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Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

graz.io

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Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#81

Post by JeremyBarbosa »

w10-1 wrote: post #74

For next iteration, consider integrating trackpads? Moving to the mouse and back is pain enough that people go all-in on keyboard-only interfaces. I velcroed a trackpad to the middle of a Kinesis Advantage. Now I use either hand for the mouse, and even stretch a finger or thumb to the pad without leaving the keys. The movement is little different from using the keyboard. But for split keyboard, you'd need one trackpa…

So happy to read this because I don't see it mentioned often enough.

I have a ErgoDox EZ, and I still prefer using my Framework 13 (with Kanata![0]) because having my thumbs navigate the trackpad is so convenient even with a keyboard-driven setup.

[0] https://github.com/jtroo/kanata

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#82

Post by __MatrixMan__ »

danielvaughn wrote: post #45

Personal opinion, but I really don’t get low-profile keyboards. I always need a foam cushion for my palms, which means that a normal profile always feels best for me. Low feels too low with a cushion, and yet still feels too high without one.

I agree. It looks like with this it would be near impossible to press the lower left/right keys with my palm, which is something that helps take the load off my pinkies. It does look like a fun project though.

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#85

Post by Palomides »

__mharrison__ wrote: post #55
snide wrote: post #8

This is beautiful. I'm a "Let's Split" style keyboarder as well so this made me giddy! There's a distinct lack of solid cases out there for this layout style. You mention possibly mass producing the next round. Please add a notify email list or something. I'd be all over this.

I think cases are the biggest issue with DIY keyboards. The plastic laminate of my ergodoxen was stiff, sturdy, and heavy. The exposed bolts were a little industrial. Very much had a DIY look. My Lily58 started out with the PCB "case" which is horrible. Way too flexible, and switches falling out as soon as you attempted to transport it. (Easy transport was my main motivation for the smaller keyboard.) Eventually, I w…

>do a better job with case offerings

for hobby businesses like most of these weird little keyboards, adding $200 to the parts cost is a real stretch, considering their already niche appeal and limited capital for investment

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#86

Post by bb88 »

flyingpenguin wrote: post #75

I have been working on a very similar build. One feature I decided was a requirement is holding me up. I really want pogo pins on the sides of the keyboards, so that they magnetically attach and the left will charge the right. How do you charge the left and the right since they require separate cables?

That doesn't seem to hard to do. They sell the connectors on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Connector-Positions-Pogopin-...

Each battery should probably have their own charging circuit anyway. So the pogo pins should be 5V and ground coming directly from the USB 5V line.

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#87

Post by volemo »

bee_rider wrote: post #76
danielvaughn wrote: post #45

Personal opinion, but I really don’t get low-profile keyboards. I always need a foam cushion for my palms, which means that a normal profile always feels best for me. Low feels too low with a cushion, and yet still feels too high without one.

Another opinion: I want this keyboard to put on a bookshelf and never use, haha. It is really nice looking. It sounds like it was an incredible learning experience and making something so polished and professional looking is a real accomplishment. But low profile, no pads, ortho layout, and no tenting… my eyes ache for the beauty of the thing but my hands just ache. But anyway, ergonomics are personal so I can’t real…

> ...low profile, no pads, ortho layout, and no tenting...

I agree with the tenting remark, I can understand the preference against low profile, but I sincerely believe ortholinear is way better for one's hands than staggered. Maybe you mean it's a shame it's not columnar?

> ...ergonomics are personal...

Hear, hear!

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#88

Post by HHalvi »

Ever since I saw this video[1] by Dave2D I have felt the need to move away from my regular mechanical keyboards to Ortholinear keyboards. Non split keyboards seemed too much of a hassle and Bayleaf looks like something I can totally switch to. If only someone built a DIY kit that I could buy off shelves.

1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVfB_0s470I

Re: Show HN: Bayleaf – Building a low-profile wireless split keyboard

#89

Post by exitb »

danielvaughn wrote: post #45

Personal opinion, but I really don’t get low-profile keyboards. I always need a foam cushion for my palms, which means that a normal profile always feels best for me. Low feels too low with a cushion, and yet still feels too high without one.

It really depends on personal preferences. I find it best to hover the wrists while typing and rest while idle. In such case no palm rest paired with reasonably low profile works best.
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