Show HN: Glove80 on Kickstarter-500 iterations to make split contoured keyboards | Hacker News Reader

Show HN: Glove80 on Kickstarter-500 iterations to make split contoured keyboards

kickstarter.com

37 pointsmoergo12 comments

I've been following this project for a few months leading up to launch. The amount of effort invested into making this an extremely well designed and high quality product is impressive.

Like others have pointed out, it's rare to find a wireless split keyboard with ergonomics rivaling the Kinesis Advantage. Especially when you consider the price point.

After much time spent with the Kinesis, I'm quite excited to switch to this board as my daily driver.

Very exciting project, can't wait to use it and see how it feels. This style of ergo keyboard with Choc switches and wireless capability is extremely rare, if not non-existant outside of custom builds.

I'm really excited about this. I backed this today.

Seems to hit a lot of the same value props as the Kinesis360. Some differences that I can see

1. Per key RGBS vs. global white backlighting in the Kinesis. 2. Low profile keycaps 2. Cheaper

Ergonomics is also much improved through 500 plus prototypes and a/b testing.

Really nice project. We definitely need more wireless split options that are shaped to fit the hands. I only wish it had hot-swap switches or a non low profile option.

I agree about hot-swap, but I'm not sure if hot-swap exists on the market for low-profile switches.

A non-low-profile keyboard would need to be designed differently, to avoid the keys colliding (due to the curving). It's probably not feasible as an option, that would be an entirely new design.

Ah, from Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/scj65b/g...):

> Unfortunately Hot-swap sockets are not really compatible with curved FR4 PCBs, without extensive hand soldering.

That makes sense.

As someone who greatly prefers wired keyboards, it feels like the wired connection is getting second billing here. For example:

> Glove80 is powered by ZMK, an open-source firmware specially designed for Bluetooth LE-enabled keyboards.

Okay… So does that mean ZMK won't work if I want to use the keyboard in wired mode? I would assume not since that would be silly but it's unclear.

It is more like QMK is not particularly optimized for Bluetooth power consumption, but ZMK is.

Interesting project. I've been wondering about contoured keywells for some time, especially after my finger joints started hurting after long typing sessions. I regularly switch between keyboards now to relieve the repetitive stress on each finger, which works quite well. Now might be the time to get a more ergonomic keyboard, though.

Rotating keyboards and chairs has been my ergonomic quick fix. I’m not sure if it’s a good long term solution though.

Like a Kinesis, but better and cheaper? YES PLEASE

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