[Symbiote]

I had similar misgivings, so I chose an ErgoDash, which has a few more keys than some of the minimalist offerings. I have the arrow keys in a horizontal row (which took some time to adapt to), but I can still use them with Alt/Ctrl/Shift modifiers fairly easily.

However, I'm planning on making something like this[1] "trackball Dactyl Manuform", where the trackball under the thumb can be configured to use different modes -- e.g. a key toggles it between being a mouse and being arrow keys, and another locks it to vertical/horizontal. It could be combined with holding Alt/Ctrl/Shift.

I made a gallery of split/ergonomic mechanical keyboards if you'd like a quick overview of other options. [2]

[1] https://medium.com/@kincade/track-beast-build-log-a-trackbal...

[2] https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/

[ZeroGravitas]

Do you happen to have an opinion on the best split keyboard for someone who uses and likes a Kinesis Advantage but would like a more portable alternative?

Or even suggestions on what I'd need to google to find opinions of people in that group?

[Symbiote]

This Reddit [1] might have some ideas.

Anything 3D/dished like the Advantage isn't going to be very portable, just because of the bulk. I suspect many DIY versions are also fairly delicate, as a result of the 3D printing process.

For a flat, split keyboard you could look for one where someone has already designed a case that goes some way to protecting the keys, or make such a case yourself. I wouldn't choose something with this few keys, but [2] is on the first page of the Reddit, and shows what I mean -- unlike the keyboards where the "case" is just a sheet of acrylic, this one looks like it would be OK stuffed in a bag. Many of these keyboards use a Pro Micro controller, which is known to have a weak USB port. Using a wireless keyboard, or choosing a different controller, might also help.

You will have far more options if you're able to solder the components onto the PCB yourself. Otherwise, there are a few companies like falba.tech that sell assembled keyboards.

[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/

[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/ir7axv/a...

[ZeroGravitas]

Thank you!