Few of us are immune to the draw of retail therapy. While I can quite happily walk through a clothes store without reaching for my wallet once, when it comes to design, I'm a sucker for making inadvisable impulse purchases on a bad day. Which is why, when this customisable macro pad came to the hardware team's attention this morning, I was smitten.
I mean, just look at it. The Binepad BNK16 has two rotary encoders with detent and clickable buttons, one of which comes with haptic feedback support (via Gizmodo Japan). The central knob swaps between software layers for different configurations, and the switches underneath the 16 keys on the left are hot-swappable.
Both silver and black models come in wired or Bluetooth configurations, and can be respectively configured with open-source keyboard firmware apps ZMK, QMK, and VIA, depending on the model. The frame and base are both made from CNC-machined aluminium, which should hopefully give the BNK16 enough weight to prevent it slipping around your desk. Half the things attached to mine are held down with Blu Tack. This is one of my little secrets, so don't tell anyone, okay?
Anyhoo, I still don't know what I'd use it for. I'd probably experiment with using it for audio controls, before forgetting what half my configurations were and spending my time idly spinning the dial when I caught a spare moment. Which sounds like bliss, now I come to think of it.
1. Best overall:
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
2. Best budget:
Gamakay x Naughshark NS68
3. Best mid-range:
Ducky Zero 6108
4. Best rapid trigger:
Wooting 80HE
5. Best wireless rapid trigger:
Keychron K2 HE
6. Best silent:
Be Quiet! Light Mount
7. Best tenkeyless:
Keychron Q3 Max
8. Best low profile:
NuPhy Air60 HE
9. Best ergonomic:
Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB
10. Best membrane:
Roccat Magma
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