What
ZSA has a new keyboard named Voyager out that fits my low profile aesthetic preference a lot more than their other offerings. With all the hype around the slick looking Moonlander and the original Ergodox, I was always tempted to purchase one but the chonkiness of it always got to me.
I was talking to your average weight lifter in the gym about shoulder tightness when he mentioned that the all mighty Moonlander and its split keyboard design had cured him of his ailments. When I visited ZSA’s website I found that they had just released this bad boy so I made my purchase.
I’m pretty vanilla when it comes to keyboards. I love my MX Master 3 keyboard and have resisted the mechanical nonsense over the years. But after having the Voyager for about a week, the two keebs apart does make it easier to relax your shoulders in a downward position with better back and chest posture. But it also comes with other unforeseen results.
Pros
Relaxed shoulders
Though overall posture depends on your persistence, I do feel a lot more relaxed with the split layout and can see how it can easily contribute to overall shoulder health.
Very Pretty
The build quality and design of the thing is excellent. Colored lights, aluminum frame, and low profile keyboard is 👌.
ZSA Community and Resources
It’s very easy to find answers to any questions you might have. Anything from layouts, mods, to detailed reviews are very plenty on the internet.
I didn’t have to build the damn thing
It’s one of few split keyboards that doesn’t ask me to solder hundreds of points. I don’t have time for that nonsense.
Cons
Learning Curve
The learning curve is pretty steep. I’ve been using it for about a week so far and still at 50wpm, about half my usual. And special non-alpha-numeric keys used a lot for coding slow that down a bit more. Kind of fun. Kind of frustrating. Getting better.
Switching Back to A Default Keyboard
I move around a lot during my workday and can’t always take my keeb with me. Going back to a regular keyboard messes me up quite a bit.
Unexpected Pains
My right pinky has been working overtime, which I don’t use as much with the default keyboard. It’s probably something that just needs extra time to settle in but I wasn’t expecting to have any pains with an ERGONOMIC keyboard.
Fucking Wires
I hate them. Yes, there are natural downsides to going wireless like connection issues but I still hate them so much.
Other
Ortho Linear Is Meh
It’s a different style that takes getting used to but I don’t see and noticeable advantage over staggered keys. Some people swear by them but I could take it or leave it.
Conclusion
It’s kind of fun. It’s kind of not fun. I’m going to give it a little more time. I might end up selling them. idk my bff jill
3 week update
The learning curve here is upsetting me.
2 month update
Still dislike the learning curve. Still making typos. Starting to getting more key combos. Small progress.
I’ve used my Ergodox for about six weeks now and I still have a lot of problems with the bottom left row. C in particular is a sore point. But I’ve noticed that all wrist and forearm tightness is essentially nonexistent now. Splitting the board is the most important thing for ergonomics, followed by tenting. I think ortholinear (or columnar in this case) is a bit overhyped, but still preferable in the long run to the row staggered stuff that we all learned on. My hands aren’t flying around the keyboard anymore, but that’s sort of the point, isn’t it? Stick with it!
I totally agree with your points. C is a pain in the ass. And I’ve noticed wrist and finger strain when switching back to my default keyboard. It’s a pretty evenly split pros/cons and my indecisiveness is costing me.