by adamrt on 9/5/23, 2:15 PM with 148 comments
by egypturnash on 9/5/23, 4:27 PM
I want more keys. I want my dedicated f-keys back so that when I launch an action in Illustrator I don't have to hold down the fn key, along with whatever other modifier key I may be using to distinguish between a couple other action assigned to that key. I have turned my capslock into command-alt-shift and that helps a lot, I want additional meta keys that I can use for command-shift and command-alt while still having the existing meta keys, not less - this has nine unmarked keys in the default layout, and two of those are probably slated for becoming space and return; my Mac has exactly the same number of meta keys if I count capslock, and dedicated space/return buttons.
Their Moonlander's much more sensible, with a baker's dozen of meta keys around each half's keyboard block. Hitting a little one-handed chord almost seems reasonable, compared to all the one-handed stretches I've got in my daily art routine. I'd be super-tempted by this or an Ergodox EZ if they were putting them on sale because they are no longer the new hotness, they might actually see integration into my workflow, but there's absolutely no price difference.
Maybe I'll just get baked and spend an hour futzing with this idea I just had to make the f-keys of my Mac's keyboard accessible by having Karabiner translate a chord of (fkey)+(the key to its left) into (fkey). I already have the baked part. And that works on my existing laptop keyboard as well as the 90%-identical Apple wireless board on my desk...
EDIT:
I did indeed spend an hour swearing at Karabiner's config file and make f(n)+f(-1) into f(n) and it is wonderful, and I am going to make a fn+f(n)=(nothing) rule to train myself to use it. Thanks for the inspiration, keyboard with too few bucky bits!
by bsnnkv on 9/5/23, 3:36 PM
Those keys are in my opinion perfectly placed on regular keyboards and no amount of layering, tap dancing or anything else will ever come close. Please somebody just make a split ergo keyboard where the right side has extra keys for regular programming symbols on the top layer. The two halves do not need to be symmetrical.
by yeahboats on 9/5/23, 3:50 PM
I like the all the case options and mods available to the ZSA keyboards. The biggest problem with building your own I feel is the cost of getting a nice, solid feeling case.
[1] https://github.com/mmccoyd/hillside/tree/main/hillside46 [2] https://i.imgur.com/i0VkWG1.jpeg
by mildavw on 9/5/23, 6:59 PM
Why does no one build a split keyboard that has the exact same layout as a MacBook? I feel like that would be my holy grail. I don't even care about mechanical switches (I know, blasphemy!)
by lq0000 on 9/5/23, 5:06 PM
I may pick one up for comparison. But, just noting that there is a comparable open source design available. ;)
by kbknapp on 9/5/23, 3:04 PM
I have an ErgoDox EZ at home, and a Moonlander for work. I absolutely love these keyboards. They have played a significant role in reducing pain I experience from arthritis.
by gwbas1c on 9/5/23, 5:24 PM
(And yes, I see https://www.zsa.io/wireless/)
One of my co-workers was mentioning earlier that he wanted "keyboard pants." This caught my eye because he probably would like hanging it from his belt.
But... There's a wire!
It might be less effort on the vendor's part to source out a simple "wireless USB adaptor" that they can sell as an add-on instead of writing a long-winded "you're wrong" page for people who want wireless.
by 7839284023 on 9/5/23, 3:34 PM
I would recommend buying a Dilemma instead: https://bastardkb.com/product/dilemma/
or building one of the hundreds of DIY open source keyboards e.g.:
- https://github.com/mmccoyd/hillside (46-56 keys)
- https://github.com/GEIGEIGEIST/TOTEM (38 keys)
by shivekkhurana on 9/5/23, 3:30 PM
I’m rocking an Ergodox for the past few years. It’s worth every penny, but I cannot carry it around with all the cables.
by binaryapparatus on 9/6/23, 11:32 AM
It is hard to explain to people who never tried qmk layers that more keys doesn't mean better keyboard, having proper layers on home row is many times more ergonomic. One of the things that don't click unless you try I guess.
by galkk on 9/5/23, 7:42 PM
I won't buy this keyboard. It doesn't have anything attractive to me. 2 thumb keys are not enough. It is wired. It is flat. If I wanted something like that, I'd buy some variant of corne, and it would be more suited for my needs and cheaper.
It still has qmk, and ZSA's configurator is the best that is there, but the same rehashed idea is of a keyboard is not what I wanted. I really hoped for dactyl-like wireless. But I guess that ZSA is too tied to qmk now, and qmk has issues with wireless.
by fimdomeio on 9/5/23, 3:16 PM
To me I immediately associate it with an unprofessional, cheap look.
by birdiesanders on 9/5/23, 3:37 PM
by utybo on 9/5/23, 4:08 PM
I fully understand the decisions that were made, and while ZSA's keyboards are phenomenal, there is no way I'd buy one at a 404€ price point (including French VAT, excluding customs costs which would bump it to around 450€). The Planck EZ was great because its price point made it justifiable, mine coming around at ~320€ including VAT and customs, which is the max amount of money I'd be willing to spend.
I don't think we'll ever see something like the Planck EZ again (as in a very compact and more affordable option) since the Voyager is the new "laptop solution", and that honestly sucks.
(Side note for anyone pedant enough to care: these customs costs are both actual customs import taxes and the fee taken by the courier for customs processes)
by ChrisLTD on 9/5/23, 4:54 PM
by tiltowait on 9/5/23, 4:21 PM
by ivanjermakov on 9/5/23, 3:27 PM
by tevon on 9/5/23, 4:15 PM
Equally as expensive, but really good, team is very responsive and involved with the community, and their customization software is getting better and better.
Also wireless option.
by rgoulter on 9/5/23, 4:05 PM
I've seen some split keyboards have a tripod mount option. But, otherwise, I've not seen ideas for sharing 'accessories' across multiple split keyboard designs.
by rakenodiax on 9/6/23, 1:28 AM
by co_dh on 9/5/23, 3:25 PM
by swah on 9/5/23, 4:04 PM
by uticus on 9/5/23, 6:54 PM
by Zezima on 9/5/23, 4:13 PM
by mrtobo on 9/5/23, 3:38 PM
by penjelly on 9/7/23, 2:06 PM
by asu_thomas on 9/5/23, 3:57 PM
