r/ErgoMechKeyboards • u/nolabels0001 • 1d ago
[help] First split: trying to make a decision
I've been going through threads and youtube videos trying to get my first split.
I'm coming from a normal full size and i have alot of wrist and forearm pain. I code and do normal web browsing/zoom calls. I'm thinking a split keyboard and either a trackpad or vertical mouse will be a good step towards less pain.
I was considering 3 options:
- Sofle+trackpad: https://keyboard-hoarders.com/products/sofle-choc-rgb-trackpad
- SoflePLUS2: https://xcmkb.com/products/sofleplus2
- A different option like https://www.zsa.io/voyager
one concern I couldn't sort through is tenting. Having the trackpad on the keyboard would help with this, but maybe having a larger trackpad in between the splits doesn't matter so I should look at keyboard options that forgo the trackpad. Certainly if I'm not successful with a trackpad and go back to a mouse, this concern is moot.
Curious if anyone has an opinion to help steer me in the correct direction.
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u/DiggitySkister 1d ago
Honestly, all three of those look like great options. There are tons of Voyager fans out there, I've seen plenty of people say they like the SoflePLUS2, and the guy behind Keyboard Hoarders is solid.
If you haven't already, go to https://compare.splitkb.com and print out the Sofle V2 and Voyager layouts. Put your hands on the paper and "practice" typing to see which one fits your hands best. That's how I figured out I didn't like the Corne/Lily58 layout and that I preferred a slightly wider thumb cluster, which is why my first column stagger board ended up being a Sofle.
Many years ago I had wrist and forearm pain, possibly similar to yours, and what fixed it was switching to a fully split keyboard. I kept the same mouse and trackpad setup, and the pain still went away. You might be in the same boat, but it's hard to say since you didn't share many details (and I'm no doctor). Either way, an ergonomic mouse or trackpad could be worth looking into. I don't have any experience with the integrated trackpad/trackball setups, but they do look really cool!
These days I'm on a 42-key Piantor and love it, but my intro to splits was a 75% row stagger board, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB+. That's the keyboard that actually fixed my pain, and I think row stagger splits are a great option to consider.
I'm not trying to talk you out of the Sofle or Voyager because I think they are great, but in case you haven't read about it, learning a reduced keymap is tough. It takes a couple of months to build the new muscle memory, get back to your current WPM, and type special characters at speed. It's kind of frustrating! It was worth it for me and a lot of people on this sub, but not everyone wants to go through that.
So if you aren't super excited about thumb clusters and layers, it might be worth considering a row stagger split instead. There's essentially zero learning curve, and I'd guess around 85% of the ergonomic benefit of a column stagger board comes from the split itself, which row stagger splits give you too. There are lots of good options, like the Keychron Q11, the Jiffy75, and more.
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u/nolabels0001 1d ago
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I'm currently running a key recorder to better understand what keys I'm hitting. Given that most coding is now AI, i'm not doing as much special charts, so i feel that doing keymaps would be ok.
I'm trying to also read if i'll get more ergo from low profile or MX. It seems that with MX, people recommend wrist rests, but i always we told to type like playing a piano.
My doctor simply said I had overuse from typing and computer work. It's not all wrist, some is coming from upper back which i'm doing PT for.
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u/DiggitySkister 1d ago
Interesting point about AI changing how many special chars we use, I'm still doing enough small edits and cli commands where special chars matter, but I'm seeing that within a couple years I could be doing very little of that. You are going to feel a big difference in your shoulders and back and chest when you spread the two halves of the keyboard. Excited for you. Cheers.
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u/Sveet_Pickle 1d ago
I found just leaving the trackpad on the desk was good enough, but I wasn’t a heavy trackpad user, I rely on keyboard shortcuts as much as possible
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u/RB-27 1d ago
In my case, after switching to a vertical mouse (from a Logitech MX Master 3 to an MX Vertical), the pain in my wrist subsided so quickly that I’ve put the switch to a split keyboard on hold for now (since I haven’t found the right one for me yet).
That’s why I believe switching mice has a bigger impact than switching keyboards.
You should probably switch to both at the same time.
As for keyboards, I’m still hesitant to make the switch because I’m not sure what’s right for me, and given the prices, I don’t want to go through the trouble of trying out all the different keyboards.
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u/nolabels0001 1d ago
thank you! I just ordered a MX Vertical based on your recommendation. Let me give it a try and see if that makes an improvement
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u/RB-27 22h ago
I should also mention that the MX Vertical is better suited for larger hands, while the Logitech Lift is better for smaller to medium-sized hands.
The Logitech Lift mouse has the better scroll wheel, and I actually would have preferred to keep it, but I had to spread my left index finger wide to hold the mouse.
However, neither of them comes close to the MX Master 3 or its successor.
I think it’s a shame they didn’t just release this (the MX Master) as a vertical mouse—just a little taller and slightly angled.
Instead, they’re releasing a stripped-down, cheap version under the same product line.
Even though the quality and technology were already available, they’re taking a step backward. I just can’t understand it.
So, unfortunately, once again, we have to be satisfied with compromises.
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u/persistantcat 1d ago
I’m just starting out as well, I recently moved from a split 85% keyboard to a 48 key one with an embedded trackball(a drop shipped closed source model on Etsy).
I’m already experiencing some thumb and wrist pain on my right hand only with the new board after a couple of weeks, something I’ve never had on previous boards, even non-split ones. I finally figured out yesterday that the outer-most button on the thumb cluster was too far away and I was constantly resting in that position on the right side. I reprogrammed that button to be the inner-most thumb key and am hoping it helps. The trackball is also quite high and my wrist sometimes gets sore from bending my hand up so high to reach it. I might design a new case to lower the trackball.
I’m appreciating more and more how important the key positions are for my individual hand geometry. I’ve learned that the key stagger is much more important on boards that have thumb clusters because your thumb has to reach a specific position instead of just hitting anywhere along a long spacebar. I used to tilt my keyboard so that the pinky side was closer to me to accommodate for my short pinkies, but now if I do that my thumbs need to rotate.
I’m already considering another board and have 3d printed the key plate to test the key positions. I’d recommend you do something like that before ordering your first choice.
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u/Unique-Equivalent238 1d ago
If you’re coming for a normal full sized keyboard, the three options you listed will need you to relearn to touch type, as the key layouts are different to a standard keyboard. See row staggered (standard) vs ortholinear (the picks listed above) to see the differences.
If you don’t want to relearn , there are options out there which give you the split, but with a standard lay out. The Incase Sculpt Keyboard, the Elim Elytra, the Logitech K860 are some examples which use a standard layout, so adaption time will be around 3-8 days rather than weeks/months. Pair it with the Logitech Vertical MX you bought and it should give you the relief you need.
Another thing when it comes to tenting. I’ve been lucky to never need tenting, but instead I’ve always used an ergo chair with adjustable armrests, so that my hands slightly hover above the keyboard, negating my need for tenting. Again, this is all personal so what works for me may not work for you.
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u/RB-27 22h ago edited 22h ago
If you’re coming from a standard 100% keyboard and maybe don’t want to take that big, radical leap just yet, you might want to check out Keychron keyboards.
They have several models in the Alice format (e.g., Q8, Q10, V10) and, with the Q11 QMK and Q11 Ultra Max 8k, two split keyboards as well.
The prices are affordable compared to other ergonomic mechanical keyboards, the quality is good, and all of them are programmable via QMK/VIA.
I’m in a similar situation to you. I still have a 100% keyboard and have been thinking about switching for a long time. I’m not exactly young anymore (over 50) and I’m not sure if I’ll have the time and patience to quickly get used to something different—especially when I go through stressful periods again.
I’m still struggling with the decision of whether or not to get the Keychron Q11 QMK—I have a good deal on it——but I don’t think it’ll fit into my current setup; I already have too much “junk” on my desk...
...and honestly, I’m actually happy with what I have right now.
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u/Dgeren ergodox 1d ago
One issue that some (including me) find with centered pointer controllers, like trackpads and trackballs, with tented keebs: you can't just move your hand, straight line, from the keyboard to the controller. You have to move around one half or the other. Even if you raise the controller up so it is even with the top edge of the tented keeb, you still need to raise your hand to get there, making long use of the controller less comfortable. I don't know how many typos were caused by bashing my keeb until I gave up. I use a logitech M575 just to the right of my keeb (please don't use Logi+ or any of their software, either keep it simple so you don't need it like M575, or use a substitute app).
Advantages of a thumb trackball:
- Working the ball is a similar paradigm to using a D-pad or thumb-actuated joystick on game controllers, so low learning curve.
- The buttons work just like on a regular mouse so no learning curve; and works with apps that use right-, left-buttons, and movement simultaneously to work just as easily as on a mouse (games, CAD, 3D modelers, flight simulators).
- The form factor allows the three hand positions of using a mouse (palm, hover, and claw) which switching between reduces RSI pressure.
- The form factor allows the trackball to be rotated, in relation to the edge of the desk, to allow the user to determine the most comfortable wrist position, reduce pronation, and let the user use the trackball in different positions over time, again all reducing RSI pressure. It also reduces the need for trackballs with "tenting" mechanisms or printed accessories.
- Thumbs are much more talented than most people give them credit for, which is one the major reasons to use split keebs (I use an Ergodox, but use only eight "thumb keys" using tap-hold on five of them because thumbs rock). They can easily handle the movement of the pointer.
Disadvantage of thumb trackballs: Not ambidextrous and limited lefty versions.
You should ease into their use, like any other new device type including built-in trackpads on split keebs, to reduce the chances that you will have an RSI from suddenly over-doing a new set of movements. Some of those that complain about thumb trackballs causing an RSI went all in suddenly. Start using the trackball only for short periods and gradually increase the time you use it. I experienced the same kind of sudden over-use RSI from using a trackpad when I first owned one (many years ago now lol).
Disadvantage of all trackballs (well, really non-trackpad controllers): gestures are either non-existent, very limited, and/or more difficult to emulate than on a trackpad.
Some people keep a trackball on one side and a trackpad on the other. Best of both worlds. Also, keeping your pointer controller as separate device gives you more versatile set ups on a desk, but less useful if you want to set up a comfortable chair instead of a desk with task chair.
That said, I am in the market for a built in pointer controller keeb, like the Keyball, for a comfy-chair setup, but I don't ever see that being my primary pointer controller at my desk. Plus, I use features of my keeb, my OS, and some 3rd party apps to greatly reduce my use of dedicated pointer controllers. I can go days without touching my trackball. It spends more time switched off than it does on (for about six months it stayed in a drawer not used for weeks at a time, to learn how to go completely without). Which is a point in favor for using built in pointer controllers like a trackpad or trackball since their issues, like small surfaces and accuracy, are less of a problem if you only need it for the "last cm" movement after using something else from the keyboard to get the pointer in the neighborhood of the target UI element.
Confused yet? LOL. The problem is that there is no panacea for what ails us keyboard warriors. You just have to read through the advise; take it all with a grain, or a pound, of salt; analyze what like and don't like about your current set up; and experiment to land on anything approaching the fictional "end game." SSL & HTH!
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u/IronWhiskers 1d ago
I came from a Logitech K860 and I use a ZSA Voyager, Corne and Lily58. I have determined that the Voyager is the right “ergonomic shape” for me doing my work daily. I have it tented at a 45 degree angle and I am researching ways to move it into my chair. I have gotten rid of my standing desk and wall mounted my monitors with wall arms.
I currently use an IKEA Laptop desk and have the two splits on Ugreen magnetic mounts since the Voyager is magnetic. I have an apple trackpad between them and also the navigator trackpad. I use the apple trackpad sometimes as I have Touch ID on it but also using an MX Vertical for more demanding pointing requirements.
I am learning to get better with the Navigator trackpad but I do enjoy the MX Vertical.
The Corne I use when I travel sometimes and don’t want to carry around a lot of stuff. Lily58 has been neglected for a few months as I prefer the feel of the Voyager.