Live data from Hacker News

ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

zsa.io

141–150 of 151 posts

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These small keyboards trade-off the benefit of "bring all the keys within easy reach of the hands" at the cost of a more complicated layout. The intent is "be able to press F1-F12 without having to move hands so far from home row"; it's not "I want a smaller keyboard and don't need F1-F12".

I've been using these types of keyboards for a couple years now, and I find that although the enthusiast community has sort of gravitated towards For example, let's say you need to do Shift-Option-F12. First, you need to hold a modifier to bring your F key layer, possibly a separate or chorded modifier to get you to the F-keys above 10 since you only have have 10 numeric digits. Then, that needs to be compatible with…

Why would you ever need to hit Shift-Option-F12 ? They keyboard is customizable and the IDE shortcuts are customizable. I have a VsCode layer on my crkbd (https://github.com/luc-languagetools/qmk-crkbd-vscode-builde...). I generate the actual keycodes using this python script, which also outputs my VsCode keybindings.json: https://github.com/luc-languagetools/qmk-crkbd-vscode-builde...

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#142
post #139
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Ah, yes I know so many devs that struggle to type G. Shift+g is so hard these days.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This was exactly my line of thought when I got the Moonlander (except I thought Colemak). It has been gathering dust in my shelf for almost 2 years now.

What kind of board do you use instead?

I mainly use my macbook m1 as my keyboard (also when connected to external screen)

Before this I used a thinkpad as my keyboard

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#145
post #142
post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Ah, yes I know so many devs that struggle to type G. Shift+g is so hard these days.

I suggest you read https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html section about comments.

If my IDE requires me pushing SHIFT + F3, I would need now to push SHIFT+ALT+F3? How is that in any way more ergonomic? I assume split keyboards are the golden standard of ergonomic design (or I thought they should be).

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#146

This is lovely and kind of tempting but, like every keyboard-nerd keyboard, it's made by and for someone who wants the smallest possible number of keys in front of them and a bunch of toggleable modes. 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 coup…

I made a low-profile split keyboard (with Bluetooth) based on the Moonlander layout, but a bit more ergonomic for my fingers: https://github.com/tadfisher/nyx-kb I think this number of keys in this layout strikes a good balance between portability and usability.

This is the keyboard everyone wants and needs. Right here.

The trouble is, I think most would be willing to maybe 'snap together' the keys and such, but not find a local PCB factory and have them create the boards and such.

Also, the cost should be only ~$100 or less if the device requires DIY.

I tried to quickly find information on how to create this board, or how to buy it directly from somewhere, or just how much it may cost to DIY, and I didn't easily see that type of information.

Ultimately, this is the best keyboard in this thread for this class (very portable, configurable, split kb). This is even better than the Voyager due to the added thumb keys.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#147
post #76

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.

Sorry for the late reply, hope you still read this. Yes, you can use the Glove80 wired, but the communication between the halves will always be wireless.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#148
post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I want more keys . I want my dedicated f-keys back... This is my issue as well. I want a "normal" keyboard, only ergonomic, split, with all the fancy joint happiness that brings. It seems these are impossible to find without some kind of 3d printing and DIY from scratch. I am not able to invest in learning a new keyboarding process because I have to work on too many different computers over a year span that I have…

If you want to go the DIY route there is https://wylderbuilds.com/shop/p/dactyl-manuform-resin-print which offers a 6x7 option Can see the options here: https://wylderbuilds.com/all-sizes

This _could_ be the ideal keyboard. But to find out, I'd have to invest a lot of hours of effort for DIY and/or spend a lot of money. And then what if it's terrible in the end?

This is part of the challenge I face, so I am living with MS ergonomic keyboards until I can either try one of these first, or take a risk.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#149
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I want more keys . I want my dedicated f-keys back... This is my issue as well. I want a "normal" keyboard, only ergonomic, split, with all the fancy joint happiness that brings. It seems these are impossible to find without some kind of 3d printing and DIY from scratch. I am not able to invest in learning a new keyboarding process because I have to work on too many different computers over a year span that I have…

I could not agree more. What I would love is the Microsoft sculpt keyboard but with low profile mechanical switches and a wired connection. The closest I've found is the Perixx PERIBOARD which I have not yet tried in person. If anyone has other suggestions, it would be much appreciated.

I agree, and I like the suggestion of the Perixx keyboard. (seems like a knock-off brand though, any ideas on quality?)

MS ergo keyboard's (current mainstay) keys fail every so often, so I have to buy a new one every so often. So yes, something with mechanical keys would be great.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#150

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.

Very much seconded.

I have an Ergodox and a Moonlander (and a bunch of other keyboards), but I've already decided I'm not getting anything new until it's available in a wireless option.

Post reply on HN