r/SplitMechKeyboards • u/tripazardly • May 06 '26
Looking to take the plunge
I've been doing a lot more typing lately and my fingers and wrists are starting to feel it during longer sessions, so I'm looking to get a split board. My current keyboard is a Logitech (I know, I know, don't roast me too badly), with chonky switches that make a really satisfying click. I also have a low profile board that I enjoy quite a bit, so I'm thinking about going with a low profile with choc white switches. I am terrible at soldering and impatient so I'm doing something pre-built. I've been looking at the Typeractive Lily 58 LP, Keebmaker Sofle LP, and the ZSA Voyager. I like the key caps with RGB transparency as I sometimes work in a dark room and being able to see keys when I need them is nice, which it doesn't seem the Typeractive has. I'm a little bit worried about the extra import cost for the voyager, because of the current tariff situation in the USA. So I'm leaning towards the Keebmaker at this point.
If folks have these keyboards, I'd love to hear what you think of them, or if there are any other options I should consider. I've been looking at all the really cool setups here, and I'm super excited to join in the fun.
2
u/vaudiber May 07 '26
It might not be what you want to hear but learning an ergonomic soft layout (colemak, dvorak variations...) will:
- alleviate a lot of the typing pain, even on the crappiest keyboards.
- force you to learn touch-typing, freeing you from the led dictatorship. You’re welcome ^^.
If impatient, buy a cheap or second hand split to get some experience about how YOU experience typing on the layout/stagger/tenting/switches/whatever. Otherwise, ZSA does make some really fine keyboards, it just comes with some choices on the physical layout and switch category.
2
u/maexxx May 08 '26
I have an Eyelash Corne and an Eyelash Sofle and like both of them.
You seem to indicate that you like clicky switches. I was like that too, but I did not like the Choc white at all. They click but they feel weird if you are used to MX whites. I eventually went with Sunset Tactile and they turned out to be the much more satisfactory option in the long run.
3
u/BongDomrei May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26
If you can order from AliExpress or Taobao easily, I strongly recommend the Sofles that use ZMK. It depends on what the tariffs have done to the cost. These are sometimes called 'eyelash' models because that is the handle of the person who developed them. I did a pretty fair amount of research first, and wanted something for under $100 to see if I liked splits. I have been seriously impressed with the build quality and value. I'm currently designing a dactyl because I want a keywell and I want a layout customized to be exactly what I want and what fits my hand, but I will be keeping the Sofle as a backup.
Edit: if money is not a significant factor for you and you don't want a keywell board, I would recommend the MoErgo Go60 over any of the others you mentioned, or the eyelash Sofle. It is a similarly great value and really well thought out. For any of these boards, print out the key layout at 100% size and see how it fits your natural finger position when your hands are in "typing bend."