This looks incredible, I was hoping when I clicked that it would be ortholinear, pleasantly surprised it is! Probably about four years ago I bought a ZSA Moonlander, and started learning Vim keybindings right at the same time. My words per minute dropped to 20 or something before climbing back and passing what it was before. I couldn't ever go back.
Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
31–40 of 259 posts
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#32Beautiful work, loved reading about your process.
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#33I've wanted this for years. I've tried so many "ergonomic" mechanical keyboards, but the huge key travel (even if very soft switches), tends to always give me finger/wrist issues over a few weeks.
To reduce mouse hand travel I got a roller mouse pro slim about 6 months ago. Not great for fine motor tasks but exceptional for other general uses. Alleviated a lot of pain in my hands and fingers. I use this with a small slim keychron keyboard and with a kinesis advantage 360. The roller seems to be getting a bit sticky after 6 months of heavy use and transporting it between work and home. Nonetheless, would get an…
Roller mice are great. I also set up my keyboard such that I can hold down a key and use WASD to move my mouse, with J being left click and K being right. That's been a game changer for me, too.
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#34Looks really nice. I do have my doubts about the ergonomics of it though. Once you've had a taste of concavity and column-staggering nothing else feels the same.
That's how I feel about keyboard tilts away from a full pronation/flat and towards a neutral position. Once I switched to having a rotated split keyboard, my forearms and wrists felt incredible, and I hadn't even considered them uncomfortable before.
I wonder if they could fit a simple flip-out stand for some tilt without too many compromises
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#35Looks beautiful. Congrats. A jedi builds their own lightsaber...
(Typed on a Lily58)
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#36Bravo! You have elevated a honed tool to a truly engaging artifact! I think the large challenge in design is mitigating the breaking point between ruthless efficiency and endearing novelty.
I picked up a Let's Split v2[0] when it came out years ago and never soldered it up.. maybe it's time!
[0]https://shop.beekeeb.com/product/lets-split-v2-keyboard-pcb-...
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#37Why 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?
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#38Wow, it looks amazing!
I needed an enclosure for a project recently and went with modifying a stock ABS enclosure - but I'd love to use machined aluminium! You mentioned you're in the EU - did PCBway deliver from the US, or from closer to home? Also, how much did the enclosure cost please?
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#39Why 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?
to support custom key mappings, as many people with fancy ergonomic keyboards use
Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard
#40Why 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?
Partly because they're a niche product and making legended keycaps is more expensive, and partially because ergo layouts are so varied that it's hard to accommodate everyone. Especially if the keycap profile has different shapes for each row so they're not entirely interchangeable.
There are a few low-profile legended keycap sets around but they typically only cover the "top" layer, which is the easiest to remember anyway. If you want legends which show every function of every key you'd have to get them custom laser etched to match your personal keymap.