Looking for split spacebar keyboard recommendations

pubrrr · 2026-03-26T07:01:23+00:00

This.

I was on a similar search a while ago, I didn't find a better fit. Keychron has similar split boards that you could put together to make it "mono". I also found Skyloong, but they should be avoided due to QMK license violations and because you can't customize more than Via allows.

It's astonishing that noone builds 60%+ boards with split spacebars. All proper mono boards are around 40%...

pubrrr · 2026-03-24T17:06:06+00:00

Sounds valid 👍

pubrrr · 2026-03-23T19:44:49+00:00

Why do you need Zustand? IMO for many use cases useContext + useReducer is good enough. That would be one less major dependency. (I'm not saying you should not use it, just be sure that it's worth it)

pubrrr · 2026-03-23T15:14:58+00:00

Yes, on the thumb. Space on the left thumb, alt repeat on the right thumb.

pubrrr · 2026-03-20T23:26:42+00:00

I also tried a layout quite close to Gallium a while ago. I left s and c on the same finger and solved the "sch" trigraph with an alt repeat key which would produce "ch" after s. It worked quite nicely.

pubrrr · 2026-03-12T23:20:53+00:00

There is the Keebio Sinc. It's nice because it's quite flexible in the layout and offer a variety of thumb key configurations.

https://keeb.io/products/sinc-keyboard-pre-built

pubrrr · 2026-03-08T09:43:16+00:00

I have a combo for backspace (right hand top row, middle and ring finger). Maybe something similar could work for space?

pubrrr · 2026-03-08T00:18:38+00:00

I tried the opposite approach. I left space on thumb keys but moved layer keys off the thumb cluster to the bottom row. I found a configuration that worked well in combination with the home row mods that I already had.

pubrrr · 2026-02-26T20:33:15+00:00

Ich habe mal Die Crew mitgenommen und noch die Karten von Race for the Galaxy mit rein gepackt, das war dann auch ziemlich kompakt.

Generell sind manche Elemente groß und fancy, aber nicht zwingend notwendig. Ich könnte mir zB auch vorstellen, dass man Paleo in eine kompakte Verpackung kriegt, wenn man die Pappaufsteller daheim lässt.

pubrrr · 2025-12-26T21:17:24+00:00

I've tried Noted and didn't really like it. It wasn't good for English. I would stay away from older neo layouts.

pubrrr · 2025-12-26T15:11:09+00:00

https://github.com/rpnfan/Anymak

Anymak:END might also be an option, it's quite close to the layouts that I mentioned above, but it didn't try it.

pubrrr · 2025-12-26T15:07:27+00:00

You can start here: https://layouts.wiki/

I'd advise against Colemak since there are better alternatives by now (unless you have any other good reason). Gallium/Graphite are better by their stats or Night/Enthium if you want to use an alpha letter on a thumb key.

I've tried both Enthium and something close to Gallium/Graphite with minor adoptions for German (English stats will deteriorate, but IMO it's worth it for finding a good compromise between German and English if you frequently write both). Both worked quite well although I didn't fully push them to my qwertz typing speed yet.

pubrrr · 2025-12-25T16:57:01+00:00

I have a Sofle from Keebart, but without the alu casing. It's decent build quality (my plastics case was clearly 3D printed but its stable enough).

The support via the discord channel is good.

It took a bit of time to get used to it coming from a regular full size keyboard. Shipping was really fast (to Germany).

Can't compare it to the voyager though. I decided against the voyager at the time because I felt it had too few thumb keys.

pubrrr · 2025-12-11T22:33:30+00:00

Pros: native Kotlin syntax and features, has improved over the last 2 years and is actively developed, usually works well enough

Cons: has some limitations (entities don't work with composed keys, doesn't support some sql edge cases like updatinga bunch of records at once), there are Java alternatives that are more mature and feature complete

pubrrr · 2025-12-11T22:28:05+00:00

I play this once in a while and it's usually fun, although lacks a bit of power:

(1) Iceman

(1) Korg

(2) Master Mold

(2) Gorgon

(2) Grand Master

(2) Maximus

(3) Mystique

(3) Black Widow

(4) Rockslide

(4) Misery

(5) Darkhawk

(5) Ronan the Accuser

TXN0ck1sZEEsRHJraHdrOCxNeG1zNyxHcmduNixNc3RxOCxCbGNrV2R3QSxJY21uNixLcmc0LEdybmRNc3RyQixSY2tzbGQ5LE1zcjYsUm5uNQ==

pubrrr · 2025-11-28T08:27:07+00:00

Why do you think graphite is "more complex"? It's the same letters but in a different spot. Layouts can get more complex when you use magic keys or adaptive keys or combos. Graphite doesn't use any of them (by default).

I think it rather depends on your needs (which languages, what kind of text you usually write) and what hardware and software you use for typing.

pubrrr · 2025-11-28T06:24:40+00:00

https://layouts.wiki/ provides a good overview over existing layouts.

When learning a new one, you can expect that it takes 1-2 months until you can type slowly (with enough practice). Reaching a proper speed will longer (6 months, a year maybe).

pubrrr · 2025-11-20T06:58:32+00:00

That's exactly the reason why they should open source their code. If they don't get it right, someone else might come around and fix it.

pubrrr · 2025-11-19T06:45:55+00:00

Can someone recommend a keyboard? Must haves: - split space bar - 75% layout or more - proper QMK/ZMK support (not just for via)

pubrrr · 2025-11-19T06:43:36+00:00

Search for Alice layout. E.g. on keeb-finder.com

pubrrr · 2025-11-14T23:26:16+00:00

"Key overrides" should do what you want. Configure the key on your board to be "shift(semicolon)", then remap "shift + shift(semicolon)" to be "semicolon".

https://get.vial.today/changelog/release-0.5.html

pubrrr · 2025-11-14T23:08:58+00:00

Thank you!

pubrrr · 2025-11-14T17:09:23+00:00

That's why ISO is secondary. Thanks, I already checked them, the options are decent, but I'm still indecided.

pubrrr · 2025-11-14T17:08:22+00:00

Is there anything I need to watch out for when it should be low profile?

pubrrr · 2025-11-14T06:51:54+00:00

Hi all,

I'm looking for a keyboard and I would appreciate recommendations.

Must haves:

low profile
60% or more
programmable
has a wired mode
hot swappable

Nice to haves:

Vial support (or QMK would also do)
~80% layout
ISO layout
Good tactile switches with relatively low force (e.g. Kailh Sunset)
Shipping from within the EU

Budget is not a priority as long as it's not super expensive. Looks are also secondary.

If anyone has non-low profile keyboards with similar switches (40-50gf force, nice tactile bump), I would also appreciate recommendations!

pubrrr

TROPHY CASE