Heyo
I want to switch to a split keyboard setup, but I really don’t want to spend $400 only to end up hating it. Are there any cheaper options that I can get as a temporary board while deciding?
EDIT: Massive thank you to all the replies I got. All of the suggestions and advice are great and have been very helpful. That being said, I will likely be going for the Momoka Ergo due to it having free shipping to South Africa and includes switches and keycaps. (Switches are extremely expensive here (around $250 for a set of Cherry switches for example))
I’m a big fan of the Sofle RGB layout. The board kit is about 25 bucks from little keyboards (where I got my kits). Add a 20$ case, some cheap caps and switches, and a set of micros and a cable and you’re there.
Same for any other DIY board really, this will get you where you want to go without the level of spending you want to stay away from. Corne is mentioned here as well, similar layout with less keys.
You could go with something even cheaper like a Helix kit but you’ll still be around 20 bucks plus the rest of the parts, so that extra 5-10 bucks on the kit is worth it if you want something a bit more contemporary.
Those look great. But I would really like bigger thumb clusters and some form of tenting if possible. However, I guess as an in between these could be great! Thanks
With those requirements, I would really recommend the Kyria from Splitkb. (Or Hillside from Beekeeb) It’s not the cheapest setup, though, especially if you’re buying tenting pucks and tripods.