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
Note: This is my first mechanical keyboard.
Venting time:
So I got this keyboard from the drop in June of 2016, where they advertised the older model, but instead came the "Hot-Swappable" newer version. We found out it might be the newer version via e-mail so I bought gateron brown switches from a drop around the same time to switch out the Outemu blue switches it came with. When I got the keyboard I realized the switches needed to be smd-led compatible, which was not the case for the gaterons I bought. We had little to no information on the newer version so there was really no way to know that beforehand. (The switches were also Apls style stems when I was expecting cherry compatible ones like the older model, but I did eventually receive Outemu Blue smd-led switches with cherry style stems out of nowhere about a month later.) I never put the gateron browns in because I didn't want to give up the RGB lighting and the Outemu Blues were growing on me.
Earlier this week I ordered some smd-led gateron browns to switch out the Outemu blues, after about 2 months of use, to see how I'd like them . However, when I got them I noticed a problem; the switches didn't fit. So I tried some Cherry switches from a switch tester kit I had and they didn't fit either. From what I can tell, one of the pins on the Outemu switches is slightly slimmer than their Gateron and Cherry counterpart, thus the Gateron and Cherry switches will not fit in the this board. If you try to force them in the pin just bends. The "Hot-Swappable" nature of this board is probably only meant for replacing the Outemu switches with other Outemu branded switches which is not currently mentioned on the description page. I doubt Massdrop knows about it either considering they don't specifically say the board is only compatible with Outemu switches and with it be "hot swappable" one would think it wouldn't be. I tried digging for info about this but couldn't find any clear confirmation. I know the Zhuque TKL comes with Outemu switches and will accommodate other branded switches so it's little disappointing this board won't. It's a real bummer considering the money I spent on switches, but I guess I'll see it as an investment for future builds.
You could try modding them I suppose, but I'm not sure how well that would work. If anyone knows of a way to get them to fit I would love to know.
Also good to note, my board didn't come with a switch remover and I couldn't find where to buy one online without buying an entirely new keyboard so I bought these: https://amzn.com/B01G4QF1UC I used a razor to strip down the plastic to get the ends to fit in the switch removal slots. Its not the best solution but it's all I could come up with.