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Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

graz.io

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Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#71

Post by nprateem »

Syzygies wrote: post #52
amarant wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have the ultimate hackers keyboard (silly name, I know) It's a really good split keyboard with symbols printed (optional). https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/

Their UKH 80 looks incredible. Software is as critical as hardware: The UHK supports holding a key down to select a different keymap layer, then using the other hand to tap a key in that layer. While few people learn many-key chording, "one finger each hand" is every bit as easy as ordinary typing, with practice. This supports an n^2 expansion in effective keyboard reach. I'm surprised this isn't the norm for selecti…

> The UHK supports holding a key down to select a different keymap layer, then using the other hand to tap a key in that layer.

How is that different to what QMK/ZMK offer?

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#72

Post by numpad0 »

voidUpdate wrote: post #37

Why do no split keyboards have symbols on the keycaps? What happens when you forget where a key is that you don't use often, do you just have to press keys until you find it again?

Just friction. All it takes is commitment to a particular keymap and few minutes on a laser engraver, but that commitment is not insignificant to builders.

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#74

Post by w10-1 »

For next iteration, consider integrating trackpads?

Moving to the mouse and back is pain enough that people go all-in on keyboard-only interfaces.

I velcroed a trackpad to the middle of a Kinesis Advantage. Now I use either hand for the mouse, and even stretch a finger or thumb to the pad without leaving the keys. The movement is little different from using the keyboard.

But for split keyboard, you'd need one trackpad for each side, and in dimensions not readily available. hmm.

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#75

Post by flyingpenguin »

I have been working on a very similar build.

One feature I decided was a requirement is holding me up. I really want pogo pins on the sides of the keyboards, so that they magnetically attach and the left will charge the right.

How do you charge the left and the right since they require separate cables?

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#76

Post by bee_rider »

danielvaughn wrote: post #45

Personal opinion, but I really don’t get low-profile keyboards. I always need a foam cushion for my palms, which means that a normal profile always feels best for me. Low feels too low with a cushion, and yet still feels too high without one.

Another opinion:

I want this keyboard to put on a bookshelf and never use, haha. It is really nice looking. It sounds like it was an incredible learning experience and making something so polished and professional looking is a real accomplishment. But low profile, no pads, ortho layout, and no tenting… my eyes ache for the beauty of the thing but my hands just ache.

But anyway, ergonomics are personal so I can’t really judge.

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#79

Post by porkloin »

w10-1 wrote: post #65
UI_at_80x24 wrote: post #30

OP, congrats on the product and effort. _NOTHING_ beats prototyping and building. For other split-mechanical keyboards check out: ZSA Voyager Moergo Glove 80

Also, should you prioritize ergonomics over function or form, the Kinesis Advantage 360 Professional

Not sure if you're familiar with it, but Glove80 which the parent comment you were replying to is very similar to Kinesis boards (concave keywell, staggered columnar layout, etc.) but leverages a lot of the open source stuff like ZMK firmware that Kinesis doesn't support https://www.moergo.com/

Edit: nevermind, I just learned that the advantage360 pro uses ZMK as well. Either way, they both seem like great options for people who prioritize the ergonomics over aesthetics :)

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#80

Post by stavros »

voidUpdate wrote: post #37

Why do no split keyboards have symbols on the keycaps? What happens when you forget where a key is that you don't use often, do you just have to press keys until you find it again?

Honestly, for mine it was because I didn't know what I wanted the keys to do when I was making it. It took a few months to settle on a layout, and even now I might still change it with usage.
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