Wired or Wireless
When it comes to customizing your mechanical keyboard, deciding between a wired or wireless setup often depends on your familiarity with key remapping and your preferences for convenience. Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide which path suits you best:
Wired Setup
Powered by QMK: Wired keyboards typically use the QMK firmware, which is highly versatile and beginner-friendly.
Real-Time Key Remapping with Vial: With Vial (download it here), you can remap keys in real time without the need to flash firmware. This means:
Quick Adjustments: Change a key value with just a few mouse clicks.
No Flashing Required: No technical steps needed beyond using the software.
Ideal for Beginners: If you're new to split keyboards or keymap customization, a wired setup with QMK and Vial is the easiest and most hassle-free way to start.
Wireless Setup
Powered by ZMK: Wireless keyboards use the ZMK firmware, designed specifically for Bluetooth functionality.
Keymap Changes via Keymap Editor: ZMK does not have real-time remapping software. Instead:
Use the Keymap Editor to make changes to your keymap code.
Requires Flashing: Even a small change, like remapping a single key, will need you to reflash the firmware on both halves of your split keyboard.
Bluetooth Connection Considerations: Bluetooth connections are not always 100% reliable. Wireless performance can sometimes be uncertain. To mitigate this:
If you’re using only one device, keep the master half connected via USB while the slave remains wireless. This setup isn’t fully wireless but eliminates the wire between the split halves.
For those who interested in trackball, it is still quite new in zmk and the cursor is less smooth compare to the wired version, even it is plugged in as a wired. We highly recommended go for wired trackball.
Recommended for Experienced Users: This setup is best for those who are already familiar with split keyboard layouts and keymaps.
Challenging for Beginners: The technical steps involved might be overwhelming for those just starting out.
Summary
Go Wired: If you’re looking for a simpler, plug-and-play experience with intuitive key remapping, stick with a wired setup and enjoy the ease of QMK and Vial.
Go Wireless: If you value the freedom of a Bluetooth keyboard and have the technical confidence to handle ZMK's flashing process, wireless might be the way to go. However, we don't highly recommend wireless trackballs
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