Is This the Perfect Custom Keyboard?
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- I'm thrilled to be reviewing the Voyager from ZSA. A fascinating and undeniably brilliant keyboard. In this beginner-friendly video I will share everything you need to know about switching to a custom keyboard as well as a detailed review of the Voyager itself. The video is packed full of tips on layouts, ergonomics and other hacks and ways I have set up my keyboard too. I hope you enjoy the longer form video on this one!
Learn more about the Voyager at zsa.io
Amazing resource on keyboard layout analysis: bit.ly/keyboard-layouts-doc
Link to my Voyager layout: configure.zsa.io/voyager/layo...
Full disclosure - I was sent the keyboard for free to keep. No money changed hands and I was under no obligation to give a positive review.
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Contents:
0:00 Intro
0:35 Why custom keyboards?
0:53 Staggered keyboards suck
2:03 The vibrant custom keyboard community
2:36 QWERTY also sucks
3:47 Custom keyboard switches
4:28 Columnar and ortholinear
5:08 Layers
5:46 Customisation without software
7:30 Why I decided to try the Voyager
8:52 Commercial keyboards and small layouts
9:44 Using home row mods
10:11 Is 52 keys the goldilocks keyboard size?
11:27 Portability and magnetic tripod mounts
13:28 Thumb keys
15:45 Pinkie column offset
17:23 Hot swappable key switches
19:37 Delightful keycaps
22:58 RGB backlighting
24:05 Oryx online configurator
25:31 Why not wireless?
27:18 Who is the Voyager for? - Věda a technologie
This was my first split keyboard and I'm surprised how quickly I was able to adapt to the new layout, particularly only having two thumb keys. The ability to set different functions for tapping or holding is essential to using this keyboard and this has just been a joy to use.
The information density here requires full attention. Great job! Just got a Moonlander. Very happy :)
I was waiting for this review! Been wanting this keyboard since it came out, and I figured I should wait for your inevitable review before pulling the trigger 😆
Heavier switches AND more keys, this cannot possibly be a Ben Vallack keyboard video.
Jokes aside, another excellent video. I knew from the release that this isn't the sort of board I'm looking for, as I'm very much happy with the Ergodox I use at my desk, and need a very similar unibody version for when I'm away. However, I was still very curious about how the board came out, as I'm a big fan of the work ZSA do. Glad to hear the project came out well. Once I've got the unibody board I really need for travelling with, if I get back into collecting boards I'll definitely pick one up, but for the meantime I think I'll stick to watching videos like yours!
This is a phenomenal review. Your approach is thorough and practical and I will definitely look into the ZSA products. I'm glad I found this video and look forward to browsing your channel.
No, it's not. There were several points made that are just completely false, and it's filled with speculation. I was left wondering why he didn't bother researching a topic he spoke so authoritatively on.
@@bobbyv3 Do you mind elaborating on what those false points are?
Great stuff --- super educational. Ben, you really think through the different dimensions of keyboards.
This is my first ergonomic keyboard, my wpm is down bad atm, and stumbling upon home row mods. But I can already tell when I get over the learning curve it's going to be such a blessing
Ben, thanks for all your reviews. You inspired me to order a ZSA Voyager.
I love my low-profile Kyria, made a layout based on Dvorak, modified it a bit, added several layers activated by combos on the left side (numeric, cursor, media, etc.), added a mouse layer, and also added combos for all special keys used for programming laid out logically and easily accessible.
Bought one of the first 100 produced, did a presentation at work about it and got a few people interested in it. Big fan of the Voyager, I think they took the lessons from the ergodox and moonlander and this is the superior version. A fantastic compromise between the functionality and portability. With very little work, I was able to bring my moonlander layout to the voyager and do just fine with the 2 thumb buttons. Though I did modify the home row one row up and swapped the larger thumb key for a 1u.
how do you tell if yours is one of the first? mine says PN:VOYAGER-L-00
I'll have to check and let you know, I have it loaned out at the moment lol. What I do know is that I ordered it within the hour of it being available, but I may be entirely wrong about that. Regardless, It is amazing and I am excited to be able to share it.@@kipkerluke2508
i just ordered the moonlander. should i switch the order to voyager? haha wa so sure with choosing it over the voyager
@kipkerluke2508 looks like I was mistaken about that. No way that I can find to confirm it.
@@QuackyI think it really depends on how much tenting you want to have. The moonlander can get to a more extreme tent, but I found at usually requires more stuff to make work really well. and if you have to take it from place to place, the Moonlander can be a chore.
If your use case is gonna be more stationary, AND you want more significant tenting without the zsa peripherals, go Moonlander. If you need just a bit of tenting, and want to be able to go between locations or devices, Voyager.
Sigh. I bought the Planck EZ after watching one of your videos, now you got me wanting the Voyager. You're killing me man!! :D Great videos!
Many thanks for this! Those Plancks will be cult classics now they stopped making them!
A few years ago, I switched to Dvorak layout on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Recently, I purchased a Voyager, because of your ergo keyboard reviews.
Thank you for being so detailed and thorough in your videos. Multiple times, I have watched all your keyboard videos. I am particularly looking for the HOW layers can be used most effectively. My current layer-switching method still needs to be improved.
Thanks for sharing your Voyager layout. I have more studying to do.
Thanks so much for this! Very much appreciated.
Couldn't time this review better for me! I was just debating between this and the moonlander. Cheers!
Your channel is so great and you are the first one I found that shares the same kind of wanting efficency at the keyboard with every stroke, that I like sooo much. You also introduced me to homerow mods. Eventhought I cant really see myself using a customized keyboard, like your. I definitly see myself using homerow mods. Today I activated those and it has been so awesome. It does feel a bit awkward at first. But I am sure that in one or two weeks, I will be flawless and better than before.
This is exactly like the first time I used vim. This is a step you do, that you cant undo. You will use this cool stuff for the rest of time and I love it :)
Keep up the great videos, I love every single one
Thanks so much!
Any thoughts about glove 80 ?
Thanks for the review! This was very thorough and a great showcase for this new keyboard. I'm certain that this will be someone's favorite keyboard (like mine is the Moonlander).
I've fallen in love with the Moonlander. I can't imagine going down to less keys - it's not for me. I use the extra thumb keys for different layers and I'll never go back.
I'm interested to hear more about your treadmill / workspace setup!
As someone who built a split keyboard and now uses a preonic as my portable keyboard this is definitely a convincing buy, I think the biggest issue is the that I usually need minimum 3 thumb keys.
Since trying my first Corne with Choc switches, I've been debating what to get next. I did purchase what I thought would be similar, but the quality just wasn't there. I'd been thinking about the Corneish Zen for a while, but once ZSA launched this, I was stumped between the two options. You've just helped me make up my mind. Very compelling video. Thank you so much. I've loved following your journey and hope you aren't stuck with existential dread trying to figure out what to do next. ;)
Really good video. Thanks for the effort. I am still way to poor to get this keyboard but the voyager is on my list of what I want to get into and use.
Really tempted to get this keyboard now. Would love to see you do a review of the Keyboardio Atreus. That's a small form factor keyboard that I've found to be my favorite for a bit now.
Just got the voyager, my first configurable board. I love it! Ive got 2 layouts defined, and am pretty happy with having moved the home row up one and got rod of the number row. This gives me more thumb keys, and everything I need is on layers.
I was really expecting your review on this new little guy. Thanks.
Ordered the ZSA Voyager on April 3rd and received it on April 11. It was shipped Fedex priority and arrived overnight, it looks like I was lucky or they had parts on hand, either way I'm starting the journey! Thanks for the videos!
Great review and overview of these kinds of keyboard for beginners. I watched all of your videos before buying the moonlander and I'm very happy with my purchase. But maybe I'll pick up a Voyager too ;)
Thanks so much for this!
As always, enjoyed watching your video
Wow, I thought custom keyboard enthusiasts already overengineer their typing experience but you, sir, bring this to another level entirely. 😂 Anyway, lots of respect for your hints and videos! Thanks a lot!
Sadly, what a lot of people tend to (understandably) miss when going for minimum key counts, is languages with more letters in them than English. I'm loving the idea of Voyager, the form factor is VERY slim and it's great. I'd love to be able to use something like this as a portable laptop keyboard to take everywhere I go.
But, I feel like even 52 is way too few keys for me to be comfortable with. I need at least [ ] ; ' \ , . to be separate physical keys (because they are also letters/essential punctuation in other languages), and ideally arrows too, and more thumb buttons than just 2 (ideally ctrl/win/alt/altGr and backspace/delete/space/enter). Also quite important for gaming to have modifiers and the usual keys (spacebar, tab, etc) easily available without layers, tap hold or tapdance.
The intro is such a good overview on the main principles of keyboard ergonomics/custom keebs!
You can make an extra layer to bring any keys you want to your home row or your easiest to reach keys. It's really easy with Oryx, ZSA's layout creating setup.
@@narkfly of course you can, I thought it was clear from my comment that I know. But it's not the same. Less hand movement, but also more keystrokes and more complexity, so it's not always worth it
@@Kej1m @Kej1m I am using a Moonlander with a 30 key layout as my daily driver for work - I'm a Dispatcher with an extremely time-sensetive position. If you use combos for keys like Esc & Delete (keys that are used far less frequently during typing, are typed about as frequently as punctuation) - plus dedicated thumb keys for the keys you use most while typing (Space & Backspace, you can also fit Tab & Enter here with 2 keys for each thumb & have Tap Dance go to a layer or something else when held for thumbs) - with Home Row mods or similar for your Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Win (I put all of these mods on my top row except Shift on pinky Home Row - to have layer switching on my Home Row index, middle, and ring when held) - and your main secondary layer having arrow keys under your right hand home row (on this layer, as I'm right-handed, I have my number pad on my left hand - this mirrors how left-handers mouse with their left and num pad with their right) - you can easily, easily fit all the dedicated punctuation keys you listed on your main layer with the Voyager - even without using the top Number row, which are not comfortable to reach outside of maybe 4 of the fingers on your hands. I started down this rabbit hole because of Ben's videos on his journey - and it's been a blast. There is a learning curve, but it's so much more comfortable - I have zero interest in typing on a "regular" keyboard any more.
As someone who games and studies Russian, I agree
I was thinking this the whole time. I use a traditional 104-key mechanical keyboard because I need as many keys as possible to type in Korean and Japanese. Yes, the QWERTY layout has issues for English, but it’s actually really good with other languages, especially when paired with modern IME software. I can type in multiple different scripts without buying multiple different physical keyboards, and that’s important to me and my needs when typing. Sure, a full sized keyboard isn’t always the best, but there is nothing better when you need to switch quickly between languages and when you need to use ALT codes a lot. This video was very “English centric,” and is probably great for the monolingual people out there, but this keyboard is a huge downgrade from the traditional 104-key layout when you have specific language needs.
Just got one recently. It is incredibly good and keymapp is so well made that I'm trying out new keyboard layouts. Before this I was using the planck ez for a few years, which I also found out about from this channel!
Really informative, cleared up a lot of background questions. The one takeaway for me (I'm new so forgive me if this is old news) is the idea of using camera clamp style hold-downs for mounting.. Of course that's a good idea, you want things to not move in photography.. Genuinely opened up a LOT of options for my rather custom desk setup
More detail on that here: czcams.com/video/mT3TToFqqEU/video.htmlsi=LX9enM4qE9JFaAQz
I shall now go and watch that! :) ty @@BenVallack
switched from the Moonlander to the Voyager. Used the Voyager for about two weeks so far and is very pleased. I always felt moonlander had too many keys and more importantly the tall mechanical keys are not for me, the lower profile keys on Voyager are much better for my hands.
While I do love my new voyager keyboard, I would probably have considered getting the Ferris Sweep if I had known about it before getting the Voyager... Anyhow, I am happy with the voyager and now has a luxury problem of too many keyboards in my home 😅
It's funny, I'm totally opposite in low profile switches are just not for me. It's part of the nice thing about how many options there are, because you can really get something that suits your tastes. 😊
man ive been eyeing this for a while now to have the split experience at my office and keep my planck for travelling. Really want this voyager
Agree with most of the points: I don't have voyager, but I have cornish-zen 3x5 which has chocs and is very portable. Thanks for the video 🙏
I guess my new travel keyboard. Only wish it had 3 keys per thumb.
Yea weird choice to go without that
That 3rd thumb button is why I switched from a Ferris Sweep to the Swoop.
If it is as configurable as the other zsa Keyboards it's not that big of a Deal it certainly would be nice but having the option to map every key Essentialy 4 times without switching Player is really great
+1
Having only 2 thumb keys feels like erring a bit too much on the minimalist side.
Naya Create keyboard
You convinced me to get a Voyager. I was on the fence, but now my order is placed.
Please make a video about your treadmill setup, especially how you use it and if you have noticed long-term benefits.
I have the Moonlander, discontinued ZSA line. Still feeling good with it, but the Voyager is somehow on my radar to try - but I don't have friends who have it, so waiting for them to get one so I can try to get my hands on it. I had same opportunity with the Moonlander, as my colleague has one, he has blank keys with black theme, I have with letters, and white theme, but honestly? Having bumps on "main row keys" gives me enough confidence to write without looking at the keyboard so I think my next buy (if ever, I love the Moonlander) will be with blank keys.
Nice to learn more about Voyager from you, definitely you're one of the people who I'd recommend to watch before hopping into split keyboards' journey
I just got my Voyager and I absolutely love it so far. If you like a little more thumb keys like I do the Voyager is actually extremely crisp to use where you shift everything up one row and get rid of the number row, which gives you a row of keys at the bottom that you can use with your thumb!
Yeah that is a super interesting idea
Wow... After getting the Voyager for travel and not having to lug my moonlander around I got buyers remorse once I got it for that reason and hadn't touched it. I think your idea would basically solve my problem. I spend all my time on emacs so muscle memory is really important for me, esp the modifier keys. Thanks 🙏
@@paulhuang2030 I got it for travel as well with no intent to replace my ErgoDox with it, however I was trying it out and I absolutely love the choc style keys and have stopped using my ErgoDox and only use my Voyager ... so shift the Voyager at your own risk, you may find yourself liking it too much :D
Got the Moonlander myself and love it, I got blank caps to force myself to learn touch typing as I was still looking at the keyboard despite having been a programmer for years! For gaming however I go for the Azeron Cyborg, I've considered it for typing but I feel typing and gaming differ quite drastically when it comes to input.
I tried to build my own custom choc keyboard years ago, but my soldering skill was not up to the challenge, and it ended up being a waste of time and money, and I just have been making do with Karabiner. I always regretted not just putting that money toward a Moonlander even though it wasn't low profile. I'm super happy that zsa has a low profile option now. Thanks!
hey found any low profile keys that look like those ?
Excellent video! If you have enough in you for one more keyboard, I'd love to see a review of a contoured keyboard. Something like a Glove80 or charybdis nano would be very cool :)
recently switched from the dvorak keyboard layout to the graphite keyboard layout! its actually crazy how much more comfortable modern keyboard layouts are compared to old ones like colemak and dvorak.
i was a 140wpmer 60s test on dvorak, hitting 100wpm after a month
and now im 115wpm on graphite after a month! i find that it feels way more comfortable even though both of the keyboard layout are "optimised" for the best typing experience.
Ah, I was waiting for your review
Great review! Just came here from your Moonlander one. I wish they'd have one with an in-built trackball or a trackball module you could add to near where the hand buttons are. I love the idea behind the Charybdis keyboard but the fixed angles make it a no-go compared to the Moonlander.
I have The moonlander for a bunch of time and i'm entirely satisfied by it, but i have to say that the smaller form factor of that Voyager convinced me, i already ordered it right away
Hey, fellow Moonlander owner here and I'm happy with it but I'm curious about Glove 80 and Voyager. How was your experience of Voyager?
@@earthling_parth Hi so my experience with the Voyager have been great i prefer this one over the Moonlander but i guess it’s just a matter of preference, i love the key switches, i love the smaller design, the material looks more premium and solid, and the writing experience have been perfect to me, but the keys are flatter on the voyager due to the thinner form factor, so it’s all depands on what you really want, the moonlander was great but a little too big for me.
I am using a DIY Plank from QMK (way back from the Massdrop days!) as my daily driver (Dvorak) and I gotta say, this looks like a real tempting board. I love my Plank but I do still feel a bit of an ergonomic hurdle with my hands so close together and a tenting keyboard could be neat to try some day.
10:56 there you can see an editing issue where the footage has been nudged up by a couple pixels - worth checking for the next one Ben but keep up the great work as always and welcome back to a 50+ keyboard!
Correct you are!! It's the shot of me talking below that you can see. Woops!
This is a brilliant keyboard. I use it for my "on the go" keyboard at coworking spaces or when I'm on a trip and couldn't be happier with it.
Thanks Ben for this enjoyable informative review. It made me look forward to the Voyager I ordered even more. It should arrive tomorrow, incidentally. 😊
Another order I'm very much looking forward to is the MoErgo Glove80 rev 2, since I've been using Kinesis Advantages, various ErgoDoxes, a Moonlander and Kinesis 360 over the past 15 years. Any plans to give that one a go? I suspect it has too many keys for your liking, but I find that concave key wells are really really comfortable. Small surprise the Kinesis 360 is my current favorite.
The Voyager might well turn out to be my on-the-go keeb, even though I'm apprehensive because of the relatively few thumb keys 😅. One of the reasons the Glove80 is intriguing as well. We'll see what happens…
I think the point you made about pinky stagger is a good one. Many keyboards are far to aggressive without nowadays. The best keyboards for pinky stagger in my opinion are the corne and Iris. They nailed it.
I have this keyboard, and I absolutely love it. It was my first split keyboard. The build quality is fantastic. The online configuration tool, Oryx is very easy and very accessible, even for a beginner. I've moved on to smaller keyboards, I prefer a 3x5 layout now, and I prefer silent switches, like a silent shrimp, or a bobo U4, there are no choc switches like that, yet. The Voyager was an important first step in my keyboard journey. I might go back to it when silent choc's become available. If RSA ever made a 34 or 36 key wireless keyboard I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Ordered a bunch of parts for my first custom driver: Lily58! Can't wait to get building it
Great review!! Thanks
ZSA is very wise to send you their products! I bought the Planck EZ because of you, and now I will very likely get the Voyager too!
And though a sponsorship would be nice, I must admit its reassuring to know it's your honest opinion.
Yeah totally - great keyboard!
Thanks for this video -- it helped to me decide on the Voyager and I love it! (I purchased the Glove 80 too, but don't like it). I'm new too split keyboards, and only after a couple weeks much prefer it to my traditional mech kbd (Keychron 70%) -- the first week was tough though. The build quality and config software on the Voyager are top rate. A lot of folks complain about not enough thumb keys and this was a concern for me, but I found anything more than two (each side) is too much for me because not a natural movement. I purchased a second Voyager already -- it's q fantastic product, and can tell build it's with love (e.g., the extra key switches, extra cables,. etc.)
Very happy to the home bumps for my Colmak-DH layout
Very interesting discussion on keyboard.
Great video as always Ben! 🎉 You inspired me to go from a 60% to Moonlander to the 36 key Cantor remix - but now that my typing speed has increased lately I too have been wanting less layers for more keys. So I'm planning to build a Reviung41 with nice!nano. What do you think about that, ever tried it?
I really think you should get a WalkingPad A1 with a adjustable desk to achieve the ultimate work station, also it could be nice productivity video. I actually build my first key two years ago thanks to you and using it since then !
Man, the ZSA products always look so good. You're paying the price for a niche but polished experience, it's great that the option exists. But there's one thing I wish ZSA did, and that's releasing a product for those of us with smaller hands. The moonlander and the voyager thumb clusters are just too far away from the homerow when you're on the petite side.
Love the review!! Wish I could buy one of these!
By the way, would you review any of the Aurora keyboard from Splitkb, specially the Elora, I'm looking forward to acquire one of these soon!
Great video. Can you recommend any coiled TRRS cables to go with this? The ones from the box are good but I’d like to complete the coiled look.
Awesome video, thanks Ben. Was it the tactile keyswitches you have ended up preferring? I just wanted to double-check before ordering.
Cheers! Yeah brown ones - slightly heavier and with the tactile response.
Curious to hear comparison to Glove80
Wonderfully thorough review. What is the folding lap tray you are using with the iPad?
I really love my Voyager. It seemed silly to buy when I have both a Moonlander and a Planck EZ Glow and a Dygma Defy on the way. But man, I really dig it and like having it in my repertoire of boards. All my boards I like 35g switches, so I did change that (I wish ZSA offered more switch options in general on their boards.) This is my first experience with Choc switches and overall I really like them. One thing I immediately changed when getting it is I actually moved the home row up one row. This made it more closely match my Planck. I like having the bottom row have my modifier keys like alt and the os key and I'm used to using a layer to put the number keys on the home row when I need them. I really like this one row up layout as for my hands it puts my thumbs in the perfect place for the two clusters. It makes a great split portable replacement for my Planck which is what I had been using with my laptop when I travel. So now I have a true split travel board, which is fantastic.
can you give an update when you recieved the dygma defy? I am not sure which one to buy tbh thanks
@@ShitmanMusic Sure, I probably won't be getting mine until December though according to their current ship schedule. Though in comparing them feature wise, I would say the few deciding factors for me would be: switch types available, if the Voyager already has what you want great, if it does not then you'll have to spend on buying more switches for it and the Defy has a lot more switch choices; how much do you care about rgb animations, the Defy rgb is pretty basic as compared to QMK has a ton of animations built in that you can cycle through, this may or may not matter to you; how many thumb keys you need, Voyager only has 4 as compared to 16 on the Defy, this didn't bother me because on the Voyager I shifted everything up to use some of the lowest row as modifiers, this cost me my number row, which I then pub on a layer but I was used to that with the Planck, you might want your number row; how important wireless is to you, I see that as a perk but not something I will use regularly; and last would be tenting, Voyager has a small tent which I'm ok with, but the true tenting on my Moonlander, similar to what the Defy will have, is a lot better. In any case, I'll try to remember to come back and comment here again once I actually have the Defy in hand.
Hey, great video as always! Just wondering though, would you consider getting your hands on Naya Keyboard?
Thanks for the video and it is really useful. BTW, where did you get the magnetic tripod mount?
Thanks for the review Ben. Do you have a link to the keyboard adapter that you used to connect it to your phone?
I've found the moonlander so satisfying over the last few months, I can imagine wanting to try the flatter/smaller voyager at some point. They're a bit pricey for my liking but I very much appreciate the hotswapable keys, oryx and customer service (I would/will hurt my wallet again).
In terms of wireless, I don't entirely like bluetooth (for input devices), because its not going to connect until your computer is fully booted, can't use it in the bios for instance or in something more temporary like a live image without pairing... on the main station I would have a permanent wire, but I would prefer an RF dongle when occasionally plugging into other things.
Really good points about bluetooth there.
Amazing! Thank You!
I love your reviews and they help me a lot! Thank you! Just a comment, as happen to you, sometimes I have to use my laptop keyboard an I have it at 97% according to my Planck EZ configuration with AutoHotkey. I know I know! you have a Mac, but... maybe could be something similar! And now, I guess I will change to Voyager, it seems to be incredible. I don't like the idea of the upper row, but let see how to use it, everything except numbers and F's 🤣!!!
I love the tripod mount idea, I'm curious are you two clamps, and can you link me to the mounts you use as well?
i think we have a very interesting case in our hands of a company training and creating the audience for more niche products over time. I mean they are one of the few big players in split keyboard.
I feel that the next product we see it needs a keyboard that folds into itself and it is each own case. basically reduce the bulk of what you have to carry. maybe that is not feasible though. I am not a mechanical engineer just a electrical one so maybe there are cost limitations for such project.
I love the the tripod mounts. they look amazingly and look to work well as well. when I first the footage I thought you had two and they were screwed in place. for me personally who is used to the ergodash layout I don't know if I want to give up my extra keys. those keys you rarely use but you want to have direct access too. my days of liking big keyboards with a lot of macros seem to still have a hold on my preferences. but I would give this a chance the moment I get the time and money at the same time. a reliable actual product seems a great upgrade!
It would be really helpful if you could make a video showing the tripod mounting system for your keyboard set up, and where to buy the parts in the UK and how to put it together and so on. It’s all a bit of a mystery at the moment.
czcams.com/video/mT3TToFqqEU/video.html
I always thought that you'd return to a keyboard with enough keys for all alphas on one layer, but I'm definitely surprised to see you go so far in the other direction! (relatively speaking anyway - 52 is still tiny compared to normal keyboards).
Just out of curiosity, was there a specific reason to choose this board instead of some of your other previous choices like the Corne or Ferris Sweep? You mentioned issues of soldering and the lack of a polished complete package as a result of DIY, but I feel like there's enough decently pre-packaged boards available on Etsy or even something like the Corne-ish Zen that offer that reliability and support. Not to mention that Corne-ish Zen has wireless capability and a 36-key version, making it far more portable.
Also, another curiosity question, do you find that going back to a split is overall better than a unibody keyboard that you had previously?
I hope I don't come off as combative; I'm genuinely curious as I've been following your journey for quite some time. I do feel like this was a rather huge jump, and it was a bit jarring to see, but I also know that preferences and requirements change over time.
Yeah I'm interested as well
This. I’m surprised. I mean, one thing I missed was how better it is compared with the Sweep.
No problem at all. I didn’t spend too long on the comparisons to those because I know most people buying the Voyager are coming from mainstream keyboards not the other way around like me. The sweep and all the other 1DFU type boards are all great in that they’re small layouts with chocs. But they all have the DIY board issues, reliability and general lack of polish and robustness that the Voyager has. Cornish zen is close but still weird group buy format which I don’t like.
@@BenVallack Perfect, thank you! Agreed on the benefits of having a company like ZSA behind the product. I started my journey with the Planck EZ, but I had an issue with one of the hot-swap sockets. When I contacted support and after some basic diagnosing, they sent over a brand new board at no additional cost, and the second board worked perfectly. You definitely won't get this from the DIY sellers.
Granted, nowadays I would've just fixed it in a couple minutes by removing and re-soldering a new socket, but many are reluctant to do so or don't have the time to do it which is completely understandable. ZSA's found a great market here!
thank you for that great overview ! one question... where did you get these tripod/mounting systems as seen at 12:20 for example ? or how is it called ?
Hey Ben, awesome review and overall, amazing content on your channel! I learned A LOT through your videos :)... I was wondering, are you still using the Voyager as your daily driver? If so, did any of your opinions change after using it for a few months? Thanks!
Still my daily driver yep :) Can't fault it - I have a very cool setup for using it on the iPad too. Video to come soon
@@BenVallack awesome, looking forward to that video! I'm deciding between a custom build (Lily58 or Iris) and the Voyager and after following your journey I feel much more comfortable about spending double the money (and potentially local taxes) for this keyboard. Thanks for the wisdom!
You've done a great job with all the details on your video
I also use vim and I'm trying to implement a very similar layer layout to yours with the homerow mod keys
Do you think you could make a video on that?
This video had the opposite of its likely intended effect-pushing me away from the Voyager. I use things like em dashes too frequently to want to constantly have to use layers.
I’m now moving closer to the Kinesis Advantage 360 non-Bluetooth.
Just discovered your videos and have watched a few of them now. Do you mention anywhere your lap pillow setup with the ipad? I have a surface device and the stand is not good for lap work. Looking into other options and potentially combining something with a tented keyboard. I have a few designs I'm working on but no time yet to build.
28:15 I feel like the Glove 80 is a way better recommendation. It's more ergonomic than flat board and there's no need to tweak with layers. It even has choc switches!
Edit: After going deeper in the keyboard journey, I agree with Ben now. For ergonomics, I confidently think that the way to go is by minimizing the number of keys to prevent reaching. Tweaking layers might be a bit confusing at the start, but with practice it pays off.
Not sure why he's so hesitant to go with/review dished keyboards, they're way better!
Portability
And what if the portability is suddenly a minor trade-off when the rest of the features are so much better? Are you willing to try it@@BenVallack ? Would love to hear your opinion on this.
Staggered keys may make no sense now but they were essential on old manual typewriters. If the keys were lined up in columns, four levers in each column would be on top of each other. They had to be staggered so the levers could move past one another. If you draw verticle lines through the center of each key, you will see how this works and why the top row is staggered more than the others. Of course, the stagger is no longer necessary, but neither is QWERTY. I've used ortholinear keyboards and there's no learning curve. They're very easy to use. But there are other, more important considerations for me.
Picked up a Planck EZ after seeing your video. Looks like I might get a Voyager soon too 😂
Love my Moonlander with Colmak DH.
You sir, are awesome!
I have been using a split keyboard that I built for a quite some time now and love it. But I do run into issues with the firmware or possibly my noob soldering skills but I occasionally have glitches with the either half or whole thing being unresponsive or issues with the RGB etc. Having a keyboard like this would be a nice change.
Yeah the reliability of DIY boards is an issue.
Amazing review -- just started looking into split ergo keyboards after repetitive neck strain injuries and you've pretty much convinced me on getting the voyager. Do you have any insight on the Dygma Defy vs. the Voyager since the Defy has a 2.4GHz wireless connectivity option?
Defy has way too many thumb keys for me. Looks like a quick way to get RSI in the thumb!! The biggest bang for buck I've found for avoiding back, shoulder and neck issues is to work standing up with your hands below elbow height and using an extreme tent angle. I do sit on a stool sometimes to take weight off the feet but I have about an hour before my shoulders get too achy.
@@BenVallack thanks for the insight, really appreciate it!
I've spent 25 years searching for the best keyboard, buying and using many exotic varieties, and what I learned is that the best for me is a standard 65% to 75% layout with QMK and hotswap, in a personalized dvorak layout. I used to think staggered rows were a bad design, but it makes a lot more sense than people give it credit for.
why? what do you like or prefer or at least not mind with a standard keyboard?
@@nickgoogle4525Hi, sorry, I tried to answer but youtube blocked it.
Awesome review! Want to try it now. What keyboard layout is that?
Thanks! It is ISRT
In your video about the 34 key layout, you used the thumb keys to permanently toggle to other layers. With the voyager, you tap hold the home row keys to navigate to layers. I'd be interested in why you changed your approach for the voyager.
Yeah there’s something fairly mentally taxing about toggles for layers. Home row holds seem easier to get your head around and because of the strength of the home fingers/positions it doesn’t seem fatiguing.
Thank you!
Hi Ben, I kinda have spent the past 10 days devouring your channel. GREAT CONTENT.
I am curious about two things:
1st: Are you still daily driving the Voyager?
2nd: I have seen no video of yours talking about the ISRT layout. There are some videos where you do mention the past steps of your "layout-journey" but you don't tell us much about your switch from Colemak DH to ISRT. I think that would be a cool video to watch.
thank you!
Thanks! Yeah I'll do a video on that at some stage. Basically I think there are so many amazing modern layouts that we're spoilt for choice. I'm still using the Voyager as my daily driver yep!
@@BenVallack there are a lot that seem great and I’m still struggling to find which one to pick: I write in German, Spanish and English regularly and I’d love to find a way to use just one layout for all of them. I might try ISRT and have German Umlauts (üöä) on a second layer. It would be a cool exercise though, to design a layout for a given set of languages.
I bought the Moonlander Mark I because of a shoulder injury. I noticed my shoulder hurt when I typed but I could play FPS games for hours. I guessed, and it was a expensive guess, that it was because my hands were a shoulder distance apart. I invested in the Moonlader and it got rid of my shoulder pain, I keep them shoulder width apart and actually when not gaming, I use my mouse between them. When gaming it is comfortable to move my right hand side right next to my left and my mouse to the right. Everyone I watch using split keyboards never used them 'split', they're always right next to each other.
Yeah I'm pretty happy using splits quite wide - the way I use mine now though is about 10" apart but with big tenting and a long way below my elbows - that seems to be extremely comfortable for me long term.
Just bought it, but since I live in France I had to pay a 90euros (around 100usd I think) custom fee...
Anyway, I can't wait to get it and start using it 😀
Great video by the way !
wow finally the keyboard ive always wanted
i was thinking getting a custom tkl keeb, but your videos have motivated me to go and buy a 40% ortholineal since is my most accesible option since the shipping price from pcb manufacters is REALLY expensive to my country and i don't know about local 3D printing services around where i live
just as a project while i'm learning to code i was thinking of making something that make it where you can use a video game controller as a keyboard
I've rewatched this video a couple times thinking about getting the KB.
Thing is my backs been hurting and I was thinking about getting ANOTHER fancy chair ( already have an aeron) but I actually noticed you had a treadmill setup.... and i started thinking about it.
I've heard some stories of people announcing them as life changing. I'm thinkin about imitating this setup ( treadmill and mounted in a tent position off my desk)
How would you rate a desk treadmill?
Second question. Would it be uncomfortable to shift your layout up one and remove the numbers? Or perhaps to the right one? Both?
I hope you eventually make your voyager layout public on oryx. I'd love to fork it!
Does this work for you? configure.zsa.io/voyager/layouts/7qMvx/zJXzj/0
I'd love to hear what you think of the Moonlander!
Reviewed that a few years ago - quite a few videos on it on here actually.
Seconding everyone here asking about your opinion on the Glove80. Less travel friendly, maybe too many keys, but with software just as good as ZSA, great wireless, and arguably peak keyboard design with the overall layout and key-well.
Glove 40 would be ideal
I just can’t associate that many keys with ergonomics. For me ergonomics is reducing the excessive stretching of the fingers. I know the key well helps that but I think just going to a smaller layout is equally beneficial- that said I’d like to try one!
@@BenVallack One big benefit ow the key wells is that you can have the low travel *and* access to many keys. Most of the Glove80 columns give you about 5 rows with in the same finger travel distance of the Voyager's 4 rows (imagine how little fingers have to travel when you just use 4 rows on the Glove80). I have snapped a quick pic: i.imgur.com/CxLEkO9.jpg
The Glove80 is also pretty small with the palm rest removed. Cannot beat the thinness of the Voyager though. But I think you would appreciate the Glove80 as well.
@@BenVallack Reducing finger motion is definitely a good goal for reducing RSI but anecdotally I've seen a number of people experience RSI for the first time as they moved to using thumb keys more for layers and other held functions that require finger presses at the same time. I've tried sticky layers on my thumbs but I've never been able to get used to them. I believe part of the glove80's philosophy is giving people the option to reduce the use of layers and the strain that holding a thumb key and a finger key can cause
@@JesseBradfordsThat's definitely an interesting discussion!