Do you have a split keyboard or thought of getting one? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences Unboxing video here: th-cam.com/video/gvcosVKgaRA/w-d-xo.html
I have 2 different spilt keyboards. A mistel dm770 and the zsa moonlander. At work people found it weird but i personally choose less wrist pains over weird looks/comments
I've started with the voyager, then I figured I don't need as much keys, so I've built myself a ferris sweep which is a 34 key keyboard. Then I've decided to go wireless and built myself an urchin, which is just a wireless ferris sweep. Also got a temper (36 keys) which is also great. Going with a split keyboard is one of the best decisions I've done, since I work as a programmer. Also, I've learned soldering while building the other keyboards, which is a good skill.
That is great. I had a suspicion that the voyager will eventually get me into the rabbit hole that is custom keyboards. for now, i am very happy with it. thank you for watching.
I assume you have already done the research on the type of ergonomic keyboards you want, but I still want to mention that Alice style keyboards have gotten real cheap nowadays, with full metal cnc like the neo ergo only being $200+ instead of $300. Something to look into if you want to become another keyboard TH-camr lol.
“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to type on other keyboards”… I had the exact same thought. What I found was that I just don’t WANT to type on other keyboards.
Good taste in keyboards (and headphones). I have a Voyager too. I used to have an ErgoDox EZ (still do), but I could just not get used to it. I like the Voyager for the same reasons as you, though, primarily for the very low profile overall, the split design, and the programmability. I'd be interested in how you customized your layouts for the most efficient typing. For example, I have my right small thumb key as the space, the right large thumb key as backspace, the left small thumb key as tab, and the left large thumb key as return/enter. Control is still the lowest row far left and right keys. One of my biggest game-changing moments is when I set up a bunch of press and hold shortcut keys for my most common commands: * Press C types C, hold C copies (control C) * Press V types V, hold V pastes text only (control shift V) * Press A types A, hold A selects all (control A) * Press F types F, hold F sends the find command (control F) * Press D types D, hold D sends control D... useful for duplicating cells in Excel * Etc. That has made my daily work so much more efficient and much faster! So far I've played around with the thumb keys to see what works best for me, but the layout above seems to work best for now. I'm still working on making it into muscle memory (e.g. I need to remember to press the left small thumb key for tab instead of the caps lock key which is where the traditional tab would be). I haven't yet really gotten into layers, but I'm working up to that. I can't really manage 10-key on a columnar keyboard, so I still use a separate number pad for number entry as well as cursor keys, page up/down, home/end, etc. Every time I try to move my 10-key to the Voyager, it ends horribly... usually with fatalities and a demon or two escaping the third circle of hell. Overall though I love the Voyager. I'd love to see ZedSA come out with a Voyager 2 with three thumb buttons. I think that might just be the perfect keyboard, but that's a tale for another time. Thanks for the video!!
Thanks for watching and your comment. I have a fairly similar set up for the thumb keys: - small left: backspace - large left: return / enter - small right: space - large right: tab (command if long press) This is just how I would hit the keys on a regular keyboard. For hold press, additionally I have: * hold T: CMD+T (new browser tab) * hold X: CMD+OPTION+V (MacOS for CUT) I am also a bit intimidated by layers. So far I have one layer for mouse movement and arrows that I use regularly. I will take some time over the holidays to look into more ways to utilize layers. I want look into layer for editing with DaVinci Resolve. Thanks for sharing your setup. I found it very interesting.
If you've been typing for over 20 years, I think switching to a height-adjustable desk is more important than changing your keyboard, as the main issue lies in the height difference between your wrists and shoulders, which can impact your health.
thank you for your comment. I agree. A height-adjustable desk is high on list of things to invest in. The ZSA is solvig the issue of having my hands in front of my body, which in my case leads to rounded shoulders.
I did this, ZSA as well. You can program it with QMK also fyi! I ended up going this route to macro some common scripts I use. If you want full ergo even on your fingers, consider giving COLEMAK-DH a try for your layout :)
very nice. i have only dabbled a little bit with macros, yet. I want to make use of them more and more. Are you using COLEMAK? and can you still type with a QWERTY keyboard? thank you for watching and commenting.
@@michaelwithouta Not comment op, but went into a layout rabbithole. QWERTY > Colemak DH > ISRT > Hands Down Gold Colemak DH is awesome, feels way better than QWERTY (from what I gather, basically anything is better than QWERTY), so I definitely recommend it. It's also relatively easy to learn coming from QWERTY. Though, since you want to make your typing experience even better, try out some layouts that aren't restricted by being similar to QWERTY. I hear good stuff about Graphite for example. Currently I'm using Hands Down Gold, which I like pretty much, so maybe look into that or try some other Hands Down variations. Regarding typing on a QWERTY keyboard after learning other layout, I don't have any issues with that. Both on a laptop keyboard and a phone keyboard.
@@michaelwithouta I use the regular kailh deep sea silent linear switches for my office keyboard and I'm convinced they are some of the best out there. Not sure about the low profile version because I haven't tried them, but they do exist
@@michaelwithoutaI have also heard very good things about the Ambients Silent Twilight switches, as well as the Ambients Silent Nocturnal. They seem to be quite popular among Voyager users! They are what I am planning to look at, if I finally manage to pull the trigger on the Voyager or any other choc keyboard. 😅
Ohh and for me tenting is a necessity. The thumb cluster doesn’t feel quite right to me when it’s just flat. Your surface finish looks kinda janky. Mine was a uniform gloss… I 3d printed some simple blocks and put some magnets in. The stands that you showed look cool but I always had a hard time getting similar things where I wanted and not slipping around. Nice video!
I will give tenting a more extensive try. And pay attention to how the thumb clusters feel. When I got it new, the surface was also uniform and shiny (as can be seen in the unboxing of the ZSA th-cam.com/video/gvcosVKgaRA/w-d-xo.html | 4:20), then I got my grubby fingers on it. ;) So far, I did not experience slipping. The stands are fairly heavy and have a anti-slip base. But depending on the angles, it can sometimes tip over. Thank you for watching!
most of the times, i can type without looking. sometimes I need to look. especially when it comes to typing symbols that I dont use too often. thank you for watching
Do you have a split keyboard or thought of getting one? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences
Unboxing video here: th-cam.com/video/gvcosVKgaRA/w-d-xo.html
I have 2 different spilt keyboards. A mistel dm770 and the zsa moonlander. At work people found it weird but i personally choose less wrist pains over weird looks/comments
100%. Split, ergonomic keyboards tend to have more 'unusual'. I liked the ZSA Voyager for its more minimalistic and understated design.
I've started with the voyager, then I figured I don't need as much keys, so I've built myself a ferris sweep which is a 34 key keyboard.
Then I've decided to go wireless and built myself an urchin, which is just a wireless ferris sweep. Also got a temper (36 keys) which is also great.
Going with a split keyboard is one of the best decisions I've done, since I work as a programmer.
Also, I've learned soldering while building the other keyboards, which is a good skill.
That is great. I had a suspicion that the voyager will eventually get me into the rabbit hole that is custom keyboards. for now, i am very happy with it. thank you for watching.
I assume you have already done the research on the type of ergonomic keyboards you want, but I still want to mention that Alice style keyboards have gotten real cheap nowadays, with full metal cnc like the neo ergo only being $200+ instead of $300. Something to look into if you want to become another keyboard TH-camr lol.
“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to type on other keyboards”… I had the exact same thought. What I found was that I just don’t WANT to type on other keyboards.
haha. Yes, I agree. I prefer to type on the voyager, too. But I still have to type on my laptop's keyboard at least from time to time.
Good taste in keyboards (and headphones). I have a Voyager too. I used to have an ErgoDox EZ (still do), but I could just not get used to it. I like the Voyager for the same reasons as you, though, primarily for the very low profile overall, the split design, and the programmability.
I'd be interested in how you customized your layouts for the most efficient typing. For example, I have my right small thumb key as the space, the right large thumb key as backspace, the left small thumb key as tab, and the left large thumb key as return/enter. Control is still the lowest row far left and right keys. One of my biggest game-changing moments is when I set up a bunch of press and hold shortcut keys for my most common commands:
* Press C types C, hold C copies (control C)
* Press V types V, hold V pastes text only (control shift V)
* Press A types A, hold A selects all (control A)
* Press F types F, hold F sends the find command (control F)
* Press D types D, hold D sends control D... useful for duplicating cells in Excel
* Etc.
That has made my daily work so much more efficient and much faster!
So far I've played around with the thumb keys to see what works best for me, but the layout above seems to work best for now. I'm still working on making it into muscle memory (e.g. I need to remember to press the left small thumb key for tab instead of the caps lock key which is where the traditional tab would be).
I haven't yet really gotten into layers, but I'm working up to that. I can't really manage 10-key on a columnar keyboard, so I still use a separate number pad for number entry as well as cursor keys, page up/down, home/end, etc. Every time I try to move my 10-key to the Voyager, it ends horribly... usually with fatalities and a demon or two escaping the third circle of hell.
Overall though I love the Voyager. I'd love to see ZedSA come out with a Voyager 2 with three thumb buttons. I think that might just be the perfect keyboard, but that's a tale for another time.
Thanks for the video!!
Thanks for watching and your comment.
I have a fairly similar set up for the thumb keys:
- small left: backspace
- large left: return / enter
- small right: space
- large right: tab (command if long press)
This is just how I would hit the keys on a regular keyboard.
For hold press, additionally I have:
* hold T: CMD+T (new browser tab)
* hold X: CMD+OPTION+V (MacOS for CUT)
I am also a bit intimidated by layers. So far I have one layer for mouse movement and arrows that I use regularly. I will take some time over the holidays to look into more ways to utilize layers. I want look into layer for editing with DaVinci Resolve.
Thanks for sharing your setup. I found it very interesting.
If you've been typing for over 20 years, I think switching to a height-adjustable desk is more important than changing your keyboard, as the main issue lies in the height difference between your wrists and shoulders, which can impact your health.
thank you for your comment. I agree. A height-adjustable desk is high on list of things to invest in. The ZSA is solvig the issue of having my hands in front of my body, which in my case leads to rounded shoulders.
I started using a standing desk in 2009 and it changed my life. Now you can get a good adjustable standing desk for a little over $100 !
Thank you for watching. A standing desk is very high on my priority list. Great that they are now more affordable.
I did this, ZSA as well. You can program it with QMK also fyi! I ended up going this route to macro some common scripts I use. If you want full ergo even on your fingers, consider giving COLEMAK-DH a try for your layout :)
very nice. i have only dabbled a little bit with macros, yet. I want to make use of them more and more. Are you using COLEMAK? and can you still type with a QWERTY keyboard?
thank you for watching and commenting.
@@michaelwithouta Not comment op, but went into a layout rabbithole.
QWERTY > Colemak DH > ISRT > Hands Down Gold
Colemak DH is awesome, feels way better than QWERTY (from what I gather, basically anything is better than QWERTY), so I definitely recommend it. It's also relatively easy to learn coming from QWERTY.
Though, since you want to make your typing experience even better, try out some layouts that aren't restricted by being similar to QWERTY.
I hear good stuff about Graphite for example. Currently I'm using Hands Down Gold, which I like pretty much, so maybe look into that or try some other Hands Down variations.
Regarding typing on a QWERTY keyboard after learning other layout, I don't have any issues with that.
Both on a laptop keyboard and a phone keyboard.
@ it took about a two montha for me to get decent on Colemak, I havent tried going on Qwerty with my ZSA but on my macbook I can still trype fine
i went to a voyager for the same reasons last month, i had huge regrets. wish i did this 10 years ago!
Thanks for watching. I agree, I also waited too long before getting the Voyager.
Technically the Voyager's not Ortholinear but Columnar. Ortholinear the keyboards that are like a grid with no column staggers.
Ohhhhhh. Thanks for the clarification. Learned something new. Thank you for watching.
I wouldnt interpret "smoother sound profile" as more silent. You can always replace de switches tho. Good silent switches feel great imo :)
Thank you for watching.
Do you have an recommendation for more silent switches for the ZSA Voyager?
@@michaelwithouta I use the regular kailh deep sea silent linear switches for my office keyboard and I'm convinced they are some of the best out there. Not sure about the low profile version because I haven't tried them, but they do exist
oh nice. thank you for the recommendation. I will look into them.
@@michaelwithoutaI have also heard very good things about the Ambients Silent Twilight switches, as well as the Ambients Silent Nocturnal. They seem to be quite popular among Voyager users! They are what I am planning to look at, if I finally manage to pull the trigger on the Voyager or any other choc keyboard. 😅
thats called column staggered, ortholinear is when every key is in a perfect grid.
thank you for the correction and for watching
Did you consider a Sofle, it has a similar layout to the Voyager but costs about 1/5 the price
I have not. Thank you for watching and the recommendation. The Sofle looks interesting. Maybe it will be my next keyboard.
great video but a tiny thing is that the sound effects are only in the left ear
thank you for watching and for the feedback. I will do better next time
Ohh and for me tenting is a necessity. The thumb cluster doesn’t feel quite right to me when it’s just flat.
Your surface finish looks kinda janky. Mine was a uniform gloss…
I 3d printed some simple blocks and put some magnets in. The stands that you showed look cool but I always had a hard time getting similar things where I wanted and not slipping around.
Nice video!
I will give tenting a more extensive try. And pay attention to how the thumb clusters feel.
When I got it new, the surface was also uniform and shiny (as can be seen in the unboxing of the ZSA th-cam.com/video/gvcosVKgaRA/w-d-xo.html | 4:20), then I got my grubby fingers on it. ;)
So far, I did not experience slipping. The stands are fairly heavy and have a anti-slip base. But depending on the angles, it can sometimes tip over.
Thank you for watching!
Could you provide a 3D model of this block?
every time u do the whoosh its in my left ear and it sucks put that in stereo pls
scratch that all effects are in my left ear
Thank you for your comment. I will change it in the future. Appreciate your feedback
Unboxing video here: th-cam.com/video/gvcosVKgaRA/w-d-xo.html
Do you really need to look down at your keyboard so often anyways? I don't really ever look at mine while typing anything.
most of the times, i can type without looking. sometimes I need to look. especially when it comes to typing symbols that I dont use too often.
thank you for watching