What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
To me it looks like a normal full size board, however for the price it lacks the Double-shot PBT keycaps and any kind of backlighting Every other keyboard for this price has both these features
Things that set it apart: Laser engraved key caps 2 additonal USB 3.0 ports for additional peripherals Quick toggle of NKRO over USB Has its' own firmware that gets updates over time Features top of the line MX switches with gold contacts Dedicated media controls
The thing is laser engraving is nowhere near as good as double shot PBT, USB passthrough is definitely not a Das only thing but i agree it's nice to have NKRO toggle is really situtational, i guess some may find it useful but realistically speaking you could attach any keyboard with a usb to ps2 and that's done Media controls is another non Das only thing, alot of boards have it and the others usually have FN media controls Every keyboard past 100$ has cherry usually, and a huge slice of mech users agree that Gateron are better anyway. Which doesn't make cherry bad, but i mean, every keyboard in a certain price range has them
I don't know, as i said maybe i can't fully appreciate this, but i still don't see anything that would justify this price, it looks like a lot of "brand price" thing
So this doesnt sound like a biased 'hater' post, let me qualify my experience with Das.
A Das was the 1st mech kbd I bought when I first got into mech kbds a long time ago. It's the first one I stopped using and the one I used the least as every kbd I have bought since has been better than it in very noticeable ways. As an example, it uses glossy plastic all around and it can warp and has done so over the years just slightly enough that if you press down on the chassis, it creaks. I am not kidding. Its chassis is a 2-piece and they must be glued together as the gap is noticeable in some spots and is uneven all around. My OOTB Filco blues sounded crisper and feel lighter than the Das and have done so ever since, still do and I am typing this one said Filco.
I gave the Das to the gf instead of trying to sell it as she likes the clicky blues and doesnt care about aesthetics or build quality.
Now that I think about it, I also had another Das with Cherry Browns but I sold it so long ago I didnt remember until I typed this up.
It sounds a lot like the people who think highly of Das have kept themselves in a self-reinforcing 'bubble' about it which has allowed them to ignore the developments of other manufacturers that have far outpaced what Das is offering which, from what I can tell, hasnt improved much during that time, at least as far as basic functionality is concerned.
What really baffled me was the lack of double shot PBT keycaps, which i thought were taken for granted for any keyboard above 150$, and i'm not nitpicking i believe, the keycap quality just matters too much Those keycaps look (and are sadly) the exact ones that you find on <50$ keyboards, completely unacceptable.
I'd rather have Kailh switches and good keycaps than cherry with bad ones; but i mean that's my opinion
But the point is, there is no point in toggling NKRO outside of incompatibility issues, that can be solved by connecting your board with PS/2
For the price this keyboard is solid, durable and supplied with the very best CherryMX key switches in my opinion. Like it's weight and ease of key presses when using these switches.