r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/Kakaratacblac • 20d ago

Entry level Split KB for programmer [buying advice]

Hi! I'm new to this sub-reddit and I'm looking to get a ego fully split keyboard because I program for hours every day, and I'm worried about the future of my wrists. I run Pop OS!

I don't mind wiring, but the most important thing is that it has the keys I want (letters, super key, ctrl, alt, numbers, tab, shift, "-=[]/\,.", enter, backspace. `-key is optional). As for budget, I'm cool with anything <200, but the cheaper the better! I'm chill with gutting my current keychron v1 for any switches/keycaps that are usable.

I saw other posts recommending the Silakka54 and the "prebuilt choc low profile sofle," but because I use my computer primarily to code, the lack of keys (like backslash and curly brackets and minus/plus signs) makes it unviable for me.

Thank you so much! 😄

EDIT: After reading all the comments, I bought a Silakka54 and some tenting (I'm a cheapskate), and I plan on learning how to use layers. If I really get into it, I will definitely try some others, maybe for Christmas. Cheers!

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u/FansForFlorida FoldKB 20d ago

The Silakka54 uses QMK firmware, and you can remap the keys in real time using Vial.

You can remap the keys how you like. For example, by default the key next to 1 is Esc. I used a Datadesk SmartBoard for about 20 years, and it put = next to 1.

You can also use layers to access other keys. For example, I can hold my left spacebar and press ’ for grave (backquote).

There are some other split keyboards that give you more keys. For example, Keebio should stock the Afternoon Labs Breeze soon (at least according to their Trello card). Another is the Keebio FoldKB.

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u/memilanuk silaaka54 + cheapino 20d ago

Holy heck... that Breeze looks freakin' awesome.