Nape Pro Prototype Advance Review｜A Close Look at the True Value of a Small, Portable Trackball

A product that raised 300 million yen through crowdfunding. Is its “power” real?

Nape Pro, a collaboration product between GIZMODO Japan and Keychron, is a very popular product that raised 300 million yen in its initial offering on CoSTORY.

This review is of a prototype before mass production.

While the hardware is almost complete, the software is in the adjustment stage.

For this reason, this article will not provide a rating for this prototype, but will limit itself to a hardware check and a report centered on photographs.

We will verify if the popularity does not end only with the numbers – from the feel of the actual equipment.

This unit is a prototype before mass production, so specifications, finish, and bundled items may change in the final product. We will focus on the hardware aspects at this time, and the software/firmware evaluation will be handled again in the official version. If necessary, confirmation items will be fed back to the parties concerned.

This page contains advertisements. Products and links provided by manufacturers may be included, but will be fairly verified and clearly disclosed in accordance with our editorial policy.

Nape Pro Specifications

Main unit size and weight

Specification Details

• Chip: Realtek 8762GKU (*Described as “1K Hz Polling Rate (Realtek 8762GKU)” on the page)
• Sensor: Pixart PAW3222 sensor
• Battery capacity: 200mAh
• Continuous use time: approx. 50 hours
• Connection method: Bluetooth / 2.4GHz / USB Type-C (can be used while charging)
• Switch: Huano Silent Micro Switch
• LED indicators: glow in corresponding colors when switching on, charging, or changing directions
• Technical certification: Yes

Accessories (contents)

• body (of a machine)
• handling instructions
• Type-C to C cable
• Type-A conversion connector (male-female)
• dongle connector
• dongle

control system

• 6Customize button
• Programming Control Dial
• 8-way switching
• ZMK open source firmware-based
• Keymap change: Keychron Launcher (WEB browser support)
• Keymap change support Connection method: USB Type-C wired and wireless connection using 2.4GHz dongle

Sales Information

• Second CRAFAN deadline: March 31, 2026

Nape Pro 2nd Crowdfunding ▷▷▷

Information reference: https: //costory.jp/cf-published-sku-groups/1451501608

Short review of the use of Nape Pro

Impression of accessories and cables

• The included USB cable is considerably softer than a typical braided cable and is easy to handle.

Impression of weight

• Although it is said to be heavier than the CES exhibit, the author’s impression is that it is “light.
• However, while weight helps portability, it is a difficult trade-off for stability.

Impression of ball diameter and operating feel

• Regarding the ball diameter of 25 mm, my impression is that this is the maximum size for index finger operation.
• Thumb operation might be okay up to 19mm.
• The larger the ball , the easier it is to move the pointer, but there may be a trade-off between ball size and feel of manipulation.
• The movement of the trackball itself is quite smooth, and the feeling of use is comparable to that of a model with the same mechanism that the author usually uses.
• Balls can be removed for cleaning.
• There are not many just right sticks in daily life that can be used for extrusion. In this case, we used a precision screwdriver + mastic tape.
• This point is quite troubling/I need a good stick.

Exterior and color impression

• The color is blackish, but not completely black, but a little grayish.

Placement and compatibility (sense of interference with keyboard)

• While there are many options for placement, I get the impression that many people are confused about how to use them.
• When placed in front of the space bar on the thin keyboard, the Nape Pro and thumb interfere with each other, making it difficult to press. Even in portrait orientation, the area that can be pressed is narrowed. Especially for Japanese layout, it may be difficult to operate because of the short space.
• (In one example of the foreground placement), thumb operation is required, but dragging is a bit difficult with one-hand thumb operation.
• When placed in the front or back, “two-handed operation” is the basic method.

Easy-to-use placement

• As a right-handed person, I found a good balance between horizontal placement and diagonal placement with the M key in the lower left corner.
• In that placement, all switches are accessible, do not interfere with the palm of the hand, and can be dragged without problems.
• I tried to see if I could turn the scroll ring with the belly of my index finger in a horizontal position, but I got the impression that it would be difficult with the current torque feel.
• Torque will be improved as this sample is heavier than the one exhibited at the Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Kai Vol. 10.

Check out the actual photos of Nape Pro to get a feel for how it works.

Let’s take a look at the actual Nape Pro with photos.

Let’s start with the cosmetic box.

It has a Keychron-like black exterior, with the familiar silver foil-stamped lettering.

The word “Japan” is broken off due to the exterior of the prototype version.

On the back, it is described as a “Flexible Workflow Companion.

As for the size of the body, it is described as 135mm in length / 35.4mm in width / 36.73mm in height.

In style, it is like a rectangular body.

Features such as “home position control” and “8-way switching” line the sides.

Check the contents.

Contents include the main unit, instruction manual, Type-C to C cable, Type-A conversion connector (male-female), dongle connector, and dongle.

The included USB cable was considerably softer than a typical braided cable and handled well.

Nape Pro size, weight and product details

First, weigh it.

The weight is about 83g.

The weight of the ball is about 10 g, and the body is calculated to be 73 g.

The diameter of the ball is approximately 25 mm.

The most famous replacement balls for 25mm trackballs on the market are from Perix andElecom.

The replacement ball for the Perix on hand weighs 13 grams, which is about 3 grams heavier than the stock Nape Pro ball.

The unit at hand worked fine, but it is necessary to check separately whether the manufacturer officially assumes it as a replacement bulb.

The trackball is removed by inserting a long, thin stick into the hole in the bottom and pushing it up from below.

The diameter of the hole is about 4 mm, which is about the size of a φ3.5 mm audio jack.

We do not know the model number of the trackball sensor, but it is quite small.

The trackball support ball is white in color.

The movement of the trackball itself is quite smooth, and the feel is comparable to that of a trackball mouse of the same mechanism that the author normally uses.

A wheel with a click is provided outside the trackball support space.

Confirm the actual measurement of the size.

Details of each part of the Nape Pro

First, let’s look at coloring.

The color is blackish, but it is not “pitch black” but a bit grayish.

I tried taking pictures with different background colors.

All buttons are located on the top surface, and there are a total of six switches. (Seven if you include the round button under the logo.)

See the video for a feel of the click.

The square in the upper left corner of the top is an LED indicator, which at the moment glows “red when charging” and “8 colors when changing directions.

Keymap settings for the round buttons are not available. The round button is used for wireless connection using a 2.4GHz dongle.

The M1/M2 button on the front side can be pushed in with a slant toward the front.

On the other hand, for switches 01 through 04, there is a certain amount of play in the pressing direction so that a click is determined not only in the vertical direction, but also when the finger is pressed at an angle.

The Type-C terminal and slide switch are located above the trackball.

The slide switches are, from left to right, 2.4GHz band dongle connection, wired, and BT connection.

2.4GHz mode and wired connection mode are supported for keymap changes.

Comparison with other trackball keyboards

Since Nape Pro is a product with a size that has never been seen before, many people may find it difficult to get a sense of the actual size of the product.

Here we have photographed the Nape Pro together with typical trackballs and keyboards of various sizes, from large to small and split keyboards.

Let’s start with the trackball.

From left to right: Kensinton SBP (55mm)/Nape Pro (25mm)/Elecom HUGE Plus (52mm).

As for width, it is about one-third the size of the SBP and half the size of the HUGE Plus.

Compared to the Apple Magic Trackpad, it is very compact.

The Nape Pro is also smaller when placed sideways.

Then compare with the keyboard.

Nape Pro, where is the right place to put it?

The uses for Nape Pro are endless.

The main feature of this product is that it can be placed in as many as eight different directions, allowing for a variety of placement options.

Because of the many options available, there are surely many people who are not sure how to use them.

In conclusion, when placed on the front or back side of the keyboard, two-handed operation is basic, and when placed on the left or right side, one-handed operation is basic.

Here we will explore several ways to place them.

The first important aspect of using Nape Pro is its height relationship to the target device.

As described below, Nape Pro has a caveat: “If the height of the front side of the keyboard is less than 20 mm, placing NapePro in front of the keyboard is likely to interfere with the palm of your hand.

Keyboard features to watch out for with Nape Pro

For example, when used with a thin keyboard or a set of split keyboards, there are some positions that are “harder to use” due to the difference in height.

Let’s take the Keychron B1 Pro as an example.

Perhaps this is the case where you want to place it in front of the space bar so as not to disrupt the home position.

However, so-called pantograph-tough thin keyboards such as the Keychron B1 Pro, MX Keys, and Apple Magic Keyboard have a lower overall height than you might think.

Therefore, if you place it in front of the space bar on those thin keyboards, the Nape Pro and your thumb will interfere with each other and you will not be able to press the keyboard properly.

In such cases, you would place it next to or on top of the keyboard.

Then, it is compatible with a split keyboard.

Cornix LP has been an explosive hit, and many people may want to use it as a set.

First, it is important to note that the Cornix LP is a “low-profile mechanical keyboard”.

Therefore, if you place it on the front side under normal conditions, the Nape Pro will definitely interfere with the palm of your hand.

However, this can be resolved by tenting.

However, in this state, the trackball operation is with the thumb, and if the home position is to be kept, “drag operation” is not possible.

In such a case, some ingenuity is required, such as assigning “click button 1” on the left-hand side keyboard.

However, even with a split keyboard, the risk of interference is low if a normal profile keyboard + palm rest is used.

Remarks: Regarding the torque of the scroll ring, it was found that this sample product was heavier than the one exhibited at the Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Kai Vol. 10. In response to this, the company plans to adjust the torque to be lighter in the production version.

Also, even with a split keyboard, interference problems will not occur if the keyboard is placed in the center, rather than in the so-called “keyball” position.

Suggested placement of Nape Pro

Based on the previous notes, let’s simulate the position in which the Nape Pro is placed, assuming a regular mechanical keyboard.

Conclusion｜Greenkeys’ recommended position

• For horizontal keyboard｜Laying horizontally or diagonally
• For the labor side of the keyboard｜Vertical placement
• For the top side of the keyboard｜Landscape placement

#1:右側もしくは左側

The most orthodox pattern is to place it on both sides of the keyboard, either on the right or left side.

With this, it can be used as a normal trackball, and if placed on the left hand side, it can also be used as a left-handed device that integrates shortcut keys and other functions.

Note that in many cases, a split palm rest is required to prevent interference with the palm when placed on the front side.

#2:手前側

The next pattern is to place it on the front side.

Note that in many cases, a split palm rest is required to prevent interference with the palm when placed on the front side.

Probably, the usage pattern you are imagining is to place it in the “center of the space bar” as shown below.

However, in this case, the base of the thumb interferes with the Nape Pro switch when held in the home position.

As for Japanese keyboards with a short space bar, it may be even more difficult to press the space bar.

The same idea as with the Keyball, but with the trackball positioned in the palm of the hand, the Nape Pro could be used on the front side of the keyboard without interfering with the switches or ball.

I have the impression that it is more stable to use the keyboard in the front side placement if it is placed vertically rather than horizontally.

Thus, when placing the Nape Pro in a vertical arrangement, it may be more reasonable to move your hands away from the home position and operate it with two hands.

A similar diagonal installation with the M key in the lower left corner is also recommended.

The right index finger or thumb operates the ball, and the left thumb operates the M1/M2/01/02 keys.

#3:上側

Although a bit tricky to place, the upper side of the keyboard can be quite useful depending on the setting.

Naturally, in many cases the keyboard is higher at the back than at the front, so the Nape Pro is hidden and unusable as it is.

Therefore, it must be “elevated” in some way.

However, in this position, two-finger operation with drag may take a little getting used to.

Summary/request for improvement in hardware part

The above hardware review has been conducted at this stage using an actual prototype version of the Nape Pro.

Compared to the product exhibited at CES2026, it has been brushed up in quite a few areas, and it is safe to say that it is already “complete” in terms of hardware.

However, the author was left with some areas of concern, so we have provided feedback on the following.

As for NapePro, a second round of crowdfunding is currently underway, with a deadline of March 31, 2026.

If you are interested, do not miss this opportunity.

Nape Pro 2nd Crowdfunding ▷▷▷