Can someone identify this aftermarket Model M controller?

Bitteneite · 13 Jun 2021, 19:21

I found this Model M controller as I was browsing a Chinese site.
Seems to have a Type-C port and a solenoid header.
What's the name of it? Does anyone know a thread or any documentation about it?

Any help is appreciated.

Weezer · 13 Jun 2021, 19:32

I've not seen that one before. Interesting. Might be QMK?

jmaynard · 14 Jun 2021, 14:27

Is that a 20-pin matrix socket on the left? Looks like the carrier board can handle multiple keyboards and multiple controllers.

Bitteneite · 14 Jun 2021, 15:24

I got this other picture from the seller. Way clearer too.
Seems to be a more recent revision as well: 24-May-2021
Not sure if it's of any help though.

https://i.imgur.com/GAEF9Cz.jpeg

Bitteneite · 14 Jun 2021, 15:30

jmaynard wrote: ↑
14 Jun 2021, 14:27
Is that a 20-pin matrix socket on the left? Looks like the carrier board can handle multiple keyboards and multiple controllers.

Ooo, good eye!
I do recall my M Battleships having a longer socket, which would actually make sense if he was aiming for a one-size-fits-all controller.

jmaynard · 14 Jun 2021, 16:29

Bitteneite wrote: ↑
14 Jun 2021, 15:30
Ooo, good eye!
I do recall my M Battleships having a longer socket, which would actually make sense if he was aiming for a one-size-fits-all controller.

Yup. I'm working on multiple M122s, and while the clearer picture shows only a 16-pin socket, there's space for a 20.

Where'd you see this? I might snag one and see if it saves me having to make them myself.

Bitteneite · 14 Jun 2021, 16:48

jmaynard wrote: ↑
14 Jun 2021, 16:29
Where'd you see this? I might snag one and see if it saves me having to make them myself.

It's a listing from Xianyu, which is based on Taobao, I believe.
It's all in Chinese, and I have no clue what the buttons do, but I just accidentally stumbled on it after clicking on many related IBM listings.

624245305 · 30 Jun 2021, 17:36

pcb....

an_achronism · 30 Jun 2021, 18:00

The idea of putting a solenoid in a Model M is extremely funny to me and I hope somebody has done it and/or is going to do it

Go-Kart · 30 Jun 2021, 18:36

an_achronism wrote: ↑
30 Jun 2021, 18:00
The idea of putting a solenoid in a Model M is extremely funny to me and I hope somebody has done it and/or is going to do it

Why not be the first yourself

Bitteneite · 30 Jun 2021, 18:46

Go-Kart wrote: ↑
30 Jun 2021, 18:36
Why not be the first yourself

(Rolls sleeves)
Just you wait

Bitteneite · 30 Jun 2021, 20:48

I got my hands on it

Bjerrk · 30 Jun 2021, 21:02

Bitteneite wrote: ↑
30 Jun 2021, 20:48
I got my hands on it

Haha! That is wicked

raoulduke-esq · 30 Jun 2021, 21:15

Screw a floss mod; I'm tryin' to get on this level!

Go-Kart · 30 Jun 2021, 21:47

Glorious!

624245305 · 01 Jul 2021, 15:58

firmware

tiltowait · 04 Aug 2021, 20:57

Is there any easy way to buy this in the US?

Bitteneite · 07 Aug 2021, 04:46

tiltowait wrote: ↑
04 Aug 2021, 20:57
Is there any easy way to buy this in the US?

I had to send it through a proxy, which took a while before I got it in my hands.

RoastPotatoes · 09 Nov 2022, 15:18

Can anyone help track down the taobao link for this controller? I emailed the creator but was just sent a new picture of the listing, but I'm not able to track down the listing from the image.

: 2F4A2809B7E047CDB739219F1EB28F29.jpg (86.91 KiB) Viewed 17223 times

Crizender · 09 Nov 2022, 15:22

RoastPotatoes wrote: ↑
09 Nov 2022, 15:18
Can anyone help track down the taobao link for this controller? I emailed the creator but was just sent a new picture of the listing, but I'm not able to track down the listing from the image.
2F4A2809B7E047CDB739219F1EB28F29.jpg

https://h5.m.goofish.com/item?id=656161 ... 011849.0.0

I believe this is it, correct me if I'm wrong.

RoastPotatoes · 09 Nov 2022, 15:24

Crizender wrote: ↑
09 Nov 2022, 15:22

RoastPotatoes wrote: ↑
09 Nov 2022, 15:18
Can anyone help track down the taobao link for this controller? I emailed the creator but was just sent a new picture of the listing, but I'm not able to track down the listing from the image.
2F4A2809B7E047CDB739219F1EB28F29.jpg
https://h5.m.goofish.com/item?id=656161 ... 011849.0.0

I believe this is it, correct me if I'm wrong.

Wow, that was quick! Looks to be it, thank you.

RoastPotatoes · 16 Dec 2022, 18:27

So I got one! Unfortunately it doesn't fit in the SSK case.

RoastPotatoes · 16 Dec 2022, 18:59

Am I being stupid or is this design slightly upside down? It is as pictured tbf but the old revision makes sense with the cable sockets on the top.
Do you think if I remove and solder the sockets to the top this will work?

: IMG_20221216_174757195-min.jpg (788.54 KiB) Viewed 15876 times

: IMG_20221216_174656579-min.jpg (855.81 KiB) Viewed 15876 times

: IMG_20221216_174441280-min.jpg (881.93 KiB) Viewed 15876 times

RoastPotatoes · 18 Dec 2022, 14:53

So I've flipped the sockets to the other side and it still works as much as it did before I think.
Now I need to figure out the firmware.

624245305 wrote: ↑
01 Jul 2021, 15:58
firmware

Do you have the firmware for this revision?

: IMG_20221218_135012582_1.jpg (1.74 MiB) Viewed 15786 times

RoastPotatoes · 22 Dec 2022, 10:46

Fully up and running! Going to try get this added to qmk repo.
EDIT: wrote about this on my blog

624245305 · 18 Mar 2024, 08:16

Firmware And PCB

624245305 · 18 Mar 2024, 08:24

RoastPotatoes wrote: ↑
22 Dec 2022, 10:46
Fully up and running! Going to try get this added to qmk repo.
EDIT: wrote about this on my blog

After seeing your blog, yours originally fits M122 and is fixed to the metal plate so that M101 can be put in.

nbulashev · 26 Mar 2024, 09:30

624245305 wrote: ↑
18 Mar 2024, 08:24

RoastPotatoes wrote: ↑
22 Dec 2022, 10:46
Fully up and running! Going to try get this added to qmk repo.
EDIT: wrote about this on my blog
After seeing your blog, yours originally fits M122 and is fixed to the metal plate so that M101 can be put in.

Is there a way still to order this beauty?

624245305 · 06 Apr 2024, 05:53

nbulashev wrote: ↑
26 Mar 2024, 09:30

624245305 wrote: ↑
18 Mar 2024, 08:24

RoastPotatoes wrote: ↑
22 Dec 2022, 10:46
Fully up and running! Going to try get this added to qmk repo.
EDIT: wrote about this on my blog
After seeing your blog, yours originally fits M122 and is fixed to the metal plate so that M101 can be put in.
Is there a way still to order this beauty?

There are files in front, used for production