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ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

zsa.io

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Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#131

Post by binaryapparatus »

I am happy zsa/ergodox ez user for many years and was waiting for something like this from zsa, since moonlander wasn't for my hands. My current ergodox layout doesn't use keys that are removed on voyager, so everything plays perfectly. I can vouch for the zsa product quality, since my ergodox didn't hiccup for many years with lots of typing.

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.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#132

Post by lucw »

shivekkhurana wrote: post #14

If anyone from ZSA is here, please make wireless keyboards. 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.

I am a customer and bought several ZSA keyboards. I specifically DO NO want wireless. I want tried and tested wired with appropriate cable length and that's exactly what they did here.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#133

Post by lucw »

tiltowait wrote: post #62

It looks all right, but the tiny thumb clusters kills it for me. I think Keyboardio really nailed the layout, to the point that pretty much all other similar keyboard designs are DOA for me.

on the keyboardio, how do you accurately hit the right thumb key ? the four thumb keys all have the same shape. I see a high risk of getting them confused.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#134

Post by lucw »

bsnnkv wrote: post #19

I have quite a few of these sorts of keyboards, including the Ergodox EZ. I think for generalist usage they can be adapted to pretty easily, but as a developer, the lack of dedicated keys for [, ] and ' is an insurmountable obstacle for me. 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…

I don't get it, you can make a [ , ] key anywhere. The ] key could be to the right of your pinky on the homerow. The [ key could be the one right above that. Personally, I have ()[]{} on the home row, activated by a layer and i'm never going back.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#135

Post by lucw »

krzyk wrote: post #23
bsnnkv wrote: post #19

I have quite a few of these sorts of keyboards, including the Ergodox EZ. I think for generalist usage they can be adapted to pretty easily, but as a developer, the lack of dedicated keys for [, ] and ' is an insurmountable obstacle for me. 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…

and lack of F1-F12 is a show stopper for me, I use them in my IDE.

I agree. On my ergodox, the top row was f1-f12, and I had a virtual numpad on a layer.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#136

Post by revscat »

baz00 wrote: post #13
fimdomeio wrote: post #4

What's with the gradient/rainbow led trend? Is it just me that don't have the necessary cultural references to find it appealing? To me I immediately associate it with an unprofessional, cheap look.

I agree. It looks tacky, cheap, unprofessional and distasteful. Not only that half the RGB keyboards fuck out fairly quickly or have power and USB problems. Electric truck nuts. That's all it is.

Literally none of what you said is true.

I have a key that toggles between keyboard layers, of which there are three. Different layers are assigned different colors. If I forget which layer I'm on then I can just glance at the keyboard and know. The LEDs are similar in purpose to a Caps Lock indicator.

And for the third layer, which has only a dozen or so keys defined, the keys that are defined are lit up in their own color. This layer sees less use than the first two, so it is helpful guidance to remember which are defined.

I have criticisms about the keyboard -- Moonlander -- but none are about the LEDs. The LEDs are useful and not simply moronic eye-candy as you seem to imply.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#137

Post by revscat »

Pet_Ant wrote: post #76
asu_thomas wrote: post #29

Honestly looks terrible. I'll keep my Glove80. https://www.moergo.com

Can you use it wired? I hate wireless anything and the pairing issues that arise after a battery swap or anything. --- Edit: kept scrolling, yes you can.

So I'm on team wired as well, but honestly it does seem like the "change the batteries lose the info" thing has become far less common.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#138

Post by 1MachineElf »

lq0000 wrote: post #75

The layout is eerily similar to one I designed last year [1]. I may be biased, but I'm not sure if it is worth the $365 price point. That being said, it is a bit more refined and has some nice accessories bundled. I may pick one up for comparison. But, just noting that there is a comparable open source design available. ;) [1] https://github.com/eggsworks/egg58

I considered the price as well. I do love open source designs more than I love the design of the ZSA Voyager (it has too few thumb keys), but in terms of price, it might actually be fair. Milled steel cases for a Corne or Lily58 are only available via group buys that charge $300-400, and they don't come with either keycaps or switches. I believe it's realistic that you could pay the same amount or more for an alternative.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#139

Post by krzyk »

chaxor wrote: post #39
krzyk wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

and lack of F1-F12 is a show stopper for me, I use them in my IDE.

What on earth are you talking about? Of course it has F1-12, it's just in a better place. It's completely programmable, so you can choose something that makes sense to you.

Well, I'm looking at that keyboard and don't see F1 for example, so there is no such key.

Using key combination for basic keys is like using mouse to emulate keyboard.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#140

Post by krzyk »

mkozlows wrote: post #46
krzyk wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

and lack of F1-F12 is a show stopper for me, I use them in my IDE.

Modifier key plus the number row gets you that trivially, and it's no different from having to hit Fn + F-key on a laptop. But even better is that if there are things you use regularly, you can map them up to a more convenient place.

I don't use Fn on laptops, that's backwards. F1-F12 have basic functionality, when I want to play around with something less common (like changing volume, brightness) I use Fn + F key.
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