the endgame keyboard
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- Опубліковано 25 лют 2024
- I have found the endgame in the ergonomic/split/wireless/portable keyboard world - The Chocofi.
Buy a keyboard from Leo:
shop.beekeeb.com/
Homerow mods article:
precondition.github.io/home-r...
ZMK layout editor:
nickcoutsos.github.io/keymap-...
My key layout:
github.com/jblais493/zmk-conf...
Buy my book on amazon:
www.amazon.com/Mountain-Field...
or get it for free @ mountainthebook.com
I thought this was like a 1mil subscriber channel dang
The little guys are coming!! haha
real
Holy shit, fr.
same! Solid quality Joshua!!!!
For me the end game keyboards are the dactyl manuform and the stenographer keyboard (both of which are aimed for typing, not for playing games. If you want to play a game, just get the half one). For a low-profile, travel friendly keyboard, I would also go for the chocofi
Definitely needed the travel form factor, I'm loving this thing so far, 5 months in!
I've not seen many people cover the chocofi, this is awesome
Thank you! I went back and forth vs. a corne and I am very happy I chose the Chocofi
@@JoshuaBlais how did you choose between them? what were the things that you prefered?
@@benjaminsgs5799 The more aggressive row stagger, as well as the look really! Other than that they offer the same features - I am even using a corne layout editor for the chocofi.
@@JoshuaBlais thank you for your honest answer. i guess the looks aren't the least important when choosing a keyboard
using your layout with the chocofi and love it !
Glad you like it, I haven't changed a thing since I arrived at that layout a few months back, find it very solid!
Super cool! This is nearly the exact same layout that I settled on myself! It was like looking at a mirror.
I feel that it is a simple layout but gets really everything done that I need it to do! I never really understood the 6+ layer layouts, feels excessive to me
Really good video 👍🏻
Best wishes from the UK
God bless!
I bought a Corne (which is similar) during the covid lockdowns but I never really found the patience to finish the build, soldering the diodes felt so tedious, so I forgot about it. You video made me remember and I have now a project for a rainy day again, thanx for that! 👍I had a similar experience from a 122 key IBM Battleship keyboard with buckling springs to now a Planck with 47 keys. I'm still not sure about low profile, I love heavy tactile and clicky switches and high SA or MT3 keycaps (and their full sound and feel).
I wasn't sure about the low profile ether, but I think its very comfortable compromise so that the board is as portable as possible. Make a vid showcasing your corne! Did you do 42 or 36 keys?
If the diodes seem tedious, have a look at the Cantor. It does't have/need diodes, so you only have to do the controllers and switches.
SMD diodes are pretty easy to solder once you get the hang of it. Add a tiny bit of solder to one of the pads first, then bring the diode in place, position it and pull the soldering iron out. That's it. Add a little more solder if you think there's not enough, then solder the other side, that's it. Make sure the PCB is clean, using flux and non-crap solder helps a lot too.
I just bought a ZSA Voyager and it is a fantastic keyboard. It's also very slim and minimal, but is a 52 key keyboard. When I got it I wondered if it was going to be hard to use and would have too few keys. Having used it for about a month, I can definitely see how a keyboard like this (the one you showed) can be used. I have a symbols/numbers layer like you do and I pretty much always use that instead of reaching for the numbers row on the main layer. I also just started learning Colemak DH as well. I'm up to about 20wpm. Still slow, but getting there.
One thing I don't like about other keyboards like the one you showed is how far tucked in the thumb keys are under the rest of the board. I like to open my hands up a bit while I'm using the keyboard. So I'm not sure how comfortable it would be for me to use one.
Great video by the way!
Definitely depends on your hand size and shape - with the ergodox I never used keys beyond the internal thumb cluster so I felt 6+ keys on each hand were going unused. Thank you for your kind words!
I actually ran a 36 key layout emulated on my laptops built in keyboard with kmonad for over 6 months while I slowly worked on my actual split 36 key board. It’s really excellent software, and let me make sure I was interested in the concept before I committed to the hardware. 8/8 highly recommend. Once I had my finished hardware, there was no learning curve as I had been using the layout for months
I also now run a kmonad setup on my laptop, just went backward from the layout to the laptop haha! I love using home row mods and a number layer on a laptop, it's game changing.
I’m curious to see how you’d approach different use cases. Like maybe a programming layout and a writing layout? Would you use a different map or one map to rule them all?
I pretty much use one layout across all use cases, there are layers that allow me to toggle into the programming symbols as well as function, so any key is really only a keystroke away!
I have exactly the same back issue, from an injury playing Rugby when I was 16. I guess I wouldn't be overly interested in these kinds of keyboards if it hadn't happened to me. All the best to you.
God bless to you brother!
In the past, you could use just one key using Morse code, so there's room to evolve.
haha! What was the fastest ever recorded typing speed with morse code? That is something I'd like to know!
Apparently 75-100+ according to Google 😮
@@EdwardVarner That's pretty insane!
If you want speed, look no further than steno. Corne is a pretty decent option for learning steno without moving to a dedicated steno keyboard.
Also switched from ergodox to small keyboard. I'm on dasbob, the only thing I would suggest to add mouse emulation keys to your keyboard. That is really handy.
I'll have to explore that, currently really trying to limit mouse stuff almost entirely, but there is still things a mouse is better for than vim keys. Thanks for the suggestion!
vimium browser extension also helps a lot on keeping from mouse usage@@JoshuaBlais
your layout is super similar to what i’m using after having a corne for two years
Is your repo public? I'll have a look if so. I really wanted to keep it fairly minimalist and in 3 layers I appear to be able to get even more functionality than a typical 108 key board.
Great vid!
God bless!
The numpad layer is so nice
It honestly makes doing my taxes bearable.
Hey man really cool stuff! I'm looking to experiment with this for use with my linux machine. I'm curious on the usability for gaming? Could I create a separate profile/layout for wasd movement and other gaming controls, and then switch back to a productivity profile for everything else? Also could you still easily use a regular keyboard if you have to use a laptop or something?
for gaming, you could set up a permanent layer that allows you the movement keys (or remap them to colemak/whatever layout you end up on) and it would be fairly seamless.
I have setup a kmonad configuration mirroring my colemak DH layout on my laptop keyboard and can't really see myself going back to qwerty as I don't really have to use other people's computers. If you do, it might take some getting used to in order to be able to switch muscle memory (some people say it is easy - I went from about 110wpm qwerty to
The lack of tenting was the main thing keeping me from trying the corne keyboards. What are you using for tenting? I’m currently on a moonlander, but I’ve noticed a lot of my keys are going unused 😅
I use these with the adhesive pads, they are really solid: shop.beekeeb.com/product/bobtail-keyboard-tenting-legs-for-split-keyboards/
Ah perfect! Thank you
For more extreme tenting at home you can use a MagSafe Ring sticker and then something like a Manfroto MP3-BK, UGREEN Magnetic phone stand, or some type of Z-Flex Head (I use Neewer) with a magnetic tripod adapter. I tent at 60 degrees but can still detach to go mobile. You could even keep the kickstand mounts for additional mobile tenting.
@@frankprogrammer I am likely going to do just this, that is a phenomenal suggestion, thank you!
Some vendors offer the option of plates with screw holes for tenting on a corne.
Nice! Where did you get the tenting legs? They seem really practical
shop.beekeeb.com/product/bobtail-keyboard-tenting-legs-for-split-keyboards/
right here!
@@JoshuaBlais Oh, amazing, thank you!
@@sophiebosio8171 you bet!
How well do those small batteries work? Swell video btw
I get weeks of charge in them, maybe charge the boards twice a month
yes!
I do second the endgame here - I did go with building my own crkbd/corne-chocolate, modded with wireless and soon enough (1mo in) did get rid of the 6th column. which from the looks of it makes it very similar to your setup.
I am still to find the good solution for tenting - things I've tried so far add bulk to the keeb and are a bit fiddly - at times I do like banging the code in when I'm in the flow.
With home row mods, I know it did get better, I still need to chop off a few milliseconds when typing CamelCase, otherwise I get jcameljcase :)
If you have a look at my ZMK config, I use different timings for the more dominant and less dominant fingers (180ms dominant, 200ms for ring and pinky) that seems to, for me, alleviate the issue you are talking about!
Tenting wise, I will do a new video - I have got some superclamps and mounted the keeb to my desk in a way that allows fully vertical tenting and my posture is already improving
@@JoshuaBlais I will have a look - mine is a Frankenstein of urob’s timeless hrm and miriyoku layout, another steal wouldn’t hurt, right?))
I’d be interested if you made a YT short proving config performance on monkeytype with a programming language of your choice :p
Consider a challenge ;)
@@jazzzAiman haha well then I will have to take you up on that!
as an 34 keys split keyboard user i also think that 36 is the sweet spot
Ferris sweep I assume? The only thing for me stopping me going to 34 is that I still have a bit of use for the inside thumb keys. 36 seems pretty well endgame for me as the video title suggests!
I use 35 keys and can’t imagine dropping one more !
Although I guess with homerow mods I could drop to 33…
for first split keyboard ? i cant decide between chocofi with ZMK and piantor with QMK vial both of them really similar (3-5). in your opinion which firmware is user friendly and pro and con. so if my MX switch is 45 linear switch. so should i go with 35g or 20g for choc switch .
I only have experience with ZMK and ZSA's version of QMK - I will say that they are very comparable for functionality at the end of the day, ZMK being a little more difficult to configure (but you can clone my layout to get started!) I like the wireless board for the chocofi, but piantor I have heard good things.
I came from 45g silvers and went to the 20g choc blues - I like them but some might say they are too light.
How is the autonomy on your wireless split kb ? I hesitate to put screens on my future build as I'm scared that the screens are going to eat too much battery.
I get at minimum a week of battery on the master side of the keyboard.
Youd think the smaller the cheaper..
You would, however when you look at all the tech in it, as well as the fact its pretty 'niche' it makes a little more sense!
Cost can vary wildly depending on some options and whether you already have access to some tools or not. A corne-ish zen costs hundreds of dollars, but if you go full DIY you can probably build a corne for around 60 to 80 dollars wired and around 100 to 120 wireless. It will take a bit of work and probably won't look as polished, but for me, that's part of the charm of weird DIY keyboards.
Did you get the prebuilt or DIY option? Also, what type of case are you using?
I got the pre-soldered option, there is still a little assembly required but no soldering. It is a clear acrylic case
Do you ever run into connection issues with the wireless? I have a low tolerance for that as it just turns into a distraction in the middle of work. Not no tolerance, but just not much tolerance.
Very occasionally, however I reset the config files for ZMK and the connection has been rock solid since doing so.
Nice video man, it’s nice seeing new youtubers. I will just give some constructive criticism so you can hopefully blow up :), talk a bit faster.
I just got into the rabbit hole and can’t help but think how good wooting analog switches would be for these types of keyboards. If they made shorter ones with a clear tactile bump at least a third of the way down, you could easily have it as a light tap is an alternate function to that of the main function from a full press.
Thank you for the feedback, I will definitely attempt to talk faster, I just always watch videos at 2x speed so figured that was everyone else too :P
@@JoshuaBlais I do that most of the time as well. Med school made 2x speed the norm for me haha.
@@bear532 Sometimes I wish I could 3x Haha!
What software are you using to map your layers? If I wanted to do the same for my keyboard, where would I do that? ( referring to the graphics that were on the screen)
nickcoutsos.github.io/keymap-editor/
This ZMK layout editor right here!
What do use to control mouse? What is this round object in between parts of you keyboard?
I use a logitech mx ergo trackball as my mouse
@@JoshuaBlais
I see. I am a lefty. Unfortunately Logitech does not manufacture mice for left-handed people. Even their most popular models.
Hi what are you using for palm/wrist support? I couldn't tell but looks ergonomic
those are wrist wrests from my Ergodox, I now use a similar solution to Ben Vallack with camera clamps on the desk
Hitting the gym, with heavy and long sessions is very good for posture.
It's the most important thing one can do if they are working in front of a screen (heck, for everyone).
What tenting legs are those?
shop.beekeeb.com/product/bobtail-keyboard-tenting-legs-for-split-keyboards/
Where did you get the tenting kit from?
beekeeb.com
If - my fellow spinally suffering brother - you're interested in looking further down the rabbit hole, check out the Svalboard - if you don't know it already. I've heard great things and it's probably where I'll end up. After that, I think it's brain in a jar for me. Best to you.
That thing looks like its from the year 3024. 1200 Canadian pesos is a bit much, but in the spirit of science (OCD) this might be a future consideration! God bless!
watching XahLee's review of this now
whats the function of &shifthr on your number 3?
I use vimium to browse the web so it acts as a back button while in firefox
@@JoshuaBlais thank you. and what‘s &shifthr? if i add keypresses with modifiers it‘s still &kp
@@benjaminsgs5799 I misunderstood you, &shifthr is a homerow mod with 180ms latency, &weak is homerow mod with 200ms latency (I noticed that my index/middle finger are faster than ring/pinky so that is the reason for that) You can do this as a custom behaviour in the graphical tool I have linked in the show notes
@@JoshuaBlais no, you didn‘t. i wanted to know both anyway. i never used homerow mods myself (i use a lili58 but only since two weeks) but i guess i‘ll have to build smaller boards too anyway
@@benjaminsgs5799 I love the homerow mods but they are subjective and some people do prefer the dedicated modifier keys
I have been wanting this keyboard for way too long but I have no building experience and the one on beekeeb is just way to expensive (Rs 14,340) (or $173). For context this is more than 10% of the monthly pay of an above average developer in India.
is there a way to build this myself, a place where I can source the parts for cheap, I am fully willing to invest my time into it, but have financial restrictions.
r/ergomechkeyboards might be a good place to start looking, the parts are open sourced on github, and there are some pcb printers that can print very cheaply ($10ish USD) - the expensive part is the controllers and screens if you go that direction.
Switches are expensive too. I was sourcing all parts myself - it doesn’t get lower than what your quote, but also adds an overhead of soldering station and risk or messing all up.
@@jazzzAiman I personally have no affection for mechanical switches, but the form factor of this keyboard is what I need (want/desire). Is there any way I can use some cheap knockoffs?
What tenting legs are those?
shop.beekeeb.com/product/bobtail-keyboard-tenting-legs-for-split-keyboards/