Review: Epomaker Split 65 – an egonomic split keyboard
One again, the generous people at Epomaker have sent me something fun to try out. This time it’s the Split 65 – an ergonomic keyboard that comes in two halves.
The Split 65 is a 68 key / 65% keyboard, with a discreet volume knob at the top right of the keys (click to mute/unmute). It’s ANSI layout, compatible with Mac/Win/Android, and connects via USB-C, or wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 or 2.4GHz Wireless (three-position switch at rear). Ostensibly, the Split 65 is a newer version of one of my all-time favourite work keyboards: the EK68, with the same 3000mAh on-board battery.
The two halves of the Split 65, which is divided along the G/H central line, are connected via a 29cm long USB-C to USB-C. The battery is housed on the left side of the board, and the right side is powered from it when in wireless or Bluetooth mode. The right side is weighted, however, so both halves have the same heaviness. The combined weight is around 0.8kg. The two halves of the Split 65 jigsaw together, and magnets hold them in this position as one.
The Split 65 comes in Black & Grey with Cherry Profile Dye-sub PBT plastic keycaps with dark grey characters on all keys. Switches are a choice between Epomaker Wisteria Linears and Epomaker Flamingos. I got the Wisterias, which feel fine to me. No complaints. They are, of course, hotswappable.
The top case of the Split 65 is black ABS and the bottom case is black painted iron. I’m not sure I’ve ever encountered an iron keyboard before, but I suppose that’s how the connecting magnets work so well(?).
Four layers of sound dampening including Poron Sandwich Foam, IXPE Switch Pad, Sound Enhancement Pad, and Poron Switch Socket Pad, keep the Split 65 nice and quiet.
The Split 65 has south-facing RGB backlights with all the usual on-board customisation options. It’s compatible with VIA and QMK for all your additional customisation needs including key mapping and macros.
So, what about the ergonomics of the Split 65? Well, the only other ergonomic keyboard I have ever really tried to work on was the X-Bows Nature, and I didn’t really get on great with it to be perfectly honest.
Because the Split 65 is basically just a suped-up EK68, and I can move the two halves around independently, it feels a lot more comfortable and adaptable than the X-Bows board did. I’m still not a touch typist by any stretch of the imagination, so I notice my hands wanting to cross over from one half of the board to the other far more than they should. Although the typing angle is fine for me (I’m very used to the EK68) I can see that the addition of some flip-down feet for angle adjustment might be of benefit for some would-be users.
I do also feel like there’s a tiny bit of perceptible lag on the Split 65, even when wired. Not a deal-breaker by any means, but something to be aware of. That said, I should probably add a bit of a disclaimer that my PC is currently on its last legs, so some proportion of this is probably a “me problem”.
Given the fact that comparible split boards like the the Keychron Q11 and NocFree Lite are $200+, the Split 65 is an incredibly affordable option for anyone in the market for this kind of keyboard. Everything I already loved about the EK68 is here, but there’s a more besides.
The Split 65 is available to order directly from Epomaker for £90 GBP / $120 USD
The post Review: Epomaker Split 65 – an egonomic split keyboard first appeared on moorereppion.
