90's. If it has these algorithms and ergonomics, it's very interesting. If not, it's not worth it for the "TrackPoint."
1. Is it based on a rigid Strain Gauge or movable Force Sensitive Resistor? 2. Does it have the ThinkPad programming and motion algorithms?
I worked with the inventor of the TrackPoint at the IBM Almaden Research Center, and I worked on some of the advanced motion algorithms that Lenovo inherited when they split off the ThinkPad business from IBM in the 90's. If it has these algorithms and ergonomics, it's very interesting. If not, it's not worth it for the "TrackPoint."
DeviceNode
15
Aug 31, 2018
Thanks for the info. Actually Tex Kodachi looks really good -- has the cursor and function keys that I need. Only drawback is that in emulating the ThinkPad keyboard they swapped the Ctrl and Fn keys. Of course it's programmable, and hopefully that extends to Fn key/Fn lock functionality (since they don't throw keycodes but modify other keys directly). Also, I'd hope they supply replacement keycaps for Ctrl and Fn because you can't swap them, being of different sizes. I've got to see if there's a discussion for the Kodachi.
MrTonyD
10
Sep 2, 2018
DeviceNodeI've always been curious about the difference between thinkpad trackpoints and others. I once had a Dell with Trackpoint and it was completely unusable - and I've used thinkpad trackpoints for well over a decade. I noticed that the acceleration on my thinkpad would start slow, then speed up. It seemed to have a deceleration curve too. But there must be much more than that, I would think. Is the difference mostly mechanical? How complex are the algorithms? Are they more empirical - with lots of heuristic variables for tuning? Why is it so hard for everybody else to get it right?
fatpolomanjr
128
Feb 16, 2018
This was the first keyboard I ever went full hhkb arrow cluster and split backspace with, and it is awesome. Even started getting different colored trackpoints and dyeing some of my own:
https://i.imgur.com/39OSmj5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/pobUKHR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/a1dwGl8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/39OSmj5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/pobUKHR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/a1dwGl8.jpg
fatpolomanjr
128
Feb 19, 2018
Yes it is absolutely possible to get hhkb layout. Here are better pictures of the boarders:
https://i.imgur.com/WS1vuY0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/49xuIpH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WS1vuY0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/49xuIpH.jpg
Al_TheEngineer
75
Feb 19, 2018
That's exactly what I had in mind! Ah that's unfortunate that it didn't work so well for him. Yeah I am not sure what's the best way to modify the GHB keys, honestly I don't really have the desire to customize the caps too much on the YODA (1 or 2). I know lots of people love customization, to me I just use it as a tool for work, I don't care for colors, fancy key caps, different prints, etc. It works well as-is for me personally. But it sure as heck would be nice to do! Maybe it can be done with a laser cutter? There are some affordable laser cutters now a days! I wonder if you can get the keys to sit properly in a jig while a laser cuts them based on a 3D mapped file!
chexxor
16
Nov 12, 2018
This is available for cheaper on MechanicalKeyboards.com
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3417
Dunnot what to do about this Massdrop one. :-/
equalunique
475
Feb 7, 2019
chexxorThey also have a nice, albeit overpriced, GMK keyset specifically for this board: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3272
scottms
17
May 21, 2018
Perhaps a silly question, but has anyone tried modifying their layout using the web configurator with a linux os? For me that is a deal-breaker.
H2Whoah
768
May 22, 2018
XTaranlmao this is probably the best random encounter I've had on Massdrop
Thanks for the info, and for the helpful blog post!
Thanks for the info, and for the helpful blog post!
Monsterpiece42
5
Feb 16, 2018
This keyboard s sweet, but I laughed at "innovative". ThinkPads have had a trackpoint for over 20 years...and it's red, at that!
Al_TheEngineer
75
Feb 17, 2018
No where near how this one works! I've tried both and I own YODA 1 and YODA 2. TEX's implementation of the TrackPoint is immaculate in my humble opinion (read my other comments).
Nothing against UniComp, I love the legacy Model M keyboards and their style (buckling springs are cool!), in fact I still run one as well in my home-office! (A rare IBM Model M SSK!) However, UniComp aren't exactly the same quality as the good ol' Model M, even though they bought all the rights to the OG IBM Model M, they still don't really produce something near its quality and feel (in my humble opinion of course).
Nothing against UniComp, I love the legacy Model M keyboards and their style (buckling springs are cool!), in fact I still run one as well in my home-office! (A rare IBM Model M SSK!) However, UniComp aren't exactly the same quality as the good ol' Model M, even though they bought all the rights to the OG IBM Model M, they still don't really produce something near its quality and feel (in my humble opinion of course).
McDoogle
187
Aug 31, 2018
Would be great if there was a tool or service that could make keycaps compatible with this keyboard.
idealcheese
70
Dec 12, 2018
McDoogleHere it is. You have to look really close to see that my cuts aren't perfect, which is why I didn't bother making them look perfect.
dbc0
11
Nov 4, 2018
Got my keyboard assembled, keys all seem to work, but backlight is inert. I got out a volt meter and checked the LEDs and it looks like they are completely floating -- no drive voltage. Am I missing something simple?
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