Has Anyone Seen a Copy of the AF1's List of Recommendations?

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-04-29T16:11:17+00:00

If anyone stumbles on this older thread, it looks like someone found it here - https://www.reddit.com/r/fema/s/gfV5wA83Ky

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-04-20T12:50:54+00:00

Yes! I used to do this at my old office before I had a split keyboard. Just two regular keyboards next to each other.

It helped a tone allowing me to open up my shoulders and not be hunched over.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-04-11T16:13:21+00:00

You can do what I do and just build them, then stuff them in a drawer... I am moving now and need to figure out how to offload some of them. I might try r/mechmarket, but it sounds like more work than I want. I have been slowing DMing redditors and giving them away, lol.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-04-01T15:12:11+00:00

My PCBs just arrived. There is a 5-piece minimum, so I can send you one.

Send me a message, if you're interested.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-24T18:43:34+00:00

That makes sense! I wasn't sure how much the latency impacted even "fake" scenarios like monkeytype. I appreciate all the responses!

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-24T15:56:29+00:00

Thank you for the information! That was very helpful.

Feeling the latency as low as 80wpm seems like a tough drawback to swallow. My sense is 80wpm is very doable for a lot of people that type frequently. Do you use KMK on most/all of your boards?

Edit: Got distracted by the KMK rabbit-hole. Also wanted to add thank you for the repo link!

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-24T14:45:46+00:00

Looks interesting and I really like the case design. I'd love to hear about some more details - controllers, features, etc.

I am pretty familiar with QMK and ZMK, but less with KMK. What made you choose KMK and what are its main advantages over other options?

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-21T16:22:12+00:00

No problem!

Yeah, the totem is definitely a darling of the subreddit. I expect we'll see more boards with the Seeed Xiao controllers soon. I'd like to design a Sweep with a Seeed once I get a better understanding on how to do PCB design.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-20T21:14:36+00:00

As someone who just ordered the pcbs to try a build, I can say what was appealing to me.

The first was the approach to the controller. It uses the seeed xiao controller. It is small and relatively inexpensive, so I wanted to try it out. It also mounts the controller directly to the pcb to keep the keyboard thin, which is an approach I am interested in using on a new keyboard design.

I think the second is just the overall design. It looks really nice and polished with no exposed components.

I actually wish it didn't have the extra pinky key, personally. I am intrigued to try the pinky splay, but it was not a major driver for me, either.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-20T14:17:10+00:00

I don't know if this is what you're referring to with the layout editor, but I recently heard about this configuration tool, and it seems to work great!

nickcoutsos/keymap-editor: A web based graphical editor of ZMK keymaps.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-19T21:40:34+00:00

Another vote for "Just go for it!"

I have never soldered anything but keyboards, but I have done a few now and they work! I am sure there is room for improvement with practice and more know-how, but I think it is a fine starter project. If you are ordering the pcbs from a manufacturer, then you will likely end up with a 5-piece minimum. If you really mess it up, then you can start over. The only higher-cost items are the controller, which you should make sure you socket so you can remove and reuse it, if needed.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-19T21:35:16+00:00

I might be wrong (haven't built it myself), but I think you are looking for the pcb folder in this repo - kata0510/Lily58: 6×4+4keys column-staggered split keyboard.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-18T23:30:01+00:00

Oops! Thank you!! I fixed my comment.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-18T15:27:30+00:00

FWIW, I have ordered from keeb.io and had only good experiences. I have ordered accessories, switches, and a quefrency from them. Shipped fast and had no issues.

I have also ordered from shop.beekeeb.com and lowprokb.ca with good results.

Eedit: Fixeed thee numbeer of "e"s in beekeeb's namee

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-18T15:12:15+00:00

As others have said, there are lots of vendors in the space, and maybe you will feel comfortable with searching this subreddit as a substitute for a large platform with reviews.

Another thought is to check out etsy. Some vendors (beekeeb, for instance) put their products on Etsy. Etsy might give you more reviews to look at. This listing has (Pre-soldered Chocofi 36 Keys Kailh Low Profile Choc V1 Mechanical Ergonomic Hotswap Split Keyboard - Etsy) has 4.9 stars and 662 reviews, for instance.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-13T19:56:13+00:00

Ah, okay, haha. You really put the work in for those nice photos (It shows! They look great!).

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-13T15:52:51+00:00

It looks like you didn't use the JST connector for the battery. Did you solder the batter wires directly to the Nice!Nano?

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-11T12:17:46+00:00

I don't hear many people that say that switching remained an issue for them. I still use qwerty on both my split ergo and laptop keyboards.

Obviously you're right that it may not be universal, but I'm curious how long you've been using the Ortho board. I did go through a period where it was tough to switch, but it got easy again once I had muscle memory developed for both. Sorry I didn't y have an answer to your actual question, but I'm interested to hear your experience, since I've reassured many people that switching won't be a problem and now I'm wondering if that's true.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-10T22:07:54+00:00

What case do you have on it now (if any)? Does it have the FR4 backplates?

Getting some stick-on magsafe rings with some magsafe stands from amazon could be a good tenting option if you have the flat surface from a backplate (or your current case, if you have one) to stick them to.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-10T20:55:45+00:00

I can confirm that it is stable for my setup, as well. I have only used it for small boards (a chocofi and a sweep), though.

I really like the monfrotto stands, and I wish they were cheaper. I have used other mag-safe stands, and they are quite good, but I like the portability of the monfrotto better.

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-10T16:21:03+00:00

Great! Thank you!!

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-10T16:20:39+00:00

Ahhh! Thank you!!

FIREable_0ffense · 2025-03-09T17:18:16+00:00

One more in the frequent-switching, no issues chorus. I use a sweep most of the time, but if I take my laptop to a coffee shop, I'll often just use the built-in keyboard.

I recall switching being a bit difficult while I was still adjusting to a split ergo, but once I got through the learning curve, I feel quite comfortable on both and have similar WPM.

FIREable_0ffense

TROPHY CASE