First exp with a split ANSI keyboard

Working as a developer, I spend quite some time in front of my keyboard. So after years of lurking and checking out keebs, I am finally typing these sentences on my first mechanical keyboard - a Mistel Barocco MD770 RGB BT Glaze Blue ANSI. I want to use this post to share some of my thoughts and experienc, to maybe help others along their path.

Layout:

  • being from Europe, I am used to ISO layouts (ISO-DE to be precise). The reason I went for ANSI is the general availability of keebs and caps + the layout might be nice for developing. And so far I love it! Apart from the Umlauts, everything feels nicer to reach and within 1-2 weeks I managed to get somewhat used to it (for the Umlauts I use a custom MacOS layout, which makes them available via Alt combinations). Might never be as fast on normal german text, but spamming CTRL+Z with one hand already makes up for that.
  • split is awesome! No regrets here, although it had me work on my touchtyping again!
  • TKL is not a problem so far, although I don’t do much number stuff

Keyboard itself:

  • love the clean look and everything feels pretty solid
  • I am missing a tilt option. The keyboard comes with some feet you can screw on, but e.g. Keychron flip out feet look way nicer an easier to use
  • wristrest is a must for me! The one on the photo was made by myself (and yes, I made it symetric on the first try. Couldn’t bear it, so I had to saw it apart and re-glue it)
  • there is no extra B. Before then, I didn’t know that I was using the wrong hand to type it.

Software:

  • no GUI/software for the computer. I am fine without, but would have been nice and easier to configure the board

All in all, I am happy to finally have made a move and I am looking forward to typing on the board every day. It is a very nice first keyboard to me, but looking at ortho layouts I am afraid it’s not the last.

khaytsus,

I’m happy the MD770 has no “software”, there’s no fuss to using it, or it getting reset, etc. I don’t have the RGB model, mine isn’t even backlit. The only limitation really is that you can only remap or macro keys you can type on the keyboard itself.

I love my MD770, I’ve used it about 3 years now. It came with MX Clears but I quickly got tired of them, literally, and swapped them out for Kaihl Royal’s. I’m still using the keycaps it came with and while I’d prefer white or maybe some other light blue or such, the orange is fine. Not like I stare at the keyboard.

I did rearrange the nav keys, added a few macros to type some usernames for me, but that’s about it. Very happy with this keyboard, it works 100% of the time, no quirks. My other portable keyboards work about 99% of the time, but this one I never think twice about it.

I wish I had replaced the stabs when I was swapping the switches out. They’re pretty rattly, which I don’t care about most of the time but if I’m doing a bunch of repetitive backspacing, like cleaning up some junk in a document or something, it’s a little annoying.

Luftruessel,

My biggest issue was the F1-12 keys on macOS. But then realized I can just turn of the macOS mode and use them like normal. Which keys did you use for macros? Do you switch layers? Have never really used them but always wanted to look into it

GarytheSnail,
@GarytheSnail@programming.dev avatar

Split keyboards saved my wrists.

Luftruessel,

Vertical mouse was a gamerchanger for me

GarytheSnail,
@GarytheSnail@programming.dev avatar

I tried that but I didn’t find one that felt as good as the ones I’ve been using. I currently have a v1 MX Master. Can’t get away from that beautiful hyperscroll either.

w_l_l_w,

Why do most split keyboards I’ve seen put the 6 on the left? On a normal keyboard if I were to touch type a 6 I’d use my right index finger

ChairmanMeow,
@ChairmanMeow@programming.dev avatar

On most keyboards the 6 is physically closer to the F key than it is to the J key, making it closer to the resting position of the left index finger.

If you search online though it seems to be a bit 50/50 which finger you were taught to use though.

FlatFootFox,
@FlatFootFox@lemmy.world avatar

Looks great! Love those wooden rests!

Luftruessel,

Tyvm! It’s some oak with danish oil. Also I had my first attempt at filling some cracks with black hot glue, which I am really happy with

nezbyte,

I’ll have to try the black hot glue filler trick. Sounds much easier than using dyed resin to get the same effect.

Luftruessel,

It is! Went on super nice, and with a sharp chisel I got a nice surface. Beats messing around with resin easily. I doubt it will hold up as good as resin, but that’s fine for now.

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