Moonlander mechanical keyboard

I ordered September 12.

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We have touchdown!
So far I really like it, especially the Cherry MX Blue switches.
I’ve created a configuration that is Dvorak, with other customizations. One thing that I’m finding really useful is color-coding keys that go together functionally. In the photo you can see three pairs keys with the same colors on the two halves, these are open and close parens, brackets, and braces, from bottom to top. I have similar groupings on the other layers for function keys and the like.

My girlfriend just said it looks like oven mitts, and now I can’t unsee that :slight_smile:

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that one was clear form the beginning :stuck_out_tongue:

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On the scale from 0 to 10 for “looks”, that thing gets a -1. :smiley:

I tried ergonomic keyboards a while ago but went back to normal (but decent) ones.

I’ve been using an ergodox with a custom dvorak layout and cherry clear switches that I soldered myself about 7 years ago. I’ve ended up with this setup, a magic trackpad in the middle, the streamdeck 32 and a mx master 3 mouse.

If I had to choose I would get another ergodox instead of the moonlander which is mostly the same with more “hype” and marketing.

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I just added a single o-ring to each key. I think I like it even better. The o-ring reduces the ‘clack’ when the keycap bottoms out against the switch. It reduces the travel slightly, and is supposed to be better ergonomically, as it cushions the bottom of the travel. You still get the nice ‘snick’ sound that the switches make.

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Got a shipping notice on my Moonlander today.

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It arrived today. This is definitely going to take some getting used to. I’m going to have to tweak the default layout (it just doesn’t fit some of the ways I use my keyboard).

Yes, one of the things I like about it.
I still might will do some tweaking, but this is my current configuration:
e.g. I’ll probably make my current Backspace and Enter keys function as Option keys when held down.

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Now that’s pretty daring. I think I’m sticking with a qwerty-type layout. I do like the way you’ve mirrored the braces, brackets, and parentheses on either side, though. I may have to steal that.

One thing that bothers me about the default layout is how it spreads the modifier keys around the keyboard, especially since macOS keyboard shortcuts so often involve multiple modifiers. How do you like the way you have yours set up?

It seems to work well. Cmd is left thumb, Cmd+Opt is two thumbs, Cmd+Opt+Shift is two thumbs and a pinky, same for Cmd+Opt+Ctrl. If it’s more than a couple of modifiers, I tend to not remember the shortcuts anyway.

The only current issue (and the reason for remapping Backspace and Enter as stated above) is that I sometimes have to reach over with my left hand to the right half so I can Option-click on something.

Oh, and I’d like to tweak the location of my equals key.

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Here’s mine https://configure.ergodox-ez.com/ergodox-ez/layouts/N4QN4/latest/0

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Interesting.
The space key is quite a stretch. It doesn’t bother you?

I always use the right thumb for space, the left is just the few times when I have the right hand on the keyboard/mouse (usually for pausing videos and things like that).

Having checked yours I would recommend you to group all the arrows on the same side and also the pairs like ( ), [ ], etc. but specially the arrows.

And you should really think where you put the keys now and review the layout often during the first days because in a short while it will be purely muscle memory and more difficult to change.

EDIT: disregard the (),[] suggestion, I just noticed that you have them on the layer together. But maybe rethink that because you are losing a ton of keys on the first layer to those symbols.

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I see lobster claws. :lobster:

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I’ve used Kinesis Freestyle Solo keyboards for 10 years and really liked them. Went mechanical for a bit, but this got my back in the ergo realm, and my wrists were sore.

For ergo, I‘ve always used the trackpad in the middle or the mouse. Seems like the right spot to me.

Ortholinear…is the hardest keyboard to adapt to out of all the ones I’ve tried in my years. After about 2 weeks I’m up to 10 words under my regular typing speed. Took a bit to work out where I wanted some of the keys for brackets and other stuff I use for programming. I’ll end up doing a full review in the coming weeks.

My biggest regret is trying Kalih Box Gold switches. I’d rather have the White ones which I have an my Anne Pro 2. But I’m going to order those and swap them in since it’s a hot swap keyboard.

image

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I tweaked my configuration a bit. I found I was having to do calisthenics to use some modifier combinations with the setup I had.

Four of the six thumb keys are now dual function. Left to right:
Tap Space, hold Control
Tap Backspace, hold Option
Command
Command
Tap Enter, hold Option
Tap Space, hold Control

That mirrors the modifiers like they are on most keyboards. Adding Shift will still be a bit of a stretch, but I think it will be okay.

I also moved Hyper to one of the large thumb keys, it also dual-functions as F18 which triggers Alfred.
I put Tab next to my left pinky, as I was stretching a bit to tab. That key used to be Hyper, so it will probably takes some unlearning.

Parens and brackets work well where they are. I removed braces from the farthest keys as they weren’t worth the stretch. I can instead Shift+Bracket.

I’m thinking about putting number keys on the home row on a different layer. This will require either a layer toggle, or a thumb modifier to temporarily enable the layer. This is eliminate the reach for the number row. I have a “numpad” on a layer, but find that I don’t use it.

I’m also going to add “pips” (tactile bumps) to the two home thumb keys (space on both sides), switch my current F and J key caps (which came with pips) for the proper U and H to which I’ll add pips. I’ll also add pips to pinky home keys A and S. This is something the Keyboardio has that I like. Erez, the Moonlander guy suggested marker solution used by people with low vision or who are Blind to add tactile bumps where they need them on appliances, etc.

I now have four unassigned keys. :man_shrugging:

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Trackpad in the middle totally makes sense. That’s where I sometimes keep a pad of paper and pen, so I’m still reaching for the mouse on the right. I don’t find it fatiguing though.

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Here are some pics of my keycaps with pips added. They seem to really help me keep my hands located, and help my thumbs remember to go back where they should be.

The clear keycaps shown on the Moonlander are from a switch tester I have. I’ll add pips to the real A and S keys and get those back on the board next.

Switch tester, trying different shapes and heights of pips.

It’s kind of a toss-up for the pinkie keys, but I’ll probably go with the more prominent dot, rather than the bar, which is a bit too sutble.

And finally, one of the thumb clusters:

And, of course the original Pips

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Don’t know why, but reminds me of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdN27HzoyO4

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