Finally took a plunge into split keyboard world, and built myself Lily58.
This post will be super short as my typing speed is still atrocious, and it will take a while to get used to:
- Blank keycaps
- Four layers
- Home row mods
- DSA profile keycaps
At this point I am not sure if the DSA keycaps are not the biggest problem. Especially after decades of low profile laptop keyboards. Rather than have fingers glide I have to raise them with each click.
Specification
- PCB: MiFunny – AliExpres
- Case: sandwich with dark smoked/tinted acrylic base – AliExpress
- Controller: 0xCB Helios based on RP2040 – Keeb Supply
- Switches: Outemu Silent Cream Yellow – AliExpress
- Keycaps: blank DSA – Keycapsss
- Software: QMK with Vial
Experience
Will report back once my typing speed is back to normal. 🤪
UPDATE 17/07/2025
Getting more comfortable with new layers. Dialed in certain special keys and typing improved significantly. It is still horrible though.
The keyboard as is suffers from two design issues that affect my typing experience. These are:
- Gaps between DSA keycaps are brutal for someone used to low profile, keyboard style keycaps. I feel my fingertips getting stuck between keys since they are used to gliding freely.
- The notches on homing keys are very subtle. Keep loosing home-row constantly.
A set of low profile Tai-Hao Thins (THT) are next keycaps I will be testing.
After two days of synthetic practice I reached 18 WPM. It is synthetic as I am doing only MonkeyType tests. I cannot yet imagine using it for work at this level of efficiency.
