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
I wonder how a refund would even work, because the card I used to purchase the board no longer exists (account was paid off and closed)
If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it.
- It doesn't work wired at all. It doesn't do anything until it's paired except blink the insert key backlight - It's a bit of a pain to plug in the cable for charging because of the way it's designed - The backlight for the insert key stays on all the time while connected, even when the backlighting is turned off - The keycaps aren't translucent, so the backlighting doesn't illuminate the characters - There were some manufacturing tolerance issues with the feet which I eventually was able to free up with concerted wiggling - So far, whenever I switch between Windows and OS X I have to disconnect and pair again, which means I have to keep a wired keyboard connected and available - The battery isn't easily replaceable. In order to change it you would need to completely disassemble the keyboard and assuming you could obtain a replacement there would likely be some soldering involved - It doesn't come with a manual in English
Unknown: - No telling how long the battery will last at this point, or how long it will take to charge. It stays on constantly while connected and only seems to enter a power saving mode if left unconnected for several minutes. It uses BT 4, which is supposed to be low-energy, but it unnecessarily powers the one LED all the time -- there doesn't seem to be any way to turn that off.
Pros: - The key switches are buttery smooth. I ordered the version equivalent to the Cherry reds. - The keycaps have a nice feel to them - The frame is rigid and overall feels very solid - No noticeable input lag or signal issues so far
As mangix said, considering the relative lack of options I would say the pros outweigh the cons. The cons are mostly just annoyances.
I feel like I would notice if the keyboard had latency issues. I’m a programmer. I type fairly fast and I use a lot of key combinations within the IDE. With my Logitech K800 the response feels sluggish, and it will occasionally lag for a second or two and then catch up. When it does that the closing paren for instance will come out as ‘0’ because (I assume) the shift state is sent in real time while regular keys are buffered.
I’ll try to find something to play tonight which would make a good test.
As best I can tell the keyboard will never turn off, as long as there is an active connection. I didn't touch it for over an hour and the keyboard, backlight included, stayed on the whole time.
I also can't seem to turn it off manually. When connected, Fn+Insert just does the same thing as the unmodified insert key (which seems to be a tab character in OS X) and holding it down just gives me a lot of tabs.
The only way I've been able to turn it off is by disconnecting the device via the operating system, shutting down the computer or physically removing the BT dongle. When I do this, the insert key starts blinking (I assume that means 'searching') and roughly 60 seconds later it turns off (including the insert key, which is otherwise always on or blinking).
Afterward, (assuming I've turned on the computer or reconnected the dongle etc.) the keyboard doesn't respond in any way until I hit Fn+Insert to turn it on. It reconnects quickly, but the backlight does not return to its previous setting. It's not really a big deal to readjust it each time though since there are only 4 levels of brightness.
Shame it doesn't recall its backlight setting after a power off/on though. I'd like it as an option, but one i can turn off or on when wanted (and have that setting retained).
Since then I timed it several times and the backlight turns off exactly 9 minutes and 10 seconds after the last time you hit a key. After that, if you hit another key the backlight will return to its previous setting. If the keyboard loses connection (because the computer is turned off etc.) then the backlight won't come back on automatically.