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Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

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Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#21

Post by dotancohen »

randlet wrote: post #12
dotancohen wrote: post #4

All I want is a quality split mechanical keyboard with Function keys. I use an IDE all day, I don't want to pull quadruple buckies every time I debug. The Matias Ergo Pro is almost perfect, but I had two of them and they both failed within one year. I had one of each switch type (low force and regular) - both were missing some button presses and repeating other button presses.

Kinesis Freestyle Pro? I've got the non mechanical version (mechanical wasn't available when I purchased) and it's held up for many years. It's a great keyboard IMO.

Thank you, I'll take a look.

Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#22

Post by dotancohen »

bb88 wrote: post #17
dotancohen wrote: post #4

All I want is a quality split mechanical keyboard with Function keys. I use an IDE all day, I don't want to pull quadruple buckies every time I debug. The Matias Ergo Pro is almost perfect, but I had two of them and they both failed within one year. I had one of each switch type (low force and regular) - both were missing some button presses and repeating other button presses.

Depending upon the cost and how much they mean to you there are a couple of options. One is to replace the switches. If they're hot swappable then it's easy. If they're not, it's hard -- but easy if you're willing to spend money on a desoldering iron. Depending upon your feelings here, I would consider it maintenance to keep it going if you love it -- particularly if you use it to prevent RSI. A quick look shows mati…

I meant that I am looking for a keyboard, not for a keyboard hobby.

Hahaha who am I kidding? Of course I have a keyboard hobby! I have a practical museum of various split and mechanical keyboards. But I don't want to be soldering them any more.

Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#24

Post by bb88 »

dotancohen wrote: post #22
bb88 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depending upon the cost and how much they mean to you there are a couple of options. One is to replace the switches. If they're hot swappable then it's easy. If they're not, it's hard -- but easy if you're willing to spend money on a desoldering iron. Depending upon your feelings here, I would consider it maintenance to keep it going if you love it -- particularly if you use it to prevent RSI. A quick look shows mati…

I meant that I am looking for a keyboard, not for a keyboard hobby. Hahaha who am I kidding? Of course I have a keyboard hobby! I have a practical museum of various split and mechanical keyboards. But I don't want to be soldering them any more.

I think the trick these days is find a layout you like with hot swappable cherry mx switches that have a qmx/via style configurator.

Then you can configure the buttons however you want.

Or you know... go build your own. It's fun. I built my own keypad and learned a bunch of stuff.

Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#26

Post by dbalatero »

Jcampuzano2 wrote: post #8

I started having RSI issues 2 years ago, what a way to welcome me to my 30s. It was excruciatingly painful just getting through a workday even with plenty of breaks. I didn't care for building my own keyboard I literally just wanted something to help me not be in pain no matter how weird it looked. I've ended up on a Kinesis advantage 360 pro after spending thousands of dollars on keyboards because I needed something…

You nailed it, I have the same criteria. I ended up with a Cyboard Imprint but the Advantage 360 seems excellent as well.

Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#27

Post by dotancohen »

bb88 wrote: post #24
dotancohen wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I meant that I am looking for a keyboard, not for a keyboard hobby. Hahaha who am I kidding? Of course I have a keyboard hobby! I have a practical museum of various split and mechanical keyboards. But I don't want to be soldering them any more.

I think the trick these days is find a layout you like with hot swappable cherry mx switches that have a qmx/via style configurator. Then you can configure the buttons however you want. Or you know... go build your own. It's fun. I built my own keypad and learned a bunch of stuff.

I get that you're trying to be helpful, but I meant that I am looking for a keyboard. Not for a keyboard hobby.

Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#28

Post by dotancohen »

UltraSane wrote: post #9
dotancohen wrote: post #4

All I want is a quality split mechanical keyboard with Function keys. I use an IDE all day, I don't want to pull quadruple buckies every time I debug. The Matias Ergo Pro is almost perfect, but I had two of them and they both failed within one year. I had one of each switch type (low force and regular) - both were missing some button presses and repeating other button presses.

You can get a QMK keyboard and create a function key layer.

That sounds a lot more like a keyboard hobby, than a keyboard.

Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#29

Post by Eji1700 »

rajman187 wrote: post #16

My main keyboard has been a 34-key split Ferris. I usually have either a trackpad between the halves if I’m using a Mac or an ergonomic Logitech if on my Linux desktop. Not having to move my hands at all while being able to reach any keys/characters I need has been a welcomed change, worth remapping my brain. https://arjtala.github.io/2022/09/17/ferris-compact.html

Agreed. It quickly becomes "awkward" to go back to using a numpad once you get used to ALWAYS being one key hold/press away from it. I can type numbers as easily as I can type capitals, ditto with every symbol, and my function keys.

Hell I've even worked on a couple of revision on "gaming" layers. Namely for FPS or older roguelikes.

I hate how hard it is to find a split space(feels mandatory now that i'm used to it) 40% with wireless and QMK/Zia/etc. The EPOMAKER-TH40 SHOULD be perfect, but turns out they put out a breaking patch or something and it's not ACTUALLY programmable anymore. I need something like this for 2 setups at homes.

I went around on a couple of things and landed on the split 4x5 Chiri CE for my everyday workhorse since it's easy to carry.

https://keeb.io/products/chiri-ce-keyboard-kit?variant=41088...

Of note, while that board seems to be out of stock and isn't for everyone i cannot recommend keeb.io enough. They've done a fantastic job of keeping my board running after I had some ESD ruin it once or twice, and have never charged me as it was still under warranty.

With how hit or miss a lot of this niche keyboard stuff is, it's really really nice to find people who stand by their product and can turn things around. I get its got to be a miserable market so I don't demand it, and I'm extremely happy when I do see it.

Re: Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and the ZSA Moonlander

#30

Post by precompute »

I've been using a 42-key corne for 5 years and I can't imagine using a regular keyboard. The way I sit is now different: my arms are spread apart instead of crowding in front of me. This alone helps me pay more attention to the work I'm doing because I'm not hunching over. It took a few months for the layout to sink in, but the ability to customize the layout was insanely helpful and now the way I interface with a computer is exactly how I think it ought to be. The entire thing was $90 with a 3d printed case that's still holding strong. I tented it with some jenga blocks and it's flawless. I almost never look at the thing.

The Moonlander is way too large IMO. A 42 key layout is about perfect and requires ~zero wrist movement.

The corne has three thumb buttons on each side, but it's effectively five thumb buttons on each side because two can be pressed at the same time. So your layout can be [Mod1] [Layer] [Mod2] and you can easily use [Mod1]/[Mod2] with anything on [Layer]. And when you press [Mod1], a thumb key on the other hand becomes [Mod2]. So you basically get to use every possible combo. I have five mod keys this way: Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Super and Hyper. And multiple layer keys.

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