Switching to a split keyboard, forever

[Mcdude]

Biggest comment I have is that, once you’re fully up to speed, go back to a normal keyboard for about a month. That’s what I did, at least. By the end of that month, I was so comfortable on a standard keyboard that it was like I never left. It took me about a day to get back to speed on my split board, and ever since, I’m fully ambidextrous between the two. Fully up to speed when I switch with about a minute of typing.

The only thing I will say, is that I have used qwerty my whole life, and changed to Dvorak on my split board. It’s possible that using different layouts on the different styles makes it easier for the muscle memory to not conflict, rather than harder like I originally anticipated. My qwerty muscle memory isn’t fighting between row stagger and columnar split. Just took time to mature both distinct sets of muscle memory.

Anyways, thought I’d share my experience, somewhat unique as it may be.

[CDeeez]

The Voyager is a fantastic keyboard. I love mine and there's something so satisfying about having all the keys right there at my fingers without having to move my hands or wrists much.

Edit: I'm also hoping they come out with a V2 version of this keyboard sometime in the near future that has even more improvements on this already amazing keyboard.

[johanswork]

Learning to switch is just another skill, and anyone can easily learn to use both or any number of layouts with some practice. With the voyager, you can move the alphas up one row and make the bottom row a thumb row. Key tilters also work great for low profile, especially if you're down to 3 rows. Top row and bottom row can tilt towards the home row, and then thumb row can tilt towards your thumbs.

[comically_large_chungus]

I find that normal keyboards aren't impossible to type on after getting a split keyboard and learning to type on it but I do feel the ergonomic drawbacks of a normal keyboard when I use them now. The glove80 was my introduction into split keyboards but I ordered a voyager and I'm getting it friday.

[Masqueey]

Instead of buying a second voyager for the bluetooth, you could also take a look at the Glove80. I was deliberating between the two for a while and decided to go for the more ergonomic option with the Glove80, but might also get a Voyager in the future (once I'm made of money) because it simply looks so slick

[FraYoshi]

I solved the keyboard changin problem just by going full-in and change also the layout to dvorak, which resulted in 2wpm at the beginning, buy after a couple weeks I was at 50, and after a year at 80, plus.... my brain links the columnal keyboards to dvorak and classical to qwerty, which doesn't penalize me too much when switching ^^
Mobile phone and laptops are qwerty, unless I plug the keyboard, then it's Dvorak ^^

[simonwxyz]

On the topic of forgetting how to type on "normal" keyboards - when I switched to an ortho-matrix layout (planck-like) keyboard I specifically trained myself to switch between it and my regular stagger keyboard. The ability to switch without having to think about it was important to me and totally doable. But I can see how it would take some re-learning if you don't make the switch with that in mind. Also, I've read a lot of people's comments similarly saying that they switched layout when they swapped away from the traditional kb, which also helps to not break the muscle memory. That was certainly the case for me too, though I don't necessarily think it's a good idea for everyone. The main thing I learnt in the process was to "type properly" with all fingers in the right places.

Anyway... Nice review! I really want to get a Voyager... Just waiting for the right time to make the investment.

[nickgoogle]

Great video, too the point without waffling! I think the voyager is a great option, but I see one downside. That is that the thumb keys are just one key width. That means that your thumb must hit at a certain position. When by chance your thumb falls exactly on that spot it is great, but chances are that your thumb would naturally be a bit more left or right or a bit higher than the fixed thumb keys. When looking at how you type it seems to me that your best position would be between the two thumb keys!

[LewisCampbellTech]

In the first few seconds I can see the right half of the keyboard move in response to you typing.

As someone with smaller hands and wider shoulders, a split keyboard would be fantastic for me. but repositioning the two halves would drive me nuts.

[Pompomatic]

Having a backup expensive keyboard just in case you spill on the first one is overkill..

[jorgefilms]

lv'e had mine for a bit over a month now and my only complain is that it isn't wireless. The pro's are that my wrist pain went away, from an Alice Keyboard I was using. Moving to the Voyager was confusing for the first two weeks and it didn't help that I also changed over to Colemak DH. You could try to change your laptop keyboard layout (uf you us a different one like me) as that's what I did on my macbook, its a bit awkward having my hands so close together but I only use the laptop keyboard on rare occasions so no big deal. I didn't think about the what if it break aspect so i'll be saving up for my replacement one, hopefully they come out with a wireless version.

[joolz]

I touch type like even split use of shift and I can context switch between an ergodox and mac laptop or regular ten-keyless keyboard. I didnt lose the ability to use a regular keyboard. Maybe if you touch type it also wont be that bad to switch back and forth?? Idk

[GreatWalker]

The inner column stagger is a bit much

[wredue]

the one problem I always have is that layers arent a solution to lack of keys. The voyager was way too minimal for programming and admining for anyone that knows their keyboard shortcuts IMO.

[HileloB]

hi, i have been thinking about getting one too but because of the price i've been hesitating between glove80 and voyager (don't want to make the wrong choice) did you have the chance to compare?

btw I saw in the video it seems like you are in belgium too, can you share how much it costed you for the customs fees?

[DygmaLab]

The Voyager is a great board, but as some other people point out, the thumb cluster is its weak point. It's not only two keys are they are a bit too low for smaller hands. We think that the thumbcluster of the Dygma Defy is a better approach, although that's an MX board, not low profile like this one. Maybe we should do a low profile version...

[alpacamale]

Good for you but for me they take up too much space and I don't get the benefits people talk about. I never get wrist pain or anything on my 40%. I will admit I used to get wrist pain on my left hand because of cut and copy paste requite such an odd position of the wrist, but I fixed that by turning the escape key into CTRL when pressed.

[typingcat]

Really, a mainstream company need to make it to reduce the price near $100 in order this to be out of niche. Logitech, MS, KeyCrone, Nuphy, .... anyone?

[disarmyouwitha]

If you switch back and forth between ortho and normal layout enough your brain will just automatically switch~