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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 Mati

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.

UltraSane 1y ago
You can get a QMK keyboard and create a function key layer.
- dotancohen 1y ago
  That sounds a lot more like a keyboard hobby, than a keyboard.
  - squigz 1y ago
    It's very basic customization of a tool you use all day for your job. This is a strange attitude to me coming from a programmer.
    - qwerpy 1y ago
      Some of us don't program that much anymore but because we're older, the ergonomic aspects of something like Moonlander are important. Ortholinear and split keyboard for me. But I still want to be able to hop into a terminal or IDE once in a while, without having to spend a bunch of time customizing keyboard shortcuts/layouts. So it's painful to be missing all those keys.
    - dotancohen 1y ago
      I used to customise my car, my keyboard, even my fountain pens. Now, I just want to use them. I bought a car that's quick enough to pass lumbering trucks on tight roads (Tesla Model 3), I bought a pen that fits my hand and writes comfortably (Jinhao A10 EF), and I'd love a keyboard like the Matias Ergo Pro that I don't need to replace every year.
      - Jcampuzano2 1y ago
        Not sure where you're getting the idea that you need to replace the keyboard every year. And you only really have to customize the keyboard for a short while until it covers your personal needs. It took me maybe 1 week total after getting used to the keyboard to set it up in a way that worked for me personally, and the keyboard has already lasted a year and still works like new, and looks like new, and many people have had the same ergo-keyboard for years on end. I like you did not like the idea of having to finnick with it all the time, but in reality those are just the enthusiasts. I set it up in a couple weeks and ever since then I've probably only messed with it a few times more just to try something out of curiosity.
        dotancohen 1y ago
        > Not sure where you're getting the idea that you need to replace the keyboard every year. Because the Matias Ergo Pro really is the perfect keyboard, but for myself and many other users they break after a year. At $250 that becomes expensive real quick.
  - UltraSane 1y ago
    With QMK you can essentially program your keyboard to behave exactly how you want it to. This can be as simple as creating layers or getting into combos and tap dances and more advanced features. It is actually pretty fun when you get the hang of it. It makes perfect sense to customize the primary interface to computers.
  - mkozlows 1y ago
    It is! If you want a keyboard that you never think about, a programmable wacky layout keyboard is not for you. But if you use your keyboard a lot, keyboard hobbyism can be rewarding to a certain point.
- miladyincontrol 1y ago
  More than just one function layer at that. When customized sufficiently you can do far more, with less movement of the hands. Different actions on hold, tap dance as well as macros all really help minimize strain.
  - UltraSane 1y ago
    I was excited when I realized that combos and tap dance work together!
randlet 1y ago
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.
- rince 1y ago
  I really like my Kinesis Freestyle Edge with the tenting kit. I’ve been using it for around 2 years and no complaints.
- dotancohen 1y ago
  Thank you, I'll take a look.
- Mindless2112 1y ago
  The Freestyle Pro is almost a good keyboard. The Esc and function keys are all offset to the left by one key compared to a standard layout, which drove me nuts. I have a Freestyle Edge RGB now, which I like much better. (Though I replaced the wrist rests with some from Goldtouch.)
kyeb 1y ago
I find one modifier plus a home-row key to be much more comfortable than reaching several rows up for an F-key. The author's whole point here is that QMK (or ZMK, which I use) lets you customize it to exactly your own needs!
- dotancohen 1y ago
  But then many keyboard shortcuts require four keys to be depressed all at once. Just for an example off the top of my head, in JetBrains IDEs the shortcut for hiding all tools is Ctrl-Shift-F12.
  - snailmailman 1y ago
    As much as i like the idea of these split keyboards that are more ergonomic, I can’t get over the idea of missing keys and having to use chords or new combinations of hotkeys. I use nearly every key of my 104 key keyboard. Literally pause/break and scroll lock are the only ones I don’t use; and I’ve remapped those to be volume controls. If anything, i’d like even more keys for macros and dedicated shortcuts. But so many keyboards cut that number down so drastically. I use home, end, delete, page up/down, all the time not to mention the number pad as a whole, and all the Fkeys.
    - tpmoney 1y ago
      One of the nice things about QMK is the ability to get secondary functions on double / triple tap and press and hold combinations. I also couldn't get comfortable with big chording combos, so for example a lot of the keys in my thumb cluster do double duty. 1) My space key is right CTRL when held down. 2) I have two keys for "<RET>", one on each thumb cluster, one is Alt when held down, the other is left CTRL. 3) Page up and down have their own keys on one of those clusters because I no longer needed them for the modifiers, and so page up and down are also home and end if they're held down. 4) Auto shift is on, and I've tuned to to eliminate most of the accidental shifts while keeping it relatively quick to type CONSTANT_VALUES (I actually still have shift keys in the usual positions but on the ergodox I have it feels like a big stretch to hit them and type so I use the auto-shift most of the time, but I do admit this is the convenience function I have the most love/hate relationship with) 5) The shift keys themselves give me open parentheses (left shift) and close parentheses (right shift) when double tapped. The only chording I have to do these days (that isn't normal keyboard shortcuts) is I have a dedicated key to switch to a layer for FN keys when held down. And the reality is I could (and should) probably map the number keys to be FN keys when double tapped since I don't think I ever hold an FN key down. This[1] isn't my most current layout (missing the home/end on the pageup/down buttons) but it's pretty much what I've landed on after about a year of using one of these. And realistically there are unused keys there I could remap still. The CTRL where the capslock key would be is never used in favor of the thumb cluster versions, the left and right CTRL keys on the tops of the two thumb clusters are leftovers from older layouts and unused right now. I've never used the "Meh" key or the "'" and "Capslock" keys in the lower left. The "Command-enter" and "[" and "]" keys in the lower right are another leftover from an older layout that are also unused now. So lots of room to play around still. Not saying you should definitely switch, there are still some things that I'm not 100% happy with (those inner symbol keys are a stretch sometimes and depending on what code I'm writing feel like I could move them around) and getting used to the ortholinear layout is a whole thing on its own. But if it's something that interests you, maybe that layout can help you find a good starting point. [1]: https://configure.zsa.io/ergodox-ez-st/layouts/wzKWq/latest/0 https://configure.zsa.io/ergodox-ez-st/layouts/wzKWq/latest/...
bb88 1y ago
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 matias does sell replacement switches -- which is usually the thing to go. Springs, crud, etc end up in the switches. Sometimes you can tear them apart to fix them, sometimes it's easier to toss them and replace them. The typical desoldering tool for keyboards is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ENGINEER-Engineer-Solder-Suction-SS-03/dp/B0D7Q293KV/ https://www.amazon.com/ENGINEER-Engineer-Solder-Suction-SS-0... They also have things like this that are maybe more functional than trying to do it two handed: https://www.amazon.com/zycllycx-Electric-Automatic-Desoldering-One-Handed/dp/B0F1XZKSLZ/ https://www.amazon.com/zycllycx-Electric-Automatic-Desolderi... But the hakko is the gold standard here. If you have keyboards you absolutely love but are soldered, this is the way to go. https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Portable-Desoldering-Tool/dp/B07BFVFMS9/ https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Portable-Desoldering-Too...
- dotancohen 1y ago
  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.
  - bb88 1y ago
    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.
    - dotancohen 1y ago
      I get that you're trying to be helpful, but I meant that I am looking for a keyboard. Not for a keyboard hobby.
FridgeSeal 1y ago
I have a Moonlander and I genuinely don’t understand why so many split keyboards do this. “Here’s a really nice split keyboard. But we’ve removed everything except the alphanumerics” Whhhyyyy. “Oh but it’s programmable. And you can have layers. And you can have macros” Cool. I actually didn’t want any of that. I just wanted a single row of function keys. My Moonlander can somehow make space for a “meh” key, a “caps word” key, 3 keys in 2 variations for “change layer” but a play/pause/ volume keys are simply out of the question.
- qwerpy 1y ago
  I completely agree. Moonlander would be perfect with a F key row and dedicated modifier keys. The purists will sneer, but they could always take off the keycaps and switches if they want to show off how minimal they are. I don't spend all my time in vim, my job is mostly emails and docs now. Muscle memory decays for all the fancy chords/layers/macros/etc and I don't have infinite time to spend tweaking keyboard layouts.
  - grepex 1y ago
    I added a numeric layer where my left thumb activates the layer key and the numbers are arranged like a numpad on my right half. The dedicated number keys at the top row are now f keys. Highly recommend
    - qwerpy 1y ago
      Interesting idea. Thanks
    - dotancohen 1y ago
      That's an interesting idea. But it makes other key combinations quadruple buckies. For instance, in JetBrains IDEs Ctrl-Shift-4 sets bookmark number 4.
  - Jcampuzano2 1y ago
    You don't need infinite time, you just need to do it until you get all your personal needs covered. Personally I have an advantage 360 pro. The only function keys I actually use with frequency are F12 and F2, used for shortcuts in editors. I just put F12 and F2 on thumb keys. Problem solved. Some people go all in on layers, but I actually use minimal layers at all. I can do everything I need with just the base layer from how I have it setup. I only have a second layer setup that allows using VIM-like navigation (i.e. up, down, left, right, page-down, page-up etc) from the home row in my browser. But technically I also have those on the base layer just in the normal positions. I actually had a similar mindset, I do not want to have to create tons of layers and combinations, so I optimized my layout around just the base layout but added a layer just for convenience later on.
zie 1y ago
You might try the UHK 80: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/uhk80 https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/uhk80 I have the UHK 60 and I really like it, except as you mentioned no function keys. The software is pretty good, includes a little DSL and you can do pretty much anything you want.
- sorahn 1y ago
  I couldn't quite go for the 60%, but I have friends with the UHK60 and I really liked it as a keyboard. I popped for the 80 as soon as the shipping times caught up to real time. It's a fantastic keyboard. I haven't gotten any of the clusters for it yet, but I'm very happy with my purchase.
  - zie 1y ago
    Ya, mine is an original UHK60 v1 from years and years ago. It still holds up great. I hope they make a UHK 110 key. I want all the keys. Right now it's not worth the upgrade to me from the 60 to the 80. but I'd totally upgrade for a 101/110/120 or whatever keys. Modes and multiple keys to do one thing is fine, but it's not as nice as just having a dedicated key. Which is why I want all the keys.
- dotancohen 1y ago
  Looks great, thank you!
dimator 1y ago
Not sure if it's been mentioned, but keychron make split keyboards: https://www.keychron.com/collections/split-keyboards https://www.keychron.com/collections/split-keyboards I'm not sure if they're in stock, but it's a lovely keyboard with dead simple programmability.
- el_benhameen 1y ago
  I got one on Amazon for a little over retail and it’s a solid keyboard. I had a knockoff 65 before and you can definitely tell the difference in quality. I believe Microcenter has them in stock if you’re in the Bay.
- dotancohen 1y ago
  Looks like a good choice, thank you!
bsmith 1y ago
I love my Dygma Defy: https://dygma.com/products/dygma-defy https://dygma.com/products/dygma-defy
- dotancohen 1y ago
  Thanks, but the Defy lacks Function keys.
  - marginalia_nu 1y ago
    These kinds of keyboards are programmable, function keys can be added to a custom layer, just as any other keys. The entire point is to make it so you don't constantly have to be reaching for keys, to bring them closer to your fingers (which can stay relatively still).
distances 1y ago
You got a lot of exotic suggestions, I'll give one closer to normal: Perixx Periboard 535. Split (though non-adjustable), low profile mechanical switches with three options, three tilting levels, wired or wireless, with or without numpad. And has function keys. Also quite cheap. I got the wired option with tactile brown switches and numpad, and I've been happy with this. I was looking for a replacement for MS Sculpt and didn't want one of the wild models, this finally ticked all the boxes. https://perixx.com/products/periboard-535 https://perixx.com/products/periboard-535 DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BZZJH9W2 https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BZZJH9W2 US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLT4HDPR https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLT4HDPR
- dotancohen 1y ago
  That does look pretty good. Thank you!
- tom_ 1y ago
  Seconded. They're pretty good and I've found them a decent replacement for the MS Ergonomic 4000 keyboards that I used to use. Full size keyboard with keys in the normal places, reverse tilt, manageable F lock, and a cable to connect it to your computer. I've got one with clicky blue switches, which is fun to type on but a bit loud, and one with silent red switches, which is pleasant to use but the key activation is perhaps a bit too light. I sometimes find myself pressing the keys when I thought I was just hovering my fingers. The folding stands are a weak point. The MS 4000/Sculpt sort of design, whereby the riser is a solid piece of plastic that the keyboard rests on, is much better.
  - distances 1y ago
    I like the stands. I need two different levels of tilt, full negative for the sitting position and the mid level for standing. It's really easy to switch between the levels so it fits well my use case.
pimlottc 1y ago
I agree, they’re darn near perfect, but they always end up with repeated characters or “key chatter”. It’s such a shame, I’ve basically resigned myself to buying a new one ever year or two, but I hate the waste.
westonmyers 1y ago
I've been running an Ergo Pro since 2015. Ordered like 40 extra key switches and have had to resolder in about a dozen as replacements so far. Annoying, but I'm keeping it going! Gel wrist pads?... Not a great implementation. I either need to work up a 3d printed DIY replacement via covering TPU (or something of the like) or order a first party replacement.
- dotancohen 1y ago
  That might be the route I should go. I also have a "flat" gelpad on one of my Ergo Pros. Came that way from the factory, but it never really bothered me enough to complain to them. I love the gelpad palm rests (not wrist).

UltraSane 1y ago

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

dotancohen 1y ago
That sounds a lot more like a keyboard hobby, than a keyboard.
- squigz 1y ago
  It's very basic customization of a tool you use all day for your job. This is a strange attitude to me coming from a programmer.
  - qwerpy 1y ago
    Some of us don't program that much anymore but because we're older, the ergonomic aspects of something like Moonlander are important. Ortholinear and split keyboard for me. But I still want to be able to hop into a terminal or IDE once in a while, without having to spend a bunch of time customizing keyboard shortcuts/layouts. So it's painful to be missing all those keys.
  - dotancohen 1y ago
    I used to customise my car, my keyboard, even my fountain pens. Now, I just want to use them. I bought a car that's quick enough to pass lumbering trucks on tight roads (Tesla Model 3), I bought a pen that fits my hand and writes comfortably (Jinhao A10 EF), and I'd love a keyboard like the Matias Ergo Pro that I don't need to replace every year.
    - Jcampuzano2 1y ago
      Not sure where you're getting the idea that you need to replace the keyboard every year. And you only really have to customize the keyboard for a short while until it covers your personal needs. It took me maybe 1 week total after getting used to the keyboard to set it up in a way that worked for me personally, and the keyboard has already lasted a year and still works like new, and looks like new, and many people have had the same ergo-keyboard for years on end. I like you did not like the idea of having to finnick with it all the time, but in reality those are just the enthusiasts. I set it up in a couple weeks and ever since then I've probably only messed with it a few times more just to try something out of curiosity.
      - dotancohen 1y ago
        > Not sure where you're getting the idea that you need to replace the keyboard every year. Because the Matias Ergo Pro really is the perfect keyboard, but for myself and many other users they break after a year. At $250 that becomes expensive real quick.
- UltraSane 1y ago
  With QMK you can essentially program your keyboard to behave exactly how you want it to. This can be as simple as creating layers or getting into combos and tap dances and more advanced features. It is actually pretty fun when you get the hang of it. It makes perfect sense to customize the primary interface to computers.
- mkozlows 1y ago
  It is! If you want a keyboard that you never think about, a programmable wacky layout keyboard is not for you. But if you use your keyboard a lot, keyboard hobbyism can be rewarding to a certain point.
miladyincontrol 1y ago
More than just one function layer at that. When customized sufficiently you can do far more, with less movement of the hands. Different actions on hold, tap dance as well as macros all really help minimize strain.
- UltraSane 1y ago
  I was excited when I realized that combos and tap dance work together!

randlet 1y ago

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.

rince 1y ago
I really like my Kinesis Freestyle Edge with the tenting kit. I’ve been using it for around 2 years and no complaints.
dotancohen 1y ago
Thank you, I'll take a look.
Mindless2112 1y ago
The Freestyle Pro is almost a good keyboard. The Esc and function keys are all offset to the left by one key compared to a standard layout, which drove me nuts. I have a Freestyle Edge RGB now, which I like much better. (Though I replaced the wrist rests with some from Goldtouch.)

kyeb 1y ago

I find one modifier plus a home-row key to be much more comfortable than reaching several rows up for an F-key. The author's whole point here is that QMK (or ZMK, which I use) lets you customize it to exactly your own needs!

dotancohen 1y ago
But then many keyboard shortcuts require four keys to be depressed all at once. Just for an example off the top of my head, in JetBrains IDEs the shortcut for hiding all tools is Ctrl-Shift-F12.
- snailmailman 1y ago
  As much as i like the idea of these split keyboards that are more ergonomic, I can’t get over the idea of missing keys and having to use chords or new combinations of hotkeys. I use nearly every key of my 104 key keyboard. Literally pause/break and scroll lock are the only ones I don’t use; and I’ve remapped those to be volume controls. If anything, i’d like even more keys for macros and dedicated shortcuts. But so many keyboards cut that number down so drastically. I use home, end, delete, page up/down, all the time not to mention the number pad as a whole, and all the Fkeys.
  - tpmoney 1y ago
    One of the nice things about QMK is the ability to get secondary functions on double / triple tap and press and hold combinations. I also couldn't get comfortable with big chording combos, so for example a lot of the keys in my thumb cluster do double duty. 1) My space key is right CTRL when held down. 2) I have two keys for "<RET>", one on each thumb cluster, one is Alt when held down, the other is left CTRL. 3) Page up and down have their own keys on one of those clusters because I no longer needed them for the modifiers, and so page up and down are also home and end if they're held down. 4) Auto shift is on, and I've tuned to to eliminate most of the accidental shifts while keeping it relatively quick to type CONSTANT_VALUES (I actually still have shift keys in the usual positions but on the ergodox I have it feels like a big stretch to hit them and type so I use the auto-shift most of the time, but I do admit this is the convenience function I have the most love/hate relationship with) 5) The shift keys themselves give me open parentheses (left shift) and close parentheses (right shift) when double tapped. The only chording I have to do these days (that isn't normal keyboard shortcuts) is I have a dedicated key to switch to a layer for FN keys when held down. And the reality is I could (and should) probably map the number keys to be FN keys when double tapped since I don't think I ever hold an FN key down. This[1] isn't my most current layout (missing the home/end on the pageup/down buttons) but it's pretty much what I've landed on after about a year of using one of these. And realistically there are unused keys there I could remap still. The CTRL where the capslock key would be is never used in favor of the thumb cluster versions, the left and right CTRL keys on the tops of the two thumb clusters are leftovers from older layouts and unused right now. I've never used the "Meh" key or the "'" and "Capslock" keys in the lower left. The "Command-enter" and "[" and "]" keys in the lower right are another leftover from an older layout that are also unused now. So lots of room to play around still. Not saying you should definitely switch, there are still some things that I'm not 100% happy with (those inner symbol keys are a stretch sometimes and depending on what code I'm writing feel like I could move them around) and getting used to the ortholinear layout is a whole thing on its own. But if it's something that interests you, maybe that layout can help you find a good starting point. [1]: https://configure.zsa.io/ergodox-ez-st/layouts/wzKWq/latest/0 https://configure.zsa.io/ergodox-ez-st/layouts/wzKWq/latest/...

bb88 1y ago

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 matias does sell replacement switches -- which is usually the thing to go. Springs, crud, etc end up in the switches. Sometimes you can tear them apart to fix them, sometimes it's easier to toss them and replace them. The typical desoldering tool for keyboards is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ENGINEER-Engineer-Solder-Suction-SS-03/dp/B0D7Q293KV/ https://www.amazon.com/ENGINEER-Engineer-Solder-Suction-SS-0... They also have things like this that are maybe more functional than trying to do it two handed: https://www.amazon.com/zycllycx-Electric-Automatic-Desoldering-One-Handed/dp/B0F1XZKSLZ/ https://www.amazon.com/zycllycx-Electric-Automatic-Desolderi... But the hakko is the gold standard here. If you have keyboards you absolutely love but are soldered, this is the way to go. https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Portable-Desoldering-Tool/dp/B07BFVFMS9/ https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FR-301-Portable-Desoldering-Too...

dotancohen 1y ago
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.
- bb88 1y ago
  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.
  - dotancohen 1y ago
    I get that you're trying to be helpful, but I meant that I am looking for a keyboard. Not for a keyboard hobby.

FridgeSeal 1y ago

I have a Moonlander and I genuinely don’t understand why so many split keyboards do this. “Here’s a really nice split keyboard. But we’ve removed everything except the alphanumerics” Whhhyyyy. “Oh but it’s programmable. And you can have layers. And you can have macros” Cool. I actually didn’t want any of that. I just wanted a single row of function keys. My Moonlander can somehow make space for a “meh” key, a “caps word” key, 3 keys in 2 variations for “change layer” but a play/pause/ volume keys are simply out of the question.

qwerpy 1y ago
I completely agree. Moonlander would be perfect with a F key row and dedicated modifier keys. The purists will sneer, but they could always take off the keycaps and switches if they want to show off how minimal they are. I don't spend all my time in vim, my job is mostly emails and docs now. Muscle memory decays for all the fancy chords/layers/macros/etc and I don't have infinite time to spend tweaking keyboard layouts.
- grepex 1y ago
  I added a numeric layer where my left thumb activates the layer key and the numbers are arranged like a numpad on my right half. The dedicated number keys at the top row are now f keys. Highly recommend
  - qwerpy 1y ago
    Interesting idea. Thanks
  - dotancohen 1y ago
    That's an interesting idea. But it makes other key combinations quadruple buckies. For instance, in JetBrains IDEs Ctrl-Shift-4 sets bookmark number 4.
- Jcampuzano2 1y ago
  You don't need infinite time, you just need to do it until you get all your personal needs covered. Personally I have an advantage 360 pro. The only function keys I actually use with frequency are F12 and F2, used for shortcuts in editors. I just put F12 and F2 on thumb keys. Problem solved. Some people go all in on layers, but I actually use minimal layers at all. I can do everything I need with just the base layer from how I have it setup. I only have a second layer setup that allows using VIM-like navigation (i.e. up, down, left, right, page-down, page-up etc) from the home row in my browser. But technically I also have those on the base layer just in the normal positions. I actually had a similar mindset, I do not want to have to create tons of layers and combinations, so I optimized my layout around just the base layout but added a layer just for convenience later on.

zie 1y ago

You might try the UHK 80: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/uhk80 https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/uhk80 I have the UHK 60 and I really like it, except as you mentioned no function keys. The software is pretty good, includes a little DSL and you can do pretty much anything you want.

sorahn 1y ago
I couldn't quite go for the 60%, but I have friends with the UHK60 and I really liked it as a keyboard. I popped for the 80 as soon as the shipping times caught up to real time. It's a fantastic keyboard. I haven't gotten any of the clusters for it yet, but I'm very happy with my purchase.
- zie 1y ago
  Ya, mine is an original UHK60 v1 from years and years ago. It still holds up great. I hope they make a UHK 110 key. I want all the keys. Right now it's not worth the upgrade to me from the 60 to the 80. but I'd totally upgrade for a 101/110/120 or whatever keys. Modes and multiple keys to do one thing is fine, but it's not as nice as just having a dedicated key. Which is why I want all the keys.
dotancohen 1y ago
Looks great, thank you!

dimator 1y ago

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but keychron make split keyboards: https://www.keychron.com/collections/split-keyboards https://www.keychron.com/collections/split-keyboards I'm not sure if they're in stock, but it's a lovely keyboard with dead simple programmability.

el_benhameen 1y ago
I got one on Amazon for a little over retail and it’s a solid keyboard. I had a knockoff 65 before and you can definitely tell the difference in quality. I believe Microcenter has them in stock if you’re in the Bay.
dotancohen 1y ago
Looks like a good choice, thank you!

bsmith 1y ago

I love my Dygma Defy: https://dygma.com/products/dygma-defy https://dygma.com/products/dygma-defy

dotancohen 1y ago
Thanks, but the Defy lacks Function keys.
- marginalia_nu 1y ago
  These kinds of keyboards are programmable, function keys can be added to a custom layer, just as any other keys. The entire point is to make it so you don't constantly have to be reaching for keys, to bring them closer to your fingers (which can stay relatively still).

distances 1y ago

You got a lot of exotic suggestions, I'll give one closer to normal: Perixx Periboard 535. Split (though non-adjustable), low profile mechanical switches with three options, three tilting levels, wired or wireless, with or without numpad. And has function keys. Also quite cheap. I got the wired option with tactile brown switches and numpad, and I've been happy with this. I was looking for a replacement for MS Sculpt and didn't want one of the wild models, this finally ticked all the boxes. https://perixx.com/products/periboard-535 https://perixx.com/products/periboard-535 DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BZZJH9W2 https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BZZJH9W2 US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLT4HDPR https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLT4HDPR

dotancohen 1y ago
That does look pretty good. Thank you!
tom_ 1y ago
Seconded. They're pretty good and I've found them a decent replacement for the MS Ergonomic 4000 keyboards that I used to use. Full size keyboard with keys in the normal places, reverse tilt, manageable F lock, and a cable to connect it to your computer. I've got one with clicky blue switches, which is fun to type on but a bit loud, and one with silent red switches, which is pleasant to use but the key activation is perhaps a bit too light. I sometimes find myself pressing the keys when I thought I was just hovering my fingers. The folding stands are a weak point. The MS 4000/Sculpt sort of design, whereby the riser is a solid piece of plastic that the keyboard rests on, is much better.
- distances 1y ago
  I like the stands. I need two different levels of tilt, full negative for the sitting position and the mid level for standing. It's really easy to switch between the levels so it fits well my use case.

pimlottc 1y ago

I agree, they’re darn near perfect, but they always end up with repeated characters or “key chatter”. It’s such a shame, I’ve basically resigned myself to buying a new one ever year or two, but I hate the waste.

westonmyers 1y ago

I've been running an Ergo Pro since 2015. Ordered like 40 extra key switches and have had to resolder in about a dozen as replacements so far. Annoying, but I'm keeping it going! Gel wrist pads?... Not a great implementation. I either need to work up a 3d printed DIY replacement via covering TPU (or something of the like) or order a first party replacement.

dotancohen 1y ago
That might be the route I should go. I also have a "flat" gelpad on one of my Ergo Pros. Came that way from the factory, but it never really bothered me enough to complain to them. I love the gelpad palm rests (not wrist).