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
• Tenkeyless 87-key ANSI layout • Outemu blue switches • Aluminum top plate (silver) with white plastic body • White backlighting • White doubleshot ABS keycaps (OEM profile) • 21-key rollover with USB, N-key rollover with PS/2 (converter not included) • Standard bottom row layout, ideal for replacing keycaps unlike the Razer Blackwidow or Corsair Strafe Pros:
• Sufficiently solid build quality. I tried twisting the keyboard with both hands but couldn't make it flex. • Simple and clean rectangular design, does not have weird corners & edges like the Redragon K6 and is not obnoxiously branded like the Armageddon MKA-3. • Aluminum top plate has a nice brushed finish and reflects the backlight well. It's a pleasure to use in the dark. • ABS keycaps are grippier compared to Razer's or Corsair's soft-touch satin caps. They don't trap fingerprints either. • 9 different lighting modes (scanning, breathing, reactive), plus 8 preset backlight modes, plus another 2 slots for user presets. That's a lot. • Remembers your last-used lighting preset/mode upon restart. • Beginner-friendly and quite easy to use. Just plug and play, no need to mess around with software. Cons:
• Non-detachable USB cord. • Ugly keycap legends. • The LEDs on my F9 & F11 keys are slightly dimmer than the other LEDs. Seems like a quality control issue. • Some of the backlight presets are redundant. • The stabilizers used are really horrible and prevent the Backspace, Enter, RShift, LShift and Spacebar keys from bottoming out properly. In other words, the key travel is somewhat shortened and ends in a muffled thunk instead of a clack. I will look into getting the stabs clipped, but 2mm O-rings should help for the short term (so all the keys will at least feel consistent). • Some might feel that the asking price is quite high given that other backlit Chinese mechanical keyboards of similar quality can be found on Taobao or Alibaba for below $50. Outemu Blue Switches:
• The Outemu blue switches here are made in China and have a nice transparent top housing. • They have a noticeably louder click than Cherry's blues. This is a definite plus for me, but other people might dislike it. • The pitch of the click (in the musical sense) seems lower than Cherry's blues. • They seem to have a higher click/actuation point than Cherry's blues, although I am not 100% sure about this observation. • If you place your finger on a key and gently rock it from side to side, you'd notice the stem wobbling more compared to a stock Cherry switch. This is a good example of how German manufacturing still reigns superior. Anyway, the flaw can be rectified by stickering the switches, but it might not be worth the effort given the entry-level position of the product. • On a positive note, I did not notice any inconsistencies in terms of switch feel across the keyboard. Conclusions:
• This E-Element TKL board would be a great choice for beginners looking for their first mech, assuming they do not have the budget for a Filco or Rapid-i. • Experienced users looking for a cheap secondary/backup keyboard might want to consider this as well, especially if you manage to find a used unit for under $50. In fact, there's one on Reddit right now for $45. • Having said that, I cannot get used to the poor stabilizers which are affecting my typing rhythm. It's just like driving at 90km/h and encountering a speed bump - not only does your WPM drop, you lose concentration as well. I intend to get this sorted out ASAP.