Varmilo VA87M Mechanical Keyboard Discussions | Drop

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Varmilo VA87M Mechanical Keyboard

Mech Keys

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Varmilo VA87M Mechanical Keyboard

Stabilized

Dec 24, 2014

Can someone explain to me why it claims this keyboard is only compatible with Windows and Linux? Is there some deep juju in the circuits that will cause it to cease to function as a keyboard when plugged into a Mac?

gato7

Dec 24, 2014

StabilizedYeah, there is. Apparently there's a severe compatibility issue with the NKRO system or something which makes it spit out multiple different letters for every single keypress (It's really messed up). The bottom line is that this thing does not work on Mac OSX, and even people who have tried to find a way to use it have failed. Massdrop even contacted Varmillo looking for answers, but didn't get any. I'm sad too; I really like this keyboard, but us OSX users are out of luck for now.

Stabilized

Dec 24, 2014

gato7Thanks for the really helpful answer, shame it's a really interesting looking keyboard!

randalla

Dec 24, 2014

StabilizedIt seems NKRO and OS X don't get a long very well. From what I've read there's a right way and a wrong, hacky, way to do it, and the VA87M does it the hacky way. Basically, when you plug the keyboard in, it acts like a USB hub and connects as two different keyboards so that it can interlace the keys being pressed. My limited understanding of what OS X does with USB is that OS X expects a keyboard to only be one device, not many so it gets really confused. If someone knows more and I'm speaking incorrectly, please let me know so that I can amend my comments here.

ajsalminen

Dec 25, 2014

randallaWhat would the right way to implement NKRO be then?

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randalla

Dec 25, 2014

ajsalminenHere's something that I found with a quick search: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/40375-how-does-nkro-over-usb-work/

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AndrewLekashman

2368

Input Club

Dec 25, 2014

ajsalminenIf you really are into NKRO implementation, you should check out HaaTa's KLL Spec which goes a bit beyond N-Key rollover in terms of sophistication.
https://www.writelatex.com/read/zzqbdwqjfwwf

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Proletariat

Jan 6, 2015

randallaThanks, randalla. That's the best explanation I've heard yet, and illuminates the os x problems. I love this keyboard but I'm afraid I am ready to admit defeat and contact support@massdrop.com.
Before I do, does anyone know how difficult it is to get these Cherry MX switches OUT of this keyboard? I was considering getting a Deck Francium 87 Pro (which only comes with Blue MX and other, lesser, switches) and then swapping out the Francium blues & Varmilo greens, then gifting the keyboard to some homeless Windows user.

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