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ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

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31–40 of 151 posts

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#31

Finally. My love of the sweep has proven to be correct, two thumb keys is the way. I am using a ZMK powered Urchin, a sweep variant, as my only daily use keyboard, 34 keys of love.

I think retaining the number row and the outer pinky column makes it more accessible; but I find it odd the design then also removes the lower row of modifier keys, and only gives two thumb keys each.

It's good to use the thumbs more than the pinky fingers. -- But, I'd think an introductory keyboard would retain modifier keys for the pinky fingers to use.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#33
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…

The Kinesis keyboards keep those keys. I've been using a 360, and the lack of function keys has bothered me less than anticipated.

... I use IDEs from JetBrains, a company that seems to view muscle memory for crazy keyboard shortcuts as a moat.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#35

Only two thumb keys seems like it could be a pain. I don't love trying to figure out the timing delays for tap vs hold. After a long search I settled on the Hillside 46 [1][2] which has 4 thumb keys and a splayed layout. Also choc spacing, as I didn't love the gaps between choc keycaps with mx spacing. Not sure why, as the macbook pro keyboard doesn't seem to give me any problems. I like the all the case options and…

> Only two thumb keys seems like it could be a pain.

Depending on the context (mostly in games), I sometimes hit "B" with a thumb on my Ergodox. I think holding B/V for layer toggles could work on this board?

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#37

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.

Unsure what you mean by "cultural references", but rainbows and gradients tend to be the best means to visually answer the question:

"What range of colors can these LEDs I'm selling display."

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

how's the moonlander btw? i'm thinking about getting one specifically for work.

steep learning curve if you've never used a split\ortho board but once you learn how to type again (couple of weeks for me), other than that my wrist pain is now gone! only real downside is people asking why I have a pair of glowing oven gloves on my desk

I'd like to add that switching to a drastically different keyboard is the perfect opportunity to simultaneously switch keyboard layouts if thats something you've been considering. I switched from QWERTY to a layout based on Programmer Dvorak when I got my Moonlander. I'm really glad I did.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#39
post #23
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.

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.

Re: ZSA Voyager: Low profile split keyboard

#40
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…

Yea I hear this, I moved my ` and | symbols on my dygma raise, an mostly got ride of \ (its on a different layer), since I was only really using it for \n.

The biggest change for me on the Dygma raise was the thumb cluster. I moved my backspace to my thumb, as well as different layer shifting keys. The muscle memory is quite easy to learn, since your brain is already "expecting" to use your thumb to shift to other functionality (since we use our thumb to press command), so it simply makes all my vscode shortcuts 2 simple strokes instead of 3 or more.

Also moved my arrow keys under my fingers on a different layer, makes it so you don't need to move your hands when navigating around code. On that same layer I added option + arrows as well for fast navigation.

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