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
Gotta say the pixelation some people were reporting did not seem obvious with mine. Just slight blur around details, but as i've pointed out with a Galaxy design it isn't noticeable especially at normal distance (I really had to be looking close to notice the blur).
I particularly like them with colormatched per key lighting to emphasize the galaxy effect, gives a very vibrant pop and life into the keys when lit up. (just wish i could add reactive effects over it on my Ducky, but i'm pretty sure my keyboard is limited to full backlight for its custom mode but that's a keyboard thing). The lighter areas mainly white and the very soft colors do let some of the rgb shine through which makes a pleasing glow from them in a dark room, but don't expect even light distribution or anything especially on longer keys as they weren't made with shine through in mind.
Two minor problems, some of my keys had little nubs of excess plastic one of the sides in the middle of the face (assuming it was from the injection molding, they were only noticeable when putting the keys on, i would pick it off but don't want to damage the finish (most were on the face facing away from me anyways). Also the finish on a few of the keys had some of the keys had some how chipped a very small / thin piece of the dyed portion on the bottom edge of one or two keys; thankfully only the thickness of a hair, but noticeable when putting the keys in since it went to the white.
And one more nitpick that it doesn't have an extra 4 keys for my dedicated media keys, will probably just end up picking up some novelty/ artisan keys to replace those 4 I guess.
But all in all not disappointed with the purchase, definitely like the more textured feel of these from pbt compared to that of the smoother/ slippery abs.
Just as a note of caution the blanked ones have no markings, or reference so be careful putting them on your keyboard since you won't want to mix them up, once you take them out of the packaging.