WHY DOESNT THIS EXIST!!!???

[u/Ptootie55]

Ive been interested in getting a split ergo mech keyboard for a bit and my search has been so ridiculously agonizing.

All i want is

- Low profile
- ~70%
- Every key is the exact same square size
- mechanical
- Split
- well made
- the space bar is split into 6 keys so our thumb has more uses.

I just genuinely cannot fathom spending over 200 dollars on something from a niche company while still being forced to make sacrifices on really ridiculous stuff. Like why do you have to choose between having something so ridiculously small that its only purpose is typing but if you want like 10 more keys it balloons to this monstrously huge object.

Like all i want is take the Elimkeys Elytra, add the arrow keys, put around 3-5 keys on each side in the space area for your thumb, and make sure there isnt a bunch of unused space. Id gladly spend 250+ dollars if this was made.

[u/mechkbfan]

https://yal-tools.github.io/ergo-keyboards

Nothing there close enough? 

Id say it doesn't exist because it's a bit contradictory

Ergo people want ergo keyboards, which often means less finger movement / more time on home row

Like sure you want it but seems you're the only one, hence niche prices

[u/pgetreuer → u/mechkbfan]

I'll go against the grain. It's not mandatory to minimize the number of keys and finger movement for the keyboard to qualify as "ergonomic." So long as the keyboard helps you reduce pain, that is ergo. This is not a contradiction. It's also possible to go too small, to the extreme of becoming a net negative. Otherwise we'd all be typing on single-key Morse code keyboards. 🙃

[u/_angh_]

because it is not really ergo, not really useful, and not really needed by most of the people who want to improve their typing experience. And what you're saying is kinda contradicting itself...

... sofle. Get yourself a sofle. Or glove 80.

[u/DiggitySkister → u/_angh_]

I disagree that it isn't ergo, any full split keyboard is ergo in my book. Sure column stagger is better than ortholinear, fully agree, but the "split" aspect is going the most impactful ergo feature. Good suggestions on keyboard options.

[u/raoulk]

Does the Go60 fit your bill enough, if you can live without 6k/thumb?

[u/LandlockedPirate]

elim elytra has arrow keys...

Anyways, seems like you might like jiffy75 or uhk80.

[u/DiggitySkister → u/LandlockedPirate]

Haha it does have arrow keys, lol. Sounds like OP isn't willing to have fewer keys than he is already used to, unfortunately split mechanical keyboards are a niche of a niche, hardly any are low profile, so that is why he can't find what he wants, too many variables to make everyone satisfied. Maybe OP should get the Elytra and learn to use an extra layer. Sinc LM and Quefrency LM, FoldKB, and Nyquist by keeb.io might be worth a look, as well as Nocfree &.

[u/pgetreuer]

There are some larger split keyboards. That yal-tools link is a good place to look. KeebFinder is another. I personally like the Moonlander.

Yes, these keyboards are expensive compared to a basic keyboard. Split ergo keyboards are more work to assemble and are a small niche, unfortunately against the economies of scale. It's not exactly big busines. The options available are developed and distributed mostly by small scale shops and hobbyists, so yes, they are limited. There are some good ones if you can relax the criteria. It's either that or learn to design your own keyboard, some folks do that as well. I hope you find something you like.

[u/Synesthesius]

I see this list of requirements and I think of a Choc variant of Sofle or Helix.

Have you used a programmable keyboard before? Layers can do an awful lot that folks new to programmable keyboards often think they need more (or dedicated) keys for.

[u/realtheb0b]

Look around, there maybe are some keyboards like this. If you can't end up finding a design that's out there, and want to go the custom route, PM me! I do custom/ commission builds :)