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I looked at building these this summer. Ultimately I decided I wanted a split keyboard, but didn't want to learn a new ortho layout or spend $300. I ended up bu

by dexwiz 6y ago

I looked at building these this summer. Ultimately I decided I wanted a split keyboard, but didn't want to learn a new ortho layout or spend $300. I ended up buying a Kinesis Freestyle 2, which is one of the few "normal" split keyboards. I liked it so much I bought a second one with the Mac Meta keys, so I still ended up spending $300 anyways, but got two keyboards. What I didn't do was spend an extra $50 on the tilt kit; a few chair leg pads as spacers was enough for me. I have wide shoulders, bringing my heads together to type all day makes my chest tight and my back hunch. Getting a split keyboard has been my best ergo improvement since a decent chair.

voicedYoda 6y ago
I have a Kinesis freestyle 2 I picked up for a steal (about $20). I looked at the tenting hardware and other add ons, and determined some old odds and ends give it enough lift. I need to replace some keys, but it's been amazing. Like you, I'm broad chested, and know the spacing is super important.
- bartvk 6y ago
  That's a deal like I've never seen it, congrats. I already considered myself lucky to get it for 60 euros (US$ 72). If anyone considers getting one as well, it's worth to see if Amazon has returns. What I like about the Freestyle2, is that it's quite flat. What I don't like, is that there isn't a menu/option key on the right keyboard.
erjiang 6y ago
I'm currently using a Freestyle 2 but very tempted to get one of the keyboards featured in the linked page. The main gripe I have with the Freestyle 2 is that I'd like to be able to separate the two keyboard halves much farther. I wish the cord between the two halves wasn't so short and hard to replace. The other gripes are minor: don't really love the switches, the volume buttons don't work on Linux, and the tilt kit is a little annoying when I move the keyboard around (which I do a lot).
- acjohnson55 6y ago
  I moved from the Freestyle 2 to the Moonlander, and I'm a big fan of the following changes: - Ortholinear layout, rather than staggered - Sculptured keycaps, which I bought separately - Modifier keys under my thumbs, making combos far easier - Cursor keys in home position, using layers - As you mentioned, a longer stretch between the halves I've made many other tweaks that add joy beyond that, but those are the ones that made the upgrade worthwhile.

by dexwiz 6y ago

voicedYoda 6y ago

I have a Kinesis freestyle 2 I picked up for a steal (about $20). I looked at the tenting hardware and other add ons, and determined some old odds and ends give it enough lift. I need to replace some keys, but it's been amazing. Like you, I'm broad chested, and know the spacing is super important.

bartvk 6y ago
That's a deal like I've never seen it, congrats. I already considered myself lucky to get it for 60 euros (US$ 72). If anyone considers getting one as well, it's worth to see if Amazon has returns. What I like about the Freestyle2, is that it's quite flat. What I don't like, is that there isn't a menu/option key on the right keyboard.

erjiang 6y ago

I'm currently using a Freestyle 2 but very tempted to get one of the keyboards featured in the linked page. The main gripe I have with the Freestyle 2 is that I'd like to be able to separate the two keyboard halves much farther. I wish the cord between the two halves wasn't so short and hard to replace. The other gripes are minor: don't really love the switches, the volume buttons don't work on Linux, and the tilt kit is a little annoying when I move the keyboard around (which I do a lot).

acjohnson55 6y ago
I moved from the Freestyle 2 to the Moonlander, and I'm a big fan of the following changes: - Ortholinear layout, rather than staggered - Sculptured keycaps, which I bought separately - Modifier keys under my thumbs, making combos far easier - Cursor keys in home position, using layers - As you mentioned, a longer stretch between the halves I've made many other tweaks that add joy beyond that, but those are the ones that made the upgrade worthwhile.