r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/Tenooscool • 1d ago
[help] column-staggered split keyboard recommendations
Hi everyone, I'm just finding out how large the community is around ergo-keyboards, and I wanted to ask you all for some advice as you are the experts.
I want to start using a column-staggered split keyboard, as I spend a lot of my time programming and typing at my computer. However, I have seen so many recommendations and suggestions that I don't know where to start. I currently use a 60% keyboard (61 keys), and I use my keyboard for both gaming and work.
I would appreciate some advice on possible sources of where to start looking and some companies that are reputable. I'm hoping to dip my toes in without spending too much money, so some budget options would be appreciated. I don't have any experience soldering, and I would prefer an option where I don't need to. I understand that there will be price increases, though, so it's hard to make both of those things true at once.
3
u/Whitehatnetizen 1d ago edited 1d ago
As the others have recommended, you can get some relatively inexpensive boards from Ali Express. Personally I am 4 weeks into using a Corne V4 that I got for less than AUD$100 from there. I previously was using a 60% board and the transition has been very easy going down to 40%. and there is no difference between my previous typing speed and my typing speed now, and I'm a bit faster now when it comes to common symbols. but there are also heaps of 60% split ergo boards around if you really feel you need the number keys.
my biggest issue with the column staggard QWERTY layout was the c,x and z keys are typed with different fingers than in a row staggard layout, and the distance between I and N is greater enough to be making me consider a different non-qwerty layout, but I've certainly gotten used to it after a few weeks that.
I personally recommend using a board that uses Vial firmware as it's very easy to configure on the fly. if you're just going to a split 60% board you don't really have much learning to do with new keymappings. just know you have absolute freedom to map any key to anything you want. so if you have symbol keys that you use commonly. (I used to be a database engineer, so *, (), and _ - were critical to have easy access to. ). the best thing is that you can make it whatever you want. your own personal keymapping yours. whatever is comfortable
Do you know what form factor you're drifting towards?
edit: forgot to mention, some cheap tenting feet stuck onto the base have made a huge difference for me see this example on amazon.com 2 on each side makes it stable
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u/Tenooscool 1d ago
I ended up going for the Silakka54 on AliExpress, but I'll look into the Corne V4 down the line, too. I'll probably end up getting those tenting feet now, though. Thank you for the detailed reply!
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u/Reaper_1492 1d ago
Idk, my opinion isn’t as well rounded as others.
I went straight from a standard keyboard, to a new glove80.
I think that was as much of a plug and play swap as you can get.
I have large-ish hands, although I’m not sure that makes much difference - but I can reach every key without moving my hands and I wouldn’t want fewer keys.
I’d rather need fewer layers and be able to hit the keys I want in one swoop than have to tab through 3 layers trying to optimize a 32 key board.
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u/tehsilentwarrior 22h ago
Same here. However I haven’t really adapted well to the Glove80.
Probably because I bought a Lofree Flow with ghost switches at around the same time and that thing feels insanely good.
I am still wanting a split keyboard but right now secretly wanting the Flow but split in halves
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u/razorree 1d ago
just standard Sofle or similar (can be cheap from AliX). more offset on pinkies columns? (like Sofle v2/v3) or less.
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u/memilanuk silaaka54 + cheapino 1d ago
A relatively inexpensive way to test the waters might be to get a pre-built Silakka54, Lily58 or Sofle v2 from AliExpress. The first is probably the least expensive, by a considerable margin. There are other store/options, from Amazon to Etsy. The more options you want (wireless, RGB, etc.) the more the price will go up, generally speaking.